‘Do we?’ Bonnie gesticulates to the crowded room. ‘After tonight, I’m not so sure.’
Cillian’s silver stare stalks the room until he locates me. However cold he pretends to be, he can’t hide the heat surging from his soul. Or the blazing sexuality he radiates like an inferno. One that I’m irresistibly drawn to, even though I know I risk suffering irreparable burns.
He swallows hard, those dark pupils flicker to my lips, then back to my eyes. ‘Bed.’ He mouths across the busy room.
It’s not even a question. It’s an order. One that I’m more than willing to follow. My work here is done. HeartSync’s social media has exploded with new followers, new clients and the business is buzzing with interest. My family believe Cillian and I are together.
Now, it’s time to actually be together.
Even if it is just physically.
I nod and turn away from my friend before she feels the need to offer any more worldly advice.
Squeezing through the crowd, I brush off congratulations on my business, and my new boyfriend.
Eventually, I reach the lift. Heavy footsteps approaching across the marble flooring set my heart thumping in my chest. I take a deep breath and a familiar intoxicating scent envelops me.
‘Are you okay?’ His deep voice rumbles into my ear.
‘Yes, thanks to you.’ I spin on my heel to face him. The lift doors open, and he nudges me backwards into the small, mirrored space. ‘The night was a success.’
‘Good, we should celebrate.’ Grey eyes glint with a hint of mischief.
In the suite, housekeeping have already turned the satiny-white sheets down. A bottle of champagne chills in a chrome cooler, a plate of chocolate coated strawberries beside it. Moonlight filters through the open curtains, spilling shadows across the room.
Goosebumps ripple my arms. I glance at the bed, then back at Cillian, who’s watching me. He’s unwaveringly solemn as usual, but it’s impossible to miss the desire raging in his eyes.
‘Still want to feel a man’s body against yours? Lose yourself in pleasure without pressure?’ Only a cut-throat lawyer could quote my words back at me so precisely. Has he obsessed about Monday night as much as I have?
My throat thickens. The room feels hot. Or maybe that’s just him. All I have to do is give him the nod. Yet I’m frozen like a lamb awaiting a sacrificial slaughter. My stomach twists with need. But the last person I let inside my body hurt me more than I’ve ever admitted out loud. He lied to me.
At least Cillian’s been brutally honest from the start.
It’s finally time to get back in the saddle.
One tiny nod is all I offer and he’s on me in seconds. Hungry lips seek mine with a passion and urgency I’ve only seen on TV. Huge hands roam across my body with a surprising tenderness, like he can smell my caution, as well as my potent arousal. And he’s here for all of it.
Deft fingers flick over the zip of my dress and it falls to the floor with a soft swish. Wolf-like eyes rake over my lingerie, a claret-coloured silk set with a matching suspender belt. It’s the same shade as my dress, and my lipstick.
I wanted to wow him, and from the low guttural growl that passes from his mouth to mine, I think I’ve succeeded.
‘So fucking beautiful, Ava.’ He traces the silky material with his fingers and steps back to admire me like I’m a prize racehorse. His attention is addictive. It feels like too much, but not enough all at the same time.
I reach out for the buttons of his shirt, but he retracts, pulling his torso just out of reach. ‘Not yet.’ Huge hands reach round to squeeze my ass and I squeal as he lifts me, effortlessly wrapping my legs around his waist and carrying me to the bed.
He places me on the sheets. They’re cool and soft against my rigid spine. ‘Are you sure this is what you want, Ava?’ His throat flexes, like he’s barely keeping it together.
‘I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.’ It’s the truth.
‘You know I don’t do fairy tales and forevers.’ He’s giving me the option to walk out of here right now.
As if that’s ever going to happen.
My body thrums with nervous anticipation. Every cell hums, begging to be touched. Lust sweeps away logic. I might get burned, but given the attraction pulsing between us, the pleasure will be worth every second of pain. ‘Just fuck me, Cillian.’
Finally, those perfect plump lips curl upwards into a wolfish grin. ‘Oh, I’m going to baby. Believe me, I’m going to.’
His broad frame towers over me as he eats me with his eyes. ‘I love your lingerie.’
