Page 26

26

KIERAN

K ieran and Mallory's kiss soon broke, but the tension between them didn’t. He could feel her breath hitch, her body pressed flush against his, and her hands still gripping the fabric of his shirt like she was afraid to let go. The fireworks outside had faded, but the spark between them was blazing. He leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear, his voice low and rough with need.

"If this is our last night together," he whispered, the words barely audible over the distant hum of the party, "let’s make it one we’ll remember."

She hesitated, her light blue eyes searching his face. For a moment, he thought she would pull away, and retreat into the safety of her isolation. But then she nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement, and that was all the confirmation he needed.

He didn’t wait. He took her hand, leading her through the inn, and into his suite. The moment the door shut behind them, the air shifted. It was electric, charged with something raw and undeniable.

Their hands soon moved in sync, desperate and wanting, tugging at buttons, zippers, anything that stood between them. Kieran’s shirt was gone in seconds, and her fingers traced the lines of his chest, sending tingles through his entire body. He returned the favor, peeling her dress off her, and letting it pool at her feet.

He stepped back for just a second, taking her in—her platinum hair tumbled over her shoulder, her eyes dark with desire, and her body trembling ever so slightly. She was breathtaking.

Kieran let out a low growl, the sound almost primal, as he lifted her off the ground and pressed her up against the wall. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist as his hand roamed over her curves, her skin warm and soft under his touch. His lips found her neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone. She gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

"Kieran," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper, and it was all he needed to hear.

He adjusted his grip, his hands firm on her hips, and then he was inside her, both of them letting out a shared moan. It was desperate and hungry, every movement filled with a sense of urgency, as if they both knew this might be the last time.

Kieran’s thoughts were a jumble—Mallory’s name repeating in his head, the feel of her around him, and the way she clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded. He wanted to tell her everything—how she had changed him, how he didn’t want this to end, and how he couldn’t imagine the inn or his life without her.

But words were beyond him now. All he could do was show her, with every thrust, every kiss, and every touch.

Her nails scraped down his back, and he hissed, the sharp sting only fueling his desire. He pressed harder and deeper, his rhythm steady but unrelenting. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps, her body tightening around him, and he knew she was close.

"Look at me," he breathed, his voice thick with need, and her eyes snapped open, locking onto his.

It was then that he felt her come undone. Her body shuddered against his as her orgasm washed over her in waves. He followed her over the edge, his own release hitting him like a tidal wave, wild and unstoppable.

They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies pressed together, and their breathing heavy and uneven. Slowly, Kieran lowered her back to the ground, his hands lingering on her waist.

She looked up at him, her cheeks flushed, and her lips swollen from their kisses. "That was…" she started, but her voice trailed off, as if she couldn’t find the words.

"Yeah," Kieran finished for her, his voice still rough from his desire, but there was a softness in his eyes. "It was."

She gave him a small, almost shy smile, and he felt his heart clench. He wasn't quite ready for this to end.

He looked at her naked body, still breathless from their encounter. The warm glow of the suite’s living room lights cast a soft hue on her skin, and he couldn’t help but admire her—how she fit into his space, his life, even if it was only temporary. The thought of it being their last night together gnawed at him, but he shoved it aside, determined to make this moment count.

"You look like you could use some relaxation," he said, his voice warm and teasing, though his eyes held a serious edge. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face before gesturing toward the jacuzzi tucked in the corner of his suite. "What do you say, Mallory? Let’s soak for a bit. You deserve it after… well, everything."

She glanced at him, her blue eyes glinting with something he couldn’t quite place. After a moment, she gave him a slight nod, the corners of her lips twitching into the faintest smile. "Alright, tiger. Lead the way."

He grinned at the nickname, his chest swelling with pride. "Careful with the pet names," he said as he took her hand, leading her toward the jacuzzi. "Might give a guy ideas."

She chuckled softly, and the sound made something in him tighten. He loved that laugh, loved that he could coax it out of her.

He turned on the jets, the water bubbling to life, and they stepped in together, the heat immediately soothing their muscles. Mallory sank into the water with a soft sigh, her head tipping back against the edge and her eyes closing. Kieran watched her for a moment, his chest tightening. She looked so damn beautiful, so at peace, and the thought of her leaving tomorrow—walking out of his life—was almost too much to bear.

But he wasn’t going to let that thought ruin tonight. Not now.

He moved closer, the water swirling around them, and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her into him. Her eyes fluttered open, and she tilted her head to look up at him, her expression soft but curious.

"You’re still tense," he murmured, his hand running up and down her back under the water. "Thought you were supposed to be relaxing."

She arched a brow, though her lips twitched. "Maybe I’d relax more if you weren’t so… distracting."

He smirked, his alpha instincts kicking in. "Distracting, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment."

Before she could say anything, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. Her hands immediately went to his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin as she kissed him back. The heat between them flared up again. Kieran didn’t fight it—didn’t want to. He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against hers. His hands roamed over her body, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

"Kieran," she breathed against his mouth, her voice full of need.

"Yeah?" he murmured, his lips trailing down her neck. "What do you want, Mallory?"

She didn’t answer with words. Instead, she turned him, pressing his back against the wall of the jacuzzi, and climbed into his lap, her legs straddling his hips. His breath hitched as she reached between them, her small hand wrapping around his hard length, and guided him to her entrance.

Slowly, she sank down onto him, her body tight and warm around him. Kieran growled low, his hands gripping her hips as she began to move. Their pace was steady at first, a slow, almost torturous rhythm that had him gritting his teeth, his entire body coiling with tension.

But then she leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear, her breath hot and uneven. "Faster," she whispered, and it was all the encouragement he needed.

He thrust up into her, their movements growing desperate and hungry again, the water sloshing around them as they moved together. Kieran’s hands roamed over her body, cupping her breasts, sliding down her back, and gripping her hips as he drove into her, each thrust bringing them closer to the edge.

"That’s it," he growled, his voice rough with need. "Let go."

Her breath hitched, and then she was coming, her body convulsing around him, her hands gripping his shoulders as she cried out. Kieran followed her over the edge, his own release hitting him hard. Waves of pleasure crashed over him as he spilled inside her, his arms tightening around her as they both gasped for air.

For a moment, they just stayed like that, their foreheads pressed together, and their breathing uneven. Kieran’s heart was racing, his mind a jumble of emotions—satisfaction, desire, and something deeper.

When she finally pulled back, her cheeks red and her eyes bright, she gave him a warm smile.

Kieran felt a surge of pride. He might not be able to keep her, but he had made damn sure she remembered him.