by Vi Carter
The car glides into the driveaway, and I move past the white barrier that is lowered behind us.
“Okay, straight up. I can’t afford this place.”
I was waiting for it. this place was gorgeous with courtyards and private security. You bet you paid through the nose for it.
“You don’t even know how much it is yet,” I tell Ava as I park, and she snorts.
“I know it’s out of my budget.” I don’t answer Ava, but get out of the car and grab her two bags. She follows me to number two. The outside red shutters on the windows are closed. Russell did tell me that they need to be opened.
“You go on in and check the place out. I’ll just get the shutters open.” I place the keys in Ava’s hands, and she stares at them.
“I don’t want to go in.” Now she has my attention.
“Why?”
“I know I’m going to fall in love with the place, and then I can’t keep it.” She shuffles the keys from one hand to the other. I snatch them from her opened hand and enter the apartment. It’s dark with the shutters closed over, but immediately, I can feel the warmth.
Ava still stands outside the door pouting. “If you don’t come in, I’ll carry you in,” I threaten and laugh when she doesn’t move. I take a step towards her, and she holds her hands up.
“Fine, I’m coming in.” I watch her take in each room. The place is spotless. All the furniture is white, and everything looks brand new. The hard wood floors under our feet are polished.
“A four poster bed,” I say when we enter the bedroom. Ava walks to the bed and holds one of the banisters before walking around the other side.
“It’s a big bed,” she tells me, and I take a step into the room, hoping I’m not mistaking her invitation.
“Shall I get my tape, and we can measure it?” I ask, and she bursts out laughing.
She’s so alive when she laughs. The noise that leaves her lips is musical, but it’s how it makes her eyes shine and her cheeks glow. Perfection.
I take another step into the room and pretend to be really examining the bed. “I like the floral duvet cover,” I tell her, and she’s still smiling, still flushed.
“I bet it’s comfortable,” I say, and she moves closer, kneeling on the bed. She does a half jump.
“It’s soft.” I use my hands, pushing them deep into the mattress.
“Very soft,” I say as I move around the bed towards her. She’s still kneeling, but her eyes track me.
I stop when I’m directly behind her, leaning in; I place a kiss on her neck. Her head rolls back, giving me more access to her.
“You smell lovely,” I tell her. Her perfume fills the air as I remove her top. The red bra she wears is full, and my jeans tighten. My lips touch her shoulder, and she shivers under me. Her tanned skin is soft and perfect. My hands trail down her front until I brush her breasts, her moans are a drug that I can’t get enough of.
Taking her ear lobe in between my teeth, I suck and bite softly. Her nipples harden in my hands. She’s moving under me, growing impatient, so I let her turn and face me. Her arm wraps around my neck as she pulls me to her lips. We move onto the bed, Ava taking the lead now. When her lips brush my neck, the slight pinch of pain mixed with pleasure zooms through my body.
I’m shrugging off my jacket and break the kiss to pull my top off over my head. Ava’s eyes roam my chest, and she flickers a hungry gaze up at me, before she pulls me back down on top of her. Her hands roam across my shoulders and back. My jeans grow tighter, and I reach down and take off Ava’s. She lifts easily as I slide them down her legs. Pulling off her runners I take the time to soak up her small red panties. She’s flushed, the rise and fall of her chest rapid, and all I want is her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
AVA
The air has lodged itself in my throat. Connor is staring down at me, and everywhere his eyes touch, I burn. He stands now and removes his jeans and boxers, my face lights up. I’ve seen men naked before, just none like Connor. My heart slams against my chest as he moves back up towards me, and I bite my lip as his fingers move under the waistband of my underwear, and he drags them painfully slowly down my legs.
I want to close my eyes, but I also don’t want to miss a second of this. Connor comes back up, and I spread my legs, but he pushes them together as he maneuvers himself behind me, I glance at him over my shoulder as he lifts my leg and places himself at my opening. I’m wet, I’m ready, and when he enters me, I let out a gasp. I’m slipping and falling, and I need a minute to catch myself but I can’t. Brown eyes I cling to as Connor moves deeper and faster inside me. I hold on as long as I can before lying my head back down and closing my eyes. My body wants to let go, glancing at Connor one final time is what pushes me over the edge, and the world shatters around me, his release nearly undoes me again.
