Chapter 19
My Place
Ciara
I’ve been feeling awkward about coming here since my run-in with Cadlha at the gym. I’m not here to get into some drama over a guy I barely know. I would have rather gone home and figured out my next move.
I don’t think Roaring Irish gym is for me. I’m going to find another way to get into the tournament. Last night was a one-off.
I can’t risk getting hurt or ending up in the middle of a raid if those underground fights get busted. I have Ciarán to think about. While I can make fast money in those fights, they’re not the answer or my endgame.
“Stop looking so nervous. Ya can make yerself at home,” Taegan says as she lets us all into Dylan’s home.
I’m not even going to ask about that one. Ciarán looks around excitedly. This kid is on cloud nine.
Taegan makes her way over to the couch while I continue to stand close to the door. I’m trying to think of something to come up with so Ciarán and I can leave.
It’s lame, but I think I finally come up with something. I open my mouth to make our excuses when the thud of footfalls catches my attention. I turn toward the staircase on my left.
Can I express how mind blowing this place is? The apartment is almost as breathtaking as the man jogging barefoot down the suspended glass staircase. Dylan looks like he just stepped out of the shower.
He has on a pair of black slacks and an open white dress shirt. Once again, that V and those abs are on display. His hair is still damp and has a curly wave to it.
“Hey, Dylan,” Ciarán croons. “This place is sick.”
“Thanks. Make yourself at home. Can I get you guys something to drink?”
“I’m cool,” I reply as I pull my phone and check it like I have tons of messages waiting for me.
Daliah and Vega are my only friends and Daliah is at work today and Vega is doing Vega. My phone has been dry as shit since we left Seattle. I can’t risk calling anyone back there.
Everyone I knew was somehow tied to the Youngs. It’s better this way. No contact, no connections.
“Everything okay?”
I look up to find Dylan towering over me. I force a smile and nod. Cupping my face, he searches my eyes for a beat.
“You were never any good at lying to me. What’s wrong?”
“I’m tired. I want to go home.”
He purses his lips. I can see the frustration that fills his eyes. We’re going to need to get a few things straight.
“Listen, Dylan. I’m grateful for your help and all, but I have a lot going on. I don’t think I’m in a place to date anyone.
“Especially not someone I’m already getting threats over. I need to stay under the radar. This … whatever this is. It’s complicated. I don’t have time for complicated.”
“Someone threatened ya?”
The way his face changes as pure rage rolls off him causes me to take a step back. He looks like he’s about to murder someone. He has a crazed look in his eyes.
“Cadlha thought she would claim her territory. She blew around a bit of smoke, but yer girl handled herself,” Taegan calls out from the couch. “Ain’t nobody thinking about that bitch. Ciara, please.”
I groan. “This is what I mean. You guys keep calling me by a name I’m not even sure it’s safe for me to use. What are we doing here, Dylan? This is my real life.”
He cups the back of my neck and pulls me to him. His body heat engulfs me, and his cologne wraps around me like a warm hug. I look up into his eyes and get lost.
“Cadlha doesn’t have a death wish. Ya don’t have to worry about her or anyone else. No one will ever lay a finger on ya. I’ve been waiting for ya since I was ten years oul. I’m not about to lose ya again.
“This is yer home as long as yer here. Nothing complicated about it. I’m here, yer here. We belong together.”
“Aye, kid. Let’s go for a walk. I’ll treat ya to some ice cream for yer birthday,” Taegan sings to Ciarán as I stand frozen in Dylan’s grasp.
“All right,” Ciarán croons.
“When ya return, his gift is in the blue room. Ya can take him there,” Dylan murmurs to Taegan, not looking away from me.
“Got ya, boss.”
Taegan and Ciarán move past us to leave. I knit my brows, trying to figure out what to do next. I’m drawn to him, but my common sense is telling me this could be a colossal fuckup.
“So, people threatening me makes you angry?” I taunt, lifting a brow at him. “Or is it the fact that I’m not interested in dating you?”
Before I can wrap my mind around what’s happening, he backs me into the door behind me that his assistant and my brother just left through. I gasp as he lifts me onto his waist and crushes his lips to mine.
I whimper into his mouth and push my hands into his hair. He groans and deepens the kiss. His kiss is hungry and a bit aggressive, but I’m not complaining.
I should push him away, but my brain isn’t with that idea. Neither is my body. I shiver against him as he pushes his hand under my shirt and cups my breast.
