Steffy wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at the video once more. It wasn't years ago like she expected it to be, this had shades of Rick all over it, but he hadn't done his to her. This video was of her and Bill—recent—not that you could see his face.

Steffy remembered the night, she remembered the sex. The positions, the many thrilling positions he pulled her into in his home office when they got caught up doing work. He taken her, wildly, passionately, and without pretense. There was no way he'd planned this, like many had tried to convince her.

Her father and Liam had already placed blame. Even Brooke had chimed in about him setting her up. She just didn't believe it. Although his face was never visible during the video, she knew in her heart that Bill would never do this to her. He didn't like other men, let alone the world looking at her. There had to be another factor that she was missing.

Pushing play on the video again, Steffy tried to figure out how it was even shot. The night was so crazy. They'd started out working and she kissed him. The simplest of kisses ignited their never ending need for each other, and Bill grabbed her. He slid her closer to his body, kissing her as he removed article after article of her clothing, and stood there proudly as he stared at her perched on his desk. It was invigorating and made her feel beautiful and desired. She'd never thought it would lead to all this.

The media had been camped out in front of the building and some had figured out where she lived. Bill almost broke a reporters arm for taking picture in her face. There was no way he set this in motion, but someone wanted her to think he had.

Brushing a few more stray tears from her face, she shoved the video away when the door to her office opened. She had taken a lot of hits with this. A lot of investors had pulled out of doing business with them. Eric assured her it would blow over, she just had to keep a low profile.

For the past week Steffy had been going straight home after work and had skipped several events she would normally attend. Ridge, who was now off of house arrest, had offered to step in as CEO under the pretense of giving her a break. Steffy knew it was an attempt to snake her job away. It was sad that she had to suspect her own father, but she did. He had never really been her champion and was openly opposed to her getting the job in the first place. He thought he deserved it more than her.

Steffy actually suspected a few people. Brooke, Hope, Liam, Ridge, and Katie were at the top of her list. All of them had something to gain in one way or another. Katie, embarrassment for her, Brooke and Hope the same, and Liam, retribution for being cheated on and dumped. The only people she hadn't questioned were Justin, Amber, and Bill. She also knew her mother and grandfather would never do this to her. Someone malicious set this all in motion.

"Sweetheart, we need you for the meeting," Eric stuck his head into the office.

"One second," Steffy stood, attempting to smooth out her appearance.

"You look beautiful," Eric assured her.

The way he looked at her, the adoration, made her finally break. She hadn't effectively grieved her reputation. She was a joke now.

Steffy was crying tears she'd been to strong to shed otherwise and let her grandfather see the flawed individual he'd placed his trust and respect in. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not. I never meant for this to happen. I've embarrassed—"

"No one. You've embarrassed no one." He ran his hand down her back. "You are an adult and in the privacy of your boyfriend's home. You should have been safe there."

Not him too. "That young man should have protected you."

"You think he did it too, don't you?"

"It looks suspicious. Only the two of you there and now it's public knowledge, I don't see how it could have been anyone else. What do you feel?"

"I feel like Bill loves me and would never hurt me that way."

"If you believe—"

"It's not even believing him. When it happened I never questioned if he'd done it. I didn't even ask because I knew. I felt it."

"He's lucky. You love him so much you wouldn't even question him or let me try to convince you otherwise."

"The thing is, he's not the only one that's lucky. I finally found what you and grandmother wanted for me, and someone doesn't want me to have it. I have it all and someone either wants to ruin it or have it for themselves. I'm more skeptical of the people in that room down the hall than Bill."

"Well what do you want to do? Any attack on you is an attack on me and Forrester. I won't stand for it."

"We're going to play along. They want me to suspect Bill, then we suspect him."

"I don't know about—"

"I'll be fine."

"If this relationship is special to you, protect it. Don't let these people drag you down."

"Bill and I will be fine. If we have what I think we do, it won't matter in the end."

"Be careful," Eric warned.

"Always," Steffy assured, as he walked toward the door. "Just work with me here. Let me have my say in here today, please? I really need you not to fight me on what happens next."

"Steffy—" Eric paused, looking fearful about what she was going to do or say.

"Granddad, please. Just humor me."

