Red flags passion player.., p.17
Red Flags (Passion Players), page 17
“I’m not,” she said.
“You know, Charlotte, there are some things about your experiences as a Black woman that I’ll never fully understand, no matter how hard I try, but I’ll always listen. I’d hope whoever I’m with would extend me the same courtesy. If you’re willing to learn and be open to really listening to your partner’s experiences and opinions, that can only make a relationship better. Any relationship.”
Eoghan continued to surprise her. He put his money where his mouth was when it came to being part of the solution. When she’d learned about his campaign to help women in business and diversity, she’d been floored at his stance, especially since he was so famous. His opinions couldn’t be popular with everyone, yet he was still extremely popular and, dare she say, the golden boy for both teams he played on.
They drove in silence for a little bit before he started to point out the different highlights for her.
Eoghan took an exit. “This is the town of Dundalk,” he said. “Big horse town.”
Charlotte said, “There’s the Jockeys Bar. It’s the oldest bar in Dundalk. 1790s, I believe.”
Eoghan jerked the car a bit. “You know your Irish landmarks.”
“Well, I was the one who researched places to go for me and Ayanna for our trip here. It’s on the list.”
“Did you know that Beethoven wrote his Fifth Symphony about ten years later?” he asked.
“I did not know that, Mr. O’Farrell. Only that it was written in Vienna.” Charlotte looked at the corner bar and restaurant that took up the entire block. “It’s old-world charming.”
“Yep. There’s a bit of trivia for you. It’s a landmark. Want to stop? We can have a drink.” He took a long glance at the car clock, and she didn’t want to ruin whatever he had planned for her with the detour, plus there was another reason she didn’t want to stop.
“No, I’d much rather see the places you want to show me. Maybe if we have time, we can stop on our way back down?”
“Sound.”
He pointed out the horse stadium and Saint Brigid’s Shrine and Well. The sun beamed brightly and shone down on Castle Roche. Even in the winter, the remnants of the old castle’s presence and history towered over the land.
“It’s magnificent. Isn’t it impressive how these structures are still standing?” she asked him rhetorically. “It’s massive. I can imagine the war that destroyed it. That’s morbid, right?”
“Sort of.” He laughed. “The leaves are starting to show off now,” he said. “A few more weeks, and there will be so much green it’ll turn your eyes the shade.”
She enjoyed his humor.
“You look nice, by the way,” he said, “for an American.”
She deadpanned to him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She looked down at her blue skinny jeans, calf-high boots, and tweed jacket with purple and green accents. “I look cute.”
“It just means that you’re dressed appropriately for what I have in store for ya,” he said.
“Thanks?”
He smiled. “We’ll be arriving shortly.”
“Arriving where?” She clapped her hands together for each syllable.
Her antics only made him laugh more.
“Calm yourself. We’re here.”
They arrived in County Monaghan, and after Eoghan turned left, right, and around the bend, they ended up in Clones, which for Charlotte felt like they’d landed in the middle of the country, surrounded by plotted fields separated by trees and shrubs, some evergreen while others were still bare from the change of season. She didn’t know what Eoghan had in mind, but he was up to something.
“We’re taking a bike ride,” he said. “We’re taking the Kingfisher Trail.”
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve been on a bike that wasn’t stationary and in the gym,” she said. She looked at the trail. “Wait, is that our path?” She pointed at a narrow trail along the cliff edge.
“You’re not scared, are ya?”
“Look here.” She called him closer with her index finger. “Between me and Yaya, I’m the more adventurous one, but I also don’t want to die.” She pointed at some of the narrow trails high up on some of those hills she’d admired so much on their drive. “Do you see how close that is to the edge? Not to mention there are no guardrails. Now, seeing as I haven’t been on a bike in a minute, you really think that me riding on some of these narrow-ass parts of this trail, where the bike could easily swerve off, is a good idea?”
“Course it is. See that rainbow there?” he asked, pointing to a rainbow that, in her current conundrum, she’d completely missed.
“Yeah,” she said.
