She should have rejected the proposal when Charles brought Drew to her office. They’d both felt the attraction that day, so maybe he would have invited her for a drink anyway and then there wouldn’t be this albatross on their relationship. They couldn’t continue this way. Maybe she’d call Liz. Her friend always had good instincts about men.
Chapter 15
“Can we stop in the next village? I need to make some calls,” Kate said.
“Can’t you do that from the car?” Drew snapped.
“No. I’d like some privacy.”
“Fine. I’m hungry and wouldn’t mind finding something to eat.”
Kate got out of the car the moment Drew parked it near a pub. She said, “I might be a while,” and started to walk away.
“Should I order lunch for you?
“No need. I’ll buy some yogurt or cheese in one of the shops.” The tension between them was unbearable and Kate needed to be on her own for a while. It was clear that Drew felt the same.
He lost sight of her as she rounded the corner. He lowered his head and stared at the ground, wondering how their perfect vacation had turned to shit. The answer was obvious — him. He’d done it all by himself. She couldn’t wait to get away from him and he wouldn’t blame her if she decided to catch the next plane back to New York.
What the hell had he been thinking when he’d agreed to this? Problem was, his mind hadn’t made the decision, his cock had. Christ, O’Connor, haven’t you learned not to trust that part of your anatomy?
He yanked the pub’s door open and found himself in the midst of a raucous group focused on the television above the bar. Soccer, it was always soccer, or on this side of the Atlantic, football. Drew leaned his elbows on the bar and when the barman raised his russet brows in question, he ordered a Harp. He was thirsty and the refreshing Irish lager would go down better than his favorite Guinness. He drained it quickly and ordered another. When that glass was half empty and he was about to buy a sandwich to help absorb the alcohol, the bar erupted in cheers as the home team took the lead.
The man nearest him elbowed him in the ribs in reaction to the play and, when he turned to Drew, he did a double take, his eyes narrowing. “I know you. You’re that skier, the one who brought glory to Ireland.” He tapped his head, thinking, then shouted the answer. “Andrew O’Connor! You’re him, aren’t you? Let me buy you a pint.”
About a dozen grinning men quickly surrounded Drew and took turns pounding him on the back, shaking his hand, and making sure his glass was always full. The uncomplicated ease of getting drunk with his new best friends was the best remedy for the painful memories of his father and the tension between him and Kate.
Kate checked the time before phoning Liz. It was early in New York, but her friend always had morning calls for the soap she acted in. Liz picked up on the first ring.
“Kate! I’ve been dying to talk to you since those pictures of you and lover boy appeared in the tabs. What’s going on with you two? They’re describing you as his latest conquest, brainy New York editor Kate Porter, and the kind of woman who is most definitely not his usual type. How are you dealing with that?”
She thought for a minute, tapping her front tooth with a fingernail. “So it’s not just pictures of us?”
“Hell, no. You’re famous.”
“Jesus. I still can’t understand why Drew’s such a big deal. It’s almost ten years since he won his medals. Why should anyone still care about his personal life?”
“Oh, Kate, you’re such an innocent. Drew didn’t just fade away into obscurity after the Olympics. Because of his looks and personality, Charles was able to land lucrative endorsement deals for him. Combine that with his TV work and the models and actresses he’s been connected with and you get what those historical romance novels that I love to read call a rake.”
“Of course you’re right. My bosses wouldn’t have been interested in taking on this damn book if he weren’t a celebrity.” Her words were accompanied by a scowl as she paced.
“I need to warn you that when you get back to New York, you can expect the paparazzi who hang out at the airport to chase you two.”
“It may just be me coming back, so that won’t happen.”
“Why? What happened? Is he being a jerk?”
“Not really. We were having a great time until this morning when he told me something about his family and instantly regretted it. He pulled away and has been acting weird ever since. Could he think the book’s the only reason I’m with him? It’s obvious that he doesn’t trust me. What should I do?”
“You really like him, yes?”
Kate chewed her bottom lip and her eyes filled with tears. “Yeah, I do. Probably more than is smart,” she said, quietly. “But you know that Taylor Swift song? The one with I knew you were trouble when you walked in? I felt like that the instant he showed up in my office. I should have paid attention.”
“Oh, Kate. We knew he could be trouble. Tell him that you’re dropping the project and watch his reaction. If he’s relieved and acts like he did before this happened, you’ll have your answer.”
“But then I’ll have to go back to New York and our trip will be over.”
“Not if you play it right. Your boss doesn’t need to know you’re not working. At the end of the week tell them that there’s nothing in his life that hasn’t already appeared in print and this book isn’t worth doing. Simple.”
“I could lose my job over this.”
“So what? You’re good at what you do and you’ll find another or you might even decide to change careers. Look at this as an opportunity.”
Kate nodded and smiled. “I knew I could count on you. I love you, Liz.”
“I know. I’m pretty wonderful,” she teased. “Hey, the car just stopped at the studio and I’ve got to run. Keep me posted!”
