Patrick's Promise (Cloverleaf #3)

by Gloria Herrmann

  They continued to watch the movie until the boys fell asleep against Liam. Patrick turned off the TV and peeled Connor from Liam, depositing the small boy in his bed. As he was coming back, Liam already had Finn in his arms. After both boys were tucked in, the two men ventured to the kitchen.

  “You want a beer or something?”

  “Sure,” Liam replied. Patrick bent down into the fridge, removed two dark-colored glass bottles, and motioned for them to sit outside on the deck.

  Liam took a seat in a patio chair. He extended his legs and inhaled deeply. He felt relaxed, not like a man that was getting married in a week. He had been asked by different friends and people he would run into at the store or gas station if he were getting cold feet yet. His answer was always a simple no. Now, he couldn’t explain why he wasn’t nervous. Maybe, that’s just how it was when you find the right one.

  Patrick sipped his beer and let out a long sigh. “Nice out tonight.”

  Liam nodded. It was; the evening was warm, but pleasantly so. The sun was starting to hide behind the mountains, and the sky was a burnt orange color, with lavender clouds stretched out like taffy.

  “You getting nervous yet, man?”

  Liam shook his head and answered. “No, that’s what is so weird. I’m actually excited. I miss her right now.”

  “Well, that’s good. I’m happy for you, Liam.” He took another swig from his bottle. “I had my doubts, I mean to get pregnant and married, sort of all at once. That’s a lot.”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t ideal to have it all happen like that, but you know, I’m totally good with it.” Liam took a sip from his own bottle. He relished the rich flavor.

  “So, Chelsea’s here. How’s that going?”

  Liam turned toward Patrick. “Actually, I’m glad you brought her up.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Well, Rachel thought it might be fun for the four of us to go out one night. Kinda like a double date, you know?” Liam waited for his brother’s reaction. He hadn’t been completely sold on the idea himself when Rachel mentioned it. He knew that Patrick wasn’t really into Chelsea; hell, his brother wasn’t into dating at all. Liam wished that Patrick would meet someone. It would be great to go out on dates together.

  “Oh, Liam, I just don’t know.” Patrick had a faraway look in his eyes.

  “Ah, it won’t be that bad, might be fun actually. You could always take her as your date to the wedding,” Liam suggested.

  “Uh, no thanks,” Patrick said quickly, a distinctive hint of irritation in his voice.

  “Why? What’s wrong with her?”

  Patrick rolled his eyes. “Nothing, I’m just not into her.”

  “Well, let’s just go out this weekend. Maybe you will change your mind. You might actually like her, Patrick.”

  “Highly doubtful.” Patrick wore a scowl and put the bottle back to his lips.

  ***

  Rachel

  “Chelsea, you want some more coffee?” Rachel asked as she refilled her mug. She had been trying to break herself of her caffeine habit, but so far the habit was winning.

  “Sure.” Chelsea yawned. She was curled into the corner breakfast nook in the dining room. The morning light filtered in. It was early, and today Rachel had plans for them to work on wedding stuff. “Tell me again, why we are up at the crack of dawn?”

  “Oh, please, it’s after seven.” Rachel laughed as she brought the mugs to the table.

  Chelsea nibbled slowly on the blueberry bagel that was in front of her. “Thanks,” she said as she accepted her mug. “So, tell me, what is the game plan for today, Rachel?” She returned to pinching off small pieces of the bagel and eating in a bird-like fashion. Rachel knew how much Chelsea hated consuming carbs. It was something that Rachel had learned to get over. Now she enjoyed food and found comfort in actually cooking.

  Rachel considered the question. She started thinking of the list of things they needed to accomplish in less than a week. The wedding was the following weekend. Chelsea had already been there for a couple of days, and now Rachel was missing Liam terribly. Every morning she had woken up, she thought it was him next to her, but it was only Chelsea.

  “I was thinking today we could meet up with Maggie and Mary, maybe work on some of the decorations and stuff.”

