Look at him with the cardigan sweater and hair. He resembles a sexy professor
. She couldn't help but smile.
"You look good, Byrne. More relaxed than I've ever seen you. This button-down college thing works for you."
"You think? It will do for now." Byrne grinned.
He appeared the furthest thing from a rock star. In fact she couldn't think of him as Byrne any longer. He was Brogan. Always Brogan. He made no move to embrace her. Instead he held out his arm to escort her. She took it. Her skin started to sizzle as it always did when she touched him, even through the damned wool.
Brogan led her into a large living room. The wall facing the ocean consisted of windows, and the scenery was breathtaking to observe. The furniture was sparse and the decoration minimal. It was obvious he didn't spend much time here. The room was tastefully furnished in a modern look with black leather sofa, chairs, and silver space-age lighting. A solitary framed gold record hung above the gray stone fireplace.
Carly sat on the plush leather sofa, and Brogan sat next to her. She clasped her hands as they started to shake, not like her at all.
"I've missed you."
His words were stark, affecting, and honest. How tempting to say the words right back but her cautious heart wouldn't allow it. Carly crossed a line. She had sworn she would never become personally involved with her clients. One touch, one kiss from the Irish rock god, and she had melted. She would ask Nigel to assign her elsewhere. She should have done it right after the tour. Hell, she should have done it the first time they kissed.
"You have? You even missed all the bossy nagging? I can scarcely believe it." She tried to keep her voice light and teasing, but it wasn't working.
"Maybe I need your bossy nagging. I like a lass with spunk."
"You really do look good, Brogan. Healthy, vigorous, and calm. Definitely at peace."
"Ah, so I am Brogan now? I like that. Not sure about the peace part, but I'm working on it. I've been in therapy these last months."
Really?
What a surprise… but, it was the fashionable thing. "It's helped, then?"
Brogan gazed out the window toward the gray, overcast skies and tumultuous ocean. "Aye. I carry a shite load of guilt. I am learning to deal with it and forgive myself. I want to tell you, but I know I'll wind up sounding like some weak-arsed wanker."
His honest, deeply felt words cut clean to her soul. So much for remaining detached, professional, and for trying to guard her heart. With two fingers she touched under his chin and turned him back to face her.
"I want to know."
Brogan grasped her fingers and laid a warm kiss on them. He clasped her hand tightly as if she were a lifeline. "It's a long story. I was in Belfast in the summer of seventy…"
She listened. Carly was riveted and moved to tears.
"Tarrah died because of me. She stepped in front of me and took the brunt of the knife attack. Then she died in my arms. I loved her, and I couldn't protect her. I can't live with her sacrifice. I'm not worth her giving up her life for."
"So you let your life become worthless."
"Aye, I used the sex and stimulants as an excuse not to feel and to sink into a rubbish life. It is what I deserved. Pathetic, I know. The drug arrest was the final straw."
"Did Nevan go with you to Toronto?"
"Aye, and Reese and Abbie."
Abbie? The Malibu Barbie girlfriend? He was back with her?
An ice pick slid into her heart. The pain was intense, and she struggled to hide the devastating ache.
"I see," she said coldly.
Brogan smiled. "No, darlin', I don't think you do see. Abbie and Reese are dating. It's very serious. She will be going back to Dublin with him in January. They've both forgiven me and Nevan as well. It's more than I deserve. Abbie and Reese are better suited."
The relief made her giddy. A couple of hoarse giggles escaped her lips. "Sorry," she whispered. "Brogan, why am I here?"
He reached for her other hand and held them both tight. "You understand why I needed this time to be alone, to regroup and to heal?"
She nodded. The warmth from his touch singed her skin, like a Zippo lighter with the flame turned on full tilt.
"I want you to also understand, there's been no women in my life since the tour. I've been living as a Benedictine monk. I've been abstaining from a variety of vices, and it's helped with my healing process. I wrote some music too. I have five songs completed. The lads were here last week, and we had a few jam sessions. I worked things out with them as well. Derek even has a song he wrote. It's all good, Carly. For the first time in four years my life is back on the rails, and I'm in control."
"I'm so glad, Brogan."
He let go of her hands and stood. "I want to play one particular song for you."
Brogan strode to the corner of the large living room. In a stand were three guitars, a Gibson Les Paul 55, an acoustic Yamaha FG 160, and a classic '60s Fender. She recognized quality rock equipment. Next to the stand was a desk covered with notepads and sheets of music. Brogan reached for the Yamaha, turned the desk chair to face her, sat down with his leg crossed, and then cradled the guitar in his lap.
