Chapter 16

Declan was mesmerized by Renee on stage. They hadn't done anything more than kiss once, but he was falling for her in a way he didn't think was possible for him to fall for a woman. He found joy in her happiness, which was weird. With other women, it was about feeling good physically in the moment, but with Renee, all the moments felt good. But if he said that to her, she wouldn't believe him. Like most people, she didn't take him seriously. He was a good-time guy, and it had always been enough.

She made him want more.

As she made her way back to the table, she was strutting. She'd always been confident, but she was owning her space and it was a fucking turn-on. When she neared, he pulled her close and kissed her hard, not caring who stared.

With one hand on her ass, he held her tight to his body and stroked his tongue against hers until she moaned. Yeah, she couldn't deny this.

She pulled back slightly but didn't step out of his arms. "What was that for?"

"Good singer or not, that was hot."

Her smile was crooked and she ducked her face away from him. He stepped back and sat down. While she'd been gone, he ordered her another beer. He pushed the bottle toward her.

"We can probably escape after this one." She took a drink.

"Do you want to escape so you don't have to sing again, or are you looking forward to being back in the room alone with me?"

"Both."

He smiled. At least she was honest. She wasn't trying to pretend they weren't attracted to each other.

She scooted her chair closer to him and leaned closer to him to talk quietly. "I want to see what you have planned for us. I want to feel your hands all over me. To feed this attraction. But it's only the weekend."

He turned his head to look into her eyes.

"This weekend, I'm fun Renee who sings on stage and drinks a little too much and throws caution to the wind—within reason. You can do what you want to me this weekend, but when we get back to Chicago, we go back to being friends."

He licked his lips and considered her words. If he pushed for anything more right now, he wouldn't get to have her at all. If he agreed, he had the weekend to show her what they could be. "Whatever you want."

She initiated the kiss this time and he fell into her taste. He hoped a couple of days would be enough because he wasn't sure how he'd handle not being able to touch her again.

"Let's go back to our room and check out the king-size bed."

"What do you think I am? I think you should romance me some more," he said with a grin.

"I'll romance you plenty when we're naked."

He didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the bar and straight out to the street, where he held out his free hand. "Keys?"

She just looked at him.

"You've had more to drink than I did. You needed the liquid courage to get on stage."

"I'm fine to drive, but if it'll make you feel better, here." She dug into her purse and handed him the keys.

At the car, he opened the door for her and waited for her to get settled. As he walked around to the driver's side he considered how much she'd had to drink. He got in and adjusted the seat and mirrors. "How drunk are you?"

"Not at all." She paused. "Buzzed, but no more than I am on book club night."

"You sure?"

"You ask that a lot. Do I strike you as the kind of woman who says things she doesn't mean?"

He started the engine and pulled away from the curb. "No. I never want to assume anything and overstep."

"Aw, Declan, are you worried you're taking advantage of me?"

He slid her a look at her patronizing tone.

She leaned across to get close to him, stretching her seatbelt. She slid a hand along the inside of his thigh. "I am not drunk. I am in full control of my senses. I am making the conscious choice to get naked and fuck you."

She stroked him through his jeans and then slipped back to her seat. "It might not be the wisest choice I've ever made, but I doubt I'll regret it."

"That's all I needed to know." He whipped into a parking spot at the bed and breakfast. "What time do you have to be ready for the wedding tomorrow?"

"I'm meeting Mariah and the other girls after lunch to get our hair done, but then I'll finish getting ready in our room. Ceremony starts at five. Why?"

"I don't want to be the cause of you not making it on time because I kept you up too late, but that's plenty of time to work with." He took the key from the ignition. "Maybe."

She grinned. "I like the way you think."

They walked to their room like civilized people, not groping and climbing all over each other, even though the thought had crossed his mind. The sexual tension had them practically speed-walking as if they didn't want to waste any time. When they got to the door, he pressed close to her while she unlocked it. He skimmed his hands over her hips and brushed a kiss on the curve of her neck.

