I slid my arms around his neck, my body pressed tightly against him, as his tongue softly explored mine. I wanted to melt in his arms, his taste, touch, and scent mirroring the dreams I had of him night after night.

  Shane pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. Then he wrapped me in his arms once again. “I don’t want to let go of you.”

  “And I don’t want you to. But I suppose you’ll have to eventually.”

  Shane laughed and kissed my forehead. “I suppose so. Come and sit at the table with me. I want to hear how this all came about.” Shane guided me to a bench and sat down, his back leaning against the table behind him. He put his arm around me when I joined him. “So, what prompted this secret trip of yours?”

  “I contacted Caitlin after you called me that morning to talk and clear the air. I wanted to thank her for intervening on my behalf. That’s when she told me your birthday was coming up and you’d be here to celebrate it. It was her idea to come and surprise you.”

  “It seems I owe her another thank-you.” Shane pulled me close. “I still can’t believe you’re here. The school performance must have been a ruse to get me down here. Am I right?”

  “You are. Caitlin was sure you’d come without question if she said it was for Glenna.”

  Mel poked her head out the glass door and cleared her throat. “Now that you’ve had a chance to kiss and catch up, can we go to a pub and party? We are in Ireland, you know. We should be drinking right now.”

  Shane raised a brow at me, his arm still wrapped around my shoulder.

  “Mel doesn’t give up. We can go out somewhere for a beer and some music or listen to her pester us all night. I vote the three of us go out for a beer, so she’ll stop.”

  “I agree. We can go out for a little while to satisfy Mel’s need and then come back here so I can show you how much I missed you.” Shane pushed some wayward strands of hair from my face and kissed me, his lips softly brushing mine.

  “Well? Are we going out or not?” Mel came outside and walked toward our table.

  “Yes, we’re going out.” Shane stood and pulled me to my feet. “There’s a pub down the street that has live music. It’s a small place but fun. Let me thank Caitlin for her hand in getting the two of you here and let her know we’re going out. I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Shane walked away, disappearing through the glass door and into the bar.

  “I take it everything is good between you two, and he’ll be staying with you tonight?” Mel gave me a knowing look, a snicker escaping her.

  “Yes, everything is fine. Shane’s pleased with my surprise.” I could sense my cheeks getting warm as Mel stared at me. “You need to knock it off. You’re enjoying this way too much. I’m going upstairs to grab a sweater and my purse. I’ll meet you in the lobby in a couple of minutes.” I hurried inside and headed toward the elevator. I was already getting nervous at the prospect of Shane staying with me tonight. Quickly retrieving the items from my room, I joined Mel in the lobby, spotting her sitting in a yellow upholstered chair in the corner. “Where’s Shane?”

  “I haven’t seen him yet.”

  Shane came rushing through the front door. “Sorry about that. I needed to pick something up from the pharmacy down the street before they closed.” He hurried over to me and gave me a quick kiss.

  “Really? What did you have to pick up?” Mel had an amused look on her face as she eyed Shane.

  “Do I need to explain?” Shane frowned at Mel as he slipped his arm around my waist.

  Mel started giggling. “No, I got it, and I have a box of condoms in my purse if you run out.” Mel laughed as she jumped up from the chair and hurried out the door.

  I hung my head, my cheeks burning. Mel was incorrigible.

  The three of us crossed the street midblock and walked down the hill to the intersection. A cozy-looking pub sat on the corner across from us. Music and laughter streamed from the building each time the door opened.

  “This is it.” Shane led us across the narrow side street.

  We entered the pub, finding two musicians sitting on barstools in front of us. One of them was older and white-haired, while the other man was much younger. They were entertaining a lively crowd. We stood there, looking around for empty seats. Finally, a man sitting at a table in front of the window motioned to Shane. He told us to take their chairs as his group was leaving. Taking the table, Shane and I sat with our back to the front window. Mel sat across from me.

  “Where are you from, darlin’?” the older white-haired musician called out to Mel.

