We dance together many more times, alone and within the group of friends. Everyone laughs and talks, tells stories and roasts each other.
By the time the celebration is winding down, it’s around eleven o’clock. The brides already left for their honeymoon a good two hours ago, and the little ones are huddled together, asleep on the floor under their parents’ tables.
Soon enough, everyone begins dispersing to their rooms for the night.
“May I walk you?” Connor asks.
“Sure.” We meander through the halls, not holding hands, but so closely our shoulders and elbows rub together every few steps.
“Did you have a good time?” he asks.
“I had a great time.”
As we approach my room, the door bursts open and a very drunken woman comes stumbling out. “Whoa, sorry,” she slurs as she realizes she nearly slammed into us.
“You’re good,” I say. “I’m your roommate.”
“Oh, you must be Elle! Right?”
“I am.”
Connor and I investigate the room. Mega chaos. Not only do I have three female roommates, they’re entertaining four male guests. Loudly. Music pulses through the room, the drinks are pouring and all the beds seem to be in use—with people either sitting on them, dancing on them or making out.
Connor looks to me. “You know, my room is quiet, and I could sleep on the sofa.”
I’d love to take him up on that invite. But with the way we were dancing tonight, I wouldn’t want him to sleep on the couch.
“My stuff is here. They can’t keep this up for much longer.” As I say it, someone whoops, and a couple of the girls begin using the beds as trampolines.
“In case you change your mind…” He leans in closely, and I think he’s coming in for a kiss. And, damn, I’m so ready. But instead, he whispers hotly in my ear, “I’ll leave my door unlocked.”
My eyes are still closed when he pulls back. “Goodnight, Elle.”
“Goodnight, Connor.” I feel drunk on a flurry of emotions I’m hardly familiar with and certainly wouldn’t dare try to name. They spin through me as I lean my shoulder against the doorway and watch him as he walks away down the hall.
I don’t want him to go. Everything inside me feels deprived; I need his presence, his heat, his voice, his touch.
Just before he reaches the elevators, he whistles the chorus of “The Only Exception.”
I break. “CONNOR!”
He stops on a dime and turns back. I smile, zip into the room and grab my overnight bag.
In a heartbeat, he’s back by my side. “Happy you decided to come my way.” His eyes meet mine.
As we walk together again, I admit softly, “You know, their party didn’t matter, I just wanted to stay with you.”
He turns to me. “I was hoping.”
“Yeah, well, it seems like every second I spend with you, I want another,” I confess.
God, his gaze is so intense. I’m nervous now, having just bared my soul, so I spout something random and quickly to relieve the tension. “God, my feet hurt.” I consider my stilettos, which are now hanging by my index finger.
“I can help with that.” Connor scoops me up, carrying me down the hall.
Laughing, I tell him, “You don’t have to do this.” But secretly, I wish he wouldn’t let go.
“The way I see this, it’s a win-win situation. You don’t have to walk on sore feet, and I get to hold you. Plus, you can’t change your mind and run back the other way. See, win-win.”
I melt into him even more.
He clicks the up button for the elevator with his elbow. The doors open, and it’s filled with late-night partygoers. Connor still doesn’t put me down after stepping into the elevator.
“Aww!” a pretty woman swaying with a paper cup in her hand warbles. “You two make the cutest couple! Did you guys just get married?”
“Yes, we did,” Connor answers as my mouth falls open. “We’re a cute couple because she’s so beautiful; she makes me look good.”
“How romantic that you’re carrying her to the room,” she croons, and her and her friends oooh and aahh. Then they all start talking loudly about the best mascara that won’t run when you cry.
Connor peers into my eyes. At first our glance is playful, as if we’re trying not to laugh because we’re in on the secret. It doesn’t stay that way. The gaze immediately turns intense and hot, and I’m counting the floors till the elevator stops at his.
I’m still in his arms when we reach his door. “You can put me down.”
“Nonsense. There’s a couch just on the other side of that door. And unless you’re squeamish, if you slip your fingers into my back pants pocket, you’ll find my card key.”
