I flick my tongue out and further dampen already damp lips. It hadn’t been intentionally seductive, by Aidan’s gaze drops to them. I reach up and glide my fingertips along the contours of his forehead, nose, and jaw, the hair covering it soft. I dip one into the divot on the left side of his mouth. I meet his eyes again. “I think you’re beautiful, too.”

  He smiles and the crater deepens. “Now you’re just trying to make me blush.”

  I snort. “It takes more than a simple compliment to make a man like you blush.”

  “What kind of man do you think I am?” He quirks an eyebrow.

  My muscles in my cheeks go slack as I grow serious. “A kind and generous one. A man who makes me laugh. One who’s smart. Who makes me feel safe. Protected. The kind of man I’m glad I get to spend the rest of my life with. My best friend.”

  With every word I speak, Aidan’s eyes darken, and his gaze sears into me with a burning intensity it’s a surprise I don’t combust. I mean it all, though. My only hope is that one day we’ll find the kind of love my parents have. The kind I’ve witnessed between Carrick and Nora. A love I never thought I’d have, but discover I desperately want. With Aidan. I’m more than halfway there already and have been for a long time.

  His lips crash down on mine and his tongue sweeps in like he’s dying to taste me. I meet every thrust with my own and sink into the pleasure that crashes over me in waves. Aidan’s body covers mine. My nipples grow harder, and the dull throbbing in my center grows as he settles in the cradle of my thighs. His cock hits right at my clit, and I roll my hips trying to increase the contact where I need it.

  He answers by rocking his pelvis against me and swallowing my breathy moan. My fingers clutch at his hair, holding him tightly to me. I don’t ever want this kiss to end. His palm covers my breast and gently kneads my flesh. I arch my back and press more fully into his touch, needing more. There’s blissful pleasure as his fingers pluck the hardened tip of my nipple through my thin shirt that travels throughout me.

  It’s as though every nerve in my body is firing. Everything tingles and a low hum dances across every inch of my skin. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Aidan’s cock hits a spot that makes my toes curl. We both have far too many clothes on. As if sensing my thoughts, he reaches for the hem of my t-shirt and with some maneuvering on my part, he drags it up and over my head. My bra is gone next and I collapse into the mattress.

  Aidan rises up on a single elbow and stares down at me. With a fingertip, he traces a line down my sternum and then circles my pebbled nipple. No one has studied me this closely before, and for a second I feel self-conscious enough to want to cover myself. My boobs still sit where they always have, but they’re a little small in comparison to the rest of me. Except the desire in Aidan’s darkened eyes tells me how much he likes what he sees.

  “I’ve imagined you spread out beneath me more than once over the last five years.” His words confirm the thought.

  Pleasure flutters in my belly. “Why haven’t you ever said anything?”

  “Because, like you, I valued our friendship too much to fuck it up by sleeping with you. I didn’t want to change anything between us. Or make it weird.”

  I run my fingers up his bicep, marveling at all the tattoos, and nibble my lip in uncertainty. “Is this going to change it now? More than it already has, I mean?”

  Aidan takes my hand and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. “Almost nothing stays the same, but I promise you, no matter what else occurs, you will always be the best thing to ever happen to me.”

  That doesn’t really answer my question.

  “Hey,” he says and I lift my eyes to meet his. “Are you okay?”

  I force a smile to my lips. “Of course. How could I not be with a beautiful, half-naked man in bed with me who, I’m pretty sure, had been about to give me a mind-blowing orgasm?”

  Aidan barks out a laugh. “Mind-blowing, huh?”

  “Most definitely.” I give a succinct nod.

  “Nothing like a little pressure to help a man perform.”

  I pat his cheek. “I’m sure it’s nothing you can’t handle.”

  His gaze turns predatory, and any arousal that had dampened during our talk sparks back to life. The faint throbbing ache in my lower pelvis starts up. Aidan bends until his mouth grazes mine and hovers there.

  “Challenge accepted,” he growls low in his chest.

