Finding Our Hearts

by Grace Roberts

  “Thank you for staying, David. Not many men would have been this understanding.” I talked into his chest, and he shivered a little.

  “It’s okay. I’m in no hurry. We’ve got all the time in the world.” His voice was a low rumble that reverberated through his chest against my cheek. Something hot and unexpected flushed inside me from my head down to my toes. What was that?

  David turned his head, his eyes dark and smoldering. “You okay?”

  He was concerned, and the fact that he was worried about how I was feeling when he could have been mad or at least upset for not ending the night the way he’d probably hoped it would, kicked the last memory of Peter out of my system. It was as if, all of a sudden, nothing had ever happened. I knew David could never hurt me, not even if he tried. It would never be like it had been with Peter. Being with David would be my real first time.

  I inched closer to his face and kissed him with all the pent-up passion I had in me. I was feeling bold and it was a first for me, but from the way he responded to my kiss I understood I wasn’t the disappointment Peter had convinced me I was. I was happy to know I could make a man want me and I wasn’t such a complete disaster.

  At some point, David pulled back and heaved a sigh. He moved his good hand along my hip, resting it on my butt. “You know we don’t have to rush into this, right? I can wait.”

  “But I can’t. I don’t want to waste another minute.” I brushed my lips across his cheek, stopping by his ear. “I love you,” I whispered.

  He brushed my cheek with his thumb and looked into my eyes. “Just promise you’ll stop me the moment you feel uncomfortable.”

  “I know I’ll never feel uncomfortable with you.”

  He searched my face for a few seconds, probably waiting for me to change my mind. When I brushed his lips with mine and raked my fingers through his hair, pulling his face even closer to me, he finally put aside his reservations, taking me to heaven with every single touch.

  Chapter 26

  David

  After what she told me about that bastard, the last thing I’d wanted was to go any further tonight. Even though my body had a mind of its own, I would’ve been content with holding her until she fell asleep, and watching her all through the night. I couldn’t believe someone who’d been so lucky as to have this precious woman in his life could ever treat her like that, intentionally ruining her first-time experience and using her as if she were an object. If I’d been her first, I would’ve gone out of my mind planning something ultra-special for her, a night she would have remembered for the rest of her life and that would give her butterflies whenever she’d think about it, in a month or in a decade.

  When I’d climbed into her bed, she’d looked so sweet and defenseless, and my protective instinct had kicked in, making me wish I could get inside her mind and erase all those bad memories that had caused her to panic and shake when she was telling me about that night.

  And when she all but begged me, I’d caved, though I made sure to make this special for her, so she would consider this her real first time, so that she’d know what it really meant to feel loved. I loved her exactly the way she deserved to be loved.

  “Tell me about your tattoo,” she said afterward, as we lay in silence, her arm draped across my waist and her cheek on my chest. I squeezed my arm around her shoulders.

  Michelle had been the only person who’d seen the tattoo on the left side of my chest, and I’d become so used to it by now, I barely even remembered it was there.

  “I’ll tell you about mine if you tell me about yours,” I said, placing a kiss on her forehead when she looked up at me. She chuckled. She had a cute kite tattoo on her hip, with initials on two of the four triangles that made up the diamond-shaped drawing.

  “My sister, my mum, and I loved to build kites and fly them. After my mother died I wanted something special that would keep them with me forever, and this was the perfect symbol. I picked the hip because it was a place nobody would see. I didn’t want people to ask questions. I wanted it to be my private memory of them.”

  “Oops. I’ll pretend I didn’t see it then.”

  She chuckled and placed a soft kiss on my chest. “It’s okay. You can be the only one who knows about it,” she said, with an adorable smile. I rubbed her arm and she relaxed against my body, every curve fitting perfectly against me. “Your turn, now. Let me guess: the wings are angel wings, I suppose? And the D stands for Declan?”

  “You’re a smart little thing, beautiful girl.”