He’s giving me the opportunity to touch his ass!? Um, yes, please!!
He’s gazing into my eyes again with that same searing, intense look, and this time there’s an added dare you element that I can’t resist. Slowly, and without taking my eyes off his, I slide my hand around his waist and dip my hand into his pocket.
Oh. My. God. His ass is so firm and strong and… ugh! I’ve left my hand in his pocket much too long.
A small amused smile tugs at the corners of his mouth—yeah, he caught me, totally. But then the intent and sensuality of the action takes over, and his fingers squeeze my leg and side where he still holds me.
I manage to say, “Key. Card.”
“Swipe it.” His voice is all breathy, and he shifts so I can reach the reader.
The green light clicks on, and he pushes us through the door then kicks it closed behind us. The automatic lights flicker on, illuminating the room in a soft glow. And here we are; I’m still in his arms as he stands in the center of the room. Our eyes are locked.
“I don’t want to put you down.”
“Then it’s mutual. I don’t want you to.”
He takes a deep breath. “Trying to pretend like I don’t feel something for you is killing me, Elle.”
“What do you feel?” I whisper.
“Hunger, like I’ve never known.” His exhale is rough. “I want you, Elle. In every way.”
His touch makes me breathless. “You undo me, Connor Callahan.
Gently, he sets my feet to the rug. His left-hand stays wrapped around me, keeping me close, as his right hand softly cups my cheek. His fingers trail to my lips, and he caresses his thumb over them. Instinctively, I wet my lips with my tongue.
“I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I’ve tried fighting it, but I don’t want to anymore,” he confesses.
“Then don’t.”
At that Connor brings his head down and touches my lips with his, so tentatively it almost tickles, as it sends shivers racing over my skin and makes me want so much more.
He hesitates. “If I kiss you, I’ll never be the same.” He breathes the words over my mouth. His eyes are closed, his expression tense, as if he’s holding himself at the edge of a cliff and is about to fall. “But my willpower is shredded, baby.”
Baby. “Oh, Connor.”
He pulls in a ragged breath and lets it back out with a soft moan. I feel the heat and force of it over my lips. “I love when you say my name.”
I smile, biting my lower lip, then purr, “Connor… I’m scared too. But… I want you to touch me.” My throat becomes dry as sand as I put it all on the line. “I want you to touch my body like you’ve touched my life. Sometimes what I feel for you is so intense, I can hardly bear it … from the teenager you were to the man you’ve become… sometimes I think if you just touch me, it’ll relieve some of the pressure.” I add slowly, “And… if you do… but, don’t feel the same way tomorrow…”
“If I don’t feel the same way tomorrow?” His tone is incredulous. “You’ve opened me, Elle. These feelings I have rushing through me are so powerful… I ache to touch you, to hold you, to feel your skin on mine. I want to do to you what you do to me. I want you to feel how I feel.”
His eyes now search
mine as both his hands cradle my face. “And Elle, I know this sounds kind of wild but… I feel like I’ve been waiting for you all this time. To find me.”
My heart swells in my chest. “I feel like you found me again too. Like when you broke into my room all those years ago.”
Connor reaches out, gently taking the Saint Sophia pendant in his fingertips. “I believe she brought us back together.”
He considers this a moment; his Adam’s apple rises and falls in his throat. “I know you just started working for North House and The Core, and Elle, you have a bright future ahead of you. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that, and I swear, whatever happens between us tonight… if tomorrow morning you wish you hadn’t spent it with me, or if we’re still together in three or ten or twenty years and someday you decide to let me go…” He makes sure he’s commanding my full attention. His hands are firm on my face as his eyes sear mine. “I will never regret you.”
I soak in his words, my own hand now lifting to trace his jawline, into his hair and up around his ear to the back of his inked neck.
I whisper, “Ten or twenty years, huh?”
“You never know. I could see that kind of future with you, Elle.”
With one hand on his neck, I let my other thumb drag over his bottom lip. “You were my first kiss.”
