Chapter 15
Later that night, Lucy tossed and turned, fighting a losing battle against the continuous thoughts racing through her mind. Luckily, Kaylee had fallen asleep in Lola’s room, and she didn’t have to worry about keeping her daughter awake.
It had been a long time since Lucy had a room all to herself. As a child, she shared a bedroom with Abbey. As a teen, she gave the bedroom to Abbey and slept on the couch in the living room. Then, she lived with Jeremy, and when Kaylee came into the picture, she took turns sleeping with either the baby or Jeremy.
In all of her thirty-three years, Lucy had never had a place all her own. Jeremy had always been in her life at one point or another. Even when they weren’t technically together, the lease had always been in both their names.
Jeremy was the last person she wanted to be thinking about right now, but somehow, her thoughts always ended up on him. It was probably because she had spent the last seventeen years of her life trying to get him to settle down.
She was a bit curious if he had noticed they were gone. After a particularly huge argument, she had finally had enough. Without warning or a phone call, she packed up whatever they could carry and left the country.
The fight hadn’t been out of the blue; they fought a lot after Kaylee was born. It wasn’t so much fighting as it was Lucy pleading and begging Jeremy to stay with them and take an interest in their daughter. But Jeremy made it clear from the moment Lucy announced she was pregnant that he had no desire to be a father. Sadly, she believed he would change once the baby came, and she wasted years lying to herself that he just needed a little more time before realizing he was ready to settle down.
Smiling, she imagined the look on his face when he returned to their apartment to find it empty. They had left all the furniture, but the clothes and belongings were gone, either sold, boxed at her mother’s place, or here with them in Ireland. The apartment belonged to Jeremy, and he was welcome to have it.
The pinging from her cell phone shook Lucy from her thoughts.
Stretching out her hand, she felt along the night table until her fingers touched the smooth surface of the cell phone.
The clock flashed 1:04 a.m. as she unlocked the phone and went to her unread messages.
I miss you
The number came up as Unknown Caller. It was probably a misdial. Tossing the phone beside her, she stared at the ceiling.
The phone chimed again.
I want to see you.
Who was this?
Aidan. Her heart skipped a beat. Wait, she saved him as a contact; his name would have come up.
Ding.
Are you there?
Oh no! Jeremy.
He must have finally noticed she was gone and was ready to beg her to come home.
Her mother had betrayed her once again. If Jeremy knew her Irish phone number, he would have only been able to get it from her mother; she was the only one who had it back home. Her mother adored Jeremy, and no matter how he treated Lucy or Kaylee, she always had some excuse for his behavior. And, of course, it was always Lucy’s fault he kept leaving; her mother claimed she wasn’t trying hard enough to keep him. Yeah, like that worked out so well for her mother.
Lucy looked at the number again; it was local. Jeremy would never fly across an ocean for her, would he? Maybe by her leaving, he realized it was finally time to get his butt into gear. Perhaps he was ready to settle down and even put a ring on her finger.
Dread formed in the pit of her belly. Once upon a time, that had been her dream. But time and distance were funny; they gave her the perspective she needed to get off the train. Only a few months ago, she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with that man; now, the thought made her sick.
Jeremy? Is this you?
Lucy held her breath and waited for a response.
Who’s Jeremy? New boyfriend?
Lucy’s gut clenched. It wasn’t Jeremy.
Relief washed over her, and she felt foolish for ever thinking he would come after her.
The phone vibrated in her hand; the mystery texter was calling her.
Curious, Lucy sat up and pressed the answer button.
“Who is this?” she whispered.
“Lucy?”
“Aidan?” Her heart thundered in her chest. “I didn’t recognize the number?”
“It was a mad session,” Aidan slurred his words. “Great craic, but I lost me mobile. Luckily, I’ve ‘dis old one.”
Lucy’s heart fluttered. “You memorized my number?”
Aidan chuckled. “No. I got it from the class lists. Probably breakin’ some policy, but sure, what’s the harm?”
Tingles raced through her. He was clearly intoxicated but took the time to look up her number.
“I wanted ta hear yar voice,” he said softly, like the loud whisper drunk people use when they think they’re being quiet.
“Are you drunk calling me?” Lucy chuckled.
“Liquid courage,” he admitted.
She melted at the confession, feeling a warm sensation pass over her.
“Drinking on a school night?”
Aidan laughed in response. “I got food from the chipper; it’ll soak up the alcohol. I’ll be grand by mornin’. That’s if I can stop thinkin’ ‘bout ya. You’re keepin’ me awake.”
