His Wicked Celtic Kiss (15 page)

Excitement grew at the new turn her life was taking. New and better place to live, new and challenging opportunities at work, and a hot, stunning new man. Okay, so maybe only two out of the three were permanent. The jury was still out on the new man development. Temporary as Lorcan may be, she would damn well enjoy herself.

Speaking of Lorcan, she glanced at her watch. He would be back any moment with dinner. Julie jumped up and entered the kitchen. Taking a knife, she slit open a box and lifted out a few dishes, glasses, and cutlery. All this second hand, hand-me-down stuff was going—and soon. She couldn't wait.

Lorcan arrived shortly thereafter, bringing a garden salad along with the cheese burgers. No fries. Julie smiled at the omission. As much as she missed them, she was better off without greasy fries. At least, that's what she told herself.

During the meal, they talked. Lorcan actually opened up more about his family. She found out all the names and ages of his brothers and sisters. The youngest, Tarrah, he hardly knew as she was two when he'd left home and joined the army. Tarrah was fourteen now and a stranger; he expressed his desire to rectify that. He spoke affectionately of his parents and grandparents. And of Dublin. She could hear the longing in his voice. Almost a wistful tone.

Julie shook her head. “I'm confused. It sounds as if your childhood was fine and your parents weren't tyrants. Why leave? Is it what you said before, you were up to no good? Like what?”

• • •

Lorcan poked a piece of cucumber absently, not sure how much to reveal. In the long run, what did it matter? He had already told her more than he had told anyone lately. “Sully, Ronan, and I engaged in petty crimes. Dealing dope, that sort of thing. It became a way of life. I didn't like it.” He paused. Wasn't used to talking about himself. He popped the slice of cuke in his mouth and chewed, trying to decide just what facts he wanted to reveal. “I figured the army could offer opportunities. Thanks to the army I was able to take university courses. I learned discipline and how to live an orderly life. Met people from all over the world. Maybe I have wanderlust, who knows? I stayed away too long. When I first came here to Rockland, I'd brought Ronan with me. I didn't realize how much he'd changed.”

Lorcan's voice trailed off as he thought of Ronan setting fire to Nick's bar. For some shite insult Nick had supposedly given him. And the insult? All Nick had done was throw him out of the bar for selling drugs and Ronan took exception. So much so, he'd made bloody sure he'd exacted his revenge. It didn't take much to set his cousin off. Obviously. Since he couldn't prove a thing, he'd sent him back to Dublin
. Big mistake, that, bringing Ronan.
Guilt picked at him once again, but he pushed it away. “But then,” he finally continued. “Sully tells me I've changed.” He waited for Julie to ask “in what way”, but she didn't and he was grateful.

“Does Sully still deal … drugs?” Julie asked.

Lorcan shook his head. “He tells me no, he's running the club legitimately. I take him at his word.” He did believe Sully, no reason not to.

“Is Sully going back with you to Ireland?”

Lorcan sat up straight in his chair. “You know, I've no bloody idea. I've never asked him. I assumed this was temporary, but with Sully, it's hard to know. He plays things close to the vest.”

“He's very imposing, but he seems nice.” Julie smiled.

“No one messed with Sully on the streets. He's been big like that since we were lads. Under the rough exterior is a heart of gold. He keeps it locked away,” Lorcan chuckled.

Julie sipped her skim milk. “I hope you don't mind me saying, sometimes I think you keep things locked away, too. Not sure why I think that exactly. Might be the dark shadows I'd seen in your eyes once or twice. You're quick at hiding it.”

Lorcan curled his lip. So much for not asking the deeper questions. This sharing shite should've been off limits. He'd told her far too much about himself already. More than he'd told anyone in years. The conversation would head toward the army, she'd mention the nightmares, and no bloody way he wanted to discuss it. He dropped his fork and stood, staring down at the half-eaten burger and salad. He was no longer hungry for food or anything else. “Listen, Julie. I've had a long week. I'm feeling knackered. I better push off.” He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across her cheek, barely making contact. “I'll call you.”

“Will you?” she questioned softly.