  “We’re from San Diego,” Mel boisterously shouted back to the man.

  “Welcome to Kilkenny.” The man turned to the room full of patrons. “Folks, it looks like we have some people here from the United States.” The man looked back at Mel with a grin on his face. “Darlin’, I’ve got a song for you.” He and the younger black-haired musician started playing an old country-western song.

  Mel laughed, enjoying the attention and entertainment.

  “Three Guinness, please,” Shane said to the server when she approached our table. He paid for the beers when she returned and set our glasses down.

  “Shane, what’s the craic?” A tall, broad-shouldered man with red hair and emerald-green eyes came to our table.

  Shane jumped up from his chair and shook the man’s hand. “Conor, it’s great to see you.” He motioned to the empty chair next to Mel. “Why don’t you join us. This is Liz and her friend, Mel.”

  “Nice to meet you both.” Conor sat in the chair, giving a quick nod to Mel and me.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” I said.

  “You must be from around here,” Mel said, her eyes raking Conor up and down.

  Conor smiled at her. “I am. I moved here two years ago. Shane and I grew up together in Kilcullen. We’ve known each other since we were boys.” He leaned across the table toward Shane. “I finally opened up a whiskey distillery. It’s down on Bateman Quay.”

  “That’s great. Congratulations,” Shane said.

  The two musicians started singing an Irish ditty. It was a catchy tune about a drunken man and his unfaithful wife. Conor hooted, and then he started singing. He looked at Shane, encouraging him to join in. Mel and I started laughing as Shane joined him, the two of them having fun with the song.

  The musicians stopped playing, and the white-haired man glanced at Shane and Conor. Then he addressed the crowd. “Folks, it looks like these two gentlemen know the song. Why don’t we have them get up and sing it to us?”

  The patrons in the pub clapped and shouted encouragement as Shane sat there, shaking his head. Conor looked ready for the challenge. He got up from his chair and walked over to the two musicians. The three of them stood there, waiting for Shane. After a little more prodding from the crowd, Shane joined them. The musicians played their guitars, and Shane and Conor started singing. In no time at all, the patrons were roaring. The song finished, and Shane and Conor took a bow before leaving the floor.

  “That was funny.” Mel looked at Conor as he retook his seat.

  “You should have joined us. You could have sung the chorus.” Conor eyed the empty beer glass in front of Mel. “Can I get you another Guinness?”

  “That would be great. Thanks.”

  Conor motioned the server to our table. “Two Guinness, please.” He looked across the table at Shane and me. “Are either of you ready for another one?”

  Shane shook his head. “No, I’m good. I’m ready to head back to the hotel if Liz is.” He glanced over his shoulder at me. “What do you think?”

  “I’m ready.”

  Shane turned to Conor. “We’re going to call it a night.”

  “Liz, I’m going to hang out here for a while if Conor doesn’t mind keeping me company.” Mel turned toward Conor, raising a brow at him.

  “I don’t mind at all. I’d enjoy your company.” Conor gave Mel a sweet smile and then turned toward Shane. “I’ll make sure she gets back to her hotel safe and sound.”

  “Thanks,” Shane said. He got up and escorted me from the pub, stopping at the corner. “Are you sure you’re okay with going back to the hotel? I know it’s still early.”

  “I was ready to go. Besides, with the way you were looking at me and had your hand on my thigh, I have a feeling there’s something else on your mind.”

  “It was that obvious? After thinking about you constantly for so long, I fought to keep my hands to myself. I didn’t quite succeed.”

  “In that case, I suggest a nice warm shower and some sensual foreplay, followed by hours of ardent lovemaking. Unless you plan to leave me again, and if you do, I swear I’ll tie you to the bed.”

  “Well, I do have to leave soon. I had plans for tonight.”

  “No. You can’t possibly be serious.”

  “I’m teasing. I thought it sounded fun to have you tie me to the bed.”

  “Oh, you are awful.” I kissed him. “But so damn sexy. Take me to my room, Mr. Moore.”