“I will. And Liz? Thanks. Text me about what’s going on with you and Charles.”
“He’s great. Kisses!” she shouted and ended the call.
Kate didn’t like lying to her boss, but one more week away from the office wouldn’t hurt anyone. It was time to put herself first and her job second, where it belonged. Instead of heading to the pub to find Drew, she decided to give him more time to cool off and wandered toward the center of town to find something to eat.
Drew wasn’t the kind of drunk who got nasty and picked fights — that honor belonged to his father. No, Drew was more of a sloppy, sentimental drunk. When Kate finally found him, tears ran down his face as he sang what sounded like a lullaby in the sweetest voice. A pretty young blonde had her arm around his shoulders.
One of the men leaned toward Kate. “He told us to expect his girlfriend. I’m guessing that’s you.”
“Correct. Why is he crying?”
“He said his Mam often sang this one to him. It’s called I See The Moon. Most of us know it, but it seemed important that he sing it alone. Evidently, it was her favorite, one he’d heard often as a boy before…he never finished the sentence so I’ve no idea what he would have said, but it’s clear the thought of it caused him pain.”
When Drew began the song a second time, the wholesome-looking blonde and a few of the men joined in the way people do when they’ve had a few. He only made it halfway through before he stopped abruptly after the second verse, his voice cracking as he sang, “Over the sea, back where my heart is longing to be.”
His head swayed forward and back like he was having trouble keeping it upright. His neck gave up the fight and suddenly his forehead hit the wooden bar with a bang. Drew didn’t seem to notice the clunk it made or how much it must have hurt.
Kate rolled her eyes and stood with her hands on her hips, considering what to do. First, she wanted the other woman’s hands off Drew. He may have appeared to be a free agent, but he was hers, at least for now. All it took was one murderous glare for the blonde to get the message and wander away. Kate realized that she was perfecting that look, but it might be wiser to act cool, as if wom
en hanging on him were no more a threat to her than a bug. That reaction would take practice. With the way women threw themselves at Drew, she’d have ample opportunity to hone that skill.
Although Kate was physically strong, there was no way that she could move a semi-conscious and likely uncooperative man from the bar to the car. “Since you men helped him to get this way, I need you to help me put him into our car.”
Two of the most sober among Drew’s new friends grasped him on each side. His eyes slammed shut when the door of the pub opened to the bright sunlight and the men half-walked, half-dragged him to the car with his eyes closed.
Kate dug the keys out of his jeans’ pocket and opened the passenger door so that he could be lowered into the seat. Before that happened, his eyes opened wide, filled with terror. He howled, “nooooo,” like a wounded animal and placed his palms on the roof of the low car, then stiffened his arms. Unable to move him, the men looked to Kate for guidance. “I think I can handle it from here. Thanks for helping.”
“You’re certain? He’s strong and drink makes some men violent,” warned one, a look of concern on his face.
“He’s not like that. I’m sure of it.” She had no idea what she based that on other than his tendency to be protective. He would never hurt her, at least not physically.
She smiled reassuringly when the men turned their heads to glance at her before they disappeared into the pub, then she put her mouth near Drew’s ear. His hands were pressed so hard against the car that his fingertips had turned white, so she covered his hands with hers. “Drew, it’s me, Kate. Are you okay?”
“Don’t let me drive,” he mumbled, his bloodshot eyes pleading with her. “Not this side of the car. The other.” He directed his gaze to what would be the passenger side in the U.S.
“Listen to me. We’re in Ireland. The passenger sits on the side of the car where you are. I’ll drive. I’d never let you get behind the wheel with so much alcohol in your body.” He’d just revealed another puzzle piece.
He replied with a grunt, but he released his grip on the Mini’s roof and fell into the seat with his legs outside. Kate bent to lift them into the car and, although he should be feeling no pain, he grimaced. “My knee. Careful.”
“Sorry, I forgot you have bad knees.”
With Drew buckled into his seat, she moved around the car to her side and leaned her forehead on the steering wheel. What now? They weren’t far from Galway, but she didn’t want to navigate the busy streets of a strange city in this car. She’d just have to find a nearby hotel for tonight and delay their arrival at wherever the hell they were going for another day. Drew was snoring softly when she left him to ask the barman about nearby hotels and he was still asleep when she returned. She’d worry about getting him from the car to their room once they were there. She smiled when she visualized tossing him onto one of those wheeled luggage carriers that bellmen use.
“My head is killing me,” he groaned when he woke the next morning.
“You deserve it,” she said, handing him a glass of water and two pain relievers. “There’s coffee when you’re ready for it, although you might want to shower first. You stink.”
He opened one eye and raised a brow. “I stink?”
“You do. You vomited on your clothes and some of it must have gotten on your skin.”
He groaned again and Kate watched his bicep flex when he rested his hand on his bruised forehead. “How did I get here and…” he looked around the room frowning, “…where the hell are we? I remember drinking in a pub and that you couldn’t get away from me fast enough. The rest is a blank. Did I pass out?”
