Chapter Twenty-Two
Alicia
The man has no shame.
Gallagher: What are you wearing?
Alicia: Wouldn’t you like to know…
Gallagher: Course I do. That’s why I asked.
Alicia: Doesn’t mean I’m going to answer.
Gallagher: Careful, love. My palm is itching to paint that pretty arse of yours red.
Alicia: Good thing I’m not wearing underwear.
Smirking, I silence my phone and stick it back in my pocket before clocking in.
I’m not supposed to keep it on me at the country club, but since Bridget’s fight, I can’t afford to miss any phone calls.
Thankfully, it’s been peaceful on that front.
The school counselor has been meeting with her twice a week, and all of her teachers have been instructed to email me with all of her assignments.
I don’t love having an extra thing to keep track of, but if she’s going to pass her classes, I don’t have any other options.
Eamon has also been going out of his way to keep an eye on her.
She hasn’t joined the soccer team, but he did mention that he’s seen her hanging out on the bleachers after school watching the team practice. I’m taking that as a good sign.
Rowan is supposed to be back in Wilmington tomorrow night.
Admitting that I miss him feels so foreign.
After years of banter and bickering that have become muscle memory, convincing my brain and my heart to behave otherwise is more difficult than I thought.
Now that we’re…dating….I have no idea how to act.
The only people we’ve told are Eamon and Norah, and that’s only because we had to sneak back through the kitchen where they were waiting to ambush us.
He’s been the one to call and initiate text conversations—which he’s done every day, just like he said he would.
Texts are flirty and playful, but our conversations?
The ones that happen usually late at night after I get off work are more serious.
Serious, but still surface level. There’s a boundary line drawn that neither of us are brave enough to cross yet.
He’s aware that I’ve been raising my sister because our parents are out of the picture, and I know that he left Galway to escape his father and brothers.
Apart from that, we don’t discuss our pasts. It got close last night though.
* * *
“If money weren’t an issue, what would you do with your life?” Rowan yawned as he forced me to dream a bit.
The question caught me off guard, because money has always been an issue. There has never been a time in my life where I didn’t have to worry. Even when bills are caught up, and there’s a small amount of money in the bank, I’m still thinking ahead to where the next paycheck will go.
“Hmm…” I stalled, trying to think of something quickly but coming up blank. “I don’t know. I’ve never really considered it.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Why’s that? Didn’t you have something you dreamt of doing as a wee lass?”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “No, Rowan. I didn’t get to have dreams as a kid.”
“That’s—”
“What about you?” I interrupted. “What would you do?”
“I’m doing it,” Ro stated simply. “Playing football is always what I wanted to do.”
“Did you want to play in any specific country?” Maybe if I kept peppering him with questions he would forget about my non-answer.
“Anywhere but Ireland.” His voice was like steel.
“Not even in another part of the country?”
“No. I’d be okay if I never set foot in Ireland for the rest of my life.” His tone implied he wasn’t going to expand on that, so I let it drop. If I wasn’t willing to reveal the skeletons in my closet, I couldn’t expect him to.
“Alright,” I said slowly. “Then if you could pick any team in the world to play for, where would you go?”
“Easy. Manchester United. No question.”
The conversation was lighter after that, both of us sensing the other needed a reprieve.
* * *
Gallagher: If you’re wearing knickers when I see you tomorrow, I’m going to eat the head off of ya.
I roll my eyes at the text waiting for me when I clock out for the day. Irish lingo is so bizarre. Most of the time I have no idea what he’s talking about, so I default to being a smart ass. He likes it.
Alicia: I can think of something else you can eat.
Gallagher: Bleedin’ hell woman.
Alicia: You started it.
Gallagher: And I’m damned well going to finish it. Don’t make plans.
Alicia: I work at O’Nelly’s tomorrow night.
Gallagher: Didn’t stop me last time.
God, the mouth on this man gets me so hot, even when he’s irritating the shit out of me. Maybe I have some serious issues, but I can’t wait to fight with him just for the makeup sex. Hell, even the hate-fucking will be good.
Glancing at the time, I have exactly two hours before Bridget gets out of school, which gives me enough time to run some errands and pick up dinner from her favorite Thai place before she gets home.
Coaxing conversation out of her is about as easy as giving Lou a bath, but I promised to be more involved, so I keep trying. Eventually something will give, right?
Once I’m in my car, I remove the country club’s mandatory white button-up, revealing the black tank underneath, kick off my shoes, and shimmy out of my slacks, tossing them in the backseat.
Before I can grab the denim cut-off shorts, my phone pings, indicating a video call from Rowan.
My pulse thrums at the thought of seeing him.
I answer, then set the phone in the holder on my dash.
“Hi,” I greet him.
“Hiya, love. What are…” He makes a choking noise, and the screen goes black. I can hear him swearing in the background. Finally, he rights his phone, eyes peering through the screen at a downward angle. “Where are your trousers? And why the feck are you in your car without them?”
“Oh my god!” I gasp loudly. “Where did my pants go?” I make a show of looking around wildly for them. “I just had them!”
“You and that smart mouth. I’m not sure if I’m going to kiss you or spank you first when I get home.”
