Kelly Clan 02 - Connor (6 page)

He sighed in her ear. “Just getting comfortable.”

Claire liked that they were thinking the same thing. Part of her pictured him on his bed with his top off and pants unbuttoned slightly. Lord, she hoped he didn’t wear underwear.

“Have you been drinking?” she asked after a moment.

Conor chuckled. “Just a couple, Mom.”

She frowned. It wasn’t crazy for her to ask.

“I’m going to get off here,” she snapped.

“Wait,” Conor said. “It’s just been a hell of a day. I need to hear someone with some sense.”

Claire prickled slightly. “So, I’m your go-to for sense?”

“You’d be my go-to for a number of things,” he purred in her ear.

Her nipples tightened, and she struggled to keep her breathing normal.

“How did the dinner go?” she asked, changing the subject.

Conor groaned. “A total clusterfuck. She likes him, and I think he likes her.”

Claire winced. It was not a good situation.

“Maybe she’s just a phase for him,” Claire said. “Like his interest in Alyssa.”

Conor sighed. “I’m not sure if that’s much better.”

“What are you going to do?” She threaded her hair between her fingers absentmindedly as she spoke.

“Nothing,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do but stand by and hope things don’t blow up how I think they might.”

“Teagan is a smart girl,” she said. “I’m sure she’ll do the right thing if he tests her.”

“Let’s just hope that the right thing doesn’t fuck us all,” he groaned. “I never thought keeping the women I cared about most safe would be so hard.”

Claire froze. Was he talking about her? She took in a shaky breath.

“You care about me?” she whispered.

Conor let out a breath, and she wondered if he had been holding it in.

“If only you knew,” he said softly.

Claire rolled to her side.

“You could always tell me,” she suggested. It was silly, but she liked knowing that she was still special to him. The place he held inside her had occupied so much of her thoughts, she’d had to turn off how much she felt.

“Claire,” Conor rumbled in her ear. “What are you wearing?”

Her breathing kicked up as she looked down. Not the most sexy thing to talk about.

“Lace bra and panties,” she said.

He grew silent, and she worried that maybe she had misunderstood.

“Hmm,” he said. “That doesn’t really sound like you.”

Her face heated at how well he knew her.

“Blue satin button-up short set,” she said stiffly.

Conor gave a little laugh. “That’s better.”

She swallowed as the line grew quiet.

“Talk to me, Claire,” he whispered.

Her mind raced with what to say. This was the first time she’d ever even thought about doing anything like this.

“What are you wearing?” she asked. The words came out easier than she ever expected.

“Boxer briefs,” he mumbled.

Her breath hitched into her throat. It wasn’t at all like she expected.

“Tell me you want me,” he whispered.

Without hesitation she answered, “I want you.”

Conor groaned at her words.

“Unbutton your shirt,” he said. His forceful words spurred her into action.

With nimble fingers, she worked the buttons until the last came free.

“Done.” Her breath came in short bursts.

“Now, take off your bra,” he commanded.

Claire could feel the heat from her cheeks spread. “I’m not wearing one.”

“Fuck,” Conor said. His breathing matched her own.

“What are you doing?” she asked. She focused on his breathing and traced her fingers lightly over her stomach.

“Rubbing my hand on the outside of my underwear,” he said. “You’ve got me so fucking hard, Claire.”

She liked that she was doing this to him, that she could even drive him to such a frenzy.

“Squeeze your nipples, baby,” he hummed in her ear. “Pretend it’s me there touching you. Fuck, I want to touch you so much.”

Timid at first, Claire ran her fingers over her hardened peaks. She moaned at the sensation and closed her eyes. All she needed was his voice in her ear.

“Yes,” he hissed.

She could feel her inside clench with every moan, and the juices dribbled out.

“Conor,” she moaned. “I’m so wet.” She slid her hands from her breast to the edge of her pants. “Touch yourself with me.”

Conor grunted in her ear as her hand slipped below the band. She slipped in between her slick folds and moaned at the feeling. Oversensitive, her insides twitched when she brushed her clit. She circled several times before she slipped a finger deep inside.

