Masked Page 52

  I forced a deep breath to permeate my body. “I’m—I’m scared.”

  He lowered his hands into mine, meshing our fingers between our chests as he pressed even closer. His dark eyes widened, exposing a near-childlike vulnerability. “So am I. Like I’ve never been before. I want to share everything with you—everything—and I promise that I will. I just need some time.”

  I pressed my fingertips to his jaw, loving how his stubble scuffed my skin. “Take all you need.”

  “You already have the power to decimate me. You know that, right? But here’s my heart, and I’m giving it to you with everything I have. You’re my brass ring, my fairy queen, the one thing in my life I can’t imagine losing again.”

  I gave up a tearful laugh. “If I look like half a person, it’s because I’ve felt like one for nearly thirty days.”

  “Then let’s work this out. I won’t say things are going to be perfect. What happened in the penthouse with that little bitch was proof enough. But we can be stronger than that. We are stronger. Please tell me you get that. Tell me I don’t have to be without you anymore. I don’t want to spend another sunrise without you.”

  He bent over to kiss the knuckles on my left hand, then my right, before pressing both of my palms over his heart. “It’s yours if you’ll have it, Claire Montgomery.”

  Only then did I realize the entire room was still completely quiet, everyone seeming to wait on my response. I swallowed again, my throat tighter than before, tears coursing harder down my cheeks. The earth rocked beneath me. My head spun. My bloodstream felt like an early version of the fireworks show scheduled for the conclusion of the reception.

  Because my every dream was coming true.

  And I finally surrendered to the magic of it.

  I lunged forward to kiss his perfect mouth with all the love welling in my heart. Killian met my assault with equal passion, tasting my tears, moaning from the force of my embrace. Might we have really found our way back to each other? As my heart acknowledged the affirmative answer, I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on, needing to savor his body next to mine, his heartbeat pounding against my own.

  He kissed me again, so much deeper this time, dipping me back and nearly sweeping me off my feet. When we parted and I looked up at him, his eyes glittered like a hundred stars on a velvety night sky, perfectly reflecting the amazement in my spirit and the enchantment in my soul.

  “Careful, Chicago.” I couldn’t help a huge grin as I evoked our old nicknames.

  “What’s that, San Diego?”

  “Your inner Prince Charming is showing.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Killian

  If princes froze in the middle of ballrooms grinning at their women like damn idiots, I had this gig nailed. I couldn’t have held back if I’d tried. Her smile took on an impish edge with her jibe, exposing dimples that I traced my thumbs over as I pulled her back to her feet. I kept her close, treasuring the feel of her, filling my senses with the smell and presence of her…

  Loving her with every single part of me.

  “Well, you’re definitely the authority on that subject,” I finally whispered.

  She tilted her head, my inquisitive little fairy again. “Oh?”

  “You fit the slipper, baby.” I shifted my hold to her nape, lifting her face so she’d have to confront the conviction in my eyes—and my heart. “I’d resigned myself to that space being empty, that I would never find anybody who’d fill it as perfectly as you.” I dipped my head until our foreheads touched. “I’m so fucking glad I was wrong.”

  Her breath hitched. Because we were so close, I felt it too. When I lifted my eyes to hers, it was to watch tears glisten in their magical golden depths.

  “Killian,” she whispered. “I love you too.”

  A man’s polite cough broke into our reverie.

  When we broke apart, I turned toward a sophisticated fellow who shared Claire’s easy smile, unique eyes, and proud chin. His hair was a few shades darker than Claire’s but just as thick, gelled into a formal style.

  “Mr. Montgomery, I assume.” I clicked into efficient business mode but couldn’t stop my goddamn palm from sweating as I extended my hand. “My regrets for breaking into your special day like this, sir. My name is Killian Stone”—I slipped my free hand into Claire’s—“and I’m in love with your daughter.”

  To my relief, Montgomery broke into a huge smile. “Lad, if we’re going to be broken into, I can think of no better reason.” He turned toward his bride, an elegantly attired Andrea Asher. “I’m certain you agree, dear one?”

