The Hooker and the Hermit

by L.H. Cosway

  I saw her hands trembling when she reached up and settled them on my chest.

  “You’re nothing like what I expected you to be, Ronan Fitzpatrick,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  I drew in a breath in the exact same moment that she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. At first I didn’t react at all; perhaps I was in too much shock. I just stood there as her lips caressed me, her soft tongue sliding into my mouth and licking along my own.

  She wasn’t pushing me away.

  When the realization finally sank in, I gripped her neck and slid my arm tight around her waist, pulling her body flush to mine. I kissed her back. I kissed her with everything I had inside me until she was needy and hot and whimpering. We only came up for air when my phone started ringing. I knew it was Bryan or one of the lads, wondering where I was. I was only irritated for a second before I realized it was the perfect distraction. Annie knew that I loved her now, and the hotel suite felt too small, too close. We needed to get out and let it all sink in.

  “That’ll be one of the lads,” I said, smiling down at her tenderly. “We better make a move. Looks like we’re already late. It’s good to know you can hardly stand being in the same room as me without jumping my bones, though,” I teased and gave her a light pinch on the bottom. She yelped then laughed, her eyes shining brightly, and something inside me relaxed. We needed to be silly for a while. Things were turning too serious.

  On the drive to Wes, I kept catching her watching me from the corner of my eye. Her body was turned to me, her cheek lying on the headrest. Her face bore a perennial blush, and there was a dreamy look in her eyes. My little distant Annie was coming closer; her icy exterior was thawing, and all because she now knew I loved her. I could have high-fived myself for having the idea to write to her Socialmedialite account. She could hold the knowledge of my love without having to admit any of her own feelings, and I didn’t mind. I wanted her to know that I was fully committed. Just like I’d told The Socialmedialite in my email, she was “it” for me.

  Every time I let go of the gear stick, I put my hand back on her thigh, loving the feel of her beneath my palm. When we arrived at the pitch, I saw a couple of the wives and girlfriends hanging out on the sidelines, drinking coffees, and chatting.

  “Come on, I’ll introduce you,” I said to Annie, taking her hand in mine. Her expression told me the last thing she wanted to do was meet yet more new people, but she let me lead her over nonetheless. Marta was there, alongside one or two of the women Annie had met last night, so it wasn’t so intimidating.

  A loud wolf whistle rang out, and I recognized Tina, Desmond McAleer’s wife, as the culprit. I’d known Tina for years. She was flirtatious and loud-spoken, but it was all in good fun.

  “Looking hot, Fitzpatrick,” she called as we approached. “When are we going to see you back on the field, eh? I’m sick of looking at the same old arses. You’ve been well missed.”

  “Tina, it’s a pleasure as always. And you’ll get a good look at me today. But first I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Annie.”

  It was the first time I’d introduced her as my girlfriend since we’d arrived in Dublin. I didn’t see the point in pretending anymore. She was mine, and I wanted the whole world to know it. It took Tina less than a second to tuck Annie under her wing and begin introducing her to the other ladies she didn’t know. I gave her a soft, lingering kiss on the mouth which elicited several sighs from the women.

  Then I headed to the clubhouse to change into my gear. Much to my irritation, Sean was there in all his blond pretty-boy glory. Somebody seriously needed to smack the self-satisfied look off the bloke’s face because the bashing I’d given him obviously hadn’t worked. I’d gotten myself suspended from the team, and he was still walking around looking like he’d just pissed in everyone’s cornflakes and was thoroughly delighted by the fact.

  Someone was obviously trying to stir up shit because it turned out that Sean and I were nominated to pick teams. In the end each side had an even mix of professionals and amateurs. And in the end my team wiped the floor with Sean’s team. Yeah, Tevan came away with a bloody nose, I had a whole host of new bruises, and one of the young lads elbowed Sean in the face. It was apparently an accident, but I had my suspicions. And those suspicions had me grinning like a bastard.

  I strode over to Annie at the end of the match, slid my hand around her neck, and kissed her with everything I had in me. She drew away, breathless, and her eyes had that dreamy look in them again. God, I couldn’t wait for her to look at me like that when I was inside her.

