Free Caught Up In You 3: Designer Love and Empty Things (Edgeplay) by Jenna McCormick Page B

kissed and made up. I can’t even imagine how he’ll react if he finds out about the figging. I’ve barely wrapped my mind around that. “Rochelle, I don’t mean to be rude but would give us some privacy?”
     “Not a problem.” She picks up her wineglass and heads for the stairs. “See you two crazy kids in the morning.”
     I don’t miss his wince at the word crazy and my heart breaks a little for him.
     Slowly, he lowers himself into the chair, rests his elbows on the table and puts his head in his hands. “I need a drink.”
     “Do you want me to open another bottle of wine?”
     “Something stronger.”
     “’Kay, I’ll be right back.” I go to the parlor where I know he keeps a stocked liquor cart. The crystal decanters are all full and I can’t tell what’s what. Picking one at random, I grab a highball glass and carry it back to the dining room.
     He actually smiles when he sees what I’ve brought. “That’s hundred year old Scotch.”
     I set it down in front of him. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
     “I remember that much at least.” His eyes meet mine. “Thank you.”
     I’m not sure if he’s thanking me for retrieving the booze or something else. “I actually have an ulterior motive for getting you liquored up.”
     He pours a drink and takes a sip. “What would that be?”
     He’s playing coy, but he knows what I’m after. “Don’t you think it’s time you tell me what’s going on with you?”
     “No, but someone else does.” He sets a scrap of paper down in front of me. “I found this in my pocket just now.
     The script is bold and commanding, exactly like the man I spent the evening loving. The message causes my heart to stumble mid-beat.
     
    You can trust Baily. She’s on the pill.
     
     I look up and meet his gaze.
     “I’ve never left myself a message like this before. He… I must really believe in you.”
     “Because I went on the pill?” I’m sure I’ll never understand how his mind works.
     Slowly, he shakes his head. “No, because you invested in our relationship that way. You fought me on it at first, but decided to do it anyway. You put faith in our relationship—it’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
     “So, you’ll forgive me too?”
     He looks at the pristine white tablecloth and I get the feeling he’s afraid to meet my gaze. “Forgiveness isn’t mine to give, but to ask for. I’ve treated you abominably. I see that now. Bullying you, imposing my burdens, holding back information about myself while demanding your secrets. I didn’t trust you the way I should have. I’ve been an ass, but I can’t force myself to walk away, even if it’s in your best interest.”
     “It’s not.”
     Slowly he looks up, his celestial blue eyes full of hope. “Will you still have me?”
     Taking his hand in mine, I slowly twine our fingers together. “I love you, Connor Edge, every side of you.”
     His eyes go wide and he whispers, “Say it again.”
     “I love you.” It’s easier, now that the seal is broken, the words effervescing from me.
     He tugs me into his lap and his hands shape to cradle my head, to hold me in place above him. Firm, masculine lips meld with mine oh so sweetly. I expect the liquor on his breath to overwhelm me, but it enhances his own spicy flavor in an addictive way.
     Part of me is content to stay exactly like this, fusing together with him. But another part craves more, skin to skin contact, being filled by his hardness, engulfed in his heat.
     Connor’s hands rove my back restlessly and before I realize what he’s doing, my bra is unhooked.
     “I need you naked,” he growls.
     I stand up and glance over at the stairs. “Shouldn’t we…?”
     “Right here, right now.” The button on my jeans pops free and he lowers the zipper. Hooking his thumbs through my underwear, he drags everything down to my knees. “Hop up on the table.”
     I remove my shirt and bra and do as he asks. He