She shivered under his touch as she popped the door open. He held her pressed against his body until they were clear of the door and he kicked it closed. Only then did he release her and she turned to face him.

She ran her hands up his chest and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "I had a good time tonight. I'm glad you came with."

"It's about to get a whole lot better." He began walking her backward toward the bed.

"Really? Is that a guarantee?" she asked with a grin.

"Definitely."

"Pretty sure of yourself. What if I'm a hard-to-please woman? I've been told I can be difficult." She pinned him with challenge in her eyes.

He pushed her back onto the bed. "One, you just spent part of your night with your asshole ex giving you a hard time. That's pretty fucking easy to top." He unsnapped her jeans. "Two, I don't believe you're all that difficult. I had you moaning from a kiss." He slid his hands beneath the waistband and tugged the denim over her hips. "And three, I've got all night to make this happen."

She wore simple black underwear, not particularly sexy, but seeing her with her jeans around her ankles as he peeled them from her body, he was so fucking turned on he wasn't sure how long he'd last. She sat up and took off the tank top as he yanked the jeans all the way off.

"Problem?" she asked.

He realized he was staring. Holy fuck. Renee Kane was nearly naked and waiting for him. He took a deep breath. "Not at all. I was enjoying the view of a sexy as fuck woman."

"No flattery needed. I'm already in bed and wearing far less than you are. Planning on joining me anytime soon?" She scooted back toward the pillows.

He unbuttoned his shirt and watched her move. "Anything off limits?"

"Like what?" she asked suspiciously. "Wait. Shit. Please tell me you have a condom. That's off limits."

He tossed his shirt onto the pile of clothes on the floor and bent to reach into his duffle. He grabbed his condoms and set them on the nightstand. "Always prepared."

Shucking his jeans, he said, "I was asking about more specifics. Like how to do feel about oral?"

"Giving or receiving?"

"Both." He climbed on the bed, covering her with his body. He kissed her neck while waiting for an answer.

"I'm good with either, but it's been so long since I've been on the receiving end, I can't recall how good it might be."

He laughed against her collarbone. "Setting the bar kind of low for me, Rennie."

"Don't do that."

He sucked her nipple through her bra. "Huh?"

She arched toward him. "Don't call me Rennie. But do that some more."

He chuckled and gave the other nipple the same attention. He slid a hand under her to unclasp the bra so he could feel her skin. She rose up enough for him to discard the bra.

Before he had the chance to go back to her breasts, she held his face and brought his mouth to hers. She kissed him deeply and fiercely, like she did most things. He pressed against her, twisting his hips so she could feel what she did to him.

Wrapping her legs around him, she thrust up. Then she shoved at the waistband of his underwear. "Get rid of these."

"In a minute." She looked so disappointed, that he almost laughed. "First I have to leap over the low bar you set."

His meaning registered and she let her legs slide from his hips, and she lay back. With a wave of her hand, she said, "By all means."

He trailed wet, open-mouth kisses down her abdomen and across the line of her underwear, the smell of her arousal making him harder than he thought possible. She raised her hips for him to take her underwear off. He tossed them aside and shouldered her thighs wider. Her smooth skin slicked against his shoulder as he gripped under her legs and around her hips to anchor her in place.

He would show her he was not the kind of man to leave her wanting or in need, so got comfortable to be here as long as necessary. He started slow, nuzzling his nose in her scent, tracing her edges with the tip of his tongue. She immediately started wiggling. He tightened his grip.

He followed with long, wet kisses, taking in her taste. He thrust his tongue inside her and she bucked, causing his nose to bump her clit. So she did it again, chasing the thrust of his tongue. So he gave her what she wanted. Circling her clit until she moaned. Then he flicked it with his tongue.

She grabbed his hair, pressing him close. He worked her over, alternating the tip of his tongue with broad strokes of the flat of his tongue allowing her taste to coat him. When she began writhing and trembling, he sucked her clit between his lips and pressed his tongue on the magical little button.

