Page 99 of If You Claim Me

“And you look like everything I want, but don’t deserve.”

“What about what I deserve?” She hooks her thumbs into her lace and satin panties.

My mouth goes dry and my body heats as she pushes themover her hips and steps out of them, bringing her close enough to touch.

“You deserve better than me.”

“What if I don’t want better? What if I like what I have?” Her eyes are slightly unfocused, but hot with desire.

“I’d say you’re drunk, little menace.”

“Maybe a bit.” She runs her hands up my chest. “But it’s our wedding night, Connor. We spent hours on display for all those people, now I’m on display for only you. What will you do with me?”

I clench my hands at my sides. I don’t want her to regret her decision tomorrow. “I should put you to bed.”

“I think you should touch me.” At the tug of her fingers, my bow tie unfurls. “But first I want you out of this shirt.” She drapes the black fabric across the back of her neck and starts unbuttoning it. I watch her, waiting for her to change her mind, to realize this is a mistake she doesn’t want to make with me. But she pushes my shirt over my shoulders and sighs, nails running over my abs and up my chest. She traces the letters there, drinking in the art covering my skin. “God, you’re beautiful.”

“Only on the outside.”

“Untrue.” Her eyes lift. “You can convince everyone else that you’re the bad guy, Connor, but I see you.”

She’s too gorgeous, too much to resist. And I don’t want to anymore. I want this. I want her. Not the lie we’re telling everyone else—I want this woman who protects the things she loves the most, who’s offering me a piece of her that I have no right to, but still want to claim. I lift her onto the wet bar.

Mildred’s eyes light up with triumph. She grabs the champagne from the bucket—it’s already been opened—and sips directly from the bottle. “What are you going to do with me, now that I’m yours, Connor?”

I slip my fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck and tip her head back. “What would you like me to do, Mrs. Grace?” I brush my lips over hers.

She exhales on a needy whimper, parts her legs wide, and pulls me closer. “Make me come, Mr. Grace.”

I trail my fingers down her side. “Demanding little menace.” I angle her head, slanting my mouth over hers. She parts her lips on a low moan, letting me in as she guides my hand between her thighs.

My fingers glide over soft, wet skin, pink and pretty and all mine. She sighs, and her entire body softens as I ease one finger inside her hot cunt. She breaks the kiss and her gaze drops, eyes on my fingers as I slide out and add a second one, curling forward to massage the spot inside as I circle her clit with my thumb. A small tattoo decorates her hip, a single ladybug sitting on a strawberry blossom, pretty and delicate. I wonder if I’ll find more secrets on her body when I have time to explore her. My mind nearly melts at the possibility.

Everything about her opens, the walls crumbling as she gives me a part of her I desperately want.

“Such a good husband.” Her hand slides down her soft stomach, index finger swirling around her clit along with my thumb. She eases lower, skimming the fingers buried inside her, and on the next pump, she pushes inside with them.

“All you have to do is ask for more, if that’s what you want.” I withdraw my fingers, sucking her juices off them on a low groan. She drags my mouth to hers, licking inside as I push three fingers into her, stretching, filling. Mildred moans into my mouth, and I swallow it down with the taste of her.

She clutches my shoulder as she spreads her legs wider, still wearing my bow tie and her glasses. The champagne bottle nearly tips over when she sets it clumsily on the bar top. She grips my wrist while she fucks my hand, rolling her hips in time with the pump and curl of my fingers.

I memorize the moment, capture it and tuck it away so it’s mine forever. And then she’s coming apart. Clenching on my fingers, shuddering, whimpering my name.

Her hands frame my face as she sucks in my bottom lip, teethdragging over the skin. “You should take me to bed and fuck me.”

I pull back. “You will be entirely sober when you invite me into your body again.”

Her bottom lip juts out. “Such a villain.”

“The worst kind.” I pick her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her across the room. “It’s time for bed.”

Her lips are on my neck. “Shouldn’t I take care of you?”

“I’m the villain,” I remind her. “I think you should make me wait.”

CHAPTER 26

CONNOR