Chapter Twenty-Five
Alicia
When I wake up, the sun is filtering through the curtains, casting shapes onto the floor as dust motes hover in the air.
A familiar warmth is pressed into my belly and the loud purring confirms it’s Lou.
I stroke his soft fur and realize that for the first time since I can remember, I don’t feel weighed down or anxious.
I’m relaxed and…happy. It takes me a moment to notice not only that I’m naked, but the heat at my back and the muscled arm slung over not just me, but my cat as well, is Rowan.
My eyes widen at the way Lou is curled around Ro’s hand.
Lou only knows me and my sister. Anytime we have friends over—which isn’t often—he hisses at them and runs away.
“I think he likes me,” Ro says in a deep, gravelly voice. There are so many reasons why I hate myself for leaving that night, but I’m now adding to the list the fact that I’ve been missing out on his morning voice. It’s sexy as hell.
I grin to myself because he’s still here. Neither of us ran. Rowan Gallagher spent the night in my bed and he’s still here, holding me—and my cat—like it’s his job. For just a small second, I allow myself to be hopeful.
“What did you bribe him with?” I ask, snuggling into his embrace, not missing the feel of his cock thickening at my back. I wiggle my ass just a little.
He makes a low growling noise and thrusts his hips in retaliation. Lou holds his head up and glares at us.
“Spoke too soon,” I tease. “You’re on his shit list now.”
Ro props himself up and leans over my shoulder to look at my cat. “Apologies, mate, but unless you want a front row seat to what I’m about to do to your mum, I suggest you leave the room.”
“The only way you’ll get him out of this bed is by feeding him.”
“Bleedin’ cat,” Ro mutters. “Where do you keep his food?”
I tell him and have the immense pleasure of watching a naked and fully erect Rowan stalk out of my bedroom, calling, “Louie, get your furry arse out here and eat this food.”
Lou hears Ro scoop it and perks up. When the sound of the food hitting his bowl sounds, he leaps from the bed with a chirp and runs to the kitchen. I laugh out loud when a muffled cry of, “Ow! What the fuck was that for, ya damn demon?”
Ro stomps back to my room, slamming the door behind him, and throws himself on top of me.
I scream in alarm, but we’re both soon laughing.
The laughter morphs into moans when he starts nipping my jaw and sucking on my neck while his hand creeps down to the juncture of my thighs.
I wince a little because of how tender it is down there.
“Sorry, love. I’ll stop,” he says, beginning to pull away.
I roll with him until he’s on his back, and I’m straddling his stomach. “Don’t,” I say, folding myself over to kiss him. “I’m okay.”
He slides his hands up my thighs until he reaches my hips, then rubs his thumbs over the bone that juts out. Apparently, this is an erogenous zone I didn’t know I had, because my eyes close as my head lolls back, and I begin rocking my hips.
“Fuck me, your pussy is soaking my stomach. That’s so fuckin’ sexy.” Ro grips me tighter and slides me back until I’m rubbing myself on the length of his cock.
Moaning, I rock faster, my hands braced on his chest so I can grind harder. Calloused fingers begin to trace my nipples before he sits up enough to suck one into his mouth.
“Oh god, ”I groan, clamping my hands onto his shoulders. “The things you do with your mouth.”
“You like that, yeah?” He sounds so pleased with himself. I have half a mind to bring him down a notch, but then he shifts and his dick is sliding into me at the same time he bites the already sensitive bud.
“Fuck. Yes.” I grind out. “I love the way you feel inside of me, baby.”
“Aye, you were fucking made for me, darlin’. Feel how perfect we are together, how good your pussy takes my cock?”
His dirty talk has me riding him harder and faster until we’re both moaning so loud, I’m afraid my neighbors will call the landlord for noise disturbance.
Between the way he had me screaming as he fucked me last night and the moaning and groaning this morning, there’s no way we aren’t being heard.
I should probably feel bad, but right now?
I don’t give a shit about anything other than the way he keeps impaling me on his cock.
“I’m going to come,” I pant into his neck right before I do exactly that. “Ro!” I yell just as he pumps into me one more time before groaning through his own release.
* * *
After another epic fuck fest in the shower, we make our way to the kitchen for food.
