Luck was on her side and a parking spot was open directly in front of the pub. Keelin checked the clock. At 11:00, the pub would be open but not quite serving lunch yet. Perfect, she thought. She hoped that her plan worked.
Keelin opened the door quietly and walked inside. She squinted her eyes into the dim light of the pub and saw Cait with her back to the door stacking glasses on the bar. Keelin stood where she was. "What is your soup of the day?" she asked in her head – not out loud.
"A lovely vegetable barley is on the pot for you," Cait said as she turned and smiled. She stopped and dropped a glass to the counter as she looked into Keelin's eyes. Her mouth dropped open.
"I didn't say that out loud, Cait." Keelin moved towards the bar.
"Oh, feck. I should've known you would figure it out." Cait sighed and hunched her shoulders. "Go on, run on. I know you will think I'm a freak."
"What? No!" Keelin was shocked. She hurried around the bar and ducked under the pass-through. She pulled the small woman into her arms. "No, please don't think that. I don't feel that way at all. I'm sorry. I should have just asked you. I shouldn't have pulled that trick on you."
She felt Cait tense in her arms. She shuddered out a deep breath before she gave a small nod. Stepping back, Cait smiled up at Keelin.
"It's okay. I'm just so used to hiding it. Come on, you should really try the soup." Cait ushered her towards a seat.
Keelin let out a breath and pulled up a stool at the bar. She was relieved that she hadn't hurt her friend too badly. She should have thought her plan through. What had she been thinking?
"I said it's okay." Cait laughed at her as Keelin jumped a bit.
"Okay, this will be something that I have to get used to. But, well, you know about me, right?" Keelin asked as she glanced over her shoulder for other patrons.
"Yes, I know. I wondered when you would feel comfortable sharing with me," Cait said as she slid a cup of tea in front of Keelin.
"I guess, I don't know, I guess I am still just trying to figure it all out. How does having this power work for you? I can't read minds but if I grab someone's hand I can get flashes of them or their past. Obviously, if they are sick I can read that." Keelin blew on her tea and idly stirred some milk into her cup.
"I don't know, not really. I had a hard time growing up because it took me a long time to figure out that people weren't always speaking what I would hear from them. Thank God for Fiona. She taught me how to shield myself. Frankly, if it wasn't for her I would never be able to work in a crowded bar. Now, I rarely hear people's thoughts unless I actively tune in or if I am alone and unguarded." Cait wiped the counter down and continued to do the busywork of setting up the bar stations. Keelin sipped her tea and gestured with the cup for her to continue. "Honestly, I think that most people have forgotten that I can read minds or choose to ignore it. But it makes dating difficult."
"I was going to ask about that. So, does Shane really like you?"
Cait threw up her hands. "Ugh, I don't know! I try to be respectful of him and not poke into his brain. Interestingly enough, he is one of the hardest people to read that I've come across. I think that is part of his appeal."
"He's a kind man, you know. I read him."
Cait nodded. "I know, I can tell. Plus I had Aislinn read his colors. He's a pure one. Unfortunately, my thoughts about him are anything but." Cait grinned at her wickedly and Keelin barked out a laugh.
"Girl, go after him."
"Uh huh. Just like you are going after Flynn?" Cait raised her eyebrow at her.
Keelin gulped her tea. "God, I'm so nervous. What am I doing with that man?"
"I hope it involves handcuffs." Cait shrieked with laughter as Keelin's mouth dropped open. "You should see your face."
"I, jeez." Keelin huffed out a breath and fanned her face. The mental images of Flynn with handcuffs were enough to make her squirm. "Have you ever dated him?"
"Flynn? Gosh no. Not for lack of trying though." Cait smiled at her. "Honestly though, Flynn doesn't date in the village, to the dismay of many a broken heart. He likes to keep his home life and love life separate. So, lucky for you, you'll not have any jealous exes coming after you here."
"Well that's something, I guess. I'm nervous," Keelin confessed in a rush of words. "It's been a long time for me and I just about lose my head when that man is around me. I don't know how it will be."
"Listen to your heart. You'll know if it isn't right for you," Cait said.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Listening to my heart. I feel like I don't know myself and at the same time like I finally know myself." Keelin twirled her spoon in her teacup.
