Before she could demand action, he positioned himself at her opening and slowly slid in, the fullness he created was always a shock, making her bite her lower lip and whimper. The pleasure-pain of the stretch was beautifully perfect.
“Christ, Gray,” he growled between clenched teeth. “I can’t get enough of you. I think about filling you up a million times a day.”
He bent over her chest to kiss her, a hint of desperation flavoring his tongue. “I’ll never not need you,” he admitted against her mouth.
Neither of them spoke another word. Moans and panting and slaps of skin on skin echoed in the silent living room. He played her body perfectly, wringing another orgasm from her. She felt the pulsing tug deep inside trigger Ciar’s release.
They spent another half an hour touching and kissing softly, coming down from the intensity of their shared passion until he stood and gathered her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom and ensuite bathroom, where they showered. They smiled at each other whenever their eyes met.
She followed him into the bedroom and lay down after he threw back the bedding. Her nerves were starting to spark, knowing that this was the moment she’d been waiting months for.
The truth. Finally.
When he remained silent, Gray placed a hand on his arm. “Ciar,” Gray hesitated, chastising herself for her timidity in demanding what she needed. “I need you to explain the lastseveral months. I need to know why you ghosted me but named your daughter after me. I need to know a lot of things, and you damn well owe me the answers.”
Had she not been skin to skin, she might have missed the tensing of his muscles at her questions. But she did feel it, and her heart sank.
“I’m exhausted, baby. We have the rest of our lives to talk. Just let me hold you in my arms while we sleep.”
And there it was. He wanted her but refused honesty. She fought the tears that wanted to fall as she turned on her side and allowed him to wrap his front around her back.
She could feel the hope that she’d been carrying close to her heart since their semi-reconciliation break and shatter.
forty-seven
CIAR
Ciar,
I’ve gone home to Scotland.
You promised me answers the moment you set foot back in Dublin.
You didn’t deliver.
You’ve been screwing with my feelings from our first kiss until our last. I can’t keep being disappointed.
We’ve been friends for years, and I’m beginning to think that you’ve only ever been interested in friends with benefits.
Unfortunately for you, or fortunately where Imogen and your son are concerned, you got two of your “friends” pregnant, and now you must feel cornered.
Consider yourself uncornered by me.
I no longer hold any expectations. I lost all hope of a true partnership between us the moment you shut me down last night.
I get it. Finally.
I’ll keep you informed of every appointment and where I choose to give birth, but that is where our interactions will end.
I am asking you to allow me to spend some time with Imogen when I come to town. I believe Tina would be amenable to meeting.
Do not fear that I will malign you to my family, our friends, or the children. Like I’ve said, we’re friends. You never offered me more than that.
It was my silly heart and assumptions that got us here.
I offered you my heart more than once, and you handed it right back each time.
Goodbye, Ciar.
