With a frustrated groan, I pushed the thoughts of this girl from me mind and got out of bed. Making me way to the kitchen, I put on some water for tea and decided to call me Da.
“Half pint, what are you doing up in the middle of the night? You need your sleep.”
His voice filled me heart with warmth; I couldn’t wait to see him. I was flying tomorrow night to go back to Ireland for a yearly meeting with my family. I hated the idea of leaving Cord, but I also longed to go back home and see the country I loved so much.
“Couldn’t sleep. How’s everything going?”
“Ah, it’s all grand. The lads at the distillery miss you.”
More warmth filled me chest. “I miss them, too. Has any of them found a nice lady to settle down with?”
Me father’s hearty laugh made me grin.
“Are you kidding? Those boys all claim to be waiting on you.”
I snorted. “They’ll be waiting a long time.”
“Ah, that’s what I told them. Said me little girl has found a man she loves. How is Cord? Still at work? Is that why you can’t sleep?”
“Yeah.” The sound of a key sliding into me door made me turn.
“Looks like he’s home,” I said.
“Ah, that’s good, half pint. Now back to bed. I’ll see you in a few days.”
Cord stepped into the room and stopped for a moment, surprised to see me awake. Concern hit his face but melted away when I smiled.
“Tell everyone I said hi. Love you, Da.”
Cord flashed me a sexy grin.
“Love you the most, Maebh.”
I ended the call and set me mobile on the counter and wrapped me arms around me body. I was suddenly chilled.
“What are you still doing up?” Cord asked.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I replied, lifting me shoulder in a half shrug. The air in the room seemed to change. It filled with sparks of electricity; it was always that way when I was with Cord. From the first moment I laid eyes on him, he brought me body to life.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I tried to get out of there as fast as I could.”
“It’s okay.”
Cord pulled me into his arms. “I’m going to hire another weekend manager to start closing at least one night during the weekend. I’d like for us to do normal things like go to dinner and a movie.”
I snuggled into his chest. “I’d like that.”
Even though I closed Aisling down nearly every night, I always took one night on the weekends off. It was important to have me own life outside of the restaurant. Me da had taught me the importance of that early on.
“Come on. Let me get out of these clothes and into a shower, then we can actually fall asleep together with you wrapped in my arms.”
I leaned against the sink as I watched him undress. Hard muscles covered his body and flexed as he moved. Me mouth watered as I watched him. The simple act of Cord getting undressed was enough to cause an ache between me legs.
His eyes caught mine and a slow, sexy smile spread across his face.
“It’s late, agra, but those eyes are telling me you aren’t sleepy. I need to know what you want.”
“I want you.”
He held his hand out for me to take. When our fingers laced me breath hitched.
“You own me, baby,” his words whispered while he walked me into the hot shower. The moment the water hit our bodies, we were kissing. Cord grabbed me by me thighs and pushed me against the cold tile. Hissing at the hot water, I bit his lip.
“I want to fuck you, baby, but I don’t have a condom.”
Me fingers laced through his wet, dark hair, and I pressed me mouth to his. I didn’t care about anything but him being buried inside of me. Us being one.
“Please, Cord. I want you…all of you…and I’m tired of waiting.”
Leaning his forehead to mine, he swallowed hard then lifted me and positioned his cock at me entrance. He’d gotten tested since that weekend at the lake, but we’d kept using condoms. Cord said he wanted our first time without a condom to be special, but I was tired of waiting for both of us to find the time to make it special.
“Maebh,” he gasped as he pushed into me. His body trembled and he panted. “Oh, fuck. You feel so good. Shit, I’m not going to last long with you riding me bareback.”
I wrapped me arms around his neck and pressed me mouth to his again. Kissing him lightly, I whispered, “Have your way with me, Cord.”
His eyes turned dark, and he pulled out of me, only to push back in fast and hard. I gasped and relished it. He felt amazing. Beautiful. We felt like one as Cord moved in and out of me while he pressed me against the wall and gave me exactly what I had asked for.
