Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
SULLY
Like foreshadowing, today, I dribbled hot and sour soup on my tie. Then I dropped a piece of sweet-and-sour pork on my pants. I left the office, rushed home, and changed into jeans and a thermal shirt before heading to the bar. The casual attire made me feel more at ease for what lay ahead.
Bonnie was waiting, two Guinness on the table in front of her, one partially gone. She looked stressed, her dark hair a mess from her habit of tugging on it when worried. I slid into the booth across from her.
“Bad day?”
She rolled her eyes. “Some of the senior staff are having trouble accepting the new guidelines. They love arguing and fighting among themselves and dragging others into it. Rex flipped out over some of the new HR guidelines set out.” She took another long sip of her beer.
“Not that he can change anything. But he likes to damn well try.”
I swallowed a mouthful of the frothy, bitter ale, letting it flow down my throat and quenching my thirst.
“Relics.”
She nodded. “And poor Autumn takes the brunt of it. She’s the one having to write and implement the new ways of doing things in the departments. Most of the staff are thrilled to still have jobs and be part of a new vision. Others…” She trailed off with a grimace. “It was a day.”
I grunted in sympathy. You would think I’d been gone for a month, not a weekend, the way things had piled on my desk. Plus, given the fact that I had been distracted at the thought of this chat and thinking about Autumn and the time we’d had, the day seemed endless.
I cleared my throat. “So, was she okay?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
“She is brilliant, Sully. She listens and soothes, talks and somehow makes them think they are getting what they want, even when they’re not.
Rex is a hard case, but by the end of the afternoon, she had convinced him that he already followed the guidelines so there wasn’t an issue.
It was an amazing performance. She’s fabulous at her job. ”
“But it’s only temporary?”
Bonnie pursed her lips. “I wish it weren’t.” She tapped out a long, unsteady beat on the scarred wooden tabletop with her thumb. “I would love it if she were here permanently.”
“No chance of that?”
“I don’t think it’s been thought of or even considered.”
“Maybe somewhere else in the company, if she’s valuable,” I suggested mildly.
Bonnie frowned thoughtfully. “Even if there were, and as much as I would love it, I’m not sure Autumn wants to live in Scotland.”
“But if she did…” I trailed off.
She shrugged. “Anything is possible.”
A loud noise startled me, and I turned to look over my shoulder. Someone had fallen off their chair and was on the bar floor, his mates laughing at him as he stood. Chuckling, I turned back around. “That’s gonna leave a mark,” I said mildly.
Bonnie was staring at me, her eyes narrowed.
“You have a mark of your own, I see,” she murmured. “I saw a couple just like it earlier.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping. “On Autumn’s neck.”
“Oh. Ah…”
“And you’re suddenly interested in her career choices.” She folded her arms, and I felt the movement of her crossed leg under the table as she swung it in vexation. I knew in that instant she’d already figured it out.
“Start talking, Sully. Now.”
I cleared my throat. “Funny story, that.”
A hand went to her hair and tugged. “I’m already laughing. Now, spill.”
I took a deep breath. “Well, last week was hell, and Lloyd arranged a mini break. I decided to go to the cottage.”
“I sent you a message.”
“Which I didn’t see. I, ah, arrived during the snowstorm and found Autumn there.”
“And like the gentleman you are, you turned around and walked back to the village and stayed over the pub.”
“Well, to be honest, that never even occurred to me.”
“What. Did. You. Do?”
“We introduced ourselves once she got over the shock of me barging in, and I slept on the sofa.”
Her eyes narrowed even further.
“Until the heat pump stopped working and she had to come by the fire to warm up.”
“So you gave her the sofa and slept on the floor.”
“Not exactly. I had to warm her up.”
“Ever heard of blankets and coffee?”
“We tried that. She fell asleep on me, and later…” I shrugged.
Her voice rose at the same moment the pub had a sudden quiet spell. “You had sex with my friend?”
There was some general laughter, and one of the blokes threw up his hands. “You go, mate!”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” I muttered, ignoring the stares and grins. “Why don’t you announce it to the whole town?”
