Page 17 of Legacy Of Ashes

He pushes my underwear aside, his fingers sliding through my wetness. When he circles my clit, I cry out and arch against him.

"So fucking responsive," he groans. "I want to taste you. Want to make you come on my tongue until you scream."

"Yes."

"But not here. Not in a car like teenagers." He withdraws his hand and I whimper at the loss. "You deserve better for your first time."

"Who says it's my first time?"

His eyes go dangerous. "Is it?"

I lift my chin defiantly. "Maybe."

"Answer me, Saoirse."

"Yes," I whisper. "It is."

Something primitive crosses his face. "Good. Because I'm going to ruin you for every other man who comes after me."

At my door, we stand inches apart on my front step. My whole body thrums with need.

"Come inside," I breathe.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because if I come inside, I'm going to strip you naked and fuck you until you can't walk tomorrow. And you're not ready for that yet."

The crude promise makes me clench around nothing. "I am ready."

"No, princess. You're not." He cups my face, thumb stroking my swollen bottom lip. "But when you are, when you come to me and beg me to make you mine, I'll give you everything you can handle and more."

He steps back before I can respond, leaving me aching and empty on my doorstep.

Inside, I collapse against the door, sliding my hand beneath my dress. It only takes three strokes before I'm coming hard, Conall's name on my lips.

Tomorrow I'll have to face my family's questions and Valentin Petrov's interest. But tonight, I know exactly who I belong to.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

The phone callcomes at five in the morning, dragging me from dreams I shouldn't be having about my boss's daughter.

"Conall." Tiernan's voice carries the rasp of a man who's been awake all night. "We have a problem."

I'm already reaching for my clothes. "What kind of problem?"

"The dock workers are talking strike. Mickey Donovan called an emergency meeting for eight. Says the port authority is breathing down their necks."

My blood chills. The docks are our lifeline—every major shipment flows through Mickey's crew. If they walk, we lose millions and draw federal attention we can't afford.

"I'll handle it," I say.

"No." Tiernan pauses, and I hear the weight of his decision. "Saoirse will."

"Sir?"