“God, it feels so good. Tell me it feels this good to you, too,” he panted.
“Feels…so…good,” I cried out. “I’m so close.”
“You’re squeezing my cock like a vise, baby. I’m going to come.”
Me orgasm wasn’t there yet, so Cord slipped his hand between me legs and pushed on me clit, sending me spiraling into an orgasm as we both shattered at the same time.
The water sprayed down as we fought to bring our breathing back to normal. Cord had done exactly what I asked of him, and it had been absolutely amazing. The feel of him with no condom was beyond anything I could have ever dreamed.
“You know,” he breathed, “I’m never going to be able to wear a condom again. Never.”
With a giggle, I kissed him on the lips. “Good. I hate those stupid things.”
Cord gently set me down and took me soap. He cleaned every inch of me before I did the same to him. He looked so tired and me heart hurt knowing I would be leaving him for a week.
“I’m going to miss you so much, baby.” Cord looked at me, visibly as pained as my heart was feeling.
Me eyes filled with tears. It was silly; it would only be a week. Five days and I’d be back, but the thought of not seeing him nearly killed me.
“I’ll miss you more.”
He laughed and wrapped me in a towel before carrying me back to our bed. “Impossible.”
After drying me off, he quickly dried himself before crawling into the bed next to me.
“I took tomorrow off from the bar. Tammy’s going to cover so we can spend the day together and then I can take you to the airport.”
Me chest fluttered at the sweet gesture. This man certainly knew how to make me swoon. When I didn’t think I could love him more, he proved me wrong.
His massive arms wrapped around me, drawing me to his warm body. Exhaustion soon took over as I heard his breathing slow along with mine.
I was nearly lost in sleep when I felt a soft kiss on me shoulder and Cord whispered, “I’m going to marry you some day, my sweet Irish cailin.”
I’d nearly frozen, but forced meself to keep breathing the steady, slow pace I had set. Had he thought I was already asleep? His declaration was so soft I would have missed it had I not been so focused on his breathing.
Closing me eyes, I let those words settle right to the middle of me heart. I’d never in me life been so happy.
I drifted off to sleep with a smile as big as the Texas sky.
When my phone lit up for the third time with Tammy’s name, I cursed. Glancing up, I watched as Maebh ran her hand over the horse Trevor had been saddling up for her.
Walking a few feet away, I answered it with a sharp “What?”
“Hey, I hate to bug you again, but did you authorize for Loren to have tonight off? If so, that puts us down a waitress.”
I frowned. “What about Meg?”
“She has the flu.”
“The flu! Fuck, it’s only September.”
“Got it from her kid who got it from school.”
I rolled my eyes. “School. The place where all germs are born and thrive.”
Tammy chuckled. “Seriously, though, should I let Loren go?”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I glanced back to Maebh. “Listen, Maebh needs to be
at the airport by six. Let me drop her off and then I’ll be in. I’ll cover the bar. You can cover Meg.”
“Sounds like a plan, boss.”
With a deep breath, I said, “Listen, lay off the calls for the rest of the day. I need you to manage while I’m gone. I’d like to spend the rest of the day with Maebh before she leaves for Ireland.”
“Hear you loud and clear.”
And with that, the phone went dead. I was sure I had pissed her off. I could have been nice and not such an asshole, but she’d already pushed me to my limit of give-a-fucks for the day.
“She’s a gentle giant so you won’t have any problems with her,” Trevor said, cinching the saddle strap. I’d never asked Maebh how much she’d been around horses. Shit. I hope she isn’t afraid.
“I guess I should have asked how much experience you have with horses,” I said.
Maebh glanced over her shoulder like I had just said the stupidest thing ever.
“Do you assume since I’m from Ireland I can’t ride?”
