Chapter 28 #2
“Word has it you’re not the most reliable Connor when it comes to secrets, so I can’t tell you.”
“You’re keeping secrets with my brothers?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I opened my mouth, but Reid shook his head. “Don’t ask. I won’t tell.” Pulling me close, he brought his mouth to my ear.
“But I’ll tell you something else. I want this,” he whispered, bringing his arms around me. “You, me, a girl. Or a boy.”
Oh, God! I was so aware of his presence, of that deep bond between us that I couldn’t even begin to describe, of the way his arms tightened around me, of his fingertips applying pressure on my lower back.
Flat against his chest, I felt his heart rate quickening.
I shuddered lightly, unable to contain all that emotion coursing through me.
“There’s a good chance we’ll have one or the other,” I teased, but only because I was afraid I’d tear up if I didn’t make both of us chuckle. I’d been an aunt three times over, but I’d never wanted a little nugget of my own as badly as today. All because of this beautiful man.
“Yeah?” he whispered, pulling back a little, looking straight at me.
I nodded. “A little scary, huh? But a certain someone told me that it’s okay to want things that scare us.”
“He sounds smart.”
“He is. Aaand… I’m still waiting for him to kiss me.”
Reid laughed but didn’t kiss me. “We’re expected to join the others too, you know.”
“We are? Damn. And I was hoping you’d throw me over your shoulder and take me home.”
He tightened his arm around me. His eyes blazed. I swallowed hard.
Heat seared through me, overwhelming me. I couldn’t believe just how much I needed him in my life. How much I wanted to need him. It wasn’t scaring me at all.
“That’s certainly on today’s schedule, love. We still have some kissing to catch up on.”
Reid
It was late at night when we arrived at the penthouse. Grabbing a bite had lasted well into the evening, and then we’d all paid Val another visit.
“You were actually right about winning over my brothers.”
“You doubted me?”
“I thought you might just be bragging.”
I cocked a brow.
“What? You do that sometimes. What I don’t get is how you did it. And they refused to tell me anything. Refused.” She held her hands up, as if she couldn’t wrap her mind around the idea of her brothers refusing her something.
“Come here, pretty girl. If I remember correctly, we have some unfinished business.”
Hailey smiled coyly. “Oh, really? What was that exactly? I’m afraid I don’t remember.”
I lifted her in my arms the next second. She shrieked, then laughed as I planted a kiss on her neck, then her shoulder.
Fuck, I was so close to just pushing her against the wall, hiking the skirt up her waist, and burying myself inside her.
I needed her too much. And I needed her now.
It didn’t help that Hailey was already reaching for my belt, letting out a low sound of frustration when she realized there wasn’t enough space between us to undo it.
She set to work on my shirt instead. We made it into the bedroom, but only barely.
“I’ve missed kissing you.” I congratulated myself on managing to take off her dress without damaging it.
I spoke against her skin while laying her on her back.
I unclasped her bra, burying my face between her gorgeous breasts before lavishing each with kisses, teasing the nipple while lowering a hand between her legs, inside her panties.
“Touching you. These past few days were so hard. Being close to you but not being able to touch you.”
She dug her heels in the mattress when I circled her clit in a light movement, whimpered when I slid two fingers inside her.
“Reid. Get naked. Please.”
“You get me naked, beautiful.”
Hailey didn’t hesitate. She went straight for the buttons she hadn’t yet undone, pulling with such force that she ripped the fabric.
She grinned. “I guess I owe you a shirt.”
Laughing, I took off the rest of my clothes and her panties before kissing her again, twirling our tongues, needing the connection. Needing to touch her.
I stroked her tongue fast and deep, sitting on the bed, pulling her over me.
I wanted her on top so I could watch her chase her own pleasure.
She teased me, rubbing herself against me without taking me in.
I dropped my head back, breathing in through my nose, trying to hang on to my control.
I lost the battle when she gasped, sliding in just my tip.
Gripping her hips, I slid her all the way down until I was so deep inside her that my vision blurred.
“F-f-uck, Hailey.”
She gasped, clenching tight around me. I kissed her again, moving her hips to my rhythm. I didn’t want to stop kissing her, touching her.
The rational part of me knew she wasn’t going anywhere, but the weeks without her had left their mark. I was overwhelmed by the all-consuming feeling of having Hailey again, of having her bare skin against mine, her lips on my mouth.
I focused on her pleasure until she clenched tight. Oh, I was chasing my own climax too, but I waited, holding back, pacing myself, watching her beautiful face when she came, knowing that it was all for me.
It would be all for me for all times.
I cradled her in my arms for a long time after we were both spent, still unwilling to break our connection.
After we cleaned ourselves up, I lured her back into bed, holding her close, only letting her go enough to order room service.
“Nooo… you’re spoiling me again,” she said when she took stock of all the food I’d asked for. “I missed all these treats in Houston. I missed this penthouse too.” She looked around the living room, stroking the bar counter.
“And me?”
“Maybe.”
I bit her shoulder lightly. She pouted.
“I don’t want to go back.”
“It’s just for a few months. And just putting it out there, I am renting the largest suite at the Westin. They have excellent room service. I’d love to share it with you.”
“Wait… what do you mean? Why would you keep that?”
“Because I plan to split my time between Houston and LA for as long as you’re there.”
She blinked, looking to my right, then to my left. “Where are you hiding broody, I-like-my-fortress Reid? Tell the truth.”
I hooked an arm around her waist, pinning her against the counter.
“Still here, but I like you more than my fortress.”
“You do, huh?”
“Yes. And I want you to have no doubt that I’ll be by your side no matter what.”
“We can make everything work,” she whispered.
“We will. Because my place is right next to you, Hailey Connor.”