ALittleTasteofHome

by AliyahBurke

  There was no way Gavin could even begin to misunderstand what he was trying to convey.

  “Leave, Seamus, before I forget my promise to my wife.”

  Seamus laughed and walked off.

  * * * *

  Sanura knocked on the wooden door before entering the small room. “Seamus said you wished to talk to me, Bridget. What about?”

  The petite redhead looked petrified as she stood in her wedding dress. Her hands were clenched tightly in front of her as she chewed on her lower lip. “It’s a mistake,” she said.

  “What is?”

  “Me marrying him.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “It won’t work.”

  “Bridget, calm down. Where did all this come from?”

  “Everywhere. Nowhere. Oh hell, I don’t know, we are too different.”

  Sanura smiled as she guided the small woman to a chair and took one opposite her, keeping her hands over the shaking white ones. “Isn’t that part of the reason you love him so much? Because he brings something different to your life?”

  “Well, your husband was different and you’re divorced.”

  Sanura hemmed and hawed a bit before she spoke again, “Not really.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m still married. Apparently.”

  “But you told all of us you were divorced.”

  She pursed her lips. “Thought I was. Turns out . . . I was wrong.”

  “How do you know?”

  “My husband is here. He tore up the divorce papers, contested it and since I wasn’t there, a delay was put on the divorce. Then he came searching for me. He’s sitting out in the church right now.”

  “But what about the other woman?”

  “I believe that it was as he said, a huge misunderstanding. Besides, this was my fault. If I had stayed instead of running, perhaps I wouldn’t have been without him for the past long months.”

  “Well, I am glad, because otherwise you wouldn’t be here.”

  With a smile Sanura continued, “Look, Bridget. You will fight in your marriage. That is a cold hard fact. It means you are both human. But think about this, when you fight then there is always making up afterwards. My preacher always said not to go to bed angry. It may mean you are up all night, but you don’t leave the problem to fester overnight. That and keep it out of the bedroom.”

  “He sounds smart. And perhaps that would explain the glow you are sporting tonight. Must have been a very good make up session.”

  “You hush. It was. He is. Wish I would have listened to him better. I wish I had done a lot of things different. Now come on, enough about me. Are you ready to become Mrs. McNare?”

  “I’m ready. Can you send in me Da?”

  “Right away. You look beautiful, Bridget. You’ll knock his socks off.” She kissed the fair cheek, fixed the veil and went to send in her father.

  As Sanura slid in beside her husband she noticed his clenched jaw. “What’s the matter?”

  “What’s this about another tattoo?” He was livid and she knew it.

  Lord, is there a time when I remember to tell him things before it becomes an issue? The music began and the wedding began. “Can we discuss this later?”

  “You took Seamus with you. Not to mention he knows about the trinity knot.” He spoke harshly but at least it was low toned.

  “Later. We will discuss this later.”

  “Is it true?”

  Sanura speared him with a look cold enough to freeze hell. “I said, later.”

  * * * *

  Gavin closed his mouth as the bride came down the aisle. The ceremony was lovely. Like usual, Sanura blew him away with her voice as she sang an Irish ballad for the couple. It hit him as he sat through the ceremony, holding hands with his wife after she finished: he had denied Sanura a large wedding. They had gotten married in his hotel room, for crying out loud. Not very romantic for a woman. She had worn black and there were no flowers for her. She didn’t even get a wedding reception for she had returned home the day after.

  Gavin glanced down at her as she listened to the Father speak and noticed the shimmer of tears in her eyes. What if that was what she had always dreamed of? A large wedding. As far as he knew, most girls did.

  He slid his arm around her shoulders and nudged her closer. She laid her head on his shoulder and picked up his left hand with her own. Gavin took a fleeting look down and saw their rings. His, a plain band, and hers with its large solitaire as it glinted under the lights of the cathedral.

  With his thumb he hit the solitaire so the ring slid to the side. Her right hand fixed it immediately and she took her eyes off the ceremony for a moment and met his aqua gaze, flashing him a silent question.

  Gavin merely smiled at her before lifting her hand to his mouth where he kissed it above the rings, holding her gaze the whole time. Then he winked at her as he lowered her hand.

  Sanura rewarded him with a smile prior to leaning up against his strength, her attention back on the Father. Gavin was content once again. His wife was at his side. Granted they were across the ocean in Ireland, but at least they were together.

  After the ceremony the whole congregation headed down the road to the building where the reception was to be held. Gavin had his arm around his wife as they walked behind the group.

  “Well, explain it to me now.”

  “Yes, Seamus was with me when I got my newest tattoo. As for knowing about the trinity, anyone who sees me in a bathing suit would see it. I was here over the summer and I did go swimming.”

  “Well, wife, what is the new tattoo and where is it?”

  “It is a different Celtic knot. And it is on my lower back. Okay? Now can we not do this right now? I want to enjoy the wedding. Besides, you should know that Seamus was trying to upset you.”

  “He succeeded.” Gavin leaned over and bit his wife on the neck playfully before his tongue shot out and licked the bite.

  “You need to behave yourself.”

