sigh and lose myself to his kiss. For such a strong, stern man his lips are so soft, his touch so gentle. I’ve kissed boys before, but not many, and certainly none knew how to make it enjoyable. This is something else altogether.
This is a silent declaration that we don’t care what will happen. We’re meant to be together. This is a silent joining of our wills, our fears, and our hopes.
This is confirmation that Lachlan McCarthy belongs to me as much as I to him. We kiss until I can’t breathe, until I’m fully submerged in this connection, and the rapid beating of my heart slows.
When he pulls away, he smiles at me in that sexy way of his, a corner of his lips quirking while his eyes focus on mine with intensity so fierce, I can’t look away.
“You taste better than I imagined,” he whispers. He brushes a strand of hair out of my eyes, cups the back of my head, and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes against the rush of emotions, and to my utter horror, I feel hot tears splash my cheeks.
I try to turn away so he doesn’t see. It’s important to me that I appear strong and in control in front of him.
But with his hold on the back of my head, I can’t look away.
“Fiona, why are you turning away from me?”
I sniff and try to look away, but there’s no escaping.
“I don’t want you to see me cry again,” I whisper.
His hand travels to my jaw, and he lifts my face gently so I’m looking straight at him.
“Why?” he whispers back.
“I don’t want you to think I’m sad.”
He studies my face with stern concern for a moment. “Then why do you cry?”
A lump forms in my throat again. I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t. His eyes go to my parted lips, and with a groan, he brushes his lips to mine again. I taste my salty tears.
“Come here,” he whispers when he pulls away again, holding me to his chest. “I imagine it’s overwhelming, isn’t it? I spanked you. I made you climax.”
I nod against his chest.
And I’ve wanted you so long.
“I’m sorry,” he says, shaking his head. “I think I was so relieved at finding you that I didn’t hold myself back like I should.”
“Oh, God, Lachlan,” I say, my tears drying up. I look back up at him and frown at him. “No. Don’t you bloody do that to me again.”
He blinks, then he scowls, caught halfway between stern and confused. “Do what?”
I lean closer, capture his face between my hands, and speak so earnestly my voice cracks. “Hide yourself from me,” I whisper. “Leave me. Turn away.” I swallow hard and press on, determined to speak the truth even as it splits me wide open. “You wouldn’t have taken a private jet here if I didn’t mean something to you.”
“Mean something to me?” he says in a hoarse whisper. “You’re bloody everything to me.”
And then we’re kissing again, and he’s lifting my t-shirt, and baring me to him. My body finds his, skin to skin, and he cups my arse in his big, strong hands, as he cradles me atop him before he rolls, positioning himself above me. My hands encircle his neck, and he holds himself on one knee beside me when he finally drags his lips from mine with reluctance.
“Bloody hell, Fiona,” he says. “I can’t seem to stop kissing you.”
I grin at him. “Fine with me.”
He gives me a teasing smack to the side of my leg. “Would you at least try?”
“Try to what? Not kiss you. No.”
“Bloody hell,” he groans. “Should’ve given you a proper spanking.”
My heart thunders again. I prop up against the pillows as he pushes himself out of bed and adjusts his hardened length with a tortured groan.
“Lachlan, I could… we could... you know, you’re awfully, um —”
“No.”
The look he gives me brooks no argument. I close my mouth and don’t push the issue.
Okay, then. Somehow it’s okay for him to give me pleasure, but his own will have to wait. Fine.
When I get my chance, I’ll make it epic.
The thought alone makes my cheeks flush, but he’s already pulling on clothes and checking his phone.
“No word from your guard yet,” he says tightly.
“It’s odd,” I say, sitting up in bed. “They were with me, no question, then somewhere between the harbor and the hotel, they were gone.”
He pauses in buttoning his trousers. “The harbor?”
“Aye,” I say.