Page 38 of Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye

Shit. Leia tensed, feeling exposed in more ways than one. Is he repulsed? No longer interested? She tugged her rumpled dress back down her thighs. Bail if you want, Tarquin. Just don’t ask what happened.

A hint of confusion dipped his brows as he liberated her manicured toes from the tights, his eyes sweeping the lengthy S-shaped scar traveling south from the top of her right knee down her shin.

I know, it’s big and ugly—but it’s part of me. I’m not ashamed of it.

Tarquin didn’t seem alarmed or disgusted, though. Discarding Leia’s tights on the floor, he stretched above her, leaving hungry kisses up her right thigh, then her left, claiming her inch by quivering inch. “My god, you’re beautiful,” he whispered before delivering another open, wet kiss.

He’s not stopping. Leia lifted her head from the cushions, catching the playful bounce of his eyebrows.

“Hello…!” He curved forward again, his mouth warm and willing against her soft skin. Surging upward, his tongue stroked the thin strip of lace between her upper thighs. An extra intense suck and—

“Oh, GOD!” she moaned, clutching fistfuls of his hair, all her thoughts dissolving into syrupy slush.

Tarquin peered up at her, wearing a devilish grin. “I’ve been called many things, but cheers, love, that’s a new one.” He chuckled softly and shifted the lace aside, his tongue taking its time tasting, teasing her. “I’ve thought about this so much.” Eyes never leaving hers, he licked…and coaxed, his finger pushing inside.

Leia gasped. The longer he sucked, the more she throbbed, desperate for him, desperate to give in to her wild desire. I need more. Of him. Now. Her mind tripped, reeling with lust.

“Tarquin?” She scooped up the condom, the sound of rain dancing on the large window filling their silence.

“You ready?” he asked, taking it from her hand.

Ready for no-strings, no-angst, ravenous sex? “Yes!” She slipped out of her panties and waited, goose bumps dotting her bare legs as he ripped open the wrapper.

Tarquin rolled on the condom and settled down between her thighs, nudging her skirt a little higher. “You’re gorgeous.” He smiled and pushed inside her, his eyes closing like it was almost too much. “Oh…!”

Leia sucked in a breath. He feels so good. Thick and hot, filling me up. Bending her legs, she squeezed them around his waist.

Tarquin began to move above her, slowly at first, making sure Leia was comfortable before picking up speed. “You good? How’s London so far?”

“Amazing. I love London!” She hugged him, aching to taste his mouth again. I’ve missed this… but it’s different. He’s different. Her eager fingers scurried down his back to the swell of his ass, urging him closer, tighter, delirious with greed. “Faster,” she gasped, her splayed fingers gliding over his pumping hips to where he slid deeply in and out. This feels AMAZING. I don’t want to stop. Ever. I want more… no strings, no worry. Just sex. It’s such a relief… to finally give in to this.

She inched her finger between them and touched herself, the sensations from her gentle circling and Tarquin’s wild fucking pushing her head back into the couch. A little higher, a little more— A curse flew from her tongue.

Lost in their rhythm, Tarquin caressed her breasts through her dress and bra. If he was frustrated by the barrier of fabric and underwire, he didn’t let on. “You’re so fucking hot,” he growled across her damp skin, his eyes smoldering with desire.

Bucking to meet him, a sharp moan escaped Leia’s throat, the irresistible peak within reach. “I’m so close.” She gasped, chasing her orgasm. “Are you…?”

But Leia didn’t hear his answer.

Lost to a frenzy of pleasurable waves, she arched her back one last time and cried out, the delicious release trembling through her body.

“Oh!” Tarquin’s frenetic movements halted into one final shuddering thrust. Head thrown back, mouth gaping, his fingers dug into the couch, anchoring him until he was spent. “Oh, bloody hell.” A ghost of a smile bent his lips as he lowered himself on top of her.

I love this. Feeling his weight, his warm body, damp from exertion against mine. Pure bliss.

He pulled out and rolled onto his side. “Leia,” he murmured, cuddling into her. “Now…how’s that for just showing up?”

Sweeping her finger across his raised brow, she leaned in, her jagged breaths slowing against his flushed cheek. “I’ll give you this, Tarquin: it was a damn good start.” She giggled and kissed him again. “But this is a marathon, not a sprint…and I’m not done with you yet.”

Ten

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”

Christopher Reeve

TARQUIN

Howling wind and icy rain pelted the bedroom windows, wrenching tormented creaks and groans from the large panes overlooking the river, but Tarquin’s smile couldn’t be dampened, his king-size bed a hedonistic port in the storm. A sweeter sound held him captive—Leia’s gentle breaths mid-slumber. I don’t know what’s more beautiful, Leia asleep or awake. He lay with her in his arms, heady with the scent of her long blonde hair splayed across his pillows. How lucky am I? A week ago, we were strangers. I didn’t know she existed. Now, we’ve had sex twice, she’s in my bed hogging my duvet, and I can still taste her on my lips. He sighed, fighting back a yawn, afraid to give in and miss a single moment. I wasn’t sure coming back here was a good idea. Of course I wanted to sleep with her, but why start something when she’s leaving for New York? Why torture myself? But the way she looked at me… the way she kissed me—fuck the future. All I know is I’ve never wanted someone so badly and had them respond in kind. Hell, maybe she’ll change plans and stay? She loves London, loves sex with me—obviously. I’d gladly take that bet. Ah, it’s nice to feel hopeful for a change.