“I trust you. I feel safe with you, but I know how you feel. My mother—my real one—is Elle Walker.”
“Elle—the one dating the rugby player?”
“The same. My father is convinced I take after her and is always lecturing me on proper behavior.”
Connor stroked his hand over her cheek and the corners of his mouth kicked up in a faint smile. “You have nothing to worry about, babe. Your behavior is exemplary.”
Maggie let out a huff that came close to a snort. “My spanking blog isn’t the worst of it. I have a worse sin. When I was younger, I ran with a fast crowd. They were the sons and daughters of my father’s workmates. I thought I was so special, going out with one of the most popular guys. There were eight of us and we’d spent the weekend at the beach. We stopped at a pub for lunch and I drank too much. I got…um…a bit frisky.” Maggie drew a breath, her face heating with shame. So many times she’d wished she had refused Jason. She’d liked him so much and wanted to belong to the crowd of popular kids. “Oh, heck. This is embarrassing.” She hid her face in her hands before peeking at Connor.
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“But I do. You told me about your past, and I want to do the same.” No matter what he thought about the subject. In this, at least, she intended honesty.
“We all have history, babe. You can tell me anything. I won’t judge you.”
She swallowed, started to talk and swallowed again, concentrating on her clenched hands. This was harder than she’d imagined. “I…Jason asked me to suck him off while he was driving. It was okay for a while, until he drove off the road and went into a ditch. I bit him,” she muttered, talking faster and faster to get out the story. “He had to go to hospital and have surgery.” Maggie risked a glance at Connor. His face contorted in a weird expression. Disgust.Figured. Her father and stepmother had borne similar expressions.
A muffled snort sounded, and she gaped at him. “You’re laughing.”
He roared then, laughing so hard tears streamed down his cheeks. Anger stiffened Maggie’s spine and she jumped to her feet. He grabbed her hand and hauled her right back. She glared at him while he attempted to control his hilarity.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he said, wiping his eyes with his free hand. The other banded her wrist, halting her escape. “Tell me what happened.”
“So you have more to laugh about?”
“No, so I can understand.” This time sincerity emblazoned his face, and some of her irritation faded.
“The press got hold of the story and my so-called friends leaked my identity. Everyone was talking about Penisgate. They made my life hell. They made my family’s life hell, and my father lost his job over it because he worked with the same firm as Jason’s father.”
“And?” Connor prompted.
“Isn’t that enough? My father blamed me. He said if I’d controlled my sinful urges, none of it would have happened. He said I took after my mother and I seek attention to make myself feel better.”
“Bullshit,” Connor said. “None of that is true. You were young. You made a mistake. Hell, we all make mistakes. It’s part of learning and growing up.” He crushed her to his chest, hugging her so tight she could scarcely breathe. Then his mouth settled on hers, his hands touching her everywhere until all she could think about was his next touch. He nuzzled the hollow at her throat and pulled away, caressing every part of her with his gaze.
“We’re a pair,” he said. “Neither of us takes after our parents. Okay?”
She smiled, warmed by his acceptance. “Okay.” At least Connor understood her feelings because of his family situation.
He ran his lips down her neck, gently biting, tormenting her until she clung to him, her heart thudding in an erratic manner, her fingers entwined in his dark hair. He pulled away, his blue eyes twinkling down at her.
“Are you tired?”
“Of you? Never,” she said, and she pushed at his chest.
Confusion covered his face until she shoved him back on the bed and straddled his hips.
“It’s my turn to play.”
“I’m ticklish.”
“Only when it suits you,” she said tartly. “Man up and deal.”
He chuckled. “Do your worst. Let me prove I can take it—like a man.”
Maggie grinned and splayed a hand over his chest. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart and knew he wanted her. Heck, his cock prodding her backside gave her a big clue.
Her finger circled a masculine nipple. Fascinated, she watched it harden and leaned over to repeat the move with the slow slide of her tongue. A faint saltiness hit her taste buds.
