“Keith, stand up,” Emily whispered as she stepped back from him. For a moment, he took in the vision in front of him. With her dress pooled at her feet, she stood in front of him in nothing but a pink strapless bra and a sheer pair of pink panties. She was also wearing pink stilettos, and his cock felt like it was going to burst through the zipper at the sight of her.
“You can leave on the shoes, but as fucking sexy, as you look in that bra and panties I want them gone.” Keith stood up and reached for her, but she slapped his hands away.
“Hold on a second, Mr. Bossy Pants.” She smiled as she kicked the dress away from her feet and reached for the button on his pants. “I want to see if you go commando with everything you wear.” Keith grinned.
“I told you I always go commando.” Keith gasped when her hand slid inside his trousers and skimmed against the head of his cock.
“It’s just so damn sexy.” His pants fell down around his ankles, and her hand gripped his shaft. His eyes drifted closed as she slowly worked him. It was fucking heaven to have her hands on him. It hadn’t been more than a few days, but it felt like forever.
“Em, I really enjoy the way you do that, but I need to feel my cock inside you.” Keith pulled her into his arms and eased her down on the bed. While she made quick work of her bra, he yanked the panties from her. She was about to kick off the shoes, but he grabbed her foot. “No, leave them on.”
“Okay, but you are giving me a foot rub after this. These things hurt like a son of a bitch.” She smiled when he lowered his body on top of hers. He’d been smart enough to grab the condom out of his pocket and toss it on the bed before he’d lost his trousers.
“I’ll rub anything you want, Princess.” Keith grabbed the condom used his teeth to tear it open, then he rolled it on without tearing his eyes away from her.
He crawled over her and hovered above her as he lowered his head and ran his tongue across her lips.
“That lipstick tastes like strawberry.” He whispered just before he devoured her mouth. His cock was pressed against her warm heat, and he wanted to plunge inside her, but he wanted to go slow. This somehow felt different.
“Keith, I want you inside, now.” She gasped against his lips and reached between them and to guide him where she wanted.
“Easy, baby,” Keith whispered and ran his thumb across her hard nipple making her gasp when he pinched it.
“Damn it, Keith.” She groaned when he pulled the other nipple into his mouth and sucked it hard. Before he knew what happened, she had him right at the entrance of her wetness, and he started to push into her slowly.
“Fuck, you’re so damn hot.” Keith clenched his teeth together as she raised her hips driving him deeper inside her. “So. Fucking. Hot.”
“You feel so good.” The heel of her shoe was pressed against his ass, and it was sexy as hell. He pushed deep inside her and dropped his head into the crook of her neck and groaned.
“Fuck... Fuck…. Em, don’t move yet. If you do, I’m done.” Keith took a couple of deep breaths to ease the urge to come for just a few more minutes. “You feel so fucking good around me.” He whispered into her ear when he started to thrust again.
“God, Keith. Don’t stop.” She panted as he slowly pumped in and out of her.
The feeling of being so deep inside her was overwhelming, his life was never going to be the same. He’d never felt such a deep connection with anyone. Keith raised his head to gaze down into her eyes, but he was surprised to see them wet with tears.
“I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” Keith stopped moving as he wiped the tear from her face.
“You didn’t hurt me, but you’ve got the power to break my heart because Keith….” She closed her eyes and swallowed.
“Em?” If she only knew the power she had over him.
“Keith, I’m in love with you, and I know it’s crazy fast but…” He stopped her with his finger against her lips.
“Princess, the truth is….” Keith looked deep into her eyes. “I fell in love with you the first time you told me to fuck off.”
She laughed, and the vibration made her squeeze around him, and he pushed in deeper.
“I love you, Emily. You’re mine. All mine.” With those words, he covered her mouth with his and pumped into her with everything he had. The heels of her shoes dug into his ass as she grabbed fists full of his hair and screamed into his mouth. She closed around him, and it was all he needed. His body vibrated as he poured inside her.
