by CA Quigg
Towering Christmas trees decorated in gold, silver, and red filled every space in the castle, creating a magical atmosphere. She envisioned the weddings and galas that would take place in the future and the love and laughter that would seep into the stones.
Giddy excitement replaced the nervousness that had consumed her for most of the week. She hugged her arms around her waist, loving that she, in her own messed up and muddled way, had made it happen. Because of her not so little white lie, two people had found each other, and a castle neglected and left to ruin would soon return to life.
Perhaps in time she’d find someone, someone who could make her body quiver from one look, whose laugh could make her body flood with heat with one touch, whose lips could make her melt with one kiss.
Enough wallowing. It’s done. It’s over. It’s history. Time to wake up the bride and make this wedding day happen.
The wedding was due to begin at one sharp. At twelve, time had come for Quinn to get dressed. She rolled on her nude lace-topped stockings and shimmied on her berry red dress. The borrowed, shoulderless gown fitted perfectly, accentuating the swell of her breasts and flare of her hips, and when she walked, it rippled behind her like water. She slid her feet into a pair of Manolo Blahniks and extended one of her legs, admiring the metallic red crystals covering her feet—Lily was right, they were to die for. If Lily was queen for a day, then Quinn was a princess. And the diamond tiara she popped on top of her loose curls did nothing to shatter that illusion. The one thing missing was her prince charming.
When she was dressed, Quinn went to Lily’s room, where a photographer snapped a gazillion pictures of Quinn and the dress designer helping Lily into her gown. After they had zipped up the velvet bodice, Lily took a step back and gazed at herself in the mirror. Quinn watched her new friend’s reflection, and for an instant, she saw Lily’s face glow in awe at the vision staring back, but Lily soon replaced it with a wry smile.
“I scrub up real nice.”
“You look beautiful. Stunning.” Quinn struggled to keep the wobbly emotion from her voice. “When Brendan sees you he might faint.”
“He’d better not. It’s my wedding day, and I have plans if you know what I mean.” Lily laughed loud and dirty.
“TMI.” Quinn turned to the journalist accompanying the photographer. “Don’t even think about putting that in the write-up.”
“She can put what she wants. Here’s a quote: ‘I can’t wait to consummate my marriage.’”
The bemused journalist said goodbye and rushed out of the room, along with the dress designer and photographer.
“This is it.” Lily snatched up Quinn’s hands. “The moment I’ve been waiting for.” Lily’s eyes shimmered and filled, but her tears didn’t spill.
“I had no idea. You come across as so—”
“Cold?” Lily curved a perfect eyebrow and smiled.
“No, independent. Like you don’t need anyone.”
“I didn’t. I don’t, or I guess I didn’t think I needed anyone until I met Brendan and found my little Max.”
“I’m thrilled for you. I’m so happy all of your dreams have come true.”
Lily waved a hand in front of her face, fanning her eyes. “Now don’t you go trying to make me cry again. There’s plenty of time for dreams to come true for all of us. It’s a magical day, don’t you think?”
There was a firm knock at the door.
“Looks like it’s time.” Lily gave a nervous glance at the clock.
On a long breath, Quinn took Lily’s hand and led her to the door.
“You can thank me later,” Lily said with a wink.
“Wha—” Quinn opened the door.
“Ladies, you both look spectacular,” said an unmistakable lilting brogue.
Quinn’s heart back flipped, landed awkwardly in her chest cavity, and left her dizzy.
“Ronan?” Ronan here? Now? How? Why? She needed answers. An explanation. For the best part of two days, he’d ignored her, pretended she didn’t exist, and now here he was like a fabled white knight in shining armor.
Stubble shadowed his jaw and her nipples tightened with remembered pleasure. He gave a shy smile that turned her insides to melting chocolate. Trust him to look like he’d stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad. The way her body reacted pissed her off more than Ronan’s reappearance.
