Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Piper
I t’s been five days since Sean rescued me on the beach and my father’s control over me ended. Five days of adjusting to the fact that my life is budding to life, and I can make choices. Five days of tension in the air on a business side, but love in the air personally.
And those are the moments I treasure most.
Sean Quinn can be violently protective—I acknowledge that. He will kill to keep me safe, but he’s also endlessly romantic and giving.
He kisses me before he leaves the house, lets me know if his plans change over the course of our time apart, and texts to ask if I need anything on his way home.
He shows me more consideration than anyone ever has—and I love him for it.
Soul deep, heart hammering, love.
“You’re quiet tonight. Is anything wrong?” Sean squeezes my hand and smiles down at me.
We’re touring the grounds and he’s leading me toward the gazebo by the pond. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves of the trees around us. It’s a little chilly, but summer is still trying to stay with us.
Today was my father’s funeral, and Sean hasn’t left my side. He’s been attentive and didn’t even bat an eye when I said Rory sent me the virtual link to watch remotely, if I wanted to.
I didn’t, but I gave the link to Tag in case it could help him in any way, in his quest to keep the family safe.
The setting sun casts long, dappled shadows across our path, its warmth waning as the day succumbs to evening.
“Nothing is wrong. I was just committing the moment to memory: the beauty of your family estate, the unconditional acceptance you’ve shown me, and the excitement of the future expanding before me.”
Sean sends me a sidelong glance. “Before us , kitten. I intend to be included in your future, however you imagine it.”
I lean against his shoulder and hug his arm. “You have the starring role, Mr. Quinn.”
“As I should.”
The champagne sunset reflects off the man-made pond and the water sparkles around the dark silhouettes of a group of ducks floating on its surface.
“It’s lovely out here.”
“Aye, it is. Da put the pond in for our mother when we were kids. We wanted a swimming pool, but she thought that would take away from the atmosphere of the castle, stables, and grounds. They compromised on a pond.”
“You and your brothers swam in there?”
“All the time. As soon as it was warm enough—and often before that—we’d swim while Mam oversaw the shenanigans from the gazebo and read her travel books.”
A nostalgic smile warms his face as he looks out onto the waters. I squeeze his hand, grateful to witness a glimpse of his childhood and learn a bit more about the life that made him the man he is.
As we arrive at the gazebo, my breath catches in my throat. It’s transformed into something from a dream.
Delicate gossamer sheers flutter gently in the breeze, the soft fabric catching the pale, tangerine light. It creates a glow that seems to capture the warmth of the sun.
Inside, a plush mattress is lain out, piled with fluffy blankets and pillows that invite us to forget the world. A tray laden with snacks—cheese, fruit, and a bottle of wine—sits nearby, promising a sweet interlude to our evening. And above it all, laced along the inside edge of the structure, is a string of white fairy lights.
“It’s beautiful, Sean,” I whisper as I step inside.
The sheers billow around us, enveloping us in a soft, ethereal world apart from the rest of the estate. I run my fingers over the blankets, the textures rich and comforting under my touch.
Sean watches me with a smile, his eyes reflecting the colors of the fading day. “It’s a bit cool, but I intend to keep you plenty warm under the covers.”
The chill in the air is noticeable, but the thought of curling up with Sean under the blankets warms me from the inside out. “You’re too much, Mr. Quinn.”
He grins. “You like it, then?”
“Och, no. I love it. Almost as much as I love the man who did all this for me.”
“Connor?” His gaze narrows. “You do know he’s married to Cora, right?”
I laugh. “So, you’re saying you didn’t do this?”
He chuckles and gives me a squeeze. “I’m teasing. I hung every light and set up every pillow. Cora made the snack tray, but I told her what I wanted. I also brought these.”
He holds out a box of frosted cherry Pop-Tarts and waggles his ebony brows.
I reach up and cup his face in my palms. His skin is cool from the breeze, but his smile is warm enough to keep any cold at bay. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
Sean pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me as we stand at the entrance of the magical space he made for us. “I think the fabric dancing around us, is inviting us inside.”