  “You’re all dirty and sweaty,” she said, laughing and fixing her hair in place.

  “Occupational hazard. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little dirty.” I winked.

  “I like it,” she threw back as I was walking away, and I shot her a simmering look over my shoulder.

  After I’d showered and dressed, I was sitting in the changing rooms pulling on my boots when Sean sauntered in. He had a towel tucked around his waist and wore a pair of designer flip-flops. He stood in front of me, and I cocked an eyebrow while he let out a long sigh that only the truly pampered and jaded can do justice.

  “So, long story short, how would you like to get Brona back in your bed?”

  I barked out a laugh. “Long story short, are you high?”

  “I’ve grown bored, Fitzpatrick. Unfortunately, Bunny is quite like a roll of cellotape. She sticks. And now she’s been throwing around words like ‘wedding’ and ‘engagement ring.’ Quite frankly, I think it’s time I moved on. So, if you still have a thing for her, I could arrange for her to go running back into your big, strong, working-class arms. Call it a peace offering, a way for us to mend our bridges.”

  I pointed to my face. “You see this look? This is my ‘go fuck yourself’ look. So, go fuck yourself, Cassidy.”

  He tutted. “So aggressive. There’s no judgment here, Ronan. If you want her, you can have her. Even I can admit that she sucks dick like a Dyson. And I’ve had a lot of fellatio in my time. A lot.”

  Seriously, this prick didn’t even know what he sounded like, did he? He was such a cliché I almost felt sorry for him.

  “You must really be missing that hospital bed because you’re five seconds away from a return visit. I suggest you leave now. Otherwise, I can’t be responsible for fucking your shit up. Again.”

  He raised his hands in the air. “No need for violence. I’m offering you an olive branch here. Let’s not allow a pair of plastic double-Ds to get in the way of our friendship. We have to put the team first.”

  I shook my head at him and couldn’t help but laugh. “We were hardly best buds before all this. But seriously, if you’re so concerned about the team, then why did you even sleep with her in the first place?”

  He shot a look toward the ceiling, shrugged, and then looked back to me. “I was drunk and horny. She saw an opportunity. There’s nothing very deep about it.”

  “Well, no surprise there.”

  He narrowed his gaze fractionally at my response. “So, do you want her back or not?”

  The look I gave him said it all. “I’ve got a girlfriend who I’m very much in love with. And I’d rather stick my penis in a blender than go anywhere near that poisonous brat ever again.”

  He sucked in a long breath then exhaled. “Fair enough. And I must say, congrats on the new bird, man. She is smokin’.”

  “So much as look at her, and you’ll regret it,” I warned.

  He threw his hands into the air. “Touchy, touchy. But okay, I guess I deserved that. Oh, and a word to the wise, you’re doing well in the press at the moment, whereas Brona’s looking like a twisted attention whore. However, I suspect she has something up her sleeve. Just a feeling. You may want to get your people on the case. Don’t say I never gave you anything,” he finished and then strode off.

  I sat there, staring at the tiles on the floor and wondering if he was trying to fuck with my h
ead. Something up her sleeve? I tried not to dwell on it because she was probably just going to do another interview with some trashy gossip mag.

  A little while later, in order to evade the paps, a small group of us made the drive up to the Dublin Mountains to have dinner and drinks in a cozy little pub off the beaten track. The whole time Annie was snugly tucked under my arm, sipping on a glass of Baileys, looking rosy-cheeked and thoroughly relaxed.

  This is the life, I thought to myself.

  She’d put her hair in a loose ponytail and strands fell messily over her neck and shoulders. I wanted to grip that ponytail in my hand while I took her from behind. My quick and dirty orgasm today had definitely not been enough to keep me satisfied. In fact, it had kind of made matters worse. Getting a taste of her had only made my hunger grow even fiercer. I wanted to make love to her; but with everything going on and us staying in a hotel room (where seemingly Patricia felt she had the freedom to come and go as she pleased), it just didn’t feel like we had the required privacy. We were constantly surrounded by people, and I just wanted to be alone. Nobody else but me and Annie.