A cheesy grin broke across her face, and her pulse raced as her body started to come alive.
“I was lookin’ forward to tonight,” he continued. “When can I see ya?”
Every nerve in her body reacted to the desperation in his question.
“Lucy?”
Her throat felt dry. “I’m here,” she muttered.
“Oh shite, I shouldn’ta called. You aren’t alone, are ya?”
“I’m alone.”
“For now. You were waitin’ for someone else.” His tone changed. “Who’s Jeremy?”
Lucy let out a nervous giggle. “Jeremy? He’s Kaylee’s dad. I thought he was calling for–”
The exact reason you’re calling,she finished in her head.
“Sex,” Aidan growled.
“No! Well, maybe, but it’s not like that; we’re not––together. He doesn’t even live here. I haven’t seen or talked to him in months.” Lucy was talking so fast she could hardly keep up with her thoughts.
He was jealous, and that riled her up. His confession and jealousy turned her on in a way she hadn’t thought possible. Desire ran through her, pooling in her most intimate parts.
“I gotta go,” Lucy said abruptly, ending the call.
Tossing the phone on the bed, she rushed to the bathroom, ignoring all the inner warning bells. This was a bad idea, a terrible idea. But she had an itch only Aidan could scratch.
Lucy exchanged her pajama bottoms for a flowy skirt and, feeling cheeky, slipped off her underwear. Pulling open her closet, she chose a sweater and yanked it over her t-shirt, not bothering to put her bra back on.
Using an app on her phone, she ordered a taxi and quietly tiptoed downstairs. The house was silent. Abbey’s bedroom door was closed, but Lola’s was wide open. Flashes of light came from inside the room. Lucy sucked in her breath and peeked around the door. The TV was still on, but both girls were sound asleep. Ignoring her momentary guilt, she switched off the TV and closed the bedroom door.
Downstairs, all was quiet. Removing the house keys from their hook, she silently made her escape. Swiftly, she walked down the road to where she always met the taxi, never in front of the house where headlights could wake someone. Fifteen minutes later, she stood outside Aidan’s apartment building.
Her phone had been pinging nonstop.
Lucy?
Where did you go?
I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called.
You okay?
Did I say something to upset you?
I miss you.
You’re driving me crazy.
Sorry, it’s the alcohol. Too many shots.
Shivering in the cold, she stared at the keypad that accessed the lobby. This was wild. What was she doing here? He could be passed out by now, and although she knew the code to get into the building, she couldn’t get in his apartment unless he opened the door.
Too late to turn back now.
She typed the code into the keypad and entered the building.
A rush of warm air hit her bare legs as the elevator rose closer to his floor.
Her heart hammered in her head, and adrenaline propelled one foot in front of the other. Doubt weaved its way through her mind. They hadn’t made a plan; he wasn’t expecting her. What if he refused to open the door? It had been over twenty minutes since she had last spoken to him; maybe the alcohol had worn off.
Knocking on the door, she was a bundle of nerves, her stomach in knots.
Aidan pulled open the door. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were sad. The expression changed from nonchalance to surprise when their eyes met.
“Wh–what’re ya doin’ here?” he whispered.
The look on his face gave Lucy the confidence she needed.
“Don’t talk,” she ordered.
Pressing her hands against his chest, she pushed him back into the apartment, kicking the door shut behind them.
“I don’t–” Aidan began.
Lucy covered his mouth with her hand. “I said, don’t talk.”
Aidan’s eyes widened in delight as she pushed him further into the room. The back of his legs hit the couch, and he fell to a sitting position. Desire overcame her doubts, and she boldly fluffed up her skirt and straddled his legs. She slid along his thighs until her bare skin rubbed against the bulge of his crotch, sending tingles down to her toes.
Feeling his crotch stiffen, she relaxed, knowing he wanted her, too. Leaning forward, she playfully bit his lip. Fireworks exploded when he kissed her. The heat and desire between them could melt metal.
Aidan’s hands were on her thighs, moving along the soft skin to caress her butt. He pulled back from the kiss as he explored the bare skin, giving her a curious look.
“Oops, forgot something,” she teased, biting her lip.
Desire burned through his fingertips as he gripped the bare flesh of her buttocks. Their lips met again, this time his tongue exploring her mouth. His hands slipped under her sweater and followed the curve of her spine. His hands were soft and warm.
Lucy broke from the kiss. Gripping the hem of her sweater, she pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor.
He groaned, taking in the sight of her bare breasts.
“Seems I forgot a few things tonight.” She looked at him through her lashes, then added. “I haven’t forgotten to take my pill, though.”
