Chapter 11
Agentle breeze tousled Lucy’s hair as she lazily strolled along Grafton Street. After some wrong turns, she consulted the map on her phone to help navigate back to this street. She wanted to check out the Brown and Thomas window display again and resisted the urge to snap pictures, wanting to save that for when she could bring Kaylee.
During her short time in Dublin, she had hardly walked this popular pathway. Those few previous visits had consisted of battling the tourist crowds as she hurried toward a restaurant or pub. With the city winding down and without Abbey hurrying along, she took the opportunity to take in all the area had to offer.
There was no rush to get home, and she took her time admiring the different shops and buildings along the way. She was fascinated by the Georgian-style buildings, with their box-like shape mixed in with Victorian-style buildings, with high arched roofs and bay windows protruding outward, all sitting atop contemporary stores.
Overhead, Christmas lights and decorations hung, ready to light up the street for the holiday season. Kaylee would love this. Christmas was their favorite holiday; the lights, the ornaments, the music, the shopping, baking cookies, and even wrapping presents were things they both enjoyed. Grafton Street would need to be added to their holiday tradition this year: a day of shopping followed by dinner as they watched the Christmas lights illuminate the streets.
Lucy made it to the end of Grafton Street and crossed over the tracks to her LUAS stop. The platform was quite crowded. Although it wasn’t quite midnight, many pubs and restaurants had closed for the night. Partygoers, pub explorers, and a few obnoxiously drunk travelers rushed the doors when the LUAS pulled in, pushing and shoving their way inside the already crowded tram.
Lucy quickly tapped her card on the validator and rushed toward the middle of the tram before the doors closed. Passengers occupied all the seats, and she struggled to find a place to stand. Her stop was near the end of the line; the tram would empty considerably by then. Wiggling toward the opposite doors, she found a small spot to stand.
Two stops later, Lucy couldn’t move as more people continued crowding inside the tram. The smell of alcohol mixed with the chatter made her head spin. It wasn’t until now that she realized how buzzed she was from those extra drinks and wished she had finished that toasty in the pub. Maybe she could jump off this tram and catch the next one, although it would probably be just as crowded. Not to mention, it would be challenging to maneuver out of her current position crammed in the corner.
At the next stop, more people boarded. Lucy wondered when people would begin leaving instead of entering; surely, they weren’t all getting off at her stop.
At this point, she could hardly move and felt the cold glass of the doors pushing into her back. With great effort, she managed to pull her phone from the purse wedged tight against her chest. Abbey would be disappointed to know she was heading home.
As the LUAS jerked to another halt, the man beside Lucy fell against her arm, knocking the phone from her grasp.
“Surry,” he slurred, his friends laughing at his struggle to stand upright.
Lucy grimaced; the man smelt of stale alcohol and old cigars. Sliding down the wall, she felt around the floor for her phone, trying not to touch the other passengers inappropriately while avoiding the sticky floor. Finally, her fingers felt the hard edge of the phone; grabbing it, a stranger’s fingers grazed her hand. Through the maze of legs, she locked eyes with Aidan.
Startled, Lucy jumped, nearly smacking her head against a low handrail as she stood up quickly. A wave of dizziness came over her, and she swayed lightly.
“Careful.” Aidan’s eyes sparked as he watched her frowning at the row of frat boys unknowingly keeping them apart.
Lucy couldn’t focus as she dropped her phone back into the purse. Was she imagining things?
The LUAS lurched forward, and the drunk man stumbled, shoving Lucy against the doors.
“Easy now,” Aidan said sternly.
In one swift motion, Aidan pulled the man away from Lucy, positioning himself protectively in front of her, leaving barely an inch between them.
“Yer man’s a bit well-oiled, ya know?”
“Huh?” Lucy was still trying to comprehend Aidan’s unexpected appearance on the tram; she couldn’t wrap her brain around his slang right now.
Aidan nodded toward the swaying passenger. “He’s wasted.”
“Yeah,” Lucy managed to whisper, her ability to speak waning.