A thrill jolts through me, and my thighs press together. He doesn’t miss it.
“Are you aching, darlin’? Is that why you’re squirming in your seat?”
“Nope,” I lie, not meeting his eyes.
“Ach, you’re a bad liar. I can see the way your chest is flushing. Where are you?”
“In the parking lot of the country club,” I answer automatically. “I just got off work and was changing before running errands.”
“Is there anyone around you, love?” His voice deepens, and I can practically feel it caress my skin.
I glance around, thankful I parked in the back of the lot where no one else parks. “No. My car is the only one where I’m at.”
“Good,” he mutters. “Now be a good lass, and do what I say.”
My temper flares at his demanding tone, and I narrow my eyes at him. Now that I’m paying attention, it looks like he’s in a hotel room, reclined on the bed with his back against the headboard. “Excuse me?”
“Aye, you heard me. You’re going to listen and do exactly as I tell you.” He reaches behind his head and pulls his shirt off by the collar. My mouth goes dry because not only is he so fucking sexy, but all of the moisture in my body has gone south.
“Say, ‘yes, sir’.”
“Fuck you,” I snap.
“That will happen when I get back, darlin’,” Rowan promises. “For now, slide your seat back and move your phone so I can see all of you.”
I want to fight him, but I’m also so turned on that I’m eager to do his bidding. Putting away my pride, I look him right in the eyes, letting my words purr from my lips. “Yes, sir”.
He inhales deeply through his nose as his pupils blow wide. “That’s a good hen.”
Doing as he asked, I slide my seat back as far as it will go, then adjust my phone. “This good?” My voice comes out all throaty, and even I think it sounds sexy.
A rumble of approval sounds through the speaker. “Christ, you’re a stunner. Take your hair out that pony tail and let it fall around your face.”
Making a show out of raising my arms, I remove the hair tie and shake my tresses out, running my fingers through them until they’re relatively smooth.
“Good. Now, grab your tits and pull on those barbells like you want me to when we’re together next.”
Trailing my hands down my neck, I do one better and pull the top of my tank down, letting my breasts fall out.
I only wear a bra when I’m at the country club, and even then, it’s more like a bralette.
This one happens to be white, lacy, and see-through.
I pinch both nipples through the fabric, making sure to tug at the metal, hissing through my teeth.
“Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph,” Ro groans ,and I notice one of his arms moving just off the screen.
“I want to see you, too.”
“Your wish is my command. Keep teasing those nipples while I get set up. And don’t touch anything else.”
“Yes, sir.” I pull the piercings hard enough to make me gasp. Then I freeze as I see what Rowan is doing. He’s propped the phone up on the bed and is standing at the foot of it, legs apart. The need to see and touch those tattoos in person is so strong, I want to cry in frustration.
“What now, love?” He cups himself through the athletic shorts he’s wearing.
“Take them off, Gallagher.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He agrees quickly and shucks his shorts so fast, his cock springs out and slaps his stomach.
“God, I want to touch you,” I tell him honestly. I’ve always found him attractive, but a naked Rowan is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Soon, a chéadsearc,” He promises. “Now, it’s my turn. As much as I want to see all of you, I don’t want to risk anyone else seeing you, so put your top back to rights. Then slip those knickers off.”
Pouting, I do pull the tank back over my bralette. A little exhibitionism doesn’t bother me, but I’m positive there are cameras in the lot, so better safe than sorry.
As soon as my fingers grip the sides of my thong, Ro tuts. “Slowly, love. Take them off slowly. Spread those pretty legs as far as you can. I want to see how wet you are for me.”
My body heats, but not in embarrassment. I’m so aroused, a random breeze could probably make me come. Holding his gaze, I slide the fabric down, lifting my hips then wiggling them. This earns me another deep groan. His hand starts to wrap around his cock.
“Hands off,” I snap. “I haven’t told you to touch yourself yet.”
He chuckles darkly before placing his hands on his hips. “As you wish.”
When I’m completely naked from the waist down, I slowly spread my legs, but place my hands over my pussy, just to fuck with him.
“Alicia,” he warns. “Let me see you. Right now.”
The demand in his voice makes my hips roll involuntarily against my hand. I whimper at the contact and do it again.
“Enough,” he orders before slowly growling,, “Let. Me. See. You.”
I obey, sliding my hands up to my breasts and pinching my nipples.
“Fuck, look at that pretty little cunt. Dressed up just for me.”
I like to keep it trimmed, so there’s just a thin layer of hair shaved into the shape of a heart. That was a recent change in anticipation of when he got back.
“I’d tear up my football contract if it meant I could be there with my face between your legs.”
“Ro,” I sigh, one hand creeping down my torso. “I need to touch myself.”
“Aye. Go on then, love. Show me all of it.”
Using my first two fingers, I separate the folds, spreading them wide. I’m practically dripping.
“Fuck,” he moans again.
“Your turn,” I order with a nod in his direction. “Wrap your hand around it and squeeze. Hard.”
Ro obeys, his head falling back. “Look at me,” I order him sharply. “Don’t take your eyes off of me, baby.”
I hadn’t planned on giving him a pet name, but if the sound he just made is any indication, he approves.