Chapter 21
POV: Maeve?
As I showered, all I could think about was him—the way his hands felt on my body, the way he looked at me as if he was deep inside me, the way his cum oozed out from me as I showered.
Neither of us could define this…whatever we were doing here, but the truth was evident. We both were confused and we both had no intention of stopping.
Like any woman, I’ve developed feelings. Feelings that I won’t soon forget. Feelings that could lead to hurt, if things go south.
As the door closed I let out a sigh.
He was gone and now I could do what I do best—turn my feelings into words.
After I dried my hair and wrapped myself into a robe, I began writing. I penned down an intense sex scene between my two main characters, very similar to the one I had just experienced with Liam, almost word for word.
Against the table. Intense eye contact. Lots of moans. And lots of Cum.
After I was done, I felt like I had just emotion dumped and I was tired. Oh, so very tired.
I closed my laptop and laid back on the couch, dangling my feet and thinking of everything.
I knew we both were playing a dangerous game.
And I knew that one of us—probably me, was bound to get hurt, especially if Liam losing his ex-fiancee was still an issue.
And I knew it was.
Liam had a reason to be confused and not define the relationship.
But me? What reason did I have?
I closed my eyes and thought.
Well for one…I always found something wrong with a man. It was my crux, one that usually served me for the better, because most of the guys, if not all, were absolute duds. But it was still a crux nonetheless.
For two…I was scared to define something that I knew was risky. This whole situation was risky—coming to Ireland, falling for a trauma-ridden, ladies man and a local pub owner. It wasn’t realistic. A relationship with him was far from it and I knew it.
What was I supposed to do? Uproot my entire existence and life in America just to live here—with him? A man that fears commitment, the same as I do, and who might never want to actually commit?
I let out a heavy sigh.
But my thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing.
I answered it without looking. “Hello.”
“You sound rather thought-ridden, dear.”
“Hello Gran!” I changed my tone. “Sorry, I’m just relaxing.”
“Glad you hear you’ve been having a great time, dear,” Gran replied. “How is Declan? Are you two getting along?”
Oh, great.
“Well, about that…” I paused. “We aren’t really each other’s types.”
Gran laughed, as if she was all knowing. “Does that mean there’s another young lad you’re interested in?”
I didn’t respond.
But somehow, somehow, she always knew.
Call it old Irish woman intuition. It was practically in her bones.
“Well, dearie, I wanted to let you know I am coming to visit for the day. My friend Moira has rented us an airbnb for the day to see the festival. It would be nice to see you and meet this mystery man you’re keen on.”
“Well, Gran, I–”
“Nonsense. You know me, I’ll be discreet.”
Gran being discreet is laughable in itself.
“Well, let me know when you’re in and we’ll meet for lunch at The Crow’s Nest then.”
I knew I wasn’t going to win this one.
“Perfect, dear. I’ll see you then.” Then the phone call ended.
***
Gran was 30 minutes away from meeting me at The Crow’s Nest, and I was relieved to see that Liam wasn’t here yet.
Instead Caitlin was buzzing around, and giving me a side eye. She stopped by a few times after she dropped off a pint of Guinness, with a weary look in her eyes.
“Don’t, Caitlin,” I warned her. “My grandma will be here any second and I can only stand so much today.” I laughed.
“Oh, fine, it seems you have your hands full. But I’m just trying to warn you for your own benefit, before you go down the rabbit hole that is my brother, but it seems like I may be too late.” Then she hurried off, shrugging her shoulders.
The sound of a familiar voice caused me to turn around towards the door.
My grandma and her friend Moira had just entered and were cheerfully waving and walking towards me and I embraced her in a long hug.
“Oh, it’s wonderful to see you!” she gushed.
Moira wrapped me in a hug too. “I haven’t seen you since you were just a teenager!”
We settled into a cozy corner booth.
Still, there was no sign of Liam. Only Caitlin rushed around the bar, bringing us a kettle of earl grey tea, milk, sugar cubes, then reading off the specials. We settled on 3 orders of lamb stew with soda bread.
Then I saw him. Liam, tearing off an apron and placing it under the counter of the bar and mumbling something to Caitlin.
Our eyes connected immediately, and I must’ve stared because grandma and Moira even turned to look.
“Oh my,” Moira said.
“That must be him,” Gran whispered.
“And what are you two whispering about?” I shot back, laughing.
Grandma tried to act innocent. “Nothing, dear.”
I gave her a look.
“I was just speculating that it must be the man who’s caught your interest.”
“I swear it’s like you have a sixth sense,” I laughed.
She smiled. “Grandmothers always have a way of knowing.”
I offered Liam a smile as our eyes connected and in turn, he offered me the same from a distance.
But then a figure approaching our table came into view.
Declan.
My breath caught in my throat and I pretended like I hadn’t seen him.
But it was too late, Declan approached, all smiles and waves. “Hello Maeve,” he greeted.
“Hi Delcan.”
Please leave. I thought he’d get the hint, but maybe after me walking out on Liam publicly the other day, the towns folk probably got to whispering that we were on the rocks, which in Declan’s mind, meant give it another try.
“You look lovely today,” he smiled, nervously.
Moira and grandma of course smiled, and I wanted to shoot them a glare but just hoped, little to no conversation, and no introductions would cause him to get the hint and go away.
“Thanks, Declan.”
“And who might your guests be?” he asked.
God, why?
“My grandmother and her friend, Moira.”
I looked away, hoping Liam would see me and think I was signaling help.
He was already watching me, a mixture of jealousy and humor in his gaze.
Grandma and Moira were talking to Declan about his job as a school teacher, when I was mouthing help over and over to Liam.
Thankfully, Liam began walking towards us.
Declan nearly jumped as Liam approached, taking a step back and greeting him with a nod.
“Hello, Declan.”
“Well, then I should get going, look at the time,” Declan replied, glancing down at his shoes and scurrying off. “Nice to see you then.”
“Some more tea, ladies?” Liam replied, trying to not fixate on me.
“Well, aren’t you a handsome man!”
My face went pale. My grandmother did not just say that to Liam.
“Grandma—” I said in shock, embarrassed.
Liam was even surprised, but he offered her a smile. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Do you live in town?” grandma asked him.
Oh, God.
“Born and raised,” Liam replied. “The pub has been in my family for five generations.”
“Well, it’s lovely and it seems like business is doing well!”
I tried to hide my face from the two of them, but of course, grandma brought me into the conversation. “Maeve, you haven’t introduced us to your friend.”
“Oh,” I stuttered, turning my attention back to Liam, and I’m sure he saw the avoidance all over my face. “This is Liam. Liam, this is my grandmother and her friend Moira.”
“Pleased to meet you both,” Liam smiled, that irresistible smile that highlighted his perfectly chiseled jaw.
“Lovely to meet you as well,” they both greeted back.
Liam nodded, as his gaze eventually found its way back to mine before walking away. “I’ll bring back some more tea for you ladies.”
“My, he’s handsome, even more handsome up close. Good genes on that one, aye,” grandma added in.
“Grandma,” I scolded. “He probably heard you!”
“I’m sure he’s listening to every word. He’s very protective of you.”
I let out a groan. “Please. Stop.”
Moira and grandma exchanged glances between each other, whispering about Liam I’m sure. I sat there in my own internal agony, knowing my cheeks and my entire body was flushed red.
And Liam, well Liam, was beaming with happiness as he walked towards us with tea bags and a kettle. He was enjoying my apparent embarrassment.