“There’s gold at the end of it,” he teased.
“You’re bugging,” she said.
“It’s not that bad. That part is not very long. I’ll be right there. If you start heading off the path, I’ll go after ya.”
“Comforting.” She smirked. Not to be bested by her fear, she made her way over to the bikes. “Okay.”
As they rode, Charlotte’s heartbeat throbbed in her chest both from the danger to her right with cliffs and crashing waves and also from the absolutely stunning view from this height of the cliffs.
She wasn’t as close to the edge as she’d originally thought, and there were other cyclists in the distance. They biked by lakes and through gnarly trees for about forty minutes, taking breaks to stroll through the towns. Even as far north as they were, Eoghan was recognized and stopped for photos or to sign autographs, while she took in the view. From the short houses made of stone to the churches with steeples reaching skyward, Charlotte found herself surrounded by the same comforting old-world charm she’d experienced in Dublin and in Dundalk.
Her legs throbbed from fatigue, and they stopped at a spot where they had a view of a castle covered in ivy. Leafless trees sprinkled the property, and Charlotte could only imagine how spectacular the fall leaves must be from her and Eoghan’s current vantage point. Castles were always impressive and a throwback to a time of ladies and lace, carriages, gowns, and balls. However, the majesty of this tucked-away castle stood in superb shape compared to Castle Roche, which had been destroyed. The memory on her phone had to be near capacity with all the photos she’d snapped so far.
“What is that?” she asked.
“Ah, Castle Leslie,” he answered. “It’s on about a thousand acres. Built in the 1600s, I believe.”
“It makes such a pretty picture from here. Like, better than any postcard. Do you see how many photos I’ve taken?”
He laughed with her. “Glad you like it, because that’s where we’ll be staying.”
“Shut up.” She gripped his arm. “No! Are you serious?”
“Yes.” He was smirking with pride at pulling off the surprise. “Want to go take a look?”
“Eoghan? Of course I want to go take a look.” She jumped back onto her bike. “Wait, how do we get out of here?”
His continued laughter spun around her like a gentle breeze. “Follow me before you lose yourself in the forest.” She rode her bike, shaking with excitement as much as the bumps on the trail.
By the time they got to Castle Leslie, they’d started to lose the daylight, but the lighting indoors and out allowed her to take in the remarkable place. Charlotte had seen many of the castles of Northern Ireland on her computer during the time that she and Ayanna had been planning their trip to Ireland. However, when the car pulled up to Leslie, she immediately fell in love with the place.
“Wow,” Charlotte said. “It’s so well restored.”
“The family has invested in restoration for over twenty years. It’s a true gem,” he said.
Charlotte liked nice things, but the luxury of the estate as soon as they entered to check in was beyond anything she could imagine. Large sculptured fireplaces, antique wood, and a library and adjoining rooms, all with historic stories, offered a glimpse into the past in a modern era.
“There will be lots to see in the morning, but let’s settle in. I’m sure you’ll want a wee something to eat,” he said.
“Yes,” she said, perusing a brochure of the estate.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Mr. O’Farrell. We hope you enjoy your first stay here with us,” one of the staff members said. “The West Wing is right this way.”
Charlotte’s eyes bulged out of her head. The West Wing was a two-story suite and the most extravagant part of the house, and Eoghan must have spared no expense in securing it for them.
She steadied her breathing and followed the blonde woman in a white shirt and black pants through to their location.
“Here you are,” she said. “Let us know if you’re in need of anything. You can take your supper here or in the dining room, if you like, but I’ll remind you that your massage in the Victorian Treatment Rooms is scheduled at half seven.”
“Cheers,” Eoghan said. “We’ll decide and let you know.”
The woman smiled at Charlotte. “Enjoy your stay, madam.”
“I will. Thank you.” Charlotte ran through the West Wing like she’d just closed on a house. In the living room, champagne chilled in a glass bucket filled with ice and two glasses sat on their own perch. This place was hers, at least for tonight. She traipsed through all the rooms until she found the master bedroom and collapsed back on the silky green embroidered comforter. The mattress formed to her even through the levels of bedding. A fire burned in the fireplace, and the wood crackled like it would in a snowed-in cabin. She looked up at the door leading outside.
