My lips brush across her ear. I’m playing with fire but between the drink, and the desire crusading through my cock, I can’t stop. I haven't had this much fun in years. ‘Not quite the benefits I was expecting a real boyfriend to get.’
Goosebumps ripple across her arms and she gazes up at me from black lash-framed eyes. Our pupils lock and smoulder. The air crackles and time stops. The rest of the world disappears.
Fuck.
This attraction between us, it’s mutual.
And if we’re going to be ‘dating’ for December and spending this much time together, I’m going to need a will of steel not to act on it. Regardless of the consequences.
ChapterNine
AVA
Cillian might have a cold heart when it comes to love, but the rest of him is blisteringly hot. The man radiates heat, promise, and what Bonnie calls Big Dick Energy. It’s just a shame he isn't willing to use it on me. A single man that exceptional looking is a cruel waste.
Though just because he doesn’t believe in love and commitment, that doesn’t mean he believes in celibacy, does it?
Does he have a fuck buddy? Someone who takes care of his needs?
Or does he take care of them himself?’
I’m nothing if not Penny Jackson’s daughter. I snap my eyes away, breaking our sizzling stare. ‘My turn to ask the question.’
Those silver eyes dart over my lips again. ‘Go on.’
‘When did you last have sex?’
His face remains in its usual deadpan expression, but his voice is tinged with amusement. ‘Is that something your parents are going to want to know?’
‘I wouldn't rule it out.’ I smirk, handing over my dirty glass to one of the passing servers and accepting the next one.
He inches towards me, until there’s only millimetres between us. ‘I’ll answer the question, if you do.’
Disgust curls around my core at the thought of Josh, the married ex-convict, but I nod. I may as well confess because it’ll take all of three seconds for one of my family members to out me about Josh and his ankle tag.
‘A year ago.’
Mr Deadpan sucks in a sharp breath demonstrating a rare flash of emotion – surprise. ‘That’s almost as long as me.’ He exhales a low whistle and cocks his head to the side. ‘It’s been eighteen months.’
Who did he sleep with, eighteen months ago? And why is there an irrational wave of jealousy rolling through my stomach right now?
Cillian continues with the questions, thankfully oblivious to my internal green-eyed monster. ‘Why don’t you date? A woman with your looks could have her pick.’
A woman with my looks? My stomach flips and the green-eyed monster is placated, for now at least.
I swallow hard, suddenly serious for once. ‘Is that your question? Why don’t I date?’
He nods before taking a sip of his wine. We’re way past even pretending to care about the grape variety. Or the tasting notes, but we’re going to need more of it to continue with this line of questions.
‘I had a bad experience.’ I suck in a mouthful of air and exhale it slowly. ‘The last guy I dated, Josh, lied to me. He’d just been released from prison – nothing major,’ I add before he thinks I’m completely irresponsible. ‘He was one of those environmentalists protesting about dairy farms. Stupidly, I thought that made him one of the good guys. Showed that he cared about the world.’
Cillian’s lips twitch and I can’t tell if he’s amused or angry.
‘My family think it’s hilarious that I run a matchmaking service, yet I can’t find a match for myself. They tease me about Josh relentlessly. They wouldn't joke if they knew how bad it really was.’ Water threatens at the back of my eyes, and I blink it away.
Blurting out my deepest darkest secrets to Cillian was not part of the plan. It’s only going to reinforce his delusional views on love.
I blame the wine.
