Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Connelly’s grin was an honest one that brightened up the dark room. “You should ask your landlord to get better security. I was able to slip right in. Five people passed me while I lurked and nobody bothered to check out who I was.”
Z led the way up the stairs and around the corner to his door. “And? Do you think this is the fucking Waldorf? It’s El Barrio, dude.”
He unlocked the door and crossed the threshold.
“I’m just saying, it’s not safe, and your landlord is responsible for the safety of everyone who lives here.”
“Landlady. And she’s over eighty years old. Sorry, but security is not her biggest issue.” He turned around at the soft click of his door closing and the echoed noise of the bolt sliding into place.
“You want a drink?” he asked, breathlessly. He was playing it up, sure, but who would blame him?
“Not really.”
Why did he feel like he was being stalked by a predator? Those damn hazel eyes pinned him in place and he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. He gripped the edge of his countertop and lifted his chin. “And here I thought you didn’t know what you wanted.”
Connelly showed his teeth in a smile that wasn’t really a smile at all, more like what a wolf does when he’s growling—Z just about came.
Holy fuck.
“I know exactly what I want. I was just fighting it,” Connelly said. “But now I have you alone. So all bets are off.”
“I’m not much of a gambler.”
The husky laugh took a little of the edge off of his grin. “I like you like this.”
“Like what?”
Taking a step forward, Connelly waved a hand in his direction. “Real.”
“You can tell I’m wearing fifty layers of makeup right? I’m probably more plastic than person right now.”
“It’s your truth and it’s really fucking hot.”
With those words, he cupped Z’s cheek and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. As soon as Z opened, he swept his tongue inside. The kiss went from tender to torrid in a single breath. All Z could think was fuck, fuck, fuck. He was in deep shit. Because this fucker saw right through all his barriers, all his hard-won defenses, and the minute their lips touched, he didn’t give two shits.
Closing his eyes, Z sank into their second kiss.
A birthday fuck with a super-hot detective equaled bliss in his book. He wasn’t going to ruin the night by letting his issues control him. Besides, the guy tasted divine. What the hell was that? Peaches?
Damn it all to hell, now he’d never be able to eat the fruit without thinking of Connelly.
He clutched the collar of Connelly’s T-shirt and deepened the kiss. If he was giving up one of his favorite foods for the rest of his life, the night better be fucking worth it.
When Connelly’s hands palmed his ass he thought they were on the right track.
When, out of nowhere, Connelly swatted it then started kneading with both hands, Z vowed to give up every fucking fruit known to man—if only the night would last forever.
* * *
Finally! He had his hands on the man he hadn’t been able to get out of his head. Connelly didn’t bother hiding his desire or stopping his groan when Azariah deepened their kiss. He tasted like licorice and spice, fascinating and addicting.
He gripped Azariah’s firm ass in both hands and lifted him until he was perched on his toes. Even with the heels, he was at least three inches shorter. Connelly loved that, because his attitude was so much bigger than him. It was endearing, and kind of funny. Like a bad-tempered Chihuahua. Only much, much sexier.
Though he imagined if Azariah ever knew he thought that way, he’d be eating his balls for breakfast. A smile broke free even as the other man’s fingers scraped up his neck to tickle the hair at the back of his head.
Azariah pulled away. “What?”
Connelly chased his mouth until he could graze his teeth over the bottom lip he’d been obsessing over for far too long. The fingers in his hair tightened as Azariah pulled their faces apart.
“Why were you smiling?”
Connelly’s grin stretched his cheeks. “‘Cause I’m happy?”
What a revelation. He was happy. His chest felt lighter than it ever had, as though all the weight and responsibility he’d had to carry around were suddenly gone. All his fears vanished and he was left with a contentment that settled in his bones. He could breathe. Really breathe. It was like sucking in that first lungful of air after almost drowning.
Azariah leaned in and bit his throat.
“Fuck.” The electric shock lit up every nerve and Connelly’s aching cock twitched. All thoughts of little dogs and attitudes and unexplainable happiness melted under the heat of his unobstructed lust.
“Mmm, that’s better,” Azariah whispered in his ear before biting that too.