Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“I can see why,” he says huskily.
I curl my arms around him again and lay my cheek against his chest, clinging to him. He doesn’t need to ask why I brought up that story. He knows I’m talking about us, the ticking that’s in the background of every interaction, every hug, every kiss, every love-filled word, Gaelic or English. He knows that he’s Oisín, and one day, I won’t be here for him, or he won’t be there for me.
“Let’s enjoy tonight,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head. “The ball will come; the war might come. But not tonight, beautiful. Tonight, nothing can touch us. It’s just me and you.”
Just like it was years ago, sheltering in that cave, when, to my young and terrified mind, it felt like the entire world was against us and there was only one man who could save me. But that was when I was a child.
I’ve changed since then. I’m not naïve anymore. Maybe he’s right. Maybe tonight is the only time we’ll have to just be together.
Am I going to waste that by dreading the future?
“Just me and you,” I whisper.
Fourteen
KILLIAN
“Are you sure they don’t mind opening just for us?” Lucy says, looking across the street at the jewelry store as the lights flick on. She turns to me, pouting, her fiery red locks framing her gorgeous face. “Hey—don’t look at me like that.”
I smile innocently, holding my hands up. “Like what?”
She nudges me, laughing. I think about the story of Oisín and Niamh, the message nestled within her words. She’s not happy about this having an expiration date, and neither am I, but tonight, it doesn’t matter. It’s just us.
“You think it’s so quaint that I’d be shocked at a business owner opening after hours for two customers.”
“It’s not like he’s doing it for free,” I tell her. When she frowns, I realize I shouldn’t have mentioned the cost. A fiercely independent, hardworking woman like Lucy doesn’t want handouts.
“Remember,” I say, gently touching her face. “Tonight is my treat. And don’t you dare open that door yourself.”
I climb from the car, walking around to her side. She’s laughing at first, but by the time I reach her side, her gorgeous eyes are glinting with something else.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, offering my hand.
I’m relieved when she takes it, but she’s still got that look on her face. “Nothing,” she murmurs.
“It’s clearly something,” I say.
“I just saw your gun holster.”
I sigh. “I need it, Lucy. To protect you.”
“I know,” she murmurs.
I loop my arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry about that. Worry about the necklace you want… something with jewels that matches your perfect red hair, perhaps.”
She wraps her hands around my arm. “We’ll see. I just hope it’s not too expens—” She giggles when I playfully spank the thickness of her ass. “Excuse me,” she says, stopping outside the store.
“Any time you mention cost, you get a spank,” I tell her. “You don’t need to worry about the price. This is all on me. Let me spoil you.”
While I have the chance. But I keep that part to myself.
When I ring the bell, a man with white hair answers, slightly crooked in the back, wearing a white tuxedo with a red bowtie. “Good evening, Mr. Callahan,” he says, bowing slightly. “And this must be the lovely Miss Cassidy.”
I keep my hand on the small of her back. “The one and only,” I say.
“Please, come in. Feel free to peruse the items at your leisure. If you need me, simply ring the bell.”
“Thank you,” I say, guiding her into the store.
The entire room sparkles and glitters with the jewelry, the overhead lights bouncing off the pieces. I watch Lucy as she turns in a small circle, taking it all in. Despite all that’s happened, the pain and the violence, she looks stunned and happy.
We walk up and down the glass cases together. “There are no prices on anything,” she whispers.
Checking the backroom, I reach down and sneakily spank her. “What did I say, beautiful?”
She touches my chest. “Maybe you could borrow a piece for the ball?”
I spank her again, and she laughs. “I didn’t mention cost that time!”
“No loopholes,” I tell her. “Anything catch your eye? What about this one with the red emeralds?”
I lead her to a display case with a gold-and-red necklace sitting in it.
“It matches your hair,” I whisper, kissing her just under the ear.
She shivers in the most tempting fashion, sinking her nails into my side and holding tight. “It is pretty,” she murmurs.
“It’s not the piece that’s pretty. It’s you. When I look at it, I can imagine you wearing it, Lucy. I can imagine it drawing attention to that gorgeous hair of yours. Why don’t you try it on?”
She looks up at me. “Are you sure?”