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“Here, let me.” She takes over and quickly pulls herself together, then leans back in her seat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be pushy, you make me feel all the things.”
My heart nearly bursts and I bring my fingers to her lips. “I dig you’re not afraid to ask for what you want. It turns me on and, believe me, we’re on the same page.”
A minute later, navigating the winding road to the lodge with Ivy’s scent all over my hand, a powerful realization settles in.
Every reservation—the age gap, my workload, the practicalities of dating someone generally—seem trivial now. In the span of twenty-four hours, Ivy has ignited something fierce and protective in my soul. I can try to deny it, but she’s the real deal.
This isn’t some fleeting romance. What we have is something profound.
Tonight, we’ll lose ourselves in each other.
Tomorrow, we can talk about what lies ahead.
nine
Ivy
The Next Day
The sun is beginningto set over the Olympic Mountains.
Cillian’s hand rests on my thigh as if to remind me whom I belong to now. Every part of my body tingles.
Our ride back from my first overnight getaway is tinged with a soft, comfortable silence. The kind that settles over you when you’re content to be in someone’s presence. A feeling I haven’t had in years.
Which is weird, considering I didn’t even know who he was three days ago. Since then, Cillian’s hands, lips, and mouthhave touched me everywhere, inside and out. He’s claimed me, though I doubt he has any idea of how profound this weekend has been. I’ve given him all of my firsts.
Even now, though I’m sore—really sore—I want more of him.
I want to give him more of me.
“Are you okay?” Cillian squeezes my knee. “You seem restless.”
I’m not sure how to answer. I decide to flirt. “Let’s just say I’m not used to having a huge cock impale me for three solid days…”
A slow grin spreads across his face. “Oh, yeah?”
“Don’t get a big ego.” I swat his arm.
His expression changes abruptly. “Seriously, are you uncomfortable? Did I hurt you? Tell me the truth.”
“I’m a bit uncomfortable, but no, it doesn’t hurt.” I thread my fingers with his. “I kind of like it. The soreness reminds me of all the fun we had.”
“Do you need a night off?” He squeezes my fingers.
My heart thuds to my stomach. Tears sting the backs of my eyes at the thought of not waking up with him. Dramatic much? Maybe. We’ve only had two nights and I can’t imagine not sleeping in his arms. What do I say, though? I don’t want to come across as too needy. “Um…if youdo.”
“Baby girl.” Cillian brings our hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles. His signature move, I’ve discovered. “Don’t deflect. I was asking whatyouneed.”
I gaze into his eyes. “You. I need you.”
“Aye, sweet Ivy.Mo shíorghrá.” Cillian’s depth of sincerity and warmth makes my heart flutter. “Then spend the night with me, if you want. Spendeverynight with me, if you can swing it. Life is short, we should grasp happiness when we can.”
His offer tugs at every corner of my soul, stirring intense emotions I’ve never known. “Really? You don’t think this is going really fast?”
“I mean…yeah.” He glances over. “Your life is more complicated. If you need to slow down, we’ll take this at your pace.”
“What if I like the pace and want to stay tonight? Stay with you every night? What if there’s nowhere else I’d rather be?” The prospect of more time with Cillian is too tantalizing not to inform Hilde I’m staying with Emma until my parents get home. Thank sweet baby Jesus I cleared it with dad before they left. A moment of accidental genius. “Will I freak you out if I say being with you feels like finding a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing?”