“I remember you telling me that,” he answers huskily.
“I’ve always wanted a second one.”
His eyes close and his chest heaves.
I continue, “Maybe you should give me that kiss now, so things will never be the same.”
When Connor’s lips crash over mine, he kisses me with his whole soul. Both his hands are wrapped around my head, his fingers twisted in my hair and cradling my face. His lips are soft and taste sweet and musky, with a hint of the whiskey he’d been sipping earlier. The kiss is hard and wanting, all consuming. It brings me so high, my head spins. It creates a burning in my blood like I’ve never experienced.
The burning moves from my mouth, with his lips and tongue the conduit, and shoots through my belly and down deep into my core.
I’m on fire.
Wildfire.
“Oh God. Elle.” He moans into my mouth.
He makes love to my mouth with his, his tongue swiping against mine, his teeth dragging and nipping my lower lip urgently, his lips demanding. I press my body to his and feel my soft breasts push against the walled muscle of his chest, my nipples hardening at the friction.
He strokes his hands down my body and around my back, pulling me in, crushing my breasts against him even more. We both make lusty sounds, which increases the heat.
I need to go higher now.
Rolling my hips, I rub up against him. The hardness of his cock presses against my lower belly.
Immediately, one of his hands slides down to my ass, his fingers spread wide over my flesh as he holds me tight and pushes his manhood against my wanting. I can feel how large he is already as he strains; the length of him reaches above my belly button while more of him rubs hard against my pelvic arch, just barely above my clit.
I want that friction on my clit and deep inside me.
Slowly, I lift my leg up his, feeling the fabric of his tux pants on the bare skin of my calf and inner thigh as I curl my leg around his gorgeous ass. His hand caresses down my ass to my now exposed inner thigh, his fingers just scant inches from where I need them. His fingertips pressing into my bare flesh feels delicious and makes me hot as a fever.
I tilt my hips just a bit, and I ignite as my core and clit, covered only by a sheer thong, rub against his hardness.
“Oh fuck!” he groans and his head tilts back from the same pleasure I feel.
Connor trails his hands up both my legs and past my thighs, until they’re spread over my bare ass as he hoists me and holds my center over his, giving us each the friction we’re both so desperately craving.
His breathing is labored. “You’re wearing a thong.”
It’s not a question. His sweet calloused hands on my bare bottom testify.
“Are you sure you want this?” he asks, doubt and concern still in his eyes.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
He searches my face, needing all doubt erased.
“Connor, don’t question it. I want you to make love to me, and I want to make love to you.” I play, swiping my tongue around the edges of his ear. “I want you to take every part of me so I can give every part of myself to you.” I suck his earlobe between my lips and gently nip it between my teeth. “You don’t always have to be such a gentleman.” I tug the lobe with my teeth. “And you don’t have to hold back.”
“Good, because ninety-eight percent of my thoughts toward you are completely impure.”
I smile and then nibble and lick down the muscle of his neck. “Give it all to me.” To reassure him I say, “You know, as I lick down your neck, I’m wondering what your cock will taste like.”
He moans sensuously.
I want him to know he can be himself. “I’m not fragile, Connor.”
While he keeps me lifted with one hand, he traces my exposed skin with the other. “You are the hottest woman I’ve ever known. I fucking love the silky feel of your skin, and I can’t wait to have my mouth all over your body.” As he speaks, he dives his mouth and tongue over my neck, nipping, kissing, licking. “And Christ!” Both his hands come back to my ass, and he spreads my thighs as he lifts and grinds me against the fullness of his cock. “You can feel my cock—I’m ready to explode! This is what you do to me. What you’ve been doing to me since you walked back into my life.” His words rush out like a waterfall in his desperation to say what he’s wanted to say, what he’s kept bottled up all this time.
“Baby, you affect my body like no other woman ever has.” His tongue darts across my collarbone before he lifts his eyes to mine. “Then there’s this.” Connor takes hold of my hand and lays it against his heart. “Do you feel that? My heartbeat is bashing like a fucking drum kit! Like it’s getting threshed on by Dave Grohl doling it out for—”
“Nirvana,” I finish his sentence.