When her body went limp underneath him, he rolled her over on top of him. He was still inside her, and she wiggled for a moment, and he heard two thuds on the carpet.
“That’s almost like another orgasm.” She sighed and kissed his chest.
“Well if that was like an orgasm then I did everything wrong.” Keith chuckled. She raised her head and rested her chin on her hands that were folded.
“You did everything right, but you have no idea how good it is to take off shoes like that.”
“Then why wear them?” Keith wondered why women would wear something that gave them discomfort. She raised her eyebrow and grinned.
“I’m laying on top of you, naked, and you have to ask why women wear shoes like that. Do you not remember saying they were hot?” She smiled.
“I’m sorry they hurt, but they are hot as hell.” He rolled her onto her back and kissed her lips. When he raised his head, she smiled. “I meant what I said, Em, I love you.”
“I love you too, Keith. Just don’t break my heart, okay.” She looked so vulnerable at that moment.
“You’re mine, Princess, and if you want me, I’m all yours.” Keith touched her cheek.
Chapter 23
Emily giggled as she tried to fix her hair with Keith kissing her neck. They were both fully clothed again, but as soon as she put the shoes back on, he wasn’t able to keep his hands off her.
“As much as I’d love to stay in this room all night with you, we can’t.” Emily turned into his arms.
“It’s the fucking shoes.” He groaned.
“Well, if you let me fix myself, and let us get back to the party, I’ll wear them when we get back to your place.” Emily wiggled her eyebrows, and he grinned.
“Deal, but I’m just gonna wait outside the room.” He groaned. “I can’t stay in here and not want to toss you on that bed again.”
“Dear Lord, the shoes have created a monster.” Emily laughed.
“Hey, Princess,” Keith said as he opened the door.
“Yeah?” Emily glanced at him.
“I fucking love you.” He winked.
“I love you too.” He closed the door behind him, and she sighed.
Emily loved him more than she’d ever thought she could love anyone. It was why it was even more important to get the man who hurt her mother to show himself. As terrified as she was, it had to end. She couldn’t start a life with Keith if she weren't free to live.
They walked back into the tent with Keith holding tightly to her hand. Emily searched the room for her friend. Mitchell had been uncomfortable with the glares Keith was giving him. At one point, he’d told Emily, Keith looked like he was about ready to kill him.
Of course, Emily did enjoy seeing Keith squirm, but it wasn’t fair to Mitchell. Her friend had agreed to help her bring out the stalker, not get death glares from Keith. She needed to introduce them properly and make sure Keith understood that Mitchell was only a dear friend who wanted to help.
“What are you looking for?” Keith asked.
“Mitchell,” Emily replied.
“What the hell for?” Keith grumbled.
“Because we owe him an apology for vanishing, and I want him to meet you without thinking you're going to kill him.” Emily spotted Mitchell off to the left talking to his parents. Great! She didn’t mind Alfred, but she wasn’t in the mood for Judy’s nasty attitude.
“Do we have to do this now? The ice queen is shooting daggers at me.” Keith nodded his head towards Judy.
“Hey, Em.” Mitchell glanced at Keith.
“Sorry we took off like that, but we needed to get some things straightened out. Mitchell Palmer this is Keith O’Connor.” Mitchell held out his hand to Keith, and it took Emily giving Keith’s hand a squeeze before he took her friend’s hand.
Stubborn ass.
“Nice to meet you, Mitchell.” Keith smiled.
“I’m glad you two worked things out.” Mitchell was being genuine, and Emily knew it.
“Me too.” Keith gazed down and smiled.
“We never got properly introduced, I’m Alf Palmer, Mitchell’s father and this is my wife, Judy.” Alf smiled at Keith as they shook hands.
