Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(75)

I hide a laugh with a cough, watching as Cheryl’s face turns crimson. “Classy,” Cheryl mutters.

“Well, probably not any less than no longer needing his services,” Ellie retorts, her tone sweet. “But I should be the one thanking you. Really.” Ellie leans forward and lowers her voice slightly. “The services you no longer needed … let’s just say I’m reaping the benefits. So, for that, thank you.”

Cheryl’s face flames, the color rising to the tips of her ears, and it’s clear she’s going to erupt. “Well, I’ve—”

“You know, we should mingle,” Ellie notes, waving her fingers at Cheryl before urging me in the opposite direction. “I could really use a drink.” She holds up her empty champagne flute. “A real one.”

I put my hand on Ellie’s, which is still gripping my forearm, and lead her toward a darkened alcove in the giant ballroom.

“I don’t see a bar over here,” she says innocuously, peering up at me when I back her against the wall.

I lean down so that I’m eye level with her. “You’re very lucky that all these people are around.”

Her smile widens. “Why’s that?”

“Because if they weren’t, I’d be f*cking you right here against the wall.”

Ellie grips the lapels of my tux and pulls me closer. “Such a sweet talker, you are.”

“You have no idea.” I kiss her quickly, then drag her back out to join the others before I follow through with my threat.

I have to admit, it’s very, very tempting.





Ellie

I’ve never been a big fan of these fancy dinners, but I’m fairly adept at holding my own. I had to attend my fair share when I was younger. My parents were always being invited because of their standings in the community. My father was a huge proponent of youth hockey, and he was often the one working to raise money for various charities.

I can honestly say tonight’s event has been relatively easy. Once word got out that Kingston was in attendance, he was swarmed by people who are interested in his volunteer efforts at the hospital. The guy might be incredible in his solitary position in the net, but he’s pretty damn efficient at working a crowd. I love listening to him talk, that distinct Boston accent coming out when he speaks. He’s sexy as hell, and for half the night, I’ve been hoping he would follow through on his threat.

He does that to me.

“You okay?” he asks, his mouth brushing close to my ear as we slow dance with the other couples in attendance.

“I’m great,” I tell him, pulling back and looking into his face. The way his eyes light up when he looks at me sends heat firing through all my cylinders.

“What’s on your mind, Mr. Rush?” I tease.

“Only one thing, I assure you.”

“And what would that be?”

“I seem to recall a certain bet we had…” His grin is wicked.

“Bet?” I let my innocent face fall into place. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

He stops moving and pulls me into him, his mouth lowering back to my ear. “I think it’ll be best if I show you.”

I feign innocence but allow him to lead me off the dance floor. It’s obvious he’s watching to see if anyone notices the direction we’re heading. I don’t bother to look, not wanting to appear too conspicuous. I have an idea of what his plans are, and for the record, I am completely on board.

Kingston leads me out of the ballroom and down a deserted dark hallway. It appears he knows where he’s going, because he never veers off course as we pass door after door. When we reach one marked STORAGE, he quickly turns the knob and ushers me inside.

“I checked out this hallway earlier,” he says smoothly.

“Ever the romantic,” I joke when he closes the door and locks it.

My smile doesn’t last long when he turns the intensity of his gaze on me. He spins us so that my back is to the concrete wall, and as soon as I’m trapped between the hard surface and his equally hard body, Kingston’s mouth crushes down on mine.

In that moment, I forget about all the high-society people we’ve encountered, all the angry glares I’ve received from Cheryl Withmore all night, all the food, the music, the conversation. It all disappears, and the only thing that matters is the way Kingston claims my mouth, the heat of his palms as they glide up under my dress.

“I need to taste you, Ellie. Right here, right now.”

There’s a desperation in his rough baritone that does me in. There’s no way I can say no to this man. Nor do I want to.

When his fingers ease beneath the thin fabric of my thong, I cling to his shoulders, trying to hold on. He’s not gentle and it turns me on. Within seconds, he’s thrusting one finger, then two, deep inside me.

Kingston’s hand slides under my left leg as he lifts it so that my knee is against his hip. Thankfully the wall is there for support or I’m pretty sure I would be a puddle on the floor.

“You’re so wet, Ellie.”

“Yeah, well…” I grin. “You totally do it for me.”

He flashes one of those sexy smiles back at me. “Let me taste you.”

I think he’s asking for permission, so of course, I nod. Arousal flares hot and bright, coiling inside me with an intensity I’ve never known before. I think of my conversation with Noelle. This would probably qualify as kinky, at least in my book. The fact that we’re in a storage closet with hundreds of people on the other side of the wall… It seems deliciously taboo.