23. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Maeve
Several villagers have told me so many things about the Cloonmara Spring Rising Festival that I thought I was prepared for it, but I was wrong.
I admire the usually quiet High Street and watch the chequered banners tied from one lamppost to the next as they flap in the wind, and I smile as I walk underneath them.
It’s impossible not to be in a good mood with all the life that’s milling around me.
I’m glad I won’t have to worry about running into Colin.
The day after my crying spell, O’Neill pulled me to the side and told me that he’d already left the village.
It felt a little odd that he took the time to tell me that, but comforting at the same time, the usual scowl on his face nowhere to be seen.
Everywhere I look, happiness radiates from familiar faces. I almost do a double-take when Murdoch tips his cap at me when I pass him.
The village has been buzzing all week, with the villagers rallying to put up banners, painting the village in all the colours of the rainbow, and Holly’s pub has been filled with visitors since yesterday.
Musicians, as well as crafters, are all here to make sure that the festival goes out with a bang tonight.
I pass Buns & Beans and give Roísin a smile and a wave on my way to the town square.
She smiles back as she turns back to her customer, mouth lifted in a friendly smile.
From the looks of it, she’s having the time of her life, with her business booming.
It thrills me to see the people standing in line all the way out onto the street, patiently waiting for their turn to get a caffeine fix and a sweet treat before they set off to enjoy the festival.
I’m also relieved that I listened to my instincts and brought my own travel mug today, filled to the brim with my homemade filter coffee.
Spring has definitely sprung in Cloonmara, and I’m ready to soak it all in.
Even though I’m on call this Saturday, I should still be able to enjoy the day. I heft the basket in my arm, fully prepared to do some shopping.
I stop in front of the water fountain in the town square and look up at the scaled sea creature that reaches high up in the sky, water cascading from its mouth.
“Pretty grand, isn’t it?”
I smile down at Katie.
“It is. I still haven’t decided what it is, though. Beast or man?”
She’s pulled her long hair back into a French braid, and she looks lovely in a pale blue dress and cardigan. I remember how freeing it was to be out my school uniform on the weekends, and I bet Katie feels the same.
She tilts her head and points at the figure.
“From this side, it looks mostly like a beast. A sea worm?” I follow her hand as it glides down the long neck.
“But in the middle of shedding its scales, turning into a man. If you walk to the side, you can see his arms holding a much smaller woman to his chest. See?”
I do as she says and cross to the other side of the fountain, careful not to miss anything.
Then I see it: a set of muscular arms cradling a female to its chest, her head resting with closed eyes and a small smile on her lips.
His head is bent, his eyes closed in reverence, and her hands grip the beast’s scales, her lips puckered as if preparing for a kiss.
“Oh,” I breathe. “You’re right. I see it now.”
“You’ve heard the story, haven’t you?”
I walk back to stand next to her. “Of the sea creature who visited a village maiden and fell in love with her, only they couldn’t be together?
Of course.” I take a sip of coffee, remembering the tale Franny told me.
“She went out on the cliffs one night, and the sea creature came, and she jumped into the sea to be with him. The villagers never found her body, and everyone believed that they lived a long life in the depths of the sea. And that’s how the tale was born. ”
Katie sighs wistfully. “It’s so romantic.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I don’t know, but it’s a good story, I’ll give you that.”
“Don’t you believe in romance?”
We start walking again. I look at all the stalls being set up while I mull over her question. “I believe in romance in books. That’s enough for me.”
She scrunches her nose. “But don’t you ever get lonely?”
“Not really.” I bump her hip with mine. “I like my own company too well, I think. But that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate it if a man asks me out, wants to buy me dinner or go see a movie.” I grin down at her. “Want to hear a secret?”
She bobs her head, eyes eager with excitement. I lean closer to her and lower my voice.
“I really love to wear dresses instead of trousers. It’s my favourite.”
“Really?” she whispers back. “Then why don’t you?”
“It’s not practical when I’m at work.”
“Oh. Right. Yeah, I guess it can’t be.”
I stop near a stand filled with handwoven willow baskets in different shapes and sizes. A trickle of excitement rushes through me when the neighbouring stall offers different kinds of ceramic mugs and bowls, and I’m itching to go and find my next favourite piece right away.
“So, even if you aren’t dating anyone right now, you wouldn’t say no if someone asked you out on a date?”