"Well, I know one man who wants to get to know you. Why don't you really talk to him tonight and take some time to get to know him? You might have a better sense of things after that. If he doesn't already have you undressed below deck by then." Fiona shot her a smile as Keelin groaned.
"You know, part of that thought freaks me out and the other part really wants it."
"Listen to the part that wants it." Cait raised her glass to Keelin.
Chapter Nineteen
Keelin mulled over Cait's advice on the way home to get ready for her date. She was right. Keelin needed to get out of her head and into her heart. Keelin caught herself humming along to the radio as she navigated the cliff roads. It was a strange feeling – this coming into her own. Boston seemed like worlds away. Being out from under her mother's scrutiny and away from the need to finish school had freed her in a way that she may have never known. Under Fiona's tutelage she was slowly learning an entirely new craft that made her soul sing. For that alone she was grateful. For the hunky neighbor next door that she wanted to devour in one gulp? She wasn't sure if grateful was the word exactly. She decided to embrace the evening and listen to her heart and only her heart. Let it lead her where she needed to be.
Keelin laughed as she pulled into the drive. Flynn's dog stood to attention with a basket of flowers in her mouth. That man did not miss a trick, she thought as she bounded out of the car to take the basket in her hands. A small card was tucked amongst the wildflower blossoms. Keelin leaned over and rubbed the scruff on Teagan's neck. "Go on, girl. You can tell him that I got the basket." She smiled as Teagan took off over the hills. Just add that to the list of weird things here, she thought. Keelin tucked the basket under her arm and ripped the card open as she nudged the door with her hip.
“Though lovely and fair as the rose of the summer
Yet, ’twas not her beauty alone that won me.
Oh no! ’Twas the truth in her eye ever dawning
That made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee.”
Hmm, Keelin thought. So Flynn was quoting poetry to her now? She hid a small smile as she contemplated the line about the truth in her eye. Did Flynn want her to tell him about her gifts? She wasn't sure if she was ready to share that part of herself. Heck, she was still figuring it out for herself. Keelin wasn't certain if she was ready to tell people, well, regular people, about it.
Keelin scrounged in the cupboards until she found a lovely crystal vase for the flowers. She continued to hum to herself as she cut the flowers for the vase. It was a softly beautiful summer day and the windows were thrown open to catch the sea breezes. Keelin heard Ronan's barks grow closer as Fiona made her way up the path and into the cottage. Fiona stopped and exclaimed at the flowers as Ronan ran over to lick Keelin's feet.
"Well, well. That boy was raised right." Fiona fussed over the flowers and placed them on a small table by the open window. "These are just lovely."
"I know. He did good, I'll give him that." Keelin eyed the flowers warily.
Fiona turned and gave Keelin a hug. "It's intimidating to be pursued. And, really exciting too. Embrace it, enjoy it, and go with the flow. You'll have fun tonight. And, if my guess is correct, Flynn knows how to show a woman a good time." Fiona raised her eyebrows at her. Keelin laughed and touched her forehead to hers.
"I love you. I really do.
I'm so glad that I came here and got to know you."
"You too, my dear. Now, let's get you ready for your date." Fiona bustled over to Keelin's room and pulled out the dress she had pressed for her. "You should wear your hair down, messy-like. Minimal jewelry I am thinking. Just skin, that gorgeous hair, and this dress. Much sexier of a statement. Do you have any flat sandals?"
"I do; I was going to wear these gold-threaded ones." Keelin pulled out a pair of flat, intricately woven gold sandals. They would allow her to walk around the boat without tripping on things or losing her balance.
"Perfect. Now, go shower. Don't forget to shave!" Fiona winked at her and Keelin laughed and shook her head. It seemed like the whole village wanted her to get laid tonight.
