@Pixiefacecarla: Saw @RonanFitz out and about today. He looked at me for a second and now I think I’m pregnant. #swoon #sexybastard #icandiehappy

@RonanFitz: @Pixiefacecarla Fairly sure that was @Tomsouthernchef. He’s a notorious eye impregnator. Bet you a tenner the baby comes out ginger.

@Tomsouthernchef: @RonanFitz Jealous of my superpower?

 

 

*Ronan*

“You, me, and a couple of the lads for a game down at Old Wesley, what you do say, Fitzy?” Bryan asked through the phone. I’d put him on loudspeaker. “My brother and his mates play there. They’d sell their grannies for a chance to meet you. Come on. It’ll be fun.”

I’d just finished up in the shower with Annie and hadn’t wanted to leave the hotel suite for the rest of the day. Now Bryan was nagging me to go and play a match with a bunch of pimply teenagers. I knew which option was more appealing, but I felt bad saying no. I glanced at Annie, who was standing by the window toweling her hair dry. She gave me an enthusiastic smile and a thumbs-up to show she thought it was a good idea.

“Is Cassidy going to be there?” I asked.

“Ah, shit, probably. He’s not an intentional fuckwit. He was just raised that way. You know what his family’s like. Just ignore him if he shows up.”

“It’s difficult to ignore a cock when there’s a cock in your face, Bryan.”

“Can we leave the cocks out of it? I’ve just eaten breakfast,” he said, chuckling, and I gave in. In all honesty, I missed the boys. It’d be nice to play a game, get back to what I enjoyed for a while.

“Fine. I’ll be there. See you later.”

“Later,” said Bryan before hanging up.

“So, it looks like I’m playing a match today,” I said, looking to Annie. She was all wrapped up in a bathrobe, and the sight was a serious test to my willpower. “You don’t have to come. You could stay here and enjoy some more spa treatments if you like.”

“No, no,” she said fervently. “I’d seriously love to come see you play.”

I smiled. “That’s what I like to hear. Listen, I have a few things to take care of first. I’ll be back in an hour, and then we’ll head out.” She nodded and continued toweling her hair. I loved how she looked right then, so fresh and clean and pretty. Walking over to her, I took her chin in my hand and tilted her head so that I could kiss her. “You are distractingly beautiful, do you know that?”

Her only reply was a sweet little smile.

“Okay,” I said, backing away. “I’m going to go now. Otherwise, I’ll never leave.”

She laughed, and I threw on some clothes before heading out. I was in between living arrangements, so I didn’t actually have a permanent address. Brona and I had been renting an apartment together, but after things blew up with her, I had all my stuff moved to Ma’s. Well, technically it was my house since I’d bought the place for her. Anyway, it was where I was keeping my cars, and I wanted to go pick one up. Being such an avid driver, it killed me to have to take taxis everywhere.

I knew Ma and Lucy were back from New York because I’d gotten a text from Lucy last night. Ma was still licking her wounds; and I didn’t have time for a confrontation, so I hoped she’d be out. I didn’t get my wish, and as soon as I slotted my key in the door, I heard her footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Ronan,” she said as she took me in. “You look good. How was the ceremony last night?” There was a hesitancy in her voice.

“It went well. Annie and I both had a great time.”

She frowned and pursed her lips when I said Annie’s name, and I let out a long, irritable sigh. I really wasn’t in the mood for this.

“Yes, well, that’s good to hear. Though I can’t understand why you’re staying in a hotel. You’re my son, and I have more than enough room to put you up here.”

I arched a brow. “Oh, yeah, because that would be a barrel of fun. I’m sure Annie would just love having to deal with your digging into her every chance you got.”

“I told you I wanted to apologize!” she exclaimed.

I was cynical. “Do you, though? Do you really want to apologize, or is it simply a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?”