“Hmm?” Katie’s words pull my attention away from my addiction. “Oh, I don’t know. Depends on who’s asking me out.”
She claps her hands and settles them behind her back, her weight shifting from one foot to the other, and I raise my eyebrows at her.
“Would you go out with my dad if he asked you?”
Crap.
“I-I…Katie, I don’t…” I heft my basket and wet my lips. This conversation has taken a turn I did not expect, and I weigh my words carefully. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, sweetie.”
“Why not? You’re both single. He’s handsome, isn’t he?”
I gulp.
“Yup.”
“And I know he thinks you’re hot.”
My eyes bug out.
“What? How? Where did you hear him say that?”
“I overheard him talking on the phone, and when your name came up, I listened harder, and he said he thinks you’re feckin’ gorgeous.”
“Katie!” I gasp.
She holds up her hands. “That was a direct quote. I don’t usually swear. So, would you go out on a date with him if he asked you?”
I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. How do I tell the daughter of the man I’m using for sex that the last thing I want is to date him?
“There you are!”
I whip my head around and practically run to Roísin. “Hi! Yes, here I am. Hello.”
She narrows her eyes and gives me a one-armed hug. “You’re acting weird,” she whispers in my ear.
I return her hug with a gentle squeeze. “I’ll tell you why later,” I whisper back, then pull away. “It’s great to see you. I thought you’d be busy at the shop all day.”
She grins at me and hugs Katie. “Nope. Cora can handle it for the next couple of hours, so I’m free to come and go as I please. Oh!” She points to the stall I just admired. “Look at all the cups with fruits on them!”
“I was just admiring them as well.” I rest my hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Don’t you think your dad needs a hand with his stand?”
“Yeah, probably. Will you stop by later?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Okay. See you then.”
I place a hand on my jittery tummy and release a breath.
Roísin puts a hand on my shoulder, and I move my head to meet her raised eyes.
“Oookay, so what’s going on with you, Maeve?”
I bundle my hair to the crown of my head. “That, my friend, was a girl who tried to set me up with her dad.”
Her jaw hits the floor. “What? Are you serious?” She waves a hand at me. “Katie’s only twelve, isn’t she?”
“Yes. Thanks for saving me.”
“You’re welcome. However…” She taps her mouth with her pointer finger.
“What?”
“Would it be such a bad thing to go out with him?”
I groan. “Yes! I’m not interested in dating anyone.”
She takes my right hand and tugs me along behind her. “I know, I know, and I’m not saying you should date him if you don’t want to, but…”
“But what?” I look around, grateful that there still aren’t many people milling about. The last thing I need is an audience to our conversation.
“Maybe the almost-settled village protector and the established unofficial guardian whose family has been a staple in Cloonmara for generations wouldn’t be such a bad match.”
I give her a look.
She squeezes my hand, her eyes dancing with laughter.
“Try saying that sentence five times in a row.”
I look down at the ground, the need to avoid her probing eyes strong. How can I tell my friend that I’m already seeing Aidan in a way? That we just don’t want the hassle of dating but have headed straight to getting naked together instead?
“I’m not sure we’d be a good fit.”
She snorts. “Please. The two of you banter so hard whenever you’re together that you make everyone think you’ve already had sex at least a thousand times…OHHH!” She whirls around and points an accusing finger my way. “Oh my God! That’s the guy, isn’t it? You’re banging the sexy single dad farmer!”
“Keep your voice down!” I hiss, then pull her behind one of the stalls. I look right and left to make sure we’re out of earshot. Roísin claps a hand over her mouth to muffle her excited squeal.
“I’m right, though, aren’t I? You’ve been meeting up with Aidan to have sex every Tuesday!”
She dances on the spot.
“Shush! You’ll rat us out to the whole village if you keep this up.”
“Sorry. I’ll tone it down,” she garbles. I push her hand down. “But wow…Aidan Lynch.”
“I know.”
She grins up at me. “I hope you’re having fun with him.”
I squirm under her gaze, my blush deepening even more. “That’s one way of putting it.”
I only have to think about him and his clever mouth, and a heaviness settles between my legs.
Roísin chuckles. “Okay, from the look on your face right now, it’s more than fun.”
I open my mouth, then close it. “Please don’t. It’s supposed to be a secret.”
The light dims in her eyes.
“Hey, your secret’s safe with me. I promise.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, and…phew.” I fan my face. “What that man does to me is stuff you only ever read about, you know?”
