by Mari Carr
“Riley snapped it with her phone a few days after Hunter made it to the third round of February Stars. Really captures the two of you, doesn’t it?”
It did. It revealed best friends in the beginning phases of falling madly in love with each other. And the coolest part was, Ailis suspected if Aunt Riley snapped another picture of them tomorrow, it would still look the same.
No, it would look better. Because the girl in this photo hadn’t allowed herself to believe in love and trust and happiness and forever. She knew better now.
“I love it,” she whispered.
“Aye, my lovely Ailis, you finally pulled the veil away, revealed your beauty to the world.”
Ailis recalled the story her Pop Pop used to tell her when she was just a little girl. She’d always thought it was a prelude to peek-a-boo and the two of them would play as she giggled.
“You know, I looked that story up online once. In the version I read, she was a witch and she wore the veil so people wouldn’t die at the sight of her.”
Pop Pop chuckled. “Creative license. Story like that would scare a little girl. Besides, it was the moral I was trying to get you to see. You were such a shy little thing, hiding behind your mother.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pop Pop. I was four.”
Her grandfather didn’t reply. Instead, he gave her that look that told her he could wait all day if necessary until she said what he was waiting to hear.
“Fine. The moral wasn’t lost on me.”
He winked. “Glad to hear it. Though I have to say, it took you a while.”
Ailis walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “It took me way too long to figure out who I was, who I wanted to be.”
“Given you just talked my fool ear off about everything you and Hunter have been getting into, I think it’s safe to say you’ve found your place in the world.”
“I have,” she said. “Actually, I didn’t just come home for a visit. I wanted to…” She lifted the engagement ring Hunter had given her last weekend.
“Well, look at that.” Pop Pop held her hand as he looked at her ring. It was a freaking rock and a half, and she told Hunter he’d lost his mind when he proposed—after she’d put it on her finger, said yes and cried a few minutes. When Pop Pop glanced at her again, there were tears in his eyes. “I’m so happy for you, sweet girl. Feel so damn blessed every day I’m still here to watch you kids grow into such successful, loving people.”
His kind words were her undoing, and she sniffled as she hugged him.
“Sunday would have loved your young man. Like to think the two of them might have picked up their guitars and played us both a fine song.”
She laughed through her tears. “I would’ve loved to hear that.”
“Instead, I don’t have a doubt she’s singing along in heaven. Probably knows all the words to Hunter’s songs by now.”
“Les keeps threatening to retire in a few years. He wants me to take over managing Mom and Dad, as well as Hunter.”
“Sounds like a lot of work. Sure you’re up to it?”
Ailis shook her head. “No, I’m sure I’m not.”
Pop Pop frowned. “Now, Ailis—”
She held up her hand. “Not because I don’t think I’m capable. But because Hunter and I want to start a family.”
Pop Pop’s smile grew wide. “Did you tell Les that?”
“Not yet.”
“Lead with that. Guarantee you the man will work until he’s a hundred if it means you’ll bring babies into his world. Always sort of felt like you and Fiona got an extra uncle with Les in your lives, not that you didn’t have enough to begin with.”
“That’s good advice. I’ll make sure to pass my plans for the future along to him.”
Pop Pop took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Always knew you’d do great things, my beautiful witch.”
She laughed as she kissed him on the cheek before whispering in his ear, “Boo!”
Other books in the Wild Irish series
Come Monday
Wild Irish, Book One
Monday’s child is fair of face…
After the death of her mother years prior, Keira Collins willingly put aside her dreams to become a surrogate parent to her six younger brothers and sisters. At twenty-seven, she’s finally pursuing a college degree. Between classes, working at the family pub and still tending to siblings, she’s no time for romance. So why is she spending all her rare free time fantasizing about hot Professor Wallace bending her over his desk?
Will Wallace recognizes Keira’s unfulfilled desires, her habit of hiding her beauty, her obsessive need for control in every aspect of her life. But Will has needs of his own—and they run far darker than Keira’s. As he initiates her into his lifestyle, offering sweet punishments and sweeter rewards, Will’s sexual authority slowly strips away some of her precious control. The one thing Keira’s not ready to relinquish…
* * *
Ruby Tuesday
Wild Irish, Book Two
Tuesday’s child is full of grace…
Sky Mitchell is hiding out in Baltimore, seeking peace and solitude while he struggles with a career decision. Lead singer of popular rock group The Universe, he’s thinking of going it alone. Wandering into an Irish pub, he’s ecstatic to discover the breakout single for his solo album—but the songwriter doesn’t want to sell. He challenges the woman to a contest. Not only does he win the song, but also a songwriting partner to complete the rest of the album.
