Tempting Tricks (Tempting Nights #2)

Chapter Twenty-One

~Annabelle~

I roll over, blinking my eyes, looking for Patrick, but he’s not there. I sit up, raise my arms over my head, stretching as I yawn, and glance over at the clock. It’s almost ten o’clock. Wow, I can’t remember the last time I slept this late, but we were up half the night dealing with my emotional breakdown.

Flopping back onto the bed, I slap my arm over my face and wonder if I can just hide in here for, like, ever. I’m the damn psychiatrist. I’m the one who is supposed to be supporting Patrick. Instead, he’s the one helping me discover parts of myself I never knew existed, while also mopping up the pieces of my broken past.

Last night shook me. I hadn’t seen a gun since the day I found my father. My reaction was one I didn’t expect, but it also made me realize that I have come to feel enough for Patrick that I’m afraid what might happen if he’s no longer here. How many classes did I take about how not to fall for your patients?

I groan, knowing I can’t hide in here forever, so I sit back up and haul my butt out of the bed. I notice a couple t-shirts on the end of the bed and smile again at Patrick’s thoughtfulness. He really is a marshmallow under that hard shell of his. I pick up one of the shirts he left and lift it to my nose. I inhale, my eyes closing when his scent invades my senses. There’s nothing better than his smell. I smile as I slide the shirt over my body then exit the room, putting on a brave smile as I do.

“Hey, sleeping beauty.” Patrick rises from the stool he’s on in front of the breakfast bar and comes to me, wrapping me in an embrace. His lips press against the top of my head and then lower to my mouth. “Good morning.” His voice is husky as his eyes scan down my body.

“Morning.” I place my palm on his cheek and press my lips to his for another kiss. His hand snakes around my back, grasping onto my ass, pulling me flush to him, his lips dropping against mine again.

“Wanna go back to bed?” he mumbles against my mouth, his hand gliding under the shirt to cup my bare ass.

Before I can answer, Kane starts barking below me, running around my feet, then sinks his pointy little canines into my ankle. I jump, trying not to step on the little shit when I land, and cry out, “Ouch!” I look down at him, hands on my hips. “What the heck was that for?”

Patrick laughs out loud, bending down to scoop him up off the floor. “Yeah, what was that for?” He scrunches up his face as he pretends to be angry at the puppy, talking to him in a baby voice. “You can’t go around biting my lover.” He looks over at me, arching one brow. “That’s my job.”

I slap him playfully on his bicep then lean over and mock-snarl at Kane. “You aren’t my friend anymore, you little cretin.” I give him a ‘hmpf’ for good measure then stroll away and head to the bathroom. “I’ll be right out.”

When I exit, Patrick has a steaming cup of coffee in his hands waiting for me. He extends it toward me. “Cream and sugar, right?”

My cheeks rise as my gaze meets his, my hands cupping around the mug. “Yes, thank you.” I take a sip. “Yum.”

“Are you hungry?” He walks to the other side of the breakfast bar and opens the fridge. “I’ve got yogurt, some fruit, eggs.” He looks back at me over his shoulder.

I slide up onto one of the stools. “Not yet.” I put the mug down on the counter. “Thanks though.”

He shuts the fridge and turns, leaning against the counter across from me. He looks down at his hands, the tips of his index fingers tapping together, then back up at me. “You okay this morning?”

I feel my cheeks heat, and I stare down at my coffee like it’s the most interesting thing in the world, embarrassed to meet his eyes. “I’m really sorry about that.”

His fingers stop tapping as he stands straight, placing his palms face down on the counter. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who’s sorry about the gun. Sorry it scared you.”

I look up, bringing my eyes to his. “It wasn’t the gun as much as it was the fear of what you could do with it. If that makes sense? ”

He doesn’t look away from me, nodding his understanding. “You believe what I told you last night, right?”

“I do.” I frown, blowing a small breath out between my lips. “But I’m not going to lie and say that I’m still not worried about you. I can’t be the answer when it comes to solving all your pain and guilt, Patrick.”

He pushes up off the counter and crosses his arms, his stance widening. He does this when he’s about to get confrontational. I saw it a dozen times in my office. “I’m not asking you to be.”

“Good, because I can’t be that for you.” I run my finger around the rim of the mug and then continue. “But I do want to be with you, Patrick. You’ve done something to me. Awakened me somehow. When you look at me, I just—” I gaze up at him, making sure his eyes are on mine. “I never want you to stop.”

He moves quickly, coming from around the bar to stand next to me, spinning the stool around so that my legs are between his. He places his hands on the counter behind me and leans in until his face is a few inches from mine. “I’m not sure I could stop looking at you. You’ve enchanted me, body and soul.”

“Patrick,” I whisper, bringing my hands up to cup his face, stubble prickling under my palms. “How did we get here so fast?”

“Was it fast?” He chuckles. “I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime.”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” I breathe out as he leans in closer, his eyes closing as he grazes his lips against mine, inhaling deeply as he does.

When he pulls back, his eyes are open, the green of his irises bright as he stares back at me. One side of his mouth quirks up as he barely shakes his head. “I’ve already fallen.” Then his lips melt against mine.

He slides his hands under me, lifting me, and I wrap my legs around him. My bare core rubs against the waistband of his sweats as he carries me to the bedroom. He lays me back on the bed and uses his body to show me just how hard he’s fallen.

W e lie tangled together an hour later, my fingers brushing lazily back and forth over his nipple ring, my absolute favorite accessory ever.

“If you keep doing that, I’m going to roll you onto your back and shove my cock inside your pussy again.” His chest rumbles in laughter. “I just wanted to give you fair warning.”