Seeming to ignore the last comment, he hungrily kissed and suckled each breast. She threw back her head, relishing in each sensation.
Desperately, he flipped her down onto the couch and jumped up. In what seemed like one swift movement, he discarded his clothes and stood naked in front of her. Her eyes wandered down to his enlarged, uncut penis.
A crooked smile hung on his lips as he watched her staring at him. Leaning down, he kissed her gently on the lips, then yanked the skirt down her legs. Once they were both naked, he sat down and pulled her back onto his lap.
“I was really enjoyin’ this,” he moaned into her hair.
Trailing kisses along her neck, he returned to her breasts, taking his time to give each one undivided attention.
Lucy scooted her hips forward until his tip teased her entrance. As he trailed kisses along the top of her breast, she lightly rubbed along his cock. The tickling sensation drove her wild as her most sensitive part was stimulated.
Aidan took her breast in his mouth and slid inside her. Together, they cried out in pleasure. Desire and need nearly bringing them to the edge. She rocked her hips, taking the lead to move along his length, wanting to feel him deeper inside her.
His lips clamped onto hers, kissing with the desperate need they both felt. Hands tangled in each other’s hair until they had to break the kiss and catch their breath. Both were breathing hard, and for a moment, they stopped moving, and their eyes met.
“This is how I wanted me night to end,” Aidan breathed. “With you, doing this.”
Lucy smiled, leaning back just enough to allow his eyes to wander up and down her body. He made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world; desire and lust filled his eyes as he drank her in.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said through gritted teeth.
His lips found hers again, and they kissed, suspended in time for a moment, motionless. Lucy reached behind him and dug her fingers into the couch’s back. Her need was too strong, her climax close. It was too intense. She had to break through to the other side.
Moving her hips, she rocked against him, using the couch as leverage to pick up the pace. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he leaned against the couch. His fingers gripped her waist, moving her faster against him. Fireworks exploded as pleasure took her over the edge.
Aidan’s body tensed; he held her hips still, a groan of pleasure tearing from deep within him as he released himself into her. They panted together for a few moments, neither moving nor breaking their connection.
Finally, Lucy released her grip on the couch, her knuckles white. Sliding off him, she fell against the couch’s arm and sighed. Her legs slung lazily over his thighs.
“I love hearin’ ya scream me name,” he said, grabbing his t-shirt off the floor. “I could listen to that forever.”
Lucy felt her face turn red. “I didn’t realize I said your name. I’m not usually that vocal, or I didn’t think I was.”
“I like ya vocal.” Aidan glanced at her briefly, using his shirt to clean up. He offered it to her. “Needs ta be washed anyway.”
Closing his eyes, he leaned against the couch, giving her a hint of privacy.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done that on this before.” He gave the couch a few pats.
Lucy curled against his side. “I rather enjoyed that.”
“Oh, me too.”
Lazily, she stroked his chest, running her fingers through the dark hair sprinkled along his pecs.
“I’m sorry I called so late,” he said, gently stroking her bare shoulder. “I didn’t plan to go to the pub. Me mates invited me. I was about to turn them down, but you canceled on me. I figured I would drink until I stopped thinkin’ ‘bout ya. Funny thing is, I ended up wasted, and yar still on me mind.”
Lucy blushed. “I couldn’t sleep anyway.”
“I look forward to our nights together,” he said, kissing her forehead.
“It”s getting more difficult to sneak away,” Lucy said honestly.
“I’m sorry all the pressure is on ya,” he said. “I enjoy our time, but we can cut back. Maybe we drop down to one night a week?”
Her stomach dropped. Even though fewer nights would make her life a bit easier, she hadn’t expected him to suggest cutting back. Was he already growing tired of her?
Pull it together, Lucy chided herself. She would not go down this rabbit hole right now, especially when sitting naked with a good-looking guy. If he wanted to cut back their nights together, she better take full advantage of the current situation.
Turning her attention to Aidan, she glided her hand down his chest and over his stomach. Continuing her journey, her fingers traced the thin trail of hair leading down from his navel.
“I am so fascinated by this foreskin thing,” Lucy said.
“Oh really?” Aidan’s voice was husky.
Lucy laughed. “Sorry, that probably sounded childish, but I’ve never actually seen intact foreskin in the flesh before. No pun intended.”
He gently stroked her hair. “Please, explore all ya want.”
Lucy teased the long, curly hairs surrounding her target.
Aidan tensed. “Oh, you’re goin’ for it now?”
Lucy slid off the couch and knelt in front of him. “No time like the present. Now, be quiet so I can concentrate.”