“Eoghan, this suite has a balcony and a terrace,” she called. She sat up on the bed and looked at him watching her shenanigans as he leaned against the doorframe. The fading light glowing on him made him even more handsome.
“You like it, then?” he asked.
She jumped out of the decadent bed and skipped over to him. She hugged him around his middle. “Like it? What the fuck, Eoghan? There aren’t words to express how nice this is.”
“I said I’d show you Ireland. This place is special.” He wrapped his arms around her, and he didn’t have to say anything else. He’d done this for her, and that, too, was special.
“Thank you,” she said into his chest.
“I scheduled a massage for you. I thought you might like one after the bike ride, but it’s up to you whether you want to or not.”
“Can we eat first? I’m sure you’re hungry too,” she said.
He patted his stomach. “I’m always hungry. If you don’t mind, it might be best for us to take supper here. It’s more private,” he said. “Also, I hear the dining rooms in these places are better seen in natural light. We’ll have a better view of it at breakfast.”
“Sounds good to me.”
A night in a castle with Eoghan? What the hell kind of fairy tale had she walked into?
Eoghan sat outside on the Juliet balcony while Charlotte had her massage in their private treatment room. He’d wanted to do this for her, impress her and make her feel special, but now as he waited for her, he second-guessed himself. Maybe this was too much, and he’d overwhelmed her. This was more than dinner at the Shelbourne—hell, it was more than a stay at the Shelbourne. She trusted him enough to come with him almost two hours away from Dublin and to stay the weekend with him here.
He’d made it no secret that he wanted her. When she’d gotten hurt that night at her apartment when they’d given in to their desires, it had made him more aware than ever that while he’d been focused on his boots to play, Charlotte had stolen his heart. The question was, Would she ever trust him with hers?
Charlotte came out onto the balcony, wrapped in a thick white robe and her tan suede Ugg boots. She carried two cups of tea and somehow maneuvered the door to bring them out with her. She handed one to him.
“I thought you might like this. Spring is coming, but there is still snow out there,” she said.
“It’s heated a bit.”
“I can feel it. It’s nice,” she said, sounding like she had a natural high.
“How was your massage?” he asked, though judging by her soft face and drowsy eyes, it’d had the desired effect.
“Divine.” She smiled and sipped her tea. “I booked one for both of us for tomorrow.”
“Thought you’d enjoy that,” he said. “And thank you for booking the massage. I could use one.”
“There is nothing out there. It’s freaky, right? I’m from the city, so though we love our nature trips, the nothingness always feels a bit like the beginnings of a horror flick.” She yawned, and he knew she was tired from the day’s activities.
“You should head to bed.”
“I’m not tired. I’m relaxed. That bitch squeezed all the tension out of me. I want to pack her ass into my overnight bag and take her back to Dublin with us,” Charlotte said, and he howled. She made him laugh so easily.
“Shhh,” she said, chuckling. “You’re echoing. There are other guests here.”
“You’re a laugh, Charlotte.” He reached for her hand, and when she didn’t pull away, he intertwined his fingers with hers. He stroked her hand with his thumb and enjoyed these minutes of just being close to her.
“I don’t expect anything while we’re staying here, Charlotte. I didn’t invite you here for some kind of upscale booty call. I really just want you to enjoy yourself.”
He meant every word. His dick might ache for her, but the last thing he’d ever want was for her to feel obliged to be with him.
“That’s a shame, Eoghan.” She tsked. “Because I’m ready to take this craic up to ninety.”
His chest rumbled with laughter. “Up to ninety, eh?”
She stood up, maintaining their hand connection, and tugged on him to follow her inside. “All the way up.”
Inside she leaned against the master bed and undid her robe, showing her naked body to him. She flopped out of her boots and scooted up onto the mattress. The view of every inch of her, from her big hair down to her neckline to the curve of her back to the crack of her arse as she crawled to the black headboard, nestling herself into the pillows.