My fingers still, and I lay my hand flat, giggling. “Not that I don’t love you inside me, but I think I need a break.” I giggle again. “And a damn shower.”

He lifts his head off the pillow, peering down at me. “Together?”

“Haven’t you had enough?” I cry out in mock disbelief.

“No.” He skims his fingers over my arm and across one of my nipples. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough.”

I bite my lip, trying to stifle the smile rising on my lips. How does he know how to say the absolute perfect thing? “Keep saying things like that, Patrick Connors, and I’ll never leave your bed.”

He rolls over on top of me, grinning down at me. “Good.” He drops a peck on my nose then my lips. “Are you hungry? ‘Cause I’m fucking starving.”

I laugh out loud. Men and their stomachs. “I could eat.” I cock my head under him. “After a shower though.”

He jumps off of me and stands beside the bed. He reaches a hand out, grabbing mine, and pulls me up and out of the bed.

I frown. “Crap.”

“What?”

“All I have to wear is my dress from last night.” I scrunch my nose up, not wanting to slide back into that after I shower.

“I have an idea.” He reaches to the floor for his sweats, slides them on, then pulls the t-shirt I was wearing before over his head. “Wait here.” He plops a kiss on my lips. “I’ll be right back.”

He’s gone before I can reply, the door slamming behind him as he exits the apartment. “Where the hell is he going?” I look over at Kane, who’s sitting on the couch, looking over at me like he’s wondering the same thing.

I pull on the other t-shirt he had left earlier for me on the end of the bed. I walk over and plop down beside Kane, his little body bouncing when I land, his ears popping up. I laugh. “That’s for biting me, you little shark.” I pull him onto my lap and rub him affectionately behind the ears, his cuteness making it impossible not to forgive him. He’s still snuggled on my lap when Patrick returns a few minutes later .

He strides through the door with his hands full. “Okay, I got yoga pants, a sweatshirt, a dress, a pair of jeans, a couple t-shirts, a pair of sneakers, and a pair of flip-flops in case the sneakers don’t fit.” He raises his brows. “I didn’t know your shoe size.”

“I’m a seven.” I rise from the couch, putting the puppy on the floor, then start rifling through the pile of clothing he’s holding in his hands. “Where in the world did you get this?”

“Charlie.” He transfers the pile from his arms to mine. “She’s not using any of this right now ‘cause she’s so preggers.” He scans me from head to toe. “You’re a little curvier, but basically, you look to be about the same size.”

I arch a brow. “Curvier? Is that a polite way of saying something else?”

“What?” He grabs me, yanking me against him, the clothes in my arms squished between us. “You’ve got the most amazing body I’ve ever laid eyes on.” He smashes his mouth against mine then smacks his hand once against my ass. “I’ll take you in the bedroom right now if you want me to prove it to you.” He grins wickedly.

I giggle. “No, I’m satisfied with your reply.” I push him away, smiling, then move to the couch so I can better inspect what he’s brought me. “Are you sure Charlie doesn’t mind me wearing any of this?”

“Positive.” He walks over and sits on the couch, watching me sort through the clothes. “She’s the one who gave it to me, with the condition that we come to dinner tomorrow so she can meet you.” He clenches his teeth together, his lips curled back, as he waits for my reply.

“Sure you won’t be sick of me by then?” I joke .

He grabs me by the waist and swings me over his lap, a screech sounding from me as I land. One hand clamps down on my back while the other raises the bottom of the t-shirt I’m wearing, exposing my bare ass. He places his hand flat on one of my cheeks and begins rubbing it in a soft, small circle. “I thought I already made it clear that I would never get enough of you?”

I peek up over my shoulder at him, wondering what he’s going to do to me. I keep waiting for him to raise his hand and bring it down against my skin, but instead, he just keeps caressing me, his hand making wider and wider circles, his fingers skimming so low they tease against my pussy.

I know I told him I needed a break, but apparently, my body has other ideas. My core throbs every time his fingers swipe against me, warmth spreading over my body with every stroke. I whimper the next time he brushes against my lips, and I push myself back, trying to force his fingers against me.

My ass feels momentarily cool when his hand lifts, then flaming hot when that hand slaps hard against my pussy. I wail in pleasure when my core convulses tightly, my fingers digging into the pile of clothes on the couch.

His voice drawls heatedly against my ear as he bends over me. “How am I supposed to punish you,” his hand smacks against my pussy again, and I mewl out in pleasure as it pulses again, “when you like this entirely too much?” He fists my hair in his grip and pulls my mouth up to his, a chuckle vibrating up from his chest as he shoves his mouth against mine.

I can feel his cock throbbing against my belly, and I squirm, wanting him to feel as needy as I do. He rips his mouth from mine, releasing his hold on my head, and presses his hand against my back again so I can’t move. “Oh, no, you don’t.” His other hand comes down hard again on my pussy, and I groan long and loud, certain I’m going to come any moment.

He slides a finger down my slit, pushing it inside my opening, another moan rolling out of my mouth when he pumps it excruciatingly slowly in then out of me. I feel myself begin to quicken then tighten around his finger and close my eyes, so ready for the wave to carry me over the edge. Instead, he slides his finger out and then swings me off his lap into a sitting position beside him, my mouth falling open in a large O.

He slides his finger into his mouth and sucks, his cheeks puckering, a pop sounding when it pulls free. One side of his mouth cocks up in a wicked grin. “That’s how I punish you.” He tilts his head, a cocky smile still smeared his face. “Now, you know what it feels like to me be. Always wanting.” He leans forward and sweeps his tongue over my still gaping mouth, chuckling evilly. “I’m gonna go take a shower.” Then he stands and leaves me on the couch, desire coursing through me.