I’m breathless when we both lie down in a tangle of legs. I’m not sure I could survive that a second time. Connor twitches inside me, and my body betrays my thoughts. Callous skin brushes my nipples that have already hardened, and I turn in Connor’s arms. I want to watch him this time.
A banging on the front door has both of us freezing. We both lie still, but as the knocking continues, Connor’s pulls out of me gently and places a quick kiss on my lips. Tanned bum cheeks hold my attention until they disappear into a pair of white boxers and then his jeans. That’s how Connor answers the door. I lie back down until I can hear voices. After a moment, I get up and get re-dressed. The front door closes as I arrive into the living/kitchen area where Connor stands topless. His head snaps up to me, and a slow grin spreads across his face. I try to cover my smile with a fist, but I can’t hide it.
“That was Russell. He forgot to leave the keys for the bin area,” he tells me, dangling them from his fingers. His phone is sitting on the breakfast bar in front of him, and when he glances at it, something shines in his eyes.
“Everything okay?” I ask taking a seat at the breakfast bar.
“Yeah, my brother Darragh was at a party, but he’s home now. I was just worried.”
“Is he younger?” I like the idea of Connor being so protective of his brother.
“Yeah, he’s the twin. But I’m closer to Finn. Darragh can be a bit of a handful.”
“Drinking during the day was a bit of a sign.” His lip tugs up, and I bite my lip.
“You’ve got a lot of tattoo’s.” I’m eyeing them all, and his bare skin too. He’s worth looking at.
A serpent is wrapping itself around his chest and shoulders. The art work is amazing, but there’s something unsettling about the tattoo now the more I study it.
“You got any?”
I join my hands and rest them on the counter. “Me and needles aren’t a good match. I’ve always wanted one, but I’m not brave enough.”
“I could go with you-” Connor now takes my hand in his. “Hold your hand.” His smirk has me tightening my legs together.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His eyes roam down to my mouth before flickering back up to my eyes. “We should order food.” Connor takes out his phone. “Pizza?” he asks while scrolling.
“Pizza is perfect,” I tell him.
He raises his lashes. “What toppings?”
“You pick.” I’m hungry, but having Connor here in the kitchen, ordering food, makes me want him again. I bite my lip again as he stuffs the phone in his pocket.
“I ordered mushrooms and pepperoni. It should be here in twenty minutes.” I’m nodding as I get off the stool and walk around to Connor. He follows my every move, and my nerves kick in, but I don’t stop as I reach up and touch the snake on his shoulder. His muscles tense and clench under my touch.
“Why a snake?” I let my fingers roam across smooth tanned skin following the serpent to his other shoulder.
“Sometimes life makes it hard to breathe, like something is tightening itself across your chest. You know? So I thought a snake was a perfect representation of that.” Lines have app
eared on his forehead as he frowns.
“I get that,” I tell him, and I do. His hand rises and joins mine, and our fingers entwine perfectly together. Rising on tippy toes, I kiss him softly first, opening up the invitation. I’m off the floor, and my backside rests on the counter, Connor’s strong arms are still wrapped around me as he deepens the kiss. My hands hold his face before roaming down his back. I’m pushing myself closer to him until I can feel all of him against me.
Kisses that he trails down my neck have me gasping when he nips me with his teeth. My nails dig into his back, and he groans before lifting me off the counter and carrying us over to the couch. Our clothes make a neat pile on the floor, my underwear the only barrier between us. Connor’s fingers touch the band, and my body grows tighter, wetter at the idea of him inside me. He doesn’t remove my them. Instead, he slips a finger inside me, and my eyes widen. He’s kneeling over me, dark brown eyes looking down at me as I push myself against his fingers. His movements grow faster, and when he dips his head down and takes one of my breasts in his mouth, I release across his fingers. I’m panting when he removes his fingers and puts them in his mouth. His lips touch mine, and I can taste myself, gripping his rock hard shaft I start to pump him.
