Page 101 of Red's Peril: Part 1

“Never, but still—”

My voice hardens. “He fuckin’ hit you, Clare. And as for keeping marriage vows, he obviously didn’t care about his.”

“You’re right.” She considers my words for a moment, then takes me by surprise, going up on her tiptoes and brushing her fingers through my hair.

She might be the one bringing her mouth to mine, but a second is all it takes for me to come to my senses and take over, pressing my lips to hers, insisting she open, and when she does, I sweep my tongue inside. Firmly, I hold my hand to the back of her head and position her just right. Her taste is so damn sweet, I could kiss her all night.

Instead of trying to evade me, she presses against me, showing she wants more. I don’t try to hide the erection that’s digging into her belly, leaving her in no doubt about where I hope this evening will end.

She moans softly, her fingernails digging into my skin as she takes as much as she’s getting. She’s not shy and presses herself against me.

My nostrils fill with the scent of her, and my hands run through the lengths of her silky hair as I slip it out of the tie that’s keeping it back.

All I can think about is getting closer, removing our clothes and sliding into her. Forget taking things slow, I’m getting drunk on her taste, on her touch, and can only think about speeding this up.

Not here.I come to my senses, knowing I was only seconds away from having my way with her in the kitchen where any brother could walk in. I start to wonder whether I can issue a blatant invitation to come to my room when a sudden cry interrupts us.

Clare pushes at me with her hands, and when I release her, she takes hold of the baby monitor she had clipped to her belt. She frowns as she sees Delly awake and crying.

Her face is full of apology, regret, and maybe a little of a coming to her senses. “I gotta—”

“Yeah, go.” Frustrated, I watch her leave, raking my hands back through my hair, my eyes resting on the ass that I’d thought I’d soon make mine. I can’t be angry at a kid, but hell, who wouldn’t be annoyed? What a cockblocker.

Maybe she’ll come back.

Returning to the party, I hang around, drinking slowly, wanting to stay sober in case she gives me another chance, but she doesn’t return down the stairs. I socialise, make conversation, but fuck knows what I’m talking about. Eventually it becomes clear that she’s not going to reappear, so I take myself off to bed.

Or that’s my intention. Rather than opening my own door, my footsteps take me on until I’m outside hers. I hesitate.She’ll be asleep.

Or she might not be. She might be awake. I pause before I knock. If she opens the door, am I really going to take the next step? Now I’m away from her influence, I start questioning myself. Is it really her I want, or is she a substitute for a memory that should be lost in the past? Clare doesn’t deserve to be a fling, and am I really prepared to take a ready-made family on?

Deep thoughts, ones I should think on. Ones that don’t deserve to be driven by my dick which is telling me it doesn’t care about any consequences, it just wants to be inside her.

Fuck it.For years I’ve kept myself on a tight rein, never allowing myself to act upon impulse. As a prez I can’t afford to be other than always on my guard, else it won’t just be me that suffers from a knee-jerk reaction. I’ve got the reputation of being measured in my approach, and never reacting without thinking.

Maybe there was always going to be a point where I’d break and give into temptation. That Clare tempts me beyond reason is a given.

All logic seems to be lost as my hand seems to rise of its own volition, and with just enough sense to make sure my touch is gentle, I tap on the door—loud enough for her to hear me, but soft enough not to disturb her sleep.

Expecting the door to remain firmly closed, I’m shocked, but delighted when it opens. Then my heart sinks.

“What’s up with her?”

A drawn-looking Clare is holding Delly in her arms. I notice the kid’s face is red and blotchy.

“I don’t know. She’s running a temp.” Clare’s drawn face shows how harassed and worried she is.

Even my cock knows not to argue with a concerned mother and immediately deflates. “She need a doc?”

Her mouth twists, showing she’s thought about it. “I don’t think so. It’s probably just one of those childhood things. I’ve given her some infant Tylenol, and at least she’s stopped screaming. She wakes when I put her down though.”

I feel utterly useless. “Can I do something?”

Clare shakes her head. “Nothing. Hopefully she’ll sleep now.”

I place my hand on the doorjamb and lean in. “You know where I am if you need help with her. Anything, you hear me? If she gets worse, let me know.”

She looks up gratefully. “Thanks, Red, I appreciate that.”

---