Chapter 30
Callum
Gorgonize (adj) having a mesmerizing effect on someone
The alarm on my phone sounds shrilly, and Maeve leans over me to turn it off, her bare breasts skimming across my chest. I feel a swift pulse of desire at the contact, and I catch her gaze, wondering if she feels it too.
I can’t get enough of her. I don’t believe I ever will.
She is a spark that brings my nerves to life, and she doesn’t even need to touch me to ignite the fire.
“What is it?” she asks with mild concern. I smile and shake my head, pulling her close and breathing in the smell of her shampoo, hints of vanilla and peony.
“Nothing. I’m just thinking about how lucky I am,” I whisper.
She squeezes me a little tighter as she lies on top of me.
I sigh, standing up from the bed, and she rolls onto her back with a groan.
I chuckle, but when I turn around, my breath catches at the sight before me.
She’s bare, stretched out across the king-size bed that used to feel too large.
Her hair is splayed across the pillows in a cascade of fiery waves.
“What time are we supposed to board the plane?” she asks sleepily.
“We leave in less than 2 hours, so we'd best be moving. We’ll each only need a small bag. We’re gonna do some shopping while we’re there,” I tell her, crawling across the bed to hover over her.
Her hands cup my face as she searches my eyes.
I smile down at her and place a chaste kiss on her forehead, then I reluctantly get up and walk to my closet, grabbing a pair of darkwash jeans and sliding them on.
“I guess we’ll have to run by my place next,” I hear her call, and I smile to myself as I grab one of the brand new pairs of leggings from a shelf I’ve cleared off for her, along with a new t-shirt and hoodie.
I step out of the closet, and with a casual flick of my wrist, I toss the clothes on the bed before her.
She cocks an eyebrow, then dissolves into laughter.
“I know, I know,” I say as I pull a t-shirt over my head. “I think of everything.”
“Maybe I’ll stop being surprised by it soon,” she says, tearing the tags off the clothes. “And, whaddayaknow!” she exclaims, holding them up. “Perfect size.”
I smirk at her, then bend down, planting my fists into the mattress on either side of her. “What can I say? I’m detail-oriented,” I say lasciviously, looking her up and down.
She laughs and pushes me back before hopping off the bed.
I watch as she strides to the bathroom, her perfect, heart-shaped ass swaying side to side, and I can’t stop the groan from escaping.
She looks over her shoulder and shoots me a wink before shutting the door behind her.
I shake my head, walking to the nightstand to check my phone.
Ronan:
Jet is fueled up and ready, boss.
Orin:
We have him loaded for the flight. Won’t even know he’s there.
Eoin:
Saoirse will meet you at the airport with men to escort you to the train station, and one of the men will drive the package straight to Declan’s.
I send them all a brief response before continuing to dress.
I throw on a black button-up and black boots, then slide a pistol into the waistband of my jeans.
I strap a smaller backup pistol inside my boot, then I grab the black leather shoulder holster and slide it on before sheathing a pistol on either side.
I shrug on a leather jacket to cover all of the artillery, then I open the bathroom door to find Maeve standing in front of the sink, fully dressed, brushing her teeth.
I lean against the doorway, sliding both hands in my pockets, and I watch her.
She rinses her mouth and turns my direction.
She has her hair up in a half-up, half-down ponytail, and the leggings cling to her like a second skin.
I stand straight and hold an arm out for her to join me.
She rests a hand on my bicep and smiles up at me.
We step out of my bedroom and walk down the hallway toward the stairs.
“How long has this been here?” Maeve asks, pausing at one of the large golden frames on the wall.
“Oh, man,” I say thoughtfully, rubbing my jaw.
“It was hung up almost two decades ago.” The painting is of a young woman sitting on the edge of a lake as dusk falls around her.
It always reminded me of her, and when one of the housemaids was redecorating, I lost it, seeing that it was gone.
I had to apologize to her for the way I reacted, but I got it back.
“It’s beautiful,” she says softly before looking at me. My arm is draped across her shoulders, her fingers laced with mine, and her other arm is wrapped around my waist. I lean over and kiss the crown of her head. I hear her sigh faintly before we descend the stairs.
In the dining room, my father sits at the head of the table, my mother sitting to his left.
She always looks put together and elegant.
Across from her is Eoin with his usual cup of coffee, black as night, just as he likes.
The table is filled with a variety of savory and sweet breakfast foods.
I pull Maeve's chair out, letting her get adjusted before leaning toward my mother and placing a kiss atop her head.
I sit between them and reach out for the eggs, loading my plate with a variety of fruits and proteins.
Maeve has already dug into the cinnamon rolls, finishing one completely before I can even begin.
“You’ve got quite an appetite this morning, Maeve,” I say casually, then take a sip of coffee, eyeing her over the rim.
Her face flushes, and her eyes go wide. “Umm, yes. Yes, I do. Thanks for pointing that out, Callum.”
I waggle my eyebrows at her suggestively, and she stares pointedly down at her plate, the color in her cheeks growing redder.