"I'll do whatever you need me to, sweetheart. I'm always here for you, Steffy." He acknowledged as he walked out of the door.

Sighing into the air, Steffy stood and walked to the door. Her phone started to ring, and she doubled back to answer. Hearing his voice she exhaled. This was going to be hard, but she had to do it.

"I can't talk right now, Bill. By the way, you're fired."

She hung the phone up before he could respond, and sobs escaped her. She felt hollow, but she had to do this. It was the only way. He would understand some day.

The somber walk to the boardroom was one Steffy would never forget. She'd probably broken the heart of the only man she was sure of at this moment, but she had to get focused. Sorting her personally life out meant managing her professional one. She couldn't have Bill around. Not while there were snakes in her midst.

Stopping at the door to before walking inside, Steffy took a deep breath. She had tears exposing themselves and she put an end to those treacherous bastards. Standing tall and running a hand through her hair, Steffy strutted in with nothing but business on her mind.

"Thank you all for attending today," she spoke, taking her seat. "But there is a matter of business that can't be ignored."

"Who could ignore your naked rear all over the internet," Brooke sniped.

"Thanks for the not so subtle reminder, Brooke." Steffy rolled her eyes. "But you're absolutely correct. No one can forget. Not me, not you guys, and not the investors. Now some may not know who the man is in the video, but I know damn well who I slept with; it's Bill."

"Well, that wasn't rocket science," Liam mumbled. "He's only been gaming all of us from the start."

Steffy rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Bill is no longer our point of contact with Spencer Publications, Justin will be now. Bill is fired, and as of today Forrester has a new CEO."

The room fell impossibly silent, and Steffy smiled. "It's my decision. I need a face not associated with public scandal heading up Forrester, and this person is perfect." Ridge stood and Steffy waved her hand for him to sit down. "I said not associated with public scandal," Steffy repeated.

Liam smiled brightly, it was as if he knew she was going to say his name. But his smile fell when she didn't. "Amber, congratulations, you're the new CEO effective immediately."

"Steffy," Amber protested, and Steffy waved her hand out to silence her.

"You deserve this. You know as much about this company as I do in your short tenure, and you will do well. I'll be here to back you. You have mine and grandad's support. Right, Granddad?" Steffy looked at him.

Eric looked stunned, but nodded none the less. "You sure do."

Steffy glanced around the room to Ridge's stunned expression—Liam's annoyed one—then to Amber's nervous stance and stood. "Meeting adjourned. Well, if it's okay with our new CEO, the meeting is adjourned."

"It's fine." Amber nodded. "Whatever you want."

Steffy stood to leave the boardroom and heard light chatter break out. She got to the other side of the door and felt a hand grip her arm. Looking up to find Liam, she took a deep breath.

"Steffy, are you sure about this? You shouldn't let him run you away from your own job. I could kill him for what he did to you."

"It was horrible. I will probably never live this down." Steffy nodded. "I'm just glad I found out what kind of man Bill is and broke things off."

Liam touched her face and she shivered. She didn't like the feeling of him touching her. Nothing felt more right than Bill's.

"I'm here for you, Steffy. Anything you need."

He kissed the side of her cheek and she felt dirty. Internally she was screaming while she wore a simple outward smile. He more than likely thought it was gratitude for his offer, in reality it was the only way for her to keep up the facade. She knew Bill was probably going crazy, but she'd have to explain it all later when they were alone. She just needed time. Time and a shower.

He still had his key. Bill twisted the shiny silver key in the lock and sighed. He'd watched Steffy's house after work and waited for her to get home. She'd arrived a little under an hour ago and he thought she would come to him. When she didn't he grew tired of the waiting game. He needed to see her.

Walking up the stairs and into her room, he could hear the shower going. As he took a seat and looked around her neatly chaotic room he thought about everything they had become—how quickly he had fallen in love with her—how he never wanted it to end between them. She was the one. He hoped she knew that.

Minutes passed before he gathered the nerve to twist the knob to the door that restricted my from his love. Steam engulfed him the moment the door creaked open. Steffy was under a stream of seemingly hot water, but she was motionless. She was just standing there and didn't move until he pulled the shower door open. She was startled, he could see it on her face, but he just stared before reaching out to touch her.

