“Of course.”

  “You’d drop everything and go to Boston with me? You don’t even like Boston.”

  She leaned away from him so she could look at his eyes, which were bright and intense in the firelight.

  “I like you,” she said simply, reaching up to caress his cheek with the hand that wasn’t on his chest.

  “I can’t…” He turned his head to kiss her hand as she’d done to him. “Aisling, I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t,” she said. “I offered.”

  His eyes were searing as they looked deeply into hers. “Why? Why are you like this? How are you like this?”

  “This is just who I am,” she said, wondering if he was trying to tell her that he didn’t want her to go with him. “I just want to be there for you. Unless…Unless you don’t want me to—”

  Suddenly she was crushed against him, his arms tight around her. “I want you to. I want you there,” he said gruffly.

  “Then I’ll be there,” she reassured him.

  “Tierney, Tierney,” he murmured against her neck, his lips pressing against her skin, his breathing shallow and raspy near her ear. “I want you with me.”

  Wiggling her hands free, she wrapped them around his neck and cradled him against her chest tenderly, running her fingers through the bristles of his cropped hair.

  When was the last time, she wondered, that he’d been held, been supported, been able to trust someone, been free to ask for help, or support, or love? He rested his forehead against her chest, and she held him like a child, like a lover, like a brother, like a human being who was beloved to her. After a few minutes, she realized that they were breathing in tandem, deep breaths in and out, their arms around each other, their hearts close.

  “We should get some sleep,” she whispered, still gently caressing his head.

  He looked up at her. “Together?”

  She grinned at him. “I thought you were giving me tonight to be sure of everything?”

  He winced like that was a terrible idea. “I’m an eejit.”

  She laughed softly.

  “Do you need tonight?” he asked.

  Her thoughts slid to her unshaven legs, to the tattered, but comfortable, white cotton bra and panties she’d pulled on at nine o’clock this morning; to the fact that she was sweaty after a day in the sun, and exhausted, and overwhelmed in such a good way. Is this how she wanted to remember her first time? Given the chance, maybe she’d like to take a little time to get ready, to be freshly showered and wearing her cutest lingerie. After twenty-seven years, what difference did another twenty-four hours make anyway?

  “Are you asking if I want you?” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, her tongue sliding into his mouth to meet his. They kissed passionately for a moment before she pulled away, looking into his mostly black eyes, fully dilated with only a thin circle of light blue around them. “Yes, I do. I know my mind, and I have no doubts. I know I want you to be my first.”

  “Then…?”

  “Hold yer horses, boyo.” She pursed her lips. “It’s a milestone, for Lord’s sake! Give a girl a day to plan a little, huh?”

  “And here I worried you’d be impulsive.” He chuckled, nodding at her. “I love it when you’re sassy, aisling. Yeah, sure, of course. Take as long as you need.”

  “I’m not waiting past tomorrow,” she said, raising her eyebrows and grinning at him. “Is it a nice hotel?”

  “It damn well will be now,” he said.

  She laughed, drawing her hands away from him and pushing off his lap. “Then I guess I’ll say good-ni—”

  “Wait!” he said, reaching up for her hand and leaning forward in his chair as she stood before him. He looked down at her hand, at her Claddagh ring, heart-out, and slipped it carefully from her finger. Gazing up at her, he turned it around, then placed it back on her finger, heart-in. Dropping his lips to her fingers, he kissed the ring, which made her breath catch with longing.

  “Good night, aisling,” he whispered.

  And Tierney, who didn’t know her heart could hold this much happiness, whispered “Good night, Burr,” hurrying inside before she changed her mind about sleeping with him tonight.

  CHAPTER 11

  Burr pulled Tierney’s Jeep up to the valet attendant at the InterContinental Boston, encouraged by the beautiful harborside location and hoping that the hotel was every bit as nice as the reviews claimed it to be.

  He’d be paying over six hundred dollars for the two nights they’d be staying, an exorbitant amount, well out of his usual price range, but it wasn’t like he’d spent a lot of money on himself over the last three years. His bank account could certainly handle it.

