Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) (27 page)

“Charlie,
I’d like to introduce you to my parents. My father, Michael,” Colin says
proudly. “And my mother, Colleen.” Her eyes widen, struck by something I’m not
aware of. A tentative smile touches her lips and eyes, a smoky hazel gleam, as
she tries to inconspicuously sweep over my hair and dress. Her gaze stops and
she gasps audibly when her eyes land on my wrist and Colin’s gift.

I
try to hide my curiosity at Colleen’s reaction and say, “It’s nice to meet you,
Colin has told me so much about you.” I turn to look at their son, and my face
lights into a broad grin. He smiles in return, hanging his head, shaking it
slightly as if he’s embarrassed by something, but I can’t figure out what it
might be. I force myself to look back to his parents, whose faces are both
dumbstruck. 

Colleen
interrupts my thoughts. “Charlie, it’s wonderful to meet you as well; although,
I’m afraid we’re at a disadvantage, because Colin has kept you a well hidden
secret.” She merrily glares at him, intimating he’s in trouble.

“I
was keeping her all to myself, Mom.”

He
orders a round of drinks from the passing waitress. His eyes return to mine,
taking my hand, motioning for me to sit next to him on the modern settee
opposite from his parents. Surprisingly, he pulls my hand onto his leg, rubbing
my knuckles with his thumb. Apparently tonight I’m not going to be a
well-hidden secret. Our arms touch and his heat radiates. I slide closer,
drawn into him as I squeeze his thigh. Colin is my favorite place, wherever
life takes him is where I want to be. It’s a stunning realization. One day at a
time is harder and harder to manage without my heart getting too involved. I
swallow, my throat suddenly dry. When I glance over, a small smile lies content
across his lips, he appears perfectly at ease. 

“Charlie,”
Michael says, pulling my attention away from his gorgeous son. “Since Colin has
kept us in the dark you’ll have to help us catch up. How did you two meet?”

We
talk easily over cocktails for the next hour. Colleen and Michael McKenna live
in a suburb outside of Boston and have only a hint of the telltale accent,
something completely missing from Colin’s dialect. They’re proud of their
children. Ryanne, the youngest, lives close to the McKennas, who both work in
the city, Michael a financial analyst, and Colleen a librarian.

“It’s
time we head over to Blake and Carla’s.” Looking to me before standing, Colin
asks in a low, husky voice, “Ready?”

My
eyes widen in surprise at his tone. He knows exactly how to get my blood
racing. A saucy grin lifts the corner of his mouth as he holds his hand out for
me to follow. Pulling my wrap from the back of the settee he holds it open, the
sexy-ass smile still plastered on his mouth. I turn. His startled, deep breath
reverberates loudly next to my ear as he views the plunging neckline exposing
the curve of my spine to his view. Placing the wrap around my shoulders, his
fingers slide warm and delicious over my skin. Leaning in, he whispers, “I
promise you, Charlie.” His hot breath tickles my ear as he lingers close. I
know exactly what he’s referring to and my insides melt.

When
I turn, his eyes are intense and burning. For a moment I forget where we are,
and that his parents are steps away. Moving my hand to his cheek, I revel in
him and his desire for me. “Hush baby, we have all night.” I tease him with the
words he has said to me on more than one occasion.

I
can tell he’s trying not to smile, but it’s a losing battle. His grin is
brilliant and a happy laugh follows. Colin kisses me on the lips, just a hint
of tongue to drive me wild, before wrapping his arm around my waist and leading
me toward the door. Colleen and Michael watch us wide-eyed from the entrance.

Colin
has a limo pick the four of us up. Evan joined Blake earlier in the evening,
leaving us alone with his parents. The McKennas are lively and outgoing. They
enjoy sharing stories of their son’s childhood.

“They
called him Meaty McKenna all the way up to the sixth grade, Charlie. I’ll show
you his school pictures when you visit.” Colleen laughs as her son blanches in
embarrassment, and this isn’t the first time.

“Mom,
she doesn’t need every detail from infancy on. Please don’t tell her how much I
weighed at birth.”

“Oh,
but you were so precious. He was the cutest and biggest baby you’ve ever seen.”
She razzes him and I giggle, loving how she mothers him. It reminds me that
beneath all of the fanfare, he is just a man, with a mom and a dad and a
sister. “Colin, when will your schedule allow for a Boston visit? I’d love to
show Charlie the city.”

