Page 38 of Where We Bloom (The Blackwells of Montana #3)

“I protect what’s mine,” he says, his jaw clenched.

“I protect what I love, and goddammit, I’m so in love with you, I ache with it.

Living without you at this point isn’t an option for me.

You’re the reason I open my bloody eyes in the morning, and the thought of someone hurting you, touching you in any way because of me, brings me to my knees.

You were in a part of the city known for not being the safest today, and then I learned the man I hired to keep you safe when I can’t be with you walked away from you.

All I could think was that you could be in danger, that I could lose you, and that would end me, Billie. ”

God, his eyes are on fire as he stares at me. He grips my arms so tightly, they might have bruises later, but I can’t bring myself to care.

Because he loves me.

He loves me.

“You wanted more,” he says, softening slightly, as he tips his forehead to mine.

“And because I needed to be with you, to touch you and spend time with you, I gave it to you. I’m doing the work, learning you, caring for you, and giving myself to you in ways I never have with anyone else before.

You’ve become the center of my universe, and in giving you the more you needed, I’ve lost my entire heart and soul to you.

I’m yours. Everything I have is for you.

So yeah , a ghrá, today terrified me, and I took that out on Simon, and I won’t fecking apologize for it. ”

My throat and nose sting as tears come to my eyes, and I try to swallow them down, but it’s no use.

“God, I’m so sorry you were scared.” I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him close. Connor buries his face in the crook of my neck, his arms locked around me as he takes a deep, shaky breath. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I would never do that to you.”

“I know, it’s not your fault, mo rúnsearc. But it can’t happen again.”

I shake my head, still holding on. “It won’t.”

We’re quiet, clinging to each other, and then I whisper in his ear, “I love you, too, you know.”

He releases a shuddering sigh, as if hearing the words is a huge relief, and then his lips cover mine, kissing me so tenderly that more tears fall from my eyes.

“Say that again,” he says as he changes our position. Laying me on the sofa, he kneels between my knees, bracing himself over me.

“I love you.” I bite my lip as he makes a grab for my khaki pants, pulling them down my legs, along with my panties, and tossing them aside. “You’re so damn smart and kind, and you love your family.”

His eyes warm as he works my blouse off, along with my bra.

“You’re thoughtful.” I help him get his shirt over his head. “And gentle. I can sleep when I’m with you.”

His gaze whips up to mine and narrows. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve never slept as well as I do when I’m with you. I joked with the girls that I wish we’d have nap dates.”

The corner of his mouth tips up. “Nap dates?”

“Yeah, just let me curl up around you and sleep. Jesus, it’s heaven. I’ve spent a decade exhausted because I can’t sleep, so if you dump me and I have to start sleeping alone again, I’ll have a nervous breakdown. No pressure.”

Now, that smile spreads all over his face. “Oh, I’m not letting you go anywhere, bumble.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Good. Because I’m also addicted to your body. These muscles are crazy pants. Your body is insane. I’ve never met anyone with such an incredible physique. And when you’re inside me?—”

He does just that, slipping right inside me, making me gasp and hold on to him.

“What, baby?” he asks, dragging his nose up the side of my neck.

“It feels like I finally have my person.”

His eyes drift closed, and he rests his forehead against my own as his hips slowly start to move.

“You’re my person,” he whispers before kissing me sweetly. “I’m taking you shopping tomorrow. On Fifth Avenue.”

“You don’t?—”

“Let me. Let me dress you from head to toe for my enjoyment and then take you out somewhere special.” He picks up the pace, grinding against my clit, and I start to see stars. “You don’t get to come until you agree.”

“That’s blackmail.” I have to lick my lips. “Or entrapment. Or treason. It’s something.”

He chuckles, brushing his nose against mine. “Say yes.”

“Connor, shit, I’m so close.”

“Don’t you do it. Not until you agree.” He pulls out halfway, holding himself away from my clit, and I scowl at him. “Say yes.”

“Fine. Let’s go shopping.”

He slams in but pulls back out again, and I groan in frustration.

“Say it again.”

“I said we could go shopping.”

He shakes his head. “Not that.”

Cupping his cheek, I urge his mouth down to mine, and against his lips, I whisper, “I love you so much, billionaire.”

