And there it was.
A guttural moan. And then he was kissing me. Those earlier feelings that I’d tried to hide under anger—jealousy of his relationship with his sister and the need for his attention—they surged forward like an irresistible tide. And I did my best to pull him under with me.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed myself along his torso. He slid his hands down my back and cupped my ass, hauling me hard against his pelvis. I felt the hot press of his penis, and I wrapped my leg around him to deepen the contact.
Then suddenly, it was over. He pulled away from me, and though his nostrils flared, his words were not what I wanted to hear.
“Gia, no. We have to stop.”
No, we didn’t. Right there, with his hands around me, I knew the real reason I was here. It was for this. Why lie about it? So I grabbed his head and tried to kiss him again. But he was stronger than I was and held himself back.
“Gia, think! We work together. We—”
“I don’t care,” I said. An image flashed through my brain of him standing there, watching his sister. Five minutes ago, he’d exuded everything I wanted in a man. Strength. Love. Respect. I wanted that. And sure, it had been for his sister, but right now, that wasn’t important. I wanted to pretend it was for me. I wanted to be with him and think—for one night—that he felt that way about me.
“Connor, I want this. Forget about work, the interviews, and everything else. I won’t tell a soul. No strings attached. Just…” I swallowed. “Say yes.”
His hands gentled on my ass, and I felt them like large, hot brands. I felt the way they trembled, and I saw the hunger in his eyes. Lust, pure and simple. I knew it was echoed in my face.
“I promise. I won’t tell a soul,” I said.
“Just tonight?”
My heart ached at that, but if those were his terms, I’d take it. “Come morning, it will be as if it never happened.”
He groaned. “That never works.”
“It will for us. I swear.”
“It can only be for tonight. Nothing more.”
I nodded, though part of me was crying out,Why?Why couldn’t I be a forever girl with him? But then, just as I was teetering on the edge of mortification, he changed, scooping me up in his arms and carrying me through his apartment.
I cried out, half in surprise, half in delight. I used my arms to stabilize myself on his shoulders while my legs wrapped around his torso. I kissed him deep and hard, thrusting my tongue into his mouth for a split second before he rapidly won that duel and pushed into mine.
We were still fused together when he bumped into his bed. I was busy tugging at his T-shirt, trying to pull it off him. I uncoiled a leg enough to support my weight while he tried to gently set me down on the mattress. We both ended up toppling over in a mass of arms, legs, and half-stripped-off clothing.
I laughed at the impact and saw a flash of a smile on his face. But then I sat up and pulled off my shirt and all humor fled from his face. His gaze was on mine, but as I inhaled, I saw his eyes drop to my chest, to where my breasts were full and aching beneath a black lace bra.
“Not copper this time,” I said, but then groaned.
He had extended a single finger and was tracing the lace along my breasts, drawing it over my tingling flesh while my breath stuttered in and out.
“Be sure, Gia,” he murmured. “Please be sure.”
“I am.” Then to prove it, I reached behind my back and popped the clasp. I let him pull away the bra, then shuddered in delight as both of his hands cupped me then kneaded my breasts. I fell back on the bed, opening my arms to him. He squeezed my nipples, and my sex pulsed. Then he leaned down and captured a peak with his mouth.
He was good with his mouth. Teeth. Tongue. Suction and nip. He toyed with my breasts like he did with a baseball. And I felt dizzy with hunger at each passing second.
I wanted to touch his body. I needed to feel those muscles under my fingers, feel the strength of him inside me. I dragged his T-shirt up.
He released my breast with a pop that had me arching as sensation shot through my spine. I hauled on the cotton fabric of his shirt, anxious to get my hands on his skin. He pulled it off with a rough jerk. I had my hands on his chest then, stroking across the flat disc of his nipple while his pecs rippled in reaction.
“All night,” he rasped. “All night?”
I nodded, too breathless to answer with words.
“Quick and fast okay? For the first one?”