Teagan Collins is sure of her talent but she’s never aspired to fame and fortune. She’s content singing folk tunes in her family’s pub. Working on an album with Sky tests her patience…and her libido. The hot rocker plays her body like a fine instrument, their desire deepening with each song they write. But someone doesn’t want Sky to go solo, and will stop at nothing to sabotage the couple’s efforts. Undaunted, Sky wants Teagan to join him onstage at his farewell concert to sing her original, “Maybe Tomorrow”…
If they make it through today.
* * *
Waiting for Wednesday
Wild Irish, Book Three
Wednesday’s Child is full of woe…
Tristan Collins knows Lane Bryce is strictly hands off. She’s smart, funny, kind…and married. But he still looks forward to her once-a-week visits to the family pub where he tends bar. When she fails to arrive one Wednesday, Tris is concerned. When he learns she’s in the hospital, brutally beaten after attempting to leave her unhappy marriage, he’s enraged. Tris vows to protect her, but he doesn’t get the chance. Lane checks out of the hospital and disappears without a trace.
A year later, newly divorced Lane is back, and enjoying her independence too much to embark on a relationship. Tris intends to prove she can have freedom and love, and he’s not above using seduction to do it. The more she resists, the more he sets her body ablaze with pleasure the likes of which she’s never known.
After a lifetime of disappointment, trust doesn’t come easily for Lane. But when her ex-husband reenters her life, threatening her independence, her happiness, she could discover too late that Tristan is the one man worthy of not only her trust, but also her love.
* * *
Sweet Thursday
Wild Irish, Book Four
Thursday’s child has far to go…
In high school, Lily was too shy to do anything about her feelings for her best friends, Justin and Killian. Now she’s ready to put to rest her regrets with a proposal that might shock even her oversexed friends—the three of them, together, one night, multiple positions.
K and J are more than a little surprised to see Lily at their ten-year reunion. The plain Jane they remember is now a stunning woman—who wants to have sex with both of them. Who are they to deny her? Even if Killian suspects they might be treading on dangerous emotional territory. The night stretches into the weekend and, as K suspected, none of them want it to end. But he and Lily know people live in pairs, not trios, and they call a halt now
, before it’s too late.
Justin, however, knows a good thing when he sees it. He’s ready to fight for what he wants…what they all need. He just has to convince Lily and Killian that unconventional can also be extraordinary.
* * *
Friday I’m in Love
Wild Irish, Book Five
Friday’s child is loving and giving…
Ewan Collins has had the hots for Natalie for years but she continually rebuffs him, supposedly because of their age difference. When Natalie comes to stay with the Collins family for a week, Ewan decides it’s time to make his move in a serious way.
Natalie’s been in a funk since celebrating another birthday alone. When Ewan proposes to help her “get a life”—seven lessons in seven days—she figures what the hell does she have to lose? Ewan’s plans include tequila shots, fishing, karaoke…and other, more erotic hands-on demonstrations. But loneliness isn’t Ewan’s only obstacle. Tragedy in her past continually takes Natalie to a dark place her mind can’t easily overcome.
With support, tenderness and love, Ewan plans to win over Natalie one lesson at a time. Starting with lessons of the heart.
* * *
Saturday Night Special
Wild Irish, Book Six
Saturday’s child works hard for a living…
What do you get when you cross a gold-digging stripper, a down-on-her-luck hooker, an estranged husband, his knocked-up wife, a Wayne Newton lookalike taxi driver and one beleaguered Baltimore cop? A typical night in the life of Riley Collins—Vegas style. Riley’s always been the wildest of the Collins clan, but even she bites off more than she can chew during an impromptu trip to Sin City.
Once again, it’s Aaron Young to the rescue. No surprise; Aaron’s been watching Riley’s ass forever—and he’s wanted to spank it for even longer. Tracking her down, Aaron finally gets his wish—after he drags a drunken Riley to a chapel and makes it legit, of course. To say she’s shocked is putting it mildly. But Riley warms to Aaron’s seduction quicker than you can say “all-you-can-eat buffet!” Who knew her mild-mannered best friend was so hot in the sack?
Of course, thanks to Riley’s penchant for picking up strays, the newlyweds will have to sneak in some honeymoon boom-boom whenever they can. But they’ll manage…
* * *
Any Given Sunday
Wild Irish, Book Seven
The child who is born on the Sabbath day, is bonny and blithe and good and gay.
Sean Collins is happy working at the family pub and sharing a house with the woman of his dreams. He and Lauren are equals in every way, including in bed, where they burn the sheets. Life is good. Even if he must hide a couple of secrets to keep it that way.
