Temper Him by Caitlyn Dare

Chapter Eighteen

Conner

As I drive toward the Heights, I'm more nervous than I've ever been in my life. It's ridiculous, I'm only going to see my girl, but after all the bullshit, the thought of having her alone without the threat of being caught or sneaking around in the shadows has me feeling the pressure.

I want our time together to be perfect. I want to treat her how she should be treated, but I have no idea where her head's at with all this shit, and I fear that no matter what I do, I'll fuck it up. I've already spent too much time dealing with my own issues and fucking things up for us. I want all of that behind us. I want it just to be us and our future.

My palms are sweating against the wheel as I pull up into a dark lane a short walk from Joker’s. We all thought it was probably for the best that I don't just roll up to the front of the place and announce my arrival for everyone to see.

I throw a couple of mints into my mouth and run my hand through my hair before I push the door open and step out. We're in the middle of a storm, so I'm going to be drenched by the time I get there, but I really don't give a shit. I'll walk to the ends of the earth in this downpour if my girl is at the other end.

Both Levi and Jay are sitting out the front in Levi's car when I slip around the back of the building as we agreed. They're both heading inside in a bit to be our lookout in case Warren turns up early. They nod at me as I slip into the shadows to the backdoor Shelbie should have left open for me.

My hand trembles as I reach out to pull it open, and I can't help laughing at myself. This is ridiculous, it's just Kenny, I tell myself, but it's pointless. The nerves only get stronger as I climb the stairs.

I rub my hands down my pants and blow out a breath before lifting my hand and knocking three times.

Footsteps get closer as my heart rate increases to the point I wonder if I'm about to pass out.

"Hey," Shelbie says, pulling the door open with a wide smile on her face. "Everything is ready for you." She winks at me as she slips from the apartment. "I'll knock if there's an issue."

"Thank you, Shelbie. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."

She chuckles. "No problem. Go get your girl."

My heart tumbles at her words, and I race through the door to do exactly as she suggested.

"Conner," Kenny all but screams as I slam the door closed behind me. I barely get a chance to register that she's moving before she launches herself at me. Her arms lock around my shoulders and her legs wrap around my waist as she holds on for dear life.

"Hey, babe."

"I thought she was joking, I didn't think..." she trails off as her voice cracks with emotion.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here." With my fingers in her hair, I manage to guide her face away from the crook of my neck. Tears track down her cheeks and her bottom lip trembles as she tries to contain herself.

"I'm sorry, I just... I didn't really think..."

"Shhh," I soothe. "I don't know how long we've got," I say honestly, hating that I need to bring our reality into this.

"I'll take whatever I can get right now." Her lips slam down on mine and her tongue slips inside my mouth. I don't react for a second, shock, desperation, everything just overwhelming me for a beat, but it's long enough for her to realize and to pull back.

"Conner?" she asks, her brows drawing together in concern. She tries to unwrap herself from my body but my hold tightens. There's no way I'm letting her go until I have to. "Fuck, you don't want me."

"What? No, of course I do."

"But you didn't—" Regrets from our last encounter crash into me. The things I said that night, the way I insinuated that I might not want her. I slam my lips on hers, cutting off what she was about to say as I walk us across the living room until I get to the open door that I hope like hell leads to Shelbie's bedroom. I need to show her that night was a mistake, that I want her. That I need her.

"Never think I don't want you," I murmur in her ear as I climb onto the bed and lay her out before me. "All I can think about is this all being over and having you back in my bed with me. About kissing you, touching you, making you come over and over." I unzip her hoodie and trail my lips over her collarbones and to the swell of her breasts.

"Conner," she moans beneath me, arching her back, offering me more.

Reaching behind my head, I pull my school shirt off in one smooth move and throw it to the floor, desperate to feel her skin on skin with nothing between us. Sitting her up, I tug her hoodie down her arms before pulling her tank over her head. Slipping my hand around her back, I flick her bra open and peel it away from her body.

"Fuck," I breathe. "You're so fucking beautiful."

I stare into her eyes as I lay her back down, wishing it would just be us from here on out. I force myself to block out reality, because I know all too well that we'll be back to it long before we're ready to be. Instead I revel in this little bit of time we've carved out together.

Dropping my lips to hers once more, I kiss her like I'm going to die without her, pouring everything I feel for her into it. My pain, my desire… my regrets.