  More importantly, however, he wanted the next two days to be special for Tierney. She had taken him in when he was at his lowest, his neediest, and she’d shown him a kindness and trust he hadn’t earned. His feelings for her, born of something as pure as her actions, were fierce now. She deserved the best of everything he could possibly offer her, starting with a luxury hotel for their impromptu getaway.

  Aside from the fact that their relationship was about to jump a major hurdle while they stayed here, he wanted to spoil her a little. He’d planned a little surprise as a way to say thank you for all she’d done for him but also to let her know how much he cared about her.

  The way she’d offered to come with him to Boston had shocked the hell out of him last night but, God, how much it had meant to him. Everything, he’d quickly learned over the last couple of weeks, felt better with Tierney beside him. She couldn’t stand Boston, which made her selflessness, once again, staggering. She was only here for him. The least he could do was make the visit as perfect as possible for her.

  One valet attendant opened her door and helped her from the car, while another took their bags out of the trunk and pushed them into the hotel on a shiny silver cart.

  “Burr!” she exclaimed. “This is…oh, my God, this is gorgeous!”

  “You deserve it,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.

  He grinned at her, taking her hand and pulling her through the gleaming glass doors, into the spacious lobby, and over to the reception desk.

  “Good afternoon, sir, and welcome to the InterContinental.”

  “Thanks,” he said, dropping Tierney’s hand to take his wallet out of his hip pocket. “O’Leary. Checking in for two nights.”

  “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. O’Leary,” said the desk clerk, offering them each a serene smile.

  Beside him, Tierney gasped, which drew his attention. He was about to correct the young woman, but when he looked at Tierney, her eyes sparkled with humor and happiness, so he didn’t.

  Mrs. O’Leary. Tierney O’Leary. It was beautiful. It was fucking musical.

  “Thank you,” said Burr, winking at Tierney.

  “Checking in for…two nights?” asked the clerk.

  “That’s right.”

  “I have you booked in a water-view guest room, Mr. O’Leary.”

  “Yep.”

  Burr nodded as Tierney’s elbow dug into his hip. When he slid his eyes to her, she mouthed, Wow! And man, but just to see her like this? So happy and excited? Made it worth every cent he was about to spend.

  “Very good,” said the clerk. “And just to confirm…I have spa services booked for, uh, is it Tierney?” She looked up and nodded at a dumb struck Tierney before continuing. “A Honey Butter Body Treatment at one o’clock and a Signature Honey Butter Mani-Pedi at three?”

  “Yes,” said Burr. “That’s correct.”

  Tierney turned to him, her green eyes wide with surprise. “Burr!”

  He leaned down, kissing her quickly before turning back to the clerk. “Perfect.”

  “What did you do?” she asked, her voice thready with emotion.

  “I had to prove to you that I know how to say thank you, aisling.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything, love.”

  She stared up at him for an extra second, her eyes brightening, then took his arm, scooting next to him and resting her head on his shoulder.

  “Your room is ready,” said the desk clerk. “May I have your luggage brought up?”

  “That’s great,” said Burr. “Thanks.”

  “Eighteenth floor. Elevators are to your left. Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. O’Leary,” said the woman, sliding their keycards across the marble counter with a warm smile.

  “Thank you,” said Tierney softly, braiding her fingers through Burr’s as he pulled her toward the elevator.

  As they waited for the polished brass doors to open, he could feel it coming off of her in waves: a mix of excitement, anticipation, and jitters, and while he loved the excitement and anticipation, he hated the jitters. No matter what happened—or didn’t happen—between them, he always wanted her to feel comfortable with him.

  They stepped into the elevator and Burr pressed “18,” pulling her into his arms as the elevator started its ascent.

  “Hey,” he said. “Look at me.”

  She looked up, her eyes wide, her expression giving away little.

  “Nothing’s going to happen between us unless you want it to. You know that, right?”

  She flinched, just briefly, then nodded.

