“I want to taste you,” she murmured.
I rolled her over. “Next time. The second your mouth is on me, I’ll come. I want to be inside you the first time.”
“I’m on the pill.”
“I have condoms.”
“No,” she whispered. “Just you.”
I settled between her legs, gliding my cock along her entrance. She was hot, wet, and ready. I was aching with want. Needing to be inside her. She reached down, guiding my head to her entrance.
“Please.”
I snapped my hips, burying myself inside her. Her eyes went wide and her back arched. She made a low, sexy noise in the back of her throat. I held myself still, the urge to thrust and claim overpowering. But I wanted this to be good for her. I wanted her writhing in pleasure under me. Screaming my name. Quietly, since we didn’t want visitors.
I waited until I felt her muscles relax and her hips move restlessly, and I began to pump inside her. Slowly at first, then as she wrapped her legs around me harder and her pleases began, I went faster. I gripped the edge of the mattress for purchase. Her nails sank into my shoulders. I felt the material under my fingers give way as I took her. The bed shifted, the frame creaking. I kissed her as my body began to shake, the sweat gathering between my shoulder blades and my forehead getting damp. Our skin slid together, the friction hot and delicious as our bodies moved as if we’d done this a thousand times. She fit me perfectly. She was perfect.
She stiffened, her muscles gripping my cock, squeezing it hard, and she met my eyes, the ecstasy evident as she shook beneath me. I covered her cries with my mouth, groaning into her as I found my release. We moved in the aftershocks, now slower, our bodies not wanting to let go of the moment, the pleasure, or the intimate embrace.
Until, finally, we were both spent.
I kissed her one last time and rolled off her, lying on my side, and pulling her into my arms.
She nestled against me, her breathing ragged, her skin cooling rapidly after our exertions. I felt around for the blanket I had seen earlier and pulled it over her, holding her close.
There was so much I wanted to say to her. So many words to share and plans to make. But after only a few moments, I heard the snores she warned me about. Little, breathy snorts of air that made me smile.
I pressed a kiss to her head and tucked her closer. We’d talk later. Right now, she was exactly where she should be. Safe and resting in my arms.
I planned on that being where she stayed the rest of her life.
Monday was a great day. Waking up with Paige beside me in the early hours of the morning was the perfect way to start it off. I opened my eyes, meeting the soft blue of her gaze, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. I cupped her cheek, and she covered my hand with hers, holding it close to her skin. I leaned in and kissed her gently.
“Last night was incredible,” I whispered.
“Three a.m. was pretty spectacular too,” she replied with a little grin.
I glanced at the clock and pulled her closer. “Five a.m. is gonna be even better,” I assured her.
She giggled, sliding her hand up to cradle my head.
Five a.m. turned out to be my favorite.
A short while later, she walked me to the door, neither of us speaking until we got outside.
“I’ll see you tonight,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She slipped her hands into the pockets of her robe. “Okay.”
“Be ready for seven?”
She nodded, and I pulled her into my arms, kissing her goodbye. I held her close, hating to leave her but knowing I had to. “This is just the start, Sweet Pea.”
Her arms tightened, and I pressed a kiss to her head. I headed to the truck, passing Ronan and Beth. I high-fived my brother and got into the truck, laughing. I was certain we were both wearing the same ridiculously happy expressions. The Callaghan brothers were both having a great Monday.
All day, Paige was on my mind. Everything seemed to remind me of her. The coffee I sipped wasn’t as good as the cup she made me. She got the cream just right. I watched a mother tugging impatiently on the arm of her child as they walked, and I thought about the patience I saw Paige show Lucy, and I marveled at how she did it on her own. I saw a couple walking hand in hand, and I hoped that would be Paige and me soon. Together, out for a walk, wanting that connection of our hands pressing together.
I sent her a text midmorning, letting her know I was thinking of her and looking forward to our date. Not long after, I stopped by my favorite nursery to place an order for a job. As I walked through with Michelle, choosing plants and bushes, the scent of sweet peas hit me and I grinned at the huge wall of them climbing up the fence, the varied, pretty colors a muted canvas of petals.
An idea hit me. “You do flower arrangements as well, right?” I asked Michelle.
“Yes. You need one?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Do you want to take it or delivery?”
I recalled my mom getting flowers from my dad. He often brought them home, but he had them delivered at times as well. My mom always loved that because it was so unexpected. “A surprise to brighten her day,” my dad always said. I had a feeling Paige never got surprises like that. She would love it.
“Delivered. Can you do it today?”
“For you? Of course.”
“Can you add some sweet peas into the mix? I want lots of fragrance. Roses, fuchsia, maybe some lilacs?”
“Any lilies?”
“Yes. Make it spectacular.”
“And fragrant. Gotcha. Must be a special lady.”
I grinned. “Very.”
Around five, I was heading toward the office to make a few calls and change for tonight when my phone buzzed. I read Paige’s message, frowning at her words of having to cancel tonight. Then Ronan called, his voice thick with anger.
“Can you come to the house?”
I knew he meant Paige’s place. “What’s wrong?”
“Evan got pushed around this afternoon. Some bullies at school.”
“Fuck,” I swore, immediately turning the truck around to head that way. “Does he need to go to the hospital?”
“No, but he needs us.”
“I’m on my way. I’m about thirty minutes with traffic.”
“I hate to ask, but—”
I cut him off. “Paige already canceled. I’ll bring dinner. We’ll help Evan tonight.”
“Thanks, Liam. I owe you.”
“Nope,” I replied. “This is family.”
We both spoke at the same time. “It’s what we do.”
Our father and uncles had drummed that motto into our heads all our lives. Family came first. Always.
I hung up, shaking my head. Evan was a good kid, and he didn’t deserve to be picked on. Paige loved him like a brother of her own. She would be upset. Beth would be beside herself with worry.
I gunned the engine, changing lanes.
Not the evening I had planned.
I arrived, stepping from the truck and approaching Evan and Ronan, who were sitting on the steps. Evan’s face was a mess, but he was being brave. I had him tell me what happened, and as he explained, I felt the anger build at these faceless little shits who picked on a kid less fortunate than themselves. My father had always told us, especially given our size, it was our job to watch out for those who couldn’t defend themselves.