I’m a decent C cup, but his large palm engulfs my entire mound. His big hand is so warm. A moan leaves my lips as he flicks his thumb over my nipple. My entire body awakens to his touch.
“You were saying? You’re not interest in what?” he breathes against my lips as he breaks the kiss and presses his forehead to mine.
“Huh?”
He chuckles and places me back on my feet. “Come here, I have something for you.”
“Dylan … I … I’m not ready for that. I’m still a virgin.”
“So am I,” he says and winks. “As much as I want you, that’s not what I’m talking about. Come with me.”
“Wait, are you serious? You’re a virgin? But you ooze sex.”
He scoffs a laugh and shrugs. “Maybe, but aye, baby, I’ve been waiting for you.”
“What if you never found me?”
“That wasn’t an option. I made you a promise. You will be my wife someday. Now, come on,” he says, leaving me speechless.
A look crosses his face so quickly, I don’t have time to try to place it. He links his fingers with mine and tugs me with him. It’s crazy, but in this moment, I think I’m falling for him. My mind is reeling with this new information.
“How old are you?” I blurt out as he leads me to the couch to take a seat.
“I told you I have you by two years, remember? I just turned twenty-three. Don’t sound so surprised. All my firsts belong to you. You were my first kiss. I want to give you all the rest too.”
I’m stunned. Oh yeah, I’m falling hard. As we sit, he reaches for a tote bag sitting on the coffee table.
Reaching inside, he tugs out two photo albums. I watch with curiosity, while still playing his words in my head on repeat.
All my firsts belong to you. You were my first kiss. I want to give you all the rest too.
“When we left Ireland, I was devastated. Ma thought making these would help. I had planned to give you one. I remember having them and thought you would like to take a look,” he says with a blush on his cheeks.
I drop my gaze to his lips, wanting to kiss him again. He’s sitting so close his thigh is touching mine. Seeming to read my thoughts, he leans in and pecks my lips.
Pulling away, he places one of the photo albums on my lap. I run my hand over the top and smile at the purple ribbon tying it closed.
I’m hit with another memory and gasp as I palm my head. Dylan scoots closer and runs his hand over my head. The look of concern on his face only draws me in more.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Another memory?”
“Yes, our first kiss and the roses you gave me tied in the same purple ribbon,” I say as I finger the sparkly fabric.
A smile lights up his entire face. “You were so pretty. I don’t know what made me kiss you that day.”
“I remember being surprised but happy.”
“Let’s see if we can spark something else,” he says, pointing to the album.
I clear my throat and begin to turn through it. Tears come to my eyes as I find a picture of the little boy and girl from my memories. I run my fingers over the face I’ve drawn so many times, not knowing it was him. A tear spills free and falls onto the page.
“I don’t think I ever truly forgot you. I’ve been drawing this face for years. I just didn’t know who he was. I would dream of your face and wake to draw it, over and over again,” I say just above a whisper.
“Nothing could keep us apart forever. You’re here now, you’re safe and where you belong.”
I begin to turn the pages once again. I freeze as I get to a few pictures of a man holding us both in his arms. One on each side.
In one photo, he’s looking up at me with a huge smile on his face. I know right away that’s my dad. Tears really start to fall as I get choked up.
Nope, I’m not falling. I think I’m officially in love with Dylan. My heart aches as I continue to go through photos of me, my old friend, his family, and my parents. Warmth fills me and I know for a fact I’m safe here with him.
I get to a page with an autographed photograph of my dad in the ring. He has on gloves, and his hands are thrown in the air. I smile as a memory of Dad pops into my head.
“Ye two might be small, but ya have skills. Remember that next time they pick on ya. Dylan, ya keep their focus on ya.
“Ciara, ya hit the hell out of them. Then ye both pounce. The way ye two have each other’s backs will always work in yer favor. Ye have more of something none of them have.”
“What’s that, Da?” I asked.
“Heart, love. Ye both have tons of heart. That’s something no one can take from ya. They’ll try, but I know it in me gut. They’ll never take that away. Dylan, ya asked how ya can protect her?”
He paused to pat Dylan on his little scrawny chest. “Use what’s in here. Ya will always have the heart to win when it comes to protecting our girl. Ya use that and ya will never fail.”
My lips tremble as I swipe at my tears. Suddenly, I remember that day so clearly. Dylan and I were being picked on in school. One of the kids pushed me to the ground and Dylan got into a fight with them.
When we got home, my da was furious. He made us train for hours before he sat us down for that talk. Then he took us out to ride our bikes to get ice cream.