Page 42 of Heart Strings

“Cheers,” I reply, taking a sip of the rich, velvety wine. It warms me from the inside, relaxing the tense muscles in my shoulders.

We settle into an easy silence, the kind only comfortable companions can share. But as the fire casts dancing shadows across the room, the flickering light seems to pull us into a more intimate atmosphere.

“So,” Connor begins, his voice breaking the quiet. “How are you really feeling about everything? The bookstore, Ty and Sophie...”

I sigh, rolling the stem of the wineglass between my fingers. “It’s a lot, you know? Selling the bookstore feels right, but it’s still a big change. And seeing Ty and Sophie like that... it’s hard. They both mean a lot to me.”

Connor nods, his gaze intense in the firelight. “Change is hard. But you’re handling it with grace. You always do.”

I smile, touched by his words. “I’m not called Gracie for nothing,” I say quite lamely, but he chuckles anyway.

He sighs and sits back, slinging an arm over the back of the sofa. “I can’t believe so much has changed since I’ve been back. It feels… surreal. From trying to convince you to spread your wings, to you selling the bookshop. I don’t know if I’m good or bad luck.”

“Connor!” I say, slapping his chest playfully. “You’re definitely not bad luck.”

“Oh, is that so?” he says and just as I’m about to giggle, he draws his hand to my chin, leans in close, his eyes searching mine for a moment before his lips meet mine in a kiss that has my cheeks warming.

It’s different from any kiss we’ve shared before—tentative, yet charged with an undercurrent of something deeper.

Surprised but not unwilling, I respond, the kiss deepening as the empty wine glass slips from my hand to the soft carpet without a sound. Connor’s other hand comes up to cup my cheek, his touch sending a shiver through me.

Either it’s the wine or stupidity, but I turn to straddle him again, listening to his groan of surprise. I card my fingers through his hair and move my hips on top of him, earning myself another groan.

He rolls my hair around his fist and gently pulls so my neck is exposed to him. Trailing his lips from my mouth to my neck, I gasp when I feel him gently nipping at my skin and running his tongue over the shell of my ear.

“Fuck, Gracie,” Connor whispers, his voice rough with emotion as he pushes into my core. “Please tell me to stop, because if you don’t—”

“Don’t stop,” I murmur and Connor stills. “I want this. I want you.”

He takes a stuttered breath before he leans back to look into my eyes, but instead of kissing me again, he lowers me down onto the plush carpet in front of the fireplace.

My heart is beating so fast as he settles in between my legs and pulls me towards him. His blue eyes soften as he looks at me, then he leans down and kisses me deeply. I moan into his mouth and wrap my arms around his neck, carding my fingers through his hair.

Moving his kisses from my lips to my neck, he trails his tongue towards my neck and chest, his rough fingers skimming my waist and squeezing. I throw my head back and close my eyes, melting under the feeling of his lips on my skin. He nips at my ear and pulls me closer, so I can feel his bulge against my stomach as he grinds into me.

His fingers ghost over my hardened nipples and I arch my body towards him, needing more friction. I would love nothing but gentle, but right now I need him rough.

“Please, Connor,” I beg for more than this, and soon enough, he pulled off my tank and shorts. I never wear undies at night, and my face flames up when I realize Connor is seeing my naked body.

I peer up at him and see nothing but desire and reverence in his eyes, even when he pulls his t-shirt from his body. He gets to his feet and his heated gaze never leaves mine, even as he pulls off his jeans and boxer briefs.

When he settles in between my legs again, his kisses don’t stop even when I feel his hand cup my mons. Gasping when he rolls his thumb around my clit and slips two fingers inside of me.

“How are you this wet already?” he groans into my neck as he thrusts his fingers more. “Fuck, I need to feel you…. I need to feel you on my cock.”

I blush furiously and don’t think I’ll ever get used to Connor talking dirty to me, but before he leans over me again, he suddenly stops. With a frown on my face, I peer up at him, but he only shakes his head and moves to stand up.

“Lemme go grab uh, protection,” he says sheepishly, and I nearly burst out laughing at how awkward we are at this. But then he’s pulling me up and leading me to his bed.

Ah, is it supposed to be this awkward with your best friend? Does anyone have a memo on how to move from friends to lovers without feeling like a complete dumbass?

My heart is hammering in my chest as he lays me down again and settles over me before reaching into his nightstand drawer and taking out what he needs. I watch, with a red face, as Connor rolls the condom over his cock and blush even deeper when I realize just how huge he is.

He sees me staring and smirks before settling over me again and capturing my lips in another kiss that has me moaning into his mouth. Running the tip of his cock up and down my slit, I shiver just before he positions himself at my entrance.

Peering down at me, I watch as his eyes roll back in his head as he enters me and the groan of satisfaction when he bottoms out. I slip my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, silently urging him to move.

“Fuck, Gracie,” he groans again, thrusting harder and leaning down to take my nipples in his mouth, nipping them gently. “You feel so perfect… so fucking perfect.”

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