Again (Time for Love Book 3)

by Miranda P. Charles

  “No.”

  “Even though she’s very sexy?”

  “No.”

  “You don’t want to go out with her?” Amanda asked, her tone nonchalant as if it didn’t matter if he did or didn’t.

  “Do you want me to go out with her?” he asked coldly.

  “That’s not up to me, Connor.”

  His chest compressed even more. Was Amanda giving him a hint that it was over between them?

  “Why are we talking about Celine, Amanda?”

  Amanda continued to bustle around the kitchen, not looking at him. Finally, she turned, her eyes troubled. “I want to know if you’re interested in her at all, Connor.”

  “I already told you. I’m not. Why are we having this conversation when we should be talking about us?”

  “This is about us,” Amanda cried.

  “I don’t follow.”

  “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and hear you say it’s over because you want to go out with Celine instead. Or some other woman.”

  “I don’t want anyone but you, Amanda! Why don’t you believe me?”

  “She’s an it woman.”

  An incredulous laugh escaped him. “She’s a what?”

  “She’s glamorous and sexy. And you—you have all these glamorous and sexy women throwing themselves at you,” she said, waving a hand in the air to emphasise her point.

  “And here I am throwing myself at you,” he said quietly.

  Amanda sniffed, and he saw it—that vulnerability she’d been trying to cover up with indifference. He went to her and cupped her face. “I love you, Amanda,” he whispered, almost choking with emotion. “You. Not Celine. Not anyone else. You.”

  Amanda swallowed, her eyes pooling. “Even though I’m plain and boring?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You have to admit someone like Celine stands out in the crowd. If someone like her wants you—”

  “Why do you think you stood out for me at my farewell party?” he asked, forehead creasing in disbelief. “Where is all this coming from? I don’t understand it. You’re beautiful, hot, caring, intelligent...”

  “I always seem to fall for bad boys. Worse, I was always the one who got dumped by my exes. And each time, I was replaced by some glamorous, supermodel type—which I'm clearly not,” she said softly.

  Connor’s eyes softened as understanding dawned. He put his arms around her. “Well, thank God your exes were blind idiots. You wouldn’t be with me now, otherwise.”

  Amanda stared into his eyes, probing them for the depths of his sincerity. “All I’m asking right now, Connor, is for you to be honest with me. I don’t want to play games.”

  “I love you,” he said insistently, squeezing her tighter, willing her to trust him fully.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Healing warmth flowed through Amanda. She’d given Connor the chance to leave, the permission to be interested in someone else. And yet, here he was, saying exactly what she needed to hear in the way she needed him to say it. She could see no other reason for him to be so persistent, apart from the fact that his feelings for her must be real.

  She’d been too scared for her heart in the past, keeping him at an emotional distance. Suddenly, it was different. With his patience and attention, Connor had been able to weaken her protective barriers. And tonight, with his sweet words and obvious sincerity, a big chunk of those walls had toppled.

  She wrapped her arms around Connor’s neck and rested her head in the crook of his neck, finally allowing herself to let her guard down. “I love you, too, Connor.”

  His arms tightened around her as his chest heaved. He kissed her hair, then lifted her face to his. Connor gave her a dazzling smile before bending down to capture her lips.

  They kissed sweetly, tenderly. But Amanda sensed Connor was holding back.

  She smiled against his lips. “I missed you,” she murmured, pressing her body against his and running a hand down his butt. After they'd just declared their love for each other, she couldn't see why she should keep on creating a distance between them.

  Connor groaned, obviously encouraged. “Not as much as I missed you, baby,” he said, before devouring her mouth. Before long, his hot lips travelled to her neck and his wandering hand found its way to her breast.

  “Wait,” she said, pulling away.

  “Oh. Not yet?” Connor asked in clear disappointment. “Sorry. I got carried away.”

  She chuckled at his misapprehension. “My lasagne’s almost done, honey. We don’t want it to burn.”

