Page 94 of Start Your Engines

But we must.

CHAPTER 47

Senna

I crossthe threshold of the summer home and drop my bags. Beyonce’s “At Last” plays from a speaker. I kick my trainers off, narrowly missing the candles littering the space.

“Connor?” I sneak around the one-floor house in the teeny shorts he loves. Thank goodness for the ongoing high temperatures. “I was pissed off that the situation at the factory made me later than planned, but I nearly broke the speed limits coming down.”

I humph at the lack of response. “Where are you, Connor? I can’t fuck you if I can’t find you.”

The scent of baked bread and cheese draws me to where the back door is open a crack.

I sneak through to the decking, and my breath hitches.

Connor stands on the deck in front of the lake. His eyes sparkle in the moonlight as he fixes me with his stare. Candles line the decking, giving him an ethereal glow. His eyes travel down my body, pausing at my legs long enough for him to lick his lips before lifting back to my eyes.

His stare reflects my smile, and he presses his hand to his heart as he greets me.

“Welcome home, baby,” he says breathlessly

I’m running, my bare feet slapping against the wooden slats. He opens his arms, and I jump into them. He spins me as he buries his face in my hair.

“It’s been too long, Coults.”

“We were on the plane together,” I say, although my voice catches. He smells of fresh showers, of oak and cherries.

“And I couldn’t touch you then. I couldn’t get close enough to feel your skin against mine. You laughed with Jacs and chatted to the team, and the whole time, I wanted you laughing at my jokes or revealing the smile you reserve only for me.” I stare into his eyes as he kisses my palm. “Like all my real smiles are only for you.”

I bite my lips, and his gaze drops to them.

“Your fucking lips get me every time. There was a moment on the plane when I stood behind you. I was so close to leaning in and licking your skin.” He licks my neck, making me moan. “I was desperate to make your pulse rise against my mouth.”

I swallow loudly. “I felt you behind me.”

“I know you did, baby. You blushed, and I was a heartbeat away from turning you around to kiss you and slide my hands into your blouse and thumb your nipples.”

He lifts my T-shirt and rubs his thumbs across my nipples through the lace of my bra. I gasp.

“That’s right, baby. Did you miss me, too?”

There’s a trace of vulnerability in his voice. I pause. My fingers are jittery.

“Cat got your tongue, or are you teasing me?” He kisses my neck again, and I shiver. “You’re scared of this. Why? I’ve got you. If we were drowning in the deepest part of that lake, my one thought would be to save you. Tell me you know this.”

“I do,” I whisper.

“Then talk to me.”

I clench my belly as he unsnaps my shorts and slides the zipper down. His hand eases into my knickers, but then he stops. I press my pussy against his hand.

He chuckles. “Hungry for me. I’m not doing anything until you tell me what’s scaring you.”

I lift my face to meet his gaze. His jaw is tight, and his eyes are dark as he stares into my soul. “I spent all my adult years hiding how I felt about you, including to myself. I’m scared…”

“Of?”

“Falling. Of telling you exactly how I feel about you and getting hurt.”

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