  “Indeed.” Andrea’s lips curled up as she said it, but the sentiment didn’t climb to her eyes. She’d likely had a look at Margaux, who huddled in one the ballroom’s alcoves like a cat thrown into the rain. I had no sympathy for the younger Asher. Out of respect for her mother and Claire’s father, I’d held back from hurling Margaux’s sad, vindictive ass right over one of the hotel’s balconies. Since she appeared genuinely bereft now, I supposed a spark of humanity still existed somewhere in her soul. The excavation team who went searching for it could count me out.

  “Andrea.” I stepped forward and pulled her fingers up to my lips. “You’re breathtaking today. I’m not surprised why Claire never stops talking about you.”

  Though Claire dug a fingernail into my palm, she had no other leg of retaliation to stand on. It wasn’t a lie. I simply didn’t embellish the truth, either.

  “Killian Stone,” the woman chided, “you could flatter paint off a building.”

  “Andrea, you know what a busy man I am. Flattery is a waste of time.” I straightened and delivered the next words with all the conviction in my heart. “But the truth is always worth the time and pursuit.” Gazing at Claire again, I emphasized, “Always.”

  She blinked and shuffled from foot to foot. “I…uh…wasn’t able to get your lip gloss. I had the wrong key, and—”

  “Oh, dear.” Andrea pouted.

  A little woman appeared, reminding me of a Chihuahua crossed with an elf. Several photographers followed on her heels. “No worries, no worries! Colette has a key, darlings.” She produced a keycard from a sequin-covered binder in her grasp.

  Andrea smiled at the weird creature. “Colette, you’re a goddess.”

  “Of course I am.”

  Andrea swept the card toward Claire. “Do you mind going back, Claire dear?”

  “Of course not,” Claire replied.

  “I’ll go with her,” I cut in. “Just in case she gets lost or something.”

  Claire gave me a mocking huff. “I’ve been to the suite a hundred times tod—”

  “I’m going with you.” I was still locked in enough business mode to make it a command she couldn’t ignore.

  “Then you’re both complete dears. Thank you so much.”

  “Colette is thankful, as well,” the Chihuahua crooned. “Annnn-drea must have luscious lips for the cake-cutting photos.”

  Andrea pressed a hand to her neck. “How right you are, darling.”

  Montgomery clipped an arm around his bride’s waist. “But my fairest, you are always luscious.”

  “Oh, psshh, Colin. You know what I mean. Those photographers are from Us, People, and the Associated Press. It’s not like I’m going to actually eat any of that garbage, anyway.”

  The man’s jaw tightened. “That ‘garbage’ is a two-thousand-dollar cake with imported chocolate filling and gold leaf flowers.”

  “It still doesn’t get to spend a second of time on my hips, Colin. You know that.”

  I took that as my cue to shake the man’s hand and offer one more line of congratulations before gripping Claire’s hand harder. I gave polite waves to the magazine photographers during their pursuit of us out of the door. Claire didn’t issue another word of protest as we passed the hotel’s security guard into the wing that was off-limits to everyone but the wedding party. I could barely stand still as she slid the key and opened the door. I took care
of slamming the thing as soon as we were both through. I also took care of pinning her to the wall as fast as I could and getting my mouth on hers as hard and possessively as I could.

  My senses barely registered the sound of the key plunking to the tile as they drowned in her magic once again. The lavender and wind scent of her. The silken, passionate warmth of her fingers. The jolting, amazing vibrations of the moans in her throat and the sighs on her lips. The way she opened to me. Meshed with me.

  Fit me.

  I missed her so much. Needed her so completely.

  Wanted her so badly.

  With a ruthless growl, I yanked up the hem of her gown and thrust my hands along her thighs, guiding them around my waist. “Hang on,” I instructed between breaths, swinging her around and carrying her like that to the couch. Once I set her down and shoved the coffee table away so I could kneel between her legs, she loosened her grip on my neck and pushed me off by a few inches.