Her voice grew heavy with emotion. “Is that how you think of me? You think I’m some sour, calculating bitch? Sometimes parents have to make hard decisions when it comes to their children, and believe me, I have always had your best interests at heart. I just don’t want to see you being taken advantage of by another cheating, money-hungry gold-digger. It broke my heart to see how you were after Brona.”

My entire body sagged as I went to sit down on a step. After a moment she came and sat beside me, and I could tell from the silent way she was wiping at her eyes that she was crying. I didn’t think these were stage tears, either. She was genuinely upset. And she genuinely thought I was going to get taken for a fool again. I had to explain to her that Annie was a million miles away from Brona.

“Remember how you used to tell me about the Fitzpatricks and how after Dad died they tried to take me and Lucy from you? They wanted to pay you off to disappear and never see us again, and if you didn’t take the money, they’d completely disown us and never acknowledge either of us as their grandchildren.”

I looked down to see her face etched in sadness at the memory. “Yes.”

“And what did you say to them?”

A hint of a smile returned to her face. “I told them to go shove their money up their arses. That I’d never allow anyone to separate me from my children. That I’d raise you and Lucy better than they ever could, even though I hadn’t a penny to my name.”

I put my arm around her shoulder. “I was always so proud of you when you told that story to Lucy and me. You were a lioness protecting her cubs, and it gave me a sense of complete belonging to know my parent loved me so much she’d live with nothing in order to keep me. Now, imagine if you hadn’t loved us like you do. Imagine if you’d taken that money and abandoned us, two little kids all on their own in the world.”

She shuddered. “It doesn’t even bear thinking about.”

“No, it doesn’t,” I said. “And that’s exactly what happened to Annie. Her mother left her on the steps of a fire station when she was six years old and was never seen again. All through her childhood she was in and out of foster homes. Just like Lucy and I might’ve been, Annie was alone in the world, only it was worse because she didn’t even have rich grandparents. She had no one, which makes it even more amazing how she’s transformed her life. She has a career, a top-class education, and a home; and, believe it or not, the woman doesn’t need a penny from me. She’s got more than enough money of her own.”

Ma stared at me, her eyes wet, and brought her hand to her mouth. In that moment, I knew I’d broken through to her. She was thinking of Annie; she was thinking of her as the little girl with no one rather than the money-hungry gold-digger she’d imagined her to be.

“God, that poor girl,” she whispered, and I reached over to wipe away a few of her tears. She swallowed and focused on me. “I’m so sorry, Ronan. This life, you know, it’s made me hard. I haven’t been the…kindest mother—to you or to Luce—I’ve had to be that way to protect you. And ever since Brona almost destroyed your career, I’ve been on the defensive, looking out for anyone who might try to take advantage of you again.”

I took her hands in mine and looked her in the eyes. “I know, and I love you for it; but you have nothing to fear with Annie. I learned my lesson with Brona, and I made a promise to myself not to put my trust in a woman again. But then Annie came along and turned my world upside down. I knew deep in my heart that I could trust her.” A long silence ensued before I added, “I’d like you to get to know her. Give her a chance. I promise, once you do, you’ll see exactly what I see.”

She shook her head sadly, “The things I said to her. God, Ronan, even if I do give her a chance, I’m not sure she’ll want to give me one.”

“She will,” I said soothingly. “Just give it time.”

***

When I finally opened the garage and was greeted by the sight of my lovingly restored 1970 red Dodge Charger, I felt like Odysseus arriving home to Ithaca after twenty years of struggle. I ran my hand over the hood, my body humming with the need to get behind the wheel. I grabbed some training gear from the house and then hopped in the car. And okay, maybe I was a little late getting back to the hotel because I took the scenic route. I needed some alone time with my baby.

Fuck, that drive was almost sexual. Driving in New York had been fun, but coming home just felt right. When I finally made it back to the suite, I found Annie sitting on the bed, her laptop open in front of her and a look of consternation on her face. She was so absorbed by what she was doing that she didn’t hear me come in. I stood in the doorway for a minute, soaking up the sight of her long hair hanging over one shoulder, the figure-hugging cream blouse she wore, and the long vintage-looking purple skirt that swept attractively over her thighs.