  “Oh.” Connor followed her and wrapped his arms around her waist as she tossed some salad. “Can we burn together after dinner?” he asked in her ear, pressing his hips against her behind. He was hard.

  She shivered deliciously. It had been too long since they’d had sex. She loved him, and she wanted him. Sooo badly.

  “No,” she said, pushing away again.

  Connor tried to suppress a sigh. He shoved his hands in pockets and gave her a patient smile.

  Swallowing her grin, she took her dish out of the oven and put it on the bench top, before returning to him.

  She sneaked her hands underneath his shirt and rubbed his naked back. “Not later. Now,” she breathed, lifting her face for a kiss.

  “You tease,” he growled softly. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

  “Really? How?”

  “I have my ways,” he said, then lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

  Connor sat her on the bed, then started taking off his shirt. Slowly.

  Oh Lord. How she missed that body. She bit her lip and squeezed her legs together. She was already moist. But she’d try to be good and just sit there and enjoy the show.

  Connor’s hands moved to his belt, and so did her gaze. Slowly, he unbuckled, taking a step closer to her as he did so.

  She gulped. The bulge in his pants was now only a few inches in front of her face. She reached for his button, intent on helping him.

  “Baby,” Connor whispered, dropping his hands to his sides and letting her do the honours.

  She unzipped him and pushed his jeans and boxers down. His cock sprung free, thick and heavy, pointing at her. Licking her lips, she eagerly leaned forward to kiss it. But Connor stopped her, stepping back and putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “Uh-uh. Not yet, sweetheart.”

  He knelt in front of her and lifted her skirt. “Me first,” he said wickedly, running his hands up her thighs.

  Obediently, she parted her legs as he stroked them. Connor kissed her lips and she responded ardently, their tongues mating. When his fingers touched her moist panties, she moaned, wanting more. Much more.

  “Shall we take this off?” Connor murmured, hooking her underwear with his fingers.

  “Mmm, yes,” she answered, lifting her pelvis off the bed to help him.

  Her undies off, Connor started kissing her thighs as she took off her top and bra. Then she watched impatiently as Connor’s lips inched their way to the apex between her legs.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, panting in anticipation. Just as she was preparing to stifle a moan that she knew he would soon elicit, Connor stopped abruptly and smiled at her seductively, his gaze burning. She moaned anyway, just from that look. He was simply too hot.

  Connor leaned and kissed her neck. He started out languorously, but after a few soft pecks, he became more passionate, more fervent.

  “Honey,” she cried softly. He was making her burn, and he hadn’t even touched her where it mattered most. She lay on the bed and ran her hands on his back and hair, impatient for him get to her nipples.

  Connor kissed the valley between her breasts, his hands cupping them, then he made his way down her belly. For the next few minutes he paid attention to every single part of her body—setting each on fire. Except that he avoided her most desirous parts. Ah, she was squirming with need.

  “Connor,” she cried, in flames from his
zeal, but frustrated at the same time. She couldn’t wait any longer, so she took his hand and tried to place it between her legs.

  He resisted. The tease resisted. And he was chuckling.

  “Touch me, Connor,” she ordered gaspingly.

  “Say the magic words,” he said, nipping on her neck.

  “Please, honey.”

  Connor shook his head. “Wrong.”

  “Um, I want you?”

  “Try again.”

  She put on a mock pout. “You’re being unfair. I haven’t teased you this badly.”

  He gazed at her with a heady blend of heat and tenderness. “I need to hear you say it again,” he murmured.

  She smiled, getting it, and caressed his face with both hands. “I love you, Connor.”

  “Hurray,” he said with a happy grin. “I love you, too, baby.” Then he kissed his way to her breast, while his hand moved down her body.

  She gasped as she felt his tongue lave her hardened nipple. When his finger found her swollen clit, she moaned loudly. Ahh, at last.

  She groped for her favourite part of his body—apart from his beloved face—and found it. It was hard and velvety and wet at the tip. She stroked him, gently at first then a little faster, the way she knew he liked.

