My heart thunders in my chest, my core slick from her touch, but mostly from his stare as he enjoys the show.
She kisses me again before making a show of licking up the column of my neck as her hands slip higher, halting on my ribs.
Conner’s fists clench, but his body doesn’t move. For a second, I think he’s stopped breathing, but then I see the exaggerated rise and fall off his chest once again. Hadley kisses my shoulder, trailing her tongue over my heated skin, nipping me with her teeth. I’ve never been kissed by a girl before, but it feels good.
I loop an arm around her neck, lean my head on her shoulder, and twist my face toward her as if I’m about to accept her kiss. But then I sense Cole move behind her. She moans against the curve of my neck, and I wonder what he's doing to her.
I want Conner to do the same, to come over here and claim what’s his. But, despite the desire in his eyes when I meet them once more, that’s not what happens.
“Out.” Conner’s voice pierces the thick air.
Cole chuckles. “About fucking time.”
My back goes cold as he pulls Hadley away. I don’t glance back to see them leave. I can’t. I’m trapped in Conner’s hooded gaze.
The door clicks shut, lurching my heart into my throat. He stands, stalking toward me with a dark smirk. Excitement pings around my body. This is it. He’s going to finally give in to what we both crave.
What we both need.
“Con—”
He slams his mouth down on mine, crowding me against the wall. Fire ignites in my stomach as I pull him closer, rubbing myself shamelessly against him.
Conner pulls back, his eyes wild. “No one, I mean no one, gets to taste these lips except me.”
Lust and liquor swim in my veins as I lean forward, trying to kiss him again. But Conner leans just out of reach.
“Hands on the wall,” he commands.
Like a good girl, I obey, too drunk on him.
Dipping his head, he flicks his tongue over my pulse point before dragging it up the slope of my neck. I whimper his name, so relieved at his change of heart.
“More,” I cry.
“Just let me do this,” he breathes, and it sounds pained.
Conner paints letters of love over my skin, my jaw and mouth, neck and collarbone. It feels amazing, a gentle storm building inside me.
But it isn’t enough.
“Conner, please.”
His hand slides down my waist and lingers at the waistband of my jeans. He freezes, making my heart sink into my toes.
“Hey.” I reach for him, cupping his face. “It’s okay, babe. I’m okay. And I want this. I want you.” My eyes plead with his, but I know the second the spell is broken.
He looks away, letting out a frustrated sigh.
“I... I can’t, K. I’m sorry, I just can’t.”
I want to disappear.
I want to sink into the wall and disappear.
But the pain in his eyes makes me steel my spine and force down the dejection I feel.
“Come on,” I say, trying to make it sound as light as possible. I know that I’m not the only one hurting here, and I don’t want to make him feel any worse than he already does. “Let’s go to bed.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” He can barely look at me, and it breaks my heart all over again.
Sliding my fingers under his jaw, I grip his chin and force his eyes to mine. “To sleep, Conner. You just have to hold me.” The words are like acid on my tongue. I don’t want to spend another night in his arms without feeling him inside me, but I will.
If that’s what it takes to help him get over this, I’ll do it.
He hesitates, so I make the decision for him. Taking his hand, I pull gently. “Come on. I’m tired anyway.”
Waking up in bed without Conner is becoming a pattern. But the second I open my eyes, I know he’s not there. I push back the sheets and go to the window, searching for any signs of him.
The house is quiet as I slip into the hall. I’m yet to have the full tour, but I figure there are only so many places he can be hiding.
Tiptoeing downstairs, I listen for any signs of life. A gentle thud thud thud catches my attention, and I follow it toward the back of the house to the basement door. Gently opening it, I creep down the