Flynn groaned. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her from the room and out to a late-model truck that was parked in the drive. He stopped at her door and helped her to get in the truck, his hand sliding down her leg before he shut the door. Keelin took a shaky breath. If this was the type of tension between them, she doubted that they would make it through dinner.
"So, where do you dock this vessel?" Keelin asked as Flynn reversed and headed his truck in the other direction over the hills. The sun was just beginning to meander towards the horizon and a soft breeze blew the sea scents in through the window.
"On the other side of the cove. I have several docks there for a variety of my boats. It all depends on what I am fishing for that day."
"Oh, and what are you fishing for tonight?" Keelin said cheekily.
Flynn turned his powerful gaze on her. "The grand prize, of course."
Keelin gulped and didn't answer him. He chuckled as he wound his truck down the hill to the glistening shoreline below them. Several docks held a myriad variety of boats from small two-seaters to a large gleaming white yacht.
"The two-seater, I presume?" Keelin poked at his chest as he helped her out. Flynn laughed at her and held her hand as they walked down to the docks. It was surprisingly comfortable – the way her small hand felt in his rough palm. Little tendrils of heat seemed to curl up her arm from where they connected.
Flynn ushered her onto the dock that held the yacht. Though the boat was far larger than any of the others in his fleet, it was still manageable by one captain. Keelin saw nobody else on board as he guided her up the smooth gangplank to the first level of the boat. Warm teak wood panels ran the length of the boat and the floor. White leather cushions wrapped around the entire boat and various sitting spaces invited a visitor to lounge as wanted. At the front of the boat, a small table was set with flowers, small candles in mason jars, and a bottle of champagne icing in a bucket. Flynn motioned to the table.
"Would you like to pop the champagne while I get us on our way?" he asked as he finished untying the ropes that held the boat to the dock. He moved quickly to the steering wheel and a series of beeps sounded before the powerful hum of the engine trembled beneath the boat. Keelin watched him as he competently maneuvered the boat from the dock and switched their direction to facing outwards. It seemed like he did everything competently. If anything, this was a man who knew his own power. He must have been reading her thoughts because he sliced a glance at her and she took a quick sip of her champagne to cool the heat in her stomach.
"Would you like a glass?" she asked him quickly.
"Sure, a small one. I rarely drink if I am on the boat." Keelin moved from the table and over to stand by him at the helm. He accepted the glass and she stayed by his side, gazing out over the ocean as the sun moved to dip beneath the sea.
"It's so lovely. It's fun to be out on the water. I haven't gotten much of the water perspective since I've been here. I feel a little landlocked," Keelin said as she turned and gazed at the green hills that were growing smaller behind them.
"Would you like to drive?" Flynn asked her.
"Me? Yes! I'd love to." Keelin giggled as he switched spots with her and showed her the controls. She loved the feel of the steering wheel trembling under her hands. "Can we go fast?" Keelin shrieked as Flynn stepped behind her and punched the throttle forward. The momentum slammed her back into his hard body and he put his arms around her waist to steady her. She laughed as the wind tore her hair back and the waves pounded under the boat. It was so freeing to race across the water like this. She sighed as Flynn tapped the motor back down and the roar of the engine slowed.
"I have dinner planned and don't want it to go bad. Would you like to eat in the cove?" Flynn raised his eyebrows at her in a challenge.
"What? No. Seriously? Do you think it will be okay?" Keelin trembled a bit at the thought of the cove glowing blue.
"It's fine. You and I both have no problem going there if our intentions are pure." His eyes pierced hers. She stared up at his windswept hair, which framed his chiseled face. He leaned casually against the side of the boat, sexy in his untucked button-down and loose shorts. She wanted to unbutton his shirt with her teeth.
"Oh, they’re pure," Keelin said quickly, though her thoughts were anything but.