  Gavin was worried about what would happen when they got back to her cottage. Things were by no means settled between them. He had no idea how to regain her trust and no idea where to go from here. This was one time when all his money wouldn’t do him a bit of good. He glanced down at the woman who walked proudly beside him. She carried herself with such pride, such elegance. Her shoulders back and her head held high. She was so gorgeous he actually ached inside.

  It was time the two of them had a serious discussion. But before he could say anything to her, they had entered the reception hall and Sanura was swept away by villagers who wished to speak to her. Gavin kept to the edge of the fray, but his gaze never left his wife. He watched as she spoke with, danced with, joked with and laughed with other men. She was a sight to behold when she was happy. Brilliance literally shone off her smile and her eyes sparkled like the rare gems they were.

  * * * *

  Sanura mingled with the people she had come to know and love. Even though he wasn’t at her side, she could feel the piercing gaze of her husband on her at all times. He behaved himself, although Seamus tried to eke a response out of him.

  It was time to go home. She knew that, she didn’t want to face the fact. It was close to eight months she had been gone, and she had responsibilities. Work, friends, a husband.

  Picking up two flutes of champagne, she moved towards the sandy-haired man with aqua eyes that made her legs all wobbly. A shy smile crossed her face as she stopped in front of him and offered the flute to him. Gavin accepted it with a nod and, as he drank the bubbly, he nestled his wife into the crook of his arm. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, I think it is time. Time to go home.”

  “Do you mean it? Will you come home with me?”

  “Yes. You’re still my husband, at least you say you are, and I have to quit running. It is time I face my problems head on. You know, grow up. Find some confidence in myself.”

  “Oh, kitten. You are most definitely a grown woma
n. If you are ready to go back to the cottage I will show you how grown I think you are. I’ll do whatever I can to help you find your self-confidence.”

  His words caused that familiar flutter to return to her belly. “Okay. Let’s go. Let’s go home.” She put down her half-drunk champagne and stepped out from his arm. “I want to say goodbye to some people.”

  “Are we going to the cottage? Do you want me to get the car?”

  Sanura took a deep breath. “I want to go home. Can we please go home?”

  He smiled as he stroked her cheek with one hand. “We can do anything you want. Anything at all. I will make the arrangements right now. Go take care of what you need to. I will get the car and bring it here.”

  “Thank you.” She turned and walked over towards Seamus.

  “No, kitten, thank you. For coming home. For trusting and forgiving me. Most of all, for loving me.” He slipped out of the building.

  “Seamus? Can I have word with you?”

  “Of course, lass. What is it?” He looked at her and his smile dimmed as comprehension dawned. “You’re leavin’. You’re going home with him.”

  “I still love him, Seamus. I’m so sorry.”

  “No, lass, I have always known you loved him. Not that it makes it any easier to see you go, but for what it’s worth I am glad you are happy. Even if it is with him.”

  “I am. I will never forget you, Seamus. You were there for me when I needed a friend.”

  He scoffed. “A friend. Well, when are you leavin’?”

  “As soon as I go to the cottage and pack my things.”

  “Guess it helps he is so rich. Makes it easy to fly out on a whim. Bastard probably has his own plane, doesn’t he?” Scorn had begun to enter into his words.

  “Please don’t. Seamus, don’t do this.” He flinched away from her when her hand reached for his arm.

  “Don’t, lass. Don’t. At least allow me to be angry for losing you.” He forced a smile as he looked up over her shoulder. Sanura knew what he saw, her husband waiting for her. “Hope he treats you right.”

  “Goodbye, Seamus. Goodbye.” She turned away from him as she fought to keep her tears in check and walked to the tall man waiting for her by the door. The man looked at her like she was his world.

  “Are you alright, kitten?” Gavin asked as he held the door for her.

  “No.” She settled back and stayed silent for the short ride back to the cottage. She changed quickly into jeans and a t-shirt before lacing her hiking boots onto her feet. “Is it set? For us to leave tonight?”

  “The plane is being fueled as we speak.” Gavin too had changed into jeans, cowboy boots, and a sleeveless shirt. He latched onto her arm as she went past him with an empty bag for packing. “Talk to me, kitten. What’s bothering you?”

  “He hates me,” she wailed as she sat on the bed.

  “Who?”

  “Seamus. He hates me.”

  Gavin smiled at her lament. It was obvious he didn’t really feel all bad for Seamus. “Kitten, he was in love with you. My guess hating you is the only way he is going to be able to move on. I can’t blame him, for I wouldn’t want to lose you.”

  “But he shouldn’t hate me. I didn’t mean to make him hate me.”

  “Come on, kitten. Let’s get the rest of this packed and go home.”

  It didn’t take her long to gather her items. She left everything in the cottage, only taking her clothes and some of the gifts that she had been given over the past months. In an envelope addressed to Seamus O’Grady she left another month’s worth of rent and a note trying once again to apologize for how this whole thing had played out.

  Gavin drove them to the small airport and escorted his wife up into the lavish Gulfstream jet as their bags were loaded in by the attendants. A short time later they were airborne and heading back to Georgia.

  Once they were in the air, Sanura moved to sit on a couch to play some music on the screen. She watched music videos for a bit as she sorted through her feelings.