My father clears his throat loudly. “Well, son, the plane is loaded and ready for all of you. I hope you can enjoy a little bit of the trip, though I have little doubt you’ll be able to,” he says as an afterthought, glancing between Maeve and me.
“I know the business usually takes over, but I hope all of you can make some time to soak it all in.”
“Uh, yeah”, I say, trying to keep my expression neutral.
I’m not used to expressions of sentimentality from my father.
“We’ll be making some stops along the way.
I want to show Maeve a few of my favorite places.
” I look over at her, her eyes soft and unguarded.
She’s excited to travel, and I get to be the one to take her.
“That sounds wonderful,” my mother says, sipping her tea.
“Take her to that lovely bookstore in Waterford. I have a feeling it’s right up her alley.
” She winks at Maeve, and Maeve grins in response.
The excitement radiating off of her almost makes me forget about our…
carry-on waiting for us on the plane. I think of what awaits him in Ireland with a grim satisfaction.
“Anything we need to know before we head out? The guys are on their way back to pick us up,” I say, biting into a homemade biscuit.
“Nothing yet, but we will keep you updated as we find out any new information,” Eoin chimes in, taking a sip from his mug. The tattoos on his hands are marked with scars, and the ink has faded in some spots. He has seen things that few could stomach. I have had to turn my head once or twice myself.
I nod my head, acknowledging him before I shovel more food into my mouth.
Apparently, I’d worked up quite an appetite myself.
Suddenly, we hear the front door open and close, and it doesn’t take long for us to figure out that it’s Ronan and Orin.
Ronan is yapping away, and Orin is listening as he always does.
“Ladies and gents, your carriage awaits,” Ronan says in a playful tone, bowing at the waist mockingly. I just shake my head and wash down the biscuit with a swig of the piping hot coffee.
“Ah, what a gentleman. Sounds like someone is working for a tip,” Maeve quips.
She drinks her full glass of water like it was going to be the last she’d have for a while.
I stand from the table and lean over to kiss my mother on the head, and walk to where my father is sitting.
He stands, reaching out his hand to shake mine.
His grip is firm, halting, like he doesn’t want to let go.
“I accept cash or credit, doll,” Ronan retorts with a wink as he walks over to his father and shakes his hand, while Maeve embraces my mother with such adoration that it makes my heart ache.
I know she misses her mom. Hell, I miss her mom.
Even now, I’m still struck by just how much she looks just like Imogen, with her light red hair and freckles across the bridge of her nose.
But it’s her eyes most of all, sea green, vibrant.
Orin and Maeve make their way to the Rover, Ronan following a few steps behind, closing the gap with a light jog.
Orin opens the back door for Maeve, and Ronan sneaks up behind her and pokes her side, making her turn and punch him hard in the arm.
Orin laughs, shaking his head as he takes his place in the passenger seat.
Maeve turns around to find me walking up behind her.
I reach up to hold her face in my hands.
I rub the pad of my thumb across her cheek.
She closes her eyes and leans into the touch.
She reaches up to cover my hand, letting a sigh pass her lips as if she’d been nervous.
I kiss her forehead before allowing her to crawl into the backseat, then follow to take my place next to her.
Ronan slides on his shades, then turns on the radio as he starts down the driveway.
“Lady and gents, please keep all hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. If you have any questions, critiques, comments, or complaints, keep them to yourself,” he announces as we pass through the gates and turn onto the street.
Maeve groans in playful annoyance. Ronan just flashes his widest grin at her and cranks the volume up.
It doesn’t take long for us to arrive at the private airport.
The cabin crew is waiting at the base of the stairs to greet us as we ascend into the jet.
The pilot stands next to the cockpit and welcomes us as we walk inside.
As usual, he gives a quick rundown of what kind of weather we’ll be flying into.
He expects turbulence mid-flight, but assures us that it’s nothing he hasn’t handled before.
Maeve’s grip on my arm tightens, and I pat her hand reassuringly.
Orin and Ronan settle into a row of their own near the front of the plane, while Maeve and I go to the lounge-style seats toward the back.
The pilot comes over the speaker, reminding us to fasten our seatbelts before we turn onto the tarmac.
Maeve is tense next to me as the jet begins to pick up speed.
The nose of the plane tips upward, and she clutches my hand so hard that both of our knuckles are white.
“How long has it been since you’ve flown, mo agra?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Uhhh, umm, it’s been a while,” she says, her voice shaking, her eyes darting back and forth at the window beside her. I pull her more tightly to my side.
“My sweet, inexperienced Maeve,” I say, leaning my head on top of hers, and I smile as I feel her jerk away.
“Don’t be an ass,” she says, jabbing my shoulder playfully.
Once the plane levels out and we can unfasten our seatbelts, she begins to relax.
I press the button to make the automatic footrest extend and wait for Maeve to get comfortable.
Her head is resting in my lap with her long legs stretched across the other end of the lounge.
I massage her scalp and watch the tension leave her brows as sleep begins to consume her.
I lean my head back against the headrest, quickly losing the battle myself as I drift into oblivion, Maeve within reach.