Chapter Nine

Conall

I have been waiting patiently to hear from Serena for most of the evening, but I haven’t heard anything. She said she would call me, but she must have changed her mind. I am disappointed. I wanted to see her, just the two of us, with no other reason than to spend time together. No, it isn’t part of our deal, but we can still hang out. More than once, I have gone to reach out to her but changed my mind. I don’t want to seem needy. I sigh and toss my cell aside, beginning to feel pathetic with how much time I have been staring at it, hoping she will be in contact.

Only moments after setting my cell down, it begins to ring. I glance down and smirk when Serena’s name flashes on my screen. I am surprised because it is late. It is nearly midnight. I thought she would have been sleeping. I grab it and answer it quickly.

“Conall!” she chirps, followed by a giggle.

She sounds drunk.

“Hey, sweetness. Are you drunk?” I ask.

“A little. It was supposed to be a business dinner, but it turned into drinks.”

“Where are you now? Do you want me to come and pick you up?”

I don’t want her to be alone if she is drunk.

“Yes, come and get me. I am the lagoon bar. They are trying to get me to go clubbing, but I don’t want to. Can you get here quickly before they change my mind?” she snickers.

“I am on my way, don’t move,” I reply and hang up.

It will only take ten minutes to arrive at the bar. She can stay with me tonight. I don’t expect anything from her, not when she has been drinking. Serena didn’t use to be much of a drinker. She would always only have one at any event. Another change to her. I love all her changes, but a part of me worries that some might not be good. She went through a lot. Heartbreak and betrayal can inflict significant emotional and psychological harm on a person. At least I’ll be around to keep an eye on her.

I grab my car keys, put on my shoes, and head out to pick her up. The roads are quiet. It is late on a Monday night, and not many people are out. I pull up outside the bar and spot Serena outside, resting against the wall, and there are two other girls with her. I don’t recognise them; it must be the ones she had her business dinner with tonight. Parking the car, I stroll over to her.

“Hey, sweetness, are you ready for home?” I ask.

I wasn’t sure how far our façade goes. Did she tell her business associates about us?

“Conall.” She beams, flinging her arms around my neck and kissing me.

That answers my question. It is on show for everyone. I grasp her hip and kiss back without hesitation. We part after a moment.

“Home?”

Serena nods. “Yes, please.”

We say goodbye to her friends, and I guide her to the car, helping her in and making sure she is belted up and safe. I run around, climbing into the driver’s seat and getting us on the road back to mine.

“Did you have a good night?”

“Yes. I am sorry I took so long to call. The plan was dinner and home. It didn’t go that way. I intended to phone when I got home and take you up on your offer.”

“What part of my offer? I gave you a few options.”

I am curious what one she wanted from me. From the corner of my eye, I see her arm move, and her hand lands on my thigh, rubbing it. “Which one do you think I meant?” she asks, her voice low and seductive.

I shift in my seat, and my cock twitches in my boxers. The tone of her voice is enough to turn me on.

“You tell me. I don’t want to jump to the wrong conclusion.”

Her hand travels further up my leg, stopping right next to my crotch. “I think you know what I mean, Conall. My question is, are you willing or was it all talk?” she asks, her hand briefly brushing my cock. I groan at the contact.

“Trust me, I am more than talk, but you have been drinking, Serena. And no matter how badly I want to give you what you need, I refuse to do so when you are drunk. It wouldn’t feel right.”

If we were both drunk, then it would be different, but we aren’t.

“I may be drunk, but I know what I want and what I am doing.” She protests.

“Maybe, but no. I would feel like I was taking advantage. I will make you a deal. If you still want it in the morning, then I will happily give it to you without any questions, but until then, you will need to keep your hormones in check, beautiful.”

Serena huffs loudly and pulls her hand away, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine! You are no fun.”

I chuckle at her mini tantrum. “I am a lot of fun, but I am also a gentleman, sweetness. I would rather you be sober and make a rational decision, rather than one while you are under the influence.”

“God, why do you need to be so nice?” She whines, tossing her hands in the air.

I would be offended if she weren’t drunk. I rest my hand on her knee and squeeze it. “Don’t worry, Serena, I am not nice everywhere. Something you will find out when tomorrow comes around, you still want me.”

A soft moan escapes from her lips, and she squeezes her thighs together. “Is that a promise? I need to be manhandled, not gently handled.”

Fuck! I would happily manhandle her. I may be a gentleman in public, sometimes, but I sure as hell am not one in the bedroom.

“Yes, I promise. Once you are sober, I will make your entire body shake from pleasure until you are screaming my name and begging for more.” I rasp, sliding my hand up to her thigh, caressing her soft skin.

Serena whimpers, her skin heating under my touch. “Mmm, I will be ready.”

Oh, she has no idea how ready I will be for it. I have wanted her for a long time. I can only hope that my nerves don’t get the better of me. I am good in bed, and I want to make sure she sees that.

“You and me both, sweetness,” I reply and draw my hand away.

It isn’t going to be easy to wait, but it is the respectful thing to do.