Page 71 of Where We Bloom

Chapter Thirteen

BILLIE

“Ilike this bathroom,” I inform Connor as we slip into the steamy air. There is not one, not two, butthreeshowerheads all doing their jobs, and it’s great because that means that no one gets thecold sideof the space.

He’s already lathering up a washcloth with body wash, and then his hands are on me, soaping me up. Connor has strong, grade A hands, but add in the slickness of the soap, and all I can do is let my head fall back and sigh.

“You like that,” he murmurs as he turns me so my back is to him and proceeds to wash my back and the globes of my ass.

“Of course, I like this. I like to be touched.” I shrug and then his hands stall, and I glance at him over my shoulder. “Why’d you stop?”

He frowns and turns me back to him, skims the backof his hand down my torso, ghosting over my breasts, and I press my hands to his chest.

Holy crap, the muscles on this guy.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him.

“You like to be touched.”

I blink up at him, wondering what I’m missing here. “Yeah. I think it’s my love language, but I’ve never taken the stupid test. I don’t get touched often, honestly, but it’s okay. I make Birdie snuggle me whenever I need it.”

His jaw firms at that, and I’m completely lost as to why he’s gone cold all of a sudden.

“What did I say wrong?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head and pulls me in for a hug. “You didn’t say anything wrong.”

“I’m fine, you know. It’s not a big deal. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad, not thatthatshould make you feel bad. Geez, Connor, I’m sorry?—”

He kisses me, stopping the mindless flow of words that I was spewing simply because I didn’t know what else to say, and leads me under the spray, rinsing away the suds. When we’re all clean and rinsed, he shocks me by lifting me under my thighs and bracing me against the tile. The cold makes me gasp, but then he’s sliding inside me, and I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on as my body quakes around him.

“Jesus, how are you still hard? Hell, that’s good,” I moan as he kisses my shoulder and across my collarbone. He’s moving in hard, jarring thrusts as if he can’t get deep enough, close enough.

“You’re the sweetest bloody woman,” he growls nextto my ear, sending goose bumps down my whole body. “Christ Jesus, angel.”

He speeds up, and his pelvis hits my clit, over and over again. I let my head fall back against the tile.

“Connor, I’m gonna … I’m right … ah, shit.”

“Come.” It’s a hard command. “Look at me.”

I open my eyes and stare into his bright, lust-filled gaze, and it tips me over into wonderland, falling apart in his arms.

“Yes, baby.” With his gaze still on mine, he groans and follows me over. Watching him come undone is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

We’re breathing hard. My heart is in overdrive, and he keeps me here, up against the tile. His mouth rests against my shoulder as we try to catch our breath.

“You’re so delicious, bumble.” His accent is thicker during these moments, and it makes me clench around him.

“Still hate that nickname,” I breathe, but push my fingers in his wet hair, enjoying the way the thick strands feel in my fingers.

“Do you want to know why I call you that?” He kisses my shoulder, then drags his tongue over my skin to my neck.

“Yes.”

God, he touches meso well.

“Because you’re strong.”

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