Then he pushed two fingers deep into her and pumped. Her body vibrated as she took over the rhythm and pace, using his mouth and his hand to find her release.

She remained quiet, just a low, long moan, and whispered, "Oh, God."

Her thighs trembled around him until he felt every part of her being go taut. Her legs became vice-like and her grip on his head tightened to the point of pain. Lustful, pleasurable pain. And then a final, barely audible, "Fuck."

Her pussy pulsed against his fingers and his dick begged to sink into her wet heat. Slowly, she came down. Her fingers relaxed first, allowing him to move his head. Her legs slid off his shoulders.

Placing one last kiss on her glistening skin caused her hips to jump in reflex. He pulled his fingers from her and kissed his way back up her body. She looked at him with blissed-out, glazey eyes.

"Still with me?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good. 'Cuz I'm not done with you yet." He reached for a condom and slid it on.

He poised himself at her entrance and lowered himself to kiss her as he slid in. She pushed her hips up to meet him, taking him deep.

"Hey, Declan?"

"Hmm?" he said, concentrating on not being a two-pump chump.

She pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "You flew so high over that bar, it's no longer in sight."

He smiled as he kissed her again before driving into her. His release was building but he wasn't ready to be done.

Grabbing her hips, he rolled to put her on top. She froze. At first, he thought he'd startled her with the movement, but she suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"This okay?"

Renee stared down at Declan, his intense blue eyes roamed her face. She braced her hands on his muscular chest. "Yeah, of course," she lied.

It had never bothered her to be on top before. Sometimes she even preferred it. But that was with Graham. Even with some random dude, it probably wouldn't bother her. But she didn't want Declan to see all of her this way. Her flabby parts, the stretch marks that would surely be more visible as she sat up in the light.

She moved slowly over him, trying not to bounce too much. He reached up and cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumbs and fingers. It felt so good, her head lolled back a little.

"I see you like that as much as I do. Come here." He tugged her forward to suck on her. His beard added a unique sensation.

His mouth drove her toward the edge again and she picked up her pace, bouncing on his dick as he thrust up and into her. It was like she couldn't get enough of him. Her nipples became so sensitive, she needed a break.

She sat back up, his hands never leaving her breasts. She rolled her hips to try to find just the right spot.

Then Declan slipped a hand between them where their bodies joined. His thumb pressed her clit, sending shocks through her body. She gripped his wrist to hold him in place while she rocked back and forth. He continued his upward thrusts.

The movement was awkwardly mesmerizing. Her mind was blinding white. Every nerve sizzled and waves rushed through her. As she pulsed around Declan, he drove up hard and fast. Flashes of light sparked behind her closed eyes until he growled his release with both hands gripping her hips. Fingers pressed tight on her flesh, pushing down on his hard length. His dick filled her in the best possible way as her body continued to pull and pulse and milk him.

Finally, they both sighed and she slid down on top of him, hot and sweaty and sticky. And so spent that she didn't care.

Her whole body hummed in pleasure as she lay on top of Declan. His heart thundered under her cheek, but his hands were gentle on her back. As her body came down, she began to feel awkward. What was she supposed to do now?

Roll off him and say, "Thanks for the lay?"

This wasn't some stranger she was screwing for the night. This was Declan. Her wedding date. The same guy she was driving home with on Sunday.

Fuck.

She knew this was a bad idea.

Oblivious to her wild thoughts, his fingers caressed up her back and into her hair. He tugged to get her to look at him. "Hey."

She lifted her head and rested her chin on her hand on top of his chest. "Yeah?"

"That was incredible. But now I'm hungry again. Think we can DoorDash something in this town?"

She smiled. Even though he'd just given her an amazing orgasm and she was sprawled on top of him naked, he was still the same Declan. "I'm sure we can."

