Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

AMARA

As soon as the ceremony is over, Fionn disappears for a few minutes before he makes his way toward me. He slips his hand through mine, holding it tight as we stride into the cocktail hour as though we’re together.

There are less than a hundred guests here, yet it’s still overwhelming for me to be around so many people I don’t know.

“Gonna introduce you to the rest of my family before they start introducing themselves,” he jokes just as a tall redhead struts our way.

Her bright crimson gown fits her like a glove, her chin hiked up as she starts closer. She’s got this aura of power around her, like with one look, she’d kill anyone standing in her way.

In fact, looking around the tented cocktail reception area, I find most of the people here to be powerful-looking. A chill skitters down my spine, but I ignore it. Must be the money.

“Who’s that?” I whisper to him just as the woman and I make eye contact, her mouth curling into a salacious grin.

“My sister Iseult. I’d say she’s all bark and no bite, but I’d be lying.”

Before I can ask what that even meant, she’s right in front of us, holding out a champagne flute for me.

“Thank you.” I take it just as her eyes dance to her brother’s, giving him an expression I can’t decipher.

“Got yourself a secret girlfriend you forgot to tell us about?” Her face twists playfully, and he grows irate…though from the look on her, that was exactly what she wanted.

I stifle a laugh.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he mutters, and those words sting even when they shouldn’t.

Of course I’m not, nor will I ever be.

“What do you want, Iseult?” he continues, clearly needing her to stop.

“Just came to say hi to my favorite brother and his date. Didn’t even know you were bringing one.”

“Didn’t know I needed your permission.” He smirks. “And you don’t have a favorite brother.”

“That’s what you think.” She winks, focusing on me this time.

I reach out my hand for hers. “I’m Emily. We actually just met.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m one of his sisters. There’s quite a lot of us in the family, but don’t worry, we’re all friendly.” A slow-growing smile widens on her lips. “Most of the time.”

Laughing nervously, I glance at Fionn, tension thick in his features. It’s obvious his sister enjoys torturing him. It would’ve been so much fun growing up with someone like her.

When I get older, I want to have lots of children so they never feel alone.

“Well, I hope we see more of you, Emily.” Her eyes play before she’s peering over at an irritated Fionn. She laughs as she leans closer toward me, whispering into my ear. “My brother has never introduced us to a woman until now.”

Before I can wonder what she was attempting to mean by that, he’s pulling me away.

“Let’s go get a table. Bye, Iseult.”

She chuckles. “Don’t you worry. I’ll steal her away at some point tonight and fill her in on all your darkest secrets.”

He scoffs. “Pretty sure you’ve got more of those than I do.”

“True. But I’m not the one she’s sleeping with.”

“We’re not—ugh,” I stammer, but she’s already marching out of view.

She’s got the wrong idea here. Fionn and I will absolutely never sleep together. It’s pretty obvious he has no interest in me, not really.

Scratching the side of my neck, I glance nervously at him.

“Ignore her. She lives to mess with us.”

“Yeah, I gathered that.” My mouth pinches into a melancholy smile.

I want that so badly. I want a family. A real family.

We make it to the various buffet stations and Fionn grabs us two plates, while I’m still full from the steak. But the food here looks amazing and I kinda want to try everything.

“It must be nice to have siblings,” I say, finding him peeking over as he hands me my plate. “I have none, and let me tell you, it sucks. I hated not having anyone to play with as a kid, and as an adult, it’s been crappy not to have someone to confide in, you know?”

“I’m sure.” He nods. “We were all close growing up, and as much as my sister fucks with me, I’d kill anyone who hurts her. Who hurts any one of them.”

“That’s what I mean.” My mouth forms a thin line. “It’s nice to have that.”

His eyes go to mine, raw emotions painted within them. His hand reaches for me, knuckles brushing over my jaw, his gaze landing on my lips.

“I’m sorry.” His voice whispers across my flesh, like a slow-moving flame licking across my skin.

I see it now, the way he wants me. I can almost feel it.

Yet he does nothing about it. Like he isn’t sure if he wants to be attracted to me at all.

