4. Cillian
four
Cillian
A Few Minutes Later
Ivy’s going to be such a hot little fuck.
I can hardly believe my luck at meeting someone so…perfect.
When we leave the bar, the cool summer breeze does nothing to temper the heat coursing through me. Half hour from now and I’ll be balls deep inside her, which is fucking awesome.
At the same time, I kind of like how Ivy’s hand feels tiny in mine as we navigate the bustling downtown streets toward my loft. It’s weird, we’ve only just met, but the mere act of walking back to my place with her feels like a gift—one I shouldn’t take for granted.
We stop at the crosswalk, giving me a chance to steal a glance.
Her face, illuminated by the soft glow of street lamps, is a vision of serenity. Her big, blue eyes blink up at me, wide and shimmering with adoration. Desire . Her golden hair is tangled and wild from my fingers. Her lips are plump from my kisses. She even has beard burn on her upper lip.
God, she really is perfection.
It knocks me back.
I certainly didn’t plan on this turn of events, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Seeing her like this, vibrant and alive, stirs something hidden within me. Something more than lust, though my dick is hard as a pole. Yeah . Somehow, we’ve made a profound connection. It’s tugging at the core of my being.
I’ve always thought love at first sight is a myth—and maybe it is—but with her, I can totally understand how people catch feelings quickly. Ivy makes me feel alive in ways I can’t comprehend.
Ten minutes later, we arrive at my building, which has been renovated by McGloughlin Construction into a blend of historical architecture and modern design. I close the industrial elevator door behind me then gently tug Ivy toward me. Our bodies align with a shockingly familiar ease. Our lips touch except, unlike at the bar, now there’s a deliberate slowness in how I kiss her. I want to savor the moment and heighten the connection we’ve been weaving all night.
The elevator comes to a stop, I hold the door open so Ivy can step inside. Her gaze sweeps across the high ceilings and custom fixtures. “You live here ?” Her voice is tinged with awe. “It’s gorgeous.”
Ivy’s enthusiasm fills me with pride. I spent nearly two years making this not a just a cool place to live, but a showcase of what my company is capable of. Every detail is to my taste, from the old brick walls intersecting with vast, floor-length windows to the contemporary kitchen to the rich, warm wood floors.
“Thanks, darlin’. I renovated it myself. Moved in earlier this year.” I caress the side of her face and nuzzle her ear, whispering, “For the record, the only thing gorgeous in here is you.”
Ivy’s chest heaves and she grips my elbows, sighing as she melts into me. “Cillian, the way you touch me, it feels incredible.”
My cock throbs against my jeans. My God, Ivy looks sweet and innocent, but the way she speaks is direct. To the point. Clear with her intention. Her physical cues are there too. The way she was grinding against me tonight has given me a permanent hard-on.
Although, under my loft’s high-end lighting, it’s apparent she’s younger—much younger—than I originally thought. Or maybe, the buzz from the many Guinnesses I consumed earlier has faded and I’m able to see her more clearly now.
Shit .
I can’t deny how much I want her, but it’s time to do some due diligence before things go further. I’m not going to fuck her until I’m sure we’re both on the same page. The last thing I need is a scandal.
“Hey.” I take her hands in mine and step back. “I think we both know where this is headed and it’s important you feel safe. Do you want to text someone where you are?”
A flicker of uncertainty flashes across her eyes but is quickly masked by a quick, nervous smile. Ivy’s cheeks flush an intense shade of pink and her lips part as if she’s about to say something. She stops and instead bites her lower lip. I hope she’s not having second thoughts, but I won’t pressure her if she is.
“Um. Yeah. Great idea. Give me a sec.” She efficiently types into her phone and looks back at me. “For the record, I’m nervous at the situation, not at you. I want to be here.“ Ivy reaches for my belt like she’s done this a few times before. “I want you . ”
“Whoa, hold up for a second.” I capture her hands, bring them to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “Let’s talk about this. I can be pretty intense during sex. If there’s anything you’re not on board with, I’ll stop. No matter what. Okay? I’ll always respect your boundaries.”
Ivy blushes adorably. “How can you be so perfect? I’ve been wet all night thinking about what you’re going to do to me.”
Alrighty , then. Green. Fucking. Light.
“Oh, sweet Ivy.” I take a step away and look at her. “You’re killing me with your naughty talk. At least let me be a gentleman. Would you like something to drink? Wine?”
She slides onto a stool at the counter, twirls a lock of her hair around her finger and looks off into the distance. “Uh…Sure.”
“Red? White? Rose?” I crouch my six-foot-six frame down to check my wine fridge, then peer up at her.
Ivy shrugs. “Whatever you like is fine with me.”
“Rose, then.” It’s usually the wine of choice for the women I’ve dated— errrr , fucked. “Tell me. I’ve never seen you at Kell’s before. What brought you out tonight?”
God, the way she blushes. Pinkness spreads from her cheeks to her chest. It’s adorable. “Well, I actually have a confession. I was celebrating tonight.”
