Page 42 of Intimately Faithful

He hadn’t dumped her off his lap yet, in fact his hand spanned her outer thigh. But any minute now he could tell her to move, so she luxuriated in the feel of him under her.

“Does it make any difference now you know, Danny? To us, I mean.” When he didn’t speak, only gave her a under the eyelashes look in such a sad way that hurt her belly. “I know I’ve brought all kinds of shite here to you, when you don’t need it.”

“I said I’d help.”

“But I came for more than that. You were the only one I thought of. The only person in the world I trust.” She went to touch his jaw and he caught at her fingers, keeping them locked in his. “Please tell me I can fix us, Danny. You should know I want you. I want us back to what we were.” She shuddered against him because for years she’d been patient knowing one day she would try to make it all better. If given the chance she would tell Danny everything and make it right.

The way he was staring at her unblinking, with a sort of sorrow in his eyes, wasn’t giving her the courage and confidence to assume he was open to the idea.

Was she far too late?

There was no other woman in his life as far as she knew, but now she realized it didn’t mean he wanted her back.

Maybe all his feelings died along with the love he once felt for her.

She swallowed back a sob trapped in her throat.

“It’s impossible to pick up where we left off.”

“Then don’t.” She rushed, pleading in her voice box. “Let’s start right here. Right now is a great place, Danny. You’re here, I’m here, that’s all we need.”

Leaning in he allowed the kisses she pressed to his cheeks, but it was when their lips met she heard him inhale swiftly and he took hold of her shoulders to hold her away.

Fire burning in the depths of blue.

Oh, that look. Dear lord. It set her ablaze with need and longing for her lost love.

She had to believe she still had a chance with him, or she’d lose all hope for anything else in her life.

She wasn’t a woman who was so easily downtrodden by life. For years she’d gotten along with the hand dealt to her while, aiming towards something better, but that was because she’d held on tight to the hope she might have this moment with him again.

She’d never found love again.

Hadn’t even looked for it.

Because for Aoife Flanagan, Danny Murphy was it.

He was made for her. She was born for him.

“Please, Danny. Say I’m not too late.Pleaselet me make it right.” Her voice cracked with emotion, enough to bring tears to her eyes, she wasn’t about emotional blackmail, but she damn well would cry rivers if it swayed him even a little. She tried kissing him desperately again, only his fingers tightened on her shoulders, his lips not reacting.

A delicious grip she moaned for and she watched his nostrils flare before he growled through his clenched teeth.

“Aoife.” So much in her name.

So much held in that one word that if she were not already on his lap, her knees would have given out.

His fingers didn’t unclench from her shoulders and it was the unlocking of them both.

There was no time to think and question or doubt.

Not when Danny’s mouth came crashing down on hers.

The kiss was instant. Warm lips clashing.

It was vibrant desperation soaked in greed as she tipped her head back as far as she could, to give him greater access as his mouth consumed her.

His lips soothed and collided like old lovers and new friends who knew how to indulge in sin.

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