Caterina
Back at the safe house, Connor’s rummaging through the kitchen cabinets for snacks, and I’m uncorking a gorgeous red blend.
I study the man…his wavy hair, sexy hands, and baseball build. I love his growly voice too. I have no clue how I ever controlled myself around him. That little gold earring of his drives me insane.
The way he’s opened up since my father died—even with his life on the line—is what’s stealing my willpower.
I should care about the diamond bullshit, but I don’t. That’s just how Declan raised him. To be a soldier, a yes-man, a machine for the organization. It’s his Achilles heel, but I can see him pulling away from the life he knows and moving toward me.
I’m watching the Connor Gallagher canvas as new colors stain it, transforming the lines of the original geometric painting, adding contour and dimension, shadow and light.
I wonder if he’s aware.
Learning that his mother also died when he was young tipped me over the edge.
I’ve felt that loss since I met him. I knew some invisible force linked us.
On a day where I’ve never been more alone, I discover this tragic fact about Connor, and the knowledge prompts me to believe that the illusion frequency isn’t all an illusion after all.
We could be each other’s North and South Poles.
Another cabinet bangs shut. Note to self… Buy groceries for the safe house.
“I don’t need anything else to eat.” I pour him a glass of wine and wander into the living room. “I’m feeling better.”
“You need food, Cat.”
I roll my eyes. He’s such a worrier.
Cute, but unnecessary.
I plop down on the overstuffed couch and watch him dig around in the cabinets. The kitchen’s probably due for an update. Does his temporary shelter disappoint him? Maybe I should call a contractor.
I also need to contact Father’s lawyer and the executor. Though, I really thought they both would have already reached out to me. Nino claimed the executor was missing, but maybe the man just didn’t answer his phone.
Plus, Nino’s been scheming with Belinski since before dawn. I wonder when—or if—they’ll inform me of their latest worst-laid plans.
There are still a million things left to do for our father’s funeral.
My mind is all over the place.
“Connor?” I peer into the kitchen. “Do I…smell?”
“What?” He turns, sipping his wine and smacking his lips. “This is fantastic. Son of a bitch.”
“I know.” I taste mine, too, then set the glass aside. “You’re sort of kind of avoiding me right now, so I’m wondering if I stink. Please come in here. Sit with me.”
He leans against the archway between the kitchen and living room and settles those pretty eyes on me. “You don’t smell. You’re always perfect.”
I pout. “Then why aren’t you in here with me?”
He visibly inhales, his shoulders rising. “I’m just trying to be respectful. You’re going through a lot.”
Well, that’s annoying. “You could respect me with your clothes off.”
He cracks a smile. “You’re sort of kind of drunk and sort of kind of really fucking sad. And I’m sort of kind of not that guy.”
Stubborn ass.
I admit I was pretty drunk in the bar, but the fries and the hour-long ride back to my safe house sobered me up. Since then, I’ve only had a single sip of wine.
I’m no longer sort of drunk…and Connor Gallagher could help distract me from the fact that I’m still more than sort of sad.
“Fine.” I stand and drop my joggers before stepping out of them. Then, in just my zip-up jacket and underwear, I plop back on the sofa and prop a foot on the coffee table, spreading my legs so he can have a nice view between them.
I slide a hand down my stomach and rub my clit through my underwear—just a little pressure at first—as I gauge his reaction.
With each swirl of my fingers, every muscle melts into jelly.
I can sense his desire ratcheting up from a dozen feet away, but he remains still and sips his wine.
That won’t do at all. “If you’re going to be my boyfriend, you need to fuck me on command.” I slip my hand under the fabric, grinning when Connor chokes on his wine. “Wrong pipe?”
He shakes his head, struggling to tamp down a smile. “Am I…your boyfriend?”
“Aren’t you?”
“If so, that’s exactly why I’m trying to do the right thing here.”
I sigh. This isn’t cute anymore. “I’m the right thing, Connor. Do me.”
Since I’ve flipped his focus, he’s no longer looking at my eyes. I push two fingers inside myself and relax my legs more.
I sigh again, pleasure slowly crawling through me as my fingers plunge in and out of my pussy.
Connor’s chest starts to rise and fall more rapidly, though his face remains mostly calm. “If only you had that purple friend of yours…” He lifts an eyebrow.
I pause, my own eyebrows furrowing. What the hell is he talking about?
He licks his lips. “You missed a camera, Cat.”
A sizzle of excitement and shame run down my spine. “You dirty pervert. You’ve been spying on me.”
He smirks. “Yeah. And touch yourself all you want, but I’m conditioned now. Immune to all that masturbating.”
If anyone else admitted to planting a camera in my bedroom, I’d kill them. With Connor…the knowledge turns me on even more.
I inch down on the sofa so he can get a better view as I pick up the pace, finger fucking myself with a nice and steady rhythm. With my free hand, I unzip the jacket to reveal my lacy white bra.
I will force Connor to join me on the dark side.
I roll my neck back so I can attend to my own pleasure. My teasing will end him. Make him eight kinds of jealous of my hand.
He’ll see.
My breath comes faster, my breasts heaving against my palm as my body lights up. I needed this so, so much.
