for Hazel’s sake, he chooses the former. Because I’m not going anywhere. He’s not going to get rid of me now. He’s just taken the only one other thing I care about from me. Now all there is is her. And once I claim her, put a baby in that belly of hers, she’ll be mine forever. No one will stand between us, least of all him.
As I round the corner, my building draws closer, along with the gorgeous curvy figure of a burgundy-haired lass wearing a mint-colored skirt and matching knitted sweater. She’s sitting on top of the white suitcase, looking like she’s been waiting all day for me.
“Hey,” I say as I reach her, my eyes moving between her and the case. “Did something happen?”
She stands and moves a step toward me. “I’ve made a decision,” she says, her voice breathy and a little tight, like she’s worried I won’t like what she’s about to say.
“Yeah?” I place the bag of my things on the ground beside her case.
“I want to get married, Cillian. But I also don’t want to wait. I want us both to be together now. Completely. The way a man and a woman are meant to be.” Her words hit me in the chest, and for a moment, I’m not sure how to react. It’s been an eventful day.
“And by the look of that suitcase, you’re not planning on going back home?”
She glances back at it, twisting her hands in front of her nervously. “I had to leave, Cillian. He was never going to understand. And if we’re going to get married anyway, moving in is part of the deal, right?” She gives me a watery smile. “It’s OK, isn’t it? I mean, you’re not going to say no?”
I release my shoulders as I shake my head and reach out to take her hands. “No, lass. After the day I’ve had, coming home to find you waiting for me has been the best part.” I lean in and press my lips to the center of her forehead, lingering there and inhaling her heady scent. “Let’s get you upstairs, a stór. We can shut ourselves away from the world and pretend today never happened.”
“Was it that awful talking to him?” she asks, her big eyes looking up at me.
I lean down and touch my lips to the tip of her nose before I pick up her suitcase and my bag in one hand. “Nothing a night loving on my girl can’t fix.”
She reaches up and wraps her hands around my neck, hugging herself tightly to me. “I love you, Cillian. I know we haven’t said it yet. But I just needed you to know.”
“I love you too, a stór.” My free hand goes around her waist and squeezes, her soft body melting against mine in the most perfect way. “I love you too.”
Hazel
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cillian rasps, sucking on my mouth with just the right amount of pressure.
“Yes,” I whimper as his tongue slides past my lips and steals my ability to speak. We’re barely through the front door of his apartment, and already we’re all over each other, our breathing labored, my core clenching in appreciation as his hands move to cup my ass and squeeze.
“Fuck, Hazel,” he moans. “I feel like I have no control over myself. All I want to do is touch you everywhere at once.”
“Then touch me,” I gasp. “Anywhere you want.” He grabs my face and kisses me hard. My toes curl and heat rushes between my thighs and tingles over my breasts. I want all of him pressed against all of me. And I want it now.
With a fierce growl, he breaks away from our kiss and steps back, looking at me like a man in pain, his chest rising and falling as he fights for control. We stare at each other.
“What happened? Why did you stop?” I pant, cool air washing over me in his absence.
His brow furrows as if searching for the right thing to say. “I’m rushing things. You’ve been sitting outside and I should feed you or at least offer you a drink first.” He gestures toward the kitchen, and it’s the first time I actually look at his apartment. White walls, black countertops and stainless steel appliances. It’s very him, and I love it already.
I smile as I reach out and grab the front of his shirt, pulling him toward me. “I just want you,” I say. “Nothing