  CHAPTER 23

  Aidan

  Pushing away any regard for consequences, I claim Sorcha’s lips and slip my tongue in between them. Hers tangles with mine, following my lead, and I lap up the mint flavor of her toothpaste. Her kisses are as sweet and sensual as she is. I skim my fingers along her side, running over the ridges of her ribs until I palm the curve of her hip and tug her leg up. She wraps it around me and rolls her pelvis to grind against me. Damp heat soaks through the fabric of her shorts. I let her continue working herself up until I sense she’s right on the edge and then draw away.

  Sorcha lets out a whimper. “I was so close.”

  “When you come, I plan on being inside you. But before that, I’m going to have you begging,” I promise.

  “Is that a challenge? Maybe you’ll be the one begging.”

  I palm her cunt, no doubt dripping with wetness, and she moans. “I beg for no one.”

  “Challenge accepted,” she echoes my words from moments ago.

  I rise onto my knees to tower over her. Eyes gone dark with arousal meet mine and I slip my fingers beneath her waistband and slowly lower the fabric that covers what I’m dying to taste. The musky scent of her arousal perfumes the air as I expose her bare cunt to my view. It glistens with wetness and my mouth waters. I toss Sorcha’s shorts and underwear over the edge of the bed.

  Making room between her legs, I reach down and with my thumbs, spread her wide open. I glide them along her slick flesh until I reach her clit. Her breathing speeds up and a shudder runs over her. A faint moan spills from her lips. I meet her gaze again and rub circles over the sensitive pearl. I study Sorcha’s every response. How much pressure, what speed, and in which direction makes her whimper and press herself into my touch.

  “Such a pretty sight. Your clit is swollen and begging for me, isn’t it?” I repeat the motion that made her cry out and she repeats the sound.

  “Yes.” She nods shakily. “Please.”

  I continue playing her body with my thumb and then slide two fingers inside her. She’s wet enough there’s no resistance. Her cunt clamps down on them. In and out I thrust.

  “Please what?” I push ever farther inside her and graze the front inner wall with my fingertips finding the soft spongy spot.

  Wetness gushes out of her and Sorcha cries out. “Oh god, please. Fuck me. Please.”

  Sweat-dampened hair clings to her forehead and her pink nipples have darkened in color to match the flush spreading across her chest. I bend and take one in my mouth, flicking it with my tongue before trapping it agains the roof of my mouth and sucking hard. Her entire body goes rigid and she’s almost ready to fly. Quickly I remove my fingers from her and come up on my knees to stare down at her.

  Sorcha’s entire body shakes, and she whimpers. Taking pity on her, I rip my jeans off, free my cock, and then I’m plunging deep inside her. The second my pelvis brushes against the already over-sensitized flesh of her clit, her climax hits. She fists her fingers and clenches the sheet between them. A scream rips from her throat and I cover her mouth with mine to swallow it down. I pound into her harder and harder.

  “You feel so fucking good,” I growl against Sorcha’s lips.

  Her legs clamp around my waist and she digs her heels into my ass. It spurs me on. Another orgasm washes over her. Shudders wrack her body. I don’t stop. My thrusts only get faster. Deeper. I reach between us and finger her clit, forcing a third orgasm from her.

  “It’s too much,” she whispers, her voice gravelly and rough. “Aidan, please.”

  Her pleading triggers my own release, and I erupt inside her with a hoarse yell. When I’ve finally emptied my cock, giving her everything I have, I collapse half on top of her. Sweat covers both our bodies. Our chests heave with effort to pull in air. I nuzzle my face in the crook of her neck and place soft kisses along her shoulder. A tremor wracks her body and her cunt spasms around me.

  I force myself to withdraw from her and roll off the bed for the bathroom. Holding a warm, wet cloth, I come back and clean her. After tossing it in with the rest of our dirty clothes I make my way back to the bed and crawl in next to her. She cuddles into my side and rests her hand on my chest.

  “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” I can’t help but ask.

  A satisfied sound comes from her. “Only in a really good way.”

  I chuckle and kiss the crown of her head. “Did I meet your challenge to your satisfaction? Was that orgasm mind-blowing enough for you?”