Each beat of her heart reverberated through her body. Aidan was too close; she could feel the heat radiating off his body. Her back pressed against the doors, knuckles white as they tightened their hold around the purse against her chest.
The tram jolted as it stopped. The drunk man lost his balance and slammed into Aidan, knocking him off balance. Tingles ran through her body as Aidan accidentally pressed against her. Somehow, more people wedged into the tram, making moving impossible.
Aidan repositioned himself so his thigh rested between her legs, his chest pressed against the back of her hand. His fingertips grasped her waist, sending goosebumps down her arms. She could feel the stiff bulge in his crotch against her leg. Lucy could hardly catch her breath as the tram continued down the tracks.
Aidan’s body kept her hidden from the other passengers, and his eyes burned with this knowledge; no one could see what he was doing to her. She gasped as he took her ear lobe in his mouth, sucking lightly. The thrill of getting caught, mixed with her desire for him, was almost too much; she bit her lip to keep from calling out. Aidan planted kisses along her neck.
A few passengers stepped off at the next stop, finally allowing more space. Aidan didn’t move; he stayed pressed against her, eyes blazing. Of course, if he stepped back now, she would instantly fall to the floor; her legs felt like jelly.
While it was still too crowded for anyone to see what they were doing, Lucy felt shy. The other passengers would probably think they were a couple having a tender moment and not two horny adults holding back the desire to rip each other’s clothes off. That was assuming anyone was even paying attention; most passengers were intoxicated or worn out, only thinking about getting home and sleeping.
“Oh, Lucy,” he breathed in her ear.
She thought she would collapse right then and there. The way he said her name and with that accent made her legs, and the area around them, tingle with delight.
Lucy released the purse; it hung loosely from her shoulder and freed her hands. Looking up at him with hooded eyes, she slid her arms around his neck. Her lips felt dry as she met his gaze, licking her lips as his hand played with the hem of her shirt. He reached under the shirt to lazily run his fingertips against her stomach’s soft, sensitive skin. At his touch, her insides flipped, and the other passengers faded into oblivion until they were the only two people in the entire world.
Aidan leaned his forehead against hers as he traced the underwire of her bra, sending shivers of desire down her spine. Blinded by lust, all her excuses vanished into thin air. Reason had disembarked at the previous stop.
Again, the tram jolted. Aidan pitched forward, his hand sliding beneath her bra and covering a breast. Lucy inhaled sharply. Lightly, he toyed with her nipple, running the pad of his thumb back and forth before gently pinching it.
Lucy closed her eyes, allowing her head to fall against the doors, automatically arching her back and pushing her breast deeper into his palm.
“What’re ya doin’ to me?” He groaned, biting his lip and squeezing her breast.
Clamping her lips tightly, she forced back the moan threatening to escape.
“Look at me,” he whispered in her ear. “Open your eyes and look at me.”
Lucy shook her head, eyes and lips fused shut. Every nerve screamed for him. If she looked at him right now, all reason and logic would be gone. She would shove him into the nearest seat and ride him right here in the middle of this busy tram.
“I want you too much,” she panted the words, fingers clawing at his shoulders.
Aidan growled as the tram came to a stop. Releasing her breast, he grabbed her arm and pulled her through the open doors. The cold breeze startled her out of her dreamy daze.
“This isn’t my stop,” Lucy said, struggling to catch her breath.
“’Tis tonight,” Aidan spoke through gritted teeth. “You’re comin’ home wit’ me.”
Lucy’s legs wobbled, and she felt dizzy. Aidan’s arms circled her waist for support as he half-carried her through the parking lot to a taxi idling near the road. Aidan yanked open the door and mumbled his name to the driver before following Lucy into the back.
Lucy looked at him in confusion.
“I ordered a cab from the LUAS,” he said quickly. “I saw ya leaving the pub and followed ya. I figured this would give me enough stops to try and change your mind.”
“How did you know I would come with you?” Lucy asked, fumbling with her seat belt.
“I didn’t.” Aidan smiled. “But I had to try. This would’ve been my stop either way, although I hoped to convince ya to come wit’ me.”