“ A ghrá ,” he whispers, his eyes closing. “ Mo rúnsearc. A chuisle mo chroi. ”

I don’t know what any of the Irish words mean, but I’m so close to tumbling over the edge that I can’t ask. His name is on my lips as I explode, and when the storm is over, he’s brushing his fingertips down my cheek, peppering my face with kisses.

“What did it mean?” I ask. “I’ve never asked what the Irish words mean.”

“ A ghrá is my love.” He swallows hard. “ A chuisle mo chroi is you are the beat of my pulse. ”

Wow.

“And the other? The one you’ve used for a long time?”

He tilts his head, watching me intently. “ Mo rúnsearc means my secret love.”

I feel my eyes widen in surprise. “You’ve been saying that for months. ”

“Aye.” He kisses me, then skims his knuckles down my cheek. “I’ve known for a long time, even if I couldn’t tell you quite yet.”

My stomach growls, making us both laugh.

“Come on, bumble. Let’s feed you, and then we’ll go up to bed for round two.”

“I’m not going to argue with that.”

Connor has my hand in his, and with Miller and Simon walking behind us, he tugs me toward yet another store.

“Okay, this has to stop.”

“What?”

“The shopping. Connor, you already bought me a killer dress, shoes, underwear, and a clutch to go with the dress even though I have plenty of bags at the penthouse. We’re done.”

“Not quite yet, we aren’t.”

I gasp when I realize where we are. “This is Cartier ,” I whisper-shout at him .

“I’m well aware.” He stops abruptly and presses his lips to my ear. “I was balls deep inside you last night when you agreed to let me dress you from head to toe. That’s what I’m doing. Do we have a problem, angel?”

That firm tone in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.

“No. No problem.”

“Excellent.” He nips my ear. “I love you, you know.”

I can’t help but grin at that. He’s told me no less than ten times today that he loves me, and it never gets old.

“Yeah, yeah, I guess I love you, too.”

“That’s so precious, darlin’.” He winks at me and leads me to the salesman who looks like he might have a heart attack.

“Hello, Mr. Gallagher. How can I assist you?”

Of course, he knows who Connor is.

“Diamond earrings,” Connor replies. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The man is certifiable.

But he’s had so much fun today, I can’t tell him no.

An hour later, we walk out with not just the sexiest pair of pear-shaped diamond earrings I’ve ever seen but also a matching necklace.

Because of course, we did.

“Okay, billionaire, that’s all I have in me. I’m wiped out. I need food and a massage, STAT.”

“We’re going home,” he says. “For a snack, and I’ll rub your feet. And then, we’ll have to get ready for our night out.”

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going? ”

“No.” He brushes his lips over my forehead. “It’s a surprise.”

Gazing in the mirror, I take stock.

Hair done, check.

Makeup, check.

I haven’t put the dress on yet, but it’s hanging behind me, ready, when my phone pings with a text in our Spicy Girls Book Club text thread from Dani.

Dani: Earth to Billie! We haven’t heard a word from you since you landed in New York. How’s it going? Did you shop? Tell us things!

I giggle and hop up on the vanity, letting my feet dangle as I take a quick selfie, then type out a response.

Hi, guys! Sorry, things have been kind of busy.

Skyla: Tell us everything.

Alex: Is BUSY code for full of sexy time?

Millie: Why are you projecting all of your amazing threesome sex onto Bee, Alex?

I snort at that. It’s only been a couple of days, but I already miss my girls.

There has been sex and shopping and food. So much food.

Skyla: Make Connor get you pizza from that place around the corner from his penthouse. It’s my fave.

We had that the first night!

Dani: You look so pretty tonight! Where are you going?

I don’t know. He hasn’t told me. It’s a surprise. You guys, I have to tell you something BIG.

Alex: Spill it.

Millie: Tell us.

Dani: Are you already engaged?

Millie: Oh shit, I didn’t go there! Wait, are you?

With a giggle, I type out my response.

No, def not engaged, but we’ve said the I love yous. We were arguing, and it just popped out.

Alex: Who said it first?

Dani: Why does that matter?

Skyla: This makes me so happy!

He said it first.

So many heart, kissy, and celebration emoji come through that it makes me burst out laughing.

Okay, I have to finish getting ready. I’ll text more from Ireland.

Dani: Send us a pic of the two of you together tonight. We’ll want to see.

You got it. Love you all! xo

With a happy sigh, I take the red dress off the hanger and slip it on, then turn back to the mirror.

I’m going to make my billionaire swallow his tongue.