  “I think my mind exploded with those orgasms. But maybe later we’ll have to try again. Just to make sure you can’t do better. For research purposes and all. Besides, you still have to meet my challenge. Next time”—she palms my semi-hard cock and it twitches in her grasp—“you’ll be the one begging.”

  She might actually be right.

  Before long, Sorcha is softly snoring, and I stare up at the darkened ceiling. I lied to her. Then again, that’s what I’m good at. Because after this, nothing is going to be the same between us. She’s not the kind of person who can separate her emotions from sex. It’s already evident. I have nobody to blame but myself. I’m the one who told her this marriage was real between us.

  God, she’d been perfect though. Every response had made my cock harder than it’s ever been. Nothing had prepared me for how good it felt to be deep inside her. Sorcha fit me like a glove. One time and I’m already addicted to her. I want her again and again. She snuggles closer, as though seeking my warmth. I draw the blanket up higher and tuck it beneath her chin. She releases a contented sigh.

  I close my eyes, hoping for sleep, but my mind won’t quiet. Carefully, I slide out from beneath her and throw my jeans and shirt back on. Glancing over my shoulder to make sure she’s still asleep, I walk out into the common room for a drink. I stop short. A lamp is on and the dim light shows Finn’s already seated in one of the chairs with a drink in his hand.

  “What are you doing home?” I ask quietly as I make my way to the bar.

  “The last time I checked, I lived here.”

  I glance over my shoulder and fill my glass with whiskey. “You know what I mean. Why aren’t you at the casino?”

  “Needed a break for a night. Brenn is perfectly capable of taking care of things while I’m not there.”

  With drink in hand, I take a seat in my usual chair. “I never said he wasn’t.”

  We sit in silence for several minutes, each of us sipping our drink.

  “I still can’t believe you’re getting married,” Finn breaks it. “You always said you never would. Not after Mother.”

  If not for Campbell calling my bluff, I wouldn’t be. “Sorcha’s my best friend. I’m doing what I have to to keep her safe.”

  He makes a sound I can’t decipher and takes another drink. “You seemed a little jealous when you brought her to the casino.”

  I should have known he’d bring that up. “I wasn’t jealous. Merely protective. I know how you are with women.”

  Finn’s eyes narrow. “Not with women who are taken. I’ve seen what cheating does to a relationship. Do you really think I’d do something like that?”

  A pinch of guilt plucks at my chest. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  The quiet settles between us for another minute.

  “Do you ever hate Da for what he did?” he finally asks.

  I turn my head sharply in his direction. “Hate him for what? His affair with Nora?”

  “For forcing Mother to marry him knowing she was in love with someone else,” Finn says. “If he would have married Nora instead then maybe Mother wouldn’t have hated him—hated us—so much.”

  “You forget that it was Grand-da who forced the wedding. He’s the one who deserves all our hate. Beside, if Da had married Nora, none of us would have existed for Mother to hate. The only person who would even be here is Imogen.” I take another sip of whiskey.

  No one mourned when Grand-da died a decade ago. He’d been a ruthless prick who actually puts Liam Campbell to shame. At least Campbell loves Imogen enough not to kill any of us unprovoked. Unlike Grand-da who’d had our Uncle Brian murdered.

  It’s been twenty-three years and I’ve never told a soul that I was there and witnessed the whole thing. I’ll take the secret to my grave. Not to protect the old bastard, but because it would break something in Da if he knew.

  Finn tosses back the rest of his drink and stands. “Not that you asked, but you’re not fooling anyone other than yourself. We’ve all seen how you look at Sorcha when you don’t think anyone’s watching. I know how you feel about Mother and loving someone. But don’t let her keep you from what could be the best thing to ever happen to you. She made her own choices and so can you.”

  Without another word, he walks to the bar and places his empty glass in the sink then turns and heads down the hallway that leads to his room. I finish off my own drink and refill it before grabbing the glass and the bottle from the cabinet and bringing them both back to the chair. Finn’s wrong. Whatever he thinks he sees isn’t there. Or maybe I am really lying to myself. I’ve always been a great liar, after all.