“Sullivan. Brady. Black. I sent her there to relax and unwind, not get sexed up and ravished by you! Oh my God, you have no idea what she’s been through!”
“I know about the stalker.”
That made her pause. “You do? She told you about that?”
“Yes. She fainted when I walked in since it frightened her. Later, I asked and she told me.”
“She doesn’t talk about it with many people.”
“I’m not many people. We’re different.”
She lifted one eyebrow at me.
“I didn’t just jump her, Bonnie. For God’s sake, you know me better than that. We talked about a lot of personal things.”
“In between…”
“Yes. We’re grown adults. There was, is, something between us, and we explored it.” I tried not to smile but failed. “Many times.”
“Aye,” she muttered. “You both look tired—for the same damn reason.”
I leaned over the table. “We have a connection, Bonnie. An unexpected, deep connection. We talked and shared all weekend. Laughed. She’s a breath of fresh air to me.”
“For how long? She lives in bloody Canada. She has an aunt she cares deeply for.”
“Until she doesn’t,” I retorted. “And her aunt would send her on her merry way the same way Roisin would do to me if she thought it meant my happiness. Autumn knows how I feel. I didn’t mince words.
And I think she feels the same. We talked about her moving here.
Getting a job. I’d marry her if it made things easier. ”
Bonnie gaped, stared at me, speechless, which was unusual. Then she stood. “I need another pint.”
I gathered my thoughts while she was gone. She slid back into the booth, looking calmer.
“Let me get this straight. I send her to the cottage to relax. You show up. You have a connection and proceed to fully explore it.”
I winked. “Like one of yer books,” I said with an exaggerated roll of my tongue. “A storm, two strangers, one bed. So much time on our hands. So much to—”
She held up her hand. “Oh my God. Do not finish that sentence. Listen to yourself.”
I laughed, then leaned my elbows on the table. “I think she is amazing, Bonnie. Smart, funny, sweet, kind, all of it. Sexy as hell too. Why haven’t you ever introduced us?”
“Because she wasn’t looking for a relationship and you are too busy all the time. I did try a couple times, but it never worked out.”
“Right. Well, we took care of that ourselves.”
“She wanted to tell me something today but never got a chance. I guess I know what it was now.”
“Autumn was concerned about your reaction. She cares for you a great deal.”
“I care for her. She is a good friend. Jesus, Sully, don’t hurt her and mess this up.”
“I don’t plan to. I think I might be in love with her.”
Once again, Bonnie’s eyes grew round. “Not words I ever thought I’d hear you say.”
“I know. But you have to help me. Get her on permanent at the company. Or help her find something. I’ll hire her if need be, but I don’t think she wants to work for me and live with me.”
“Probably a little much,” a droll voice spoke beside the table. “I don’t think you want me bossing you around either.”
Bonnie and I turned our heads in surprise. Autumn was beside the booth, looking amused and worried at the same time. Her smile was tremulous and her eyes anxious. She was beautiful.
“Mo fhiadh beag,” I breathed out.
Bonnie stared at me. “Oh my God,” she muttered. “You have a pet name for her. This is serious.”
She slid from the booth and flung her arms around Autumn. “I don’t know whether to welcome you to the family or tell you to run. He’s a handful, but since I get to keep you, I am thrilled!”
Autumn shut her eyes, her relief evident. I waited until Bonnie stopped hugging her, then stepped from the booth, pulling Autumn into my arms and pressing a kiss to her head. “Hey,” I murmured. “Everything is good.”
She looked between Bonnie and me. “Yeah?”
Bonnie nodded. “Yeah. Now get her a drink, Sully. And I want to hear the whole story. Well, the PG version anyway.”
I let Autumn slide into the booth. “Beer or gin?” I asked, already knowing the answer. She wasn’t a beer fan.
“Gin and tonic, please.”
“We’ll get some food too. You look over the menu.”
I headed to the bar, glancing over my shoulder. Bonnie was already leaning across the table, talking fast. I had a feeling two very different conversations were going to happen. One between the three of us, and a far more entertaining version I wouldn’t hear.
And I was good with that.
