I prowl over to her, tug her hair, and pull her head back so her mouth parts. I kiss her until she sighs.
“I do get laser-focused on what I want, Aisling. And what I want, lass, is you.”
“Right,” she says, when I release her. “Gathered that.”
I give her a teasing swat to the bottom, and this time I don’t miss, as we head out to dinner.Chapter 14AislingI know I’m holding back from him. I know he wants more than this. Like his other Clan brothers, I’d bet he doesn’t casually date or spend time with a woman just for laughs. The men of the Clan are all in or all out, and I’ve known this for a while. The other women told me, too, so I had at least a little warning.
When the men of the Clan set their sights on a woman, they get what they want.
And he was the one who told me, what he wants is me.
Can I give myself to him?
I’m barely out of the throes of addiction. Though the worst has passed, my body still aches for relief, and when I’m stressed, I want it worse than ever. How could he care for a woman like me… damaged and broken? But he saw me at my worst. At my absolute worst. And still, he wants me.
“You’re off on another planet, Aisling.”
I am. I know it. But how can I tell him what’s on my mind?
“There’s just a lot I’m thinking over, Tiernan. I don’t want to bring any more trouble to the McCarthys.”
We walk along a path lined with brick-colored stones, hand-in-hand. Around us, boys of all shapes and sizes and ages head to a large, brightly-lit brick building. Ahead, Malachy waves to us, and the young boy we saw outside the headmaster’s office waves shyly when he sees us as well. Tiernan gives him a big grin. My heartbeat quickens. He doesn’t grin often, and it’s a damn good thing. A girl could lose her knickers over that grin. Fuck it, this girl already has.
“Hope you’re hungry for goulash,” Malachy says at the door.
“Oh, aye,” I say with a smile. “Smells delicious.”
Malachy grimaces. “You could’ve warned her, son.”
Tiernan smirks and whispers, “Don’t get your hopes up too high.”
We take a seat at a table with a few teachers, and some of Tiernan’s brothers join us as well. I note Lachlan and Tully at one table. Lachlan’s come for protection? I used to think he was an arrogant jerk for his overprotective ways with Fiona. Now, I’m happy he’s here to help us.
Tully’s talking animatedly to a young teacher. She’s hanging on his every word, and I realize it isn’t just the children here who worship the McCarthys.
I can see why, though. Every one of them is strong and powerful. Even the youngest among them’s built, muscled and strong, with McCarthy clan ink. They carry themselves with conviction, every one of them leaders, and even though we know who they are and what they do, they have a charisma about them that draws us to them. Fearless leaders, like the Vikings and Celts of old.
At least, that’s my theory.
The goulash isn’t the worst I’ve ever had, and the slices of garlic bread are thick and hearty. The salad’s plain but fresh, and I tuck in with gusto.
“Love a girl that can eat,” Tiernan says, helping himself to a third bowl of goulash.
I give him a wink.
Night’s begun to settle as we take our leave, dusk falling over us in mesmerizing shades of blue. Tiernan takes my hand.
“Wasn’t half bad,” I say to him. “It’s no gourmet meal, but it’ll do.”
He chuckles. “Aye, lass. It’ll do.” His voice lowers. “I like that about you.”
“Like what?”
“I could never be with a woman that needed… high maintenance.” He grimaces. “It’s not who I am. Not how I was raised, or my experience, and I… well, I like things simple.”
“I’ve noticed this. I’ve seen that monk-like room of yours, Tiernan.”
He smiles, but his smile fades when he checks his phone right outside the door to our room. “No word from Keenan. That’s odd.”
“Did you tell him we arrived?”
“Aye. Hours ago.”
I frown back at him, my own fears rising. I peer at his phone. “You don’t have cell service here, looks like.”
He squints at the phone. “How do you know that?”
I roll my eyes. I know he’s not much of a tech guy. “No bars,” I say, pointing to the top of his screen. “That will usually indicate whether or not you have service.”
“How can I have no cell service here. Makes no fucking sense.”
I shrug. “Certain places just don’t have it is all.”
I freeze, and his eyes immediately narrow.
“What is it?” he asks.
I feel my jaw tighten. “We aren’t alone, Tiernan.”
He looks to where I point to a boy crouching in the bushes, his red hair evident even in the dimmed light. Tiernan’s body goes tight, and a warning bell clangs in my mind.