“I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your wife at the hospital. It’s good to see you again Mrs. Palmer.” Keith was being so polite, but Emily wanted to burst into laughter when Judy’s mouth dropped open. She quickly snapped it shut again and gave what was supposed to be a smile. At least Emily thought it was a smile. It looked somewhere between a snarl and a grin.
“This is my daughter Tiffany and her fiancé Woodrow Manchester.” Alfred motioned to Tiffany and the much older man she was hanging all over.
Emily had been chatting with them when Keith pulled her onto the dance floor. The guy would be a good one around Penny. He didn’t seem to be able to look above the chest area. He gave Emily the creeps, and she had no idea what Tiffany saw in a man that looked old enough to be her father.
“It’s nice to meet all of you, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to make up for missing most of the dancing with my princess here.” Keith nodded, and Emily thanked him in her mind for getting them away from the Palmers. Well except Mitchell. She glanced back at him as she walked away. He looked lost.
“Okay, everyone. We’re going to speed things up a little, and I want to see everyone dancing.” Nick’s voice echoed through the tent. “This is a new song release by Aaron Goodvin called Lonely Drum. It’s only fitting we get A.J. to get us all in a dancing mood.”
“Oh, I love this song.” Emily started to pull Keith onto the floor, but he shook his head.
“Don’t do fast dances, Princess.” He chuckled as he pulled her back against him.
“Oh, but you are. So, get over yourself and move that ass.” Emily tugged and dragged on his hand until they were in the middle of the dance floor. She was sure if he really were against dancing she wouldn’t be able to budge him. The man was a brick wall, but damn didn’t he look hot in a tux.
It didn’t take Keith long before he started to get into the song. She expected the typical man dance of moving feet back and forth and barely moving arms, but she was pleasantly surprised. Keith O’Connor knew how to move that body.
Emily eyed her mother and father dancing as well and almost fell on the floor when her dad tried to copy what Keith was doing. Her mother never married her father for his dance moves that was for sure.
She had to admit it was probably the best music they’d ever had at one of the Sweet Heart Balls. Even her sister and brother were busting out their moves with their dates.
Emily scanned the crowd while she enjoyed herself. Of course, Judy stood off to the side glaring at everyone as if they were committing murder. She was alone, so it seemed like the rest of her family were enjoying themselves, but Emily could only see Mitchell.
“Oh, my God, Emily this band is incredible.” Ginger Dwyer twirled by with her date.
“They really are.” That was Cinnamon which was really surprising. Emily hadn’t seen the girl since she left the salon in a huff, but to Emily’s shock and amazement, Cinnamon hadn’t said anything to anyone. At least not that Emily had been told.
“They’re Keith’s brothers and some friends,” Emily yelled over the music.
“Awesome,” Ginger shouted as she and her sister danced away.
The song ended, and according to Aaron, they were slowing things down again. Not that Emily minded because Keith grabbed her hips and pulled her into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed up at him.
A thought crossed her mind as he smiled down at her. Keith had sung to her a few times, and he had an amazing voice. She found it odd that he wasn’t on stage with his brothers.
“Why don’t you sing with them? Or James and Ian?” Emily asked.
“Not my thing. James doesn't like to be in front of crowds. He actually hurled on stage in high school during some talent show, and Ian’s too shy. Not that they can’t sing.”
“Poor James.” Emily giggled.
“Plus, I only sing for you and my grandmother,” Keith whispered into her ear.
“I love when you sing to me.” Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and swayed with him. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. She honestly couldn’t see her life without him in it.
“Princess, I want to ask you something.” Keith touched her cheek.
“Anything.”
Before he had a chance to say a word, the room went black. There were three loud pops as if fireworks had been shot off. Her mother hadn’t mentioned anything about fireworks. Emily looked up and then laughed at herself. How the hell were they supposed to see them inside a tent?
When she pulled her hands away from Keith, they were wet and sticky. Keith seemed to be putting most of his weight on her.
“Keith, what are you doing? You’re going to knock me down.” Emily shouted. The only thing she could hear were screams and crying, but she couldn’t understand why people were screaming.
