Wild Irish Dreamer (The Mystic Cove Series Book 8)

by Tricia O'Malley

  That stopped Cait from whatever she was about to ask next, as shock crossed her face.

  “To Fi?” Mr. Murphy asked, slapping the bar with enthusiasm.

  “No, not that she isn’t a worthy partner, I’m sure,” Liam laughed. “To my ex-girlfriend. I had a ring and everything.”

  “What happened?” Cait asked, derailed from her line of questioning about Fi – exactly what Liam had hoped for.

  “Well, let me tell you a story about two Russian women who are good at playing the long game.”

  By the time he’d finished, Cait was buying him another beer and all questions about Fi were forgotten. It was the best Liam could do in a town whose currency was gossip, and he figured that so long as Fi kept her mouth shut, their story should read as just friends.

  Even though he wanted more.

  Surprised at the thought, Liam glanced down at his pint – the third one, now – and wondered if the drink was getting to his head. It was a rare day he drank in the afternoon, but the project was running smoothly and he’d earned an afternoon off. Even so, he signaled to the other barmaid for a glass of water and settled back, mulling over thoughts of his past.

  His feelings for his ex-girlfriend had been true, as was the shame that came after, when he’d discovered what a sucker he’d been. It had taken him a long time to trust women after that, and it would have been a horrible time for him and Fi to become more serious. Not that she’d called him, which still stung to this day. Liam wasn’t sure why it bothered him so. The entire reason he’d slipped out early in the morning was to avoid any awkwardness and give them both the option of making sure there were no attempts at deeper attachment. He had asked her to call, hadn’t he?

  Maybe it had been a token gesture at the time, to show he was being a nice guy… but for some reason that hadn’t taken the sting out of Fi’s silence. For days after, he’d found himself glancing at his phone, wondering after her. He’d had too much pride to call Sean and ask for her number; no, that wouldn’t have done at all. From what he could find, she wasn’t on social media – or if she was, her accounts were locked up tight – and after a time he’d let her drift into the past.

  From Croatia, he’d taken on several jobs across Europe, working himself to sheer exhaustion to escape the thoughts of his past. Eventually he moved forward, as one is meant to do after heartbreak, and now he could look back on that time with gratitude for having dodged a bullet. The experience had burned, but Liam had made a conscious decision to be even more generous and kind with his lovers. He enjoyed women, found them endlessly fascinating, and treated them with utmost respect. Never shying away from flavor or diversity, he’d worked his way through different countries, entertaining hordes of women, all of whom to this day would speak highly of him and fondly remember their time together. A user he was not. But love… well, that was a different story. No one had come close to working their way into his heart since.

  It was… interesting that the reappearance of Fi in his life now irked him so, Liam decided, draining his pint and ignoring the glass of water. It was unusual for Liam to feel disconcerted when it came to women, but she crept her way into his thoughts more often than he would like.

  Doing what he always did when he was troubled, Liam paid his tab and set off for a ramble. Fresh air and the open sea always cleared his head.

  And it appeared that Fi needed to be quickly and staunchly removed from his mind.

  Chapter 11

  Fi wasn’t sure if the rain matched her mood or if her mood had called the rain. It wasn’t the first time she’d wondered if the extra magick she carried could call to the elements like that. Grace – well, they all knew when Gracie was in a snit, for the skies positively pummeled them and the seas would rage. But it had never quite manifested in that way for Fi, though now she wondered if she just hadn’t been paying that much attention.

  It was a particular trait of hers, ignoring what was right in front of her eyes. She’d grown up in a world of magick, hadn’t she? It wasn’t like she was completely immune to the mystical worlds that blended with reality in Grace’s Cove. It would be impossible not to see – not to acknowledge – all the power surrounding her. Things flying across the room when Aislinn didn’t want to pick them up, magick and spells and auras – it was all a bit much after a while. She’d learned to tune it out the best she could, and live a relatively normal life.

  Grace thought she was crazy.

  Why would you turn your back on your gifts? It was a constant lament of Grace’s, for she considered her magick an added bonus to her life, and was legitimately shocked that Fi wouldn’t want to delve further into hers. Grace had eventually let up on Fi, allowing her to live her life as she saw fit. From time to time she made comments, but for the most part Grace let Fi be Fi, and Fi let Grace be Grace.

  It didn’t help that Fi considered her traits to be some of the worst. Who wanted to be able to hear people’s thoughts, let alone have dreams of the future? As a child, it had driven her all but mental and had caused no shortage of tough situations until Cait had been able to teach her how to shield herself from unwanted images and thoughts. She’d been a surly child until then – and rightly so, Fi mused as she turned her car down the lane. Who wanted to get flashes of Mr. Murphy having an argument with his wife or a man eyeing up her mother and thinking naughty things? It was right uncomfortable. Cait, and Fiona, had finally been able to get through to her and teach her how to enact mental shields so she could live her life unperturbed by others’ thoughts.

  Seeing auras and dream premonitions were another thing altogether. Grace thought she should be tapping into her dreams more – as in, using them to help see the future. But for what, Fi wondered as she took the winding cliff lane at a snail’s pace toward the village. It wasn’t like she needed to know the future. In a lot of respects, not knowing the future was what made life so exciting.

