Always With You (The Connor Family 6)

“We forgot to use protection,” I croaked out.

“I’m... I’m on the pill,” Hailey said, “but I haven’t.... I mean, I’m clean.”

“So am I,” I assured her as I pulled out and reached for the napkins on the coffee table.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” she whispered. I watched her move through my living room, picking up her clothes, naked and unconcerned about it, and my desire to keep her here intensified.

I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about protection. I never forgot. I chuckled. More proof that Hailey made me lose my mind. I knew the lack of barriers wasn’t the only reason this had felt better, more intimate than anything I’d experienced before. It was just Hailey. She had this effect on me, magnifying every sensation. I cleaned up quickly in the second bathroom, then slipped on jeans, waited for a few minutes to give her some privacy, and headed after her. I felt guilty for practically mauling her on my couch instead of taking my time with her the way she deserved. Hailey was in front of the sink, combing her fingers through her hair. Her nipples were still taut and perky, as if she was still on edge. I got hard just at the thought. I noticed she had red marks on her ass cheeks from how hard I’d gripped her.

“I hurt you,” I said. She startled.

“Reid! How long have you been watching me like a peeping Tom?”

She jutted one hip out, resting a hand on her waist. I loved how confident she was in her nakedness.

“Not long.”

“Uh-huh.” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, then waved her hand and slid on her dress. “You didn’t hurt me. I color easily, but it’ll fade in a few more minutes.”

She turned back to the sink. I stepped behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist, looking at her in the mirror.

“You make me lose my head, Hailey.”

“Hmmm... weird. You happen to have the same effect on me.” Blushing, she added, “I don’t usually do... this.”

I tugged with my teeth at her earlobe. I liked the sound of that... that I made her act impulsively, out of character.

Hailey didn’t miss my smile. “You could look less pleased with yourself, you know.”

“I could... but I won’t.”

She tried to elbow me, but I caught the arm in question, and then the other.

“My reflexes are faster.”

“I can see that.” She laughed when I touched my fingers to her ribs, close to her armpit. “Don’t tickle me.”

“Here’s a thought. Why don’t you just walk around naked? I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“Reid... I should go. I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Nope.”

“What?”

“Not letting you go.” I kissed her neck without breaking eye contact in the mirror. I knew I was walking a fine line—I was either going to get my way or she’d shut down completely. But I wanted her here too much to play safe.

I tried to see myself through her eyes. A difficult client with a crazy ex on his case. But there was more to me than that—or the reclusive millionaire the media portrayed.

I had never particularly cared about letting others see deeper than the surface, but I wanted that with Hailey.

“Did you have dinner?” I asked.

“Oh, no. I came straight from the office.”

“To give me shit.”

She smiled sheepishly. “Yeah.”