I’m not used to having another body in here with me, so we keep bumping into one another or brushing against the other.
Each time we do, Ro kisses my neck or I reach up on my tiptoes to peck his lips.
He’s in my way as I go to rinse a dish, so I slide in front of him, pushing my ass into him a little.
His hands fall to my waist and mouth to my shoulder just as the front door opens and Bridget walks in, coming to an immediate halt.
Ro whips his head up but leaves his hands on my hips. My face flames, and I just stand there mute.
“Um, what’s going on, big sis?” Bridget asks with wide eyes, pulling her braid over her shoulder.
“Oh, uh,” I stammer. “You remember Rowan from the other day. He’s, um…”
“The boyfriend” Ro states proudly before releasing me to round the corner and extend a hand to my sister.
She takes it cautiously, eyes darting between us. “The boyfriend,” she says skeptically. “Since when?”
“Just recently, actually,” I admit, finally finding my voice. “We’ve know each other for a long time, but have been together for about a week.”
“Uh-huh.” A smirk tugs at her lips. “And you were going to tell me, when?”
I hadn’t even thought about it, honestly.
“Today. I was going to tell you today after you got home. And now you’re home, so this is me telling you. Surprise! I have a…boyfriend.” I ramble and hold my arms out Vana White style as I showcase Rowan.
Bridget looks at Ro, taking in his bare feet, grey sweats, and rumpled white t-shirt. When she sees his tussled hair, her brow quirks. “So, did new boyfriend spend the night, or does he normally look like a hobo?”
“Bridget!” I snap.
Ro barks out a loud laugh. “No, it’s alright, love, she has a point. I do look a little rough around the edges today, but,” he turns to my brat of a sister, “I did spend the night. And I hope to be doing that whenever I’m in town. Is that alright with you?”
My heart melts a little.
“I don’t know.” She considers him. “Am I going to have to listen to the two of you going at it through the walls?”
“Oh my god,” I mutter, face burning.
Ro just laughs. “I’ve got a great pair of noise canceling headphones you can have.”
“Rowan!” I throw the closest thing to me at him. A sponge. A wet sponge from the sink. It hits him with a thwack before splatting on the ground. He stands there stunned while I gape in disbelief at my own actions.
Then Bridget does something so out of character, I’m confident I’m in the twilight zone. She laughs. Not like she did the other day with our neighbor, Kat, but a full belly laugh that has her doubling over. Then Ro starts to chuckle before roaring out a laugh I’ve never heard from him.
“Oh my god, Alicia, you should have seen your face!” Bridget gasps out, gripping her sides. “I didn’t think you even knew how to be embarrassed!”
“I hate both of you,” I say unconvincingly, my lips fighting to break into a grin.
“No, you don’t,” Ro says, walking back to my side and planting a kiss on the top of my head.
“That’s what you think, Gallagher.” I playfully shove at him and turn like I’m leaving, but one of his hands shoots out to grab me, pulling me back into his arms.
“Ach, where do you think you’re goin’?”
“Wherever I damn well please!” My attempts at freeing myself are futile because I don’t actually want to be free, but his arms are like vice, not budging an inch. When my eyes dart toward my sister, she’s still standing in the doorway with a shit-eating grin on her face. “What?” I snap.
Bridget holds her hands up in defense. “Nothing! Don’t mind me. I’ll just be in my room.” She closes the door before turning back to us and pointing at Rowan. “I’ll take those headphones now.”
He chuckles, squeezing my hips before releasing me to stalk over to his bag.
Bridget steps aside, watching him warily.
Like me, trust isn’t something that comes naturally to her.
While she can easily share a laugh or a few quips with someone, the moment they get too close, her guard snaps into place.
I don’t say anything, simply observing the way Rowan squats to open his bag to retrieve the headphones.
He doesn’t stand before handing them to her.
“Here ya go, love.”
Gingerly, she takes them. “Should I give them back to you when you leave?”
He smiles softly at her. “No, mo stóirín. Keep ‘em. I prefer ear buds.”
“Thanks!” Bridget beams at him like he’s her knight in shining armor.
He has no idea the impact he’s made in just one tiny gesture. If he leaves, it’s not just my heart he’ll be breaking.