“Aye, I will. It may be a few days … ”

“Sorry I got too close. I won't make that mistake again,” she replied, her voice devoid of emotion.

The statement ticked him off. She made assumptions about him and he didn't like it. He had better clear off before he said something he'd regret. Lorcan opened his mouth to say exactly that, but closed it again. He grabbed his leather jacket and left.

• • •

Julie stayed sitting at the table for quite a while. So that was the “thing” that would rear its ugly head. He didn't want people to get too close. While Lorcan shared to a certain extent, it would be on his terms. He would decide what to reveal. Poke and prod under the surface and the bear would stir, growl, and leave. Julie watched him shut down right here at the table. His easy, Irish charm had disappeared in a flash.
Poof.
And those brief, dark shadows were very visible once again, further proving he hid and locked something away.

She reached for his half-eaten cheeseburger and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. She wondered if the effortless Irish charisma he tossed around was really a deflection. A mask hiding dark secrets. A shield to protect him from feeling too much. Lorcan Byrne, it seemed, was more complicated than she ever would have guessed.

Ten days had passed and Lorcan had not called Julie at all. When he'd left her flat in a snit Sunday night, he'd had no intentions of calling her again. But as the days clicked by, his irritation lessened. He'd been the one who started the chinwagging about himself and his family. Something about Julie made him want to open up and reveal things he'd long kept buried.
Dangerous.
He missed her easy, warm smile and teasing, corny jokes. The way her eyes glittered with interest when she gazed at him. What he missed most of all was the intense physical pull existing between them.

Julie stirred him as no other woman ever did before. Her lush body, with all its soft and luxurious curves, appealed to him. How her vulnerability and sexual inexperience touched a place in his heart he thought long dead. There was so much more to explore here, to relish and enjoy. Could he keep her close physically, but apart from him? It would be a fine bloody line to straddle. Did he even have the strength to try? Lorcan ached for her.
Ached.
Shite, they hadn't even had actual sex yet, and he wondered what it would do to his already confused and heightened emotions.

He closed his eyes briefly. How many times had their last encounter replayed in his head the past two weeks? He'd lost track. For a woman with little familiarity in pleasing a man, Julie caught on quick. And she wasn't shy.

Jaysus.
Call her and be done with it. Aye, he wanted to take their physical relationship further. He wanted those luxuriant lips wrapped around his cock. He wanted to pound into her until she screamed in ecstasy. He'd never been whipped into a lather before over a woman, never had any sort of ongoing relationship of any kind. Hard. Again. Lorcan pulled out his erection from his sweatpants and stroked. How many times had he done this the past ten days? He moved faster as he imagined Julie with her talented tongue flicking around the head of his prick just before she took him in her mouth. He fantasized about her spread before him while he thrust into her deep. He groaned loud and long as the climax slammed him hard. This couldn't go on.

• • •

Julie clicked off the phone. Lorcan wanted to stop by. What was this, a booty call? She heard the seductive, husky lilt to his deep voice. Of course, he said nothing of the sort. He actually said he wanted “to talk.” Julie should have been insulted, but she wasn't. The promise she had made to deny herself nothing when it came to Lorcan Byrne played over and over in her fevered brain.

Lingering annoyance remained on the edge of her mind regarding his petulant exit the week before. She could've acted snotty and called him on it, or acted cold and distant and kept him dangling for a response. She didn't want to play those types of emotional, manipulative games with Lorcan Byrne. So she'd told him to come ahead, they would “talk.”
Sure.
Truth was, she desired him. Julie had thought of nothing
but
him for the last ten days.

She headed toward the shower with a little extra bounce in her step. Luckily, her skin no longer peeled and the red shade had mostly faded. A little buff and shine and she would be ready for the wickedly handsome Irishman.

• • •

Thirty minutes later, Lorcan arrived at her door. Julie looked lovely in a summery dress that had a bright gold and turquoise design. He liked that she wore so many dresses, it added to her sexy femininity.

“Come in,” she smiled. Ah, bless her heart, didn't seem to hold any grudges either. He'd address his behavior of a week ago, but later.