Lauren is madly in love with Sean. They share everything—almost. She can’t deny sensing…something. A certain feeling when she, Sean and their friend Chad are all together. But she doesn’t press. How can she when she’s not being completely forthright herself?
Chad is feeling pretty miserable, and renting a room in Sean and Lauren’s home has only made it worse. In a house filled with secrets, Chad’s are doozies.
When an opportunity arises to explore their deep desires, the trio plunges into a sex-filled, emotionally charged ménage. Long-buried feelings are revealed, changing their lives irrevocably. Whether for better or worse, only Sean, Chad and Lauren can decide.
* * *
Wild Irish Christmas
Wild Irish, Book Eight
“To Conall Brannagh.” Ewan took the bottle from his father. “Who?” “Conall Brannagh,” Patrick repeated. “If your mother had chosen him over me, none of us would be here tonight.”
It’s Christmas Eve, and the Collins siblings have given their father a precious gift. All seven have gathered together to spend the night in his apartment above the family pub, the warm, loving home where Patrick and Sunday raised their large brood.
You’ve witnessed each child find their happy-ever-after. Now gather ’round the tree and join the Collins family as they pass a bottle of Jameson, and Patrick shares the story of how he won the heart of Sunday, his true love, his soul mate…and the mother of his seven Wild Irish.
* * *
January Girl
Wilder Irish, Book One
She’s sleeping with the enemy…
After a nasty breakup, Caitlyn Wallace is giving her love life an extended break to focus on her career. The hiatus suits her just fine, until she comes face-to-face with a cutthroat businessman who’s used to getting everything he wants. Now he wants Pat’s Pub—and he’s not taking no for an answer. Caitlyn should despise the arrogant man for threatening her beloved family’s business, but there’s something about Lucas’s dominant nature that has the hidden submissive inside her trembling…and in the sexiest way possible.
What should be a run-of-the-mill real estate acquisition goes off the rails quickly when Lucas Whiting meets the beautiful granddaughter of pub owner Patrick Collins. Lucas never mixes business with pleasure, but that rule is broken the moment he meets Cait. One date turns into two, and soon the couple is thrust into a steamy, life-altering affair for which neither is prepared. One that will ultimately force them to choose between family loyalty and love.
About the Author
Writing a book was number one on Mari Carr’s bucket list and on her thirty-fourth birthday, she set out to see that goal achieved. Too many years later, her computer is jammed full of stories — novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends and she has nearly eighty published works.
Virginia native and high school librarian by day, Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary erotic romance novels.
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Other books by Mari Carr
Trinity Masters:
Elemental Pleasure
Primal Passion
Scorching Desire
Forbidden Legacy
Hidden Devotion
Elegant Seduction
Secret Scandal
Delicate Ties
* * *
Sparks in Texas:
Sparks Fly
Waiting for You
Something Sparked
Off Limits
No Other Way
Whiskey Eyes
* * *
Big Easy:
Blank Canvas
Crash Point
Full Position
Rough Draft
Triple Beat
Winner Takes All
* * *
Second Chances:
Fix You
Dare You
Just You
Near You
Reach You
Always You
* * *
Compass
Northern Exposure
Southern Comfort
Eastern Ambitions
Western Ties
Winter’s Thaw
Hope Springs
Summer Fling
Falling Softly
* * *
Farpoint Creek
Outback Princess
Outback Cowboy
Outback Master
Outback Lovers
* * *
Bundles
Cowboy Heat
What Women Want
Wild Irish Boxed Set
Scoundrels
* * *
Individual Titles:
Sugar and Spice
Everything Nice
Erotic Research
Assume the Positions
Do Over
Tequila Truth
Rough Cut
Happy Hour
Power Play
Slam Dunk
Seducing the Boss
* * *
Just Because:
Because of Y
ou
Because You Love Me
Because It’s True
* * *
Clandestine:
Mad about Meg
Bound by the Past
Scoring
Covert Affairs
* * *
Madison Girls
Kiss Me Kate
Three Reasons Why
* * *
Wild Irish:
Come Monday
Ruby Tuesday
Waiting for Wednesday
Sweet Thursday
Friday I’m in Love
Saturday Night Special
Any Given Sunday
Wild Irish Christmas
Wild Irish Boxed Set
* * *
Wilder Irish:
January Girl
February Stars
* * *
June Girls:
No Recourse
No Regrets
* * *
Boys of Fall:
Free Agent
Red Zone
Wild Card
* * *
Cocktales
Party Naked
Screwdriver
Bachelor’s Bait
Screaming O