“You knew that?” He smiles that boyish smile that gets me every time. “God, you are sexy as hell.”
Connor’s gaze is intense as he gently sets my feet to the floor, the material of the soft carpet cushioning my toes.
“I have to adjust this… pressure.” He shifts the large bulge in his pants. As he does, he suddenly stops, closes his eyes and breathes.
“Are you okay?” I whisper uncertainly.
When he opens his eyes, the hunger and lust there sears me. “Your wetness is all over the fabric of my pants.”
“Oh!” I begin feeling very self-conscious and a bit embarrassed. “I’m—”
“Don’t say sorry. You all over me is sexy as fuck.”
Feeling suddenly shy, I pull my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Oh, and that.” He reaches out and drags his thumb across my bottom lip to my teeth, where I quickly suck his thumb into my mouth and circle it with my tongue. His eyes fill with pleasure as his hips press forward.
Mischief sparks in his eyes. “And ever since you spun around in the hallway of your apartment to show off your sexy outfit, this thin, little blue dress’s string lacing down your back”—at this Connor begins to tease the string with his index finger, following it from my shoulders to where it entwines down and across my back—“has had me mesmerized. It’s secured precariously with nothing but an easy to reach, quickly undone by a wandering finger, achingly painful and exquisitely tempting delicate bow. One that a boy like me can’t resist meddling with.” I feel his fingers have reached their target, and my breath quickens. “I’ve been wishing and wanting to do this all night.”
Connor tugs at the tie, and I feel the binding loosen. “Not yet.” He quickly stabilizes the fabric to stop it from falling completely, keeping my breasts covered. “There is such a deep satisfaction in just untying it. This will come off soon en
ough. If you still want it to.”
“Oh, I want it to.”
“How bad?”
I’m lit with desire. “So bad. Touch me and see.”
Lust clouds his eyes. His gaze follows his hand as they slide hungrily down my body. His fingers reach my thong, and he plays with the idea of going further as he toys with the elastic, watching my eyes, my intent.
I grip his strong forearm, pressing my fingers against the ink invitingly, and open my legs just a little more.
Connor brings his mouth close to mine, barely touching our lips together before pulling back. Again, he comes in for another taste, another touch, and then hovers over my mouth.
Teasingly. Tantalizingly.
His warm whiskey breath dances over my lips as his fingers dip beneath my panty line until they find the heat that’s been begging for him.
Oh God! My head tilts back and my mouth falls open. The sensation. Every nerve ending in my body catches fire. His fingers are calloused from lifting weights and working out and are so sensuous rubbing against my delicate skin.
“Your pussy is so soft and warm.” He moans over my mouth as his lips gently caress my own. “And fucking deliciously wet.”
He begins to work little circles over my clit with his fingertips, and I think I’m going to come immediately.
I whimper and squeeze his forearm lustily, keeping it in place, not wanting him to stop.
“Oh, baby, you are so ready.” He kisses my mouth hard as I moan against his lips and tongue. My legs become weak and I go slack at the knees. He supports my weight and slips two fingers deep inside my sex.
A groan rips from my mouth, muffled by his.
“Your sweet, hot pussy is mine. I’m going to make you come so hard, Elle.”
Electricity courses through me. At first his fingers were gentle, but now they’re rocking into me, beating my pussy with a sweet rhythm. I feel my wetness pour over his hand.
“I can just imagine having my thick, hard cock buried deep inside you,” he growls as his fingers mercilessly work my G-spot.
“Do it, please! I want it. I want you!” I work the button of his pants, but he shifts just out of reach.
Connor smiles cockily against my mouth. “Oh, darlin’, I’m so not done with the foreplay. I want my face between your legs. I’m going to take you so high, you’ll never want to come back down.”
Risk: An Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance Romance Standalone (Brothers of Ink and Steel) Page 20