Page 82 of That Fake Feeling

21

ROSE

Mylips sink intoConnor’s, and all my nervousness and uncertainty melt away.

NowIknow who he really is.He’snot the brash, partying mess that spills out of clubs at 3 a.m.He’sa man on the wrong path, who won’t step off it out of loyalty to his beloved family.

Andthat’s a manIcan give myself to.Itmight only be for now, in this unreal parallel universe we’re living in, but maybe that’s okay.

Hismouth is soft yet firm as he kisses along my top lip, then the bottom, setting my heart racing and making me instantly wet.

Awave of desire crashes over me as he pulls me against him and our tongues find each other.It’sdifferent from our last kiss on the landing.Thattime, my brain screamed what a terrible idea it was.Thistime, it dissolves into a sea of stars and sinks into every sensation consuming my body.

Connorcups my face with one hand and glides the other over my butt as he presses into me.Thelong, hard shape in his jeans makes my core ache with need.

I’venever wanted a man likeIwantConnorright now.Yes,I’veknown he was hot from the moment he ran into the dining room in just his underwear.Butnow thatIknow underneath that bare chest is a heart that hasn’t yet found its place, a heart out of sync with its destiny, a heart that just needs to find its true calling, he’s even hotter.

“Youtaste good,” he whispers against my lips,

Itip my forehead against his. “Mustbe the pasta.”

Hesmiles asIrun my finger along his jaw, sensing every tiny individual spike of day-old stubble.Eachhair is a different color, some dark brown, some light, some slightly auburn, some almost blond.He’sa fascinating mixture, even when it comes to whiskers.

“I’msure it’s not the pasta.”Connordips his mouth to my ear. “Iwonder what the rest of you tastes like.”

Histongue laps at my earlobe and guides it between his lips.Myheart races as he gently sucks and teases, sending a quiver from my lower belly down to my center.

Idrop my head against his firm shoulder and lose myself in him completely.

Hishand slides up from my backside and under my shirt.Whenhe makes contact with my bare lower back, a shiver runs through me making me jerk against him.Neverbefore has my body spasmed at someone’s mere touch.

“DidIstartle you?”Hislips tickle my neck.

“Ididn’t expect it to feel like that when you touched me,”Ibreathe into his chest.

“Howdid it feel?”

“Likeyou fired electric shocks into my spine.”

Hestrokes his fingers up and down the spot that caused the magic reaction, while using his other hand to tilt my face up to meet his.

Hemoves his mouth to hover over mine. “Ihope that’s a good thing.”

“Oh,God.Yes.”

Mybrain shuts down, my instincts take over, and our mouths reunite with a burst of desire, our tongues meeting again amid the sucking, nibbling and teasing.

Ibury my fingers inConnor’shair as his hand glides up my back and brushes against the side of my bra.Thesensation makes my soaking wet core pulsate and my body yearn for him to stroke and kiss me all over.

Islide my hands from his hair to the shouldersI’veobsessed over and down his chest.Hisbreath quickens in my mouth and, when my fingers graze his nipples through his shirt, he presses himself against me harder.

Searchingfor more contact with his bare skin,Islide my hands to his waist and hook them under hisT-shirt.Thesoft hairs on his belly tickle my fingers asItrace the outline of his abs.

Thenhis hand is on the edge of my bra, brushing the side of my breast and making my nipple ache with desperation for his touch.

It’sallIcan do to stop myself from twisting to push my whole breast into his palm.

Instead,Irun my hands higher under his shirt to the dip between his pecs, and fan them out to find two pebble hard nubs.