Up in Smoke (Crossing the Line, #2)(53)

This morning, she’d been wary of Sera’s request to accompany her to the courthouse. What did she want from her? Was she going to make her hold flowers or some shit? But hanging out with Sera had turned out to be surprisingly…easy. She didn’t force Erin to make conversation, nor had she looked at her weird when she asked to take the bus. After her first stint in Dade, she’d spent a lot of time sitting in the back row of a Catholic church down the street from where she was staying. There’d been no expectation for her to participate in the masses. She could just sit and watch, inhale the incense, make use of the air-conditioning. That’s what being with Sera felt like. Cool comfort. It didn’t surprise Erin that Bowen didn’t want to wait another second to marry her. When they’d shown up to the courthouse, Sera in a white sundress, he’d looked like he’d just been granted eternal life.

There had been a moment where she’d felt a tinge of jealousy. Not over the couple. Not because she wanted to be the one getting married. No, it had come when they touched. She wanted that. Wanted Connor to be able to touch her without thinking. Just a natural slide of his hands along her skin without fear or pain. She wanted so badly to give that to him.

As if her thoughts had made him appear? Connor strode into the courthouse. Her pulse started beating double time, her stomach muscles tightening. Good Lord, the man was a f*cking panty dropper. She’d only been away from him for a few hours and it felt like years since she’d experienced his presence. In jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt that molded to his muscles like her hands itched to do, he personified confidence and authority. Hot, rugged male. His gaze connected with hers immediately and darkened. She thought back to that morning when he’d dressed in the early morning light, his abs flexing as he pulled the shirt over his head. His erection barely contained by his boxers. She’d never been one to beg for anything, but she’d been seconds from offering him her mouth. Pleading for the privilege of sucking him off.

Conner shook his head at her with a sexy half smile on his face, as if he could read her thoughts across the room. He stopped at the metal detector and walked through after the security guard beckoned him forward. When the woman grabbed her wand and instructed him to raise his hands in the air, something ugly reared its head deep inside her. The detector hadn’t even beeped. There was no reason for the personal service. When the woman smiled at Connor and ran a hand down her ponytail, Erin propelled herself forward, boots echoing on the polished marble.

Erin hissed as she drew even with the guard. “If you’re done feeling up my boyfriend, I’d love a turn. We were in a rush this morning.”

The guard dropped the wand, letting it dangle near her thigh. “Did you just hiss at me?”

Erin hissed again.

“Okay.” Connor stepped between them, winking down at her. “We should go. Don’t want to keep the clerk waiting.”

Appreciation spread in her belly like honey. He hadn’t chided her for her behavior or apologized to the woman on her behalf. Instead he’d given the impression they were on their way to get married, appeasing her jealousy in one fell swoop. “That’s right.” She sauntered toward the elevator. “There’s vows to be exchanged. Rings to put on fingers. Shit like that.”

She glanced behind her to find Connor staring at her ass as she walked, so she put a little swing in her hips and savored his groan. Damn. She’d definitely never had this much fun at a courthouse.

A moment later, she and Connor stepped into an empty elevator. She hit the button for the top floor even though the clerk was on the first, and leaned back against the wall, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “How was your morning, baby? Was it worth leaving me in bed, all hot and bothered for you?”

“Fuck no, it wasn’t.” He crooked a big finger at her. “Climb on up here.”

Erin didn’t hesitate. With a tight grip on his broad shoulders, she hooked one thigh around his waist and used it as leverage to wrap the other one around, too. Her skirt rode up with the action, allowing the thick ridge behind his fly to nudge her panties. They sucked in equally shaky breaths.

Connor crossed his wrists at the small of his back, as if to restrain himself from touching her. “You didn’t like someone else touching me. Say it.”

She pressed her forehead against his, pushed hard. “I hated it.”

“Put your hand between your legs.” When she hesitated for the barest moment, he nudged her forehead back and spoke through his teeth. “Do it now.”

Erin removed one hand from his shoulders, dragging her fingers over the inside of her thigh before cupping her core. Breath raced in and out past her lips, excitement a living thing in her veins. Against her palm, she could already feel the cotton material dampening.

“Give it a slap for me. An easy one, sweetheart. We’ll save the harder ones for my hand.” He licked the seam of her lips. “Say my name when you do it.”

The elevator pinged, signaling that they’d reached the top floor. Without taking his eyes off her, Connor reached over and pulled the emergency stop switch. Erin laughed, but it turned into a moan when he rolled his hips, pressing her hand more firmly between her legs. He nipped at her bottom lip, a reminder to do as she was told. Feeling overwhelmed in the best way, she slapped herself, right over the sensitive spot crying out for attention. Unexpected sensation racked her, tearing a moan from her lips.