She pushed up and looked for her purse to get her phone. While rummaging through the things on the floor, she slipped Declan's shirt on so she wasn't parading around naked. She got her phone and scrolled. "Not a lot of options, but here you go."

She handed him the phone. "Order what you want. I'm going to shower."

"You want anything?"

"Maybe just some fries."

Before heading to the bathroom, she grabbed her sleep shorts and T-shirt from her bag. She didn't close the door all the way so steam could escape the small room. She took in her appearance in the mirror. She looked like she had just gotten laid. It felt fabulous. Beard burn marred her chest and her nipples perked up at the thought of Declan's mouth on her.

While the water warmed, she emptied her bladder and then laid the small mat in front of the tub. She stepped under the hot spray and wet her hair.

A minute later, Declan came in. "Can I join you?"

"Don't you have food coming?"

"I've got at least twenty minutes." He pulled the curtain aside. "Plus, we'll save water this way."

She had the bar of soap in her hand, but he took it from her. "Let me."

He lathered the soap and then ran his hands all over her body, turning her on again. Once she was rinsed, he slid a hand between her legs and stroked gently.

She sighed. "I don't have a condom in the bathroom."

"Don't need one," he said as he kissed her neck.

She was slick and turned on in moments. She reached for him and stroked in the same rhythm he used on her. They held onto each other and rode the waves of pleasure. Working each other over in near silence, their heavy breathing was the only sound competing with the streaming water.

He came second after she did, and for a long moment, they continued to stand under the hot spray, clinging to each other.

Finally, he stepped back and swatted her ass. "Outta the way. I gotta clean up before my food gets here."

She turned toward the water once more to rinse away all evidence of what they'd done before stepping from the tub and wrapping a towel around herself. She quickly dressed and went to check her phone for a notification about the food. Sure enough, the driver was less than two minutes away.

She slipped on a pair of socks and walked back to the lobby to grab the food. As soon as she smelled it, her stomach growled. Dinner had obviously worn off. She should've ordered more than fries.

Back in the room, Declan stepped out of the bathroom wearing those well-worn gray sweatpants that barely held onto his hips. His hair was a wet mess and dripped water onto his shoulders and chest.

His wide smile caught her attention. "Like what you see?"

"What straight woman wouldn't? You're a good-looking guy standing half-naked in my bedroom." Plus, there was the fact he'd given her two phenomenal orgasms that replayed so vividly in her brain she could still feel the aftershocks.

He laughed.

"What?"

Lifting a shoulder, he said, "I don't know. I was making a joke and you're so serious all the time. I expected a smartass comment and you give a real answer. Takes some getting used to."

He reached for the bag. "You okay eating on the bed?"

"As long as you don't slop food everywhere." She climbed on the bed and sat cross-legged.

He ripped open the bag. "I know you said you just wanted fries, but I thought you might be hungrier, so I got you a kiddie burger."

"Oh my god. Thank you. I thought I was good, but as soon as I smelled the food, my stomach let me know how empty it was."

He handed her the small burger and a bag of fries. Then he sat next to her. They devoured the food and cleaned up.

Then, she started to feel awkward again. Spending the night with someone wasn't something she did.

"Are you gonna stay awake long enough to read?"

There was no way she was going to fall asleep right now. Even with a full belly and being sexually satiated. She was buzzing from the good time. "I think I can handle that."

She propped the pillows up against the headboard and slid under the covers. After she set her alarm for the morning, she grabbed her ereader and handed it to him.

"You want me to read?"

"Yeah. I like the sound of your voice." He climbed under the covers with her and slid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

This was different than how they'd been reading. They'd stayed a safe distance from each other on the couch. Having sex changed things, even small ones like this. She couldn't even try to lie to herself about that.

But she'd said they could have the weekend. Monday was going to be painful. She already saw it.

For now, though, she pushed it from her mind and enjoyed the feeling of his chest against her cheek as she lay on him and let his voice lull her.