10. Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten
That was…
Addy lay on her side and traced swirls on Kieran’s skin, her body thrumming with the impact of the most devastating, delicious, divine sex of her life.
How had she made it to age forty-one and never known lovemaking could be this good?
Drunk on pleasure, her analytical brain struggled to comprehend what had just happened between her and Kieran.
Quit overthinking, she scolded herself. Don’t spoil this fleeting moment.
But the process had already begun, ephemeral joy fading into cold reality. Giving herself to this amazing man, joining their bodies in bliss, talking and laughing into the night…none of that solved anything on her to-do list of impossible decisions.
But oh, the pleasure of his feather-light touch as he traced her silhouette from shoulder to hip in a slow, lingering exploration. Kieran Gallagher was a master of afterglow.
His soft lips pressed to her forehead. “Happy, love?”
Love. He’d called her that several times now—probably just a linguistic quirk from his Irish roots, right? Nothing to get worked up about or build her hopes on.
“I am,” she answered truthfully, returning his kiss. “You, Kieran Gallagher, are a talented man.”
A sheen of pink tinged his cheeks. “I’m an inspired man, thanks to you.
” His warm hazel eyes glowed in the low light of her bedside lamp.
“I’ve never felt this good, Addy, not with anyone.
” He raked his fingers into her hair, and the soft scratch of his callused fingertips on her scalp coaxed a whimper from her throat.
“Promise me this wasn’t our only night.”
“I promise.” Though the clock was ticking toward her departure from Trappers Cove, while she was here, Addy could no more deny this man his place in her bed than she could deny her next breath.
“So tell me.” She rubbed her calf over his hairy, muscular one. “What are you wearing to the Halloween party?”
His chuckle rumbled through his chest, tickling her bare breasts. “My lady is hiding behind small talk.”
His lady. She liked the sound of that entirely too much. And his understanding of her inner workings was entirely too sharp.
Forcing a carefree smile, she spiraled her fingertip through the russet thatch on his chest. “How can I hide when I’m naked?”
Chuckling, he kissed the top of her head. “It’s all right. I feel it too, beauty. Tonight rattled my bones good and proper.”
His smile slipped a little as his gaze probed hers. “Make no mistake, Doctor Addy, I aim to keep you. And I’m a patient man.”
What the hell was she supposed to say to a declaration like that?
Kieran released and rolled onto his back, cradling his head in his hands, which caused his biceps to bunch distractingly. “Be that as it may, my Halloween costume is top secret.”
“Uh huh.” She nestled her cheek into the perfect hollow between his pec and shoulder. “I’ll bet you have no idea what you’re wearing.”
“No, I don’t.” His laugh shook them both.
“Well, if we’re going to the party together, shouldn’t we match?”
He nuzzled her hair and kissed her forehead. “I rather like the way we don’t match. And yet, we fit, you know? Like contrasting flavors that make a dish more delicious. Speaking of…” He rolled up and bounded out of bed. “I promised you pie, didn’t I? How about dessert in bed?”
Giggling, Addy surveyed the room—clothing strewn over floor and furniture, covers torn off the bed. “We’ve already made a mess of the place. What’s a few crumbs?”
“I like the way you think, Doc.” Kieran cocked a finger pistol at her as, splendidly naked, he backed toward the door, his half-erect cock bobbing.
“I like you too, Keeper.” Smiling so hard her cheeks burned, she flopped back onto the pillows.
After she and Kieran decimated multiple slices of pie and shook the crumbs from the sheets, he hugged her tight, kissed the top of her head, and sighed. The cottage lay silent except for rain thrumming on the roof.
“I should probably head out,” he murmured into her hair.
All this talk of keeping her, and he didn’t want to spend the night? Disappointment needled her. “Is that what you want, Kieran?”
“To leave you alone?” His chuckle was tinged with chagrin. “Not at all.”
As if the gods had scripted it, a thunderclap rumbled, tightening Addy’s skin into goosebumps.
