The Harp and the Fiddle: Glenncailty Castle, Book 1

by Lila Dubois

  “You don’t have to stay for this,” Sorcha whispered.

  “I’m fine,” Caera breathed. She both loved and hated this.

  The RTE host stepped up to the mic again. “Music’s influence can be felt and traced around the globe. Stories of love, loss and betrayal, expressed in song, travel on birds’ wings from country to country. We’re going to ask two of our artists to portray that, telling stories of love betrayed.”

  Again, Tim stepped up to the mic, Paddy’s guitar across his shoulder. The lighting changed, a spotlight on him alone. “Rose Connelly” was a sad tale of a man who killed his beloved and threw her body in the water. It was a terrible story, but he made it sound like a love song.

  “Is he killing her?” Sorcha’s voice was a curious whisper. “Is it strange that I find this song beautiful?”

  “Yes, he’s killing her, and no, it’s not strange to find it beautiful.” Caera breathed deep as Tim’s eyes scanned the unseen audience, finally stopping on her. He couldn’t see her, she knew he couldn’t. But he was looking at her, staring into her as his smoky voice filled the space between the stone walls.

  “Caera…” There was a note of warning to Sorcha’s voice.

  “I want things I’ve already lost,” Caera whispered.

  Sorcha’s arms were around her, but Caera barely noticed. Her focus was on Tim. Even as he stepped back and the Australian musician took his place, singing Nick Cave’s “Where the Wild Roses Grow”, another tale of a woman murdered by her love, Caera’s attention was on Tim.

  As Tim disappeared into the shadows at the back of the stage, Caera shook herself. It was almost time for the intermission—she had work to do.

  Ducking through the now-empty green room, Caera checked the refreshments carts they’d roll out during intermission. The skin on the back of her neck prickled. She turned. Tim was there in the door, his fiddle held loosely in his hand. The light from the green room cast a halo around him, shadowing his face.

  Caera waited.

  He took two steps, free hand cupping her cheek. His thumb stroked her cheekbone, “I was singing for you.”

  “I know.”

  “Tonight?”

  Caera breathed deep. “Yes.”

  Chapter Five

  The Deep

  Caera stepped out of the pub, the raucous noise and singing fading as quick steps carried her into the dark gardens. Exhaustion tugged at her. It had been a long day, if a successful one. While some guests had departed after the concert, many had adjourned to the pub, packing it to the limit. Elizabeth hadn’t expected that many, and all on-site staff had been called in to assist. Caera served food, freeing up pub staff to open the second bar. Hustling with a tray of plates was a familiar feeling for Caera, though something she hadn’t done in years.

  Her exhaustion warred with her excitement over the event’s success.

  She felt light with joy over a job well done, though an aching sense of loss and gnawing jealousy threatened to consume her. At this point both feelings were muted by her tiredness.

  As she followed a curve in the path, a dark shape stepped in front of her. Her initial spike of fear vanished, replaced by desire, as she recognized Tim. His jean jacket was gone, in its place a leather jacket and a thick scarf. He looked foreign and sexy in the moonlight.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.

  “It’s late.” Caera knew it was a mistake to touch him tonight, when her past and all its darkness was so close to the surface, her internal barriers weakened by exhaustion.

  “It is.” His voice was warm in the cold night air.

  “You were brilliant.”

  “Thank you. There was magic in that room.”

  “There was.”

  “I have a question for you.” His voice had dropped as he closed the space between them.

  Caera knew what his question was. “You’re full of questions.”

  “Yet I don’t have any answers about you.”

  There was a burst of noise as the pub doors opened. They were too close to the main hotel and all the people within it. Caera had an idea, a moment of madness.

  “Follow me.” Caera tried to skirt past Tim, but he caught her hand, lacing their fingers together. She stopped, looking over her shoulder at him.

  “Lead on,” he said, squeezing her fingers.