“I want you,” she groaned.

His breathing hitched. “Say it again,” he growled.

Claire slipped a second finger inside. “I want you.”

She could hear him working himself over the phone. His breathing became ragged, and she ached to see him, covered in sweat and beautiful.

“Not yet,” she whispered.

“Fuck, baby. I’m so close.”

“Me too,” she said.

“God, I want to be inside you,” he hissed. “Buried deep in you while you moan my name.”

She moved faster inside and rubbed her clit as she went.

“Conor,” she moaned.

“I’m here, baby,” he grunted.

Her insides quivered.

“Now,” she nearly shouted.

Her hips bucked off the couch as she came. His breathy cries echoed in her ear.

They both sat in silence as they listened to the other breathe.

“That was...” There was no right amount of words to describe her feelings.

“Beautiful,” Conor finished for her. “I only wish I had seen your face.”

This was such a bad idea. They were only going to make it happen for real, and when it did, she would end up hurt just like last time. Things hadn't really changed, after all. The only reason he had even come back into her life is because Ennis made him. A crappy foundation for a relationship that would only end in misery.

“I should get off,” she said.

Conor sighed. “Goodnight, Claire.”

“Goodnight, Conor,” she said and hung up. Things were never going to be the same. They had started something that neither of them were going to be able to finish.

Claire yawned. She was going to leave it for tomorrow. Tonight, she wanted to get some well-deserved rest.

Chapter Six

Claire sighed. Nothing like a day shopping to clear her head, and boy, could it use a little clearing. Her dreams had been far less erotic than intimate, which was infinitely more disturbing to her. Sex she could deal with, but feelings were something else. That was not a road she was willing to go down again with Conor.

“Earth to Claire,” Anna said from across the table. They had gotten great seats at a fantastic place for lunch, and she was blowing it by not even paying attention to what she was eating.

“Sorry,” she said. “Was just lost in thought.”

“Hmm.” Anna cocked a brow at her. “That seems to be happening a lot recently.”

Claire frowned. Was that true? She thought she’d mostly kept things under control, but maybe that hadn’t been enough.

She sighed. Anna was going to find out sooner or later.

“I’m going on a dinner date with Conor,” she said.

Anna stared at her with shock. “But I thought you had a bad history.”

Claire shrugged. “We do.”

“And you’re still going out?” Anna took a big bite of her cheesecake.

“We’re being watched,” she said. “He’s got a job, and if I’m playing along, we’re all safe.”

Anna stopped mid-bite and put her fork back on her plate.

“And if you don’t?”

“He’s not threatening me.” She sighed and looked down at her untouched cheesecake. “If anything, he’s trying to find a way to save me.”

“So, is the dinner for show or for real?” Anna went to sweep her long blond hair behind her ear, only seeming to remember she’d put it up into a bun at the last second.

Claire shrugged. “I don’t quite know.”

Anna stared at her for a long time before leaning forward.

“What happened between you?” she asked quietly.

It was something Claire had asked herself many times, far too many times.

“It was years ago now. We were young and stupid and very much in love.” She couldn’t stop the sad smile. “His sister was sick. His mother was ready to give up. I wanted them to move in with me. My family had the money, and I was in a good position to help them out.”

Claire looked to Anna. It all seemed so far away now.

“He didn’t want my help. Said he didn’t want his sister to know the things that I grew up knowing.” The words still stung, as if they'd been said hours and not years ago. “We argued. It wasn’t going to do him any good letting her think she was living in a world where nothing bad ever happened.” She snorted. “But what did I know? In the end, his mother left for Ireland, leaving them with a mountain of problems and very little money.”

“Seems to me like that would be a good time to take you up on your offer,” Anna said.

Claire bit back the tears threatening to well up.

“Or break up with his girlfriend and concentrate on making money,” she said.

“Wait.” Anna held up a hand. “He broke up with you because his damn pride wouldn’t let him take the help?”

She nodded.