  She traced her finger over the two feathery angel wings, then on the D right in the middle of them. I shivered at her touch, the tip of her short nail following the inked lines. Goosebumps erupted over my skin, and I knew it wasn’t because I was coming down from the high and the heat of passion.

  “I’d meant to get a tattoo in memory of my brother since he died, but I could never come up with the right thing. Everything seemed lame. Until Kathy told us about him being her angel, and I just knew I’d found the perfect tattoo.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  I shrugged. Michelle had never thought it was sweet. She’d actually thought it didn’t look very masculine.

  “Maybe we should get a matching tattoo that would be only ours, that would symbolize our love,” I said with a serious expression on my face, even as I was fighting to contain a grin.

  Her curls tickled my nose with each shake of her head against my chest. “Thank you, but I don’t intend going through that pain ever again.” I laughed and she pinched my hip. “Besides, I don’t need a reminder on my skin of how much I love you. Your name is permanently etched on my heart.”

  “Aww, did you read that in a book or something?”

  She slapped my chest, and propped herself up on her elbow, glaring at me. I had to admit she was kinda hot when she was trying to be scary. I gave her my best good-boy grin, and batted my lashes for good measure. Her glower faltered a little when our eyes locked.

  “Do you want me to grab your pyjamas, before you fall asleep? I don’t want you to be cold,” I spoke against her temple, before burying my nose inside her soft ginger curls.

  “I’ve got a hot body next to me, and I’ve no intention of falling asleep yet. I want to cuddle for a while, if that’s okay with you.”

  I let out a long sigh of contentment. She’s a cuddler!

  “Sounds good. I’ll keep you warm, don’t worry.” I closed my eyes, thinking this was just as perfect as it could be. We were perfect.

  * * *

  I woke up with a start at the sound of my phone ringing on the nightstand. Claire smiled at me, already wide awake, and while my brain struggled to form a logical thought, I felt a little self-conscious knowing she’d been watching me while I was asleep.

  I looked at the display and rolled my eyes. “Sorry, I have to take this.”

  My sister started the interrogation as soon as I picked up, and for a second I contemplated hanging up on her. I loved Kathy dearly, but when she reversed the roles and acted as if she were the eldest of the two, I really got annoyed. She couldn’t have picked a better weekend to come down with her fiancé and find out I hadn’t spent the night at home. I was sure Maggie had updated her on the situation, and to say that my sister was mad at me for not telling her about Claire was putting it mildly.

  “Bring her home for lunch today. We all want to meet her.”

  I let out an annoyed huff. “You’ve already met her, Kathy. Twice. Stop being such a pain now, will ya?”

  “Don’t be an idiot, David. When I met her, I barely spoke to her. If she’s going to be a part of our family, I want to get to know her better. Besides, it’s only fair you introduce her to Mum, since you spent the night at her place.”

  “What are we, sixteen? Geez, Kathy, I’m almost twenty-eight, I don’t need my family to give me their blessing on a girl before I sleep with her.”

  Claire kicked me in the shin, and I jumped up in surprise. I looked at her with a frown, and she tapped th
e side of her head, mouthing “Are you crazy?” with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. I shrugged. I didn’t think my sister or any of my family members thought I’d spent the night playing chess with Claire. Even if we hadn’t done anything, they would’ve imagined we had anyway.

  “Gosh, David. Is she with you now? Is she hearing you talk like an eejit?”

  I laughed and turned toward Claire. “My sister is asking if you’re hearing me talk like an eejit.”

  Claire smiled and the worried frown on her face slowly eased.

  “And she also thinks I should bring you home to our family lunch so you can meet my family.” I lifted a finger signaling Kathy was talking in my ear, then looked at her with a grin. “She wants to warn you about the dangers of being my girlfriend, and be sure you know what you’re doing.”