He lets out a harsh breath before turning away, and a heavy feeling pummels in my gut. He’s never going to kiss me, is he?

“Why do you do that?”

I’m not even sure why I’m asking. But I’ll never see him after today. Who cares at this point?

“Do what?” He places more food on our plates.

“Never mind.” I head toward the first empty table I find, and he’s right behind me, pulling a chair beside mine.

Ignoring him and the thundering way my heart beats as he places a palm on my knee, I stuff a baby tomato into my mouth.

What else is there to say? No matter what he’s said, I know I’m not really his type. He’s probably embarrassed that he’s even remotely into me.

“Emily…” His thumb massages my skin, and I grow weak. Pretending I am Emily. That I’m someone else, someone he truly desires.

I know I shouldn’t care. But a part of me wants something to happen. Maybe he can be the guy who actually shows me how good sex can be.

“Don’t.” I attempt to push his hand away, but he keeps it there, cupping my knee tighter.

He sighs. “Look…you’re young. I can’t. I’d break you.”

Age? Is that what this is about?

“Maybe that’s what I want.” I hold his stare as he clenches his jaw. “Maybe I need someone who’ll break me in half, then put me back together.”

Who is this person talking like that? I’m suddenly braver than I’ve ever been, and I like it.

“Don’t fucking say that to me, little rabbit,” he grunts, grabbing my chin as he drops his mouth nearer, lips roughly stroking mine.

Shivers spread down my arms.

Oh God, this feels too good.

He groans. “I’m so close to forgetting all the reasons why I shouldn’t take you upstairs to my room and taste every gorgeous inch of you.”

I swallow thickly, aching for him between my thighs. “But you won’t.”

My chest rises and falls, pulse pounding in my ears.

He pulls back, a dejected look on his face, giving me the confirmation that I was right. This is a waste of time.

“I should go.” I tug on my slit, still feeling his touch on my knee as though it’s still there.

Just leave so you’re not rejected again.

He drags in a long breath, pinching the bridge of his nose while I fight the tears and start to get to my feet. I’m too emotional to deal with a man who can’t decide if he wants me or not. I need to text Emily for money ASAP so I can leave tomorrow.

“Don’t.” He grabs my wrist, face contorted with tension. “Stay.”

“No.” I shake my head, peeling his thick fingers off of me as I look down at him. “There’s no point. Whatever this is…” I gesture between us. “It’s not going anywhere, so it’s best if we stay away from one another.”

Before he can stop me, I swing around and storm toward the exit, hearing him muttering.

“Emily?” Iseult calls and I turn toward her. “Where are you going?” Her gaze turns to slits while she inspects my face. “Did my brother do something? Do you need me to kill him? You can choose how.” The curve of her lips deepens into a smirk.

Sniffling, I let out a short breath of laughter. “Thanks for the offer, but I think it’s best if I go. Thank you for having me. Tell your father and Fernanda I said goodbye.”

Didn’t even have time to meet the rest of the family.

Rushing out, I practically run toward the elevator. Once it arrives, I dash inside, and when I press the button for my floor, a hand stops the doors from closing.

My heart grows heavy when I see him. His strong, powerful form fills the space between us, his green eyes seemingly darker than they were a moment ago.

He stalks closer. And the nearer he gets, the more my heart beats faster.

When his powerful body meets my soft one, he pushes me up against the elevator wall until I can’t so much as move.

His nostrils flare as he peers down at me, and my stomach clenches.

If a look could spell danger and primal need, this would be it. Like he wants to devour me right here. Right now. A craving so deep, I feel it rattling my bones.

I swear if he doesn’t kiss me—if he doesn’t do anything—I may be the one who’ll kill him.

His deep-chested growl has me tugging my bottom lip between my teeth.

“Bidh tu am bàs dhomh,” he says in Gaelic.

Before I can ask what that means, he wraps his fingers around my throat, his mouth dropping to my ear.

“What made you think you could walk away from me, baby girl?” He tips up my chin with his thumb, his tongue slipping out, taking a swipe across his full mouth.