  Chelsea rolled her eyes, and a smirk followed. “I don’t really want to deal with Maggie.”

  “How come? She’s really awesome.”

  “I’m glad you guys get along so well.” Chelsea’s tone turned cool as she moved her eyes away from Rachel and sipped her coffee.

  “Oh, don’t be like that. She’s nice, and I’m lucky because not every sister-in-law is. Same goes for Liam’s mom. She’s amazing. I couldn’t ask to be getting married into a better family.”

  “Yeah, I liked her. But you know who I liked more?”

  “I know. Trust me, I know. Liam is going to see about us going out together. I thought maybe tonight,” Rachel added, lifting her mug to her lips.

  “So I have to endure the torture of hanging out with Maggie in order to see her brother? Not sure if it’s worth it.”

  “Chelsea, first, it’s not torture. Second, maybe you’ve forgotten just how hot Patrick is.” The best friends looked at each other, grinning, and burst out laughing into their mugs, each reveling in their close moment.

  Chapter Ten

  Patrick

  He wasn’t sure how he was tricked into going, but he wasn’t happy about it. Not one damn bit. Liam kept smiling at him, silently trying to encourage Patrick. Why? He had no interest in Chelsea. Sure she was pretty, but she wasn’t Amber. But of course, he wasn’t about to tell his brother about that. He had been doing a good job keeping that whole thing under wraps, which made it all sorts of exciting.

  “So, Patrick, pretty wild that these two are getting married,” Chelsea said as she motioned with her head at Rachel and Liam, who were happily seated across from them. He smiled and nodded. There was no sense in egging her on; he had no desire to get to know her, and he felt like this was a huge waste of time. A waste of both of their time.

  Rachel looked at Liam, and he could see his brother shrug. Rachel’s intentions were great, but Patrick would much rather be doing something else, anything else than sitting there, tucked into a booth at a restaurant in Spokane. He was thankful they suggested they go out of town to have dinner; he couldn’t risk Amber seeing him with this beautifully blonde, tanned, beach babe. Granted, Amber and he had not made anything official or staked a claim on each other. Patrick just wanted to finish their food and head back home.

  After dinner, they all rode together in Rachel’s BMW, zipping around and exploring the busy downtown district. The tall and beautifully designed buildings shielded them from the early evening sunlight. Liam and Rachel decided it would be fun for them all to take a walk around Spokane’s Riverfront Park. It was home to a raging river that could be watched from a bridge. It was a must-see for anyone visiting the area, and Rachel insisted they show Chelsea, who seemed fairly unimpressed.

  The air was still rather hot, even though the sun had started to set; it had cooked the concrete city all day. The mist rising up for the water was a welcome relief as they stood gazing at the sheer force and power of the river.

  “Pretty incredible, right?” Rachel commented in complete awe as she stood, her eyes fixed on the water.

  Chelsea nodded and said, “But it’s not the ocean, Rachel. Remember how crazy that would get? Especially if there was a storm coming.”

  The water was so loud, Patrick had a difficult time hearing Chelsea and Rachel, but that suited him just fine. He was eager to go home. His sister was keeping the boys overnight, which surprised him because she seemed a little irritated more than usual when he had asked her to babysit. Patrick was pretty sure it had something to do with Chelsea; the two just didn’t click for some reason. Not that Patrick could blame his sister for being rubbed the wrong way by Chelsea; she was nice enough, but there was
a terrible snottiness about her that didn’t sit well with him. That’s what made him adore Amber that much more. She was easygoing and was happy doing simple things. They had seen each other a couple times that week, the chemistry was growing between them, and they found it difficult not to be kissing or touching. They hadn’t taken things to the next level yet, but Patrick’s body was more than ready to. He craved physical contact with her. Whether it be his hands or mouth, he needed to touch her. Patrick had sent a text to Amber earlier that day, asking if they could get together later. She had finally agreed. Maybe tonight they would be able to explore their chemistry a little more.

