Chapter One from Ro’s POV #2
When the current song ends, Alicia turns abruptly in my arms, returning her hand to my neck and pulling my face to hers, our lips an inch apart.
She traps me with her azure gaze for a lifetime before stretching onto her toes to kiss me.
She pulls back immediately, and we stare at each other in complete shock.
The drinking, dancing, and flirting were strong indicators that something like this would have happened eventually.
The attraction has been simmering for years, and this kiss feels like the strike of a match.
But, unlike starting a small fire, it’s like the match was thrown into a full can of petrol, and it’s that moment right before it detonates.
We crash into each other, hands burying into hair, fists curling into clothing. I have no idea how we got to the jacks, but here we are. Alicia is pinned between me and the wall, and my hand is down the front of her trousers, stroking her where I’ve only ever dreamed of touching her.
“Fuck me, you’re soaked,” I growl before dragging my tongue up the side of her neck. She’s riding my hand like she just can’t get close enough.
“If you tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you,” she pants out.
“For someone so ashamed, you don’t seem to be too upset about what I’m doing with my finger at the moment.” I laugh against her collar bone and curl my finger, rubbing that sweet spot.
“Fuck…” Alicia hisses.
When she bites down on my shoulder, I groan loudly. The sensation of her teeth on my skin is euphoric.
“Christ, woman. You’re not just all bark, are you?”
“Shut up, Gallagher.” Her fingers wind into my hair, yanking my head from her neck and molding her mouth to mine, all while fumbling with my belt buckle. I have to start thinking of research papers to keep from coming the moment her fingers wrap around my cock. She gasps in surprise.
“Like what you feel, love?”
“Just surprised I found it and wondering if it can do what your fingers can do. Oh…God. Don’t stop doing that.”
Her inner walls clench around my fingers. She’s close. “I’m going to give that smart mouth of yours a new job, hen, if you keep talking. Now shut up, and come on my hand like the good girl I know you can be.”
The words have barely left my mouth when she yells out my name as she comes. She’s stunning. The way her arms tighten around me, but her face relaxes, showing me what Alicia Petersen looks like when she lets her guard down, is hands down, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“Fucking perfect,” I mutter against her ear.
When her breath hitches and her shoulders tense, I realize that I’ve poured too much emotion into the words and ventured into uncharted waters.
I’ve rattled her. Leaning back, she pulls my hand from her pants, bringing my fingers to her mouth.
She holds my gaze as her lips close around them and she sucks the proof of her orgasm from them.
As sexy as it is, she’s using it as a way to deflect and bring us back to fucking.
That’s when I remember that we’re in some manky bathroom in a club. Aye, I want to fuck her as much as I want to play football professionally—maybe even more—but if and when I do get to have her naked and in my arms, it sure as fuck isn’t going to be in a place like this. Alicia deserves better.
“Do you have a condom?” I realize she’s working the zipper of my jeans as she asks the responsible question. I know I’m going to kick myself later, but if I don’t stop this now, she’s going to wake up tomorrow hungover and full of regret.
Gently, I take hold of her wrist. “No.”
“It’s fine. I’m on the pill, and I’m clean,” She explains while trying to free herself from my grip. “I get checked regularly.”
Christ Almighty, I can’t believe I’m actually going to say no to fucking her bare.
“Alicia, stop,” I say seriously, trying to make my voice stern.
Her eyes meet mine. “What’s wrong?”
It takes every bit of willpower, but I grit out, “We can’t do this.”
She smirks. “Gallagher, I was kidding about the size of your dick. I’m confident I won’t be unsatisfied.”
Fucking hell. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I try to form the right words. “It’s not that. I just…I don’t want you…”
The look she gives me makes my bollox shrivel up inside me.
“Wow. If that,” Alicia gestures to my cock, “is what you look like when you don’t want me, I can’t even imagine what you look like if you did want me.”
What?
“No…fuck,” The word drags from me as I pinch the bridge of my nose. “That’s not what I was saying. You didn’t let me—”
“Oh, I think I let you do enough,” she snaps, making to scamper by me and out of the bathroom.
I step in front of her and block the door. She has to hear me out.
“Alicia, would you stop for one fucking minute and listen to me?”
Finally, she stops and folds her arms over her chest, waiting for me to enlighten her.
“We’re drunk. And in the jacks. It’s a recipe for regret, yeah? I don’t want you waking up tomorrow wishing you’d never met the likes of me.”
A combination of hurt and embarrassment mar her features before transforming to ice.
“Whatever, Gallagher. You and your excuses can fuck right off. Now, get out of my way and let me leave.”
“Li,”I say pleadingly.
“Don’t,” She snarls. “Just move.”
Knowing a lost battle when I see one, I sigh and step out of the way.
Alicia shoulder-checks me on her way out, and I know I’ve royally fucked everything up.