“I needed someone to give me away,” Lily said unapologetically.
“But, but… you asked me to do that…”
“I changed my mind. A bride’s prerogative.”
Ronan moved toward Quinn. His gaze traveled over her, heating her skin. “Quinn, I—”
“No time for that.” Lily curled her arm around Ronan’s. “You two crazy kids can work it out later. Right now my destiny is waiting.”
Too startled to do anything else, Quinn followed Ronan and Lily down the worn stone steps like a wind-up doll and held onto the creaking banister with a death grip. Walking in four-inch heels was next to impossible without the cooperation of her brain and legs.
Her heart skipped at his proximity, but anger surged in her belly. She tamped her emotions down for now, but when the ceremony was over and as soon as she could get him alone, she’d demand answers. How dare he show up and send her mind into turmoil again. Well, if he thought she’d forgive and forget…
Oh, please . If he asked you to drop your underwear right here right now, you would.
Would not.
Whatever.
At the bottom of the aisle, she reached out and gave Lily’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Good luck.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
When a piano version of The Beatles’ “Long and Winding Road” began, Quinn giggled and rolled her eyes at Lily’s warped sense of humor. She clutched her bouquet of winter white roses and marched down the French lace runner, praying she wouldn’t trip and fall flat on her face. She’d embarrassed herself enough over the past few days to last her a lifetime.
At the top of the aisle, she stood to the left of a dapper and tuxedoed Brendan and Max.
The band struck up “She Moved Through the Fair.” The haunting music chased goose bumps all over her skin. Lily placed her hand on Ronan’s forearm and floated toward her future husband, and Quinn’s heart filled to bursting. If anyone needed proof that love at first sight, or in their case love at first snipe, could happen, then Brendan and Lily were it.
A strand of Ronan’s hair fell into his forehead, and Quinn’s fingers itched to push it back. Who was she kidding? Her fingers itched to pull his hair while she straddled his lap.
No, no, and no. He was Brady’s friend, and that was enough to make her stay away for life.
Lead filled her chest, and she glanced at Ronan. He smiled at her. She scowled back, which made his smile grow wider. Bastard. She turned away. He could keep his nipple-hardening-bra-melting smile all to himself. She didn’t want him here. But she was glad he was. God, her whirlwind emotions were enough to create a tornado.
When Ronan and Lily reached the top of the aisle, he placed a kiss on Lily’s cheek and presented her to Brendan. At the sight of Lily, Max yipped and his tail went into overdrive.
Quinn hoped when she got married, when life got crappy, or when she fought with Ro—her husband whoever that would be—that she’d always remember the love they felt on their wedding day.
While the happy couple exchanged vows, a movement caught Quinn’s eye. She turned her head and saw Ronan watching her full on. His gaze devoured her, stealing her breath, and her heart lurched like a leashed puppy desperate to get to its owner.
Cheers of congratulations and Max’s barking distracted her, and Quinn averted her gaze toward the altar. A smiling Brendan grabbed Lily by the waist and lifted her in the air. Her hands found his shoulders and he lowered her until their lips met, which caused the congregation to cheer even louder.
They were lucky to have found each other, and a twin
ge of envy rippled her heart, but at the same time, she couldn’t be happier for them.
Ronan crossed the aisle and stood by her side, but she didn’t look at him. No matter how much she wanted to lay her head against his arm, to feel the warmth of his body seeping into hers, she wouldn’t. Not yet. Maybe never. She needed answers. He’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her; that she, like all women, couldn’t be trusted. And then there was the whole Brady connection she still didn’t understand or comprehend.
The back of Ronan’s hand grazed against hers, stunning her momentarily. She swayed and glanced at him. A frown creased his forehead but then he gazed at the floor like a scolded child. She shook her head and pulled her hand away. Not now.