  “With pleasure.” Shane held my hand as we headed up the street. “I need to get my bag out of my car. I parked it in the hotel’s parking lot. It’ll only take a minute.”

  After he retrieved his bag, we entered the hotel lobby. I led Shane to the elevator, taking it to the third floor.

  “I’m in room three twelve. It’s at the end of the hall.” I stepped off the elevator with Shane following behind me.

  We reached my room, and I opened the door. After taking off my sweater and setting my purse down on the desk, I closed the curtains and turned toward Shane, my stomach suddenly full of butterflies. It had been such a long time since I’d been with a man, I wasn’t sure how to act. Did I pretend to be coy and let him make the first move? Or did I boldly tell him what I wanted the way I used to do with Alex?

  Shane started to remove the light jacket he had on, then stopped, pulling something out of the pocket. He tossed a box of condoms onto the table next to the bed and then slipped his jacket off, draping it across a chair.

  “You certainly thought ahead. Should I be nervous?”

  “No.” Shane approached me and held me at the waist. He looked relaxed as he leaned forward and kissed me. It was a deep, fervent kiss, his tongue teasing mine.

  I dropped my hands from his chest and took a step back. “After taking the train from Dublin this morning and exploring Kilkenny, I’d like to take a warm shower. Are you going to join me?” I grabbed the hem of my blouse and started to tug it over my head, suddenly feeling another set of hands helping me.

  Shane tossed my blouse on the chair, his hands moving to the clip on the front of my bra. A second later, it fell to the floor.

  My breathing quickened as his hands caressed my flesh, his lips on mine once again. A sound escaped me when his fingers teased my nipple. I pulled my lips away, my voice breathless in his ear. “If you don’t stop, I won’t make it into the shower. It’s been years since someone touched me like that.”

  “Years?” Shane’s hand froze.

  “Since Alex. I’ve never been with anyone else. I was only sixteen when we started dating.”

  The look on his face seemed to change to one of tenderness. He touched my chin and tipped my head up. “We’ll take it slow. A warm shower sounds nice.”

  “Thank you. I have to admit, I am feeling a little nervous.”

  Shane unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it on the chair. He sat to remove his socks and shoes and then watched me as I slipped off my pants and underwear. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I gave him a coy smile. “Give me a minute in the bathroom, and then join me.” I sensed his gaze on me when I walked away and stepped through the doorway. My hand was touching the stream of water from the showerhead, checking the temperature, when a quiet knock sounded on the door. I opened it, finding Shane standing naked in front of me, his body gorgeous. “Welcome to Liz’s Spa, where a warm and steamy adventure awaits.”

  “I can’t wait to see what the proprietor has in store for me.” He stepped forward, his hands moving to my hips.

  “I promise it will be more than pleasant.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. “Now, into the shower with you.” I pulled away and stepped into the cascade of water, rinsing my body in its liquid warmth.

  Shane unwrapped the small bar of soap and lathered up a washcloth. He took my hand and pulled me toward him. “You first.” He gently began washing me, his hand sliding across my arms, breasts, and stomach. “Turn around. I’ll scrub your back.”

  I complied, the soapy washcloth moving across my shoulders, down my back, and suddenly lower. I caught my breath as it slid between my legs.

  Shane put down the washcloth and pressed his body against my back. His arms went around me, hands sliding across my soapy skin. He touched my thigh, his hand sliding upward, fingers teasing between my legs while his other hand stroked and teased a nipple. His mouth was on my ear. “How’s the steamy adventure? Does it feel all right?”

  “Yes.” I leaned my head against his shoulder, my eyelids closing, the darkness swirling with sensual pleasure.

  “Your nipple is hard, and I can feel you swollen below. Do you want me to stop?” He breathed the words into my ear, lips caressing my neck.

  “Oh God,” I breathed, the pressure building, my body becoming tense. I suddenly cried out, my back arching as a wave of pleasure rippled through me. I leaned my body against him.

