Chapter 3
On the drive home, he made a decision. He had things to attend to, certainly paperwork growing out of his ears, but he had seen the sheen of tears in her beautiful eyes, and it tugged at his very heartstrings.
She hid the hurt and pain well, as always, but he knew her, knew his woman very well. She would pretend that she was fine, when all the time, she was battered to pieces inside.
For that he wanted to turn the car around and give Victoria Landan a fine tongue lashing. It had taken Kiara months to confide in him and open up. The things she told him had almost brought him to his knees.
He glanced over at her as he touched the turn signal. She had her eyes closed and her head turned away, but he could see the tense way she held herself. Like a bow string so taut, it was likely to just pop.
She opened her eyes when he stopped the vehicle.
"Why are we here?"
He had turned towards Lakeview Park, one that his family had renovated some years ago. It was a fine summer afternoon, and the grand weather had brought people out. Water trickled from the stream located in the center of the park and the sounds of laughter and squeals of children filled the air.
"I thought we could stretch our legs."
Unbuckling his seatbelt, he started to open the door.
"I just want to go home."
"In a bit. After the walk, we'll stop by the pub and have supper."
"Dammit."
She ground her teeth together as he pushed the door open and stepped out.
When he rounded the hood and opened her door, she almost folded her arms and refused to get out. But he would have lifted her from the vehicle.
Hissing out a breath, she sat rigidly, while he unhooked her belt and took her hand.
"I'm not a damn child."
"Of course not. I wouldn't be with you if you were."
His voice was calm and reasonable. She had to resist the urge to jam her elbow in his stomach. When she tried to tug her hand away, he held on and started walking towards the pond where ducks floated among the lily pads and children stood near the edge to clap in delight.
The sight had her stomach unclenching as she watched them. When he felt her fingers relaxed in his, he let out a silent sigh of relief and stood there for a spell with her.
"What do you say we grab two cones?"
Lifting her head, she circled her gaze to where the cheerful sound of an ice cream truck doing brisk business in the summer heat stood.
"Double mint chocolate. And a dash of chocolate syrup."
His chuckle had her smiling reluctantly.
"All right."
Lifting their joined hands, he kissed her fingers. He delighted her by buying cones for the children gathered around the truck and charming them with smiles and comforting words.
He was very good with children, something she had discovered from the early stage of their relationship. She had no doubt he would make an excellent dad. He came from a very loving family, so naturally, he was very loving.
He held hands, something she was not used to. Oh, her dad had hugged her frequently, kissed her, read her bedtime stories, but she had longed for the same from the woman who had given birth to her.
"Another one?"
He asked softly as they strolled along the winding path that led to several benches.
"I'm bursting."
He refused to release her hand, forcing her to lick the ice cream one handed.
"You're the one who will complain about me getting fat and out of shape."
"You will get fat and out of shape."
His grin turned to a grimace when she plowed their joined hands into his flat stomach.
"In a very good way. You're going to be the most beautiful pregnant woman this world has ever seen."
"Really?"
Her tapered brows lifted as he led her to a group of benches and nudged her down.
"I hope you'll be saying that when I look like I swallowed an elephant and his young one."
She tipped her head to his shoulder when he sat and wrapped an arm around her.
"Thanks."
She added softly.
"For the ice cream? You're welcome."
He grinned when she poked him in the ribs.
"You've a terrible habit of damaging the man you're in love with."
"She pissed me off."
Her eyes glided over where the ducks were gliding gracefully, skirting the lily pads and felt the calm saturating her heart. The drive in the car had been one of pure unadulterated misery with a combination of rage.
"Nothing I ever did was good enough. I'm tired of trying."
He had finished his ice cream and carefully wiped his fingers off on the napkin that had been provided. Shifting on the padded bench, he tipped her face up.
"I'm sorry for it. When you first told me about the situation between you and your mother, I couldn't believe it. I grew up in a very loving home as you'd see."
"Spanks when called for and time out when needed. Hugs in abundant, treats and celebrations when something is accomplished."
He caressed her pointed chin with his thumb.
"I want to erase all of it from your mind. I often pray that I would have the power to take away the pain, the misery from your heart and mind. I love you and loving you makes it difficult for me to see you hurting."