Her full lips teased with a glimpse of her tongue drew him to her. Clothes were forgotten as he entered her shower, lifting her into his arms.

"Bill, your clothes," she hissed as he kissed the sweet spot on her neck she loved. "Bill," she called out as her back hit the shower wall. "Baby—"

Bill ignored her protests and put her slippery pelvis on his shoulders. He was fully clothed and running his tongue over her wet folds. Her nails dig into his scalp and he propelled his tongue further into her mystery.

Steffy bit her lip and her eyes rolled backward. He loved this, but he hoped he wasn't just delaying the inevitable. He hoped she wasn't about to break up with him. He wouldn't blame her, especially after the day and telling conversation he'd had with his father, but he wasn't ready to let go.

Wave after wave engulfed Steffy and while the water was bordering on going cold, he let her legs slip and stepped back while her wet chest heaved. Her normally pink nipples had a red tinge from where she had grabbed them when her climax hit. She was definitely his wet dream come true.

Without thought, Bill dropped his pants briefs. His shirt was next in the pile of wet clothes, and he saw her eyes tracing him. Every solid inch.

Snatching her into his arms, Bill drove into her perfect body and heard a loud gasp. "Condoms, Bill."

"Not today, baby." He kissed her and rammed her body into the marble that lined her shower wall.

Bill's hands were spreading her open further with each powerful stroke. Steffy was screaming his name. Her exasperated pleasure filled exclamations let him know he was hitting a new spot within her. She felt unlike anything he had ever known, and he closed his eyes briefly, feeling her tongue dip out to taste his bottom lip.

Please..." she whispered, kissing his lips, making him tremble.

"Don't beg me, Steffy. You don't have to ever beg. Just tell me how you want it."

"Deep," she hissed against his lips. "Go deep."

"You're going to be the death of me," he grinned.

"Oh, Bill," she screamed as he pushed against her, propelling his body into a deep set of thrusts. Pushing himself inside her, he felt her body take him all in and paused before taking her legs up higher around his waist. Kissing her neck, snatching her head to the side, he worked on her, making her wetter with each delicious kiss.

Holding her head, he could hear her rambling something and bent down to hear more. "What, baby?"

"Pull my hair." Gripping a handful, he pulled and pushed himself deeper only to feel her walls clench around him. "Uhh, yes," she whispered in a deep raspy voice that had him spinning.

He sped up, making her burst around him. Feeling the immense wetness between them, he knew she had climaxed. Thinking of giving her a minute to recover, he pulled back, and her wrist caught him. "No, keep going."

Rocking his hips against her core, he swiveled to the side and slipped in all the way, gripping her hair tighter as he stretched her body with his swollen shaft. "You want me deeper?"

"Yes," she hissed. "I want to feel that again."

His temples were pulsing as he moved, making her walls moisten more and more with each stroke. Pushing in just to pull out, he let her moans float around the bathroom as he stroked her velvet walls, making her cream all over him.

Pushing his body harder than he ever had, he enjoyed the throaty moans of his name, well a few different variations of his name. He was stroking her so hard, she was having a hard time coming up with anything coherent, but he knew what she meant. She was in heaven, savoring every tantalizing moment. Biting down on her ear, he called her name, and she shivered a little as his hot breath tickled her.

"I love you." Shifting a little, she took more of him, and he had to close his eyes to keep from exploding; looking at her would have only ended things way too soon. She felt so good and with each stroke, he felt himself driving closer to his ultimate release.

The heat of the shower was gone and cool water brushing against them only heightened the passion surrounding the moment. "Bill, uh, deeper, harder," she moaned and he bit down on her neck, making her breath catch.

"Tell me again, louder." Thrusting his hips harder against her, he felt her squirting. Planting his hands on her hips, he smacked against her thighs, rolling his hips against her. "You want more?"

"Yes. Give me more." Lacing their fingers, he rolled deeper, making her gasp. Hiking her legs higher, she gave him better access and he slid back, just to smash back into her. Digging her nails into his hand, she bit down so hard on her lip, he thought she would break the skin.