Carly's heart sat in her throat. He was going to sing for her. If only Brogan knew what his voice did to her—perhaps he did know. From the opening strums of his guitar she was aware the song would be a ballad. His voice wrapped around her like a lover's caress.
As this day follows the night.
Know that you are my only light.
Let me start my life anew,
My sins are plenty, forgiveness few,
As seed becomes flower,
Your love gives me power
To break this heart of rock, this heart of stone,
All bitterness has flown.
Joy, peace within my reach,
I implore you, teach,
Break this heart of rock, this heart of stone
My love for you has grown
Because only you can break this heart of rock…
Carly could not stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. The song, his words, and his damned glorious voice smashed down the last of her stubborn resistance and the last of her doubts. She was in love with Brogan Byrne.
* * * *
Brogan set the guitar back in the stand and walked toward Carly. She was crying.
She stuttered the word 'beautiful.' Carly covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders heaved as she continued to sob.
He sat next to her and pulled her into his embrace. Damn, he didn't want to upset the lass like this. "Don't cry, darlin'. I wrote the song for you. I love you with every feckin' part of my broken heart and soul. You heal me, Carly."
She cried harder, so he just held her close until the tears stopped. He had known in Montreal that he loved her, but he'd spoken the truth: He needed the time to piece his life together. He had to be sure of his emotions and also be sure he could stay sober. In the grand scheme of things, three months was nothing. He would struggle with sobriety the rest of his life. With Carly, he could face anything. With his trembling hand he lifted her chin. She had stopped crying and gazed at him with wide, shocked eyes.
"Do you think you could love this damaged man, be my partner in business, life, and in my heart? You are all the woman I want or need. It may not always be easy, but I promise you this, love: It won't be boring."
Carly laughed through her tears. "Good. I hate boring. Brogan, I love you too, so very much."
Brogan captured her lips in a solid, claiming kiss. Carly gave the intensity right back as she always did. She was his rock, his heart, and he would love her the rest of his days.
~The End~
About the Author
Living in a small town in a corner of Ontario, Canada, Karyn whiles away her spare time writing, reviewing, and reading romance. As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise, she assumes everything is golden. Originally from the east coast of Canada, Karyn loves to set some of her stories in the Maritime Provinces.
She's been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.
Multi-published with multi pubs in multi-genres, her main thrust is erotic romance with sizzle.
Website:
http://www.karyngerrard.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/KarynGerrardAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/karyn.gerrard
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/KarynGerrard
Blog:
http://karynsromanorum.blogspot.ca/
Email:
Also by Karyn Gerrard:
Available from
Silver Publishing
:
Christmas Memories
Heart of Rock
Available from
Evernight Publishing
:
BLACKTHORNE CLAN
Black Lust
Black Desire
TIMELESS
Timeless Heart
Timeless Love
Reviews for Christmas Memories say:
"…What a sweet and sexy Christmas story! I loved that we had both perspectives in this short story and how neatly tied up it was. … I had fun getting to know the characters and feeling that romance starting to grow through their eyes with some sad and melancholic moments included. I adored it, a nice read for the holiday!"
~ Reading Romances, 4 out of 5 Hearts
*
"… 'Christmas Memories' is one of those stories that in no time will be bringing to mind your own Christmas memories, and with that some tears at them and at the story itself. … I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend you read it this holiday season. It will have you thinking of your own Christmases past and hoping for good Christmas to come. "
~ Bookworm2bookworm, 5 out of 5 Stars
*
"Absolutely Magical! … I literally hugged my e-reader and said out loud "AWE!" The characters back grounds were explained just enough to give you an idea of where they were from and how their emotions and feelings were directed from. The erotic love scene is very loving and hot as the characters emotions bloom into love. When true love finds their perfect mate, it is amazing how one's heart falls fast instantly and grows three sizes right there and then as love sweeps it away just like the Grinch's heart did. Awesome Read!"
~ Ronda Queentutt's World of Escapism, 5 out of 5 stars
*
"…This novella had me at hello and managed to have me near tears at one point. For a short story, the characters were well developed and I felt an immediate connection with them. The small things, references to holiday traditions and memories, added an extra dimension to the story and had me reminiscing about my own Christmases past. The love scene was not only hot but also well done and sweet. The author has an amazing ability to tell a story, to weave magic into it, and sweep you away. She has a way with words that is touching, engaging, romantic and at times even humorous. I highly recommend Christmas Memories."
~ She Dreams, 5 out of 5 stars
*
"I found this short holiday read to be sweet and hot all rolled into one. … I loved the ending of this story and felt the author did a wonderful job with her storyline. Great job, Ms. Gerrard!"
~ Night Owl Reviews, 4 out of 5 Stars