  When she stood to go use the bathroom, I watched her smooth her skirt down over her thighs and walk away. Bryan had the good nature to rib me about it.

  “Can’t take your eyes off that one,” he said. “You’ve got it bad, Fitzpatrick.”

  “Leave him alone,” said Tina, who sat with her husband Desmond on the other side of the table. “I think it’s lovely. You can practically feel how badly they’re into each other. Makes me a little jealous, if I’m honest.”

  Seriously, they were like a bunch of clucking hens. We’d finished our food, and Annie’s glass of Baileys was empty. I thought this was as good a time as any to make a move. Just as she returned to the table, I stood and helped her on with her coat and handbag. She seemed surprised that we were leaving already but let me lead her outside nonetheless. We said our goodbyes, and it felt good to get back behind the wheel. I knew that soon enough I’d be back in New York amid the traffic and the people and the stress, so I decided to make the most of the moment.

  “You mind if we go for a drive before we head back to the hotel?” I asked Annie as she settled into the passenger seat.

  She did a cute little yawn. “Not at all. I’ll warn you, though. I’m exhausted, so I may fall asleep along the way.”

  “Get in the back and lie down if you like,” I suggested. The idea seemed to appeal to her because she climbed between the seats, giving me yet another spectacular view of her arse. I had to resist the urge to lean forward and give it a little bite. She lay down in the back, and I sat there for a moment, looking at her through the overhead mirror. Such a fucking temptation.

  I had a feeling this was going to be the best drive of my life.

  In some places the roads weren’t lit very well, and it seemed like I’d gotten my wish because it really felt like we were all alone. We talked a little along the way with Annie explaining some of the stuff about her job I didn’t know. Seriously, the woman was so intelligent when she was relaxed enough not to be anxious that it made me feel dumb in comparison. Yeah, I was educated, but Annie just had this natural flair for what she did that I was in awe of.

  All the while she talked, I had my eyes flickering between her and the road. She sat with her feet up on the seat, her body strewn in such a way that she was almost lying down, with her head resting against the edge of the window. It was kind of a high, having her all to myself like this. I started to fixate on how she hadn’t put on a seatbelt and how those seatbelts hung next to her body. It would be so easy to strap her down. I could be pretty creative when the mood took me.

  When I saw a little turn off the main road, I took it until we came to a secluded nook surrounded by tall trees. I parked the car. I was still staring at her through the mirror when she sat up, asking, “Why have we stopped?”

  I exhaled and tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. Was I actually considering doing this? I mean, depending on what she preferred in bed, I could scare her off for good. Then again, from the very moment I’d met her, I had the distinct feeling that we were compatible, unnervingly so. Somehow, I just knew she’d be perfect, that we’d be perfect.

  “Taking a little break,” I replied as I turned off the engine. I left the keys in the ignition so that the radio could stay on. I’d found a station during the drive that was playing some nice, relaxing chill-out music, and I thought silence might make Annie uncomfortable. Her eyes flickered when I began climbing toward her into the back, and all of a sudden she was sitting up straight, watching me warily.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Hey.”

  It was crazy how she could go from relaxed to uptight in a heartbeat, and strangely, I kind of got off on her uptightness because it was so much fun helping her unwind. I let out a low, dark chuckle and pulled her into me; the moment my lips met hers, her tension melted away. Her hands gripped my shirt, her body straining against mine. I cupped her cheeks as I slid my tongue into her mouth, a hard, probing invasion. She allowed it with a sigh, and I began to ease her into a reclining position.

  She was heaving and breathless when I broke our kiss to whisper in her ear, “I’m going to try some stuff, okay? I promise I won’t hurt you, but I’d really like it if you let me. You can tell me to stop any time if you feel uncomfortable.”

  “Some stuff?” she asked, aroused yet perplexed.

  My hand wandered under her skirt, between her legs, and straight beneath the fabric of her underwear. I fingered her soft, silky flesh, finding her wet. Perfect.

  “Yeah,” I answered, my voice pure gravel. “It’s better if I just show you. Telling is no fun.”

