His Wicked Celtic Kiss (17 page)

“I did, very much. I look forward to the next part.”

Julie sat up straight. “I think you will like
The Two Towers
even more. Lots of great battle scenes, and I love the Rohan horse masters.”

Lorcan cringed.
Battle scenes, great.
Since his stint in the army, he had made an effort to avoid television shows or films that could act as a trigger. Hopefully he would be able to keep his reactions well hidden. After all, he did agree to watch these films with her.

Julie stood. “I can put the casserole in the oven, or … ” She began a slow striptease, unbuttoning her blouse and giving him sensual, sizzling looks as she did so. She let it slide off her shoulders, revealing a lacy, sexy, red underwire bra, which lifted and supported those sumptuous breasts of hers enticingly. The blouse slipped to the floor as she moved her hands across her breasts, tweaking and pinching her nipples until they stood out through the flimsy red lace. She closed her eyes and moaned.

Oh, sweet Jaysus Murphy on a cross.
His cock jerked and hardened immediately. Julie unzipped her jeans and wiggled suggestively as she lowered them to the floor. Lorcan's eyes widened. A matching thong, too. All he wanted to do right this bloody second was rip it off with his teeth. Julie was all woman. Soft, in all the right places. He reached out and caressed her slightly rounded stomach. It wasn't entirely flat. Stretch marks told of the weight she had gained and lost. He didn't care. Not in the least. He moved his hand lower, over the curve of her generous, supple hips. He cupped her mound and slipped one finger in between her luscious folds. He let out a low, feral growl. “No casserole … ” he ground out.

She laughed and pushed him back against the sofa, straddling his hips. Cupping his face, she lifted it to look at her. “No holds barred, Lorcan. Don't hold back, not anymore. I know you are. I want you. Now.”

He stood and wrapped her legs around his hips. He strode toward her bedroom, holding her aloft, her ass resting on his hands. Julie kissed him in a frantic, desperate fashion which kicked his arousal into high gear.

Lorcan laid her on the bed and tore off his clothes. He reached in his pocket for a condom. Right. No holds barred. Don't hold back, he could do that. Sheathed, he crawled onto the bed toward her. He turned her over on her stomach, and with one arm around her waist, lifted her to her hands and knees so her splendid arse would be high in the air. He ground against her and his cock all but disappeared in her lushness.

Julie moaned. He whispered in her ear. “This is my favorite position. I'm going to bury my cock so deep inside you. I'm going to rut and fuck you until your legs give out.”

Julie moaned again. “Yes …. Yeeesssss.”

He bit her earlobe gently and her breath hissed out like a stream engine. “You like that?”

He did it again, and she groaned. He sat back on his knees and admired the view. Stunning, gorgeous. He caressed her rear end. Lorcan moved the tips of his fingers lightly across her feminine opening and she stilled. A soft moan left her lips. He kneed her legs further apart. He moved aside the piece of lace and positioned himself at her opening, and pushed in. “You want more?”

“Oh, yes … ” She moaned again.

“What do you want? Tell me, Julie,” he rasped huskily. He had to hear the words. He usually wasn't quiet during sex, whether it contained dirty talk or loud, husky groans. Things were going to be different between him and Julie. No holding back ever again as far as sex was concerned.

“I want your cock. Inside me. Slamming me. Hard,” she demanded.

Lorcan did as commanded. He
had
been holding back. Why? He'd believed if he let his passion truly fly free, it would allow his deeply hidden emotions to escape from their hiding place. One thing he was sure of was he felt too damned much. He always did. So he protected himself at all costs. But he could still control the emotional part and keep the sex separate, right? Sure. He pumped so fast he didn't know he had it in him. Each thrust was met enthusiastically. He reached around and flicked her swollen nub. Her orgasm was thunderous. He kept going. Faster even. Julie came again. Skin slapped against skin. Rivulets of sweat trickled down his face. Lorcan closed his eyes. He could feel it building, a monster orgasm. More. He wanted more. He wanted to reach for that place he'd never been.

Finally, he groaned long and loud with his release. He saw feckin' stars.
Stars.
That never happened before, ever. Still embedded deep inside her, he brought her upright in front of him so they were both kneeling. He kissed her neck as he reached around to cup the heft of her breasts. He was still semi-hard. Unbelievable. He was ready for so much more.
No holds barred.

