Her throat locked as his fingers slid up again, found her, played, teased, the feeling electric. Pleasure washed through her, her body quivered to each stroke, each caress, the muscles in her belly and thighs twitched.
Aidan played her like a fine instrument, smiling. Each soft cry, each whisper of pleasure was sweet music. Watching her body arch, tremble, quiver… He loved to give her pleasure, loved to watch her come.
Sensation poured through her, gloriously. Close, close. Aidan’s fingers slid down, slipped inside her to stroke. Out and up, to tease, to pleasure.
It was maddening, glorious.
Those incredible eyes widened, hazed and went blind as Aidan touched her, stroked her, her body rising to his touch. He loved to watch this, to hear her soft sounds of pleasure, to take her up.
“Aidan,” she whispered.
Her hand found him, tightened to the rhythm of his touch, stroked. He hardened, needing, and then her hand released him as her body arched, a cry bursting out of her.
So beautiful. She was a wonder to him
In the next moment he rolled over, slid up inside the sweet tightness of her, filling her. Her smile blossomed as it always did. He loved that she smiled to feel him inside her, to feel her give that little wriggle of pleasure at the sensation.
Within her Ali felt Aidan pulse, swell to stretch her, his own pleasure growing as hers did, and she watched as it took him, his body going rigid as he emptied into her. She loved that. A second burst of ecstasy took her as she felt his take him.
She wrapped her arms around him as he collapsed over her.
“I can’t get tired of making love to you,” he said, brushing the hair back from her face.
With the feel of him still inside her, Ali smiled. “That’s good, because I can’t get tired of it either. In fact, there are times when I crave it.”
“Well, then,” Aidan said, more than pleased.
Craved it, did she? His male ego couldn’t complain of that.
With an effort he pulled his mind back to the matter at hand. There were people waiting.
“I have a surprise for you. First, we’ll be having breakfast in the village if you don’t mind.”
She looked at him with wary amusement at the light in his eyes. “And why should I mind? What are you up to, Aidan O’Connell?”
“You’ll see,” he said. “Are you ready to be up?”
They’d begun to create their own rituals, showering together most mornings, sometimes making love there if they didn’t do so in bed. To his absolute delight, she enjoyed morning sex, initiating more often than not.
Once more she wore the long loose dresses that made her look like some ancient goddess or queen, her glorious hair blowing in the breeze. It had been four months and he was still besotted with her, truly enchanted. She fascinated him, brilliant one moment, like a wondering child the next, a wanton woman the next….
“Aidan,” she said, as he bundled her into the car.
“No,” he said, “not even a hint.”
The pub in the village served a nice breakfast of a morning, they’d gone more than once, and it was her birthday but Aidan had that smile on his face, with that glint of mischief she so loved.
Clearly, the folk in the pub had been clued in, because they were singing Happy Birthday as soon as they walked in. Abashed, Ali would have backed out if Aidan hadn’t been standing behind her.
The table they led them to was much too large for the two of them and then someone dropped into the chair next to her with her typical nonchalance, and if Jesse wasn’t wearing her motorcycle gear, she was in her usual burn-stained jeans…tossing her long, dark curly hair back over her shoulder.
“Jesse?” Ali said, in astonishment, her eyes going from Jesse to Aidan, and then Cam appeared, red-haired Molly behind her. “Cam, Molly?”
Her eyes awash in tears, Ali threw her arms around Jesse then raced to embrace Cam, reaching for Molly in astonishment.
“Happy Birthday, Ali,” Jesse said, from her chair, her blue eyes suspiciously bright.
Overwhelmed, Ali looked from one to another. “Oh, I’ve missed you…”
“We missed you, too,” Molly said.
Jesse’s eyes slid to Aidan. “Damn he’s pretty.”
Laughing, Ali said, “Isn’t he?”
Amber eyes glowing, Molly nodded. “Yum,” she said, soto voce, “seriously yum.”
Cam rolled her eyes but she smiled. Considering everything that had happened in Ali’s life, something good seemed only fair and right.
“Have you met him?” Ali asked.
Heads shook.
“Until now,” Cam said, “it’s been only phone calls.”
Aidan just looked at them.