  * * * *

  Gavin let her stay by herself for maybe an hour. He used his phone and made some arrangements. With a call to his mother he informed her they were on their way home. A call to Clint straightened some more things out. When his business was done, Gavin headed over to where Kenny Chesney was singing You Had Me From Hello on the screen. He looked down at his ebony queen and his heart melted.

  She was staring at the screen eagerly absorbing the sight of the country singer. “Something got your attention on that screen, kitten?” he purred as he slid onto the couch beside her.

  “Uh huh, the cowboy singing. Did you get your work taken care of?”

  “So you think he is cute, do you?”

  “Cute, no. I think he is hot. You didn’t answer my question, though.”

  “Yes, I got my stuff done.” He reached over and clicked the music to some smooth R&B. “You don’t need to be looking at him.”

  Sanura had been sitting with her legs pulled up to her chest so she rested her chin on her knees. “I like looking at him. He’s so handsome.”

  She kept her gaze straight ahead as the man beside her grumbled low. “His entire six-foot, five-inch frame. All those muscles, tight abs, strong legs. The way his jeans fit him and his cutoff shirts. Oh yeah, let’s not forget the way his eyes make me feel. And the color.” Gavin was tense with dislike for this new man she was describing. “I love the aqua color of his eyes.”

  Gavin blinked in confusion at that, for it wasn’t a description of the man she had been watching on the screen. It sounded almost like himself. He looked down at the woman beside him and saw that mischievous sparkle back as she looked up at him. She had been waiting for him to turn his gaze to her, had known what her words would do to him.

  “You little minx. What are you trying to do to me? Make me jealous?” He picked her up and settled her on his lap.

  “Did it work?”

  “You know it did,” he rumbled. “I don’t like the thought of you looking at other men. Especially ones that wear cowboy boots, since that is an apparent weakness of yours.”

  “Fine. From now on I will contain myself to only stare at LL Cool J. ’Cause, damn, that brother be fine. All those rippling pectorals. Yum.”

  His arms flexed around her as he silently informed her how much he didn’t want to hear this from her mouth. She chuckled as she burrowed closer to him.

  “How did you get to be in such good shape?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, no offense, but most rich men wouldn’t be in this good of shape. I mean, most might be fit but you are downright cut. Ripped. How did that happen? Did you play sports?”

  “Football. I did some fencing and some boxing.”

  “Football, huh, bet you looked good in those tight pants.”

  “Don’t know. That isn’t something you ask a locker room full of guys.”

  “I would.”

  “What do you know about locker rooms?”

  “A lot.” She smiled before giving a dainty shrug. “But we aren’t talking about me.”

  “Why are we talking at all? Come with me.” He stood her up and rose up after her. Took her into his office area and shut the door behind him.

  * * * *

  She sat on his desk and waited for him to turn around and face her. He looked so damn good, it made her kick herself over and over for being so stupid. Why didn’t I fight for him? Why did I let myself believe I wasn’t the woman for him?

  “What did you have in mind?” Her manicured fingers tapped the top of the desk.

  “Joining the mile-high club.” His own eyes deepened with budding passion as he moved to take her in his arms. “Care to become a member with me?”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  The rest of the flight across “the pond” was spent mostly behind closed doors. From office to sleeping quarters. Gavin and Sanura relearned each other’s bodies and found new ways to take each other to new heights.
r />   After they landed, Gavin was already at the door waiting for her.

  “You go on ahead. I’ll be right there. I . . . I need a moment.”

  Gavin understood. “I’ll wait for you at the bottom of the steps.” He walked with the pilot, and before they disappeared he turned back around and said, “I love you, kitten. Never forget that.” Then he vanished through the open plane door.

  * * * *

  “There are rumors circulating your wife has filed for divorce. Is that true? Is the wealthy Gavin Rawlins back on the market?”

  “Is it true she has left the country?”

  “What about the naked woman in your hotel room and how your wife found out about her?”

  On and on the questions were yelled.

  Gavin looked up the plane steps and saw Sanura and knew that she was beginning to panic. With speed and agility he sprinted up the stairs and caught a hold of her before she could lock herself in his office.

  “I can’t go out there. I don’t like having people on me like this.”

  “Come on, kitten. I will be right by your side. Unfortunately this is something that comes with being with me. We will get all the way through this side by side.”

  “Side by side?”

  “Side by side.” He took her in his arms and kissed her until her lips were swollen and her body trembled with need. “Come on, kitten, I want to get you home.” Without letting go he steered her to the open door and the waiting press.

  Sanura slid her arm through his as they walked down the stairs. He wore another one of his power suits and Sanura had dressed in a loose skirt and silk blouse that flattered her very nicely. At the bottom he looked over the group of reporters and then spoke in his aristocratic, arrogant way.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see by this stunning woman next to me I am not divorced. My wife Sanura was in Ireland for a time on personal business but now has come home.”

  “What about all the places you were flying to?” one man yelled.

  Sanura fielded that question. “My husband is a businessman. What he does and where he goes is of no concern to you. Don’t y’all have more important things to cover, or is the whereabouts of one man what makes your pricks get a hard on?”