I moan, biting my lip with a little whimper. “Connor…”
He downs his wine and sets the glass aside. “You asked for it.” Then he strips out of his pants and boxers and charges me.
Even under this shitty lighting, his erection is the most beautiful thing in the world.
I smirk, satisfied with my sweet victory. I broke him down. Now he’s as out of control as everything else in my life.
He fits.
We fit.
There’s order in disorder, I realize, as I remove my fingers from inside me to rip off my underwear.
“I’ve got those.” Connor hooks his thumbs in my white panties and slides them down my legs.
Dropping to his knees, he yanks me down on the sofa until my ass hangs off the edge. He holds me in place with one hand while the other one rubs my pussy before stroking his cock with my juices.
I don’t know how his member could possibly get any harder, but before my very eyes, the veins bulge even more, and his perfect cock grows redder.
Connor takes one of my legs and drapes it over a shoulder. I follow his cue and secure my other foot farther over on the coffee table, opening wide in anticipation.
He lines up the head and sinks into me, burying his entire eight-inch shaft.
My moan evolves into a near scream. “Connor! Oh my god, that…hurts so good.”
This is just what I need in my frazzled state, a new kind of pain to distract me from the day.
He pulls out and plunges in again, this time with even more force. He knows exactly where my pleasure-pain threshold lies. Again, he plunges in with more power. With my leg on his shoulder, I’m spread so wide. This is as deep as he’s ever gone.
This perfect pleasure drains my mind of anything but the feel of him thrusting inside me and teasing my G-spot with each buck of his hips.
I’ve got such a great view of his dick as he thrusts too. This is even better than watching him eat me out in the mirror at the swimming facility. I’m closer to him, and I can see his expressions shift as he moans in ecstasy and gasps my name.
I could get off just from that alone…
This man is my salvation.
“You feel so fucking incredible, Cat.” He groans, his eyes dark with lust, his hands gripping me tightly. “I can’t take it much longer.”
He starts kissing my calf, his stubble tickling my skin. He’s found a whole new erogenous zone I didn’t even realize I had.
I cry out again, sparks zipping straight to my core. “Connor, don’t… I’ll come. Stop…”
He sucks on my calf as he rails into me. Our bodies slam together, harder and faster, as his cock fills me up. I’m losing my damn mind.
Then suddenly, he moves my leg down from his shoulder and reaches under my ass. He hoists me up until we’re standing while he’s fully inside me. He sits on the sofa so my legs can spread out wide on either side of him.
I sink down, groaning as I grind against him.
“Shit, Connor…”
His big hand tangles in my hair, tugging with just the right sting. “Ride me, Cat. With everything you’ve got.” He kisses me, tangling his tongue with mine.
I grab his shoulders and do as I’m told.
I start by rolling back and forth on his member and then circling, maintaining friction as he groans into my mouth before rolling his head back on the cushion.
I push up onto my knees for leverage and begin riding him for real.
It’s so satisfying. The way he slides inside me, and the sight of him under me, his eyes locked on mine…
For the first time all day, I’m in control. I lasso the chaos of my mind and shrink it down to the single point where his body and mine connect.
I claw my nails into his arms, finding purchase as I bounce on his dick.
“Connor, yes…”
He puts his hands on my hips, digging his fingers into my ass. It stings a little as he guides me and increases the pace until I’m bouncing on his dick. Together, we climb that mountain to orgasm.
“Just like that, Cat.” He growls and bucks up into me. “Yes…so perfect…”
I lift to the top and slam down with a gasp, and Connor pumps into me with everything he’s got.
My vision blurs as I peak. “Connor!”
He groans as he climaxes with me, his heat filling me up, making the slide so much better. “Cat…”
I cup his cheeks with my hands, kissing him breathlessly. Incapable of words, we devour each other as we both return to earth.
Guess I was hungry after all.
When he finally releases my mouth, I collapse on top of him, and his strong arms encircle me.
I inhale sweat and citrus and everything Connor. It’s amazing.
Closing my eyes, I soak in his warmth. I’ve never felt so safe, and I want more of this sensation.
Just when I think I could fall asleep with Connor still inside me, I shudder, tears spilling out of my eyes.
Connor holds me tighter, as if he can wring the grief right out of me.
“I’m sorry.” I swipe at my eyes, struggling to suppress a sob as my torso trembles. “I’m out of control.”
He kisses my head. “You don’t need to be sorry, Cat. Just let it go.”
So I do.
As I melt into him, my tears smear against his shirt. “I’m just…it’s too much, and I’m all over the place.”
I feel his lips shift as he smiles against my hair. “No complaints from me. I can fuck you and hug you. Whatever you need.”
I huff. The jerk. This much perfection should be illegal. “I know you’re just being nice, but… I’m going to go insane. My head or my heart…one of them’s going to explode. I can’t go on like this.”
“Hey.” He caresses my spine. “It hasn’t even been a day. Give yourself a break.”
I sigh. “Easier said than done. But thank you.” I plant a kiss on his neck and close my eyes again. “On top of it all, I don’t know what I’m going to do about Nino.”
Connor lifts my chin and kisses me, his lips warm against mine. “We can figure that out together. I’m not going anywhere.”
The scariest part of all this is that I believe him.