Chapter 23 Mia
twenty-three
Mia
All I want to do is sleep after a marathon shopping day with Kieran's mom.
Even though I'm tired, I still can't help but look back on the shopping trip with a smile.
Maeve was so sweet, asking me questions about myself.
Just like Kieran, she seemed to be genuinely interested in me, not what I can do for them.
I've never had that.
"Mr. O'Sullivan is waiting for you downstairs," Imogen pops her head into the bedroom informing me.
"Thanks, Imogen," I reply. I had asked her to let me know when Kieran arrived home, and to try to keep him downstairs, I wanted my outfit to be a surprise for him.
I glance one last time in the full-length mirror and can't help but grin, I know Kieran is going to love this dress.
As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it.
It's a form fitting black dress that goes down to right above my knee.
The top of the dress is strapless, that perfectly hugs my breasts, pushing them up.
But what makes this dress even more perfect is the see through lace overlay on the top and the pair of red pumps that make me feel like my legs go for miles.
Heading back into the bathroom, I grab the red lipstick that I bought today and apply it. My hair is in loose waves that I pinned to one side. It's been a long time since I've had the need to dress up, and I forgot how nice it feels.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach, and now that it's time to go downstairs to show Kieran, I can't help but wonder what he's going to say.
My fingers go straight to my teeth, and I start to gnaw them, trying to quell the anxiety within me.
I mean, I think he's going to love the way I look, but who knows.
Maybe I don't know him as well as I think?
I push down the insecurities about Kieran, pulling my fingers from my mouth, and letting out a breath.
It's now or never. My heart rate picks up as I walk down the hallway, and as I reach the stairs it feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. Holding on to the railing, I take that first step and continue down the stairs.
My gaze stays on the ground, not sure I want to see the look on his face, but when I hear him whisper, "Oh, shit," it makes me look up. The look he is giving me has me breathless.
Taking the last step, I stop right in front of Kieran. I've seen him want me, but this seems to be on another level. No words come out of his mouth, instead he just wraps his hand around my waist, pulling me into him as he crashes his mouth to mine.
My knees go weak. I'm not sure I've ever been kissed like this before. I open up for him, giving myself to him like a sacrifice at the altar. Kieran pulls away with a huge grin, lipstick all over his face.
We both just stare at each other for a moment before I finally say to him, "You might want to wipe this off." I use my fingers to wipe some of the lipstick off.
"Leave it there. I want everyone to see who I belong to," he mutters to me.
"Shit," I whisper as my clit throbs with his words.
Kieran wraps his hand around mine, pulling me toward the garage. "We need to go or we'll be late."
"Where are we going?" I ask as I climb into the same car that he drove me in the first night I was here.
"It's a surprise," he says, smiling at me while he closes the door.
I can't help but watch Kieran the whole way as he walks in front of the car to the driver’s side. A giddy feeling bubbles up in me. This is my first date. When Kieran gets into the car, I reach for his hand and don’t let it go.
Soft music plays through the car as he drives us through the city. I have no idea where he's taking me, but I can't wait. When he pulls up to the valet at the restaurant, there is an air of excitement because everything about tonight feels new.
I've been to fancy places like this before but when mother would send us, it was all about manipulating and trying to get money from whoever.
This was a way she would shake them down, sending us out on dates to show them a good time, or be pretty on their arm, and in turn they would pay Mother a significant amount of money.
Tonight is different. It’s not about Mother or some strange man. No, it’s about me and Kieran.
Kieran leads me into the restaurant, and the hostess leads us to our table in the corner. I can't help but be in awe of everything. The atmosphere is dark with fairy lights all around, giving it an enchanted feel.
He pulls out my chair and I whisper, "Thank you."
Kieran doesn't say anything, just gives me his sexy smirk and walks over to the other side of the table. The server comes over the moment he sits down. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Kieran looks over at me, surprising me when he asks, “Do you like white wine?”
My voice is stuck in my throat, instead of answering, I just nod. He gives me a soft smile turning back toward the server. "We'll have a bottle of Pinot Grigio and two waters."
Once the server leaves, he reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. His hand engulfs mine, and I can’t help but notice how small mine is next to his when he asks me, "How do you like this place so far?"
"It's beautiful."
“I know the chef here and he is good. Would you like to try his menu?” he asks me, and once again I’m surprised at how he wants to know what my opinion is.
“Yes,” I whisper in disbelief. I’m not sure anyone cared to know my own thoughts or to even ask me what I wanted. Before Kieran can ask me anything else the server returns with our drinks, placing them down on the table.
The server looks at Kieran, "What can I get you?"
"The chef has a tasting menu," Kieran tells the server.
"Got it."
