“Yes, really.”
“Why don’t we meet up this week?” Jess says. “It would have to be at night and at mine because of the baby, but I’m more than happy to offer you advice if I can.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“I also think there may be someone else in this room that might consider helping you, sis,” Callum says, turning around and staring across the room. “Alex, can we have a word?” I hadn’t thought about Alex. He and Libby walk toward our growing party.
“What can I do for you?” Alex asks.
“I’m not sure if it’s something you might be interested in, but Ella would like to do some charitable work. I heard through the grapevine you were interested in doing some more for charity.”
“You heard correct, I’ve just not done anything about it yet. I’m sure we can talk.” This all sounds really interesting; Alex Mathews and Jessica Adams. I’m sure they can offer me the help and advice I need.
“I don’t know what to say, but thank you. Both of you.”
“Who are you thanking?” Connor asks, slipping his arm around my waist and bringing a huge smile to my face.
“Jess and Alex. I’ve been thinking something over and they’ve offered to help me if they can.”
“Sounds good.” Callum launches into a brief rundown of what I’ve mentioned. Alex and Fletcher talk football while us ladies talk about how good the night has been. It appears the two have met once or twice before.
Conversation flows with ease, leaving me feeling contented and fortunate. Libby and Jess seem really friendly and outgoing. “Ella, I know you’re in the middle of a conversation, but I really, really want us to leave. Now. Together,” Connor whispers against my neck, placing a kiss just under my ear, sending a shockwave of desire through my body.
“Is there anyone else you need to see?” I ask.
“No. How quickly can we leave?”
Jess laughs and I realise everyone is looking at us. “I think you two should go,” she says, smiling. Fletcher has his arm around her shoulder and everyone’s eyes are on us. We say goodbye to everyone, and Julie tells me she wants all the juicy details tomorrow at dinner.
With Connor’s hand in mine, we leave. Stepping outside into the cold night air, I had completely forgotten there would still be a few photographers hanging around. The flashing startles me, but Connor pulls me closer to him. He called a taxi and it’s waiting where we were dropped off. We pose for a couple of pictures before making the walk along the street.
“Here we are,” Connor says, opening the taxi door. He gives the driver my address and takes the seat beside me. “Are you okay about earlier?”
“Yes. Connor, I have feelings that are scaring me and I can tell from the smile on your face that my little admission pleases you. But I really do value the friendship we have.”
“Of course I’m happy. And you don’t have to be scared. I will never hurt you or abandon you. I will certainly never take you for granted. And someone very dear to me once told me the greatest foundation for a relationship is friendship. We have that so we can build on it.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips. I hope he’s right.
I close the door behind us and lock it. Neither of us is going anywhere else tonight. I slip my shoes off.
“Are we going to talk or are you allowing me to take you upstairs and worship your body?”
I step into Connor’s arms, running my fingers along his jawline. “Take me to bed,” I whisper.
He doesn’t need to be told twice. “I’m taking you to bed, but don’t expect to get any sleep. I’m going to have you screaming my name over and over,” he says, scooping me up in his arms, and I can’t help but yelp as he does. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding him tight, and watch him. All I want to do is kiss him. I’ve longed to have his lips on mine since he kissed me on the red carpet.
Julie is right; that kiss will have gone viral. It will be there for the world to see. The funny thing is, I don’t care who sees it.
He pushes open his bedroom door with his foot and strides toward the bed. All I can do is smile in his arms. This already seems familiar and so normal. I close my eyes, absorbing all comfort from our closeness. Everything with Connor is relaxed and easy.
He stops and I open my eyes and jump from his arms. We really have been here before, but tonight isn’t about taking what I want. It’s about me giving myself to him freely.
“Now, if this was a date I would’ve brought you home and got to kiss you goodnight on the front doorstep.”
“Yes, but would you have settled for just a goodnight kiss?” My breath is already sounding raspy.
