Beside her, Tank made a low growl that turned into a whine of happiness, the bedroom light flicked on, and her stomach dropped.
She sat up, staring wide-eyed at Gideon who was standing in the doorway. For almost a minute, neither of them said anything. The only sound in the room was the thumping of Tank’s tail against the bed.
“What are you doing in my bed?” Gideon finally said.
“I, um, I… fell asleep,” Grace said. As Tank jumped off the bed and walked toward Gideon, she yanked the covers down and stumbled out of the bed. She shoved her feet into her shoes, her face a flaming tomato. “I’m so sorry. I was – I mean, I haven’t been sleeping well, and I was tired and…”
She shut her mouth with a snap, whatever she said would just make her look like a complete idiot, and she hurried for the door. Before she could slip past him and out into the hallway, his big palm slapped against the doorframe and stopped her escape.
She backed up against the wall, staring wide-eyed at him as he placed both hands next to her head, his thick arms penning her in.
Trapped.
She was Goldilocks and he was the bear who’d come home to find her in his bed.
She’d been a very bad girl and he was going to punish her until she was begging him for mercy, begging him to stop, begging him to make her come.
He stared down at her, his big body a hairsbreadth away but not touching her.
Never touching her.
“Do you know what I’ll do to you if I find you uninvited in my bed again, Princess?” His voice was a low rasp that sent shivers down her spine.
Her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth, her heart was knocking against her ribs, and her lungs no longer worked properly.
She shook her head, her gaze never leaving those odd-coloured eyes. She could see her reflection in the pale blue of his right eye, the green of his left had darkened to jade.
“I’ll put you on your knees, handcuff you to the headboard, pull your panties to your thighs, and,” he paused, his gaze dropping to her mouth, “spank you.”
Red hot desire exploded in her belly. Her pussy clenched uselessly around nothing, her nipples strained against her bra, and a noise that sounded embarrassingly like a whine slipped out of her mouth.
He dropped his arms and stepped back, one big hand resting on top of Tank’s head. “Go home, Grace.”
Legs trembling madly, she staggered out of his room.
* * *
Kira stripped off her clothes and slipped into the bed beside Connor. It was only seven-thirty, but he must have been tired from his first day back at work. His eyelids flickered up and he smiled at her. “Hey.”
“Hi. Is your knee okay?”
“Yeah. I had a headache and decided to lie down for a bit. How did the showing go?”
“Good,” she said. “They didn’t like this house, but I showed them a couple others online and they want to look at them tomorrow.”
“That’s great.” He slid a little closer, running his hand over her naked hip before cupping her ass. “God, I love your ass.”
She giggled and kissed his chest. “Are you hungry?”
“Not for food.” He bent his head and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and returned his kiss, gasping into his mouth when he cupped her breast.
“We probably shouldn’t do this,” he said against her mouth. “I know you’re sore.”
“Not sore, more… tender,” she said.
“We definitely shouldn’t do this then,” he said, but his hand was sliding between her thighs and gliding across her wet pussy. “Fuck, you’re so wet already.”
“I was thinking about you on the way home.” She arched into his hand, moaning when he rubbed her clit. “I can’t stop thinking about you. You’ve turned me into a sex addict.”
His low laugh washed over her. “I think it’s the opposite.”
“Hey, I was sweet and innocent until I met you,” she said.
He turned over and snagged a condom from the nightstand, ripping it open and rolling it on before facing her again. “I have enjoyed corrupting you.”
“I’ve enjoyed it too.” She traced her fingers along his inner thigh as she kissed his chest. “Lie on your back.”
“Let’s try something different tonight,” he said.
He pulled her closer until her breasts brushed against his chest. He tugged on her leg until she draped it over his hip. He slid down a little and she moaned when his cock brushed against her clit.
“Tilt your hips toward me, honey.”
She tilted her hips, watching with breathless anticipation as he guided his cock into her wet pussy. He pushed and retreated, watching her face as he slowly filled her up until their bodies were pressed tight against each other.