“The sun is starting to set, would you like to head to the beach for a while? Nick gave me directions to a private stretch of sand he'd taken Veronica on their first date. I promise, you won't burn this time.” He gave her a smile and a wink and hoped it had the desired effect.

Julie returned it and Lorcan's heart thumped a few extra beats. “Let me grab my purse.”

By the time they reached the beach, the sun had already touched the horizon and red and gold ribbons of sunlight danced across the sparkling water. They didn't speak much during the trip. Lorcan clasped her hand while he carried his gym bag in the other. The sounds of the waves softly caressing the shoreline cast a relaxing cadence over the proceedings. Lorcan reached in the bag, retrieved the blanket, and spread it on the sand. He held out his hand to assist her in sitting.

Nick had told him in great detail of his and Veronica's date, the candles, the wine, the making out in the surf. Sounded romantic, but Lorcan wasn't in the mood for a heated encounter on a beach. Not tonight. Conversation topped his agenda. He sat next to her and pulled a bottle out of the bag and passed it to her. “It's not exactly wine, but I did buy some Diet Dr. Pepper.”

“Ooo, my favorite!” Julie unscrewed the top and took a long swig.

“Aye, I asked Veronica.” Lorcan lowered his head and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He might as well be honest. “Look, Julie. I'm sorry I flew out of your place in a snit last Sunday night. You're right. The conversation became too personal. I can't explain why I acted the way I did … oh, bollocks.”

She laid her hand on his arm and comforting warmth moved through him. “It's all right. You said it, nothing serious or deep here. Just companionship, friendship, and hopefully sex.”

“Oh, aye. I hoped you'd feel that way. I want you, Julie. I haven't stopped thinking of you these last ten days. You follow?”

“I follow, big time. Maybe the more we're together you'll feel comfortable enough to tell me of your past. I'll leave it to you, but know I'm here for you whenever you want to talk. If you want to talk.” She handed him the bottle. “Have some. I don't mind sharing.”

Lorcan was warmed by her words. There lay the fence between them. She had no problem sharing her feelings, her past, her Dr. Pepper, whereas he found it damned hard to open up about nearly everything. He took a sip and handed the soft drink back to her. He spread his legs and patted the space between them. “Sit here darlin' and watch the sunset with me.”

Julie snuggled in and leaned against his chest. The contact heated his skin as he rested his chin on top of head and wrapped his arms around her. They remained silent for some time, listening to the gulls cawing overhead, the waves rolling on the shore, and watched one of the most spectacular sunsets Lorcan could recall.

“Did Veronica mention I'll be making a few cakes for a test run at the bakery?”

“No, she didn't. Tell me about it.”

Julie snuggled in closer. “I used to make cakes for the neighbors some years back, made a nice tidy profit, but unfortunately I couldn't stop myself from sampling the goods. Soon, I ate more than I sold. I had hit rock bottom. It was the turning point for me, so I decided I'd had enough and became determined to lose weight and to exercise.”

Lorcan kissed the top of her head. “Good for you, lass.”

“Nothing fancy, just simple two-layer cakes, but they're my own creations. I remember having such a feeling of satisfaction from creating something with my own hands. I want that feeling again.” Her voice trembled on the last few words. Lorcan's heart swelled in compassion.

“Here's hoping it all works out. It should. Everyone loves cake.”

Julie laughed. “Do you?”

“I'm not one for desserts, but if you made it? I could be persuaded to try a piece. Not that often, mind.” He kissed the top of her head again. “But it must be interesting to wake up to the smell of fresh baking.”

Julie started to stroke his leg and his insides sizzled from her touch. “Ronnie always said bakery odors make people happy. They evoke memories of a time long ago or happy family events. It's true. I can't say I've ever woken up in a bad mood since I've moved in. Now, the temptation, that's another thing.” She sighed forlornly. “It's a daily struggle.”

“Love, you can do it. You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. I have every confidence in you. Also, the cakes will sell. Just wait and see.”

She turned in his embrace and stared up at him, her lovely eyes wide and vulnerable. In the wash of muted moonlight, he thought Julie never looked so beautiful. Something real and potent pulsed between them.
Kiss her. Do it now before either of you say something you can't take back. Before you reveal more than you should.