He shed his clothes quickly, eager to touch and taste her. Once free of his garments, he reached for her, flipping her onto her back. He dived in between her thighs to deliver the ultimate kiss.
“Eoghy,” she gasped, and her hands went to his head, where she wildly raked her fingers through his hair. He loved it when she called him that. Her unabashed, unfiltered, and absolutely ridiculous nickname for him. He caressed her thighs as she crossed her ankles to lock him to her. He gripped her hips with one hand while sliding his fingers inside, all the while torturing her clit with a suck here and a lick there. Each one designed to evoke a response.
She tore away from him, her body alive and frantic. He moved toward her, and she pressed him back against the pillows. Shaking with desire, she climbed over him and slid onto his throbbing dick. Up and down she went, fucking him like a punishment. Making him remember why she was in bed with him, why he couldn’t resist her in New York or now when she’d come to Ireland. Her tits bounced as she rode him, and her hips swirled like his Ma’s stand mixer. And when she reversed her movements, he thought he’d literally died and asked himself if there was a better place than heaven.
“You like how I fuck that dick?” she asked, her hot mouth hovering over his.
“Char, yes,” he hissed. “Fuck yes.”
“Who else can fuck you like this, Eoghan?” she taunted.
He shook his head, wild with lust. “Only you, love.”
Her lips touched his, but when he went to solidify the kiss, she pulled away, but not before wetting her lips with her teasing tongue.
“Let me kiss you, Char.”
“That’s not what I want.”
“Anything you want, I’d give to you.”
She held the weight of one breast in her hand and offered him her nipple. She didn’t need to instruct him further, and he sucked on her. He took her as deep into his mouth as would fit, his tongue circling her dark areola and taut nipple. Her whole body shuddered, and he could even feel as her insides clenched around his cock. She moaned, and her hands glided through his hair before gripping a handful and pulling him to her. He delivered pleasurable punishment of his own by sucking her hard only to then pinch her sensitive bud with his teeth.
“Yes, Eoghan. Just like that,” she huffed and licked her lip. “Mmm-hmm. Like that.”
He continued to alternate, taking her higher. Her hips chased toward the prize as much as his did. Gripping her hips, he tried to slow her down because he never wanted this moment between them to end. Charlotte had other plans. She pressed him firmly against the mattress, her hands pinning his arms. Her body rolled and undulated as she took him in as deep as he’d go in this position, claiming him all for herself. Her mouth covered his, wet and wanton. Her tongue mimicked her hips. He drank her in and then wrestled his hands out of her grip. His hands glided over the sides of her torso. Sweat covered them both, and the sheets under him were drenched from exercise.
“I’m going to come, Char,” he mumbled. He didn’t know who was panting more, him or her. What he did know was that if Charlotte had any doubt about who he wanted, surely he’d put any of her concerns to rest.
Charlotte let go first, and to watch her release the tension and shout in ecstasy was something he’d pay millions for. She was beyond beautiful, beyond free. She was fearless.
“Eoghy,” she cried for him, then pulled his arms around her middle.
“Yes, baby,” he said, squeezing her tight to him. He held her face and claimed her mouth with a long, hard, and deep kiss as she shivered and shook through her orgasm.
The pleasure of her arrival only intensified his, as he quickly came afterward, shouting into her mouth. Emotion washed over him. Bollocks if I shed a tear ’cause of a ride. Their kisses turned more tender than he’d ever experienced, and in an instant he vowed to do anything for Charlotte Bowman. He’d been hers long before today.
Chapter 18
The next morning Charlotte woke up wrapped in the warm cove of Eoghan’s arms. Their cuddles and snuggles quickly turned into a heated session of lovemaking, and she loved every minute of it. They’d never spent a night together, and having him in bed with her startled her a bit. That angelic face, that strong body, and his manly scent lured her to him and evoked feelings that she’d never felt before. It scared her, but when he gave her that crooked morning smile, she melted into his arms like butter.