  “We— We can’t. Oh, Killian!”

  I grinned. “I love hearing you cry out my name like that.”

  Though I repeated the teasing tug to her panties, a second scream didn’t emerge. “You’re a wicked, wicked man.”

  “Who loves you more than my own breath.”

  “And apparently mine too. Oh— Ohhh, God! That’s…that’s…”

  “A pussy I’ve missed very much.” Despite our jokes about breath control, neither of us held back our passion-filled gasps as we exchanged furious kisses, soon timed to the rhythmic thrusts I gave her tight, perfect tunnel. I pushed one finger into her. Two. Three. The throb in my cock picked up on our rhythm too, straining hard at the zipper of my jeans, proclaiming loud and clear how it didn’t approve of its captivity.

  “Killian— Oh shit, we can’t. We— We— Ahhhh!” She gasped as I worked my thumb along her hard, moist pearl.

  “Baby…your clit is telling me something else.”

  “I’m supposed to go back to Andrea.”

  “In a little while. Damn, you’re so wet, Claire. So wet and erect for me.”

  “The— The— Cake cutting—”

  I kissed her with brutal impatience. “If I can’t be inside you soon, fairy, they’ll be able to use my cock on all four of those layers.”

  Suddenly, she giggled. Coupled with the tangle of her fingers in my hair, it was a moment I consciously savored—and thanked the Creator for.

  “If that’s the case, then I want a slice of each, please.” Her lips drifted into a soft smile. I felt myself copying the expression, wrapped up in her beauty, basking in her love. Her gaze gentled to the shade of a summer sunset, just as she coasted a hand to the buttons still tethering in my dick. “Or maybe I’ll go for the more pleasurable option.”

  “Thank fuck,” I growled, sucking her neck while she quickly opened my jeans. I pulled around and turned my attack into a full kiss again when she freed my erection from my briefs, giving her a groan when she cupped my balls and steadily fondled me.

  With a guttural grunt, I reached around, caught her panties, and ripped. Her gasp exploded against my lips, her skin quivered beneath my touch, and her head fell back, opening herself fully to me. I jerked her to the edge of the couch and then right off, forcing her to fall onto my waiting cock. In one passionate thrust, I impaled her.

  Connection.

  Consummation.

  Completion.

  As I let my body soar higher into hers, I sank my gaze deeper into hers. I prayed she saw straight into the heart, the soul, and the spirit she alone had pulled out of their isolated enigma of a tower, into the light and clarity and power of her love. My maddening, challenging Miss Montgomery. My fairy queen. My princess who’d never demanded a glass slipper but was the only one who fit my life so perfectly.

  I loved her harder, watching ribbons of desire wrap thicker across her features. I’d never grow tired of the sight. I’d never stop adoring this amazing woman, sent for me alone to worship.

  When we were done, cleaned up and ready to return to the reception, I pulled her close for another tender kiss. I took my time, longing to memorize the moment with her. Moments I’d never forget. I shook my head at her unspeakable beauty. At the bewilderment that I felt in being the bastard lucky enough to love her. I’d never again deny the depth of my feelings for her.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you too,” she replied.

  Like a very good fairy tale, we were on our way to a happy ending.

  But like the best fairy tales, we were only just beginning.

  Epilogue

  Claire

  October…

  “Come on, sleepyhead. You’ll miss your flight.”

  Killian’s command wasn’t getting a moment of support from me, much less obedience. Instead, I groaned and covered my head with the warm covers of his bed again. In retaliation, he pounced on the mattress and began a barrage of growls, kisses, and tickles. This was definitely my new favorite alarm clock. Okay, second favorite. The amazing Killian Stone morning-wood alarm still topped the list. Sadly, I wouldn’t be getting that ringer this morning.

  “You do that on purpose, don’t you?” he drawled into my ear.

  Busted.

  “So what if I do? Are you going to stop kissing me, Mr. Stone?”

  “Never, Miss Montgomery.” He gracefully rolled to his side next to me. “I would, however, like to be doing it more than two weekends a month.”