“So, I can add stupid to his list of insults then,” Anna ground out.

Claire laughed. It was good to get this off her chest. For so long she felt like she was the bad guy.

“I don’t think it’s been easy for him,” she said softly. “Many years have passed.”

“Look,” Anna sighed. “I think he’s an idiot, but he’s not a bad person. Sometimes people make the wrong choice.”

She nodded. It was true, and he had been very young and trying to deal with problems well beyond his age.

“One thing's for sure.” Anna grinned at her. “You need to find an outfit that will have him wishing he had played his cards right before.”

Claire winced. She was still trying not to think about the night before, but if she showed up decked out, it would be hard not to think about it.

“I’m sure I have something,” she started but stopped when Anna gave her the stink eye.

“Honey, we’ve all got something, but you need something special. Something that will make him sit up and take notice.”

“I do think he has that problem,” Claire mumbled.

Anna shot her a confused look but brushed it off.

“No fighting me on this,” she said. “You need this.”

Claire sighed. Maybe she did need this. Things weren’t exactly going her way with people out to get her and her ex suddenly back in her life.

“You’re right,” she said. “The more leg, the better.”

“That’s the spirit,” Anna laughed. “Now, get into your cheesecake. You’re going to need the strength.”

Claire laughed. She had forgotten how much fun it was to have someone to spend time with. She loved her family, but they weren’t exactly loaded down with women.

“Thanks,” she said quietly as she took a bite of the dessert.

Anna shook her head. “This is easy to fix.” She sighed. “Some things are just harder all around.”

“Jason?” Claire offered.

Anna looked up to her, and for the first time, she realized how much her friend was hurting.

“I just don’t know what to do,” Anna said. “Every time I see him, he just seems further and further away.”

“Well, maybe it’s just the new case he took on,” Claire said, hopeful that her friend wasn’t being played.

“Maybe.” Anna looked down for a moment and seemed to be collecting herself. When she looked back up, all the tension from before seemed to vanish. “Let’s get to shopping. We don’t have much time.”

* * *

He was late. Only about twenty minutes, but that would be just enough. Conor sighed. That prick Ennis had him running errands all day, and if he hadn’t known better, he’d think he did it on purpose.

Conor glanced at his phone. The text he sent earlier remained unanswered. That either meant she was still getting ready or so pissed she didn’t want to write back.

He pulled up outside her apartment and found her waiting at the door.

Pissed. Definitely pissed. Standing there in her slinky red dress, there was no chance she wasn’t pissed. Her black hair was curled and up. It was a great look really, but the deep frown on her face let him know what kind of night he had in store.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said as he neared her.

Claire crossed her arms and stared him down. “I just wish I would have known your seven meant seven thirty.”

“Ennis had me running—”

Claire stuck up a hand. Her green eyes narrowed in annoyance. “You know what? I don’t even want to know. It’s always excuses. Let’s just call it a night.”

He placed his hand on the door and leaned in. The floral scent from her shampoo wafted up to him, and he breathed in deep.

“Wait,” he said. “We need to be seen.”

She froze. He didn’t want to use that as his excuse, but Conor knew it was the only way she would even consider going out.

“Fine,” she said and turned around.

He watched her walk in front of him and just hoped he’d be able to shake off the bad start.

“You look nice,” he said as he helped her in.

Claire kept her eyes facing the other direction. “Thanks,” she said flatly.

Conor shut the door and sighed. This was going to be the longest night of his life.

* * *

Claire seethed inside. Not only was he late, but they had lost their reservation, all for that asshat Ennis.

She snorted as she picked at her salad. Sub-par food for a sub-par date.

“Is it good?” Conor asked.

She looked up and stared at him. At this moment, if she could, she would beat him to a bloody pulp. It was like he had no idea the amount of time she spent getting ready, working to look nice. The red dress she had bought had been perfect. Flirty without being overly sexual. She’d even taken the time to curl her hair and put it up in pins.

“It’s exactly what I would expect,” she said.

Conor froze, and she knew her words had finally broken through the layer of nice he was playing.