Keelin took her time in the shower, enjoying the steam and the warmth. Afterwards, she worked a natural lotion into her skin. It smelled faintly of vanilla and was a product that Fiona had helped her to create. She was proud of her work and smiled down at the small jar. Keelin figured she could probably sell it for a nice chunk of change back in Boston. She'd label it as all-natural herbal Irish products. The Boston Irish would eat it right up, she thought. Keelin realized that that was actually a fairly smart idea and she grabbed her iPad by the bed to jot down some notes. With a cute website and some expertly culled products, she suspected that she could have a neat little side business going. Thinking about becoming an entrepreneur kept her mind off of the nervousness of her date as she dried her hair and let it tumble in loose waves over her shoulders. Keelin scrunched her nose as she examined her face in the mirror. She decided on eyeliner to pop her eyes, a hint of blush for her cheeks, and kept her lips bare. The dress would be the showstopper tonight.
Keelin was just pulling the dress over her shoulders when she heard the knock at the door and Fiona's voice as she answered. She could have sworn she heard Fiona giggle like a girl and she rolled her eyes. Flynn could charm a rabid dog, she thought. Keelin felt a bolt of nervousness shoot through as she straightened in the mirror and examined herself one more time before she went into the living room. The red dress fulfilled the promise it had made in the store and accentuated all of her curves. Fiona had been right about Keelin leaving her hair down and messy. With just a light touch of makeup, messy hair, and the pretty gold sandals, Keelin looked sexy, carefree, and confident. She took a deep breath and went to meet Flynn.
Chapter Twenty
Flynn's eyes widened as Keelin entered the room. She smiled shyly at him as he broke off his conversation with Fiona and traced his gaze over her. For once, the man had nothing to say.
"Hello, Flynn," Keelin said shyly as she gathered her wrap and a small bag. Flynn nodded at her as Fiona reached up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She picked up a book and wished them both a good evening before retiring into her bedroom. Flynn moved quickly around the table and stood before Keelin. She backed up a step, feeling a little unsteady. He had yet to say a word and it was making her stomach twinge.
Slowly, Keelin raised her eyes to Flynn's. The deep blue of his eyes bored into her own as he leaned down and nipped at her mouth. Gently, and ever so sweetly, he pressed his lips to hers. As he eased away, he smiled at her. "You're gorgeous. If you wanted to punish me, this dress certainly does it. I'll barely be able to carry on a conversation tonight without wondering what you are wearing underneath it." Flynn raised an eyebrow at her.
Keelin's mouth went dry. She swallowed quickly. "Not much fits under this dress." She squeaked as he grabbed her to him and leaned to kiss her again. "Stop, stop. Come on, I want to see this boat of yours." Keelin glanced towards Fiona's door, certain the old woman was leaning against the door, listening.
Flynn groaned. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her from the room and out to a late-model truck that was parked in the drive. He stopped at her door and helped her to get in the truck, his hand sliding down her leg before he shut the door. Keelin took a shaky breath. If this was the type of tension between them, she doubted that they would make it through dinner.
"So, where do you dock this boat of yours?" Keelin asked as Flynn reversed and headed his truck in the other direction over the hills. The sun was just beginning to meander towards the horizon and a soft breeze blew the sea scents in through the window.
"On the other side of the cove. I have several docks there for a variety of my boats. It all depends on what I am fishing for that day."
"Oh, and what are you fishing for tonight?" Keelin said cheekily.
Flynn turned his powerful gaze on her. "The grand prize, of course."
Keelin gulped and didn't answer him. He chuckled as he wound his truck down the hill to the glistening shoreline below them. Several docks held a myriad variety of boats from small two-seaters to a large gleaming white yacht.
"The two-seater, I presume?" Keelin poked at his chest as he helped her out. Flynn laughed at her and held her hand as they walked down to the docks. It was surprisingly comfortable – the way her small hand felt in his rough palm. Little tendrils of heat seemed to curl up her arm from where they connected.
Flynn ushered her onto the dock that held the yacht. Though the boat was far larger than any of the others in his fleet, it was still manageable by one captain. Keelin saw nobody else on board as he guided her up the smooth gangplank to the first level of the boat. Warm teak wood panels ran the length of the boat and the floor. White leather cushions wrapped around the entire boat and various sitting spaces invited a visitor to lounge as wanted. At the front of the boat, a small table was set with flowers, small candles in mason jars, and a bottle of champagne icing in a bucket. Flynn motioned to the table.