She squeezed him with her leg, rubbing her foot against his ass as she smiled at him. “This feels good.”
“Really good,” he groaned.
He kissed her again, their tongues tasting and teasing as he fucked her with slow strokes.
“Knee okay?” she panted.
“Yeah, it’s fine, honey.” He cupped her ass, holding her tight as he thrust in and out. She ground her pussy against him, her hands digging into his back as he kissed her throat and upper chest. Her nipples brushed against him with every thrust and she reached down and rubbed at her clit.
“Good,” he breathed. “Touch your clit and show me how pretty you look when you come.”
She moaned his name, her fingers rubbing at her swollen pink nub as he worked his cock in and out of her in a steady rhythm. He moved harder and faster, rocking their bodies together as he watched her caress and rub her clit.
Her soft cries grew steadily louder, drowning out his low groans of need, and she cried his name when she came, wetness flooding over her fingers. He gripped her ass harder, his cock impossibly thick and hard inside of her. She cupped his face, kissing him on the mouth and swallowing his own cry of pleasure when he climaxed. They continued to rock against one another as they came down from their high. Connor peppered kisses across her face and she smiled and stroked his back with long and lazy swipes of her palm.
He nuzzled her neck affectionately and she tangled her fingers in his short hair. Her stomach growled and Connor lifted his head. “Was that your stomach?”
She nodded and he kissed her collarbone. “Come on, let’s make something to eat.”
“I’ve got some popcorn in the cupboard,” she said.
He laughed and gave her butt a light slap. “Tempting, but if you’re going to ride me again tonight, you’ll need something a little more substantial.”
She grinned at him. “In that case, get your butt to the kitchen and make me a sandwich.”
Chapter Twenty
“Don’t be nervous.”
Kira took Connor’s hand when he offered it to her. After spending practically all of their time together in the last few weeks, she was starting to be able to read his moods pretty well. The stiffness in his body, the tense line of his jaw and the sweatiness of his palm indicated he was more nervous than her.
“Don’t be nervous,” he repeated as he locked the car.
She squeezed his hand. “Why are you so nervous?”
He glanced at the church. “I want you to like my family.”
“I’m sure I will,” she said. “It’s going to be great.”
He looked her up and down. “Have I told you how pretty you look?”
She smiled and smoothed her hand over her skirt. “Three times now but thank you. You look very handsome.”
He touched the tie around his neck before taking a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
They walked hand-in-hand to the church. Connor only had a slight limp and although he was still wearing the knee brace, he hadn’t used the cane at all in the last four days.
He opened the door to the church and pressed his hand in the small of her back, ushering her inside. People were milling around the foyer and she felt the first tingle of
nerves in her stomach when a few of them turned to look at them.
This is fine. Everything is fine.
Connor slipped his hand into hers as a tall man, his salt and pepper hair cut short, and his eyes the same shade as Connor’s, approached them. “Hey, son.”
He and Connor hugged briefly before Connor said, “Dad, this is my girlfriend Kira. Kira, this is my dad Rob.”
“Hello, Mr. MacMillan, it’s very nice to meet you.” Kira held her hand out and Connor’s father swallowed it up in his large grip.
“Nice to meet you as well. Please, call me Rob.”
“Where’s Mom?” Connor asked.
Rob studied the people in the foyer. “She’s here somewhere. The last I saw her she was talking to… oh, there she is. Gina! Gina, over here!”
Kira followed his gaze to a short older woman, her dark hair swept into a bun high on her head. She was talking to a tall, blonde supermodel wearing a dark purple dress that hugged her perfect body.
Connor’s mother glanced over and when she started toward them, taking the hand of the supermodel and tugging her along with her, Connor’s hand tightened so hard around hers that Kira winced.
“Honey, too tight,” she murmured.
“Sorry.” Sweat was beading along his hairline and she gave his hand a quick squeeze.
“Okay?”