Flynn gave her a quick grin before he motored the boat into the cove. He stopped it in the deeper part of the water and threw an anchor to the bottom. Flynn cut the engines and the boat rocked lazily as small waves slapped against the sides. Keelin took a deep breath of the sea air and surveyed the cove from a new angle. The last of the sun's light cut across the cove's opening and shot rays across the middle of the cove while the surrounding hills stayed cloaked in darkness. Keelin turned when Flynn tugged at her hair. He pointed up into the sky where a full moon was beginning to rise as the sun set. Recognition slammed into her stomach as Keelin looked at the twin of the picture that Aislinn had given her. If there was ever a sign, she thought. A low hum began to fill her blood and Keelin decided to step into her own power.
"What's for dinner?" Keelin asked as she moved towards Flynn.
"I have cheese, fruits, salad, brown bread, and planned to sear some scallops in the small kitchen below." Flynn eyed her warily as she moved towards him. "Why?"
"Can it wait?" Keelin threaded her hands around his neck and leaned up to take a quick nip of his mouth. Just a taste.
"Oh, yeah. It can wait." Flynn molded his mouth to hers and she gasped as he swept her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. His lips continued a brutal assault on hers as he dipped his tongue deep in her mouth. Keelin felt warm tendrils of sensation shoot to her core as he walked her backward. She huffed out a small laugh as he ran her into a chair.
"Come on, let's go downstairs." Flynn set her down and made to pull her towards the opening for the stairs. Keelin eyed him and shook her head no. The pale moonlight washed over her as she grasped the hem of her dress. Flynn's eyes narrowed and became fiercely intent as she pulled the dress over her head and tossed it on the chair.
"Here." Keelin felt intoxicated. The soft moonlight caressed her curves and dips. Beneath her dress she wore no bra and only a small slip of a thong. Her shoes glittered on her feet and she laughed, tossed her hair back, and lifted her arms to the sky. "Definitely here."
"Oh, God. You're amazing." Flynn leaped to her and dragged her to the front of the boat, where he tossed some towels on a long, low lounge bed that dominated the front of the yacht. He turned and pulled her to him, running his hands over her curves. "I can't, I have to." Without saying anything more he dipped his head and captured her right breast in his mouth, his hands coming up to cradle both. Keelin gasped as sensations whiplashed through her and she moaned as he circled her nipples with his tongue.
"Oh, yes. Please, I love that." The gentle pressure of his mouth heightened as he sucked on her more deeply. Keelin ran her hands through his thick hair and tried not to melt into a puddle on the floor. She moaned as he ran one work-roughened hand down her waist and cupped her generous butt. Flynn slowly bumped her back to sit on the bed. He stood over her, panting as he reached to unbutton his shirt.
"Wait, let me." Keelin kneeled on the bed and smiled at him coyly. She was trying hard to keep her wits about her but sensations flooded her body just as much as emotions did. She bit her lip nervously as she unbuttoned the first button of his shirt and revealed his tanned chest. Testing him, she leaned forward and kissed his chest gently. At his soft intake of breath, she smiled against his skin, which smelled of the sun. Keelin quickly undid the rest of the buttons and followed the path that she had opened with her mouth. Flynn groaned as she reached his belt buckle, an obvious bulge straining against his pants. Keelin leaned in and kissed the small ridge of muscle that dipped into his pants. She laughed as he let out a low growl and she trailed her tongue across his stomach to kiss his other side. She squirmed as sensations flooded her. She ran her hands up his hard chest and locked gazes with him. "I want
you. All of you."
"God, Keelin. I've wanted you since the moment I met you. Before then, even. I swear I've dreamt of you."
It was the most revealing thing that Flynn had said to her and Keelin smiled at the warmth that spread through her. Holding his gaze, she undid his belt buckle and worked him free. Bending over, she took him deep into her mouth in one smooth motion. Flynn moaned as she taunted him with her mouth, owning her power, taking the reins in their lovemaking. Giddy with her control, Keelin increased her movements until Flynn suddenly lifted her and threw her back on the bed.
"If you keep doing that we'll be over before we've started and I have a lot of plans for you, my love," Flynn said as he straddled her on the bed and pulled her thong down over her curvy legs.