"I love you, K. I’m so sorry. I love you so fucking much," I whisper against her skin as I drop my lips to her breasts, sucking one nipple then the other into my mouth, making her cry out in pleasure. My mouth waters to suck on her skin, to leave little reminders that I've been here, that she's mine, but the little voice that won't leave me reminds me that I can't. We can't leave any evidence that we were together.

I crawl lower down her body, kissing every bit of skin I find until I hit the waistband of her jeans. I pop the button and pull, needing her bare for me.

She lifts her hips to help me, and in seconds the fabric is free of her. I sit back on my haunches and look her over. She's so fucking perfect, I can barely stand it.

Her chest heaves, her rosy pink nipples rising and falling in quick succession, teasing me. The ink on her arms flexes as her fists clench in the sheets beneath her, her impatience getting to be too much. I run my eyes down to her slim waist, her full hips, and then the place that has my mouth watering for her.

Wrapping my fingers around her ankles, I spread her legs wide and plant her feet on the bed, opening her up for me.

Her pussy is swollen and slick.

"What do you need, K?"

"Conner," she moans, her hips grinding in her need for friction.

"Tell me, babe. I'm not giving you anything until you tell me."

"You, Conner. Always you." I quirk a brow and wait for her to be more specific. "Your mouth, your fingers, your cock. All of it, Conner. Please." Her voice is almost begging. "All of it, Conner. Make it all go away and replace it with nothing but you."

"Fuck." How am I meant to deny her anything when she talks to me like that?

Pressing my palms against her inner thighs, I spread her wider and dive for her pussy. I lick up the length of her as she squirms beneath me. "That what you need, babe?" I keep my voice low, allowing the vibrations from each word to drive her crazy.

Her fingers thread into my hair and she tugs me closer to ensure I give her what she needs. Circling her clit with my tongue, I vary the speed, knowing that it's only going to drive her higher.

"Conner," she squeals when I slow down once again. "Please, Con. I need—"

"I know what you need." I circle one digit around her entrance, smiling as she desperately tries to suck me in deeper. "But you're not getting it, yet."

"God, Conner," she cries, her back arching as I slide two fingers deep inside her, finding her g-spot. I rub at it while my tongue continues to circle her clit. Her grip on my hair is almost painful and I watch as her eyes slam shut and her head thrashes about as her release gets within touching distance.

"Yes, yes," she cries. Just before I know she's going to fall, I can't help myself and my teeth graze her clit, ensuring the bite of pain will send her higher. "Conner," she screams as her entire body locks tight for a beat before she begins to convulse around me.

I don't stop until she's ridden out every second of her release.

"Fucking love watching you lose control," I admit, crawling back up her body and crashing my lips to hers. She moans when she tastes herself and I lick deeper into her mouth, ensuring that I'm searing myself into her soul so she remembers this long after we've parted. I need her to have something to latch onto when shit gets hard.

There are only a few days until her birthday. I know this is all coming to an end, but those few days must feel like a lifetime to her right now, being locked inside that trailer with that monster.

"Conner, I need more. I need to feel you inside me, please. I need you to show me. I-I need you to show me that you meant what you said."

As I pull back from her, a frown forms on my brow as I try to work out what she means. "Shit, K. I wouldn't lie to you about that," I say, realizing what she's talking about. "I want you. No matter what." I brush my thumb over her bottom lip before climbing from the bed to show her just how true those words are.

I toe my shoes off and drop both my pants and boxers to the floor. Taking myself in hand, I show her exactly what she does to me.

I jack myself a couple of times, ensuring she's watching me. "Just you, babe. No one else does this to me. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever going to change that."

She nods, watching me with hooded, desire-filled eyes.

Reaching down, I slide my hand into my pants pocket and pull out something that I hate to use with her, but I know we'd be reckless if we didn't.

She doesn't notice right away, and my heart slams in my chest, not knowing how she's going to react to me putting a barrier between us, but I know it's the right thing to do.

The most important thing about right now is us being smart. That cunt has already proven that he's too clever for his own good, despite the fact that he's fucking stupid for thinking he could go up against James Jagger—or at least I fucking hope it's a stupid move and Dad is as trustworthy as he makes himself out to be.

Her gaze remains locked on my cock as I crawl back on the bed between her legs. It's not until I lift the packet to my mouth to rip it open that her eyes follow my movement.

Her lips part in shock before disappointment washes through her. It damn near kills me to see it, but I stand by my decision to protect her.

To protect us.