Kieran pulled back and studied her. “Scared of thunder?”
She shook her head. “I know it’s not mortar fire, but tell that to my jumpy nerves.”
He nibbled his lip a moment, a project she’d gladly help him with, then his tense expression relaxed into a soft smile. “Then I’ll stay.”
“Good.” Looping her arms around his nape, she kissed him, sipping at his lips, chasing sweetness from the pie combined with the unique, comforting taste of Kieran himself.
He’s right , she thought, nestling into his strong arms. We’re so different, but we fit.
Humming low to drown out the thunder, Kieran held her close. A last thought drifted through her before surrendering to sleep:
This is perfect.
A shout and a shove jerked Addy from her cozy dream. Clutching the sheet to her bare chest, she bolted from the bed and glanced wildly around, searching for cover.
“Lifeboats!” Kieran screamed, his arms and legs thrashing, his eyes squinched shut.
Addy’s heart hammered her ribs. She’d read about PTSD-induced night terrors, and her own nightmares sometimes jerked her awake, yet Kieran appeared to be deep asleep, unaware of her presence. He was a big man, outweighing her by a good sixty pounds. How to help him without injuring him or herself?
She edged around the mattress, moving closer to the door in case she needed to escape. “Kieran?”
“Run!” he bellowed and rolled onto his side, legs pinwheeling as he sprinted through his nightmare.
“Kieran, honey, you’re okay. You’re safe,” she crooned and gently touched his shoulder.
He seized her hand and clung tight. “Mmmfffah.” He was slowing now, his panicked cries fading into incoherence, his movements sluggish.
“Easy, I’ve got you.” She slid into bed beside him.
With a soft moan, he curled his big body around her as shudders ran through him.
Her heart squeezed like a fist at the sight of him, trapped in a replay of the worst day of his life. Softly, she stroked his rigid shoulder. “It’s okay, love. You’re not alone.”
His breathing evened out, and bit by bit, his body went soft and heavy with sleep, his arm draped across her middle as she stared into the night.
“Oh, Kieran, look at us,” she whispered. “Two wounded souls who crashed together.”
Had tonight’s intensity ricocheted him back to a dark place? And could she help him out of it?
Not likely, burdened as she was with her own heavy baggage.
As if hearing her thoughts, Kieran shifted and laid his head over her heart, washing her in a wave of tenderness that stung her eyes with tears. She couldn’t resist stroking his soft curls.
“Wha…Addy?” He pushed up on one arm and peered at her, bleary-eyed. “Can’t sleep?”
“No, I uh…” She hesitated a moment, then decided honesty was the kindest, most respectful approach. “You had a nightmare.”
He bolted upright and whisked the sheet down, his gaze raking her bare skin. “Did I hurt you?”
She raised her palms in a placating gesture. “No, no, not at all. Scared me pretty good, though.” She gave a weak laugh. “You seemed to be running for your life.”
Kieran dragged his hand down his face. “Shite on a stick.” He softly clasped her arms. “Addy, I am so sorry. It’s been a long time since I had an episode like that. I thought I’d moved past it.” His broad shoulders slumped. “Talk about bad timing.”
“Hey now.” She wound her arm around his waist. “We both have our battle scars. I don’t know anyone who’s reached our age without at least a few.”
The look he gave her was solemn. “I could’ve hurt you, Addy. I’d better go.”
Before she could protest, he pushed to his feet and collected his clothes.
“Wait, didn’t you walk here?”
He moved to the window and peered into the darkness. “Rain’s stopped. The fresh air will clear my head.” He made for the door.
“Kieran!” She stepped across his path and planted her hand on his chest. “What we shared tonight—it meant something to me. Don’t shut me out.”
He raised her hand to his lips. “It meant something to me as well, Addy.” His expression softened. “This isn’t goodbye. I just need a bit of space, that’s all.” He kissed her palm, a sweet gesture that stole her breath.
And so, wrapped up in a blanket, she stood in the doorway of her rental cottage and watched Kieran stride into the darkness.