Page 60 of Verses Of Us

“Give me a second.” Her body shuddered when she exhaled.

Below them, the traffic slithered along the busy street; the world continuing to exist, mocking her. The people below were oblivious to what was happening in her little bubble on the tenth floor.

Alexis had built a wall around her heart since the first time he’d left and had been cautious about who she handed it to. Or she thought she had. But she’d never given it to anyone. Not entirely. It had always belonged to the man sitting behind her, the man who’d admitted he’d never be able to return her love or be the man she’d need him to be.

“You know I adore you, Ciarán. Always have.” She cleared her throat and sniffled, rolling her shoulders back. “And I know where you stand. I guess I need to accept what you and I are.”

The words came out, but she didn’t recognize her own voice. Her calmness didn’t reflect the way her heart kept missing beats, the way her palms were sweaty and her hands shaky, the way her throat burned as if on fire.

Aware of his feet padding across the soft carpet and of him standing so close beside her, she didn’t move.

“Do you want to leave?” He leaned down, propping his chin on her shoulder.

Though she didn’t like how profoundly she felt for him, she couldn’t picture herself anywhere else. She weighed her options. The smartest thing to do was walk out, leaving him behind, burying what they had, and this time keeping it buried forever. She should let him leave town and never see him again. But the weight of her irrational desires and the magnetic pull he had on her tipped the scales in his favour.

“No.” His breath came out hard as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Good, because we have fun together, don’t we?” She didn’t answer. “And I’d like to spend as much time with you before I leave.”

“That’d be nice,” she said, her words flat. Regardless of the expiry date hanging over them, she couldn’t stop wanting to be with him. And if they only had a few more days, then she’d chance the pain. “What did you have in mind?”

He squeezed her tighter. “Whatever you want.” He slid his hand up her arm and spun her around, then took her chin and tilted her head back. “And as for now, I’d like to take you to my bed and continue discovering what makes you tick.”

Her head spun. He searched her eyes with kindness and affection in the depth of his gaze, and she couldn’t look away. She could never be sure what he meant, what he wanted deep down, but in her soul and in her bones, she believed he truly cared for her. And that would never change.

ABNORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Alexis

Theheavybeatof50 Cent’sCandy Shopthumped through the speakers. Ciarán took Alexis by the hand, leading her from their private VIP booth toward the dance floor. He tugged her by the hips, bringing her in close.

In normal circumstances, Alexis would have been uncomfortable in such a crowded place. She wasn’t a fan of too many people wedged into small spaces, but within the solidity of Ciarán’s arms, her concerns floated away.

When he dipped down to nuzzle her, his warm breath tickled her neck, sending shivers down her exposed spine. Swiftly, he spun her around, pinning her against his front, her ass pressed hard against his hips. His hands slid over her stomach to her lower waist, his thumbs hovering at her belly button. She could feel him,all of him, up against her and even after spending their evening in his hotel room, she had no desire to leave his side. She yielded to his embrace, even if their argument still hovered in her mind.

They danced, Ciarán guiding her, her body moulding to his. The air around them shifted. Hyper aware that people could recognize him and would see what was happening between them, she tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her, seeming unconcerned with the hundreds of people around them. Ciarán’s need to be as close as possible was unrelenting.

The hairs on the back of her neck were damp with sweat, her nipples hard and aching for his mouth. She longed to have him on her like a second skin and she would keep denying what her heart screamed for as long as it meant she could indulge in what made her blood sing.

One song blended into another, but they kept dancing. People broke apart, taking up more space, but Ciarán didn’t budge. Alexis pried his hands from her stomach, turning around, and though his eyes met hers, she could tell his thoughts were miles away.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “We should get out of here.”

She doubted moving back to their VIP booth would be easy, especially with her weak legs now made of jelly. Still, she followed behind him as he led her by the hand, cutting a path through the dense crowd thick with bodies.

Walking passed the bar, she frowned. They weren’t returning to their booth after all—they were moving toward the exit. They came out on the other side of the first door, sidestepping a huddled group, and stopped at the coat check.

Ciarán turned, slamming his lips to hers, the kiss sending heat between her legs.

“Wait here,” he ordered, his voice commanding and dark.

Two women stood behind the counter, welcoming Ciarán with wide eyes. He reached into his coat, speaking to them before offering them his trademark dimpled smile and handing them something. The attendants giggled as they looked down in disbelief. The glimpse of brown told Alexis they were holding hundred-dollar bills. Then, one of them pulled a sign from under the counter and placed it on top, before heading into the crowd with knowing expressions.

Ciarán laced an arm around Alexis’ waist, leading her toward the door tucked to the side. They entered a small room, but didn’t stop there. They walked through another door, hidden behind the coat racks, into a second room.

“What’s going—”

Her words vanished when Ciarán’s mouth collided with hers. He cupped her ass and guided her backward, driving her further into the tiny room. They pulled apart for a breath and she searched his face. Pure lust burned in his eyes. His mouth curved into his panty-melting grin, but held something extra. She read his animalistic need and was all too willing to give in to the passion he exuded. Even aware of the risk of getting caught, she craved Ciarán so unbelievably; she didn’t resist.

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