“Hey,” I said, throwing my keys up into the air and catching them. “You almost ready to go, love?”

Her eyes shot to me, and for a brief moment she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I watched her swallow, scratch her wrist, and then straighten out her blouse before it hit me. The email I sent last night. She’d been reading it. She knew.

I swear I could feel my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest.

Now I was the one who felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Every feeling of doubt and insecurity I’d ever had flooded me all at once. Love me back, I begged. Please, if there’s any mercy in the world, make her love me back.

I cleared my throat and nodded to the laptop. I hardly even recognized my own voice when I spoke. “Anything interesting?”

She looked away and shut the computer down. “Oh, just the usual work stuff.”

She sounded shaky. I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to say or how to act. Then she got off the bed and walked toward me with some kind of determination.

She’s going to pull away, I thought. She’s going to run again, make up some excuse to leave and get a flight home early. And the scary thing was that I wasn’t sure I could let her go. I’d kneel at her feet and beg her to stay because I belonged to this woman heart and soul, and I needed her to belong to me, too. When she was less than a foot away from me, she stopped. Her big, bottomless eyes never left mine, both of us asking silent questions but receiving no answers.

I saw her hands trembling when she reached up and settled them on my chest.

“You’re nothing like what I expected you to be, Ronan Fitzpatrick,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I drew in a breath in the exact same moment that she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. At first I didn’t react at all; perhaps I was in too much shock. I just stood there as her lips caressed me, her soft tongue sliding into my mouth and licking along my own.

She wasn’t pushing me away.

When the realization finally sank in, I gripped her neck and slid my arm tight around her waist, pulling her body flush to mine. I kissed her back. I kissed her with everything I had inside me until she was needy and hot and whimpering. We only came up for air when my phone started ringing. I knew it was Bryan or one of the lads, wondering where I was. I was only irritated for a second before I realized it was the perfect distraction. Annie knew that I loved her now, and the hotel suite felt too small, too close. We needed to get out and let it all sink in.

“That’ll be one of the lads,” I said, smiling down at her tenderly. “We better make a move. Looks like we’re already late. It’s good to know you can hardly stand being in the same room as me without jumping my bones, though,” I teased and gave her a light pinch on the bottom. She yelped then laughed, her eyes shining brightly, and something inside me relaxed. We needed to be silly for a while. Things were turning too serious.

On the drive to Wes, I kept catching her watching me from the corner of my eye. Her body was turned to me, her cheek lying on the headrest. Her face bore a perennial blush, and there was a dreamy look in her eyes. My little distant Annie was coming closer; her icy exterior was thawing, and all because she now knew I loved her. I could have high-fived myself for having the idea to write to her Socialmedialite account. She could hold the knowledge of my love without having to admit any of her own feelings, and I didn’t mind. I wanted her to know that I was fully committed. Just like I’d told The Socialmedialite in my email, she was “it” for me.

Every time I let go of the gear stick, I put my hand back on her thigh, loving the feel of her beneath my palm. When we arrived at the pitch, I saw a couple of the wives and girlfriends hanging out on the sidelines, drinking coffees, and chatting.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you,” I said to Annie, taking her hand in mine. Her expression told me the last thing she wanted to do was meet yet more new people, but she let me lead her over nonetheless. Marta was there, alongside one or two of the women Annie had met last night, so it wasn’t so intimidating.

A loud wolf whistle rang out, and I recognized Tina, Desmond McAleer’s wife, as the culprit. I’d known Tina for years. She was flirtatious and loud-spoken, but it was all in good fun.

“Looking hot, Fitzpatrick,” she called as we approached. “When are we going to see you back on the field, eh? I’m sick of looking at the same old arses. You’ve been well missed.”

