Epilogue
CONNOR GALLAGHER
I ’m a goddamn glutton for punishment.
My private jet just landed at the airport after flying for ten hours from Brussels. It was a disappointing trip, and I’m fecking exhausted. I should go home and go to bed. Instead, I’m standing outside Billie’s Books because I can’t seem to stay away from the pretty wee owner of this shop despite the fact that she can’t stand to have me around.
She’s made it clear that she doesn’t want a repeat of our one and only true sexual encounter all those months ago. I’ve stolen kisses here and there, but she always stops things before I can take them too far.
And because she’s in control when it comes to sex, I always back off. I will always back off. I’m not in the habit of forcing myself on women who don’t want me.
Jesus, I’ve never had a problem finding a willing woman to warm my bed at night. But since I had her, I don’t want anyone else. There hasn’t been nor will there be anyone but mo rúnsearc.
I want Billie .
I think of her constantly.
I know every inch of her lush, gorgeous body.
And when she snaps at me, my cock twitches.
I drag my hand down my face. No one in my personal or professional life would dare speak to me the way Billie Blackwell does, yet here I am, bloody eager to get just a glimpse of her before I go to my cold, lonely house for the night.
Pushing through the door of the bookshop, I pause when I see the group of women sitting in the center of the space. Some are in chairs, others are on the floor, and it occurs to me that it must be their book club night.
In fact, there’s my sister, Skyla, confirming my suspicions.
Feck me.
I turn to leave before anyone notices me, but then I hear her voice and it has me stopping in my tracks. My hands fist at my sides. Even her raspy, gorgeous voice turns me on.
“Okay, ladies,” Bee says. Her back is to me, but I’d recognize that glossy brunette hair anywhere. “I need some book recommendations.”
“What are you looking for?” Skyla asks her.
“I want a billionaire”—I take a step in her direction. Billionaire. That’s me —“one-night stand”— Check, did that— “dirty talker”— there’s nothing I love more than muttering filth in her beautiful little ear— “a smidge morally gray”— she doesn’t need to know about that side of me— “but absolutely no accents because that might make me spontaneously combust.”
“Why this specifically?” a blonde woman asks just as Skyla spots me, and her eyes widen.
I shake my head at her.
“Because I’m not getting it in real life, so I might as well read about it.”
“You could have it in real life, but you’re too bloody stubborn.”
I hear a few gasps, and Skyla grins, but I only have eyes for my bumblebee as she turns in her seat and scowls up at me.
“This is a private party. ”
“And it’s over,” I reply as I reach down and take her hand, pulling her to her feet. “Come with me. Skyla, lock up on your way out.”
“Hey, you can’t just walk in here and?—”
“I just did.” She’s jogging behind me, trying to keep up with my long strides, and I should slow down for her, but I don’t.
Because the mere thought of her getting off on the fictional version of me is absolutely fecking not going to fly with me.
I pull her through the door of what I thought might be her office, but it turns out to be a supply closet.
Close enough.
“Connor, you can’t?—”
I pin her against the door, cage her in, my elbows resting against the wood above her head, and my lips cover hers.
I’m pissed. I’m horny as hell. And I can’t resist her.
Billie moans against my lips, and she doesn’t push me away as I sink into her, urging her lips open with my tongue, and she gives me what I’m after.
She bites my lower lip. Her hands fist in my white button-down just above my waist as if she’s holding on for dear life while I plunder her amazing mouth.
“Can’t get enough of the taste of you,” I growl and boost her up so I don’t have to lean so far down to reach her.
I’m a tall man, and Billie’s just a wee thing, and I want to feel her against me. I need to feel every curve in my hands. I fecking love her curvy body.
Her arms and legs wrap around me, and before I press her back against the door again, I yank the hem of her pink dress up around her waist, exposing the sexiest fecking lacy pink panties I’ve ever fecking seen. Billie is always dressed impeccably, her hair and makeup perfect, yet not overdone or too much. She’s classy. She’s beautiful.
She’s everything.
“God, your body was bloody made for me, angel.”
She whimpers, and my hand dives under that lace, and I find her soaking wet.
“Good fecking girl,” I growl against her neck as my fingers get to work, dancing over her clit, then down into her wet crease before I push them up to circle her hard clit again.
She’s wiggling, circling her hips as if she’s silently begging me to push my fingers inside her, and I will.
But not yet.
“I want you to come for me, mo rúnsearc ,” I murmur against her skin. “I can’t believe you sat out there and told your friends that you want to read about me , but you won’t let me have this with you. You keep denying both of us.”
“Connor,” she chokes out, tipping her forehead against my shoulder.
“Look at me.” Her hazel gaze is on fire as she follows the order. Her jaw drops as I slide two fingers inside her and press the heel of my hand against her clit and work her over, curling those fingers, making her shiver and come undone against me.
“That’s right, give it to me, angel. Don’t you fecking stop.”
Her orgasm is fierce and rattles me to the core.
I need to get inside her.
But before I can, she shakes her head and presses on my shoulders, stopping me cold.
“No.” She licks her lips and those pretty eyes fill with tears. “I said no , Connor. Put me down.”
Immediately, I do as she asks.
“Did I hurt you? Christ, Bumble, I’m so sorr?—”
“I won’t do this with you,” she says, her voice shaking. “No more. No more kisses at dance recitals and family dinners and at the fucking coronation of a king. No more messing with my head, Connor. I’m sure it makes you happy to know that I enjoyed fucking you, that I can’t help myself from responding to you when you touch me, but I’m done letting you use me. You don’t get to do that anymore.”
Before I can reply, she opens the door at her back and marches out of the supply closet, leaving me floundering.
Using her?
I’m not fecking using her. I can’t stay away from her. I crave her. I need her.
“Christ.” I take my glasses off and pinch the bridge of my nose between my finger and thumb.
“I’m sure it makes you happy to know that I enjoyed fucking you, that I can’t help myself from responding to you when you touch me, but I’m done letting you use me. You don’t get to do that anymore.”
That’s where you’re wrong, angel.
We will get to do that and a lot more.
I want you sated.
I want you happy.
I want you to be mine.
Are you excited for Connor and Billie’s story? Turn the page for a sneak peek of Where We Bloom!
And if you’re interested in my royal family that Beckett and Skyla met, they have a whole series dedicated to them! My Big Sky Royals are available now, starting with Enchanting Sebastian.