Keelin's heart clenched at him saying she was his love. She wondered if he meant it or if it was a simple term of endearment. She leaned her head back against the bed and stared up into the night sky, the stars beginning to wink out of the darkness as the pale full moon slowly began to rise. Keelin jerked as Flynn's rough hands slid up her legs. His mouth followed their path and he licked at her delicate inner thigh. Her legs twitched at the sensation and she tried not to squirm. Keelin glanced down to see Flynn's head between her legs. His gaze was predatory and he flashed her a wolfish grin.
"I want you to watch." Keelin's body spasmed as he dipped his mouth to her most sensitive of spots and caressed her with his tongue. She watched his dark head bob between her legs and his muscular arms came up to wrap around her legs and cup her butt. He lifted her and brought her closer to him. Keelin's head fell back against the bed and she writhed against his mouth as a bolt of heat whiplashed through her. Keelin screamed as he held her there while she bucked against his face, her sensitive core tingling at his touch. As the shudders racked her body, Keelin almost wept with gratitude. When she was spent, he softly lowered her to the lounge and moved so he lay between her legs and propped his arms around her. A pounding lust pulsed through Keelin and she wrapped her arms around his strong shoulders, pulling Flynn's full weight onto her. Hungrily, she kissed his mouth and tasted her sweetness on his lips.
"I need – I want –" Keelin gasped at him as she wrapped her legs around him and pulled his hard length closer to her core. "I want you."
"Ah, Keelin, my love. I want you too." Flynn sucked at her bottom lip as he thrust long and deep into her.
Keelin gasped and moaned into his mouth as he filled her to her very core. Her muscles tightened around him instinctively and small fissures of sensations began to shoot through her as Flynn rocked slowly into her. Suddenly frantic, Keelin clawed his back as Flynn picked up his pace. Over and over he stroked her deep within as she held on to his shoulders. With one final shout, they shattered at the same time. She held her arms tight around Flynn and opened her eyes over his shoulder. A strange light seemed to emanate around them and Keelin jerked. Craning her neck, she saw the waters of the cove glowed a deep blue.
Flynn whispered in her ear, "Are you okay?"
"What? Yes, I am just fine. Better than fine, really." Keelin watched as the light dimmed and disappeared as quickly as she had seen it. She recalled Fiona's words that the cove glowed in the presence of love. Shaky, and unsure of herself, she dipped her face into Flynn's neck.
"Um, I should have asked this. Are you on the pill?" Keelin shot a quick look at Flynn's face. It held a mixture of concern and regret.
"Yes, I am. No worries on that part." Keelin could have kicked herself. She had never been so impetuous before. What had come over her? Flynn gave her a small kiss and rolled so she was on top of him. She looked down into his gorgeous face and smiled. Flynn was what had come over her, that was what, she thought.
"I'm famished. Ready for dinner?" Keelin asked.
"Oh, I am. Just one more thing though," Flynn said.
"What's that?" Keelin asked, and shrieked as he pulled her to him, already ready for her again. "No, really?"
"Really."
Chapter 21
Later, Keelin used the small restroom below deck. She had pulled her dress back on and examined her face in the mirror. Her skin looked dewy from a healthy, make that two healthy, rounds of sex, she thought. A small flush of color highlighted her cheeks and her brandy eyes looked bright. She smiled at herself. She looked happy for the first time in a long time. She was happy, she thought.
After refreshing herself, Keelin came upstairs to the scent of scallops. Flynn must have seared them while she was using the bathroom. The table was set with a small board of cheeses, fruits, and brown bread. Small bowls held salads and he plated the scallops on pretty stoneware dishes. A bottle of white wine chilled in the bucket.
"Wine?"
"Yes, I'd love some." Suddenly shy, Keelin blushed as he moved towards her with a glass. Flynn laughed at her and gave her a small kiss.
"No need to blush now, my love. I've seen every part of you." Keelin groaned as he laughed at her. There it was again, the love word. She'd have to pay attention and see how often he used it around other people or if it was just with her.