  With her warm hand held in his cold one, she led him deeper into the garden. As they passed between decorative bushes, the rear wall of the garden came into view. Beyond the wall sat the dowager house, where Glenncailty’s master lived, and next to it the old stone church. At a fork in the path, she turned left. Light in the main building shone through windows, patches of yellow in the darkness. Behind the west wing, inside the walled garden, were the mews, which were in the process of being converted into a pool and spa space.

  The mews were dark, but Caera knew the way. She led Tim to one of the glass doors that had taken the place of the stable doors. Half the first floor had been retrofitted for a pool, while on the second floor the former stablehands’ quarters were being turned into spa treatment spaces.

  “Where are we?” Tim’s voice echoed.

  “The pool. It’s not open yet, no one comes here.” Caera led them in and Tim closed the door behind them, the click of the handle loud in the quiet space.

  They were standing on the rough concrete pool deck. Glass windows and doors along each wall let in the moon and star light. The pool was a long rectangle of black water. The surface reflected the light coming in through the glass, making it seem as if there was a bit of the night sky trapped here.

  Tim’s hand brushed her cheek, lifting her hair to stroke the back of her neck. Untangling her fingers from his, Caera reached for his scarf, unwinding it. In response he unfastened her jacket, pushing it from her shoulders.

  She shivered as the cold air touched her bare arms. His jacket hit the floor. She stepped out of her shoes as his fingers worked the fastening of her pants, which pooled at her ankles. She stepped out of them and her shoes. Together they pushed his shirt over his head, his muscled chest hard and warm under her questioning fingers. She shivered, but the building was heated, the air warm enough against their bare skin.

  Caera looked over her shoulder.

  Under the reflected night sky, the water was dark, the underwater pool lights off. There was no way to tell how deep it was. It could be ten feet, it could be deep as the sea. Deep enough to drown her. But she’d been drowning for a long time.

  The same madness that had led her to bring him here rose up in Caera. Breath coming in shallow puffs, she pressed her body to his, front to front. His skin was warm, his body supple with muscle that made her wish there was more light.

  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she took a step back, then another. He came with her, his hands exploring her back under her shirt, her hair, as he whispered quietly of her beauty. She didn’t feel beautiful. She felt like she was all alone and drowning. She didn’t want to be alone anymore.

  Her heel went off the edge, leaving her poised at the lip of the pool, her back to the water.

  His eyes were a glitter of light in the dark. “Caera?”

  “Don’t worry, we won’t drown.”

  Caera threw herself backwards. She hit the cold water, sinking into the darkness. She was alone, Tim’s body having slipped from her grasp. She hadn’t been strong enough to hold him. To bring him with her.

  She didn’t need to hold him, because he followed her in.

  The water rippled and hands closed around her, drawing her upright. Tim hugged her to him. Together, they kicked to the surface. Caera smiled as they emerged.

  “Woman, you’re crazy,” Tim’s voice was gruff. “The water is cold.”

  “I’ll warm you up.”

  She took his face in her hands, kissing him hard and deep. They sank below the surface once more. Water flowed around her lips, bubbles streaming from their mouths.

  Caera stroked the smooth skin at his waist. H
e still wore his jeans. Her lungs tight with the need to surface, she struggled to undo the button and zip. When they were open, she pushed them down his hips, his boxers sliding over his wet flesh. He kicked, drawing them both up. She touched his waist again, sliding her hand down his hip to discover only warm, wet flesh.

  He pulled her soaking shirt up and off, tossing it to the side where it plopped wetly onto the pool deck. Wearing nothing but her bra and underwear, she wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him. He swam them over to the side, grabbed the edge of the pool and drew them into the shallow end, where he stood, Caera in his arms—one hand under her ass, the other tangled in her wet hair.

  He struggled with her wet bra for a moment before yanking it down, exposing her chest to his hungry mouth and warm lips. He lifted her so her breasts were above the water, a shiver taking her as the night air, so much colder than the water, touched her wet skin. He sucked her tightly drawn nipples, tugging them with his teeth until she gasped and clawed his back. Now she could feel his hard cock brushing her inner thigh. He was a tall man, and his cock was long and thick, velvety smooth against her. When she snaked her hand below the water, between their bodies to fondle the sensitive head, his breath came out in a hiss, bathed her wet breast. He raised his head from her nipples, kissing her long and deep. She moaned, shivering against him as he walked to the steps, his hands holding her against him, her legs still around his waist.