“I think you’re right.”
He lifts me off my feet, and I wrap my legs around his hips. “I hope you mentioned to your brothers not to come down to the gazebo tonight.”
He laughs, his warm breath washing the skin on my neck. “Don’t worry. They have been warned.”
Our night in the gazebo is glorious and true to his word, Sean keeps me warm all night. In the morning, I don’t want to face the day, but today is the reading of the will and the Quinns need to know the outcome to prepare for the next stage of preparations.
Hidden under the blankets, the two of us stare at one another like kids huddled under a blanket fort.
“I don’t want to go inside.”
Sean frowns. “I’ll be right beside you for whatever happens.”
“I wasn’t talking about the reading of the will. I was talking about leaving our cocoon and having to put on cold clothes after being so toasty all night.”
“Then we don’t get dressed.”
I roll my eyes. “And how does that help us get to the house? By the time we get to the back door, my nipples will be hard enough to poke someone’s eyes out and your cock will have retreated so far up inside you, it may never come out to play again.”
“A vivid picture, but I wasn’t suggesting that we go full monty and streak our way across the estate. I was suggesting we slide our shoes on and keep ourselves wrapped in blankets.”
“That sounds cozy.”
“That’s my girl, always up for a little adventure.”
I am…and finally, someone sees me.
The two of us pop up, get ourselves bundled, and then slip our feet into our shoes. The awkward run back to the house is filled with laughter and I hope with everything in me, that no one is watching us because we must look like drunken lunatics.
Still, five minutes later, we’ve made it to Sean’s room without running into anyone. We drop our microfiber warmth and exchange it for the warmth of each other.
“Shower,” Sean says around my kiss. “We can continue this and get ready for our day.”
“Mmm, my man the multitasker.”
Sean sweeps down and throws me over his shoulder, spanking my bare bottom as he strides toward his private bathroom. “Time to clean you up. After how many times I lost myself in you last night, I’m surprised my cum isn’t still running down both of your thighs.”
Sean is relentless .
“I’m surprised you’re not faint from dehydration.”
He laughs and I’m not complaining because I’ve got an up close and personal view of Matunos, the Celtic bear god inked into Sean’s back. I’ve always loved bears and the two flanking the god are incredible.”
High on the dopamine rush of sex with my mafia man, I lost count of how many orgasms we shared. I entered the sexual arena later than I would’ve chosen, but Sean has certainly made up for lost time.
And I love everything about that.
After he has me breathless in the shower and crying out his name in the steamy bathroom, he wraps me in a towel off the heated rack. “Are you all right? You’re not too sore, are you? I didn’t hold back much last night.”
I arch a brow at him. “That was you holding back?”
The grin he flashes me is pure sin. “When I’m healed and I’m sure your ribs can take it, you’ll have your answer to that question, but not a moment sooner.”
“I can’t imagine.”
He wraps me in his arms and kisses the tip of my nose. “I will sex you so good, I will sear your soul and ruin you for any other man but me.”
“Yes, please.”
He chuckles. “But not until we’re both at our best.”
I sigh and stick my bottom lip out in a pout. He catches my lip between his teeth and gives me a little nip. “Now, be a good girl and put some clothes on so we can get out of this room. You know I can’t resist you.”
I do know that—and I love it.
I feel the heat of his gaze follow me as I hurry to the walk-in closet and shut the door. Surrounded by a rack of dresses, cashmere sweaters, designer blouses, and more jeans, slacks, and yoga pants than I could possibly wear, I pick an outfit for today.
I still can’t believe he gave me the entire closet. He swore he didn’t need it. Other than his suit hanging against the wall by the door, he insisted his clothes were fine folded in the dresser drawers.
Who am I to argue with logic like that?
And so, for a new life, he bought me a new wardrobe. I told him I could buy my own clothes, but he insisted. It makes him feel good to take care of me.
It makes me feel good too.