* * * *
Lily awoke the next morning curled up with Ian’s shirt pressed to her face. As the truth of the night’s events dawned on her, she laughed in delight. “Irish devil, you think you’re so clever,” she said to the ceiling. “And you,” she shook a reproving finger at the cat, “you knew he was here and woke me up.”
Ever one to capitalize on a good opportunity, Bella flopped over on the bed and offered her tummy for a thank you rub. The delight quickly turned to mortification when Lily realized he knew exactly what she had been up to and paid her back in kind. That feeling didn’t last though; her mood was just too good to be embarrassed at having been caught.
She pulled her tarot card for the day. The Three of Cups, celebration and sisterhood. “Ooh, lunch with Meg today!” Catching sight of the clock, she made a run for the shower and the start of her very long day.
At midmorning the bell on the agency’s front door chimed, announcing the arrival of a floral deliveryman carrying a stunning bouquet of long stemmed red roses. “Lily Evans?” he asked, reading from his clipboard. Janice and Irena pointed to Lily, who stood by her desk, mouth agape.
“Who are they from? Look, there’s a card,” Irena asked, reaching for the bouquet.
Lily plucked the little envelope from its holder before Irena could and opening it, burst into laughter at the message:
You look lovely in my clothes, but I still think I prefer you naked.
I love you,
Ian
Without thinking, she picked up her desk phone and dialed his home number. When he didn’t answer she called his cell phone, drumming her fingers excitedly while it rang.
15
Ian saw Bell Insurance on the display screen of his cell phone and grinned. “Good morning, beautiful lady,” he said in a deep purr.
Lily laughed. “Indeed it is, handsome man. You are certainly a man of many talents. The roses are beautiful, thank you.”
He didn’t acknowledge her thinly veiled insinuation. “They pale in comparison to you, my sweetheart.” Ian raised his middle finger in salute to the crew, who expressed their approval with loud kissing noises. “I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and that I love you madly.”
“I love you too,” she murmured.
Ian smiled to himself and dropped his phone into his pocket. Facing his laughing crew, he grinned and said, “And that, lads, is how it’s done.” He took the following bawdy ribbing good naturedly.
The painters broke for lunch just after one and Ian jogged up to the office. Helping himself to an icy bottle of spring water out of the refrigerator, he plopped down on the couch opposite the desk where Dan sat going through invoices. He took a long drink and glanced around. “Where’s Megs?”
“She’s out,” Dan said, not looking up.
“Out where?”
“Lunch.” He grabbed another stack of bills and began going through them intently.
Eyes narrowed in suspicion Ian leaned forward. “Off by herself, is she?”
“No,” Dan growled, refusing to look up, “and stop with the questions. What is this, the bloody inquisition?”
Ian set his mouth in a firm line. “Who’s she with?”
His brother in law exhaled heavily and leaned back in his chair. “You know, making love to my wife is one of my favorite things…”
Ian made a choking noise and stared up at the ceiling. “Ah, shit…I cannot hear this, Dan.”
“…and if I tell you where she is and what she’s doing, I might not get to do it again for a long time. I think a lot of you, but that’s just not a chance I’m willing to take.”
“How long’s she been gone, then?”
“Couple hours,” Dan replied.
With a snort of disapproval at the marked absence of masculine solidarity, Ian reclined on the couch and closed his eyes. He opened them again only seconds later. “Feckin’ hell. She’s out with Lily,” he said in complete incredulity. “Damn it, what is she playing at? Meddling female, stirring up…”
The front door opened, and the meddling female in question breezed into the office laden with shopping bags and a carry-out container. She paused only a moment to survey both faces before breaking into a big grin. “Afternoon, boys,” she sang, setting the Styrofoam box in front of Dan. “Brought you lunch, dear.” She placed a kiss on top of Dan’s head and turned to face Ian, her chin lifting defiantly. “What’s got your knickers all in a twist today, boyo?”
“You.” Ian narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you up to?”
Meg directed an accusing glare at Dan, who raised both hands in defense. “I didn’t tell him anything. I told you he’d know.”
She gave her bright red hair a toss. “Lily and I had a nice lunch. She told me about the schedule change at her office. We talked about her family, we talked about the Castle and we talked about shoes. We discussed you for a grand total of five minutes, you conceited git, and that was long enough for me to see she’s completely besotted with you, the poor girl.”
Ian’s face softened. “She said that?”
Meg rolled her eyes heavenward then looked at her husband. “You see? They’re hopeless, the both of them.” She planted her hands on her hips and regarded her brother relaxing on the couch. “We’ve a business to run here, dosser. You planning on pulling your socks up and getting to work sometime today?”
Outraged, Ian leapt to his feet when Dan just ducked his head and chuckled instead of coming to his defense. “She’s your wife, can you not do anything with her?” Ian demanded.
Dan grinned. “Wouldn’t change her for the world,” he said.
* * * *
Later in the evening, Lily and Beth were sitting on Lily’s bedroom floor doing each other’s nails when Beth commented, “They found another river woman this afternoon.”
“Maybe we should start checking in with each other more,” Lily suggested.