“It worked,” Lucy sighed, licking her lips.
“Thank God.” Aidan turned to her and, finally, took her mouth with his own.
Lucy suddenly felt like a horny teenager, making out in the back of a taxi, but she didn’t care. From the moment she saw him on the tram, all she could think about was how much she wanted to kiss him. Her body was on fire, burning for him and aching for him to touch her intimately.
The taxi ride felt like forever. Lucy was taken aback when Aidan got out of the taxi and walked away without paying. Even more shocking, the cab left.
“Are taxis free?” She felt foolish for having to ask.
“I wish,” he said, waving his phone. “Paid on the app.”
Aidan typed a code into the keypad, and the security door clicked. Lucy watched as he pulled the keys from his pocket with shaky hands. She had painted a picture of him as cool, calm, and collected, but perhaps he harbored her same fears and doubts.
In the elevator, he impatiently pressed the floor button repeatedly before dropping his hand and drumming fingertips against his leg. Lucy smiled, enjoying this new side of him. His nervousness somehow helped calm her racing heart.
Aidan ran a hand through his messy hair. “Ima bleedin’ eejit, right?”
Lucy smiled, having no idea what he just said. It was interesting to watch him bumble like a fool. The tables had turned; he was the one squirming for once.
“She thinks I’m funny.” Aidan raised an eyebrow, rubbing his hand over his stubble.
“I think you’re cute,” Lucy said, surprising herself.
Aidan gave her a smile that could melt the polar ice caps. The door slid open, and she followed him down the hall. Cursing, he fumbled to get the key into the lock.
“Well, that’s a bad sign,” Lucy teased. “You want to make sure to get it in the hole.”
Aidan laughed. “Oh, I can get it in the hole, alright. Trust me.”
Finally, he twisted the key and pushed open the door. Following Lucy inside, he kicked the door shut behind them and, wasting no time, pulled her into him.
“I’ll get it in any hole you’d like.”
Lucy melted; her legs gave out at the sulky tone in his voice.
Tightening his grip, he whirled her around, pressing her against the door. Their mouths smashed together in a kiss full of lust and pent-up desire. Her hands tangled into his hair while he desperately pulled at the hem of her shirt. They broke apart long enough for him to peel off her top and toss it over his head. Tongues glided together as he flicked open the clasp of her bra, flinging it away to reveal her breasts.
“Oh, my days,” he sighed, taking in the sight of her topless. “Better than I remember.”
“You think of them often?” she asked coyly.
He gave her a sly smile, then turned his attention toward her bare chest. Caressing one breast lightly, he ducked his head and devoured the other, his tongue flicking over the hardened nipple. Lucy moaned, her fingers intertwining deeper into his hair.
Aidan released her breast and returned to ravage her mouth. Why had she been depriving herself for so long? The carnal need between them was strong, and the way he made her feel was beyond anything she had experienced before.
Lucy seductively traced a finger along the waistline of his track pants. She felt his stomach quiver at her touch, and the tiny hairs along his navel stood on end.
“Oh, Lucy,” he moaned. “You’re drivin’ me crazy.”
“Good.” She covered his neck with kisses and lifted his shirt.
Helping her out, he practically ripped the shirt off, tossing it toward the other clothes strewn haphazardly around the living room. Hungrily, her hands roamed the ripples of his chest and stomach.
“I can’t wait anymore,” he groaned, lifting her and turning toward the couch.
He continued to kiss her as he set her gently on the arm of the sofa. A look of uncertainty crossed his face. Lucy couldn’t hold out much longer; she would let him ravage her anywhere. Biting her lip, she gripped the waistband of his pants, making sure to include his boxers, and eagerly yanked them down. He released a moan as his cock sprung free.
Feeling confident by his reaction, she lightly grazed her fingertips along his length. The intact foreskin drew her in; she gently toyed with the folds, feeling the hidden tip buried inside.
Aidan responded with a series of pants.
“I can’t think straight when you do that.”
Passion blazed in his eyes.