“Tina, it’s a pleasure as always. And you’ll get a good look at me today. But first I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Annie.”

It was the first time I’d introduced her as my girlfriend since we’d arrived in Dublin. I didn’t see the point in pretending anymore. She was mine, and I wanted the whole world to know it. It took Tina less than a second to tuck Annie under her wing and begin introducing her to the other ladies she didn’t know. I gave her a soft, lingering kiss on the mouth which elicited several sighs from the women.

Then I headed to the clubhouse to change into my gear. Much to my irritation, Sean was there in all his blond pretty-boy glory. Somebody seriously needed to smack the self-satisfied look off the bloke’s face because the bashing I’d given him obviously hadn’t worked. I’d gotten myself suspended from the team, and he was still walking around looking like he’d just pissed in everyone’s cornflakes and was thoroughly delighted by the fact.

Someone was obviously trying to stir up shit because it turned out that Sean and I were nominated to pick teams. In the end each side had an even mix of professionals and amateurs. And in the end my team wiped the floor with Sean’s team. Yeah, Tevan came away with a bloody nose, I had a whole host of new bruises, and one of the young lads elbowed Sean in the face. It was apparently an accident, but I had my suspicions. And those suspicions had me grinning like a bastard.

I strode over to Annie at the end of the match, slid my hand around her neck, and kissed her with everything I had in me. She drew away, breathless, and her eyes had that dreamy look in them again. God, I couldn’t wait for her to look at me like that when I was inside her.

“You’re all dirty and sweaty,” she said, laughing and fixing her hair in place.

“Occupational hazard. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with getting a little dirty.” I winked.

“I like it,” she threw back as I was walking away, and I shot her a simmering look over my shoulder.

After I’d showered and dressed, I was sitting in the changing rooms pulling on my boots when Sean sauntered in. He had a towel tucked around his waist and wore a pair of designer flip-flops. He stood in front of me, and I cocked an eyebrow while he let out a long sigh that only the truly pampered and jaded can do justice.

“So, long story short, how would you like to get Brona back in your bed?”

I barked out a laugh. “Long story short, are you high?”

“I’ve grown bored, Fitzpatrick. Unfortunately, Bunny is quite like a roll of cellotape. She sticks. And now she’s been throwing around words like ‘wedding’ and ‘engagement ring.’ Quite frankly, I think it’s time I moved on. So, if you still have a thing for her, I could arrange for her to go running back into your big, strong, working-class arms. Call it a peace offering, a way for us to mend our bridges.”

I pointed to my face. “You see this look? This is my ‘go fuck yourself’ look. So, go fuck yourself, Cassidy.”

He tutted. “So aggressive. There’s no judgment here, Ronan. If you want her, you can have her. Even I can admit that she sucks dick like a Dyson. And I’ve had a lot of fellatio in my time. A lot.”

Seriously, this prick didn’t even know what he sounded like, did he? He was such a cliché I almost felt sorry for him.

“You must really be missing that hospital bed because you’re five seconds away from a return visit. I suggest you leave now. Otherwise, I can’t be responsible for fucking your shit up. Again.”

He raised his hands in the air. “No need for violence. I’m offering you an olive branch here. Let’s not allow a pair of plastic double-Ds to get in the way of our friendship. We have to put the team first.”

I shook my head at him and couldn’t help but laugh. “We were hardly best buds before all this. But seriously, if you’re so concerned about the team, then why did you even sleep with her in the first place?”

He shot a look toward the ceiling, shrugged, and then looked back to me. “I was drunk and horny. She saw an opportunity. There’s nothing very deep about it.”

“Well, no surprise there.”

He narrowed his gaze fractionally at my response. “So, do you want her back or not?”

The look I gave him said it all. “I’ve got a girlfriend who I’m very much in love with. And I’d rather stick my penis in a blender than go anywhere near that poisonous brat ever again.”

He sucked in a long breath then exhaled. “Fair enough. And I must say, congrats on the new bird, man. She is smokin’.”