“Unless you’re out with Prince Charming, of course, in which case I know you’ll be safe, at least from other men,” Beth said, studying her friend. “You really do love him, don’t you. Hasn’t it all happened kinda…fast?”
“In some ways it was fast, but in other ways it feels like forever,” Lily admitted. “It’s hard to describe, but we’re just…comfortable…together. We must have known each other in a past life or something.”
“I just don’t want you getting hurt,” Beth said, starting on Lily’s toes with a deep crimson polish. “I mean, heaven knows he’s pretty enough to look at, looks like he just walked off the cover of a romance novel but you know his little black book has to read like a phone book.”
“I had lunch with his sister today and she told me he hasn’t dated anyone seriously in a long time.” Lily confided in a prim voice. “She said he tends to have one or two dates with a girl and move on.”
“Booty calls,” Beth singsonged and fell over laughing.
Lily gave her a playful swat. “You’d never know it but underneath he’s really on the shy side. Kinda old fashioned in a sweet way…chivalrous. He speaks Irish too. I’m going to look up some romantic words on the internet to surprise him,” she said.
“In the heat of the moment, no doubt,” Beth said, stifling a snicker. “And speaking of passion, do you remember the reading I did for you and the prince on Halloween, and he wouldn’t let me turn over the last card?”
Lily giggle-snorted. “Stop calling him that. Let me guess, you turned it over after we left.”
“Oh, puh-leeze. You know I did. Now why did he do that, do you suppose?”
“I asked him,” Lily answered. “He said it was because the first two cards were so good, he didn’t want to take a chance on a negative card ruining it. He’s amazingly intuitive sometimes.”
“I’ll just bet he is,” said Beth mysteriously then with a self deprecating shrug, admitted to her early morning visit to Meg’s office.
Lily howled with laughter. “You know Ian’s her brother?”
“Well, I k
now that now,” Beth said. “Anyway, has he told you about his grandmother?”
“No,” Lily said, frowning as she painted Beth’s proffered toenails a bright pink. “He doesn’t talk about his family much.”
“Their grandmother was a real village witch. I asked Meg if Ian was one too, but she said she’s never come right out and asked.” Beth paused to take a drink and admire her toes. “She said he’s very private about it too, so tread lightly if you mention it. He’ll want to know how you know, I get dragged into it and the next thing you know nobody dishes to anybody anymore.”
Lily looked puzzled. “Wait–what were we talking about again?” Both women laughed and started on their second coats.
* * * *
Thursday morning, Lily found herself in Lucas’s office standing with hands braced on her hips. “Thought you had an appointment,” he said lightly, not looking up from his spreadsheet.
“Rescheduled. Now, about tomorrow…”
He put his hand up to interrupt her. “I’m going to need you to stay late tomorrow.”
“You know I have a second job,” she said. “I can’t put them in a bind just because you can’t give me any notice of when I’m working.”
“Second job.” He snorted. “Playing dress up? I’m sure it was fun for a while, but it’s time to start taking responsibility for–”
“Don’t you dare tell me grow up,” snapped Lily.
“I’m sorry,” Lucas apologized without missing a beat. “I’m just worried about you. I kinda miss you, you know.” He gave her a boyish smile. “My parents miss you too. They keep asking when you’re coming over.”
“Please stop,” she said softly, “it doesn’t change anything.” She turned and left the office without glancing back.
“Well, don’t expect me to just give you up without a fight,” he called after her.
Ian called an hour later, leaving a message on her voice mail. “I don’t want to wait until Saturday to see you. Can we have dinner Friday? Give me a call when you can spare a moment.”
She went to the parking lot on the pretense of retrieving something from her car and called him back. “I’d love to, but I’m working at the Castle until late.”
“As it happens, I know the owners.” The warmth in his voice made her melt inside. “I’ll bet Meg would let you off early if I told her you’re with me. Want me to call her?”
Lily smiled in spite of herself. “I would hate to ask…”
“I don’t hate asking at all, darlin’. I want to see you. I’m pining for you something fierce,” he teased.
His confirming text came just fifteen minutes later.
You are off all night that makes you mine for the evening
She excused herself to the restroom and responded.
I was yours to begin with
Lily decided to spend her anticipated raise on a new dress for the occasion. Calling once again on Beth’s expertise, the ladies met at the mall after work. She knew just what she wanted and found it–on sale, no less–at the first shop she went to. The calf-length black rayon dress shimmered, the skirt falling into gathered tiers. The strapless bodice was fitted, the rounded neckline decorated with tiny fabric rosettes. Beth whistled low as she walked out of the dressing room. “Damn, Lily, he’s not going to stand a chance.”
“That’s exactly what I’m counting on, m’dear,” said Lily.
The next stop shocked Beth right down to the tips of her ratty sneakers. Lily dragged her into Victoria’s Secret and purchased several downright un-Lilyish items. Beth summed it all up with a dramatic moan. “You don’t plan on taking any prisoners, do you? Saints preserve us, I’ve created a monster.”