Playfully, he grabbed her legs and flipped her over the couch’s arm. Desperately clawing at the fly of her jeans, he yanked them, along with her panties, down in one movement, adding them to the heap on the floor.
“I can’t wait a second longer,” he growled, kicking out of his pants and boxers.
Lucy was breathless; her head spun as the anticipation grew, but she had one clear thought. She did not want to have sex on a couch like a horny teenager.
Pressing her hand against his chest, she pushed him back, pointing toward his erection. “Shouldn’t we cover––“
“Feck,” he muttered under his breath.
Taking her hand, he pulled her off the couch and dragged her toward the bedroom. Without a word, he pointed at the bed while he rummaged through his nightstand for a condom.
Lucy leaned against the pillows and watched him fumble with the foil packet.
Sparks flew throughout her body as he straddled her waist and kissed her. Gently, he parted her legs with one knee until they were on either side of his hips and ran a hand along the tender skin of her thigh. Fingertips brushed swollen, wet lips; her back arched as she moaned in pleasure.
“Tell me ya want me,” he breathed in her ear.
Lucy’s eyes closed as she tried to form words. Two fingers slid inside her, making it impossible to think; she dug fingers into his shoulders, feeling the pleasure begin to build as he stroked her.
“Tell me,” he groaned.
“I–want–you,” Lucy moaned.
Aidan’s eyes smoldered as he pulled his fingers from her folds, replacing them with the tip of his cock. Lucy wrapped her legs around his waist as he teased her opening, bringing her to the edge.
Grabbing his butt, she coerced him deeper. Waves of pleasure took over all thought and reason as he slipped inside her.
“I want you all the time,” she mumbled breathlessly, overtaken in the heat of the moment and hardly aware of the confession leaving her lips.
Aidan groaned, kissing her deeply. Lucy bucked her hips and matched his pace until they moved together in perfect rhythm. She lightly scratched along his back and shoulders, arching her spine as the storm swirled within. Sweat slicked their bodies as they moved together faster and faster, racing toward release.
She felt herself climbing closer to the edge, grasping onto Aidan like a life raft. His lips grazed against hers as he moved; they were both breathing hard. Lucy couldn’t hold back anymore. Fireworks exploded, and she cried out as the orgasm slammed through her body. Her arms and legs felt like rubber as she struggled to reel it in until he could finish.
Aidan groaned at the sight of her pleasure, moving faster and harder. His face contorted as he threw back his head, eyes closed tightly. He went still, his muscles taut, as if suspended in time; a low growl tore from deep in his chest as his orgasm rocked through his body.
Breathing hard, he pulled out and dropped down on the bed next to her.
“Oh. My. Days.” Lucy panted.
Aidan laughed as he struggled to catch his breath. “That’s my line.”
Lucy stared at the ceiling, a cheesy grin plastered on her face. “That was––.”
“Deadly,” Aidan whispered.
“Is that good?” she asked, turning her head toward him.
“Really good.” His eyes were closed, and a silly smile spread across his face.
Lucy closed her eyes, basking in the post-coital euphoria. Damn, he was so good at pleasing her. They hardly knew each other, yet he brought her more pleasure than any man ever had. There was lust and desire, but, at the same time, he was sensitive to her needs, ensuring they both ended satisfied.
Aidan was the only one-night stand she couldn’t seem to get over. All the other men had hardly crossed her mind once their night had ended. It scared her how much her body craved him. From that first night, once had not been enough; they had gone at least three rounds before both falling asleep from the exertion and ecstasy. Lucy spent too many nights hoping she would find herself naked in his bed again, and no matter how hard she tried to fight it, in this moment, she was exactly where she wanted to be.
She felt giddy. There was little doubt that before the sun rose, they would be taking part in several more rounds of pleasure-filled sex. Butterflies danced in her stomach at the thought.
“You okay?” Aidan stood next to the bed, looking down at her. A sexy smile curved his lips. His uncut cock, bare, glistening, and taunting her. “Not goin’ run off again, are ya?”
Damn, he looked sexy.
Lucy pushed up on her elbows, the sheet slipping down to expose her naked breasts. Aidan licked his lips, drinking in the sight of her plump nipples.