  A wince? No. No winces.

  “Tierney, you look terrified. Please tell me you understand. I’d never force you. I—I have no expectations. Whatever happens, happens. It doesn’t affect how I feel about you. We could sit on the bed and talk all night and I’d be happy, aisling…just to be with you.”

  Finally, her lips twitched up a little. She took a deep breath and sighed, nodding at him. “Okay.”

  But her answer was enigmatic. It didn’t tell him a thing about what she was feeling, what she wanted, or what she expected.

  “I mean it, Tierney.”

  “I know,” she said, squeezing his hand before looking away.

  Was it too much? The hotel and the spa treatments? Oh, Lord and all that “Mrs. O’Leary” business? Fucking hell, he wasn’t good at this. Sure, Burr had dated in high school and college, but his courtship skills were rusty after three years, and he couldn’t get a bead on her.

  “Tierney—”

  “Burr!” she said, her eyes flashing at him with a hint of impatience. “Stop. I’m just…I’m taking it in. This beautiful place. The spa. You. I’ve never—I mean, no one’s ever done anything like this for me. I’m not scared. I’m not nervous. I’m just…overwhelmed a little. It’s all like a dream.”

  “Oh. Okay,” he said, finally exhaling a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. She stepped out of the elevator, and he pulled her left toward their room.

  His free hand—the one she wasn’t holding—twitched at his side as they walked side by side down the corridor. He licked his dry lips, pursing them together, reaching for the keycard in his pocket with a sweaty hand, and gulping as they stopped in front of the door, which made him realize—

  Oh, fuck. It’s not her who’s nervous…it’s me.

  He slipped the card into the reader and pulled it out, pushing down on the lever and letting her enter first.

  She gasped, turning around to grin at him before racing to the floor-to-ceiling windows which boasted a spectacular view of the Fort Point Channel and Seaport Boulevard bridge. The door closed behind them, and Burr felt warmth flush his whole body as he watched her stand at the windows.

  He wanted to memorize this moment forever.

  She was wearing cutoff denim shorts with a polo shirt and pink-checked flip-flops. Her long black hair, pulled into a low ponytail at the base of her neck, was in stark contrast to the powder pink of her shirt. His breath caught just staring at her. He wanted her. He needed her. He lov—

  Wait. What? No. Fuck no. Not that. Too soon, Burr. Too fucking soon.

  She turned around and sprinted across the room, throwing herself into his arms and dashing any other thoughts from his mind. He lifted her easily, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing her lips against his neck with a sigh.

  “I love it here.”

  “I love…” He inhaled sharply. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. “…it here too.”

  He held her tightly as she leaned back to look at his face. “You’re so good to me.”

  “I…Tierney, that’s because I…I…”

  DO. NOT. SAY. IT.

  “You what?”

  He loosened his arms and she slid down his body, her tits dragging down his chest, which made his dick twitch.

  “I have to go see Donnelley,” he blurted out, reaching for her arms and untangling them. “I, uh, I need to touch base with him before tomorrow.”

  “Oh, of course,” she said, pushing her glasses up and putting her hands on her hips. “Okay. So I guess I’ll…”

  “Order room service! If you want,” he suggested. “And then…spa!”

  “Yeah. Yay,” she said, cocking her head to the side. “Um. Are you okay?”

  “Me? Yeah! I’m good. I’m great. I’m so glad you like the room, and I’m going to go see Donnelley and I—” I think I’m falling in love with you. “—and—and—and—I’ll be back in a few hours, okay? We’ll go see Suzy, and then, uh, come back here. Okay?”

  “You’re acting a little weird,” she said.

  “Just, um, you know, probably just feeling strange about being back. In Boston. Seeing the captain. Suzy. Dad. Lots, um, going on in my head.”

  “Okay,” she said, nodding at him like he had a screw loose, but not willing to press the issue. “I’ll see you later?”

  He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, needing to say something, to let a little air out of the balloon that held his feelings. “I’m crazy about you, Tierney.”