"Since I cannot take it away, I'm doing the next best thing. I'm going to love you until you're seeped in that love. I'm going to wrap my arms around you and shower you with adoration."
"And we're going to be the best parents in the entire world. We're going to suffocate these little ones with so much love, they will get sick of us and banish us to our rooms."
He felt his heart lifting when she smiled.
"And after we leave the room, we're going to start all over again."
"You're an idiot."
His lips curved, winter green eyes twinkling.
"An idiot who adores you."
Sighing, she leaned into him and kissed him on the lips.
"You're good for me. Before I met you, I told myself that I was okay with my life as it was. I didn't need anyone. But somehow you wormed your way in and dug yourself in. I can't shake you off."
"Romantic fool."
He shook his head.
"With words like that, it's no wonder I'm head over heels in love."
He pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Better?"
She nodded and wrapped around him.
"Much. Let's go eat."
"I thought you were full."
"From a cone of ice cream?"
She scoffed. Easing out of his arms, she tugged him to his feet.
"Feed me O'Sullivan. You're the one who planted two babies inside me. I'm eating for three."
He watched her shake off the final shadow of despair as they attacked the fine Irish meal. The smoked salmon and potato salad was washed down by strong Irish tea.
He did not think she had room for the black pudding, but she proved him wrong and warmed his heart when she ate every morsel. The live band was playing a soulful melody, the words a poignant mixture of love and heartbreak about a lass who lost her soulmate to the sea when he went sailing.
They talked about things, her writing, his plans for the pub opening. And just sat there, his arms around her as she listened to the music.
"Ready?"
He murmured in her ear.
"In a bit. The first time I stepped in, I was impressed by all the colors."
He looked around, his eyes touching on the red and green plaid of the wallpapers. He had wanted a touch of his second home when he commissioned Maggie to renovate the place.
"Looks cheerful."
"Yes. I was just off from a frustrating and bitter conversation with my mother and wanted a breeze out."
"That's when I saw you. I suppose I have something to thank Victoria for."
She laughed at that and snuggled. It amazed her that she could willingly touch him, initiate the first move. It had taken her a while to not pull away when he did.
"Bite your tongue. You were so annoying."
"I was persistent."
He corrected.
"And adoring."
"Yeah, right."
She snorted.
"You were trying to be cute."
"And piqued your interest."
"I admit I was mildly curious."
She smiled when he chuckled.
"All right, intensely curious. You got under my skin from the very start."
"Hence the avoidance, the insults, the rebuffs, the..."
"Enough."
His grin widened.
"The fear..."
"I'm not afraid of anything."
"The anxiety that you're going to fall in love with me. Which happened, just saying. You fell under my spell."
"You're going to fall under my feet if you keep going."
She warned.
He merely turned his head and kissed the top of her head. He loved the scent of her. A mix of raspberry and a subtle perfume she wears.
"I'm already under your feet. I adore you darling."
She closed her eyes and willed the tears away.
"Damn hormones."
She muttered, making him grin.
"I'm ready now."
She laced her fingers through his.
"I often wondered what I did to deserve someone like you."
His breath hitched as emotions stormed through him. It was not like her to come up with sentiments. In fact, she avoided it as much as possible. Which makes what she says every bit more potent.
"You deserve me."
He turned her to face him and could not resist closing his mouth on hers.
"I deserve you."
Everyone in the pub faded as he was drawn into her.
"My sweet Kiara. The heart of me."
He took the kiss deeper and had her practically drowning. Sensations hit him like a ton of bricks. The taste, scent and texture of her lips. He tried to identify, to separate them, but his mind was a muddle.
He who had been with several women was bowled over, vanquished by this one petite woman who had taken over his life. The sound of laughter filtered through his mind and the fog of desire overwhelming him.
It would not do well to make love to her right out in the open in his own bloody pub. With that in mind, he ended the kiss and placed his forehead on hers.
Taking deep breaths, he closed his eyes and rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
"All right."
Lifting his head, he stroked her cheek.
"You undo me. Let's go home."
"Want some tea?"
"No."
"Some juice? A glass of milk?"
She rolled her eyes at him. All during the drive back to the house, they had avoided touching each other.
"Really?"
"I don't want to hurt you."