Page 55 of Shameless Royalty

This time, there’s nothing careful about it. There’s no teasing, no patience, just raw fucking need. His tongue pushes into my mouth, taking, claiming, his body pressing me down like he’s making sure I don’t go anywhere.

I wouldn’t even if I could.

I whimper against his lips, my hands clutching at his back, pulling him closer,closer,because no matter how much I get, it’s not enough.

He groans, the sound vibrating through me. “You don’t even know what you’re askin’ for,” he mutters against my lips, his breath hot and furious.

I shake my head, panting. “Don’t care.”

His eyes flash, his jaw clenching, then he’s kissing me again, bruising and demanding like he’s trying to teach me a lesson I already fucking learned.

That I’m his. That I’vealwaysbeen his and I don’t fucking care about anything except the way he feels against me, the way he kisses me like I’m something he’s been starving for.

His hands move, slipping under my shirt, dragging the fabric up my skin, and I let him. I let him take what he wants because I want it too.

His lips break from mine just long enough to yank the shirt over my head and toss it somewhere behind him. The cold air prickles against my skin, hardening my nipples, but it’s gone as soon as his hands are on me again, fingers trailing over my ribs like he’s memorizing every inch of me.

I should be embarrassed, maybe even ashamed of how easily I give in, but I’m not. Not when it’s him. Not when this is what I’ve spent weeks denying myself.

I reach up before I can think better of it, fisting my hands in his shirt. “Off,” I mutter, tugging at the fabric. “Need to feel you.”

Connor smirks and he pulls back just enough to sit up, yanking the fabric over his head in one fluid motion. The second it’s gone, my breath catches.

I’ve seen him shirtless once before, but this is different. This is up close and mine to touch.

His chest is broad, every muscle defined, and his left arm is covered in ink. I already knew about the tattoos—had spent more time than I’d ever admit staring at them, memorizing the way they curled over his arms and across his knuckles—but now I can touch them.

So I do.

I drag my fingers along the lines of his ink, tracing the crowned skull on his neck, watching the way his jaw tightens as I do. Then I run my fingers along the demonic woman coiled over his bicep. His breathing stutters when I touch him, and something about that makes my stomach twist in the best fucking way.

He’s so perfect.

I don’t shy away because I want to touch him. I want to know what he feels like beneath my hands. I want to feel him, want to know every mark on his skin, every ridge of muscle, every scar.

Connor watches me, his green eyes dark and his breathing uneven as I drink him in. He doesn’t move or rush me, he just lets me explore.

I should make some bratty comment, but the words don’t come. All I can do is touch him, my hands skimming across his shoulders, down his biceps, over the rough lines of ink that mark him for who he is.

I want to mark him too.

The thought makes my stomach flip and makes my fingers curl slightly against his skin in reflex. Connor’s breath stutters at this, his muscles flexing under my touch. “Enjoyin’ yourself?”

I glance up at him, my lips curling into something that almost feels like a smirk. “Yeah.”

His brows lift slightly like he wasn’t expecting me to admit it so easily, but he doesn’t say anything and his hand tightens on my hips. I keep tracing him, my fingers moving back up, dragging over his chest, his collarbone, his throat. He lets me, his breath coming heavier now as he continues to watch me.

I lift my gaze to his, my chest tight and my pulse still hammering. “You keep saying I’m yours.”

“Because you are,” he answers immediately.

I drag my hands up his sides and let my thumbs brush over his nipples. “But does that mean you’re mine?”

Chapter 28

Malachi

Connor’sentirebodygoesstill, but I don’t look away. I refuse to. I watch as his jaw clenches, and for a second, I think he’s going to laugh, make some cocky remark, brush it off like it means nothing.

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