  “Baby,” he moaned. “So good, sweetheart. I missed that.” He inserted two fingers in her and continued to lick her nipples.

  “Connor, I want you inside me,” she gasped, tugging him faster.

  Connor froze, rearing to look at her in dismay.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t have a condom with me. I didn’t think I’d get lucky tonight,” he said, chagrined. “Do you have any?”

  She shook her head, giggling.

  “It’s not funny,” he said with a scowl.

  “I’m on the pill.”

  Connor’s face registered surprise before splitting into an excited grin. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

  “Because we fought straight after I started taking it,” she said, her bottom lip jutting out.

  “Oh, baby. I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you.” Connor crawled down her body, leaving hot kisses along the way, then made himself comfortable between her legs. His expert tongue got busy, doing what it did so well.

  She mewled as her body bucked up the bed. “Oh God... Connor... please...” She didn’t even know what she was pleading for. She wanted his cock, but his mouth was just so good.

  Connor made the decision. Breathing heavily, he positioned himself above her and drove his erect hardness in her pussy.

  She wrapped her legs around him, surrendering herself to his rhythm.

  Connor was relentless, thrusting over and over, his hardness stroking that spot inside her that made her moan in pleasure. Sheer pleasure.

  They rocked together, their bodies dancing to the same erotic beat, as their movements took them closer and closer to the crest.

  “Amanda,” Connor moaned, his breathing hot and heavy, his thrusts focused. Then he rubbed her clit with his thumb as his cock slid in and out of her. She keened, unable to control her lustful reactions as her body clamped in an intense climax.

  Connor bucked into her four, five times more, then erupted inside her, groaning in ecstasy.

  *

  “Do you want to have dinner?” Amanda asked, tenderly stroking Connor’s head, which was resting on her shoulder.

  “The lasagne’s probably too cold now,” he answered sleepily.

  “I could heat it up.”

  “Hm,” Connor responded, before dozing off.

  She smiled. After the multiple orgasms they’d both had, she wasn’t surprised at their tiredness. Besides, she hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since they broke up. She was eager for a good rest too.

  She breathed a sigh of contentment. Now that Connor had allayed her fears about the genuineness of his feelings, she couldn’t help but dream of a more long-term future with him. Err, actually, she was dreaming of permanence. Her heart told her she wanted to be with Connor for the rest of her life. Could he really be the one?

  She closed her eyes, wishing for a happily-ever-after with him, then let sleep take over.

  *****

  Amanda parked her car behind Ash’s in front of their mother’s house, her palms sweaty from nerves. She hated being this nervous, and wondered if there was still a chance to avoid this night altogether.

  Her mum had sent her an alarming text earlier that day. Lori was in town for a visit, and her cousin was coming for dinner. She’d tried to call Lori, but all she got was her voicemail. She could only hope Lori would be so kind as to shut her mouth about that particular night in Melbourne in front of her mother and Ash.

  Ash and her mother weren’t aware of her relationship with Connor yet. For the last three weeks, she and Connor had been meaning to let her family know about the two of them. But they wanted to tell Ash and her mum in person, especially since Ash could overreact to their news. There just hadn’t been a good time yet for all of them to get together because of their busy schedules—Connor’s especially.

  She sighed, getting out of her car and steeling herself for whatever Lori’s presence brought. She wished Connor could be with her tonight so they could lay everything out in the open, but he was invited to a function by one of his big corporate clients. And since she didn’t want him to worry, she hadn’t told him that Lori was around either.

  *

  “Amanda! Good to see you again,” Lori cried, hugging her as she walked into the house.

  “Thanks. You, too,” Amanda responded, surprised that Lori answered the door.

  “Listen,” Lori said, whispering in her ear. “Don’t be shocked, but I brought a friend with me. And don’t worry. Both of us have our lips sealed about your escapade in Melbourne. I made him promise.”