  “Reach up, hold the edge.” He rasped out his demand, releasing her to grab her arms, urging her to lie back and clasp the lip of the pool.

  They were waist-deep, Tim cradling her so that she floated on the surface, the water lapping her sides. She allowed him to guide her hands back, grasping the rough concrete edge as he held her hips. She was glad she had something to hang onto as he lifted her hips above the surface with one hand, the other rubbing her sex through the wet barrier of her underwear. Ripples of pleasure made their way up her body.

  “Oh yes, please, yes.” Her words were little puffs of air.

  When his fingers flicked her clit a little too hard, she hissed, arching her back and tightening her legs around his waist so that his body slammed into hers. His cock rubbed against her, and he groaned.

  Reaching back, he grabbed her ankles, forcing her to let go of him. He stepped out from between her legs, yanking her wet panties down and off.

  “Are you ready for me?” His voice was a rough growl. Standing above her, outlined in starlight, he was like a sea creature of old, risen from the cold sea to claim her for himself.

  “Yes.”

  His fingers delved between her legs once more, testing her. As he parted her legs to step between them, she gasped. The water was shockingly cold against her warm core.

  “Does this hurt?” One thick finger rubbed her clit, then slid into her body.

  “No, it feels good.” She arched her back, feeling his finger flex within her. “The water’s cold.”

  “I’ll warm you up.” There was a grin in his voice.

  He pumped his fingers into her, stretching her, filling her.

  Water lapped against the pool, the soft tap, tap, tap lost under the sound of Caera’s moans and sighs.

  “You’re tight.” Tim’s voice was rough with desire.

  “I’m ready.” Caera reached down with one hand, trying to push his hand away as she simultaneously drew his hips towards the apex of her thighs.

  “Not yet.” He tipped his hips away, his cock rubbing against her thigh, close to where she wanted it, but not close enough. It wasn’t enough.

  “I want you. I want you in me.”

  “And I want you to come for me.”

  His fingers pumped into her as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. Pleasure built low in her belly. Her skin trembled with it, her nipples drawing so tight they hurt.

  He added a second finger, opening her, stretching her. That was enough, coupled with his thumb on her clit, to send her over the edge. Her fingers squeezed the side of the pool, her legs clamping back tight around Tim’s hips as the orgasm shook her. She gasped and arched her sex into his hand as the shivers of pleasure skittered through her.

  “I wish I could see you. Later I want to see you, see your face as you come.”

  Caera didn’t answer. Post-orgasm warmth filled her.

  Drawing his fingers from her, he held her hips in his hands, thumbs pressing against her hipbones. He pulled her away from the pool edge, her fingertips scraping over the rough stone border as he drew her into the center of the pool. The water caressed her sides, her core.

  Tim held her up, held her in place and kissed a path from belly to breastbone. His lips veered to the side, taking her cold, beaded nipple into his warm mouth. Caera tipped her head back as the pleasure swamped her. She was so caught up that she didn’t think about the water until it rushed over her forehead. She jerked up, gasping as the water touched her mouth.

  “I’ve got you.” Tim slid a hand under her back. He pulled her upright, their upper bodies sliding wetly against each other.

  Caera’s hair fell against her shoulders, a cold blanket. She wrapped her arms around Tim’s neck, her legs tight around his hips. The orgasm he’d drawn from her wasn’t enough. The dark desire, the deep madness was still rolling inside her. She kissed him, their cold lips meeting, pressing together with frantic energy.

  He tasted like man. She wanted him in her, wanted him to fill her until she didn’t feel so alone.