Trevor laughed, and I felt my stomach drop. Was she pissed? I’d been witness to my Irish princess’s temper over the last couple of months, and she was for sure a fireball when she wanted to be. Mostly she was laid back. Probably the most laid-back person I’d ever met. But piss her off and look the fuck out. Her temper could turn on a dime, and I never wanted to be on the receiving end of my spitfire’s anger.
“I didn’t assume that,” I said. “Not at all.”
“You should see the panicked look on your face, dude. It’s fucking hilarious.”
I shot Trevor a dirty look. “Fuck you.”
The moment Maebh climbed up on the horse, I knew she had been around horses. She grabbed the reins and made her way over to the corral. The way she worked Spirit made both my mouth and Trevor’s drop open.
“Yeah, I’m going to guess your girl knows how to handle a horse.”
With a shake of my head, I laughed. “Hell, I bet she’s gonna wanna race now.”
Trevor laughed a bit harder. “Have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather. We don’t usually get cool days like this in September.”
“We will,” I called back over my shoulder. Maebh came out of the corral and walked her horse up next to mine.
“Want to race?” she asked, flashing a huge smile. Trevor could be heard laughing even harder as I pressed my knees lightly into the horse, causing him to trot.
“Next time, baby. When you’re not on the slowest damn horse in my father’s barn.”
We spent the next few hours riding all over the ranch. I stopped once to help a deer that had been caught up in one of the fences when it tried to jump. Maebh was worried the entire time the thing would kick me, but the doe was tired from fighting. Once she was set free, she ran off toward the river. Trevor and Wade had kept some feeders down there that were stocked year-round. I sent Trevor and Wade a text letting them know what I’d just found and to put a few blocks out.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Maebh said. “Different from home.”
“I bet. Doesn’t rain as much here,” I said with a wink.
“So, what are you going to do while I’m gone all week?”
My body was starting to ache, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of the lack of sleep I’d been getting from staying at the bar late, then crawling into bed and fighting the urge to make love to Maebh. Some nights I gave in and woke her up, but most I simply held her until she woke up early and then we made love. I was only averaging three to four hours a night and it was fucking catching up to me.
“Sleep. I’m so fucking tired.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry. Cord, if you want to sleep at your place by yourself, you know I don’t mind.”
“Fuck that. I can’t sleep without you. I’m worried about you being gone. I think I need that giant-ass body pillow you sleep with.”
She giggled. “Want me to spray it with me perfume?”
“Yes!” I said with a wide grin.
“You’re an eejit, Cord Parker. You’ll be able to sleep just fine without me.”
“Will you be able to sleep fine without me?”
“No,” she quickly replied, shaking her head to emphasize her words.
My cell phone rang, and I cursed. “I’m not even going to see who it is.”
Maebh glanced away, lost in her thoughts for a moment.
“It might be important. Could be Trevor or Wade about the deer.”
I sighed and pulled out my phone. I frowned when I saw the name. What in the fuck could she possibly want?
Pushing it back into my pocket, I said, “Nope. No one important.”
Her smile lit up the already bright blue sky.
After heading back to the barns, we washed up the horses and headed to my folks’ house. My mother had asked us to stay for lunch, and I couldn’t refuse. It would only take us an hour and a half to get to San Antonio, so I wasn’t worried about time. Although, I would have liked to have had Maebh once more before she left. Last night at Mitchell’s old place, the shower, and then again this morning didn’t feel like enough to last me a week without her.
We walked into my parents’ kitchen hand-in-hand. When my mother glanced down to see our fingers laced together, she grinned like she had witnessed a Christmas fucking miracle. Maybe she had; even I was still having a hard time believing how fucking happy I was.
“How do roast beef sandwiches sound?” my mom asked us.
“Sounds good!” Maebh exclaimed.
I pulled out a bar stool for Maebh, then one for me. We sat at the large kitchen island and watched my mother move about the kitchen like a pro.
“Do you need help with anything?” Maebh asked.
“It’s all under control. There are chips…I mean, crisps…and fruit on the island. Put some on your plate.” She looked over at Maebh and smiled. I loved that my mom went out of her way to make Maebh feel like family and was even learning some of the Irish lingo.