In
many cases, he becomes distant when someone mentions a future with me in it;
tonight he remains present and connected in the conversation. I get lost in
this thought as well as his curious comment earlier and the note, my mind a
jumble of information I’m trying to make sense of.

His
hand squeezes mine, and he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Are we losing
you?” His voice is soft, for my ears only.

“Just
thinking about your promises.” I smile, batting my eyelashes. His eyes grow
darker and he clenches my hand until we arrive at the brewery.  

The
McKennas climb from the limo and I lean forward, expecting to follow. Colin
surprises me when he abruptly says, “Would you please give me a moment with
Charlie? We’ll meet you inside shortly.”

As
soon as the door closes, he locks it, the back of the limo plunged into privacy
by the glass separating the driver from the backseat. Turning, Colin quickly
grabs me, pulling my breasts against his chest as he captures my lips in a
passionate, deep kiss, his tongue mingling decadently with mine. I moan into
him, aroused by the heat of his mouth and the taste of desire. Careful not to
mess my hair, he keeps his hands on my hips, slowly moving one to the end of my
dress and then it climbs back up my inner thigh, teasing with his fingers. I
hear his gasp when he reaches the tip of my thigh high, his fingers gingerly
running over the delicate lace band.

A
groan rumbles deep in his chest as he leans back to gaze into my eyes, his hand
continues its journey, stopping only when he reaches my fine lace panties. He
begins stroking lightly, feeling me through the thin barrier. My heart and
breath speed instantly, blood inflamed as his fingers find my clitoris.

“Colin,”
I whisper, my eyes showing the uncertainty I feel.

Pulling
my thighs further apart with his free hand, he pushes my skirt up so the lace
tips of my stockings are exposed. Watching me intently, he slips a finger
beneath my panties and slides it easily inside of me.

“Aagghh,”
I cry, hips pressing into him instinctively. My breath is coming in quick
bursts and my heart is pounding harshly in my chest. Holy cow, this is hot.
 

“Lie
back, baby,” he says at the same time as he pulls my hips forward, revealing
more of me to his hot stare. Watching with steely determination, he begins
plunging in and out. After a moment, a second finger joins the first to
increase the friction. He stares at our connection, his mouth opening to bear
his heightened breath. When he licks his lips, I groan, and one hand finds its
place in the thickness of his hair and my other reaches to grip his wrist to
ride the wave with him.

“That’s
it. Take what you need,” he groans as I clench around his fingers, greedy to
find an end to the game he began. My gaze is everywhere—on his hand, on his
chest rising and falling in quick succession, on the determined set of his jaw
and his eyes, dark and heavy lidded. I gasp, a sharp hiss as his thumb finds my
clitoris, demanding and rolling as he slides into me over and over. Fast and
pressing, he finds the spot, the perfect spot, inside and out. I climb quickly;
his lustful threats throughout the evening have kept me at a slow simmer.
Acting them out has brought me to full boil. 

“Oh,
Colin,” I moan his name and arch my spine.

“Say
it; let me hear you.”

“So
. . . close.”

The
exquisite sensation takes over and I let go. Tensing, my insides pulse, seeking
release. His fingers plunge and I rise to meet them. Up and in, deep and full,
in and out, and I am ready. Pressing into me deeply as he flicks his thumb . .
. right . . . there.

“Say
it,” he growls.

“I’m
coming.”

And
I do, falling apart as I ride his hand, taking and using, feeling and
splintering, and it goes on and on. My lips part, a soundless scream barely
held in. His mouth finds mine while he continues to move within me, drawing out
my orgasm, my body clutching and trembling around him. I fall back to the earth
slowly, reveling in the sweet aftermath of his unexpected attack.

My
breathing slows, body calming as he leans back, slipping his fingers from me
and into his mouth. Groaning, he sucks on them, tasting me on him.
Oh, shit,
that’s dirty and hot at the same time
. We stare at each other for a long
moment, savoring the sweet flavor of us.

“I
can’t believe you did that.”

“I
want you to remember who’s taking you home tonight.” His eyes narrow with
determination.

“I
don’t understand,” I say, confused, pulling my skirt back in place.

