Never breaching his lips, River ran her tongue down his neck, collar bones, and the sternum between his developed pecs before flicking his nipples, nibbling, and sucking his chest.
“River,” Patrick warned.
All innocence, River teased, “Oh right. I’m supposed to be describing your attributes, not tasting them. Let’s see, I’ve always admired the golden sheen of your skin. Your chest is smooth and firm. I dream about sucking on it until I leave love bites. Purple would mar the gold, but every time you looked in the mirror, you would know that it was my mouth that had marked you.”
Patrick’s hip thrusts were becoming harder, more deliberate. River tutted in admonishment, “Now, now, Pat. Settle yourself. I’m only partway through my ‘Admiration of Pat’ tour.”
“Finish,” he growled.
Hiding a smile, River licked and sucked her way down his abdomen, causing his muscles to spasm and contract. She used both hands to touch and caress his stomach, sides, and thighs in tandem with her mouth. Patrick was writhing, fisting the bedding, and bracing his feet against the footboard.
Creating a vacuum with her mouth, she left a mark on his lower stomach next to his delicious alabaster trail. “Your abs... I could play in the ridges for hours.”
Patrick fisted her hair then, forcing her to look into his face. “I can’t take much more. I’m warning you now.”
“But, baby, I haven’t even gotten to one of my favorite parts,” River murmured as she moved lower, letting her hot breath puff against his engorged skin. “I’ve fantasized about taking you down my throat again. A million times at night while I’m in bed. I’ve gotten myself off just from the thought,” she whispered, her lips barely touching his length. “I’ve wondered,” River paused to lick a drop of precum off his head as her hand fisted his length, “if I’m tall enough to reach between your legs, if you’re between mine.” River looked directly into his bright, burning eyes before sliding him slowly into her mouth.
River had yet to get into a rhythm before Patrick whipped forward and grabbed her body. He held her over his sex before pressing in. A curse passed his lips on a moan. “No more teasing. No more, baby. I’m about to explode, and it’s going to be inside you.”
Patrick looked fierce as he used his strength to lift her body up and down, sliding and plunging deep. She cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples at Patrick’s urging. He loved watching her pleasure herself, and like a preening cat, River loved Pat watching.
* * *
Only an hour had passedsince Patrick had left, and River’s body still tingled. They had both experienced near-death orgasms, and after fifteen minutes of breath-catching, they showered together— water conservation always a consideration —before they kissed their way to the front door, where Patrick practically fell onto the sidewalk before catching a taxi to his apartment. Soon to betheirapartment. Crazy. She’d better call Nan today and fess up. Nan had a vested interest in the status of her new relationship with Patrick. Those two had definitely bonded over chores, crocheting, and whiskey.
Fiddling with a Hexclad frying pan— Jesus, these pans were legit— and hello... Gordon Ramsay approved— River wondered for the hundredth time where in the hell her sister was? They were supposed to meet this morning. River texted her fifteen minutes ago, and still no reply. She’d already knocked on her bedroom door with no results. She found a guard outside, and he told her that Rowan had left the house an hour ago.
River’s phone pinged. Finally.
Sorry! I had a ton of errands to run today, and I left early, but I want ALL the details over lunch. We’re meeting Jo and Rave at Queen of Tarts—noon.
Np. Patrick asked me to stop by his flat this morning anyway. See you at QoT. (bring mail from Triskelion if you stop by there), leaving for Scotland tomorrow-take it with me).
One hour. One flipping hour and River felt Patrick’s absence— deeply. They were back together— it didn’t seem real yet. They were back, but they were both different... their relationship was different. Where the banter had always been easy between them, it was effortless now.
Patrick had begun a journey of healing. It was brave and probably scary as hell, but he’d done it. Pat would have had to face a lot of ugly truths and buried fears. They made a pact last night to talk things through. To never let an argument come between them. To never walk away. Ever.
Byrnes kept their promises.
O’Faolains had better.
* * *
Through Patrick’s security camera,he saw River, her long black hair in an intricate twist that showed off her delicate throat. She wore some sort of long, ropey sweater dress thing and boots. Her cat eyes playfully winked at the camera.
Oh, fuck. This was it. Patrick’s hands hadn’t stopped shaking since he’d left River’s house and climbed the stairs to his apartment. They shook worse after opening his safe. He was wearing a suit. Christ, she’d know something was up right away. Tearing off the wool blazer, he tossed it over the closest chair, straightened the cuffs of his black button-up, rubbed his palms over the front of his wool trousers, and pulled the door open to reveal, hopefully, the woman who would become his fiancé today.
She was about to say something, but Patrick had his mouth slanted over hers before a word crossed her lips. Slowly moving into the apartment, he kicked the door shut behind them. He didn’t stop kissing her until they reached the master.
In one quick pull, he took the cozy dress off her body and flung it to the floor. Boots, wool socks, panties, and bra were next. He was breathing heavily. River was breathing heavily.
Yeah, it wasnotthe finesse Patrick had envisioned. He had planned on going down on one knee in the middle of their new kitchen and asking for her hand. Romantic. Her smile detoured him, damn it! He sure as hell wasn’t stopping now, though.
His attire went the way of River’s.
“I take it you missed me,” River teased as he tossed her on the bed.
* * *
