Page 29 of Perfect

Connor dashed a hand across his jaw and then he laughed.

“Well, how would you know? I might be a right tart.”

“And the fact that you used the word tart just reinforces the truth that you’re the opposite.”

Pursing my lips thoughtfully, I considered his reply. “I’mthatobvious?”

He slowly nodded his head whilst maintaining eye contact. “It’s stamped all over you princess. Have you ever evenkisseda boy?”

I grinned as he dashed the other hand through his hair, having realised that I had managed to trap him into talking about relationships and boys after all.

“You’re clever, I’ll give you that.”

I was awarded a half-smile which wasn’t so bad and his face softened.

“So how about you? Have you ever even kissed a girl? You certainly don’t know how to talk to one,” I pointed out bravely, rocking back on my heels to scrutinise his face.

He slowly shook his head. “Nice try but I don’t kiss and tell Harlow.”

I sighed, not wanting to give in. “Or do you not want to say because your tastes run towards a certain type?” I was going for playful, but my next words were blatantly provocative. “What’s the matter Connor, don’t you like girls?” I regretted them as soon as they had tumbled out of my mouth.

Silence closed around us and it was suddenly so quiet, considering we were outside. Even the cows seemed to be holding their breath. ‘Don’t you like girls?’ WTF had that come from? My comment was both foolish and inflammatory.

Connor moved with an animal-like grace, rolling his shoulders, and invading my space, a determined expression on his face. The wall behind me bit into my back as he placed his hands against the surface on either side of my head, caging me in. His mouth was so close to mine and my eyes widened, I could see his pupils were dilated; like two dark and promising pools. It was mesmerising. It was only when he shifted and I felt his fingertips trace my collarbone that snapped myattention back. His other strong hand then moved to cradle the side of my face. His fingertips were rough against the softness of my skin.

My lips parted and heat jetted into me. His body was so close to mine. His gaze caressed my exposed throat and my blood felt thicker in my veins. His manner could have been considered threatening, but I wasn’t scared. Iwantedhim to touch me. I needed to see how my body would feel against his. The image of being beneath him exploded into my head. It was an unwelcome picture. By my head anyway, my body was screaming ‘bring it’.

Dark eyes moved fleetingly over my breasts before they lifted to my lips.

Connor’s rough voice dropped to a whisper and he lowered his head, his eyes closing before placing his forehead against mine. He exhaled sharply; his breath warm against my face. We were now skin to skin and I could feel his firm fingers against my nape.

I was focused on his mouth and it curled slightly before he said. “I like girls just fine Harlow. But you’re hardly ready for adult conversations about relationships onanylevel. So, I suggest you stop provoking me before I do something we’llbothregret.”

Connor drew back and opened his eyes, sliding his hand to cup my chin. His other arm rested against the wall above my head. He then slid his mouth to my ear, his lips grazing the cuff and murmured, “Don’t poke the mean boy little girl, you won’t like the results.” His voice wasfullof sensual warning and my pulse took off as I panted, suddenly short of breath.

That fight-or-flight thing, Mr. Cunninghamalwayswent on about in Psychology kicked in and it appeared thatfightwon as I replied. “Are youthreateningme?” My own voice was just audible.

Connor drew back and tilted his head to the side, impaling me with a give-me-a-break expression before returning his gaze to my lips. They parted in response like an automatic invitation. My body appeared to have completely taken over and was responding as a woman does to an attractive man. The hand that had cupped my chin was now curled gently around my throat. I was on fireeverywherehe touched me.

Shaking his head slowly from side to side, Connor shot me a pointed look. “Don’t start with all that clichéd crap. You want me to say it’s not a threat, that it’s apromise, don’t you? Like we’re in some fucking TV show.” He paused for a moment and his eyes still tangled with mine. “Maybe it is a promise, Harlow, how would youlikeme to retaliate?” he questioned in a raspy voice. My God, was it weird that I wanted to lick the strong column of his throat?

Connor’s eyes glimmered, he was perversely enjoying our banter, as was I.

I probably should have listened to his warning, but being this close felt so natural and I raised one hand and placed it firmly against the middle of his broad chest, almost as if to push him away yet I exerted no pressure. His pectoral muscles twitched beneath my fingers and I heard his sharp intake of breath as my palm touched his skin through his top. The guy was as hard as a rock.

I didn’t shove him away. I knew that I should, but I just stood there, in silence, dazed. Did he too feel the electric type charge travelling through my body? I was sure I could feel his heart beating gently against my palm.

Connor’s expression was now thoughtful and he was breathing deeply. He wasn’t as immune to me as he made out and that realisation gave me a burst of courage. I felt prepared to take anything he decided to dish out; so I goaded him on purpose.

“You’re full of shit with your silly threats and empty promises,” I delivered with a sultry smile before adding. ‘You, Connor Barratt, are all talk.” My eyes widened as I watched him through my lashes, feeling the most feminine I ever had. We were different in so many ways, but I felt the connection and hehadto feel it too.

He smiled with a challenging light in his eyes, his thumb skittering over my collarbone as he leaned down saying. “You’re wrong, I don’t make empty promises Harlow, I had too many of those growing up, so I suggest you stop baiting me. As I said before, I never play, atanything. You wouldn’t be able to handle me on any levelvirgin.” His expression held a thread of hostility.

The attraction I felt at that moment was almost painful and my nipples tightened against the silk of my bra. I so wanted to lean up and put my mouth against his. My body and my mind were now completely aligned. This must have been what naked lust felt like.

Our eyes continued to clash and I felt the unleashed danger within him. He was fighting for restraint. I could feel it ineverytaunt muscle. I wanted him to shove me further against the wall and grind his mouth over mine. Just like you saw inthe movies; for him to be rough with me. Everything romantic in my limited life so far had been far too tame. My body demanded more.Morethan a few stolen sloppy kisses from the boys at school.

The incessant throb of desire continued to pump through me.

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