Moving harder and faster, Bill kept pushing until they were dancing together. Moving against her slick body, he bent down, taking her mouth. Moving his lips against hers, stroking her body, he realized he was completely out of control. He was losing the battle between wanting to go slow and totally dominating her. He had wanted her to feel free to let go, but it was him who had done just that. Here he was swimming inside her endless pool and he never wanted it to end. He was hooked, he knew that now.

Wrestling with her tongue, he gave in to her sweet, addictive, kisses and slowed down, pushing himself deeper inside her. Gripping both sides of her head, he held her still and continued to roll into her. Stroking her again, he closed his eyes, letting the moment soak in.

Watching the water prickling her skin, he thought he had never seen her look more beautiful. She was absolutely perfect and her glistening skin called to him. Kissing her neck again, he knew he was going to leave a mark, but he couldn't say that he cared. He felt like maybe it was time he left his mark on her. He needed it to be known who she belonged to.

Giving Steffy a few more deep thrusts he felt her climax again, only this time she took him with her. Making slow movements, Bill tried to make his body adjust to the sheer pleasure of knowing hers this way. They had never—he had never been with a woman without a barrier. Somehow he wasn't nervous. Any other time he'd be freaking out.

Shutting the shower off, he reached for the towel she had hanging nearby. "We need to dry off."

Bill ignored his wet clothes at the end of her shower and wrapped the fluffy towel around her slender frame. She looked amazed and he just kept moving about, not showing the slow creeping regret for not protecting them better. It was starting to surface for him now that the adrenaline was wearing off.

Pushing her out of the bathroom, Bill kissed the side of her head and dried himself off with another lone towel. Stepping into her bedroom, he was met with her questioning eyes.

"What is this all about?" She took his hand.

"You tell me. This morning I leave your bed and we're fine and this afternoon after being around your family we're suddenly done."

"So you sex me into taking you back?"

"If that's what it takes. We hadn't had sex since the tape came out. I was thinking maybe you finally blamed me like everyone else wanted you to," Bill huffed. "I wasn't—I wasn't going to lose you."

Steffy smiled and he was confused. "What's funny?"

"You and this pout you have going. I didn't break up with you. I fired you. I also fired myself, and I don't blame you."

"What?"

"We we're losing investors. I haven't made a statement and I won't do that. There is no use in trashing both of us because someone is playing games."

"I didn't want this. You shouldn't have to leave your job because some asshole decided to air our personal business."

"It's not fair, but I have to do what's best for my company, we both do. Keeping you out of it is worth all this. I know your father wouldn't be pleased if your name came out associated with this. Mine expects this from me."

She looked sad and he pulled her to him. "I don't care about my reputation, I care about what happens to you."

"I'm fine."

"You will be better once a culprit is named. I won't make you wait for that."

Bill kissed her and laid back in bed. "I'll always protect you, baby." He effectively made her feel safe and soon was was asleep on his chest. She'd worry about everything else another day.

He meant what he said. The next morning Steffy woke to an empty bed—a phone full of messages—and a new headline: Media mogul Bill Spencer films secret sex tape with ex-girlfriend and leaks it to media. Forrester CEO the victim of a retaliation after a bad breakup.

"Oh my god," Steffy sighed as Amber burst into her door.

"He did this for you."

"I know," Steffy admitted as tears rolled down her cheeks. "He's going to ruin his career because of me."

"Those me too people are all over this and you're a new victim. They're calling him a sexual predator."

"But he isn't. He's the man that loves me so much he's willing to be railroaded to save me."

"What are you going to do?"

"Nail the bitch that did this to the wall," Steffy declared and pulled herself out of bed. "You're my best friend, Amber I need you to know this, but I need you to watch this video with me."

"I'm in," Amber cheered and Steffy looked at her strangely. "What? I've been dying to see all my lessons in action!"

"Pervert," Steffy hissed.

"No, honey that man is an Adonis and you're not too bad yourself. You know you might have a good career in porn of my theories are correct about this tape."

"Shut up." Steffy pulled the video up on her phone and sat it in front of them. "Look at it closely and see if you can tell how it was shot."

"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for," Amber said sarcastically as they watched the video together.

The girls watched the video several times and each time Steffy noted something new. It had been edited, someone purposely cropped the shots of Bill's face out. She'd screamed his name a few times, but that was edited out too. Someone did this just to get back at her. She was fully aware of that now.