He takes one slow step toward me. I shiver from the proximity. “No. I think we would’ve stepped inside and I would have grabbed your body tight, pushing you against the door.” He grabs me and I throw my arms around his neck. “You would’ve thrown your arms around my neck, and I’d pull your body closer to mine.” He pulls my arse tight to him. “And you would giggle before wrapping your legs around my waist, your dress riding up and bunching around your waist. Then I’d have my way with you in the hallway.”
With his eyes on mine, he runs a hand up my back. “But, that’s not what you deserve tonight. I’m sure there’ll be other days for a hard and fast fuck against the door.” I gasp at his words. “Tonight you are mine to enjoy and devour. But first I need to get out of this damn kilt.”
“I’m more than happy to help with that,” I say, raising my hands and slowly removing his jacket.
Once the jacket is off, he takes my face in his hands, his grip tight. He very slowly lowers his face to mine. That delicious mouth of his brushes gently against mine. I want him to do so much more with his mouth. Desperation races through my body and I’m certain Connor can feel my need as much as I can. But if he does, he’s not in any rush to do anything about it. This kiss is tender. I have a deep urge to alter the pace, but Connor’s in control.
It takes a few minutes before my lips accept their fate and give in to the gentle taste of him. He lifts my legs tightly, my dress riding high as he said it would only moments ago. With our lips locked, enjoying each other, his erotic words from moments ago flood my mind; that is exactly what I want right now. My body fits perfectly against his. His erection fits between my legs and all I want is to tear his kilt from his waist.
Desire can be felt in the air around us, reaching dizzying heights, and still he continues with the slow and precise torturous pace. My fingers pull gently on his hair as I run them through it, pleading with him for more.
He pulls back, casts his eyes over my now swollen lips, before smiling and looking me in the eye. “If this was a date I would be saying goodnight.”
“But it’s not and you’re staying here with me.”
“No, it’s not. But I sense what you really want,” he says as he starts walking with my legs still wrapped around his waist toward the bathroom. “You want rough and I want sweet and loving. So we should compromise. I’ll give you what you want if I can take what I want.”
How can I argue with that? For me that’s a win-win.
He pushes open the bathroom door and finally puts me back down on my feet. I’m dizzy from our intoxicating kiss. A kiss that has left me breathless and has turned my knees to jelly.
A kiss, that’s all it was. And here I am as giddy as a school girl.
“Can you unzip me,” I ask, already turning my back to him. It takes him a moment. I don’t know what he’s thinking about before I feel his fingers on my dress and he slowly lowers my zip and my dress falls to the floor. I step out of it.
Turning back around to face him, I’m wearing only black lace knickers. I really need more clothes that call for a bra. There’s not a lot left for him to remove. I watch as he starts undressing and, bloody hell, there’s so much clothing to remove.
Finally, he gets to the kilt and I watch with baited breath because I’m a little curious to find out if, tonight, he is, in fact, a true Scotsman. With his ha
nd on the last fastening, he stares, a wicked smirk on his face. “Is this what is so interesting?” he asks as the kilt falls to the floor at his feet.
I nod in appreciation at the sight before me. As if there was ever any doubt in my mind that Connor Andrews would be a true Scotsman. “All that’s standing in our way now is those sexy lace knickers.”
“Is that so?” I say, grabbing the waistband of them. I bend and lower them down my legs until I step out of them. “Well, they’re not in the way now.”
“No, they’re not.” I reach out and smooth a hand over his chest. He smiles and pulls my body tight against him, pressing a hard kiss to my lips. My body tenses momentarily against his before he starts walking, still with his lips on mine and arms wrapped around me. “Foot up and step back, and now the other,” he says, breathless against me.
I do as he tells me. His lips leave mine and I close my eyes and wait. The sound and feel of the rushing water has me opening my eyes. I bring my hand up and wipe away some water from my eyes so I can see him. Briefly, I see the fire in his eyes before his lips find mine again.