"Would you like to pop the champagne while I get us on our way?" he asked as he finished untying the ropes that held the boat to the dock. He moved quickly to the steering wheel and a series of beeps sounded before the powerful hum of the engine trembled beneath the boat. Keelin watched him as he competently maneuvered the boat from the dock and switched their direction to facing outwards. It seemed like he did everything competently. If anything, this was a man who knew his own power. He must have been reading her thoughts because he sliced a glance at her and she took a quick sip of her champagne to cool the heat in her stomach.
"Would you like a glass?" she asked him quickly.
"Sure, a small one. I rarely drink if I am on the boat." Keelin moved from the table and over to stand by him at the helm. He accepted the glass and she stayed by his side, gazing out over the ocean as the sun moved to dip beneath the sea.
"It's so lovely. It's fun to be out on the water. I haven't gotten much of the water perspective since I've been here. I feel a little landlocked," Keelin said as she turned and gazed at the green hills that were growing smaller behind them.
"Would you like to drive?" Flynn asked her.
"Me? Yes! I'd love to." Keelin gigged as he switched spots with her and showed her the controls. She loved the feel of the steering wheel trembling under her hands. "Can we go fast?" Keelin shrieked as Flynn stepped behind her and punched the throttle forward. The momentum slammed her back into his hard body and he put his arms around her waist to steady her. She laughed as the wind tore her hair back and the waves pounded under the boat. It was so freeing to race across the water like this. She sighed as Flynn tapped the motor back down and the roar of the engine slowed.
"I have dinner planned and don't want it to go bad. Would you like to eat in the cove?" Flynn raised his eyebrows at her in a challenge.
"What? No. Seriously? Do you think it will be okay?" Keelin trembled a bit at the thought of the cove glowing blue.
"It's fine. You and I both have no problem going there if our intentions are pure." His eyes pierced hers. She stared up at his windswept hair, which framed his chiseled face. He leaned casually against the side of the boat, sexy in his untucked button-down and loose shorts. She wanted to unbutton his shirt with her teeth.
"Oh, they’re pure," Keelin said quickly, though her thoughts were anything but. Flynn gave her a quick g
rin before he motored the boat into the cove. He stopped it in the deeper part of the water and threw an anchor to the bottom. Flynn cut the engines and the boat rocked lazily as small waves slapped against the sides. Keelin took a deep breath of the sea air and surveyed the cove from a new angle. The last of the sun's light cut across the cove's opening and shot rays across the middle of the cove while the surrounding hills stayed cloaked in darkness. Keelin turned when Flynn tugged at her hair. He pointed up into the sky where a full moon was beginning to rise as the sun set. Recognition slammed into her stomach as Keelin looked at the twin of the picture that Aislinn had given her. If there was ever a sign, she thought. A low hum began to fill her blood and Keelin decided to step into her own power.
"What's for dinner?" Keelin asked as she moved towards Flynn.
"I have cheese, fruits, salad, brown bread, and planned to sear some scallops in the small kitchen below." Flynn eyed her warily as she moved towards him. "Why?"
"Can it wait?" Keelin threaded her hands around his neck and leaned up to take a quick nip of his mouth. Just a taste.
"Oh, yeah. It can wait." Flynn molded his mouth to hers and she gasped as he swept her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips continued a brutal assault on hers as he dipped his tongue deep in her mouth. Keelin felt warm tendrils of sensation shoot to her core as he walked her backwards. She huffed out a small laugh as he ran her into a chair. "Come on, let's go downstairs." Flynn set her down and made to pull her towards the opening for the stairs. Keelin eyed him and shook her head no. The pale moonlight washed over her as she grasped the hem of her dress. Flynn's eyes narrowed and became fiercely intent as she pulled the dress over her head and tossed it on the chair.
"Here." Keelin felt intoxicated. The soft moonlight caressed her curves and dips. Beneath her dress she wore no bra and only a small slip of a thong. Her shoes glittered on her feet and she laughed, tossed her hair back, and lifted her arms to the sky. "Definitely here."
Wild Irish Heart (The Mystic Cove Series Book 1) Page 14