“Please…” I beg, yet I don’t even know what I’m begging for.

He grunts. “What do you want? Hmm?”

His free hand reaches behind us, pressing a button to stop the elevator from going further. A chill prances up my nape. What is he gonna do to me? And when was I ever this excited?

“Why did you come after me?”

I need him to say it. That he wants me.

His eyes turn laden with desire, fingers straining across my neck as he uses his other to slowly drag up my dress.

I’ve never been a fan of my thighs. They’re too big. But right now, I don’t care one bit if he sees them. Sees any part of me.

“I came because there was no other choice. No way I can just let you go like that.”

“Oh God…” My head falls back as he continues to hike up my dress. “Touch me,” I whisper, my lips trembling, my core throbbing for everything I know he can give.

When the pad of a single finger traces my pussy, I buck and cry out shamelessly.

“Jesus. You’re not wearing any panties for me, love?”

“Hannah told me women don’t wear any with these types of dresses,” I utter breathlessly.

He groans, a slow-burning touch feathering my clit. My hands cling to his biceps, nails sinking into the muscle through his shirt.

“Remind me to give her a big fucking raise for that.”

“Fionn!” I cry as he firmly strokes me there, making me quiver, my eyes rolling back.

“Look at me, mo ban dia.”

And I do, too lost to keep wondering what those pretty words mean.

“Keep those eyes right here while I touch you.” He plays me faster, and I let out a series of moans. “Yeah, that’s it. Let me hear you beg for it like a needy fucking slut.”

My gaze widens at his words, but I don’t hate them. In fact, I like them. A lot.

Before I can analyze whether I’ve lost my mind, he thrusts his fingers inside me all the way.

“Yes!” My nails sink deeper into his flesh while I try to keep quiet so no one hears me.

“Fuck, you’re tight,” he growls, stretching me, sliding deeper with each stroke, and this intense feeling starts to burn inside me.

His hand around my throat tightens, the rhythm of his movements growing more urgent.

“Is this what you wanted?” His mouth feathers over mine, voice deep and hoarse. “What you needed?”

“Yes,” I cry out.

His palm tightens around my throat, igniting every dead inch of me. He rams deeper, and my knees buck from the sensation, inching through my entire body. His large, towering form overpowers me, and I like it. Like being in his control.

I don’t feel scared or suffocated. I feel free.

He thrusts faster, his thumb brushing over my clit. “Hear how wet this pussy is for me?”

I nod, toes contorting in pleasure.

Gradually, he pushes his body into me, arching his hips until I can feel his hard and heavy erection against my belly.

“Still doubt how bad I want you?”

“I—I don’t know…”

His jaw clenches, and he reaches behind him and allows the elevator to move once again.

Slipping his fingers out of me, he pulls them into his mouth, sucking my taste off of them.

My eyes fill with shock. Can’t believe he just did that.

Roughly he grabs my jaw, staring deep into my eyes and running those fingers over my lips. “Taste yourself.”

He forces them into my mouth, and my eyes hold his as I suck them.

“Good girl,” he hisses, grinding his teeth. “I know I shouldn’t…” His forehead meets my own, his ragged breath hitting my lips. “But I’m too far gone to stop now.”

“Then don’t.”

He bows back, eyes holding me hostage, like they don’t want to let go. Before I think he’ll change his mind and leave me here, he smashes his lips to mine.

He groans like he’s lost to this. Our hands are everywhere. His tangled in my hair. Mine trying to untuck his shirt so I can feel his skin.

My God, I finally understand what lust truly means. Because this? This is magical.

I kiss him back, not knowing if I’m even doing it right. Trying not to think about that.

My heart beats heavily in my chest, ready to rip right out. This is too good. The way his tongue forces its way into me, the way he sucks my bottom lip, giving it a little bite. This kiss is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

When the elevator dings, he slowly moves back, hands grasping each side of my face, eyes swimming with yearning.

“Let’s go.” He drags me out.

And with my pulse thundering, I follow him, unable to wait another moment for this to finally happen.