Ronan walked up to the altar, tapped the microphone, and called for attention. A murmured hush fell over the room. “On behalf of the bride and groom, thank all of you for coming with little or no notice.” The guests cheered again, and Lily gave a regal bow. “I also want to thank Quinn Marshall for pulling this off at the last minute. Even under immense pressure, she didn’t crack.” He turned to Quinn. “I lov—”
Quinn bolted up to the altar and grabbed the microphone from Ronan before he said something they’d both regret. “If everyone would like to go to the foyer, we have buttered whiskey, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres.”
Whatever Ronan was about to say, now was so not the time. The L word was something she didn’t want to think about or deal with right now. Quinn stepped away from Ronan without looking at him.
She thought she’d wanted to talk to him. Thought she wanted answers. But right now, with him standing a heartbeat away, she didn’t want to deal with the emotions those answers would expose. She wanted to make the most of the day and not wonder about what would’ve been. Sneaking away and having her wicked way with a sexy man who made her scream in ecstasy wasn’t allowed. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not happening.
Regardless of the all-out war taking place inside of her, a smile stretched across her face, and she pushed past Ronan to congratulate her friends. She clasped Lily and Brendan’s combined hands between hers. “You two would melt the coldest of hearts. I can’t believe you’re married, or committed, or whatever you are. ”
“You and me both, chickadee.” Lily pulled Quinn into a hug.
Brendan leaned down and whispered, “Let him explain. You two are meant to be, just like my darling wife and me.”
Quinn looked at the beaming couple and shook her head. “It was a fling. A hookup. Nothing more.”
“And I’m a monkey’s uncle,” Lily said.
“Quinn! Quinn, over here.”
She glanced to her left to see who called her name. Sammy, wearing what looked like a brand new navy suit and a white open-necked shirt beamed at her, then pressed a kiss to her cheek. She’d never seen him so happy. Christmas miracles were happening all over the castle. “Sammy. Look at you. You look amazing.”
“You found Max a new owner. Thanks a million.”
“Don’t thank me,” she said with a laugh. “Max was the one who found himself a new owner with zero help from me. How’d you get here?”
“Your man, the one who thinks he’s important, tracked me down and brought me here.”
“Ronan?” The ice shielding her heart melted a little.
Sammy nodded. “Said you’d want me to see Max was okay.”
“He’s more than okay.”
“I’ve never seen him as happy.”
“Do you still have a place to stay? Please don’t tell me your on the streets in this weather.”
“I have a bed, but the fella that owns this place told me needs someone to help him in the kitchen and the job comes with somewhere to stay. Since I have nothing else going on, I said I’d take it. He’s dying about you, y’know.”
“Max?”
“Your man. Didn’t stop yakking about you the whole way here. I had to put me earbuds in to make him shut up.” Tears filled Quinn’s eyes but before she could get any words out, the crowd of guests swept Sammy, Brendan, Lily, and Max into the foyer for the cocktail reception.
She sniffed back her tears and moved to the grand hall to inspect the tables and direct the wait staff on what they needed to do. She relegated Ronan Donovan to the back of her mind, where he’d stay until she had the emotional reserves to deal with him.
****
This wouldn’t be easy. Not that Ronan blamed her. He’d been a complete fecker. If Lily hadn’t sent him the video of Quinn’s god-awful singing, he might never have come back. He didn’t believe in fate and all that shite like Quinn did, but serendipitous events seemed to be at play. He didn’t even know if it would work between them. His life was in New York. Hers was here.
Could their relationship survive that distance? He’d thrown around the idea of opening an Irish branch of Donovan Events to handle European clients. He might come over for a few months and look into the possibility. Getting on a plane after Christmas and never seeing Quinn again made him feel as if one of Santa’s reindeer had kicked his chest.
From the doors of the banquet hall, he watched Quinn work. She was as efficient as she was creative, and that was the real reason Donovan Events hadn’t won the event. Not because she’d lied. Her work was solid, and she let little, if anything, fluster her. He’d questioned her ethics and her morals, and compared her actions to Abbey. And worse than all of that, he’d listened to the man who’d done everything to ruin her life. If given the opportunity of a do-over, he’d take it with both hands and never let go.