“Not quite. Two of your drinking buddies helped me get you to the car until you freaked out and refused to get in.”
“Yeah, that. I have a thing about drunk driving. My father…well, let’s say that was one more way he’d scare the shit out of me and my mother.” He piled the pillows behind his head and sat up. “If I beg, would you pour me some coffee?”
“God, you’re pathetic,” she said as she handed him a cup.
“I never drink like that, to get sick drunk I mean.”
“Why not?”
He replied with a question of his own. “Are we off the record?” He finished the coffee and whispered, “Please,” as he held the cup toward her for a refill.
“We’re off the record for the rest of this trip. Forget about the book since it’s obvious you don’t want to do it. I’ll tell New York that it’s dead when we get back, but for now…we’re on vacation, that is if you still want me to be here just as Kate, not your co-author.” She turned away to protect herself from what he might say.
He moved quickly for someone with a brutal hangover, wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. She resisted for a moment and then relaxed into his embrace, his bare chest warm against her back. “I want you here. Of course I do. I acted like an ass yesterday because…” he planted tiny kisses from her neck to her shoulder.
“Because why?” She tilted her head to give him better access.
“I was afraid. Afraid of what I’m starting to feel for you, afraid of things that should stay private becoming public, afraid of remembering things I prefer to forget, and afraid that you wouldn’t want me if it weren’t for the book.”
This confident, private man had just revealed that he was vulnerable. She’d thought that she was the only one who could be hurt, but evidently she had the power to hurt him, too. Kate turned to him, needing to see his eyes, his face. She ran her fingers over the bruise on his forehead and he winced, but didn’t pull away.
“You thought that the only reason that I’m here with you was a lousy book? Drew, you idiot. I’m falling for you.” She didn’t want to read anything into the stunned look on his face, so she pulled away before he could react. Her burning eyes signaled approaching tears, so she forced herself to lighten the mood.
“You still need to shower and brush your teeth, mister. We skipped dinner again last night and I’m starving, so hurry and we’ll go down to breakfast.”
Drew reached for her hand and yanked her against him. “I can’t trust my brain this morning. Did you say what I think you said?”
“What do you think I said?” Maybe he hadn’t heard her. Maybe she could un-say it.
He ran his hands up and down her back, then cupped her head so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “You said you’re falling in love with me.”
“I said I’m falling for you. That’s a little different.” She tried to pull away, but he continued to hold her tightly enough for her to notice that another part of his body was working fine.
“Kate,” he groaned, leading her toward the bathroom. “I know I should clean up first, but I need you.” He didn’t wait for her answer and grasped the hem of her t-shirt. She willingly raised her arms to help him pull it off. Jeans, underwear and bra quickly followed along with his boxers. One of his hands turned on the shower so the water could warm while the other continued to hold hers. He didn’t let go when he picked up his toothbrush, held it toward her and raised his eyebrows. She understood and squeezed toothpaste onto it. He brought the toothbrush into the shower and used it before tossing it aside to free his hands.
The shower stall was designed for one person and forced their bodies together. “One of us should lather up and then we’ll rub against each other since there’s no room to maneuver in here,” Drew said.
“I’m sorry this is below your standards, Mr. Celebrity, but it was the first bed and breakfast I could find that had a room available.”
He playfully yanked her hair. “I’ve slept in places that make this look like the Ritz.” He ran his soapy hands over her body and grinned. “As long as my skin is against yours you’ll never hear me complain.”
Kate watched, fascinated, when his expression changed in an instant and heat replaced the teasing playfulness. He looked like a man on a mission and she was his target. Her earlier need for food shifted into a throbbing hunger for this man.
He brushed his lips over hers and she caught the bottom one between her teeth. “Drew,” she sighed when he pressed his hips against hers. She melted into him and their mouths crashed together.
“Kate,” he moaned, in the same emotion-filled way she’d just murmured his name. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” He angled his powerful thighs, then slid into her and set a pace that created the perfect amount of friction. Surrounded by steam from the shower’s pounding hot water, it was as if they were in a cloud, lost in a world of their own. He shifted position to free one hand and brought it between her thighs, his fingers expertly playing her body to an earth-shattering climax. Drew’s blue eyes burned with passion and something else. “Look at me,” he demanded when her lids fluttered closed. They stared at each other, their eyes communicating silently the same way their bodies were until he grasped her ass and exploded into her.
They sank to the floor of the shower and he pulled her onto his lap. Kate rested her head against his chest until they recovered enough to talk. “I can’t seem to get enough of you,” he said, running his hand down her thigh.
“It’s good to know that I’m not the only one feeling that way. You’ve turned me into a nympho.”
“Not a problem as long as you direct all your nympho-ness at me.” He traced her lips with one finger, gazing at her until his growling stomach snapped him out of the dream-like state. “We should dry off and go down to breakfast before they close the kitchen.”
“Good idea. When I checked in they said food’s available until ten. I have no idea what time it is.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said, helping her to stand. “I want to be lazy today. Maybe we can stay here another night and leave first thing tomorrow.”
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