Before he could reply, his mother and the model were standing in front of them. Connor let go of her hand and gave his mom a hug and a kiss to her cheek. “Hi, Mom. You look great.”
“Thanks, sweetie. You look very handsome.” She tugged on his tie and smiled up at him.
He stepped back and put his arm around Kira’s waist, his hand digging into her hip. “Mom, this is Kira. Kira, this is my mom Gina.”
“Hi, Mrs. MacMillan. I’m so glad to finally meet you. I love your dress.” Kira held her hand out and after a moment’s hesitation, Connor’s mother shook it.
“Thank you. It’s good to meet you as well.”
There was awkward silence and when Connor didn’t introduce the model to her, Kira smiled at her. “Hi, I’m Kira.”
The woman smiled warmly, revealing perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. “I’m Lisa. It’s great to meet you. Your hair is amazing, and I love that necklace. Where did you get it?”
Kira’s stomach dropped but she kept the smile planted on her face by sheer willpower alone. Of course, Lisa would look like a goddamn model. Of course, she would. “Thank you. A friend loaned me the necklace.”
“I love it,” Lisa said. “It looks fantastic on you.”
“Thank you,” Kira said. “Your dress is beautiful.”
Lisa smoothed her hands over her dress. “Thanks. I’ve had it for a while now, but I do love the colour.”
“Connor, aren’t you going to say hello to Lisa?” Gina said.
“Hi, Lisa,” Connor said.
“Hi.” Lisa turned her perfect smile to Connor. “It’s been a while. How are you doing?”
“Good, thanks. How are you?”
Connor’s fingers were digging into her hip so hard she’d have bruises tomorrow.
“Really well.” The way Lisa was staring at him, made warning bells go off in Kira’s head.
She took a deep breath and told herself not to be stupid. She didn’t know exactly what happened between Lisa and Connor, but Connor didn’t want to be with her. He’d been clear about that. It didn’t matter how Lisa looked at him. It didn’t matter that she was drop dead gorgeous with breasts that were twice the size of Kira’s and an ass you could probably bounce quarters off. It didn’t matter that she seemed genuinely nice. Connor wasn’t interested anymore.
Are you sure about that?
She ignored her inner voice. She was just feeling a little insecure and no one could blame her.
“Connor and Lisa used to date,” Gina said to her. “They made the loveliest couple.”
“Mom,” Connor said.
“What?” Gina said. “You did.”
“That was a long time ago.” Lisa hooked her arm around Gina’s and squeezed. “Connor’s moved on.”
“They were high school sweethearts,” Gina said before smiling at Kira. “Your high school sweetheart always holds a special place in your heart. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t know,” Kira said. “I didn’t date in high school.”
“What? As pretty as you are?” Lisa said. “I don’t believe it.”
She gave Kira another warm smile before releasing Gina’s arm. “I’m going to go find a seat before the church fills up. Kira, it was so lovely to meet you.”
Gina grabbed Lisa’s hand. “Honey, you have to sit with us.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Lisa said with a quick glance at Connor.
“You must,” Gina said. “Rob, tell her.”
“If Lisa doesn’t want to sit with us, she doesn’t have to, Gina.”
“She’s family,” Gina said. “Kira, you don’t mind if she sits with us, do you?”
“Not at all,” Kira said.
“Then we’re good,” Gina said.
“Mom, I don’t think -”
“Hush, Connor. Just because you and Lisa are no longer engaged, doesn’t mean she isn’t our family anymore.”
Engaged? They were engaged?
Bile rose in Kira’s throat and she swallowed it down, the burn in her esophagus making her feel nauseous. Okay, so Connor didn’t mention that he was engaged to Lisa. No big deal. She didn’t have to know every detail about his past with Lisa, right?
That’s a pretty big fucking detail to omit, Kira.
“Are you all right?” Lisa gave her a concerned look. “You’re suddenly very pale.”
“I’m good. Just a little warm,” Kira said.
