Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 660

His face came closer His intent was obvious.

But just as his lips were about to meet hers, Tatiana slipped away like a slick fish, ducking under his arm and landing nimbly in the leather chair behind the desk.

She rocked back, picked up the whiskey glass he’d just set down, and took a sip-right over his lip print. Then she flashed him an innocent, wicked smile.

“How can you boss me around now,” she swirled the amber liquid, “Besides-you still need me to keep the Langstrom family in check.”

Jasper stayed in that pushed-back pose, hand still braced against the shelf. He watched her use his glass like it was hers. No sign of irritation-his smile just got deeper. His worry faded.

He straightened up slowly, adjusting his perfectly fine cuffs, “Tatiana-we’ve never really been apart.”

He took a step toward her. Then another. Like a patient hunter closing in.

But she wasn’t rattled at all. She put the glass down, stood, and rounded the desk toward him.

Right at the edge of touching, she stopped. She reached up and adjusted his already flawless tie-an intimate gesture, like the most devoted lover.

“You’d better get your reactions under control, Mr. Jackson.” She tightened the tie just a little, forcing him to lower his head. Her red lips almost brushed his throat. Her voice was light, honeyed, “Right now, for instance-it can remind us where to draw the line.”

With that, she let go and gave his chest a light shove. Then she turned sharply, her skirt swishing, and headed for the door.

Her hand on the knob, she glanced back-a look full of promise that she had no intention of keeping.

The door clicked shut. The study fell quiet. Only a trace of hex perfume lingered, along with those teasing. unfulfilled words.

He stood there, touching his chest where she’d pushed him-like he could still feel her warmth. Then he let out a low laugh.

Tatiana took the lead and invited Liam to a riding club.

In her riding gear, she looked fresh, radiant, stunning. When she led out a big white horse. Liam co take his eyes off her.

Pure admiration in his gaze.

No hiding it.

Tatiana said, “A race?”

Sure.

They mounted up, pulled the reins, and shot forward.

They tore across the field, neck and neck.

In the end, Tatiana was just a hair faster.

“You let me win.”

“No-you’re just that good.”

Tatiana snorted, “I hate it when you go easy on me.”

She guided her horse toward the lake.

Liam rode up beside her, smiling, “I love watching you win.”

“What do I look like?”

Sherry’s fists were clenched tight, “I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it or not, you’ll know soon. You still have time to back out.”

Sherry hated being led around like this. She hated that knowing, I’ve-already-won look on Tatiana’s face. That confidence was what drew Liam in.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell him?”

“Go ahead. Spill everything. But… would he believe you?”

Sherry was quiet.

She’d seen how much he favored Tatiana.

“Pointless, Sherry.”

“Why are you doing this? What’s your endgame?”

“My endgame? Maybe… I just can’t stand to watch. You remind me of myself-back when I was just as foolish.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been where you are. I get you better than you think. You shouldn’t let one man trap your whole life.”

Sherry was stunned. She searched her eyes, trying to tell if this was real or an act.

“Everything I said at that banquet-it was for him to hear. If he picked up on it, he’d start doubting the baby. We’re almost at the finish line. You in or not?

So-before that banquet confrontation, Tatiana had already approached Sherry. The whole scene, the back-and-forth, the hostility-it was all staged for Liam’s benefit.