“So much as look at her, and you’ll regret it,” I warned.

He threw his hands into the air. “Touchy, touchy. But okay, I guess I deserved that. Oh, and a word to the wise, you’re doing well in the press at the moment, whereas Brona’s looking like a twisted attention whore. However, I suspect she has something up her sleeve. Just a feeling. You may want to get your people on the case. Don’t say I never gave you anything,” he finished and then strode off.

I sat there, staring at the tiles on the floor and wondering if he was trying to fuck with my head. Something up her sleeve? I tried not to dwell on it because she was probably just going to do another interview with some trashy gossip mag.

A little while later, in order to evade the paps, a small group of us made the drive up to the Dublin Mountains to have dinner and drinks in a cozy little pub off the beaten track. The whole time Annie was snugly tucked under my arm, sipping on a glass of Baileys, looking rosy-cheeked and thoroughly relaxed.

This is the life, I thought to myself.

She’d put her hair in a loose ponytail and strands fell messily over her neck and shoulders. I wanted to grip that ponytail in my hand while I took her from behind. My quick and dirty orgasm today had definitely not been enough to keep me satisfied. In fact, it had kind of made matters worse. Getting a taste of her had only made my hunger grow even fiercer. I wanted to make love to her; but with everything going on and us staying in a hotel room (where seemingly Patricia felt she had the freedom to come and go as she pleased), it just didn’t feel like we had the required privacy. We were constantly surrounded by people, and I just wanted to be alone. Nobody else but me and Annie.

When she stood to go use the bathroom, I watched her smooth her skirt down over her thighs and walk away. Bryan had the good nature to rib me about it.

“Can’t take your eyes off that one,” he said. “You’ve got it bad, Fitzpatrick.”

“Leave him alone,” said Tina, who sat with her husband Desmond on the other side of the table. “I think it’s lovely. You can practically feel how badly they’re into each other. Makes me a little jealous, if I’m honest.”

Seriously, they were like a bunch of clucking hens. We’d finished our food, and Annie’s glass of Baileys was empty. I thought this was as good a time as any to make a move. Just as she returned to the table, I stood and helped her on with her coat and handbag. She seemed surprised that we were leaving already but let me lead her outside nonetheless. We said our goodbyes, and it felt good to get back behind the wheel. I knew that soon enough I’d be back in New York amid the traffic and the people and the stress, so I decided to make the most of the moment.

“You mind if we go for a drive before we head back to the hotel?” I asked Annie as she settled into the passenger seat.

She did a cute little yawn. “Not at all. I’ll warn you, though. I’m exhausted, so I may fall asleep along the way.”

“Get in the back and lie down if you like,” I suggested. The idea seemed to appeal to her because she climbed between the seats, giving me yet another spectacular view of her arse. I had to resist the urge to lean forward and give it a little bite. She lay down in the back, and I sat there for a moment, looking at her through the overhead mirror. Such a fucking temptation.

I had a feeling this was going to be the best drive of my life.

In some places the roads weren’t lit very well, and it seemed like I’d gotten my wish because it really felt like we were all alone. We talked a little along the way with Annie explaining some of the stuff about her job I didn’t know. Seriously, the woman was so intelligent when she was relaxed enough not to be anxious that it made me feel dumb in comparison. Yeah, I was educated, but Annie just had this natural flair for what she did that I was in awe of.

All the while she talked, I had my eyes flickering between her and the road. She sat with her feet up on the seat, her body strewn in such a way that she was almost lying down, with her head resting against the edge of the window. It was kind of a high, having her all to myself like this. I started to fixate on how she hadn’t put on a seatbelt and how those seatbelts hung next to her body. It would be so easy to strap her down. I could be pretty creative when the mood took me.

When I saw a little turn off the main road, I took it until we came to a secluded nook surrounded by tall trees. I parked the car. I was still staring at her through the mirror when she sat up, asking, “Why have we stopped?”