  She smiled but I could see in her eyes she was torn. Meeting the parents wasn’t exactly how I’d planned to spend the day, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t how she’d planned it either. She probably didn’t want to seem rude, but maybe it was too soon to be official, even though, if I had to be honest, I had no problem bringing her home. She was the one, I was sure, so now or in two months would make no difference. She’d be part of our family—better take the chance now while Kathy was in town. At least Claire already knew Kathy and Colin, and she’d briefly met Maggie. My parents were the most easy-going people on earth, and I was sure they’d love her.

  “What do you say? Want to meet the family?” I switched my phone to my other hand so that my good hand was free and could take hers. I intertwined our fingers and squeezed reassuringly.

  She nodded, and I thanked her with a smile and a kiss on her knuckles. I ended my call with my sister and pulled Claire to my chest, showering her with kisses and making her giggle.

  “Don’t worry. They don’t bite—well apart from Kathy maybe.”

  Claire giggled against my chest, and I dipped my head for a kiss, which she returned very willingly, pulling me down on the mattress with her.

  * * *

  The moment we walked through the door, Kathy was already coming toward us with open arms. Since she’d gotten engaged, she’d made it her mission to make sure I found my soul mate. Hopefully, once she saw how I felt about Claire, she’d understand she didn’t have to worry about it anymore. I had no doubt this redhead standing behind me, as if afraid my family members would bite, was the one.

  “Hi Claire, it’s so good to see you again.” Kathy wrapped her in a bear hug, and I smiled at the way my girl blushed.

  Colin walked out of the kitchen and we exchanged a guy hug. He grinned mischievously at me, letting me understand he’d be pulling me aside at some point and he’d make me spill the beans. I didn’t mind though; it was high time I shared my feelings for Claire with a guy, and Colin had become like a brother to me. Besides, he’d been the one who’d opened my eyes when I was still unsure about my relationship with Michelle. There would be no Claire and me, if Colin hadn’t made me realize I couldn’t be with a woman I couldn’t trust with my family’s secret.

  When Kathy released Claire from her death-grip, Colin stepped between his fiancée and my girl and reached out to shake her hand, welcoming her.

  “Glad you decided to join us: Kathleen’s been talking my ears off after she found out David had been dating someone and she hadn’t been informed about it.” He flashed his dimpled smile, and Claire’s shoulders relaxed a little. I’d always told him those dimples would get him anything, and it seemed I was right after all.

  Maggie was next, but her hug was slightly weaker and much quicker than Kathy’s. She teased Claire, asking her whether she knew what she was getting herself into, and the bickering that followed made Claire laugh and visibly relax. I knew it wouldn’t take her long to fit in; my sisters were easy to get along with, and they seemed to like Claire.

  “Oh, dear. Where are your manners, kids? Let our guest in, don’t crowd around her in the hall.”

  Claire squeezed my hand when my mother walked down the corridor toward us, followed by my father. “David, you could at least take her coat and lead her into the dining room. Be a gentleman.”

  I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. Colin was now like another son to my mother, but the first time he’d come over to lunch, on Christmas Day, my mother had fussed as if we’d been expecting the Prime Minister—or, as Kathy had said at the time, “the Queen of England”. It was no wonder she’d be fussing over Claire now that she finally had a new guest she could shower with attentions and manners. She’d always liked playing the good hostess.

  “Hello, Claire. I’m Elizabeth, and this is Ronan.” She turned toward my father, who reached out to shake Claire’s outstretched hand before my mother did.

  “Hi, Claire. Welcome to our home.”

  Claire’s cheeks were a lovely shade of pink that instantly reminded me of the way they’d been last night. I had to bite my lip hard and concentrate on the self-inflicted pain in order to push those thoughts away, before any of my family members could read my thoughts.

  “Thank you for having me, Mrs. O’Hagan.”

  My mother waved her away. “There’s a first-name-basis policy in this house. No Mrs., Madam or anything like that. I’m not that old, and I’ve always liked my name.”