Four lovely women, all of them different and yet there was a bond between them that was as clear and tight as that of family.
Calm Cam. What was it Ali called her? The sensible one. And Aidan could see it. Bold Jesse, dramatic Molly of the red hair. There was Irish in that one, too.
An unholy quartet. Aidan smiled. They were something indeed.
They settled around him, Ali’s hand sliding into his, her fingers meshing with his.
“Aidan,” Ali said, “this is Cam, Molly and Jesse. My friends.”
My sisters, in heart if not in blood…
“The closest I ever came to family,” Ali finished, simply.
It was no more than the truth.
He’d done this, brought them to her. Tears blurred her eyes.
“Happy Birthday, achushla,” Aidan said, brushing a hand over her sunny hair.
It was like a man to make the grand gestur, but it was that simple one that cemented it for Cam.
Breakfast was a mad affair, full of laughter. Among these four the events surrounding the Symposium were safe enough and Ali was finally free enough to admit how terrified she’d been. Enough time had passed that if word did leak, the announcements had been made so it was all over.
There was still a surprising amount of laughter, Jesse’s dry, Cam’s a little reserved, Molly unreservedly bubbly. Every one of them was bright, challenging.
It was a treat, but one more surprise yet remained.
Aidan looked at Cam.
She nodded.
They’d spoken of this a few times over the phone while Ali was working but before Aidan had even dared find out if it was possible. Cam had insisted on helping.
Her stormy blue eyes met his and nodded.
“Ali, a gra, achushla,” Aidan said. “There’s one other thing…”
She looked at him as he took her hands again.
The seriousness in his eyes worried her.
“I’ve one more surprise for you,” he said and hesitated for only a moment before plunging on. “Your mother had family here in Ireland, and so do you, if you want it.”
Ali looked at him, everything inside her going still, her eyes welling once again.
“Your mother went off to America,” he said, “and they never heard from her again. She just disappeared. America is a big place…”
It was a story as old as time, perhaps… girl meets boy…gets pregnant, and fears to go home.
Cam slipped her fingers through those of Ali’s free hand.
“You don’t have to talk to her,” Cam said, gently.
His blue eyes intent, Aidan said, “It’s true. She understands. Her name is Aoife. She’s your grandmother, Ali. Your mother’s mother…”
The name reverberated, Ali’s eyes flickered to his as Aidan thought it might.
Aoife was name of the stepmother of Lir’s children ― the one who turned her stepchildren into swans, but it was also the name of an Irish Queen.
“She’s here?” Ali asked.
Slowly, Aidan nodded. “She is. Waiting outside, if you’ll see her.”
Ali’s hand tightened on Aidan’s, her eyes going to his, then she looked to Cam.
“I’m scared.”
Squeezing her hand, Cam nodded. “It’s normal
, Ali. But, she’s your grandmother. Give her and yourself a chance. Family, Ali, at long last.”
The moment the older woman stepped into the room there was no doubt of the tie between the two. It took only one look into Aoife’s eyes, still lovely, still ethereal. There was only a slight difference between the two, Ali’s eyes having more green in them. Where Ali’s hair was sunny gold, Aoife’s was strawberry blond threaded thickly with white.
Aoife looked at her granddaughter and saw the daughter she’d sent off to America all those years ago.
“Oh, my dear girl,” Aoife said, all the love in the world in her voice, both for the child she’d lost and the one she might have just gained.
Ali burst into tears.
It ended in laughter, as Kevin and Caireann showed up, too, with the children, to make it a proper party.
Lifting Ali’s hand to his mouth, Aidan kissed it. “I didn’t want to marry you without your family about you. Both the new and the old. You should have someone to stand with and for you.”
Ali looked at him, smiling.
Her eyes went to Aoife, her seamed face kind and warm.
The story was as old as time and Ali had known it―ashamed of coming up pregnant, her mother had stayed away just that little too long, and the cancer had claimed her life before she could find the courage to go home to her family again.
Jesse was deep in a discussion with Kevin about motors while Caireann talked to Molly and Cam with Aoife listening in.