AUTUMN
Bonnie was both shocked and intrigued by what had happened between her cousin and me. She bent forward, keeping her eye on him as he went to the bar.
“Jesus, Autumn. That wasn’t what I meant by a relaxing weekend! Sully. It’s Sully! Mr. Never-Gets-Involved. Mr. Too-Busy-for-Relationships. He meets you, and suddenly, that’s it. He’s involved with someone who lives an ocean away, and he wants that changed. Now.”
I laughed self-consciously. “Neither of us expected it. But it happened.”
“That’s an understatement. He’s a goner. He’s already asking for my help in keeping you here.” She widened her eyes dramatically. “He said the word marry.”
“He said it to me too.”
“Jaysus,” she muttered. “I never thought I’d live to see this.”
“Your accent gets very thick when you mutter like that.”
“It happens when I’m feeling gobsmacked.”
“I see.”
“Does Sully’s get thicker when he’s, ah, passionate?”
“That’s private.”
“So that’s a yes.”
I pursed my lips, and she laughed. “Okay, then. Maybe some wine and the lack of Sully in the vicinity will loosen your tongue.”
“Maybe.”
Sully slid drinks onto the table. “Look over the menu?”
“Fish and chips for me.”
“Oh, me too,” Bonnie agreed.
“I’ll make it three. Curry sauce?”
“Yes,” we chorused, and he laughed.
“I’ll go order.”
He walked away, and she leaned close again. “Quick. He works you over well, doesn’t he?”
I sputtered into my drink. “Bonnie!” I admonished. “He’s your family!”
She waved me off. “Second cousin, removed. Father’s side, I think—I can never remember. We’re like friends. Really.”
I couldn’t help my laugh. “I am not telling you anything.”
“Just a hint. Come on, lass. All that power and strength wrapped in a designer suit? That intense darkness around him? Smoldering and hemmed in, finally exploding. He is wicked, yes?”
My blush said everything. She was right. He was wicked. Talented. And his dark hair and eyes were quite the combination, along with his stature—he was intimidating. At least, he let you think he was. Never mind his dirty mouth and insatiable appetite. But she was his cousin.
“Hush,” I muttered. “I-I can’t share that.”
She sat back. “You just did. Blushing. Stammering. You keep eye-fucking him across the room, and I cannot even describe what his glances feel like toward you. I’m shocked yer knickers haven’t incinerated.”
I picked up my gin and tonic. “Maybe I’m not wearing any.”
She threw back her head and roared with laughter. “I see why he fell. I forgot how cheeky you are. He needs that.”
“Yeah, he does.” I glanced over again, watching him chat with the barkeep.
The light gleamed off his dark hair, catching small glints of red.
His stubble was thick tonight, and I decided he must not have shaved this morning.
I shivered, thinking how that roughness would feel on my skin. Preferably between my thighs.
“Whatever you’re thinking, tone it down. And for God’s sake, stop chewing on each other’s necks. Keep that shite hidden.”
Sully sat beside me, sliding close so our thighs touched. “Can’t guarantee anything, cousin. She’s a tasty snack.”
I giggled—like a schoolgirl. Bonnie shook her head, looking amused, and Sully laid his large hand on my thigh and squeezed.
“Now, down to business, Bonnie. How do we get my girl here a job at the office?”
She sighed. “I need to figure that out. Let me chat with a few people tomorrow.”
“It might not be possible,” I murmured.
“Then you can work for me. Or we’ll get you a permit to work elsewhere. I have people at the firm who can help.”
“All of that takes time,” I reminded him.
“We have other ideas,” Sully assured me.
“Your other ideas are pretty drastic.”
“To some.”
I opened my mouth to retort, and he grinned. “Ah, dinner. Great. I’m starving.” He winked at me. “Best fish and chips around, love. Our favorite.”
Bonnie hummed, looking at the mass of chips covered in the biggest piece of fish I thought I’d ever seen. “Number one,” she agreed.
I picked up my utensils. There was no point in arguing right now about his plans or crazy ideas. I was hungry. Bonnie wasn’t upset—in fact, she seemed delighted I was here with Sully.
We’d worry about tomorrow then.