Page 25 of Niall

Or set me on fire until there was nothing left but ash.

He rested his arm on the wall beside me, leaning down, his breath drifting over my skin when he spoke.

“And what is your decision?”

“You.”

His breathing stuttered, but he leaned closer. “Even if it’s only for now?”

I licked my lips, his gaze following the path of my tongue. “Yes.”

Our gazes clashed, brown meeting brown. One determined and pleading. The other angry, yet a flicker of something else was visible. Acceptance. Desire.

With a low growl, he grabbed my neck, hauling me to his chest.

“I warned you. You will regret this.”

Then he kissed me.

And I didn’t care.

CHAPTER SEVEN

NIALL

Ipicked her up in my arms, carrying her back to the suite.

“There’s a bed right there,” she protested.

“I’m not fucking you in my mother’s bed,” I replied, my voice rough.

I felt her shiver.

In my room, I tossed her onto the bed, following her down, pinning her to the mattress with my body. We sank into the pillowy cushion, our mouths fused together.

I was angry. Furious, even. Turned on. Frightened.

I wanted her with a desperation I had never felt before.

I didn’t want to hurt her. Physically or emotionally, and I feared I would do both.

But she refused to leave it or me alone.

So, I would give her what she wanted, and I prayed she still looked at me with the same sweet acceptance.

Kissing her was like air. Potent and life-affirming, and it filled me with euphoria. Her mouth was sweet and addictive. Kissing had never been high on my priority list, but with Anna, I could kiss her for hours. And I loved how bold she was right now. Kissing me back, licking into my mouth, digging her nails into my shoulders to keep me close. Her tongue slid along mine in sensuous passes, twining together, teasing, tasting, exploring. She nipped my bottom lip, swiping over it to ease the sting. I bit down on the juncture where shoulder met neck and left a mark. Then I went back to her mouth, holding her down, yet not pressing into her sore areas, all too aware of her still-healing injuries.

She seemed to have forgotten about them, dragging me close, wrapping her legs around my waist, pulling my hair. She tugged at my suit jacket, making angry little sounds of frustration. I sat up, shrugging it off and tossing it behind me somewhere. I did the same with my shirt and tie, not caring if the expensive cloth ended up creased, torn, or ruined. I gripped the bottom of her sweater, yanking on it, wanting it off. Wanting her bare to my eyes. She shimmied under me, pulling the garment over her head. Her breasts sprang free, and I captured them in my hands, caressing the already hard nipples. She whimpered as I pinched the pink tips, dropping my head to suck at them. She ran her hands over the planes of my chest, stroking my nipples, then down my torso, yanking on my belt. I slid away, standing by the bed, undoing the buckle and pushing down my pants and boxers, letting them fall to the floor. I kicked them off, my socks following, and I stood in front of her, naked, my cock erect, my chest pumping rapidly.

“Your turn, Polly.”

That was the first time she hesitated. Her eyes were huge in her face as she took me in, gazing at me. I saw the fear and worry creep in. I knelt on the mattress, nuzzling her mouth. “I won’t hurt you, mo mhuirnín.”

“I know,” she replied, a quaver in her voice.

“Tell me,” I demanded tenderly.

“You’re so beautiful. So strong and fit. I’m covered in scars and bruises. You’re a god, and I’m just…”