I exhaled and tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. Was I actually considering doing this? I mean, depending on what she preferred in bed, I could scare her off for good. Then again, from the very moment I’d met her, I had the distinct feeling that we were compatible, unnervingly so. Somehow, I just knew she’d be perfect, that we’d be perfect.

“Taking a little break,” I replied as I turned off the engine. I left the keys in the ignition so that the radio could stay on. I’d found a station during the drive that was playing some nice, relaxing chill-out music, and I thought silence might make Annie uncomfortable. Her eyes flickered when I began climbing toward her into the back, and all of a sudden she was sitting up straight, watching me warily.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey.”

It was crazy how she could go from relaxed to uptight in a heartbeat, and strangely, I kind of got off on her uptightness because it was so much fun helping her unwind. I let out a low, dark chuckle and pulled her into me; the moment my lips met hers, her tension melted away. Her hands gripped my shirt, her body straining against mine. I cupped her cheeks as I slid my tongue into her mouth, a hard, probing invasion. She allowed it with a sigh, and I began to ease her into a reclining position.

She was heaving and breathless when I broke our kiss to whisper in her ear, “I’m going to try some stuff, okay? I promise I won’t hurt you, but I’d really like it if you let me. You can tell me to stop any time if you feel uncomfortable.”

“Some stuff?” she asked, aroused yet perplexed.

My hand wandered under her skirt, between her legs, and straight beneath the fabric of her underwear. I fingered her soft, silky flesh, finding her wet. Perfect.

“Yeah,” I answered, my voice pure gravel. “It’s better if I just show you. Telling is no fun.”

She nodded, lips plump from our kissing, and her breath escaped her all in a rush. Kneeling between her thighs, I took her hands and raised them above her head. Then I took the strap of the seatbelt and carefully wrapped it around her wrists. She stared at me, mouth parted, pupils gigantic, as I made a little knot and secured her in place. The way the seatbelt was installed meant that when I let go, it tightened further.

“Is that comfortable?” I asked tenderly, running a hand along her trembling collarbone.

She swallowed and whispered, “Um, yes. It’s not uncomfortable.”

“Good.” I took the middle seatbelt then and wrapped it just as firmly around her waist.

She didn’t sound upset, only curious, when she said, “I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

I raised myself above her, staring down as I replied, “I’m doing it because it’s what I like.” Then I kissed her again, and I knew I had her. Her mouth was soft and welcoming, and the little moans I swallowed told me she was enjoying this game. I rolled my hips, letting her feel just how much she was affecting me. Minutes passed, and she was panting, a blush painting itself red over her bosom. I pulled away and began to undo the buttons of her blouse.

“This isn’t fair,” she whined, voice needy. “I want to touch you.”

“Not tonight, love. Tonight, you’re the one who gets touched.”

Luckily, the bra she was wearing unclipped at the front, and in no time I had her breasts bare and begging for my mouth. I sucked one nipple and then the other while she undulated beneath me, opening up just like a flower. Her thighs hugged my hips in a vise-like grip, and I started to push her skirt up until it was bunched at her waist. My fingertips dug hard into her skin as I pulled her knickers off and tucked them in my pocket. She’d already slipped off her shoes during the drive, and I could feel her heels digging into my thighs. I caressed her needy flesh, my chest moving up and down rapidly, my erection outlined starkly in my jeans. Everything felt too tight, and she was too beautiful. I was drowning in her.

I rose on my knees and stared down at her, savoring the sight of her bound and restrained. It set off some kind of chemical reaction in my brain because my entire body hummed with satisfaction. I loved seeing her like this. It was exactly what I needed. I was improvising the fucking seatbelts in my car as restraints, and now I couldn’t picture our first time happening any other way. I could only imagine what she must be thinking.