“Charlie,
you’re beyond stunning. That dress . . .” He swallows. “Every man here is going
to want to take you home.”  

Is
he jealous? I shake my head in astonishment. “Colin, you’re the only man I want
to be with; the only man I’ll ever want to be with.”

His
eyes open wider at my confession but he doesn’t respond. Lifting my nose to rub
against his, our lips connect for a sweet, quick kiss.

NO
ONE APPEARS
the wiser to our tryst in the car, or if they suspect anything
they don’t allude to it. Colin’s parents are swept up in conversation with the
Kellys, hugging and kissing around the crowd. We steal away to freshen up in
the rest room before being greeted exuberantly as well; I must have been
introduced to thirty Kellys, husbands, wives, children and parents. I instantly
feel at ease.

The
brewery has been transformed into an elegant, modern space, lights wrapping
around the steel poles, paper lanterns of all sizes dangling like bright stars
from the ceiling. The once cavernous enclosure has been altered to a midnight dream, a soft glow spreading across the room. The tables are covered with crisp
white cloths, candles licking feverishly on top.

My
wrap is taken from me and unexpectedly I’m self-conscious, second-guessing my
brazen dress choice. Colin leans in, grabbing my hands so I stop wringing them
in front of me. “Stop fidgeting. You’re gorgeous, baby.”

“Thank
you.” I rest against him, comforted by his touch and his calm reassurance.
 

A
young waiter carrying champagne approaches. Colin takes a glass for me first,
grabbing a second for himself, never letting go of my hand. The waiter hovers,
trying hard not to stare but his eyes are fixed on mine.

“Is
there anything else I can get you?” he asks with a hopeful tone. I suddenly
feel bad for him. Colin’s eyes narrow, and the poor boy withers under his
penetrating stare until he turns to offer his wares to another guest. Colin
looks back to me with an
I told you so
expression heating his eyes. I
smile, running my fingers lightly over his taut brow to relax his features. It
works and he nuzzles into my hand before being distracted by an old friend from
college. I’m astounded he’s jealous, not knowing what to make of his feelings.

For
the next hour he holds my hand, introducing me to so many people I can’t
remember half of their names. The champagne is delicious and it seems my glass
is never empty, taking the edge off of my inhibitions and insecurities.

The
serenity of the night is momentarily broken when Aiden arrives, bellowing out
my name. “Charlie, well ain’t ye a fine sight, wee lassie.” His faux Irish lilt
is still in place.

“Aiden,
it’s so nice to see you.” I hold out my hand to him.
                                               

“Ah,
come on, we’re old friends you and me” and he kisses me sound on the lips. I
blink rapidly as his mouth touches mine and push him away, laughing as I do.

“That’s
enough.” Colin doesn’t look pleased, half teasing and the other half ferocious
as he yanks on Aiden’s arm to garner some distance between us. 

“Oh
now, don’t get yer feathers in a bunch. I was only sayin’ hello to your fine
lookin’ woman.” He winks as he takes a quick look up and down my dress, a slow
whistle resounding loudly as he does.

Evan
saves him from Colin when he approaches, pounding Aiden on the back and
gripping him in a bear hug, taking the attention away from me.

“Now,
Charlie, I’ve got to go say hi to my folks. I need to talk to ye about another
ride to show you the budding fruits of spring. It’s just a beautiful sight this
time a year.”

“Can
you promise a turbulence free trip?”

“Of
course, smooth is all I do. We’ll talk later about our date.” He winks again
and jumps back, turning abruptly to leave as Colin takes a step forward,
glaring at him.

I
laugh at his retreating figure, while Colin gathers me into his side.

Evan
grabs a flute from the young waiter. Staring across the room, he nods and says,
“I see Alex Miller weaseled an invite out of Aiden.”

Colin’s
head whips in the direction of Evan’s eyes and his narrow. “So much for this
being an event for only friends and family.” The muscles in his neck flex as
the hand on my hip pulls me closer.

“At
least you know the Kellys have no id…”

“Isn’t
that Samantha Billings?” Colin asks, drawing Evan’s attention to a leggy blond
across the room.

“I
think you might be right, excuse me,” he tips his head in my direction as he
slips away. I watch him easily engage in flirtatious banter with her; sex on
legs for sure.