"Thank you," Kieran says to the server and we both watch him walk away. When he is out of view, Kieran looks back at me. "Before we get interrupted again, there is something I wanted to give to you," he begins, as he pulls a black box out of his jacket pocket. When he opens it, my heart stops.
"I'm not going to ask you to marry me, because you are already my wife, I want you to have this so everyone around us knows how much I love you," he says as tears streak down my face. Kieran pulls the ring out of the box and slides it onto my finger.
I can't help but admire the ring. "It's beautiful."
"It was my grandmother's," Kieran tells me and I swear the tears come even faster. "Mia," he says, sounding pained.
I tighten my grip on his hand. "Kieran, it's okay. These are happy tears."
I can see Kieran's shoulders relax a bit. That is, until a shadow comes over to our table. Kieran looks up at the man and his jaw tightens, but so does his hand on mine.
"What do you want, Carrino?" Kieran snaps.
"I want to talk," he says casually.
"Now is not the time. We’ll talk soon,” Kieran says, trying to dismiss him.
But this Carrino guy doesn’t seem to take the hint. “You make sure of it.” Then the man turns to me and gives me a creepy smile. "It looks like congratulations are in order."
I don't say anything. I've been around enough men like this to know that he's just as dangerous as Kieran. But I don't look away from him either. A man like that you don't turn your back on. It was one of the few lessons that my mother gave me that was actually worth anything.
Kieran stands abruptly, causing me to jump when he demands, "Don't talk to her. Don't even look at her. You want me, leave her out of it."
The man that Kieran called Carrino, gives me one last smile, then turns back toward him. Neither of them say anything, having a stare off. Finally, the other man straightens his jacket before sharply saying, "You better answer when I call."
Kieran doesn't respond, but his gaze never leaves the man walking away, until he's out of sight.
From the corner of my eye, I see a man start to move toward us.
I turn my body to see who it is and when I see Henry nod to Kieran, I relax a bit.
Turning my attention back to my husband—hmm.
..that's the first time I've called him that.
Shaking my head from that revelation, I watch as he sits back down at the table, picking up his glass of wine and takes a huge sip.
I can tell that he's trying to push his anger down but doing a shitty job.
I reach for my glass and take a sip, too.
It feels like I'm on a tight rope. This is the downside of his hot and cold behavior.
It takes a few minutes but suddenly Kieran is grabbing my hand. "I'm sorry that you had to deal with that. I never want anything to do with the business to touch you."
As touched as I am that he wants to protect me, I want to be part of every aspect of his life—whoa, where did that come from?
My hand tightens around his, I give him a soft smile. "Kieran, I want every part of your life. Growing up, my house was filled with secrets. My sisters. My mother. Everyone. I felt like a fool when it all came crashing down. I don't want that. I've decided to be with you, give it all to me."
"It's dangerous," he mutters, looking like a scolded puppy.
"It will always be dangerous, but wouldn't you rather me be prepared?"
Kieran seems to contemplate what I'm telling him—I can see the wheels turning in his head, as if he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. A tiny bit of hope flares within me but is doused when he replies, "This isn't how it’s done. Women aren't involved. It’s dangerous.”
This time it's my turn to look at Kieran with pleading eyes, I can feel the tears begin to pool. "Let me be your queen. Let me stand by your side.”
"You are my queen, Mia. No one else,” he whispers.
"Will you treat me as your equal, though? Because I don't want anything less.”
"I'll try. There will be times that I mess up. I've been trained one way my whole life, but I want you."
"Times have changed. I don’t want to just sit back and do nothing. I’m not a doll.”
Kieran squeezes my hand, his face softening, and I can see all of his love swimming in his eyes. “I promise I’ll try my best. But sometimes it might be hard to allow you to put yourself in dangerous situations. It would kill me if something happened to you,” he mutters.
“Don't worry, nothing is going to happen to me,” I mumble, bringing my hand to his cheek before giving him a wink. “Besides, I'll punish you if you step out of line and don’t allow me to be a part of every aspect of your life."
My words gain a grin from him. "Oh, I'll be stepping out of line. I can guarantee that," he says then his eyes soften. "What if we take this to go and eat at home? I think we've had enough excitement for one night. What do you think?"
"I think that's a great idea," I tell him. Once he’s got confirmation from me, he waves down the server.
My mind is whirling over the events that have occurred the past few days.
I'm pretty sure I'm still processing everything.
From basically being kidnapped, to being married, to meeting his parents, and now being faced with how dangerous his work is, but it still feels like this is where I belong—by his side.
Kieran's hand comes out in front of me, bringing me to the present. I look up at him and smile before placing my hand in his. The moment we connect, a calm falls over me and my feelings from before are once again confirmed.
"Come on, wife, let's go home," he replies, his deep timbered voice washing over me, this time, though, lust fills my veins.
"Yes. Let's go home."