  CHAPTER 24

  Sorcha

  I had sex with Aidan.

  Panic flutters in my chest.

  Oh my god. I had sex with Aidan.

  And not just any sex but the best I’ve ever had in my entire life. Taking a deep breath, I roll over. Only to find his side of the bed is empty. I reach over. The pillow beneath my hand is cold. I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed. Maybe a little of both. But mostly relieved because it gives me time alone.

  Except being alone only makes my mind spin with too many thoughts all at once. It’s overwhelming. I need to focus on something else. Jumping from the bed, I make my way to the bathroom for a shower. There’s a twinge of pain between my thighs. Aidan isn’t a small man and it’s been a while. There aren’t a lot of options in Burtonport. And even if there were, I wouldn’t have slept with any of them. The village is too small and I never had the desire to be the subject of local gossip. Of course, leaving to marry Aidan no doubt has everyone talking.

  I tie my hair up to keep it from getting too wet and step under the spray of warm water letting it beat down on my back soothing some of the aches. Once I’ve washed up, I throw on a pair of leggings and a comfy shirt. My stomach rumbles, begging for food. Do I dare wander into the kitchen and hope I don’t pass Aidan? Based on the dim light filtering into the room, it’s still early. In fact, I’m not sure the sun’s fully risen yet. My stomach growls again making the decision for me. I’ll have to risk it. I’m starving.

  The hallway is empty as I make my way through the common room and out of the wing toward the kitchen. My luck holds, because all is quiet. Even it’s empty. I don’t want to be presumptuous and help myself to anything. You’re marrying Aidan, and for the moment, this is your house, too. No one will care. Right. With that, I get a few things from the fridge and search for a frying pan.

  “Found you.” I grab two from the cabinet and raise them up like they’re some prize.

  I’ve got potatoes cooking in one pan and eggs in the other when Nora walks in.

  “Good morning,” I greet her. “I hope you don’t mind that I took over the kitchen this morning. I woke up starving and figured I’d help out.”

  “Thank you, Sorcha. Don’t get me wrong, I love cooking, but it’s kind of nice to have someone else prepare a meal for a change.” She helps herself to something to drink.

  “Well, I’m happy to help any time. I’ve been cooking for the boys and Aisling since my Mum died five years ago, so I understand how good it feels when someone else takes over once in a while.” I stir the potatoes and eggs so neither burn.

  “Is there something I can do?” Nora asks.

  I wave my hand. “You just make yourself comfortable or go take care of anything you have to do.”

  She hesitates. “Are you sure?”

  I twist at the waist to glance back at her and smile. “Positive.”

  “Thank you.” She finishes off her juice, puts the glass in the dishwasher, and disappears. I hum while I continue cooking. Nearly everything is finished by the time the kids stroll in. I glance over at them.

  “Good morning. Will one of you set the table, please?”

  Aisling comes to stand at my side and I bend to kiss the crown of her head. “Did you sleep better last night?”

  She nods. “A little. I still miss my fairy forest though. When will you draw it again?”

  “I’ll have Aidan take me into town later today and I’ll look at what paint I can find. Then, maybe you and I can get started on sketching it out tomorrow, what do you think?” My days are free to be filled with whatever I want to do. A fact I’m still not used to.

  “Yippee,” Aisling exclaims and dances around.

  Laughing, I transfer all the food into serving bowls. “All right boys, breakfast is ready. Take this into the dining room for me, will you?”

  Kellen and Carson each grab a bowl and I take the two remaining ones then we head to the next room. The three of them take their seats.

  “Shoot, I didn’t get any drinks.” I turn back to the kitchen and collide with a hard body with an “oof”.

  Familiar hands steady me as the woodsy smell that’s quickly becoming a favorite wafts around me. Right behind it is the strong scent of whiskey. I glance up at Aidan and my lips turn down. Bloodshot eyes scan my face. His hair is rumpled like he’s run his fingers through it a thousand times. He’s also wearing the same clothes he had on yesterday only they’re far more wrinkled.