“Oh yeah?” I set out two glasses and fill them with wine. “What’ s the occasion?”
“Well…” Her laugh echoes like music in the spacious loft as we clink our glasses together. “It’s actually my birthday. Today’s usually a sad day, but I decided to reclaim it.”
I don’t need to be a detective to read between the lines. There are secrets hidden beneath her carefully chosen words. It’s probably not the time to delve into it now, though. “Well, then. Happiest of birthdays. How old are you, sweet Ivy?”
“Twenty-four.” She looks me in the eye, then takes a large swig. “How about you?”
Good God, the relief. She’s eight years my junior, but well within the fuckable range. Then it occurs to me. If she looks young to me, the opposite must be true for her. She probably realized I have a gray hair or two.
Maybe she thinks I’m too old for her .
“Thirty-two,” I admit, watching her closely for any sign of concern. It’s a big age gap. We’re in different decades and different stages of life.
“How utterly and completely perfect.” Her laughter fills the room again. “Guys my age are immature and selfish. I’ve always wanted to be with someone who knows how to treat a woman. Someone with experience .”
Oh, this is on. If she wants experience, I’ll show her every trick I know. Ivy’s going to come many, many times. She’ll never want to leave.
Whoa .
I circle the island, swivel her stool so she’s facing me and step in between her knees. “You’re young and beautiful, shouldn’t you be celebrating with your friends instead of hanging out with me?”
“Um…” Her gaze flicks toward the window before returning to mine. “I used to. Not much anymore. Usually, I spend it with my family but they’re out of town.”
“Families can be complicated. Mine has its own set of issues.” I cup her face in my palms.
She grips my wrists, as if to keep my hands in place, but looks down. “The truth is, something happened a few years ago on my birthday and we really don’t celebrate anymore.”
Her voice trembles, indicating some profound sadness that ignites a protective urge within me. I angle her face so she’s looking into my eyes . “I’m sorry to hear. I’m glad I could bring a little cheer to your special day.”
“You have. More than you know. It’s been the best birthday in a long time.” Ivy’s contagious smile returns, drawing me in.
I step closer until my thighs hit the edge of the chair. The air between us crackles. “I’d like to make it even better, if you’ll let me.”
Her eyes meet mine, flickering with desire. Encouraged, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The rough pads of my fingertips graze her skin lightly. My simple touch sends a shiver through us both, reigniting the electric current that seemed to pulse only for us on the dance floor.
“How?” The word catches on her breath.
“Maybe like this.” My lips latch on to the sensitive spot on her neck and I suck gently before I kiss my way to her mouth.
Things between us rapidly escalate and she responds with an urgency matching my own. She yanks me to her by my beltloops. I rest my palms on her parted thighs, my thumbs work their way under the hem of her cutoffs, deliberately moving closer and closer to her sweet little pussy. I can smell her arousal from here and I need to taste her. Now .
I feel her fingers thread through my hair as she moans against my mouth, “More.”
Encouraged, I intensify our kiss. Her tongue tangles with mine. My fingers trace the hollow of her upper thigh and slip inside her leotard, finding her absolutely drenched. My cock fills to a capacity I didn’t know was possible. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? I’m getting past the point of no return with you…”
“Yes!” Her hand clamps around my wrist to hold me in place. “I want this. Please …”
“Everything?” I pause and press my forehead to hers to stare deep into her soul. For some reason, I want to really check in with her. I’d die if I hurt her.
She hooks her legs around my hips. “This wouldn’t feel so incredible if it was wrong, Cillian.”
Ivy releases her grip on my wrists, unbuckles my jeans and slips her hand inside my waistband. Her palm presses against my engorged cock over my boxers—I nearly come on the spot.
Okay. Fine . I’m convinced. She wants this as much as I do.
“Oh, no. I’m taking care of you first.” I remove her hand from my pants and place it on the counter. “I’ve been dying to taste your pussy all night.”
Ivy moans, “Yes, pleeeeeasssse .”
I graze her lower lip with my teeth and slide through her wetness to locate her slick little clit. “What have I found here?”
“ Ahhhhh ,“ Ivy cries out, squeezing her eyes shut, squirming at my touch.
God, she’s incredible. This will the best sex I’ve ever had. Hands down. The initial flirtation in the noisy ambiance of Kells has turned into something neither of us expected, but maybe we both desperately need.
I work two fingers deep inside her tight channel and stroke. “Remember, tonight’s about you. You’ll have so many birthday orgasms, your head is going to spin.”
“ Yes . I want all the birthday orgasms,” she whimpers. I withdraw my fingers and plunge them back in. “Ohhhh, God. Ohhhhkay . ”
Fuck. She’s responsive. One night won’t be enough. The thought lingers as my fingers catalog every millimeter of her velvety pussy. The thought is tantalizing and terrifying all at once.
I want to be in this moment now, though. I push thoughts of the future to the side.
For now.
Tonight, my focus is on Ivy.
I’ll make her twenty-fourth birthday one she’ll never forget.