Connor was staring at her with a combination of guilt and worry. “Do you need to step outside and get some fresh air?”
Yes. She needed that badly. But if she was alone with Connor right now, the likelihood of her just bursting into tears was incredibly high and she’d rather die before she let any of his family see that she was upset.
“No, I’m good.” She made herself smile at him.
“I think we should get some fresh air,” he said.
“We don’t need to,” she said.
“Mama G!” Lucas joined them, and he gave Gina an enthusiastic hug. “You’re looking fantastic.”
Gina laughed and patted his cheek. “You clean up rather nice yourself, Lucas.”
“Don’t I?” Lucas winked at her. “Ethel Borswell grabbed my ass not five minutes ago.”
“Lucas!” Gina said. “Ethel Borswell is seventy-three years old.”
“What can I say,” Lucas said. “The ladies love me. All of them.”’
He shook Rob’s hand and Kira was weirdly grateful when he gave Lisa a decidedly cold smile. “Lisa.”
“Hi, Lucas. It’s good to see you again. How’s the world of video games?” Lisa’s smile had widened but for the first time, Kira thought it looked fake and unnatural.
“Fine,” Lucas said dismissively. He punched Connor in the arm. “I see you finally bought yourself a real tie instead of a clip on.”
“At least I’m wearing one,” Connor said.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Lucas smiled at her.
“Hi,” she said.
“Lucas, this is Kira,” Gina said. “Kira, Lucas has been Connor’s best friend since they were kids.”
“She knows,” Lucas said.
“Oh,” Gina said. “Have you two met before?”
Lucas put his arm around Kira’s shoulders and tugged her away from Connor. “Of course, we have, Mama G. I’m Connor’s best friend, and Kira’s his girlfriend. We’ve hung out like, what, five or six times now?”
He turned to Kira who said, “Seven, I think.”
“Right. I forgot about strip poker night,” Lucas said.
Connor laughed and even Kira managed a more natural smile. She barely knew Lucas, but holy hell, she was eternally g
rateful to him.
“We’re practically besties, aren’t we, Kira?” Lucas said.
“Practically,” she said.
Lucas leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. “You’re looking beautiful. Connor’s a lucky man.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a huge smile that she hoped conveyed exactly how much she loved him in this moment.
“How about you, Lucas?” Lisa’s voice had lost some of its warmth. “Are you seeing anyone special?”
“Does Ethel Borswell grabbing my ass count as someone special?” Lucas said. “Because I’m thinking it might.”
“Oh, Lucas,” Gina said with a sigh as Connor reached out and tugged Kira away from Lucas and up against him.
He gave her another worried look before leaning down and breathing into her ear. “I should have told you. I’m sorry.”
She nodded but slipped her arm around his waist and gave him a squeeze and reassuring smile. Yeah, he definitely should have mentioned it but now wasn’t the time to talk about it.
“We should find a seat,” Rob said.
Gina grabbed Lisa’s hand. “All right. Follow me, everyone.”
* * *
“You look like you could use this.” Lucas sat down beside her and placed a drink in front of her.
“Oh, thank you, but Connor is getting me one,” Kira said.
Lucas pointed to the far end of the room where an older woman with short, gray hair was holding Connor’s arm and talking animatedly to him. “Connor’s been waylaid by his aunt. Trust me, he won’t return for at least half an hour.”
She smiled and picked up the drink. They clinked glasses and she took a sip, the burn of the whisky surprisingly helpful.
“So, how are you holding up?”
“Fine,” Kira said. “I’m having a great time.”
“Oh yeah?” Lucas gave her a disbelieving look.
“Yes. The ceremony was beautiful, the food was delicious and the music,” she pointed to the dance floor where the bride and groom, as well as a couple dozen of their friends and family were dancing, “is on point. I’ve enjoyed meeting Connor’s family and friends.”
He grinned. “Well aren’t you just a glass half full kind of girl.”
Sweet Harmony (Harmony Falls, Book One) Page 24