Maebh and I both did as we were told.
After my mother had served up hot roast beef with melted cheese, I leaned back and let out a contented groan. My stomach was full and satisfied.
“Damn, woman, you sure know how to cook,” I stated.
My mother shot me a smile that beamed with motherly love. When my father walked into the kitchen, his brow and shirt were covered in sweat. He took off his hat and hung it next to mine.
The back door shut again, and Steed and Trevor walked in.
“Just mind your own fucking business, Steed!” Trevor bit out.
“Watch that language in front of your mother and Maebh!” my father lashed out, glaring at Trevor.
“I’m just saying, you’re playing with fire and you need to knock it off.”
“What are you boys talking about?” Mom asked.
Trevor balled his fists and looked at Steed. “Don’t,” he warned.
Steed shook his head. “I never in my life thought I would say this about one of my own brothers, but I’m disappointed in you, Trevor.”
Both Maebh and Mom gasped as I stood up.
“Take this back outside, y’all,” I said. “Not in front of Mom.”
“Fuck you, Cord. I’m not like the rest of you. I don’t do…” he pointed to Maebh. “This shit.”
Trevor’s face was filled with anger, and I was positive mine matched his. I jumped toward Trevor when Maebh stood up and blocked me.
“Stop acting like eejits! What is the matter with all of you?” Trevor looked at me and then Maebh, instant regret on his face.
“I didn’t mean that, Maebh. I swear, I didn’t mean that.”
“I know you didn’t, Trevor.”
He grabbed his hat before storming past Steed and out the door. Maebh turned to face me. “Maybe you should go talk to him?”
I shook my head. “I’ll be right back.” Leaning down, I kissed her on the cheek before making my way out the back door. Trevor was walking away from the house slowly. I jogged down th
e steps and made my way over to him.
“Do you want to talk about why you lashed out at Maebh back there?”
He sighed. “It wasn’t at her. I’m…I’m in territory I’m not familiar with, Cord, and it’s confusing. Actually I’m scared and I don’t really know what to do.”
“Is this about someone?”
He nodded. “I like her, and I fucked up so bad. I keep doing things to hurt her, and I don’t know why.” His hand pushed over his buzzed brown hair. The pained look on his face wasn’t hard to recognize. “I’m so goddamned drawn to her. It’s like she’s got some sort of hold on me, and she won’t let go.”
We sat down on a bench on the other side of the yard. I imagined our mother used to sit here and watch the barn while Dad worked with the horses. The image warmed me. That was the life I wanted. A life with Maebh and babies running around. Land as far as I could see. That was my new dream.
“Do you want her to let go?” I finally asked.
He looked at me and shrugged. “Some days, yes. Some, no. I don’t know what I want. I look at you and see how much you’ve changed because of Maebh.”
“Is it that bad? That she’s changed me?”
“No,” he whispered, staring out over the rolling hills. “Dude, you’re the happiest I’ve ever seen you. I mean, I always knew when you found someone, you were going to land on your ass so fucking hard it would knock you into another place, and it totally has.”
Trevor looked at me, his eyes filled with sadness. “You were ready for Maebh. I don’t think I’m ready.”
“Trevor, I’m no expert when it comes to love, believe me. I feel something for Maebh I’ve never felt before and that scares me, and I know it scares her, too. I don’t think love was ever made to be easy. It’s something that tears at our hearts in both a good and bad way. It’s something we have to take a risk on while hoping and praying it doesn’t destroy us in the process. But it’s not something that is meant to come along and be easy. That much I do know.”
“Are you still scared?”
I swallowed hard. “Every day for one reason or the other. Will I hurt her? Will she hurt me? What if she’s taken away from me? I couldn’t live a day without her, and knowing that this soon into our relationship just adds to the fear. Because each time she smiles, I fall more in love. I look for ways to give more of myself to her. But she is a risk I’d take every damn time.”
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