Chapter 10 #2
“You’ll learn to pick your battles, son. I want her at the weddin’, smilin’ and behavin’ herself. I thought it best to let her temper tantrum burn itself out.”
“I hope you’re right. I prefer to handle any problems quickly and with a minimum of fuss. Once we’re wed, I won’t allow Maeve to stew for weeks and work herself up to a—”
“Hello, I’m still here,” Maeve said, drawing to a full stop and putting her hands on her hips.
“I’m not likely to forget you, darlin’,” Sean said grinning. Leaning down, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to her toes, whispering in her ear. “And after our weddin’ night, I doubt you’ll forget me.”
Maeve blushed, gave a single nod and slid into the back seat. It was going to be a tense ride home.
* * *
They spent the evening on the Donahue’s couch watching TV.
Maeve was a bit peevish, but Sean ignored her temper and pulled her close for a kiss or two every chance he got.
He went home early, claiming he was tired from his long flight and needed to get some rest. Maeve wasn’t happy about it, but she made out with him in the hall before he slipped away.
The night before the wedding, they all went out to dinner at a pricy restaurant. Both sets of parents went along as well as John and Bridy. Maeve wore a black mini skirt, a snug gold sweater and her favorite platform shoes.
“Aw, darlin’, must you always be temptin’ fate?” Sean asked when he picked her up.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” she replied, trying to hide her grin and failing miserably.
“And I’m sure you do,” he asserted as he got into the car.
“I’ve been tryin’ my hardest to behave with it bein’ so close to the weddin’ and all, and here you come lookin’ so sexy I can hardly think straight and wearin’ that perfume I love so much too.
I’ve a feelin’ you’re goin’ to be a troublesome wife,” he finished with a sigh.
“If I am, ’tis no more than you deserve, O’Malley. Once, one time, you showed me what it could be like and that was weeks ago, makin’ me wonder if it was all in my imagination after all.”
Sean turned to look at her in the dim light of the vehicle in surprise. Then with a low throated growl, he pulled her close, one large hand slipping between her thighs and sliding all the way up to her core.
“I think I like these skirts,” he breathed against her lips, “although I don’t think you’ll be wearin’ them out in public after tomorrow.”
“Don’t be such a prude. All the girls are wearin’ them in the States.”
“Aye, to tempt a man. You’ve no need of that. You’ve already won me heart and soul. As far as workin’ to entice me, I don’t think you have any worries.”
“Then let’s go to your place after dinner,” she suggested, nibbling on his lower lip.
“Aw, darlin’, you have no idea how much that appeals to me, but it wouldn’t be right. Not now. Soon I’ll show you everythin’ you need to know and have a grand time doin’ it.”
Maeve pushed him away and wiggled on her seat.
“’Tis the last time I’ll mention it, O’Malley,” she said tilting her chin up. “Could be I won’t feel much like doin’ it even after we’re wed,” she continued smugly.
Sean laughed heartily as he started the vehicle. Maeve’s face was red with outrage.
“What is so funny?” she demanded.
“I remember a time not so long ago when I held you on my lap and pleasured you mightily. I have no reason to believe you’ve changed so much. If I recall correctly, you wanted to go further that night.”
“That was then. Maybe I won’t be so keen once we’re wed and doin’ it all the time,” she replied silkily.
“Let me tell you a thing or two about bein’ married to me, Maeve Donahue,” he snapped back.
“There may well be times when for whatever reason you don’t want to make love.
I won’t force you. But if there should ever come a time when you deny me the pleasures of our marriage bed simply because you’re in a snit over somethin’ or tryin’ to punish me, you’ll find I’m not so forgivin’. ”
“You’d take me against my will?” she gasped in shock.
“No, I’ll give you the spankin’ you deserve for bein’ so spiteful and then I’ll make love to you,” he informed her casually, his eyes on the road.
Maeve snorted.
“I hardly think a spankin’ will help your cause,” she sniffed.
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we,” he teased, patting her thigh. “I spanked you good the last time and it didn’t seem to matter once I began to caress you. In fact, you were plenty warm and wet by the time I got down to business.”
“Sean,” Maeve cried.
“’Tis true and you know it. Some say that warmin’ a woman’s bottom is a good way to heat up a few other parts.”
“Shut up, just shut up,” she hissed, crossing her legs and staring out the window. “Good heavens, you have an evil mind.”
Sean laughed and took her hand, kissing it.
“I’m only teasin’ you, darlin’,” he whispered. “I would never do that, unless, of course, you wanted me too.”
“I may just kill you before the weddin’,” she sighed as they pulled into the parking area of the restaurant.
“You won’t,” he said with assurance as he shut off the vehicle and pulled out the key.
“Don’t be too sure,” she sassed, turning to glare at him.
Sean pulled her into his arms and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.
“You won’t because you want me just as badly as I want you,” he breathed against her mouth.
“Sadly, you may be right,” Maeve admitted breathlessly. “Come on, let’s get this over with. It’s sure to be a lovely evenin’ with our mothers tryin’ to one up one another. Do you know what your ma’s wearing to the weddin’?” she asked as they got out and began to walk to the door.
“No, I never thought to ask, and she hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Ma hasn’t shown me her dress either,” Maeve said. “Wouldn’t it be somethin’ if they’ve chosen the same one?”
“Aye,” Sean laughed. “I can only imagine. We should have done what you suggested and gotten married in the States.”
Pulling him to a halt, Maeve looked up at him in surprise.
“What?” he asked.
“Let me stand here and savor this moment,” she said closing her eyes and smiling.
“What moment?”
“You said I was right.”
Sean laughed, smacked her crisply on the bottom, and turned her toward the door. “I guess that proves there is a first time for everythin’.”
Maeve rolled her eyes and let him guide her into the building with a hand on her back.