  “Who?” Amanda asked, dread prickling her scalp.

  “Lucas.”

  Amanda’s eyes widened in shock. “What?!”

  “Well, Ash mentioned to me before that you guys had met Connor at a party of mutual friends. That was such a spooky coincidence and I happened to tell Lucas about it. When he learned I was visiting Sydney, he wanted to come with me.”

  “Lori!” Amanda whispered anxiously.

  “Don’t worry. He won’t breathe a word about your night with Connor. I threatened him with violence if he broke that promise. But he does want to talk to you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to him.”

  “Lucas thinks you’re colluding with Connor and aiding him to win the challenge. Are you?”

  “Challenge? What challenge?”

  Lori stared at her for a long moment before chuckling. “Don’t you know anything, woman? Didn’t Connor tell you anything? Well, I kind of suspect Lucas is right. Connor might be doing whatever he could to win the challenge.”

  “What challenge, Lori?” Amanda asked, her voice many degrees colder.

  “It’s better if you speak with Lucas about it. Get the story straight from the horse’s mouth.”

  “Hey, sis!” Ash called, walking from the back of the house.

  “Hey, Ash,” Amanda said, hugging her brother and faking a bright smile on her face—which instantly disappeared when she spotted Lucas following Ash.

  “Hi, Amanda. Fancy meeting you again.”

  She forced her lips into a semblance of a smile. “Hi, Lucas.”

  “I thought Lori might have run into a door-knocking salesman,” Ash said. “You two were taking too long.”

  “No, just catching up,” Lori said, taking Amanda’s arm and leading her to the kitchen as if the place was hers.

  “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun if Connor was here, too?” Lucas said in jest. “I bet he’d be so surprised to see me here.”

  “That’s not a bad idea. How about I call him?” Ash said, pulling his phone out.

  “He’s not home, Ash. He’s at a work function.”

  Three pairs of eyebrows rose in question. “How do you know?”
Ash asked.

  “He told me.”

  “Oh. So you guys talk to each other a lot?” Lucas asked, his tone laced with suspicious curiosity.

  “Amanda and Connor both live in Bondi,” Ash explained. “Amanda and I even helped Connor move houses.”

  “Interesting,” Lori mused.

  “Yeah,” Ash said. “I like him. He’s an all right guy. As a friend,” he added with a glance at Amanda.

  Lucas laughed. “I agree, Ash,” he said, winking at Amanda.

  Amanda frowned, apprehension looming large.

  *****

  With dinner finished and the dishwasher all loaded up, they all sat in the living room having a general chat.

  Amanda thought it was all surreal. Never before had Lori spent this kind of time with them, ever. Yet there she was, enthralling both Ash and their mum with her stories. The fact that Lori was shamelessly telling them some of her past exploits—without being too detailed, thank God—guaranteed her listeners’ undivided attention. Amanda shook her head surreptitiously and went to the table at the corner to refill her coffee.

  “So how are you doing, Amanda?” Lucas asked, standing next to her with his full cup.

  “I’m good, thanks,” she said, smiling politely. “I’m surprised you’re here in Sydney, Lucas.”

  “Yeah. I’ve got a few weeks off in between races. I was going to let Connor know I’m in town, but I decided to surprise him instead.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’d be very surprised,” she murmured.

  “I’m sure,” Lucas agreed, his stare scrutinising. “So you’re helping him win the challenge?” he asked abruptly.

  Amanda frowned. “Lori mentioned a challenge, and I don’t know what she’s talking about.”

  Lucas pursed his lips, deciding on something. “Connor didn’t tell you?” he asked after a moment.

  “Tell me what?”

  “You’re really not in on this?” Lucas asked, sounding sceptical.

  “Lucas, if you tell me exactly what it is, I’d be able to give you a definitive answer.”

  Lucas sighed. “When you girls crashed Connor’s farewell party, I issued a challenge to Connor. As you probably already know from Lori, Connor has a title. Have you heard about it?”