“So,” Aidan said, “I’d like to set the date. It seems only right we do it at a time of rebirth. Will you marry me on Christmas Eve? I wanted to have your family around you when I asked.”
It would be a Christmas present like no other. Ali smiled. Christmas in Ireland….with family.
“Yes, of course,” she said. She couldn’t think of a better day.
#####
About the author
Valerie Douglas is a prolific writer and a genre-crosser, much to the delight of her fans. She writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and as V.J. Devereaux, erotic romance. Who knows what will pop up down the road!
www.valeriedouglasbooks.com
www.vjdevereauxbooks.com
Other Novels by Valerie Douglas
Fantasy
The Otherling series:
The Coming Storm - Elon of Aerilann, Elven advisor to the High Council, helped negotiate the alliance between Elves, Dwarves and men. Suddenly he finds that fragile truce threatened from without by an unknown enemy and from within by old hatreds and prejudice. To preserve the alliance he'll be forced to choose between his honor, his duty and the woman he might just love.
A Convocation of Kings - sequel to The Coming Storm. One war is over, but fifty years later another begins just as Elon is reunited once again with his lost love. Is it coincidence she has returned just as there are signs an old enemy has returned as well?
Not Magic Enough - For Delae, a lonely landholder on the edge of the Kingdoms, a frantic knock at the door on a stormy winter's night brings more than a cry for help. After centuries of war Elves have little contact with the men, but Dorovan can't bring himself to ride past those so obviously in need. And so begins a tale of love, honor, duty and determination...
Setting Boundaries - For journeyman wizard Jareth the task of setting the boundaries between the lands of Elves, Dwarves and men is the opportunity of a lifetime and a chance to meet the great Elon of Aerilann, Elven councilor to the High King. What he doesn't know is that the journey will test him to his limits and forge friendships that will last for centuries.
Song of the Fairy Queen - It's said of Fairy that if you're in dire need and call the name of one, they'll come. With his young son, Gawain, in his arms and his castle under siege, High King Oryan couldn't be in any more dire need. With only Morgan, his High Marshal, and a handful of Morgan's men at his back, he has only one direction left to run...up. There's also only one ally to whom he can turn―Kyriay, Queen of the Fairy.
Heart of the Gods-When archaeologist Ky Farrar starts in search of the ancient Tomb, he awakens its lethal and lovely, guardian. Both quickly discover Ky isn’t the only one in search of the tomb and the danger to the world that lies within it. The key to which is the Heart of the Gods.
Romance:
The Millersburg Quartet
Dirty Politics-Returning to her hometown, practical Cam Kenyon discovers on-time teenage crush Noah Denton is running for D.A. When she discovers his opponent is going to indulge in dirty politics, she throws her support to him, resurrecting an old enemy.
Director’s Cut-When bad-boy director Jack Tyler comes to town to rediscover his passion with the local community theater group, teacher and theater geek Molly has to decide whether to take a chance on him. When his past catches up with him and he seems to be returning to his old bad habits, she has to decide whether to fight his demons alongside him.
Two Up―Sculptor and welder Jesse was always the wild child, her only family her three friends. A chance meeting with novelist Mitch Donovan gives her a chance to make a new life. For Mitch meeting Jesse gives him new inspiration, but that new inspiration comes at a terrifying price.
Picture Perfect-Under the pseudonym of C. A. Calloway, reclusive Anne Sheridan is a world-renowned artist who has found refuge in her cottage on the Carolina coast. Until her property comes to the notice of Michael Kelley, CEO of Kelley Resorts International. Suddenly Anne finds herself in the middle of a bidding war involving millions of dollars. Enough money to drive some people to kill.
Lucky Charm-When private investigator Matt Morrison’s best friend Bill is murdered, all evidence seems to point at his company, but Matt’s every attempt at entry is thwarted. Violently. When pretty Ariel O’Donnell comes unexpectedly to his rescue, he resolves to keep her out of what is clearly a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, it seems that Ariel is already involved and the forces set in motion by Bill’s death are closing around her.
As V. J. Devereaux
Cooking Class
available through Ellora’s Cave Publishing and other e-book retailers:
Cherry’s Jubilee
Special Delivery
Demon’s Kiss
Irish Fling Page 19