Page 52 of Where We Bloom

I grip her chin in my fingers. “If that ever changes, you tell me.”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

Unable to hold back any longer, I cover her lips with mine, and she opens up to me so sweetly, wraps those arms around my neck, and holds on as I devour her.

God, I’ve missed her. Her pillowy lips on mine, the way her voice rasps when she moans, and the way her body lights up under my touch.

I’ve missed everything.

“Why did we have to drive so far away to have this conversation?” she asks against my lips. “We need a bed, Connor.”

I chuckle and tighten my hold on her, bury my hand in the back of her hair and keep her mouth on mine, still not getting enough of her.

And when we finally pull apart to catch our breath, I drag my thumb over that bottom lip, still wet from my kiss.

“We’re not having sex today,” I inform her. Her gasp, followed by the narrowing of her eyes, makes me chuckle. I’ve received thousands of accolades in just as many boardrooms, and yet, her two responses do something for my soul that nothing else has ever done.

She gives me hope that I might be able to do this. Try for more.

Billie wiggles her arse over my hard cock, making me swallow and curse under my breath.

“I beg to differ,” she whispers.

“I drove this far on purpose. We’re doing all the things you said you love. Talk, flirt, touch. I brought lunch for us to share. And then I’m taking you home.”

“And no sex,” she repeats, her lips pouty.

So I bite them because I can’t fucking resist her.

“No sex,” I confirm. “Come on, let’s have lunch.”

I guide her to her feet and lead her to the Jeep, where I pull out the folding chairs I brought along, and unfold them, gesturing for her to sit.

“Is this the cheapest date you’ve ever been on?” sheasks as she leans back in the chair, stretching her legs out before her.

“I don’t think so.” I pull out the sandwiches from the cooler and unwrap them, set them on a tray, then open the charcuterie my cook made for us, setting it out as well.

Billie hums in approval, and I feel it in my cock. Christ, I’d love for her to make that sound while she’s choking on my dick.

“Really?” She frowns and snags a square of cheese. “You’ve been on cheaper dates than this one?”

“I mean, I bought the Jeep.”

She holds up a hand, choking on the cheese. “Wait. You bought the Jeepfor this date?”

“Of course.”

She’s shaking her head, looking at me like I just grew a watermelon out of my chest.

“What? It seemed appropriate for today.”

“You bought a whole carfor one date.”

“We’ll use it again.” I unwrap my sandwich and take a bite. “Eat your lunch, bumble.”

Chapter Nine

BILLIE

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