“Lorcan … ” she breathed in awe.

“I know … I know,” he answered just as breathlessly. The voice didn't sound like his own. Husky and vibrating with desire.

This was beyond anything he'd experienced. He was a little awed himself and a little anxious. Laying her gently on her back, he began to kiss her, from her forehead down to her pretty little toes. He disposed of the condom and retrieved another. He put it on, hardly breaking from kissing and licking every inch of her skin. Lorcan wanted to go slow this time. He spent interminable minutes on her breasts, and even longer applying his wicked, Celtic kiss. He brought her to climax, licking, laving, and feasting as she tasted so delicious and sweet. Julie whispered naughty words in his ear, things she wanted to try. A woman to equal his raw passion in bed.

When Lorcan finally entered her, he looked into her eyes. They did not break their heated gaze as he slowly thrust into her. Deep, measured strokes. Intense, as he knew it would be. She cupped his cheeks. They were making love. The rhythm remained achingly unhurried.
I'm in feckin' heaven.

It was nine o'clock when they sat down to supper. Both were ravenous as they had worked up quite an appetite. To Julie, the day had been near perfect.

“Damn, this tastes good. Your father's recipe?” Lorcan said in between bites.

“Yep. Dad's kitchen sink cooking,” Julie replied.

Lorcan arched an eyebrow. “Kitchen sink?”

“Everything but the kitchen sink. Dad loves to troll through the fridge and cupboards and concoct casseroles with whatever ingredients he can find. Mixing up taste combinations. He writes down and keeps the successes. This has golden mushroom soup, hamburger, shredded cheese, and rotini.”

Lorcan took another forkful. “I'm beginning to like these pasta dishes.” He tore off a piece of roll and popped it in his mouth. “Your da sounds like a great guy.”

Julie smiled. “He really is. He's adorable. Old fashioned in a lot of ways, but honorable, honest, and hard working. They don't make them like dad anymore.”

“My da is a lot like that too. Must be the generation. I like to think these blokes teach their sons something. Da always instilled in me and my three brothers the importance of hard work, honesty, being honorable in your dealings with people. Maybe some of it sunk in. I hope.”

“It must be hard for them and our grandparents to see how the world has changed, and not for the better in a lot of ways. From what I see, your da did a fine job, Lorcan.” He smiled at the compliment, and deep down, felt very pleased at her sincere words.

Julie stood. “I have a surprise. I made a cake for us! It's become one of my bestsellers.” She opened the fridge and set the container on the counter. “I hope you like it, Peanut butter cake with brown sugar frosting and dark chocolate drizzled over the top.” She removed the cover and said, “Ta-da!”

“Looks delicious, darlin'. Good thing I'm only here for a couple more months, your cakes are too tempting.”

She turned to face him. “Why don't you stay here in Rockland?”

Lorcan snorted. “Working for the De Lucas? I don't think so.”

Julie's heart squeezed painfully. Aside from the hurt, she became a little angry. Before she could stop herself, she blurted, “No, I guess you got what you wanted from the De Lucas, the Mercedes and the money, just like you got what you wanted from me. Wow, I really
am
easy.”

Lorcan bolted out of his chair and stood in front of her. “Don't say that. It's not how I see you. It's not why I'm with you.”

Julie blinked back hot, angry tears. She would
not
cry. “Then ... why? Why are you with me? For once, can't you tell me what you feel for me beyond pat generalities? I mean what you
really
feel? How do you see me? Come on, Lorcan, talk to me or tell me to shut up, but give me some reaction. Or here's a suggestion, admit the truth of your feelings whatever it is and I'll do the same. We always talk around it. Be honest with me. Be honest with yourself. Is it so hard?” Her voice raised a few notches with each sentence until it ended on a shrill tone. She'd lost control, damn it. And damn him for making her.

Lorcan's eyes narrowed. Without saying a word he grabbed his jacket, and headed down the back hallway.

“That's it! Leave! Again!” she yelled after him. The door slammed in response.

He'd done it again. He'd just walked out. Unreal. A few tears snaked their way down Julie's flushed cheeks as she opened the drawer and pulled out a big knife. He didn't want to discuss anything serious? No problem, piece of cake. Speaking of which, one quarter of the cake should be enough for a serving. Julie raised the knife. It hovered there as her hand began to tremble.