  He didn’t know where the words came from, but her sweet smile made saying them worthwhile.

  “You’re smiling for me, love,” he said, grinning back at her.

  “I suppose I am.”

  “You’re not going to tell me to go fuck myself?”

  “Nope,” she said, seizing his eyes and holding them with her sparkling emeralds. “I’d prefer it if you fucked me instead.”

  He blinked at her. He blinked at her again, but she held his eyes fast. Oh, fuck. Sexy Tierney. He felt her words all over, and his dick hardened like she’d demanded it.

  “Fuuuuuuuck,” he murmured, his voice like gravel.

  “That’s the plan,” she said softly. “Now go to your meeting. I’ll see you later.”

  She crossed the room and slipped into the bathroom, leaving him with a stone-hard cock, a heart full of love, and words stuck in his head, yet better left unsaid.

  ***

  Love.

  When they were standing together at reception, he’d called her “love.”

  That was the moment she knew.

  Not that she was in love with him yet, but that was the moment she knew it was possible.

  At first, she’d been thrown by being called “Mrs. O’Leary,” but there was a certain charm in the desk clerk’s assumption, and Tierney hadn’t felt like correcting her. But it was the endearment, dropped from Burr’s lips, that had made her heart stutter and her breath catch. Love. So simple. So much.

  And all the way up to the eighteenth floor in the elevator, she’d tried to look ahead to the future, tried to see a clear path to happily ever after, but she still couldn’t picture it, and it scared her. But then she’d been so wowed by the view, and the beautiful room, and his thoughtfulness in booking spa treatments for her; she didn’t want to spoil the time they had. So she’d decided to put her fears aside and plunge into whatever lay ahead without misgivings.

  It had emboldened her to be truly forward with Burr and make it clear what she wanted tonight.

  I’d prefer it if you fucked me instead.

  She gasped in shock at the memory, pressing her hands to her cheeks in the bathroom mirror as she remembered his reaction. Inked, muscular Burr had looked like a fish out of water, gasping and blinking at her.

  “Poor thing,” she said, giggling softly at her reflection.

  She’d never said anything half as dirty to any man in her entire life. No wonder he’d looked shocked. But unless her eyes deceived her, part of him—a part below the waist but above the knees—had liked it too.

  Exiting the bathroom to find him gone, she opened her suitcase on the large, king-sized bed and took out the dress she planned to wear tonight to meet his family.

  It was a princess-cut sundress with spaghetti straps, a sweetheart bodice, tapered waist, and full skirt, the fabric a starched cream-colored cotton covered with a light-blue toile. Traditional and sweet, but just a little sexy, she’d been saving this dress for a special occasion, and tonight was it. For underneath the dress, she’d packed pretty underwear she’d never worn: a light-blue satin bra, trimmed with lace, and matching light-blue panties. And to round out the outfit, she’d brought metallic rose-gold flip-flops that she’d purchased at the North Conway Target during the summer clearance last September.

  Smiling at the outfit, she hung up everything, then decided to go downstairs, stopping by the lobby café for a croissant en route to the spa. She luxuriated in the body moisturizing treatment Burr had arranged, which made her skin soft as satin. And she had her fingers and toes painted a metallic rose to match her shoes.

  Checking the time and realizing she only had an hour until Burr returned to pick her up, she ran back upstairs to shower and shave her legs, change into her outfit, and do her hair and makeup, finishing up just as she heard a knock at the door. And when she opened it, there he was, his face registering surprise, then pleasure, as he stared at her, dropping his eyes to her toes, traveling slowly up her legs to her dress, to the swell of her breasts, to the simple string of pearls she wore around her neck, and finally to her hair in a light-blue hairband. The coup de grace? She’d taken off her glasses, replacing them with seldom-used contacts.

  Looking up at him, she held her breath, hoping…hoping…

  “Jaysus,” he murmured on an exhaled breath. “Tierney. You look…you look…”

  She beamed at him, stepping back a little so that he could enter the room.