“Mmm. That’s good, because you need all of that and more. And,” she pulls out her phone from her handbag, “we need to talk loads more about this when we don’t have to risk half the village eavesdropping on us.”
“I’d like that.”
“And I’m not talking about a quiet night in in Cloonmara. We need a spa day in Cork.”
“Really? Oh, I’m not sure…”
“Shush. It’s been ages since I treated myself to a massage, maybe even a mani-pedi. My cousin runs a fab place in the city, and she’ll give us a discount. Let me just check my calendar.”
I put a hand on her arm and push down until her gaze lifts from her phone and back to mine. “Text me some options, and I’ll check. But can we let it go now, just for today? I don’t think I can fully enjoy the festival if we keep talking about my sex life.”
She nods.
“Deal. But just one tiny detail before we go…”
I raise my eyebrows, waiting.
“I know you said that your ex never really got you off…Aidan pays attention to you? To what you need?”
My lips spread in in a cat, like the cat that got the cream. “Always. And multiple times before I return the favour.”
She widens her eyes and releases a long whistle. “Wow. Okay, I really need to find a man soon, but not today. Let’s get going.”
We leave the makeshift shelter, and I make a valiant attempt to force all my less-than-angelic thoughts about Aidan to the furthest recesses of my mind.
I don’t succeed for long, though, because as we round another stall, the man in question walks straight towards us, a slow smile spreading on his lips.
I steel my spine. The urge to kiss him hits me like a tidal wave, and I bite my lip to hold back a long sigh.
He’s wearing the black-and-grey-chequered shirt today–my favourite, though I won’t admit it–the sleeves rolled up to show his strong, corded arms, and I almost have a mini-orgasm when I let my eyes trail down his strong thighs in the dark-blue jeans that seems to be his choice most days.
His hair has grown a bit longer since I met him, and my fingers tremble from wanting to pull it a little.
An intense tug settles between my legs.
It should be illegal to have this effect on women.
“Hello, ladies.” He stops in front of us, hands in his pockets. “Are you ready for the best festival in the county?”
Roísin beams up at him. “Absolutely.”
His eyes drift to me, but I don’t trust myself to speak, and I nod instead.
“Well, I hope you have a grand day. Don’t forget to stop by my food stand. Might have a few items you’d like to try.”
Roísin wraps her arms around her middle and cranes her neck. “Do you have your sweet chili honey again this year?”
“Of course.”
“Brilliant.” She dashes off in a half-run and leaves me alone with him. Heavy silence settles between us, and I make a face.
“Sorry.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “What are you sorry about, Mae?”
“She knows,” I blurt out. “I didn’t tell her about us. She guessed.”
He shifts on his feet. “Not that I don’t believe you, but how did she guess?”
I sigh and wrap my shawl tighter around my shoulders. “Apparently, we bicker so much when we’re together that we sound as if we’ve been intimate, and I quote,” I raise my hands and jiggle my fingers, “at least a thousand times, unquote.”
“Really? Wow.”
His lips twitch, and I narrow my eyes when he tries to cover it up by running a hand over his mouth.
“This is not funny.”
“No, no. Not at all.” He nods, full-fledged smile in place. “It’s a little bit funny, but I know Roísin. She’ll keep our secret.”
“Perhaps we should cool things down for a bit.”
That wipes the smile right off his face. “If you think that’s necessary.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe…ugh.”
Aidan takes a step closer, his brows furrowed.
“If you want to stop, we’ll stop, but, fuck, Maeve.
I’ve not had my fill of you yet. Just standing here out in the open without touching you takes all my strength.
” He releases a shaky breath. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I’m not ready for it to be over. Are you?”
I wet my lips with my tongue, and when his eyes jump down to my mouth, flutters attack my tummy. Am I? I already know the answer.
“No. Not yet.”
He nods once. “Good.” He takes a step away from me and smiles. “I promise I’ll behave today, but make no mistake, one way or another, the day is going to end with my cock buried in your sweet pussy. I promise you that.”
My core clenches at his words, and as his eyes darken, a reckless plan takes shape in my head.
“In that case, I’ll change into a dress before the concert.”
His nostrils flaring, he smiles darkly. “Can’t fucking wait, Wildfire.”
I shiver at the low timbre of his voice. He turns away, and for the second time today, I’m left an unnerved mess.
Only now, I’m also a hot and bothered mess.