  And she did crave excitement. Never one for sitting still, Fi had raced through life, always on the move and on to something different. Perhaps it was being around so much magick that made Fi expect life to always be interesting and amazing? Either way, she’d never craved marriage or babies or anything that might keep her in one place. She’d been off like a rocket as soon as university had let out and hadn’t stayed in one spot since.

  Drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, she considered what that meant, now that she would actually have a responsibility tying her to one spot. Being a homeowner was something Fi hadn’t really envisioned, at least not for many more years, and certainly not in Grace’s Cove. The gift from her father had quite thrown her. Yet, for some reason, it made her happy. Maybe there was something to be said for setting down some roots. Half a root maybe. One foot rooted and the other one lifted. She pictured a tree lifting a giant root-covered foot from the ground and giggled. Maybe she needed to work on her metaphors.

  In any case, she was interested. Interested in decorating her new space, interested in being a landlord, interested in taking the art and curiosities she’d stashed away from all over the world and scattering them across her place. Her place. It did feel nice to think that.

  Then, as if today hadn’t had enough shocks, Liam Mulder had waltzed back into her life like he owned the town. That was something she wasn’t quite sure how to react to. Perhaps she should have taken more time to think it through before racing off to Grace’s cottage. Now she’d have both Fiona and Grace all over her when it came to Liam.

  Speaking of Liam… Grace peered through the windshield to see the man himself stalking down the lane as if he didn’t even notice the sheets of rain that pummeled him. Sighing, she pulled the car up alongside him and rolled down the window.

  “Having a nice stroll, are you?” Fi shouted over the rain.

  “It’s a lovely day for it.” His teeth flashed white in his face and Fi’s stomach did a funny little bounce.

  “Would you like a ride?”

  “I’ll get your car wet.”

  “There
’s a wool blanket in the back. Hold on.” Fi reached over and pulled a thick old blanket over the front seat. “Go on then, rain’s getting in the window.”

  “I just fancied a walk to clear me head,” Liam grumbled, rivulets of water streaming down his face.

  “Oh? And what does your head need clearing of?” Fi asked. She had pulled the car back out onto the road and toward town before realizing she had no idea where Liam was staying.

  “You.”

  Fi’s foot hit the brake and Liam slapped his palm on the dashboard before quickly securing the safety belt over his shoulder and shooting her a look.

  “Don’t give me that look. You can’t say stuff like that and not expect me to react.”

  “Did you want me to lie then?”

  “No, I don’t want you to lie.But you can’t say…that…and not expect a reaction.”

  “What’s driven you out into the rain?” Liam asked, ignoring her comment.

  Fi glanced at him to see a heated look in his eyes. “Hmmm,” she said, putting her eyes firmly back on the road instead of on the man who suddenly seemed to fill the car with his presence. His nearness was making her… something, Fi thought, and firmly steered her mind away from where those thoughts wanted to go.

  “Hmmm, she says. And here I thought you were the honest sort, Fi,” Liam said, his voice husky.

  “I went to see Grace,” Fi said, dancing around his question. It wasn’t a lie, and she could live with that.

  “You left the pub in a bit of a hurry.”

  “Sure, and I didn’t want to get stuck with the lunch rush. I’m not on the till there, you know.”

  “I suspect you’d work any shift your mum asked of you.”

  “Where am I taking you, Liam?” Fi asked, approaching a small roundabout in the center of town.

  “Where do you want to go, Fi?”

  “Are you purposely being difficult?”

  “Do you find me difficult? Interesting.”

  “Is it?”

  “You know what else I find interesting?”

  “I’m sure I can live without knowing,” Fi ground out. She continued to drive, taking a right on a whim since he’d given her no destination.

  “I find it interesting that you didn’t answer my question. I also find it interesting that you think I’m being difficult. I find it interesting that your cheeks flush a particular shade of pink when I’m around.”

  “They most certainly do not,” Fi exclaimed, shooting a quick glare at Liam.

  “Oh, they most certainly do. Particularly after I’ve had my mouth on you,” Liam said.

  Fi let out a little yelp. “Must you bring that up?”

  “Of course. It’s a memory I’m quite fond of.”

  “Great – is this where you need me to thank you for your services? Build your ego up and tell you what a stud you are?”

  “It certainly wouldn’t hurt,” Liam decided.

  Despite her discomfort, Fi laughed. “Thank you for your services, good sir.”

  “You’re welcome,” Liam said.

  “Where am I taking you?”

  “Why don’t we go for a drive?”

  “Because I have things to do.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like fix things at this new building my dad has insanely gifted me. There’s loads of projects. I’m busy, Liam.”

  “Projects, did you say? I’m a project manager, you know.”

  “And I’m sure you’re well paid. Which is where you should be. Managing your projects.”

  “I took the day off.”

  “Must be nice your boss doesn’t fire you.”

  “He trusts me.”

  “That’s grand for you and all… but seriously, where am I taking you?”

  “To look at your projects. I like projects. Let me help, Fi.”

  “I don’t need help. I need to be away from you,” Fi burst out. A smile stretched wide on Liam’s face. “Oh, don’t look like the cat who ate the canary.”

