Page 27 of Highballs & Hexes

How long had it been since he’d felt a woman’s touch? When was the last time he’d been pleasured with a hand that wasn’t his own? He couldn’t recall, and tears burned the backs of his lids. Refusing to wallow in the lonely memories, he opened his eyes and met her desirous gaze.

“If you only knew how feckin’ good that felt, you’d probably stop to save me the shame of coming early.”

She grinned. “Is it shameful to get off when it feels so good? It’ll let you last longer when it’s your turn to give me pleasure.”

“Feck if you aren’t the most understanding and wisest woman I’ve met.”

With a laugh, she kissed him. And Patrick experienced a familiarity with her that he’d never had with another. A coming home of sorts. He lost himself completely in the moment.

“Hello?”

They both froze at the call echoing down the corridor.

“Hello? Is there somebody there?”

Fionola retracted her hand so fast his cock flopped out of his pants, causing him to wince when the sensitive skin scraped the zipper’s teeth.

“Have a care, love,” he warned.

“Oh! Beg your pardon, I?—”

“Hello?”

She frowned and tilted her head before rushing toward the sound.

“Tadhg?Tadhg, is that you?”

When she pressed against the wall closest to the bars, Patrick’s heart tripped.

“Careful!” he shouted, hurrying to put himself to rights and prevent her from touching the bars.

With a dismissive waveof her hand, Fi contorted to see down the hallway.

“Fi? Fi! Are ya here to rescue me, then?”

Her heart thudded in her chest, and relief swamped her.

Her brother was alive!

“Tadhg, which end of the hall are you? Your voice is echoing, and I can’t tell.”

“I’m farthest from the exit,” he hollered back. “Did you only just get here, sister? Are ya alone?”

“No, I’m here with Patrick O’Malley. He?—”

She heard her brother’s vicious swear right before a high-pitched ringing consumed her mind. The sound reverberated, drowning out anything else Tadhg might’ve said. Clamping her hands over her ears, she cried out.

Patrick’s arms encircled her, and he drew her back against his chest. The instant they touched, the noise dissolved into a faint buzz.

“Fi! Can ya hear me, love? Are you all right?” he demanded.

She shoved away from him without responding to his question. The important thing was her brother.

“Tadhg?”

The silence caused her heart to seize.

“Tadhg? Answer me!”

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