  He turned me around to face him, groaning as I reached down and stroked him. “We need to finish. I don’t want our first time to be in the shower. I want to take my time making love to you while I hold you in my arms. I’ve thought about you for too long to let it happen any other way.”

  A euphoria engulfed me. I stepped back under the water, washing my hair and rinsing my body as Shane watched me. Then I climbed out of the shower, drying off and brushing my teeth as he finished. I turned to study him, his body trim and muscular, while my knees still shook from what he had done to me. Leaving the bathroom, I lay down on the bed, waiting for him to join me. I feasted my eyes on him moments later as he stood in front of me, his desire openly displayed. I wanted him, my body longing for him to fill me.

  Shane lay down beside me. He took his time, tenderly kissing me while his hands slowly caressed every inch of my flesh. After a prolonged period of sensual tenderness, Shane bent down, his mouth suddenly on my nipple while his hand slid between my legs. He moved lower, using his knee to spread my thighs. Then he lay down between them.

  I gasped, Shane’s tongue on me, flicking, teasing, and nibbling, the ecstasy of it rolling over me like a fog. The tightness inside me was building again, my body growing tense. My nipples grew to hardened points as a pair of hands suddenly pulled and pinched them. I moaned, writhing underneath him, the intensity steadily rising higher and higher. Then the wave crashed, the magnitude of my release overwhelming.

  Shane came back to my side and kissed me, hands tenderly caressing my body.

  I reached down, stroking and teasing him, reveling in the sounds coming from deep in his throat. I bent down and took his nipple in my mouth, sucking and nibbling, and he moaned again.

  Shane pulled away, taking a condom out of the box and putting it on. Then he slid on top of me and eased inside, moving in a slow rhythm as he pushed deeper, the length of him filling me. Shane’s pace suddenly quickened, and he began to plunge harder, his breathing coming in short pants. A small gasp escaped his throat, followed by a succession of moans as I wrapped my legs around him, tilting my hips, my muscles squeezing around his flesh as he thrust. His body tensed, and then he let out a long guttural sound as he released. Pulling away, he lay beside me, catching his breath. After a minute, he turned toward me, tenderly stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I can’t even describe how that felt. I wondered so many times what you’d feel like.”

  “You thought about making love to me?”

  “Constantly, mo ghra.”

  “What does mo ghra mean?”

  “It means my love.”

  Deliriously happy and content, I snuggled into his chest.

  *

  I sat up in bed and scanned the darkness, trying to remember where I was. I jumped, sensing a movement next to me.

  “Liz. Are you okay? It’s two o’clock in the morning. What happened?” Shane reached out and touched my arm.

  “I’m sorry to wake you. I had a dream.”

  “Come here.” He pulled me to him. “A nightmare?”

  I curled up against his chest. “No. It’s this strange dream I’ve had off and on for years, but now they’re more frequent.”

  “What’s the dream about?” He brushed my hair away from my face.

  “I dream I’m getting married, but I can’t see the groom’s face, although I can tell that I love him. The officiant is the only other person in the dream, and I can’t see who he is either, but I sense we know each other. We’re standing under a tent framed with flowers, facing the side of a castle, and there’s a garden filled with red roses and hedges in front of us. I always wake up when the groom slips the wedding ring on my finger.”

  “That’s an odd dream. You said you’ve had it for years?”

  “Yes, it started when I was in my late teens. It was right before I married Alex. I feel like it’s supposed to mean something, but I have no idea what.”

  “Let’s see if I can make you forget about this dream for now.” Shane turned on his side and leaned over me. He kissed me, his hand caressing my breasts.

  “It’s working. I already forgot about it.” I reached down and touched him. “Hmm. I’d say you want something. I believe this will be the third time since we’ve been here.”

  “Are you complaining?”

  “Not in the slightest. I’m savoring every inch of you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  I giggled as I slid under the covers, leaving kisses down Shane’s stomach as I moved lower. I took him in my mouth, a moan piercing the air above me. I licked, sucked, and teased while working him with my hand, the sounds from deep in his chest growing more intense.

 

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