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Shaking my head, I said, “The media don’t know about the triplets or any of my siblings. I’ve taken mama to premieres, so they know about her, but everything else is under tight security. It’s how my siblings can lead a normal life without being hassled.”

Each word caused Ollie’s eyes to widen and I’m shaken to see how much of my world he still doesn’t know about.

“Didn’t you search for me or my friends while I was gone?” I asked.

He shook his head, “No, it, well, don’t laugh, okay?”

When I nodded, he continued in a whisper, “I don’t want to invade your privacy. If you want to tell me about your life, I’d be happy to learn all about you. Otherwise, I see it as a waste of time to dig through all the information and try to piece together whether something about you is the truth or complete fiction.”

My heart thumped once hard against my chest and I reached for Ollie’s hand, linking our fingers. I’ve never met someone as genuine and caring as Ollie, and I lost another piece of my heart to the man.

“Let’s go home,” I said.

8

OLLIE

The five seconds it took for me to exit the passenger side and walk toward the garage door as my body thrummed with desire for what was to come, Connor reached for me, pushing me back against the closed door. I gasped the moment he pressed his lips to mine and stole my breath.

I’d missed him.

During our time apart, I may have lectured myself that the scorching chemistry we shared might have been a fluke, or at least an overreaction in my mind. A reaction because of the newness of the situation and the tiny possibility of something significant starting between us, at least from my point of view.

But that notion fucked right off as he angled his head and deepened the kiss, leaving me weak-kneed as my brain turned to static as I pleaded with him to take me apart right there in the immaculate garage. I groaned into his mouth as his tongue teased mine, and within minutes, I was pulling back with the immediate necessity of breathing. It was then I realized I’d clawed his tee up on his chest as my hands roamed around the exposed skin.

In a hushed tone, Connor murmured, “I’m not surprised.”

“What?” I asked as my brain rolled the statement around with no prompt answers.

I wasn’t ashamed as my fingers roamed over his warm skin, getting distracted by the swell of his pecs and the ridges of his ripped stomach, itching to drag my thumbs lower until I reached the waistband of his jeans and found the cut of his hips. Fuck! I wanted this man more than my next breath.

“You aren’t timid when you know what you want. And thank fuck you want me.”

I scoffed. “Who doesn’t want you? And because I don’t want to miss my chance, I’ll be blunt. Do you want to go upstairs? I want to feel the weight of your cock on my tongue?—”

His lips slammed against mine and once again, time and everything outside our embrace ceased to exist. This man knew how to kiss, and if I made him feel even a tenth of the pure adrenaline and pleasure rushing through me from his touch, I’d be thrilled. I craved getting my mouth and hands on his body; and I hoped it would be enough.

“Fuck, Ollie, you can’t say things like that. I’m seconds away from blowing like a fucking teenager, and the prospect of your mouth anywhere on me might be my undoing. But on reflection, your idea is brilliant. If I have you in my bed, I can keep you there and drain every ounce of come from you before we demand sustenance, only to get enough energy to start all over again.”

Before I could form any words to agree with his outrageous plans, he took my hand and led us through the kitchen and living room. It was then I noticed how unusually quiet the house seemed.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

Connor’s brows drew down as he glanced around, spotting something on the kitchen counter, and walked over to snatch up a piece of paper.

“Mama said she’s staying with a friend and the triplets and Omi are bunking with Emilia, so we have the house to ourselves.”

I asked, “Why?”

His deep laughter sent a shiver down my spine and I took a deep breath to control myself and not strip him bare right there.

“I told mama about us when I got home and I think this is her way of being supportive,” he paused as he opened the fridge, “and she left us food.”

My head popped to the side and my eyes widened as I noticed the enchiladas and an entire pot of what I suspected was tamales.

“Wow, that’s a lot of food. And now that you mention it, don’t tamales take most of the day to make?”

Connor said, “It’s mama we’re talking about.”