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I felt a pang of sympathy. Even during the mini-tour, those two had been volatile.
“Earth to Tris,” Killian’s voice pulled me back, his warm hand rubbed at my waist.
I blinked up at him. “Just people watching.”
Killian’s gaze followed mine. “It’s not for us to interfere. Especially you, Tink.”
“I know.” He was right. I’d been letting Wendy take more and more of the reins when it came to Peter. She was determined to fix his image. During the tour, we had a girls afternoon while Peter was getting a massage, she’d admitted that she needed this to work. She had family responsibilities. If she lost her job, her reputation would take a hit—and so would her finances.
Killian whispered in my ear. “Guess what?”
“What?” I replied, loving the playful glint in his eyes.
“I got us a room. Fifteenth floor, city view.”
Heat bloomed up my chest working its way up to my face. “Oh, did you? You sound pretty confident I’d say yes.”
“More like hopeful,” he corrected, his thumb tracing over my collarbone. “Besides, these things run late and I thought it would be easier for us to sleep here.”
“Sleep,” I repeated. “Is that what they’re calling it now?”
His laugh was soft. “Among other things.”
I glanced around the ballroom. The night was in full swing, speeches still to come, networking to be done. But suddenly, all I wanted was to be alone with him.
“How soon can we slip away unnoticed?” I asked. I’d missed him terribly while I was away. I’d rather have stayed in, but we’d both been expected to make an appearance tonight.
“Now seems good,” he replied, already guiding me toward a side exit with the practiced ease of someone who’s escaped such events before.
We managed to avoid the main corridors and took the service elevator to the fifteenth floor. The moment the doors closed, Killian pressed me against the wall, his mouth on mine, hungry and insistent. I tangled my fingers in his hair, careful of where he’d been hit and knowing it would be awhile before his concussion completely healed.
“Missed you,” he murmured against my neck, which should have sounded ridiculous since we’d been together all evening, but I knew exactly what he meant.
The elevator chimed, forcing us apart. He led me down the thickly-carpeted hallway to the door at the end, fishing the key card out of his pocket with his good hand. At my questioning look, he grinned. “Smee picked it up earlier.”
The room was everything you’d expect from the Monarch—elegant, understated luxury with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s glittering skyline. But I barely had time to appreciate the view before Killian was pulling me back into his arms.
He cupped the nape of my neck and pulled me closer. “You’re stunning, Tink.”
“So are you.” I’d seen the eyes on him the moment he’d gotten out of the car. Killian Hook was incredibly drool-worthy in whatever he wore, but there was something about him in formal wear that made my whole body—and everyone else’s—sit up and take notice.
His lips ghosted over mine, teasing me and making me want more.
“Kiss me,” I demanded.
“So, you missed me?” Instead of focusing on my mouth like I wanted him to, he feathered kisses over my cheeks, jaw, and neck. Goosebumps erupted over my body.
I whimpered with need. “You know I did.” The calls and video chats helped, but it wasn’t the same as being in his arms. My head tilted to give him better access as he hit a particularly sensitive spot.
“I missed you so damn much, Tink. I want to worship every inch of you. Slowly. Thoroughly.”
I threaded my fingers in his hair and tugged his head up. “Killian, please save that for later. I need younow.”There was no way for me to stop the whine that tinged my voice as I pleaded with him. Now that we were here, I wanted to rip his clothes off and have my way with him.
His eyes flashed and there was no mistaking the desire that swirled within their depths. When his lips descended to mine and devoured me, I knew he was claiming me. Making me his once more.
He stifled my gasp as his mouth pressed firmly to mine. His tongue swiped across my lips, dueling with mine the second I let him in. My body sagged in relief.
I needed this.