She knew she wouldn't stop at one piece. She'd eat the whole damned thing and lick the plate to boot. Snort the remaining crumbs through a straw, or a rolled up dollar bill.
Get control.

Julie took big gulps of air and exhaled as she slowly lowered the serving knife to the counter. Taking three steps back, she wiped the moisture from her face. No. She would not give in to destructive feelings of self-pity and her frustrated anger toward Lorcan and gorge on the sugary, calorie-laden confection. She eyed it as if it were a living breathing thing, enticing her with the aromas of vanilla, peanut butter, and chocolate. The cake whispered seductively, “taste me.”

In the past, she would have given in to the temptation of emotional eating. She would have drowned her negative emotions with forkful upon forkful of the rich dessert. With a ragged breath, she placed the cover back on the cake and returned it to the fridge. Tomorrow, she would take it to work ... and sell it. And that wasn't all. She was buying a treadmill. In future, whenever her emotions pulled her toward the wrong types of food, she would jump on the exercise equipment and walk off her frustrations that way. Starting a regular exercise routine would help her keep in shape, too. She knew she had gained a few pounds since moving in the bakery apartment, which had eliminated her walk to work. Taking deep breaths, she exhaled as her pounding heart slowed down to a more normal rhythm. She hadn't let out anger like that in a very long time. Apparently the frustration had been building up for a while.

As she stepped into the hallway, Julie realized she hadn't heard Lorcan's car depart. A soft knock sounded at the back entrance. She opened the door.
Lorcan.
Before she could speak he swept her into his tight embrace, then leaned in and kissed her deeply. After several minutes, he broke the kiss, but still held her close enough she felt his heart banging in his chest at a rapid pace. They did not speak. Lorcan stepped back and cupped her face like it was a precious, fragile gift. Julie could drown in those sea green-blue eyes of his. Whether he was aware of it or not, a potent mix of emotions was clearly evident in his intense gaze. What particular ones, she was not entirely sure or maybe still too upset to figure it out. Apologizing to him for her outburst might be an option, but she'd be damned if she would. He pulled her back into a hug and nuzzled her neck. Julie couldn't resist any longer so she wrapped her arms around him. The realization struck her that she would have to tread carefully here. It was now obvious Lorcan had a hell of a hard time verbalizing his emotions. So he let his kiss and embraces say what he could not form into words. Frustrating as hell, but at least she got some type of reaction out of him. Something had changed between them tonight. A deeper intimacy had been reached. Physically and otherwise. It pulsed between them. They connected. A promising start. Maybe even a step forward into something ... more.

Thanks to Lorcan, she had a new confidence in her looks, a new esteem for her sexuality. For a brief period of time, a handsome, wonderful man cared for her. That was more than most people experienced in their lives. Could it be selfish to want more? She and Lorcan had grown closer. Already they were good friends and very compatible in bed. Would it be such a leap off the precipice to a genuine, deep relationship? To respect, trust, and love? He couldn't even speak to her about his past or reveal his secrets. Or deeper emotions. Apparently he didn't trust her enough. Or maybe the truth of it was he didn't trust himself.

At that moment she realized she'd been deluding herself all along.
Stay casual and distant
. What a colossal failure. She was falling for him. Hard. But she wasn't alone in the delusion. Lorcan's fierce and desperate kiss and the way he held her so tight yet with a reverent gentleness also proved he deluded himself as well.

Oh, lord. She was in a real pickle. They both were.

• • •

Break time arrived at the bakery and as was their ritual, Ronnie brought out two mugs of hot tea and a still-warm-from-the-oven buttermilk biscuit for each of them. Ronnie pulled up a stool next to Julie and perched herself on it, and took a tentative sip from the steaming cup.

“Business first. I've been considering this since you mentioned the cakes, but I wanted to see how things stood financially. I'm pleased to say after four months since the opening, I've turned a nice, tidy profit and in the last couple of weeks, your cakes have been a big part of that. I know we've talked about you learning more of the business, but how would you feel about becoming my assistant manager? It will be more money, and you can learn to bake a few of the more popular items in addition to the cakes and learn to do the books as we discussed. Maybe you might want to become—my partner.”