  I sighed. “They need to change that silly nickname of yours. The Stubborn Mule of the Magnificent Mile fits you so much better than that enigma crap.”

  “Hmmm. You’re probably right.”

  “Which means you’re going to say it anyway, right?”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  I tucked a pillow beneath my head and rolled my eyes. “Fine. Go ahead.”

  His approach was different this time. He burrowed his lips against my neck, slowly working his way along all the spots he knew to be the most arousing. “When will you quit that silly job and come work for me at SGC?”

  I gasped softly and arched, hoping to give him better access. “We’ve been through this before, Killian.”

  “And just like before, this long-distance commuting is killing me.” Dear God, the man could do magical things with those full, sensual lips of his. “I want to wake up like this every morning with you, baby.”

  “I know.” Sadness tinged my response, half because I really meant it and half because he’d ended the declaration by pulling away to add the dark beauty of his eyes to his effort. “And when the time is right—”

  “Which will be…?”

  “I just can’t up and leave my Dad, Kil. Besides, I hate being cold. It’s already ass-freezing outside, and—”

  “It’s nice,” he protested. “It’s fall! Do your palm trees look as awesome as the park outside?” His hair fell into his eyes in all the sexiest ways as he jerked his head toward the window. I resisted the urged to pull him down to me again, focusing instead on my best beach-girl pout.

  “If I survived a winter as a resident here, I’d be a raving bitch by the end, and you’d be dying to toss me into the lake.”

  “Never.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “I’ll keep you warm. Promise.” He leaned down once more, sucking my jaw this time. “I know all the best tricks in the book, fairy queen…the good ones and the naughty ones.”

  “Aren’t they the same thing with you, Stone?”

  “Guilty.” He rounded my chin, inching his way up to gently nip at my bottom lip.

  I sighed as he kept the path of kisses traveling down my neck. “If you keep this up, I’m absolutely going to miss my flight.”

  “Okay by me,” he mumbled while dipping down the front of my neck, making me squirm in all the best ways as he slid toward the valley between my breasts. “I happen to own an airplane, my love.”

  “Errrm, I vaguely remember that cute little pile of bolts,” I teased back.

  “That
pile of bolts is perfectly prepared to fly you home at a moment’s notice.”

  I skated my hands down the muscles of his back to distract myself from a resigned laugh. How the hell was it possible to keep resisting the man’s persistence? Simply put, I just couldn’t. Not anymore. We’d finally found a happy groove, and it had been working for a few months now. Could all of this go on forever? We both knew it couldn’t—but that was a bridge we’d cross together in the future, knowing we’d find a solution that fit us both.

  I wished things were different for Dad. He hadn’t said anything directly to me, of course, but I saw signs that things weren’t right in paradise for him and Andrea. I could do little but be supportive until Dad spoke up, though I had to admit that might not ever happen. He was an Irishman through and through, including the stubborn-pride thing. And maybe all of those signs were simply my overactive imagination at work again, melodramatic misperceptions of two people in the adjustment phase of a new marriage. The first year was supposed to be the toughest, and Dad had been a bachelor for a long time. Some of the changes had to be weird for him.

  Or maybe Andrea was a cold control freak nobody could live with. Oh yeah, that. I still wasn’t sure what Dad saw in her, which brought me back to my stellar blowjob theory—a speculation I quickly dismissed despite the contradicting evidence.

  After Asher and Associates wrapped Trey’s case, Killian convinced Andrea to retain me as SGC’s permanent consultant. Andrea had already considered extending such an option for other clients, and Killian simply exploited the idea. He’d made my bi-monthly visits part of the final contract, a necessity that hadn’t hit Margaux well at all. I was certain the smoke from her ears reached three-alarm status when Andrea issued the announcement at the monthly team luncheon, which Killian himself had made a point to attend. Despite the constant surveillance he now kept on Margaux in one form or another, I didn’t share his confidence that we’d heard the last of her spiteful retribution.