We rotate positions until he’s sitting on the couch and I’m over him watching his face contort in pleasure. Pleasure that I’m causing, and I want him inside me. Climbing onto his lap, his eyes shoot open as I push my underwear aside and direct him inside me. Connor wraps his arms around my waist and holds me as I move up and down. I can feel that build up inside me, and I close my eyes as I move faster. Connor’s moans are making me go faster.
“Oh fuck yeah, faster.” I’m staring at him, moving as fast as my legs allow me to pump as he pours his seed inside me, his body jerking from the release. I don’t come, but collapse onto his chest as we both fight for air.
We have our clothes back on when the doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” I tell Connor going for my bag, but he’s already at the door taking in our pizza. The smell of the pizza has me realizing I’m starving.
We sit at the breakfast bar. Connor has put back on his grey jumper, so his skin isn’t distracting me from eating. Each bite is heaven, and when I look up at Connor to find him watching me, I can’t stop smiling.
“What?” I ask, and he grins. It’s dark now, and the thought of him leaving has my stomach twisting. This is the part I hate, where you’re not sure where you stand. After sleeping together, it changes everything.
“You’re beautiful.” My smile grows until it’s almost painful, and I’m covering my mouth now.
“Thank you,” I tell him, and he picks up a piece of pizza and starts to eat again.
“Will you stay tonight?” There I said it.
He nods. “That was my plan.”
I laugh. “What if I didn’t ask you?” I’m grinning now.
“I would follow you to bed and climb in.”
A laugh bursts from my lips at the image of Connor following me to bed and climbing in.
We sit for a while longer and chat, but after so much that happened today, I’m ready for bed. Connor tidies over and locks up before we make our way to the bedroom. It feels weird to have him here. But a nice weird. I’m going through my bags looking for my night clothes while Connor strips down. I forgot he has nothing with him. I’m watching him as I get dressed for bed. His leg muscles bunch together as he pulls his jeans down. When his top is pulled over his head, I have a full clear view of his back. A large cross dominates most of the space.
“Didn’t take you for a religious kind of guy,” I say and realize I’ve put on bottoms from a different pajama set. Connor was way too distracting. But they will do. Climbing into bed, I tell my heart to relax. It’s more intimate to intentionally go to bed with someone just to sleep than to have sex.
“I like to think that if we don’t get punished in this life for our wrong doings, that we get punished in the next.” He climbs in now and faces me.
“So you think there is more than this,” I ask as he takes my hand in his and twines our fingers together.
“I like to think so.”
“So do I. I hope it’s the land of milk of honey,” I tell him, and he grins.
“I’m not sure about the milk and honey.” I’m smiling into his handsome face. A final warm kiss is brushed across my lips before he turns off the overhead lights, his arm stretching up to the light switch. The darkness is nice as I move closer to Connor. His scent surrounds me along with his arms as I fall asleep.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CONNOR
Waking up this morning to Ava in my arms was torture. She still slept as I stared down at her. I was falling for this girl, and if she found out why I was here, it would destroy what we had. My phone dings again, and I know it’s Shane or Finn wondering where I am. Getting dressed, I sit on a chair in the corner and wait until Ava wakes up. As antsy as I am to get home, she deserves to sleep. Her arms stretch over her head, and I can’t stop the smile that grows on my face. When her eyes land on me, they widen slightly.
“Good morning.” Her expression is shock before her cheeks turn a shade of pink. She’s sitting up, running her hands through her hair.
“Morning.” I move to the bed, and when I sit down, she gazes up at me, with a sleepy look that has me brushing a kiss to her lips.
“I have to go,” I tell her, and she nods but kisses me back.
“Will I see you later?” I brush another kiss against her lips.
“I should be able to get back this evening.” I hope I can anyway. I don’t linger much longer, or I won’t leave at all.