  “We probably should head home soon,” Patrick announced to them.

  Liam agreed and started to usher Rachel back toward the direction of where they had parked. Once inside the car, Chelsea, who was seated in the backseat alongside Patrick, leaned in closer to him. “It was nice going out tonight.”

  “Yeah, it was,” Patrick lied and then continued, choosing his words carefully. It was best to get any notion of seeing him again out of her head. “I think you’re really great, but I’m just not ready to really go out.”

  Chelsea pouted and placed her hand on his khaki-clad thigh. “I think we could’ve had a lot of fun.”

  “I’m sorry, it just…”

  She cut him off, quickly taking ownership of the conversation and removing her hand. “I know it has to be hard, because like, didn’t your wife die or something?”

  “Yes.” Her voice annoyed him; her tone was dismissive and not genuine at all. He was eager to get home and hoped that the hour drive home went by quickly. He turned and looked out the window as the trees whizzed by, then threw a glance at Liam, who was driving. Patrick willed his brother to step on it.

  ***

  Amber

  It was nearly nine by the time Amber pulled into Patrick’s driveway. She sat there for a minute after turning her car off. What was she even doing here? Of course she liked Patrick, a lot, in fact. But she had a feeling that tonight they were going to probably explore this whole thing, whatever it was, a little more. They had a spent a couple of dates together, mainly just going for a drive and then engaging in some heavy making out. Not that she minded; her lips had gone unkissed for about two years, and it felt wonderful being wanted and desired again. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that she was somehow dishonoring Peter—it felt like borderline cheating. In her heart, she knew he would want her to love again and to be happy.

  Amber was more than attracted to Patrick, but she just wanted to sort of know where this relationship was headed. He hadn’t really suggested that they were going to be dating or become an actual couple, hell, she had no idea how this all worked, and she doubted that he did either.

  Letting out a huge sigh, she gathered her inner strength to get out of the car. She had shaved her legs after all, so she knew very well what the plan was for tonight. She just hoped it was the right decision. I guess I’ll find out.

  She rang the doorbell, and Patrick opened the door after a minute or so. As he stood there, she felt her body warm. The length of his tall body filled the doorway, his black hair wet from showering, she could detect the light smell of soap and his aftershave, the one that made her crazy. His eyes, which were full of mischief as they scanned her body from head to toe, matched the sinfully sexy smile he greeted her with. He had all the looks of a man that had been waiting for his prey, hungry.

  He didn’t even utter a word; he just bent down and mashed his mouth on hers, taking what he had been waiting for.

  Amber tried to catch her breath after he pulled away. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Yeah, I can tell,” Amber said as she licked her sensitive lips.

  Amber followed Patrick inside. It was quiet. She had been told that his sister, Maggie, was keeping his twin boys for the night. Dylan was at home with her parents. He was playing a computer game she had just purchased for him, so she knew he was more than happy and wouldn’t want her around. She swallowed hard; her mouth had gone dry. She was completely nervous.

  Patrick placed his hands on her hips, guiding her closer to him. “I missed you.”

  They had just seen each other the other day, granted, but she thought about him every moment. Patrick captured her mouth once more with his, this time less gently and with far more need. She could hear him moan inside her mouth and could feel the tightness of his body as he brought her even closer to him.

  “Amber, I swear, you have no clue what you do to me.” His eyes were dark with lust, desire apparent on his face. He wanted her. Amber raised her hand to his jaw, tracing the outline of the black stubble covered skin. God, he was a sexy creature. The shade of his skin was slightly tanned from working outside in the elements, causing his already mesmerizing eyes to stand out even more. Her body was melting. If he tried taking her to his bedroom right now, she knew she wouldn’t resist. She was half tempted to drag him there herself.

  ***

  Patrick

  God, he wanted her. Patrick couldn’t escape the rush of desire that coursed through him, racing like a flash flood during rain season. His body was quickly losing control. He needed her more than anything. His brain was firing off instructions, telling him what he needed to do. It pleaded with him to haul her off into the bedroom and strip every last bit of fabric from her creamy skin. He grunted deeply as he grabbed her again. This time he wasn’t going to be able to let her go.