  Water rose up her waist to her breasts as he walked them deeper into the pool.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Tim put a hand under her ass, lifting her higher. Caera braced her elbows on his shoulders. His cock, which had been resting on her belly, slid down between her legs. The tip pressed against her sex, and Caera shifted until the head was poised, ready to enter her.

  Tim grasped her hips, drawing her down onto his cock. Cool water rushed around her sex, mixing fire and ice as his hot, thick cock entered her. Caera gasped, pressing her cheek alongside Tim’s. His ragged breathing was loud in her ear.

  When he was deep within her, Tim moved one hand from her hips, stroking his way up her back. He cupped her head, turning her face to his for a kiss. With their lips fused together, he flexed his hips, pumping his cock into her with small jerks.

  They thrust together for what felt like an eternity, a perfect eternity where the pleasure rose gently but wasn’t enough to take her to the peak. It was Caera who broke the moment, needing and wanting more.

  “Fuck me, I want you to fuck me.” She stared into his eyes, their dark glitter in the starlight almost menacing.

  He was silent for a moment, his gaze searching his face.

  “I’ll fuck you—” his hips flexed, cock sliding in and out a bare half inch,

  “—if you agree to make love to me in the morning.”

  “What?”

  “Fucking now, make love later. That’s the deal.”

  Make love. Caera knew nothing about gentle sex, and she didn’t want love.

  “I want you to fuck me.”

  “Then agree to what I want.”

  “That’s blackmail.”

  “Maybe, but I have a suspicion that when this is over you’ll disappear.”

  “If you don’t want me…” Caera unwound her arms from his neck.

  “You’re not going anywhere. You’re mine, now and again in the morning.”

  Caera shivered, but not from the cold. His words both thrilled and terrified her. She’d heard similar words from a man before, but from Tim they were exciting, a promise of pleasure to come.

  “Yes.” Her answer surprised her. “I’ll…make love…to you in the morning.”

  “Good.”

  Tim withdrew his cock, then thrust in, hard and deep. Caera threw her head back, shaken by the sensation of being so thoroughly filled. Water splashed around them as Tim slammed her down onto his cock. Over and over he fucked her as the pleasure grew far beyond anything sh
e’d experienced before.

  When that wasn’t enough, he walked them back into the shallows.

  “Turn over, grab the edge.”

  Caera unhooked her arms and legs from around him, splashing in the water in her haste. She bent at the waist, lowering her breasts into the water. Folding her arms along the edge, she rested her cheek on them. Tim grabbed her ass, squeezing and separating the globes. He traced a line down her spine, between the cheeks of her ass. His finger hovered briefly at her anus, rubbing the sensitive skin there. Caera shivered, frightened and secretly thrilled that he might fuck her ass, even if it were only with his finger.

  “Have you been fucked anally before?”

  Dark memories threatened to flood her mind and destroy the pleasure coiled within her. “I don’t talk about my past.” She bit off the words.

  Tim’s finger stilled, then left her ass. Parting the lips of her sex, he positioned his cock. This time he entered her with a smooth, hard thrust. His thighs slapped hers, the water splashing around their hips.

  The memories his words had brought up were shattered as he filled her. She gasped, her breath raising goose flesh along her forearms.

  “Yes, yes. That’s what I want. I want you to fuck me.”

  Tim withdrew, thrust in again. Each stroke was powerful and deep, the rhythm building in tempo until he was slamming into her hard and fast, her body shaking with need.

  “You’re beautiful, so beautiful.” His words were broken, his breathing fast.

  “I’m close. Please, I’m close.”

  “Yes, come. Come with me.” Tim reached under her, pushing his foot between her ankles to spread her legs. Now his fingers could reach her clit, rubbing the swollen nub.

  Waves of pleasure crashed over her. The orgasm made her clench her teeth, her sex vising around his cock. Tim growled, then withdrew, rubbing his cock along the cleft of her ass until he too groaned in orgasm.

  Exhaustion overcame Caera. She slid away from the pool edge and would have slipped under the water if Tim hadn’t caught her. Lifting her in his arms with one hand under her shoulders, the other under her knees, he carried her from the water.