Page 108 of The Grump I Loathe
My hands crawled across his body, over ribs and muscle and the curve of his shoulders. I chased his spine like a ladder, kneading his ass as he rocked against me. I could feel his cock harden between us, and my entire body shivered in response.
“Mmm,” I gasped as his lips found mine. “I need you.”
He reached over to snag a condom, pulling me back into his arms as soon as it was in place. “Tell me exactly what you need,” he said, the demand gentle but insistent. “Tell me how you want to be fucked.”
I squirmed at his words. “I need you inside me,” I moaned against his mouth. The ache intensified quickly, and my body craved him. “Please.” I kissed him again. Harder. Pressing my tongue into his mouth, pulling away only long enough to beg once more, “Please.”
Connor rolled us, positioning himself on top, and I spread my legs, feeling the weight of his cock settle between my hips.
He kissed my temple, nuzzling at my hair, and then I felt the tip of him at my entrance.
“Yes,” I hissed as his cock stretched me. The motion was smooth, the friction delicious. I’d missed this ache, missed him, and as I clutched his shoulders, tears burned at the backs of my eyes. It was good. So,sogood. I don’t know how we’d ever survived being apart.
Connor sped up, his hips snapping, his breath growing ragged in my ear. He shifted onto one arm, reaching between us to finger my clit.
I moaned, sparks of pleasure already starting to leak across my body.
He focused his attention, rubbing steady circles, and my hips started to move, started to chase the pressure of his fingers, and suddenly I was coming, moaning and tensing. Then Connor was picking up his rhythm, driving me wild as he chased his own orgasm straight through mine.
He grunted, going still in my arms. I clung to him like I never planned to let go, pressing soft kisses to his chest.
Contentment blossomed inside me as the lingering waves rocked over me, making me lightheaded and giddy. There was no more hiding. No more squirreling away, trying to steal a moment without people knowing. This was real, and he wasmine.
33
EDDIE
“What happens if the judge says Alannah has to move away?” Grace asked, looking concerned as she plopped herself down on the steps of the courthouse. The clouds parted, and a wash of sunlight warmed the chilly December morning. “When will I get to see her?”
I sighed. The courtroom had felt small and stuffy and overwhelming, and when I’d latched onto Connor’s hand, he’d whisked us all outside for some air. But I wasn’t sure how much it was helping. I had the exact same question as Grace and was trying desperately not to think about it. I didn’t want that to be the outcome of this custody decision. I didn’t want my little sister living on the other side of the country.
“Remember we talked about this?” Connor said softly, bending down to sit next to Grace. “If it happens, then we’ll make special trips to see her wherever she goes.”
I ran my fingers through his hair, his words warming my chest briefly. I knew he meant it. He’d snap his fingers and get me to Florida anytime I wanted to see Alannah.
But it wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t be able to pick her up from school and hear about her day. Wouldn’t be able to have her sleep over at my place whenever she wanted.
Even phone calls would get harder, with the time zones. We’d manage, but it wouldn’t be easy. We all knew that, and I think I was already mourning that change.
“Maybe I can bring Mr. Cheesers to visit her,” Grace said.
After the game went live, Grace had been introduced to Mr. Cheesers, and she’d refused to leave the office until we’d agreed to let her bring him home. Everyone at the office missed him so much that they were currently figuring out what to get as the next office pet. Connor had put restrictions on size and climate requirements, but other than that, he was letting everyone else decide. Last I heard, the voting was going hot and heavy.
Mr. Cheesers, meanwhile, had settled into his new home with his typical aplomb. Grace and Alannah had already spent many hours sorting through his outfits.
“I’m not sure Mr. Cheesers is going to enjoy the flight,” Connor said.
Grace’s smile was as thin as my own as she leaned against his shoulder. “I don’t want her to go.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
Grace kicked at a rock that skidded down the steps. She looked at me over her shoulder. “You shouldn’t let her leave.”
“I wish it was up to me.” I should have been trying to put on a brave face, for Grace and Alannah’s sakes, but standing at the bottom of the courthouse steps, waiting to hear the final custody agreement—waiting to hear if Alannah was leaving—was like waiting to hear the results of my own parents’ divorce.
A familiar discomfort and uncertainty swirled in my gut. I pressed my hand to my belly, wondering if I’d be sick right there on the steps. Connor reached for me, grabbing my hand and squeezing.
“I’m okay,” I said.