  “I’m not. Just wondering why you can’t be around me. I thought we were mates.”

  “Mates don’t do… what we did.”

  “Sure they do. If they’re good mates,” Liam decided.

  “Liam.”

  “Fi.”

  “Where am I taking you?”

  “I told you.”

  “Goddess save me from stubborn men,” Fi griped and turned the car toward her new flat.

  Chapter 12

  “It’s got good bones,” Liam said, standing in the middle of what Fi already considered ‘her’ flat. He turned in a circle. “And it’s fairly updated. What are you thinking you’d like to see done here?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I only found out about it this morning.” Fi tried desperately to ignore the sensations that slipped through her at the sight of him filling her living space. He was a large man, all muscle and brawn, and his presence dominated her senses.

  “And you said it was a gift? Hell of a gift.”

  “Here, let me get you a towel. If there are even towels here,” Fi amended, noticing he was dripping on her floors. She found a linen closet in the hallway and breathed a sigh of relief to see that it was stocked with towels. Pulling a few out, she returned to Liam, who thankfully hadn’t moved, and handed them over.

  “Mind if I take some of this wet stuff off?”

  “Sure, um – we can hang your coat in the bathroom or in the little mudroom in the foyer.” Fi’s mouth dropped open when Liam unbuckled his belt. “Wait, no, what are you doing?”

  “I can’t exactly give you tips on your projects if I’m walking around in dripping wet clothes,” Liam pointed out, divesting himself of everything but his boxer briefs before Fi could protest.

  “Liam! You can’t be naked in here.”

  “I’m not naked,” he pointed out.

  Stalking past him, Fi drew the curtains on the front window lest anyone pass by and see an almost-naked Liam Mulder in her window.

  “What am I supposed to do with you now?”

  “Does the flat have a dryer?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Well, let’s have a look.”

  With that, Liam ambled over to the kitchen, opened a door she hadn’t seen before, and discovered a small washer and dryer tucked away inside.

  “That’s convenient,” Fi said.

  “It is. We’ll just pop my clothes in for a quick spin and we can talk about your projects. So, tell me, why such a big gift?”

  Liam turned and Fi forced herself to drag her eyes up from the tiny towel that barely hugged his waist. She met his eyes.

  “What?”

  “The gift. This house.” Amusement lit Liam’s eyes and a smile hovered on his lips.

  “Stop it. I can’t deal with you being naked right now.”

  “I’m not naked.”

  “You might as well be.”

  “Is that an offer?”

  “No!” Fi said and shot off across the room to stand by the window, drawing in small gulps of air. This man should not have the effect he was having on her. It was likely only because it had been a while since she’d had any sort of… relations. That must be it, Fi decided; she was just in a dry spell.

  “Too bad.” Liam smiled again and wandered back into her living space, forcing Fi to draw a deep breath. She hated feeling out of control and needed to turn the tables on this – and fast.

  “Okay, fine. Sure, it’s an offer. Obviously, we both have an itch to scratch.” She almost choked at the look on Liam’s face – from arousal to instant panic.

  “Sure and that’s a lovely way to phrase it, Fi. Is this what you want? Just to scratch an itch?”

  “It’s obvious that’s what’s bugging us. We have unfinished business. Might as well be getting it out of our systems now.” Fi sauntered closer to Liam until she stood just in front of him and trailed a finger down his chest.

  “You’ve a lovely way with words, Fi. Really seductive.” He caught her hand before it c
ould trail any lower, and Fi was amused to see annoyance flash across his face.

  “I’m quite the siren, I am,” Fi looked up at him and bit her lower lip. “Shall we test out these beds?”

  “Stop it. Why are you being like this?” Liam gave her a gentle shove backward.

  “What? You don’t like it when I meet you where you’re at? I’m just offering up what you’re going after.” Fi shrugged, stepping closer again.

  “I wasn’t going after sex.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Maybe it was the end game, but not my starting point.”

  “Then what are you doing, Liam? Why are you coming here and getting in my space, throwing around all these heavy looks and sexy flirtations?”

  “Because you bother me, I like you, and I’m interested in finding out why that is.”

  Fi bit back what she was about to say and just looked at him – really looked at him. His face was a mixture of frustration and arousal, and something else she couldn’t put her finger on. Despite her best efforts, the faint colors of his aura began to shine around him, which meant that her defenses were low. Before long, she’d start reading his thoughts.

  “You need to go. Now,” Fi decided, stepping around him and stomping over to the dryer. She pulled out his still-soggy clothes and dumped them in his arms.

  “You’re throwing me out?”

  “Yes, now. You need to go,” Fi said, desperation kicking up in her stomach as she realized how on edge she was. It wouldn’t do to read his thoughts – no, not this man – and if he stayed a moment longer, she would be invading his privacy. Unable to explain that to him, she pointed to the door.

  “Like that? You’re tossing me out. I tell you I like you and you’re throwing me out?”

  “Correct.”

  “Moments ago you were offering to bed me.”

  “I’m a complicated woman, Liam.”

  “I’ll say. You can’t really be throwing me out in my underwear.”