Page 49 of Shuttered Hearts

“Nothing. I’m just happy.” She rests her elbow on the center console, places her chin in her hand, and studies me closely. “I don’t remember the last time I felt this kind of happy,” she whispers.

I mirror her position, leaning against the center console, bringing our faces within inches of each other. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t know the last time I felt this kind of happy, either.”

“Good.” The hand her chin rests on moves to my cheek, caressing it softly, tracing the lines I know are visible from my smile.

“What are you doing?” I whisper. Her touch is so soft and gentle. I don’t know the last time someone touched me with such care but I don’t want her to stop.

“Studying you,” she whispers back.

“Why?”

“Because I can.”

I watch her face closely as her eyes move over mine. The need I feel for her is unmatched. I want to kiss her, ravage her, but I also crave this touch, and I don’t want to lose it quite yet.

“You know you’re a handsome man, right?” she continues speaking softly.

“I’ve been told that before, yes,” I respond just as quietly, afraid of breaking whatever spell we are under. “But I don’t think I’ve ever believed anyone else like I believe you.”

“Hmm,” she hums. “That’s a shame. You should know how beautiful you are, not just physically, but your soul too.” Her eyes finally move to mine, where she continues studying them in the silence of the truck. “Melissa was crazy for ever letting you go.” There’s a heat in her eyes I can’t ignore anymore.

My hand goes to the back of her head, pulling her lips to mine. I don’t want to talk anymore. Right now, all I want is to feel her lips on mine, to have her taste on my tongue.

I should have driven her home right away. Then we’d be in the privacy of her cottage, but I was an idiot. I’m thanking my lucky stars for parking my truck in the alley down the street. We aren’t entirely safe from prying eyes, but we are much safer than if I had parked on the street like I usually do.

Quinn’s kiss is just as urgent, just as forceful. She shifts in her seat, trying to get closer, but gets trapped by her seatbelt.

“What’s wrong?” I trail my lips over her cheek to her ear. My free hand moves to her opposite cheek, allowing me to angle her head the way I need it. “Do you need something?” I ask softly before sucking on the sensitive spot behind her ear.

“Yes,” she hisses. “I need you.”

“I’m right here,” I say, continuing to suck at her neck.

“I-I … I need more.” Her words end on a moan.

“Tell me.” I trail my lips across her cheek, back to her lips for another heated kiss. Her hands cup my face, trying to keep me where I am.

My hand falls from her cheek, down past her shoulder, grazing her breast, before falling to her waist. I push her sweater up just enough to feel the soft skin of her side against my hand.

I trail my lips over her cheek to find the exact spot behind her other ear. “What do you need? Do you need me to touch you?” I pull away enough to see her face as my fingers dip into the top of her leggings, feeling the top of her panties. Her hips shift, searching for my touch.

“Please,” she breathes.

“I need the words, Quinn.” I bring my lips back to hers, holding my position.

“Touch me,” she whispers urgently.

My hand immediately slips past her panties to the apex of her thighs. “Fuck. You’re so wet.” I stroke her clit softly. “Is that all for me?”

“Yes. Please don’t stop.” She grinds her hips into my hand, searching for the friction I have yet to give her.

“I like the sound of you begging.” I press my thumb into her clit and slip two fingers into her slick entrance. Quinn gasps, grinding her hips further into my hand and tilting her head back in pleasure. “Look at me. I want to see you when you break.”

“Declan,” she moans, bringing her eyes back to mine. The heat I see has me shifting in my seat, trying to find relief for my aching cock. I keep my thumb on her clit and slide my fingers in and out, curling them with each thrust in, hitting her exactly where she needs me most.

One of her hands releases from the death grip she has on my shirt and falls to my wrist, holding it in place, like I might stop. “I’m close.”

“Good.” I press my thumb harder to her clit, rubbing small circles. I feel her thighs start to tremble, feel how close she is to falling. “Come for me. Now.”

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