I circled her clit with my thumb at the same time I slid a finger inside her. She cried out, and I hummed in appreciation. Her startled, pleasured noises were completely gratifying. I’d been at her for less than a minute, and already I felt her orgasm building, hurtling toward the finish line. I knew it had to be the restraints. She got off on them just as much as I did.

“Ronan,” she gasped, “I’m going to come.”

“Come then, beautiful, come for me.”

Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped loudly as she bucked and came on my hand. I kept stroking her, drawing out every last wave.

Not quite recovered, she blurted, “That was….”

“Intense.”

“Yeah.”

She was so wet now that it was impossible for me to wait any longer. Annie twisted and turned her body, clearly desperate to touch me. I loved it that she couldn’t. Loved that I was torturing her because it meant, when I finally gave her all of me, it would feel like so much more.

The fact that I didn’t have a condom had been at the back of my mind the whole time, but I’d been trying to ignore it. Still, it was troubling. I trusted Annie implicitly and wanted her to trust me back.

“You want me inside you now, love?” I purred as I pulled myself free of my pants.

Her eyes ate me up as she nodded and licked her lips. I allowed my gaze to trail over her body before I leaned forward and ran the tip of my cock over her folds. She whimpered, and I bit the inside of my mouth because fuck, it felt too good.

“Please, Ronan,” she begged, opening her legs wider, voice breathless.

“I don’t have protection,” I admitted.

A flicker of hesitation passed over her face before she rose forward slightly to kiss me. “It’s okay. I trust you.”

And damn, was that exactly what I needed to hear. No sooner had the words passed her lips than I was sinking myself inside her. I did it slowly, savoring every inch, until I was buried deep. She moaned and sighed my name. I loved the sound of it, remembered back to the time when she’d only call me Mr. Fitzpatrick. Now all the formalities between us were gone. She was mine, and I belonged to her. I didn’t think a time would ever come when I didn’t want her this badly.

I began to move my hips in a slow rhythm, fixating on the belt secured snugly around her belly. It was such a sexy look. And wow, the feel of her around me was incredible. I’d never felt anything like it. Had never made love to a woman I felt such a fierce, soul-deep attraction to.

I rested my forehead against hers as I started to increase the speed of my thrusts. “You cannot imagine how unbelievable you feel, Annie. I don’t ever want to leave.”

“I don’t want you to, either,” she breathed. “I feel so surrounded.”

I rose then, unable to contain my need to fuck her senseless any longer. My hips jutted in and out almost violently, and she took it all, soaked me in and let me back out again, gave me something that I didn’t ever want to forget. She absorbed me. She was everything in that moment. All I could see.

“You drive me crazy,” I said and then let out a string of select swear words.

I could feel myself getting closer, closer to the divine heaven of coming inside her perfect, beautiful, celestial fucking body. I stared at her face, her eyes big and taking everything in. She was still all tied up; and I saw how not touching me was painful for her, yet she was getting off on it. I thrived on that pain. I was still thrusting in and out, her thighs holding me in place, when I ran my hands from her neck down to her breasts and all the way along her torso.

She arched, straining for my touch, “Ronan, oh—oh God….”

Annie came apart, swift and fierce, saying “please” over and over, begging me. She shook from the force of her orgasm but was unable to reach for me.

I had all the power, and she had nothing. I could do anything to her, and she was simply there to enjoy the ride. A willing, submitting participant in this game for two. This was the dynamic I’d craved my whole life, but I had never found a partner as perfect as my dear, sweet, gorgeous little hermit.

In the next second I came with a deep, strangled groan as I melded my mouth to hers and thrust my tongue inside. I’d never climaxed so hard on my life. I felt empty, drained in the most wonderful sense of the word. I drew away and cupped her face in my hands, planting tiny, worshipful kisses on her cheeks, her mouth, her forehead, her eyelids, and murmuring desperate declarations. “You’re perfect. The feel of you. Can’t get enough. I’m addicted. I love you.”

I was still kissing her, working my way down her neck and nibbling on her earlobe, when I realized I’d said that last part out loud.