They settled around the table and soon Flynn began to regale her with his boyhood tales of growing up in the hills. He told her of his love for dogs and how it had grown into an avid hobby of his. Keelin told him what life was like growing up in Boston – a single kid with a single mom. His childhood seemed much richer than hers. She said as much as she let the butter and scallops melt on her tongue.
"It seems like the perfect childhood."
"I have no complaints. I'm not sure how well I would have done in a city. A boy needs the hills to roam and learn. Luckily, my parents indulged me and allowed me to develop a variety of interests. Hence the fishing, the restaurants, the dogs. I have a hard time focusing on just one job."
"Well, that is very admirable of you. Tell me about your restaurants." Keelin sipped her wine and listened as his eyes lit up and he talked about creating jobs in small villages that needed the tourist attractions. She admired how committed he was not only to his businesses, but also to the struggling Irish economy. "How do you juggle so many businesses?"
"I have managers that I trust at each place. They all own a percentage of the restaurant so they are just as invested in it as I am." Flynn gestured with his fork as he speared another scallop.
"That's smart. I have to say, you really are a kind man. I see how you are with your dog, and now with your employees. Fiona loves you."
"And I her." Flynn nodded at Keelin as he broke off a crust of brown bread.
"Does the healing thing freak you out?" Keelin asked casually as she popped a piece of cheese into her mouth.
"Why would it? People have been using herbs for natural remedies for centuries. It isn't that uncommon." Flynn dismissed their powers easily, Keelin thought.
"No, I mean, well of course that. But you know, the whole other stuff." Keelin wasn't sure how to say it.
"What, the rumors that she is a witch? That woman is no more a witch than my dog is." Flynn laughed as he got up to clear their dishes and headed below deck.
Keelin was stunned. She sat there and stared at the darkness of the cove. He didn't know. Fiona had never told him of her ability to heal with her hands. Heat flushed through her. She didn't know if she should tell him. She was scared to. What if he would hate her?
"You know all of that stuff is just nonsense. And people who subscribe to that line of thought are just nuts," Flynn said as he came upstairs with small slices of cheesecake on plates. "Don't worry, I would never believe anything so horrible about Fiona."
Keelin nodded and quietly took a gulp of her wine. She trembled. She couldn't tell him. He would think she was a freak. Could she have a relationship with Flynn and hide this from him? She looked at him as he smiled and proudly presented her with the cheesecake. Oh, yes. She wanted this. She wanted a chance with him. Deciding to keep her mouth closed, she took a quick bite of the cheesecake and groaned as the sweetness exploded onto her tongue.
"This is amazing."
"I know. Isn't it? This old woman in town who looks like a troll makes the most delicate of desserts. I use her to supply all of my restaurants with baked goods. It tastes like heaven."
Keelin devoured her piece along with her glass of wine. She wondered if tonight would be all she would get with Flynn before he found out about her true identity. It would come out at some point. Suddenly desperate, she jumped up.
"You haven't shown me the downstairs yet, Flynn." Keelin raised an eyebrow at him and cocked her hip. Flynn's plate clattered to the table and he jumped up to wrap his arms around her waist. His lips tasted of cheesecake and she smiled against them as he led her downstairs.
She didn't want to look at the cove this time.
Chapter 22
Later that night, Flynn parked in her drive. He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before getting out and rounding the hood of the car. Flynn opened the door and helped her down. He held her hand lightly as he led her to the door.
"I'd ask to spend the night with you but I don’t want to shock Fiona," Flynn said as he rested his forehead on hers. Keelin felt warmth pool through her as her heart clenched a bit and trembled.
"Someday, maybe."
"I'd like to take you out again." Flynn laid a whisper of a kiss on her lips.
"Yes, I had fun." Flynn laughed at her as she blushed at the thought of the fun they'd had.
"I'll stop by to see you the day after tomorrow. We can go for a walk in the hills?"
Keelin nodded. She had to see him again. She didn’t want him to go. Heat pulsed through her at every point his body came into contact with hers.
"Yes, Monday. I'll plan for it." She turned and slipped in the door only to hear his quiet words.
"Goodnight, my love."
The Mystic Cove Series Boxed Set (Wild Irish Books 1-4) Page 15