She didn’t deserve what he’d put her through.
He didn’t deserve her.
The red dress she wore illuminated her golden skin. What kind of underwear did she have on beneath the silk layers, or did she wear any at all—he hoped not and he hoped he’d find out. But first, he needed to get her alone to apologize.
To kiss her.
To touch her.
To make her his.
He strode into the banquet hall. This was it. The moment he’d put everything on the line.
“Quinn. We need to talk.”
She ignored him for a few seconds and inspected a place setting, picking up nonexistent flecks of dust. “Thanks for bringing Sammy here. That was sweet, but other than that, we’ve both said enough.”
“There’s more I need to say—” he glanced around the room at the bustling wait staff, “—but not here. Somewhere private. Let me explain about Brady.”
Quinn thinned her lips. “You have five minutes.”
“We go way back. He conned my sister. Said he was going to marry her. Stood her up at the altar and cleared her bank account. When I caught up with him, I broke his nose.”
Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “How does any of that involve me?”
“He read your emails. Saw a chance to get back at me through you and took it. I shouldn’t have listened to him. I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry about your sister.” Her lower lip trembled for a millisecond before it stiffened. “You can leave now.”
“You said five minutes.”
“I changed my mind.”
He stalked around the table and before she could get away, he wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down until his mouth was level with her ear. He couldn’t help noticing how the hairs on her body stood on end at his touch. “We’re going to talk about us, and we’re going to talk now.”
If she didn’t talk to him, he wouldn’t leave her alone. He wouldn’t give up.
Giving him a put-upon sigh, she lifted his hands from her waist and inclined her head toward the library. “In there.”
Ronan watched the sway of Quinn’s hips as she walked into the book-filled room and stood by a bay window. Snow drifted outside, and the twinkling pine tree in the corner gave the room the feel of an old-fashioned Christmas Card.
“What is it, Ronan?” she asked, her voice tired. “There is no us t
o talk about. The whole thing with Brady—”
“He’s going to prison.”
“What?” Quinn pressed her fingertips against her lips.
“He tried to get me to pay him a hundred grand to keep his mouth shut and put cameras in the castle bedrooms. I set him up. He was arrested.”
“When?”
“The day before you told Lily the truth. He’s the reason I hurt my head.”
“You got into a fight?” Her mouth fell open and she rubbed the heal of her hand against her chest.
“Of sorts.”
“Why set him up? Why go to that trouble?”
“Because you didn’t deserve any of it. Him stealing your money. Me blackmailing you. I wanted to make things right for you.”
She held her fingers to her temples and sighed. “By lying? By making me feel like I was the only one in the wrong? Were you ever going to tell me?”
“As soon as the wedding was over, I would have. I swear.” He locked the door. “I’m sorry. I was angry and should never have accused you of unethical business practices or trying to ruin my reputation. I did that all by myself.”
Her arms fell to her side, and she turned toward him with wide eyes. “Is that all? Don’t forget the kitten I kicked? The child I stole candy from?”
“Someone once told me sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.”
He waited for a response, a laugh, but none came.
“I like you, Quinn. It’s more than like. I might lov—love you, and that terrifies me. I never thought I’d have these kind of feelings again.” His voice sounded rougher with each word, like he was losing control of his emotions. “Abbey left me in a dark place. Since then I haven’t allowed myself to feel, to remember what it was like being with someone who gave me chills from walking into a room. Someone who gave me hope. Challenged me. I didn’t believe in love at first sight, but we could be great together. There’s a chemistry I can’t explain.”
Quinn heaved out a breath, and Ronan’s heart clutched painfully. Every muscle in his body went on high alert, ready to bolt. But no matter how much he wanted to run, he wasn’t going to. Not this time. Never again.