There’s something wildly fresh yet familiar about her. Her smile draws me in, and I don’t understand this sudden attraction I have for a stranger.
“Darcy…” I mutter and shake her hand.
It’s warm and soft and surprisingly firm for a country girl from Waterford. She also looks at me square in the eye. Her eyes are a brilliant combo of a clear-blue New York sky and the lush, green rolling hills of the Ireland countryside. I’m not sure if her confidence reassures me or terrifies me. Maybe I’m handing over a troublemaker to Kieran.
She doesn’t look like a troublemaker. Just…strong. Kieran needs strong. Our world is about to descend into chaos, and he’ll be right in the middle of it. His wife needs to give as good as she can take.
My throat goes tight, imagining how he would think the same way and enjoy this gorgeous creature in his bed. Giving as good as she can take.
Aww, fuck. My cock grows thick, and I torture myself, wondering, how this can be happening? I’ve come all this way to bring Kieran back a wife, and I find myself wanting her. Nothing has hit me like this so strongly, so suddenly.
Nerves, it’s just nerves.
Besides… She’s my niece! Christ, I’m a sick bastard.
“Mummy, can I have my nighty-night milk now?” Sadie’s voice breaks the silence.
I wait for a woman to come from the shadows to get this adorable girl her milk. When no one moves, I stare down at the cherubic face. “Who’s your mummy?”
“She’s my mummy,” Sadie blurts, pointing.
The onlysheis Darcy and Amelia, both with faces that have turned red. My heart stops because it’s clear.
Darcy is her mother.
The woman I plan to offer to Kieran to marry is not onlynota virgin, but she has a kid.
Fuck…
CHAPTER FIVE
Darcy
Havingababyateighteen has never been ideal, but right now, facing a forced wedding, I’ve never been more grateful. There’s no way this man will present me and my illegitimate daughter to some king in America.
Strike one…
Holy moly, Ewan doesn’t seem to recognize me. Could I just let it slide that we had sex? I never told anyone about him. Except Ciara.
Having had sex with the king’s marriage broker, that’s two strikes, isn’t it?
The heat in his gaze, the way it sweeps over my body, could be the third strike. The shade of red across his chiseled cheekbones suggests he also doesn’t know I’m not a true blood Quinlan.
Shite, I’m so happy I’m adopted. Otherwise, I’d be living with the shame of sleeping with my blood-related uncle. No, he’s just a man. He’s even more gorgeous now than he was five years ago.
Suddenly, going to America isn’t looking like such a bad idea—if I can be withhim.
“I didn’t know you had a daughter,” Ewan says with an even voice.
I glance at my dad. “You didn’t mention that, did you?”
“He didn’t ask.” My father sounds smug.
My parents want what’s best for me. I get it. Sending me to live in America with a powerful, wealthy man isn’t a fate worse than death. Unless he’s a horrible bastard who’ll treat me like a piece of property.
“I’ll let you two talk.” My mother takes Sadie by the hand and hustles everyone out of the room, and, just like that, I’m alone with Ewan.
Exhaling, I say to him, “I guess the deal is off. I can’t marry the man you work for since, clearly, I’m not a virgin.”