  I squeezed Claire’s hand reassuringly, and nodded as she looked up at me. Once introductions were made and the embarrassing O’Hagan clan welcome parade was over, we all moved to the dining room and enjoyed my mother’s huge lunch. The conversation flowed easily, with only one slightly awkward moment when my mother asked Claire about her family. I took her hand for moral support, and after she took a large gulp of water, she briefly told them the story of her life—including the part where she’d met her mother and her sister, as well as Declan, when she was unconscious. My mother and my sisters got a little emotional at the mention of Declan, and I lightened the mood, telling them his comment about my pranks, which made everyone laugh.

  After my mother made her promise to come back again soon, and Kathy exchanged numbers with her, promising she’d organize a girls’ night out when she’d be back next weekend, I finally managed to drive her back to her place, where we’d be alone for a while.

  “I love my family, but sometimes they tend to get a little… too much, ya know?”

  Claire giggled and kissed my cheek. She was sitting on the couch next to me while Robbie nuzzled her hand, wanting some attention for himself.

  “They’re really nice. I had so much fun. I feel silly thinking how scared I was about meeting them.”

  I kissed the tip of her nose and she rewarded me with a smile. “You’re very easy to love. I had no doubt everyone would adore you. But I couldn’t wait to have you all to myself again.”

  Before she could say anything, I captured her mouth and laid back down, pulling her on top of me. I’d already gone too long without kissing her: it was time we made up for lost time—and I was glad she didn’t seem to have any objections.

  Chapter 27

  Claire

  Three months later

  “You look beautiful.” Maggie smiled at me in the mirror, and I shrugged. I felt anything but. The bridesmaids’ dresses were lovely, in a soft shade of turquoise, a color Kathy had chosen because it reminded her of Declan’s eyes. They looked fantastic on both Maggie and Ciara, as if they’d been made for them, but I looked worse than a mannequin. Even though I’d put on some weight since my arrival in Galway, I still hadn’t filled out as much as I would’ve liked, and my bust was still undersized.

  “I don’t know. My breasts are too small and my awful hair color clashes with the turquoise.”

  Maggie giggled and patted a hand on my shoulder while staring at me in the mirror. “David’s probably the only guy who hasn’t got a fixation on big boobs, and he’s always had a thing for redheads. He’ll be drooling all over the church floor when he sees you.” She winked and grinned cheekily. “Besides, he’ll probably be too busy thinking about when he’ll take the dress of
f you to see anything else.”

  “I have to agree with her, for once.” Kathy walked into the room wearing a fleece robe, her hair already styled to perfection and her make-up flawless. She didn’t want to wear her dress until the very last minute, so she’d been hovering around us while we all got our make-up and hair done. “My brother won’t even notice me walking down the aisle once he sets his eyes on you.”

  She came closer and gave me a bear hug. After three months of being part of their family, I’d become accustomed to their hugging habit. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed being hugged until they all started hugging me for anything and everything—although, the hugs I enjoyed the most were obviously David’s.

  “I just hope I don’t topple over in these killer heels. Otherwise everyone will be looking at me, not only David.”

  We all laughed, and as Kathy plopped down on Maggie’s bed, Ciara entered the room holding a tray with four glasses.

  “Time for some bubbles, ladies!”

  I quirked an eyebrow. “You sure you should be drinking, Ciara? You and alcohol don’t usually get along well…”

  She stuck out her tongue at me while Kathy and Maggie giggled, taking a glass each. “It’s non-alcoholic cider. I couldn’t risk the bride getting drunk before she says I do.”

  I took one too, and grinned at my best friend. After spending years sharing a room or a house with her, Ciara had become like a sister to me, and I dreaded the moment we’d stop sharing a place and have two separate houses. David had been looking at apartments recently and he’d insisted I check some out with him, saying I’d be spending lots of time there, so I’d inevitably ended up telling Ciara. She’d made me promise that no matter what happened, we’d always keep at least a night every two weeks as our girls’ night, and we’d sealed the promise over a box of chocolates.