  She nodded, lips plump from our kissing, and her breath escaped her all in a rush. Kneeling between her thighs, I took her hands and raised them above her head. Then I took the strap of the seatbelt and carefully wrapped it around her wrists. She stared at me, mouth parted, pupils gigantic, as I made a little knot and secured her in place. The way the seatbelt was installed meant that when I let go, it tightened further.

  “Is that comfortable?” I asked tenderly, running a hand along her trembling collarbone.

  She swallowed and whispered, “Um, yes. It’s not uncomfortable.”

  “Good.” I took the middle seatbelt then and wrapped it just as firmly around her waist.

  She didn’t sound upset, only curious, when she said, “I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

  I raised myself above her, staring down as I replied, “I’m doing it because it’s what I like.” Then I kissed her again, and I knew I had her. Her mouth was soft and welcoming, and the little moans I swallowed told me she was enjoying this game. I rolled my hips, letting her feel just how much she was affecting me. Minutes passed, and she was panting, a blush painting itself red over her bosom. I pulled away and began to undo the buttons of her blouse.

  “This isn’t fair,” she whined, voice needy. “I want to touch you.”

  “Not tonight, love. Tonight, you’re the one who gets touched.”

  Luckily, the bra she was wearing unclipped at the front, and in no time I had her breasts bare and begging for my mouth. I sucked one nipple and then the other while she undulated beneath me, opening up just like a flower. Her thighs hugged my hips in a vise-like grip, and I started to push her skirt up until it was bunched at her waist. My fingertips dug hard into her skin as I pulled her knickers off and tucked them in my pocket. She’d already slipped off her shoes during the drive, and I could feel her heels digging into my thighs. I caressed her needy flesh, my chest moving up and down rapidly, my erection outlined starkly in my jeans. Everything felt too tight, and she was too beautiful. I was drowning in her.

  I rose on my knees and stared down at her, savoring the sight of her bound and restrained. It set off some kind of chemical reaction in my brain because my entire body hummed with satisfaction. I loved seeing her like this. It was exactly what I needed. I was improvising the f
ucking seatbelts in my car as restraints, and now I couldn’t picture our first time happening any other way. I could only imagine what she must be thinking.

  I circled her clit with my thumb at the same time I slid a finger inside her. She cried out, and I hummed in appreciation. Her startled, pleasured noises were completely gratifying. I’d been at her for less than a minute, and already I felt her orgasm building, hurtling toward the finish line. I knew it had to be the restraints. She got off on them just as much as I did.

  “Ronan,” she gasped, “I’m going to come.”

  “Come then, beautiful, come for me.”

  Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped loudly as she bucked and came on my hand. I kept stroking her, drawing out every last wave.

  Not quite recovered, she blurted, “That was….”

  “Intense.”

  “Yeah.”

  She was so wet now that it was impossible for me to wait any longer. Annie twisted and turned her body, clearly desperate to touch me. I loved it that she couldn’t. Loved that I was torturing her because it meant, when I finally gave her all of me, it would feel like so much more.

  The fact that I didn’t have a condom had been at the back of my mind the whole time, but I’d been trying to ignore it. Still, it was troubling. I trusted Annie implicitly and wanted her to trust me back.

  “You want me inside you now, love?” I purred as I pulled myself free of my pants.

  Her eyes ate me up as she nodded and licked her lips. I allowed my gaze to trail over her body before I leaned forward and ran the tip of my cock over her folds. She whimpered, and I bit the inside of my mouth because fuck, it felt too good.

  “Please, Ronan,” she begged, opening her legs wider, voice breathless.

  “I don’t have protection,” I admitted.

  A flicker of hesitation passed over her face before she rose forward slightly to kiss me. “It’s okay. I trust you.”

  And damn, was that exactly what I needed to hear. No sooner had the words passed her lips than I was sinking myself inside her. I did it slowly, savoring every inch, until I was buried deep. She moaned and sighed my name. I loved the sound of it, remembered back to the time when she’d only call me Mr. Fitzpatrick. Now all the formalities between us were gone. She was mine, and I belonged to her. I didn’t think a time would ever come when I didn’t want her this badly.