***
I’m only in the back door when Shane starts. “Where were you? Why can’t you answer your phone?” I don’t answer him. Instead, I give Mary a gentle kiss on the cheek, and I get a smile off her for it.
“Some toast?” she asks, and I give her another kiss.
“You’re the best, Mary.” Shane snorts, and I sit down across from him.
“I was busy,” I tell him and can see a muscle clench in his jaw.
“Doing what Connor? Your job I hope?”
I lean in close to Shane. “What do you want?” I’m not in the mood for Shane. His condescending ways weren’t going to fly with me.
Mary puts a cup of tea and toast in front of me. Shane’s staring at her.
“Thanks, Mary.” She pats my shoulder and leaves the kitchen.
“Why have you got to be such a moody fucker to Mary? If I was Mary, I would poison your tea.”
“That’s why I make my own,” Shane informs me.
“I spoke to Brian, and he swore blind that Harry doesn’t work for him. He had no idea what I was talking about.”
“Well then it must be true.” My words have Shane slamming his fist against the table.
“What’s going on?” Una speaks from the door, and Shane’s face transforms. A smile is forced and he unclenches his fist.
“Nothing. How did you sleep?” he asks her so sweetly as she pulls out a chair beside me.
“I slept well.” Her cheeks are red as she holds a coffee cup tightly in her hands.
“You smell good. What perfume are you wearing?” I lean into Una and sniff, and she laughs before taking a drink of coffee.
“I’m not wearing perfume,” she tells me, and I let surprise flitter across my face.
“Really? You need to bottle that up and sell it. You could call it Una.” She’s laughing as I intended, and I don’t have to look up at Shane to know his blood is boiling over.
“So where did you sleep last night more to the point?” Una raises an eyebrow.
“Yes, Connor. We would all like to know.”
I don’t look at Shane. “A mates,” I tell Una, and she narrows her eyes.
“Boy or a girl?”
“What do you think?” I smirk, and she smiles. Now I flicker a glance at Shane. He’s ready to come out of his chair. Picking up my cup, I take a long drink.
“I’m fine,” he informs me trying to look calm.
“Look who’s home,” Darragh shouts as he arrives into the kitchen pointing to himself. He slaps me on the back. “Sorry about being a dick yesterday,” he adds before sitting up on the table beside Una.
“Me too, so all good?” I ask not sure what to say with Una sitting here, but she’s munching away at her breakfast. Finn sits down opposite me with a bowl of cereal. Shane still lingers in the kitchen. I can feel him staring at my back. When I glance over my shoulder, he’s watching me.
“Yeah, charges were dropped. They hadn’t anything on me.” I take a quick look at Una again, and she doesn’t seem affected at all by what he is saying.
“So that’s it?” He nods.
“Yep. Yep. I am a frrreeee man.” Finn rolls his eyes at Darragh’s back.
“Darragh can you not sit on the table. Your ass is like right beside my breakfast.” Darragh slides off at Una’s request and pulls out a chair across from her.
“I just like being beside you, sweetheart,” he tells her, and I want to look at Shane.
Una doesn’t respond. “So I was wondering, would it suit you to meet Siobhan today for lunch.” Shane exhales loudly enough that Una looks at him. I don’t know what passes between them, but he stays silent as Finn continues.
“I would really like if you met her.”
“Yeah, sure. I want to see who stole my brothers heart,” I declare, and he grins. “Can’t wait until you find someone. You won’t be teasing me then.”
“Maybe he already has,” Shane talks as he makes his way back to the table. “Connor never arrived home last night.”
“Who were you tipping?” Darragh asks, and I don’t answer him.
“I was with a mate,” I say, and Shane snorts.
“So you keep saying.” My eyes snap to his, and I hold his stare. I want to say Ava, but that would go down like a ton of bricks. Shane turns his smart mouth to Finn. “You have to bring Darragh with you. Remember our agreement?” Finn stiffens, and when he glares at Shane, I wait for an explosion.
