Cyndi Chapter
Cyndi:
The night out with Cormac had been incredible.
It was our first date alone, and I loved every moment of it.
Or almost all of it. It was still hard to believe I was with someone like him.
He was famous in a way, and we drew attention wherever we went.
He seemed to be able to ignore it. I wasn’t that blasé.
And the presence of bodyguards added to it, though I was becoming used to having Eoin with us.
He was very unintrusive. Too bad other people weren’t.
We’d gone to see a holiday re-enactment of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
It was a favorite of mine. The acting had been superb.
I enjoyed it immensely. While we were there, we got a lot of stares and whispers, but no one approached us or said anything directly to us, so I pretended they weren’t there.
This strategy lasted until we went to dinner.
It was in a fancy restaurant, one clearly accustomed to a high-caliber clientele.
I would’ve felt out of place if it weren’t for how Cormac responded to seeing me dolled up.
His hungry stare and the way he praised my red dress and black pumps made me feel sexy and beautiful.
It was the same dress Brenda wore tonight.
We’d both loved it when we saw it a couple of years ago.
She bought hers in green, and I got it in dark red.
Red made my golden blond hair, pale skin, and green eyes stand out in a good way.
We enjoyed our food along with wine. Since Cormac was driving, he stuck to one glass, but he talked me into having two.
I savored them. I didn’t want to get drunk tonight.
The wine was enough to ease the edge I had.
The conversation was animated. I loved learning things about him.
Now we were in the middle of our desserts.
Mine was a dark chocolate, fresh berries, and sponge cake concoction.
It was light yet full of so much flavor. He stuck to a tiramisu.
I took another delicious bite when a woman’s voice interrupted my happiness. I closed my eyes for a second. What the hell, I thought.
“Well, imagine running into you here, Cormac. What a pleasure. Although it would be a better one if you were alone.” Maureen’s snooty voice grated on my nerves. She kept going, not giving either of us a chance to respond.
“Cormac, please tell me that you’ll stop this silliness and go out with me soon.
I’ve been patient and waited for my turn to be with you.
Linda has been the same with Sean. Return to your own kind and stop slumming.
A woman like this and her friend will never be someone you can be serious about.
Can you imagine your parents’ faces if you come home with her?
” Sarcasm was high. I put down my fork and turned my head to face her.
She was standing there, glaring at me with distaste, and Linda mirrored her expression. There was no sign of Patricia. Maybe she was in the bathroom. Perhaps she’d get stuck and never leave it.
“And you think he can be serious about someone like you? A woman so oblivious to the nuances in the room that she still doesn’t get it that he wants nothing to do with you.
Even if you were his type, you’d never be in his bed.
Why don’t you save yourself from further embarrassment and spare us a stomachache by running along like a good little girl?
I’m sure somewhere there’s some man desperate enough to overlook your bitch-in-heat act. ”
My words poured out without conscious intent to really say them.
I was tired of seeing them and having her panting after my boyfriend.
I didn’t shout it. I said it calmly. I heard a snort.
It probably was Eoin. He’d been a discreet distance from us.
In addition, there were two gasps and a soft chuckle.
The laugh had to be Cormac, but I kept my gaze on her.
Outrage spread swiftly over their faces.
Maureen drew herself up. “How dare you speak to me that way? I’m your better, and you’ll show me respect.
A little nobody slut like you should mind her manners and stop chasing a man so far out of your league.
You’re lucky even to have met him. Women like you, he might fuck, but he’ll drop you soon enough.
You’re not girlfriend and certainly not wife material,” she hissed.
“That’s enough!” Cormac snapped.
Maureen gave me a smug look. It turned to disbelief when he continued.
“Maureen, what gives you the right to disrupt our wonderful dinner with your asinine shit? You have no idea what I want in a woman. If you did, you would’ve stopped throwing yourself at me every time you see me ages ago.
The same goes for your friend there and Sean.
Let me make this clear. You are a bitch in heat.
As for Cyndi, she’s not a slut, and you’re not her better.
She didn’t chase me. I chased her. She’s exactly what I want, which is why she’s my girlfriend.
And after I take her to meet the rest of my family and give her time to get used to my lifestyle, she’ll be the one wearing my ring on her finger.
The ring that proclaims she is Mrs. Cormac O’Sheeran. Cynthia Ryan is my anamchara.”
I swiveled my head to look at him. My mouth was open in shock.
He smiled at me. I heard a faint murmur from Eoin, but not the words.
He really wanted me to meet his family? To be his wife one day?
I was still trying to absorb it when I caught out of the corner of my eye Eoin rushing toward me.
The stinging on the opposite cheek told me why. I’d been slapped.
Whipping my head around to glance at the two socialites, it was clear Maureen had slapped me. She was rubbing her hand. Anger and jealousy radiated from her. Cormac came to his feet. He moved over to block her from reaching me again, though I was still able to see her.
“Who the fuck do you think you are to lay a finger on my woman?” he snarled.
“I-I, Cormac, please, listen to me. She’s nobody. She’ll never be able to fit into your world. You need someone used to high society. I was born into it. I know you didn’t mean those things you said. Send her away and let us talk,” Maureen pleaded.
Attention was focused on us. Other diners were whispering and casting us curious looks. Even though our voices were low-pitched, those closest undoubtedly heard what was said.
“You forced me to do this,” Cormac told her, then he twisted and held out his hand to me. I took it and was drawn to my feet. He placed his arm around me, then faced toward the rest of the dining room.
“Excuse me, everyone. Sorry for disrupting your dinner. I apologize, but this is the only way to drive this home. This woman here doesn’t know what no means.
She’s pursued me for months despite being told I’m not interested.
This friend of hers and another one did the same thing to my brothers.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Cormac O’Sheeran.
Tonight, she barged in to ruin my date with my girlfriend.
Despite Maureen’s assumption that my girlfriend isn’t more than a passing fancy, I’m here to declare to everyone that not only is this gorgeous woman my girlfriend, but soon, she’ll be my wife.
And I want you to know, I will not tolerate any more rudeness toward her.
Do you hear me? You don’t want to get on my bad side.
” He sounded menacing when he warned her.
I stood there stunned as the other diners clapped.
A man in a suit rushed over to apologize.
He was the manager, he said. Between them, Eoin and the manager hustled the protesting, sputtering, and crying Maureen and Linda out of the restaurant.
Their over-the-top theatrics on the way out grated.
When they were gone, Cormac wrapped me in his arms and kissed me.
When he was done, I eased down in my chair, and he retook his.
Cormac eyed me. “Did I embarrass you, mo áilleacht? It wasn’t my intention.
I’m fed up with her always thinking she can say or do whatever she wants.
And the disrespect she has shown you isn’t to be tolerated.
And before you ask, I meant both the part about meeting my family and marrying you.
If I thought you’d say yes, I’d ask you tonight.
However, I know I have more proving to do. ”
I was utterly overwhelmed by what he declared. However, despite that, it did help me in one respect. Cormac sat there, waiting for my response.
“Thank you for saying that. I’d like to respond to what you said, but I prefer to do it in private. May we finish our dessert and then go back to my place so we can talk?”
“We can do whatever you want, Cyn,” he promised.
Before we finished dessert, Eoin returned.
In no time, the bill was paid, and we were escorted out to the car.
It was parked in a reserved spot right next to the entrance.
Frank had driven us tonight. The presence of the two men prevented Cormac and me from having privacy on the ride home, but I’d use that time to organize my thoughts.
As we rode along, Cormac held my hand and kept casting searching glances my way.
I smiled whenever I caught him doing it.
The upcoming conversation was preying on both our minds.