‘Come on, Daisy,’ she said to the pit bull terrier, who’d been lazing on the bed. ‘It’s time to rock his world.’
They walked the few blocks to Luna Bella, a local Italian restaurant in the trendy art district. The weather was warm. Perfect for strolling.
Connor looked amazing in all black. She’d always felt that men were sexiest when clothed in black from head to toe. She’d seriously considered persuading him to skip dinner when she’d seen him, but had decided against it. She didn’t want to risk him thinking it was about her not wanting to spend his money.
It wasn’t that she thought he couldn’t afford to take her out; it was more that she didn’t want him to feel obligated if by chance he really couldn’t. She wasn’t dating him for dinners at fancy restaurants. She was dating him because he was smart and passionate and because he moved her in ways that no other man had.
She may have only removed a few bricks in her wall, but no other man had even gotten that.
‘You’re quiet tonight.’ Connor took her hand and tucked it into his elbow, bringing their bodies into closer contact.
‘I was just thinking about how amazing you look. Black suits you.’
‘It’s good you feel that way, because I’m not going to be the only man who wants to eat you up in that dress.’
Bridget laughed and smiled up at him, only to shiver at the heat in his eyes. No one but Connor had ever looked at her like that. Like she was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
It made her tingle.
Connor turned to face her and whispered in her ear, ‘What would you do if I took you into this alley right here, lifted that skirt, and feasted on you?’
Bridget couldn’t speak as the erotic image tumbled through her mind. Her body went liquid and her breath hitched as desire coursed through her.
Connor slowly backed her up until they were standing just inside the alley entrance and her heart galloped at the idea that he might try to make good on his words.
She opened her mouth to protest but Connor covered her lips with his. Delving slowly into her mouth, his tongue danced and duelled with hers. It was a kiss full of eroticism and longing. He kissed her as if they had nothing better to do and he had all the time in the world.
One hand cupped her breast and the other her ass. He pulled her close so that his erection rested on her belly. Instinctively she rubbed against him. She was shocked to realise that she was very tempted to do exactly as he suggested. To lean up against the wall, raise her skirt, and press his mouth to her centre. To simply be wanton with him.
Connor took the decision from her. Breaking the kiss, he stepped away from her, smiling ruefully.
‘As much as my mouth is watering for a taste of you –’ he kissed her gently ‘– I’ll not risk you being caught out here like that. There are too many people.’
As if on cue, a group of students out for the night walked by.
‘Thank you.’ It was a rasp, but that was all she could manage with her heart still racing.
He took her hand and kissed it before tucking it back into the crook of his elbow and continuing their stroll. Fortunately, they were only a block away from Luna Bella because she definitely needed a cold drink after that scorching.
Chapter Nineteen
Bridget watched as Connor pulled the hostess aside and slipped her what appeared to be a $50 bill. She smiled up at him and, with a quick grin in Bridget’s direction, led them to a private booth near the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. The booth was round with high-backed seats that would afford seclusion from the other patrons of the crowded restaurant. A small thrill went through Bridget; whether in fear or anticipation she wasn’t sure.
Connor’s palm rested on her lower back and she felt the heat of his skin against hers. Simultaneously she regretted and thrilled at wearing such a daring dress for the evening. With her back bare, she felt every inch of his palm and her skin tingled with awareness. Arousal made her breasts heavy and achy and she was very lucky that the designer had made this stunning creation with attention to details like built-in support for ample breasts.
Connor took her wrap and handbag as she slid into the booth and then, rather than sit across from her as she’d expected, he slid in beside her. Registering her surprise, he just winked at her and smiled that crooked grin that melted her every single time.
The hostess began rattling off the specials, pulling her awareness away from Connor, and she was grateful for the reprieve. She didn’t really know how to handle his blatant regard for her or, frankly, her wanton response.
She wondered what Claire would say now. After all of Bridget’s dramatics when they’d gone to buy lingerie, now here she was sporting nothing but a scrap of silk passing for a thong under this dress, a
The image of Connor feasting on her body caused swirls of desire to fan out from her womb and she clenched. Her nipples tightened, and a flush spread along her skin. This dress may have support for a woman shaped like she did, but it was still silk; it didn’t hide her aroused state from him. She could practically feel his eyes on her and her embarrassed flush deepened.
Avoiding his gaze, she ordered a glass of white wine and waited as Connor gave his own order for a Guinness stout. She wished she could run and hide until she calmed down.
‘Bridget.’
His voice flowed over her, adding to her awareness of him, and her nipples went even tighter. The silk abraded the sensitive flesh and she had to fight not to squirm. She stared at the highly polished wood of the table top and simply ignored him. After her reaction to him in the alley, she was at a complete loss.
‘Bridget. Look at me.’ He reached out a finger and gently raised her chin so that their eyes met. His eyes, usually so light and laughing, were smoky and hot. They smouldered like the very ash they resembled.
‘It’s OK, sweetheart. Stop fighting it.’
Hot tears flooded her eyes and she blinked rapidly to clear them. There was no way she was going to cry in public and embarrass herself further.
‘There is nothing OK about putting myself on display like a hussy.’
For the briefest moment, anger flashed across his face, but it was quickly stifled and his voice was gentle when he said, ‘Being aroused is natural when you’re with someone you’re attracted to. When you’re attracted to someone, it’s also natural to act on it. Because of what happened to you, your signals are crossed now. That act has made you distrust yourself.’
‘That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one sitting here hot and bothered and on display for everyone to know it.’
‘Really.’ He drawled the word as he reached for her hand. Sliding closer to her, he placed her palm in his lap and she felt the steel of his erection under his slacks.
She instinctively squeezed and he groaned, but when she went to snatch her hand away, he held onto her, pressing her palm down around his cock. Leaning into her, he whispered, ‘Stroke me.’
‘Here!’ She hissed the word, looking around to ensure no one was watching them.
He nodded again, whispering, ‘No one can see us. Touch me, Bridget. Feel how much I want you right now.’
She hesitated, but only for a split second. She liked that he wanted her. Liked that she wasn’t alone in her neediness. She was coiled tight and some part of her needed to connect with him and know she wasn’t by herself in this.
She stroked him through his pants, enjoying the solid feel of him under her palm. The way he responded was dizzying; his body jumping under the cloth of his pants. His soft groans only spurred her on and she moved even closer, adding friction and pressure to her ministrations.
