Trace of Innocence (No Control Book 3)

Chapter 41

(No Control - 41. Rock Me)

Her lips are soft - so fucking soft. I can't resist slipping my tongue in her mouth and I moan as her fingers stroke the back of my neck. I hear Niall's voice in my head - Make sure you crack one off before she arrives this time, yeah?

I never even gave it a thought this morning; I was too nervous and preoccupied with getting to the airport. And judging by the way my dick is straining in my pants already I am beginning to wish I had.

I touch her hand, and feel her skin erupt in goosebumps. I pull away from her lips and look into her eyes, and I can't stop myself smiling. She smiles back shyly; innocently.

She's beautiful.

I turn my body towards her and rest my head on my hand. I'm grinning idiotically and she's doing the same.

"So," I begin.

"So," she echoes, and then chuckles before looking away out of the window.

"Don't go all shy on me now," I chide her softly, and she nudges my knee with hers.

"Stop embarrassing me then!"

She's so cute when she's embarrassed. But I don't want her to feel awkward.

"Did you sleep on the plane?" I ask, changing the subject.

"Yeah, for a few hours," she nods.

"You can get your head down for a bit when we get home if you like," I suggest.

"I'm OK," she smiles. "The longer I can stay up tonight the better."

I nod.

I can't stop smiling.

I can't believe she's finally here.

The conversation on the way back is a little awkward, and I feel for the first time the pressure on us. I really want to relax but I'm nervous, and I feel like it shows. I'm relieved when we arrive home, and I lead Jess through to the kitchen as Mike and Steve bring her case into the hall. I start making us a cup of tea.

"Do you mind if I get changed?" she asks.

"Oh yeah, course, sorry," I say, and I want to facepalm. She's been on a plane for twelve hours - of course she would want to freshen up. "Let me show you upstairs," I offer, and I lead her to the bottom of the stairs and grab the handle of her case. It weighs a ton. "Bloody hell, what have you got in here?"

"Just the essentials," she says breezily and I feel myself breaking out in a sweat as I heave the bag up the stairs. By the time we reach the top my muscles are ripped and screaming, but I flip my hair casually like it was no effort at all.

I pause for a second on the landing. Suddenly I remember we haven't discussed sleeping arrangements. Do I just take her case into my room?

"I meant what I said earlier. On text," I say, looking into her eyes. "No pressure. You know."

She blushes. "It's fine. I'm not the sort to succumb to peer pressure."

No, I bet you're not.

I drag her case into my bedroom and leave it by the window, and point her in the direction of the ensuite.

I head back downstairs and reboil the kettle, and then stare out of the window at the pool. It looks beautiful in the late afternoon sunshine. I can't wait to chill out out there with Jess tomorrow.

I need to break the ice properly. We hit it off so easily the first couple of times, and I feel like we just need to relax around each other and we'll be fine.