  They stood near the living room, just outside the entryway. Patrick looked over at the couches. Those were closest, but a bed would be so much better.

  “Oh, Patrick, I think I need a little air.” Amber whimpered against his chest, her breath ragged.

  “No thinking right now. Only feeling.” He possessed her mouth with his, probing deeper, tugging at her lips as he left her mouth. His hands began to roam her body, the swells and curves; he mapped them all out in his mind and desperately wanted to see them naked.

  “Should we slow down?” Her pink lips were swollen and quivered as she spoke.

  “No.” Patrick couldn’t. He needed her. He wanted to explore every last inch of flesh. He scooped her up and carried her to his bedroom. Amber clung onto him tightly, her teeth nipping softly at his neck, driving him to be more wild and reckless.

  He gently put her on the bed as he went down with her, eliminating any space between them. Clothes were in the way of where his hands wanted to be. He loved the way she matched his desire. Equally hungry, they both began to shed their clothing. Patrick relished the silkiness of her body, his eyes eating her very being, all of her. Her body was plush and full, with rounded curves that begged to be grabbed and adored. He left her mouth and went in search of all her treasures. He wanted to discover what made her writhe on the mattress. He needed to learn everything about her, how to satisfy her, how to send her over the edge, and how to conquer her. Patrick wanted nothing more right then than for her to have this moment scorched on her brain. He knew he would never be able to forget.

  ***

  Amber

  Oh my God! Her body was on fire from the way Patrick touched her, kissed her body, and licked every inch of her skin. It was driving her mad. He caressed her one moment, would act wild with need the next, then he would go back to teasing her. He would play with her like she was clay, massaging and kneading her supple flesh. Patrick was wicked, and she was in more trouble than she could have ever possibly imagined. Her heart fluttered as she tried to close her eyes and feel all the ways he was loving her.

  Moaning under his touch, Amber couldn’t begin to sort out all the feelings her body was experiencing. She felt tremors of pleasure, which were brought on by Patrick worshipping her body in ways she hadn’t known were possible. Every now and again Patrick would pause to look up at her, his green-eyed gaze connecting with her own, burning straight into her soul.

  He seemingly wanted her to see what he was doing to her, to watch her reaction to every possible sensation that he alone knew he wa
s responsible for creating. Never in all her years would she have thought that she would be naked and under Patrick O’Brien, the most gorgeous man in all of Birch Valley.

  She admired his naked body, the strong, hard, yet deliciously smooth muscles which covered and shaped his semi-lean form, the fine black hair that lightly covered him—all the makings of someone, who, in her opinion, should not be allowed to wear any clothes, ever. He should be walking around showing his gifts to the world. On second thought, he could just stay naked for her eyes alone.

  Not one to be outdone, she turned the tables on Patrick, pushing him to the side of the large bed, where she then took control. Two could play this game, and that is what it had become—a lust-filled battle. She slithered along him, goose-pimpled flesh left in the wake of her traveling fingers. She treated each area that she kissed and nibbled on with the utmost care. He kept reaching for her, each time vying to be the winner of their game of seduction. Amber could hear him groan as her lips met the sensitive skin of his hip as she worked her way down his body, showering him with the same gratifying and torturous attention. She aimed to win, but Patrick was equally competitive, more than she realized as he maneuvered away and easily flipped her on her back. The white, flat sheet was now twisted around their legs, locking them together. Patrick pinned her, and time froze as he moved above her, hovering as he drank her in with his eyes. Amber’s hands were splayed against his back. She licked her lips as she saw the taut muscles of his flat stomach, his muscular chest and arms clenching slightly as he supported himself over her. Without hesitation, her body took over, passion seizing her at her very core as she wrapped her legs around him. A devilish smile played across his lips that seemed to say, I won.

  ***