Liam Novel Replacing Mr Ashford

I was in the bathroom of the bar when I heard my boyfriend Liams voice from the next stall over.

Through a mix of panting and breathless little gasps, a flirtatious female voice purred, Liam, how much longer are you going to play this broke boy-toy for that old woman?

Liam chuckled, his tone slick with arrogance. A little longer. Its not every day you find a mark this easy.

She pays my bills, shes great in bed honestly, its a steal.

I leaned against the cool tile, nodding to myself in silent agreement.

He wasnt wrong. A guy like Liam, who handled the chores and was always available for sex, was exactly my kind of bargain. A perfect house husband for a career-driven woman like me.

But my promotion and transfer to the new branch were just around the corner. It was about time to trade him in for a younger, more obedient model anyway.

1

I was only here because Liam had called, his voice a practiced whine, begging me to come pick him up. I figured Id use the restroom before wading into his drunken friend group, and instead, I stumbled into this little drama.

To be honest, when I heard the girl call him a boy-toy, I almost laughed out loud.

He wasnt some pampered plaything. He was just convenient. He kept my apartment clean and warmed my bed. I paid for his time. It was a simple transaction. Did he really think I was hopelessly in love with him?

Before I left, I heard the girl giggle again.

Oops. Liam, honey, I think I left a mark on your neck. Her voice was sickly sweet. What do you think that bargain-bin girlfriend of yours will do when she sees it? You think shell get jealous?

The sound of a kiss, wet and obnoxious. Liams voice was a low, smug murmur. Dont worry about her. Shes so obsessed with me, she wouldnt dare say a word.

I knew the girl. Chloe Pierce. Liams childhood friend, the one hed always treated like a precious little doll.

Their kissing grew louder, more frantic, impossible to ignore.

I made a soft tsk sound with my tongue, stepped out of the restroom, and pulled out my phone. I sent Liam a quick voice note.

Im here. Where are you?

Less than a minute later, I saw the two of them emerge from the bathroom, clothes disheveled, and slide back into their booth. Liam sent me the table number.

When I arrived, they were in the middle of one of those stupid bar gamespassing a tiny slip of napkin back and forth, mouth-to-mouth. The paper was so small their lips were practically touching.

Liam.

My voice was swallowed by the bass-heavy music.

He saw me in his peripheral vision. A smirk played on his lips. Then, he deliberately cupped the back of Chloes head and pressed his mouth to hers.

Whoa! Get it, Liam!

Alright, man, break it up! Youre gonna make Chloe pass out!

His friends roared with laughter. A few of them who recognized me shot me gleeful looks, waiting for the explosion.

I just watched them, and when he finally pulled away, I stepped forward. I hooked a finger under the silver chain around his neck and raised an eyebrow.

You done? I asked. Lets go home.

Liam stared at me, momentarily stunned by my lack of reaction. Then, a lazy smile spread across his face as he wrapped an arm around my waist, melting into me.

Yeah, baby. Lets go home.

As we left, I could feel their shocked stares burning into my back. I caught snippets of their whispers.

Jesus, does his girlfriend have a thing for being cheated on? Shes not even mad.

Dude, you dont get it. A guy like Liam? Shes probably so crazy about him shes terrified to get angry.

Still, to be that okay with it she must be seriously whipped.

Liam must have heard them too, because he pulled me even closer, his arm tightening around me possessively. He dipped his head to kiss my forehead, a placating gesture as if he were soothing a child.

I just smiled and quickened my pace.

He was just a placeholder, a warm body. A few more nights, and then Id be gone. As long as he could still perform, I didnt really care what else he did.

2

I knew what Liam was from the day he approached me. I knew he was rich, and I knew he was playing poor.

His reasons for choosing me were pathetically simple. I was an orphan with no family and few friends, which made for a clean break. I was attractive enough, but my demeanor was cool, almost distanta combination that must have appealed to his desire for a challenge.

So, Liam Ashford, trust-fund prince, had entered my life pretending to be a hopeless romantic, a warrior for love.

Ill give him this: he was beautiful. And to sell the act, this spoiled heir had reined in his temper and become impeccably attentive. A gorgeous, obedient man, delivered right to my doorstep. It would have been a waste not to sleep with him.

But lately, hed been getting sloppy, pushing my boundaries, testing my limits. That, combined with my impending move to a new city, meant his expiration date was rapidly approaching.

The plan was simple: three more nights. Then I was out.

The world is full of pretty boys.