The lights flickered and came on again, but as if everything was happening in slow motion Emily watched Keith fall to his knees. When she looked down her pink dress was covered with something red and wet.
“Emily….” Keith gasped.
“Keith, what’s wrong?” Emily screamed and fell to her knees as he fell to his side.
“Emily, get down.” She barely heard Bull speaking with everyone screaming.
“What’s wrong with him?” She hadn’t seen Ian at first, but he was next to Keith with Sean pressing a cloth against Keith’s chest.
“Honey, I need you to go with Bull,” Sean spoke soft, but she knew it wasn’t a request.
“No, what’s wrong with Keith?” Emily pulled away from Bull and grabbed Keith’s hand.
“Em,... Go….. Bull.” Keith was gasping for air.
“What the fuck is wrong with him?” Emily yelled.
“Emily, he’s been shot. Bull needs to get you out of here.” John crouched in front of her. She couldn’t completely understand what Keith’s brother was telling her.
“Shot?” Emily stared down on the floor where Keith was gasping and staring back at her. His eyes were wide, and there was blood in the corner of his mouth. His chest was rising up and down way too fast.
“Em…” Keith gasped and coughed.
“No….no….” She shook her head. When Bull tried to pull her away again, she swung at him.
“Emily, please come with me,” Bull begged.
“I’m staying with him. Go get everyone out of here.” Emily clung to Keith’s hand and rubbed her thumb across his knuckles. Minutes later the loud clang of a siren pulled into the driveway. She was so tired of hearing sirens.
Emily ran into the hospital behind the paramedics. Her dress was soaked in blood, and the metallic smell was sickening. She didn’t care. They had to save him.
“Emily!” His voice was tight and barely audible.
“I’m here, Keith.” She stood at the foot of his bed as the emergency team cut off his clothes.
She’d watched them in the ambulance as they hooked Keith up to an I.V. The paramedics made her sit in front but she had sat with her back to the front of the ambulance.
Now he was in the emergency room with half a dozen people running arou
nd him. They kept telling her to stay back so they could work on him but it was so hard when he was calling out to her.
“I want to marry you now.” He rasped.
“Honey, don’t worry about that now.” Emily sobbed.
“Now. Emily. I need to marry you now.” Keith cringed as the doctor turned him onto his side. She heard the doctor say there wasn’t an exit wound and her knees shook. It meant the bullet was still inside him.
“Mr. O’Connor, we’ve got to get you to surgery.” The doctor said as Keith was rolled back.
“Not … Ugh… before I marry… ah .. that beautiful woman.” Keith’s teeth were clenched as he reached for her. Emily sobbed and couldn’t answer. She could only hear the way Keith was gasping for air.
“What the fuck happened?” Emily felt a large hand on her shoulder. Dr. Cramer stood behind her.
“Got… shot… asshole.” He was trying to make a joke. Really? Had he completely lost his mind?
“Who shot him.” Adam turned Emily to face him.
“I... I ... d... d... on’t know. I don’t even know what happened. It happened so fast.” John appeared out of nowhere and pulled her into his arms. Emily took a quick glance around. All his brothers were just outside the room, and their expressions spoke volumes.
“I… need… marry… her now.” Keith stammered and roared as the doctor pressed something against his chest.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Ian stood at the side of the bed. Emily hadn’t even seen Ian enter the room. Of course, her eyes barely moved from Keith.
“We don’t have time for this conversation, and all of you can't be in here. He needs surgery.” The Doctor didn’t seem to know what family he was dealing with. “We’re taking him to the O.R.”
“The hell you are,” Keith grunted. “Nobody’s taking me anywhere until I marry her.”
“Come on Keith, you need surgery.” Ian tried to reason, but Keith reached out and grabbed Ian by the front of his shirt.
Dangerous Beauty (O'Connor Brothers Book 4) Page 20