“I’m starving,” Lucy said.
Aidan kept his eyes on her nipples. “Me too.”
A quiver of desire tickled her stomach. Heat raged between her legs. No one had ever looked at her with such intense desire before.
“I was thinking about my toastie,” she whispered.
Aidan blew out a breath. “Not what I was thinkin’ ‘bout at all.”
Lucy laughed and shook her head. “I never had a chance to eat it, and I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
“Well, we best get ya fed; you’ll need your energy for what I have planned.”
Lucy slid off the bed. Aidan’s eyes darkened as he scanned the length of her bare body.
Shyly, she rushed past him and into the bathroom. When she came back into the bedroom, Aidan was gone. Looking around the room, she searched for something to put on; their clothes were scattered in the living room, and she suddenly felt self-conscious.
She spied a sweatshirt on the back of the door and pulled it over her head. It barely covered her butt, but it was warm and smelled like Aidan.
In the kitchen, the air smelled of toast, ham, and cheese.
“You warmed up my sandwich?”
His back was to her. “Sorry, I promise I wasn’t searchin’ through your purse.” He turned around and sucked in a breath. “Well, that old hoodie has never looked so good on someone, no doubt about it.”
Lucy ducked her head, embarrassed. Spotting her purse on the counter, she picked it up.
A warm hand cupped her exposed butt cheek. “I can see just enough of your arse to drive meself crazy picturin’ the rest.”
He released her and stepped back, whistling as he admired her backside. Lucy purposely dropped her purse onto the ground, making a production of bending over to retrieve it, exposing more than just her bare butt.
“Have mercy! Are ya tryin’ to kill me, woman?” he growled.
Laughing, she carried her purse to the table and sat down, pulling out her cell phone.
Hope you went home with Tin Whistle Hottie and aren’t dead in a ditch.
Lucy chuckled at Abbey’s text message.
Yeah, yeah, so you were right. Be home after a few more rounds.
“I hope ya aren’t callin’ a cab?” Aidan set a plate with her sandwich in front of her.
Lucy set the phone down. “Letting my sister know I’m not dead.”
Aidan raised an eyebrow. “Did she honestly think ya were?”
Lucy picked up her sandwich. “Oh, she knew where I was.”
Aidan cracked a sly smile.
“Oh, this is good,” Lucy said, wiping some melted cheese from her lip. “Want a bite?”
Aidan took the sandwich she held out. “So, what brings ya to this fair country?”
“My sister.” Lucy swallowed. “She’s been bugging me to move here for a few years.”
“And Kaylee’s dad? He’s okay with this arrangement.” Aidan concentrated on a fingernail, picking away imaginary dirt.
Lucy studied the toastie in her hand. “He doesn’t know. And he doesn’t care. He isn’t very invested in Kaylee’s life or mine.”
“Aye, a bit of a gobshite, is he?” Aidan reached over and took the sandwich from her.
“A what?”
“A piece of shit,” Aidan beamed. “Gobshite.”
“Sounds right.” Lucy looked around the room. “What about you? Share this flat with anyone?”
Aidan nodded. “Actually, I do. I share this place with a pretty special lady.”
Lucy’s jaw dropped, unsure what to say.
Aidan laughed. “Me granny. This is me granny’s place.”
“Oh.” Lucy pulled at the sweatshirt as if it would somehow cover her exposed skin.
“She isn’t here.” Amusement danced in his eyes. “We share this place. I moved in years ago while attending uni, the housing market being what it was at the time and still is. Anyway, ‘bout two years ago, she bought a nice vacation home in Spain and spends most of her time there.”
Lucy sighed in relief.
Taking the final bite of her sandwich, she dabbed a napkin along her lips. “That was delicious.”
Aidan glanced at her. “Satisfied?”
A flirty smile curved her lips as she pushed up from her chair. Gripping the hem of the sweatshirt, she slowly lifted it, exposing the most private parts of her body inch by inch until finally pulling it over her head.
Walking naked toward him, she shook her head. “Oh, I’m far from satisfied.”