* * * *
With his keen sense of the obvious, Ian figured out early on his only chance of surviving the wait was to keep his mind occupied. He read for a while then sketched for a while longer. When both stopped being effective, he tried working on his bookkeeping. When he realized several art supplies receipts had been logged under Entertainment, he decided to paint instead. He worked on his canvas until late and went to bed only when he couldn’t hold his eyes open anymore. In a matter of moments, he fell asleep and began to dream…
* * * *
He was filled with a wild joy, running through a field lush with tall grass and patches of wild heather. It was the gloaming, and spring filled his lungs with the fresh, intoxicating scents of youth and anticipation. His young man’s frame was clothed in a blousy white leine belted at the waist. The sounds of music and laughter faded behind him as he ran, the cushiony soft grass tickling his bare feet. He paused for a moment, listening for his quarry. Hearing the sweet musical laughter near the edge of the woods up ahead, he resumed the chase anew. The slender female wore a white tunic and overskirt, the ample fabric gathered up as she too ran barefoot ahead of him.
“Ye’ll never catch me,” she called back.
He shouted to her, “And what’ll you give me if I do?”
“A kiss,” she crowed triumphantly.
He ran in earnest and easily caught the young maid around the waist. They both tumbled down into the tall grass, laughing. He rolled on top of her, pinning her against the lush carpet of wildflowers. “I’ll have that kiss and more,” he growled fiercely.
Lily–for he knew without a doubt it was she–gave a little scream of mock terror. Her long honey brown hair spread out beneath her, a crown of delicate white flowers adorning her head.
“They’ll come looking for us,” she whispered.
“No one’s coming, mo chroí. They know what we’re doing.” He gazed down at the exquisite creature lying beneath him. “I do love you, my beautiful bride.”
She raised her lashes, revealing blue-gray eyes shining with adoration. “And I love you, my beautiful husband, mo anum cara.” He dipped his head to kiss her, and the memory began to slip away.
…yes, I remember you…
* * * *
He awoke with a start and sighed with disappointment to find it only a dream. “Mo anum cara, my forever love.” Clutching Lily’s pillow to his chest, he inhaled the fragrant lavender and closed his eyes, but it was a long time before sleep came again.
16
Late Friday afternoon, the clouds gathered and the air thickened as the impending storm approached. After a long, relaxing bath scented with her favorite lavender, Lily brushed her hair until it shone like spun silk then slipped into the new dress. Choosing her mother’s diamond stud earrings as her only jewelry, she slipped on her shoes to wait. She paced back and forth, not daring to sit for fear of wrinkling the dress. I hope he wants to go back to his apartment after dinner. Should I suggest it if he doesn’t? Would he think I’m being too pushy?
She frowned at herself in the living room mirror then swooned elaborately. “Oh my darling, take me now. Think that’ll work?” she asked Bella, who watched the drama from the back of the couch
Bella’s response was an owl-eyed stare ending in a yawn. Lily giggled. “Okay, maybe a little over the top,” she agreed. “Then how about–”
Her performance was interrupted by the doorbell. All pretenses gone, she threw open the door. Ian rushed in and swept her into a grand embrace. “I missed you,” she murmured against his chest.
“And I you. Stand back, let me look at you.” His glowing gaze swept her slowly from head to foot and back again. “I must have been good in a past life to have such a treasure before me now. I am not worthy of you, my love.”
She gave a happy sigh. “I think you look beautiful. I mean, that’s not a masculine word, but you are. Just beautiful.”
He too had obviously taken great care getting ready, having donned an open-throated linen shirt, with charcoal dress slacks and a suit jacket. His hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and he wore her ring under his shirt and over his heart. She inhaled deeply, the potent combination of sandalwood and virile male making her knees weak.
“Something’s not quite right, though.” He tapped his chin, reflec
ting on the dilemma. “Ah-ha,” he said at last, reaching inside his jacket pocket to pull out the velvet case emblazoned with the ornate G. “You need this.”
“What’s this?” She squealed as he popped the case open to reveal the sparkling diamond pendant. Throwing her arms around him in delightful abandon, she showered a soft rain of kisses on his face and neck.
“Hold still so I can fasten it,” he ordered, his voice a little gruffer than necessary. Obediently, she stopped bouncing long enough to lift her hair out of the way. She turned to the mirror to admire it and a shadow passed over her face.
“Ian, this looks very expensive…” she said.
He put his finger on her lips, silencing her protests. “A beautiful woman deserves beautiful things, although you need nothing to enhance your beauty, my sweetheart.” The thunder rumbled ominously in the distance and the air was thick with electricity and anticipation. “Come, lovely one. We should go,” he said, taking her hand.
* * * *
All through dinner, he couldn’t quite put his finger on what had changed. She seemed different, nervous almost. The diamond sparkled in the soft candlelight and Ian was enthralled by the way the dancing flame reflected on its facets matched the sparkle in her eyes. Just as he had envisioned, the solitaire nestled in the tempting cleft between her breasts and he became aroused all over again.
They tempted each other with morsels of tiramisu over coffee and held hands across the table, drawing envious looks from the other patrons. Lily lifted Ian’s hand, her mouth curving into a sensual smile as she encircled the tip of his finger with her lips and lightly flicked it with her tongue.
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