With warm water cascading around us, I’m drowning in the intensity of our shared kiss. His fingers trace lightly over my back as my own fingernails dig into his shoulders, trying to coax him into speeding things up between us.
I slide my hand down between us, taking hold of his erection. I pause for a moment, before sliding my hand up and down. He groans against me. I line him up and adjust my body so that he slides against me as I move my hips. And it’s right there, pressing against me in the exact place I need it to be. My breath hitches and my fingernails dig in deeper.
“I need to have you,” he says against my neck as he presses kisses against it. I’m speechless. “Turn around and press your hands on the wall.” I do as he says and I gasp as he pulls my hips to him.
He doesn’t give me any warning before driving deep and hard into me. My body burns with desire. This is what I wanted. This is what I needed. Hard and fast.
I close my eyes and allow my feelings to take over. I’m lost, totally lost to him moving in and out, each time going that little bit deeper. Claiming another part of me as his. I push back against him, wanting to feel more.
I open my eyes and look down at where we’re joined and watch as he drives in and out. The sight of him sliding in and out is pushing me close to the edge. Removing one hand from the wall, I reach down and feel him as he thrusts hard against me. My one small act causes him to react; a rough growl vibrates against me as his wet lips dance across my back.
With the water falling, the pace quickens. My body tenses. My muscles tighten around him.
Desire consumes me and I can’t concentrate
My breathing quickens until I’m crying out his name and he’s pounding harder and harder until my name falls from his lips. He continues to rock against me.
Something clicks in this moment for me.
Words can’t describe it, but there’s something there.
With jelly legs and a thundering heartbeat, I turn back around, wrap my arms around his neck, and press my lips lightly against his. “That was round one. Don’t think for a minute that is the only round of the night. Far from it. You are now mine for the rest of the night to worship and enjoy and I plan on doing both.”
“ELLA, YOU NEED TO GET up.” It feels like a dream, but I sense his breath against me and hear the soft tone of his voice whisper against my skin. “Come on, sleepy head. You need to get up.” Why isn’t he still in bed beside me? He should be here with me. Neither of us have had much sleep, but it was so worth it.
“Why? Please let me sleep,” I whine, refusing to open my eyes. I clench them tight, screwing my face up in the process. This must be so unattractive. “You kept me up all night so the least you can do is let me rest.” My mind and body are exhausted. I’m going to sleep for at least twenty-four hours just to recover from our night time activities. He is certainly fitter than me.
“I’m sorry,” he says, tugging the covers from my body. I try to keep them but he’s strong. Fine, I’ll just lie here naked, it won’t bother me. “Ella, babe, I’m not kidding. You need to get up before your dad comes up the stairs.”
That does it. I open my eyes and see the concern in his. Why would my dad be here at . . . I look at the time—ten a.m.—after last night? “Why is he here?”
“Trevor is here too. Go and grab a shower and get your sexy arse downstairs. If you’re lucky, I’ll even make you a cup of tea.” He kisses the top of my head.
“Fine. You better throw in a chocolate biscuit or two as well,” I huff with a playful smile on my face, sliding my legs off the side of the bed. I stomp across the bedroom to the bathroom, wiggling my arse as I walk. His loud inhale of breath makes me chuckle. I stop at the bathroom door and glance back over my shoulder. He smiles, shaking his head.
I close the door behind me and memories of last night fill my head. Shower sex is fun. Actually, sex with Connor Andrews is more than fun, it’s incredible, and at the moment, that’s all I want. Turning on the shower, I step under the water. I press my thighs together in an attempt to calm the urge there.
I shouldn’t be thinking about sex when my dad and Trevor are downstairs waiting on me. I shake my head and lose all thoughts of Connor.
Hopefully, they won’t be here for long. Although, I’m sure there is a very good reason they’re here and I could bet on that reason being Donovan Bell. It’s been all too quiet from L.A. I really expected him to come out fighting against me. I’m ready for the backlash. Yes, it’s only been a few days since the first pictures of Connor and I went viral, but I still expected something, especially after my interview.
Maybe that’s why they’re here. Maybe Donovan has given his own interview.
I won’t find out standing under the warm running water. I should get my arse in gear and down the stairs.
“Well, don’t you all look cosy,” I say as I enter my kitchen. The three of them are sitting around the island, drinking tea, and there’s a plate of chocolate biscuits in the middle, but no one is eating any. The thought that Connor has put them there for me makes me smile.
“Yes, well we should. We’ve had to wait long enough for you,” Dad says as I sit down beside Connor. Connor places his hand on my knee and rubs it gently. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention and I’m suddenly worried.
“What’s wrong?” I ask nervously, taking my mug of tea in both hands.
“Well . . .”
“Stop. Can you just tell her?” Connor says abruptly, causing my dad to frown.
Trevor leans forward. “Ella, there’s a few things we need to discuss. Firstly, I’ve been sent a script and I’ve had a quick read over it and, all in all, it has the potential to be a huge blockbuster.”
“What’s the catch?”
“You’re on the producer and director shortlist.”
“Okay, this sounds interesting. Who else are they considering?” It’s usual practice for a production team to have a few candidates for the leading roles.
“There’s only you and Miss Hunter,” Trevor tells me, shifting a little in the seat.
“Katherine Hunter!” The blonde actress that seems to cause trouble wherever she goes. The woman who also appears to be Donovan’s new love interest. This is why the three of them are sat in my kitchen and I can see they’re all wondering how this news will affect me.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” I can feel Connor’s eyes on me. I don’t turn to him because I don’t want to see him feeling sorry for me. “So, what else is there?” I ask in an attempt to brush it off. Three sets of eyes watch me before they look at each other.
“Right, well, you and Julie have certainly made headlines up and down the country with your choice of dresses last night. I must say, you both looked gorgeous. But you are certainly causing a storm. The high street chain’s social media is going crazy and so has my phone this morning.”
“Sweetheart, Trevor ha
s been taking phone calls since before five a.m. Several of the national papers want to run exclusive interviews with you, and the CEO of the high street chain Inspire has also been in contact to thank you and to ask if you would consider becoming the face of the company. He wants you to represent them.”
“Wow, that’s interesting.”
“Ella,” Trevor interrupts. “They want to meet with you as soon as possible.”
“Okay, then arrange it. I don’t have much else in my diary at the moment.”
“I’ll contact them soon and set up a meeting. We should also talk, while I have you both together, about that kiss.” Connor and I exchange glances. We should’ve spoken about this. I have no idea what to say to my dad or Trevor about us.
“Guys, I’m sorry. I should’ve thought about the aftermath, but I don’t regret doing it,” Connor says, totally focused on me. “So, I’ll apologise if this has caused more problems, but I won’t apologise for showing my feelings.”
My eyes drop to the table only for a moment, but long enough for Connor to notice. He takes hold of my hand and squeezes it tightly. Lifting my head, I meet his eyes and offer him half a smile. His feelings for me are there in front of me to see and it scares the hell out of me. He’s not hiding his emotions well at all.
“Ella, Connor.” It’s Trevor’s voice that has us looking across the island. “The question has been asked on more than one occasion so far this morning. I need to know how to answer it. Are you a couple?”
I look at my dad and he’s waiting to hear the answer to this question. When I turn and look at Connor, he has the same look of anticipation on his face. He’s waiting for me to answer this one. I take a deep breath. “Yes,” I say, looking into Connor’s eyes. His face lights up like a Christmas tree. God, he looks totally adorable right now.
“Connor,” my dad’s voice carries over to us. We turn and my dad smiles at me. “I have an idea of what Ella means to you, and to me, you are and have been part of our family for a number of years, but with what has happened in the past, I’m sure you’ll understand my reservations for any new relationship she enters into.”
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