"Oh, so it's the town you’re worried about is it? Who gives a feck what they think?" Cait shouted.
"I do. I care," Shane admitted quietly, "My reputation as a business owner is important to me, Cait."
"Well, don't act like I purposely did this to you. You walked away from me," Cait said.
"Oh, I don't know…maybe because you dropped a bomb on me that you can read minds in the middle of my business falling apart around me?" Shane shouted.
"I didn't drop anything on you! You asked," Cait said stubbornly.
"This is ridiculous. This entire conversation shouldn’t be happening," Shane said stonily as he drove into the night.
"Then why am I even here?" Cait whispered.
"Because I can't live my life without you," Shane muttered, almost more to himself than her. Cait felt a sliver of hope slip through her.
"Where are you taking me?"
"To my house. Away from prying eyes so we can hash this out once and for all," Shane said, grim determination lacing his words.
Cait turned to look at him, his face tense in the glow from the dashboard light. She couldn't go to his house. If they were going to settle this once and for all, he needed to see it all.
"No."
"No, what? I'm the driver," Shane said.
"I said no. Take me to the cove," Cait demanded.
Shane took his eyes off the road for a moment to assess Cait's face.
With a soft curse, he turned the car in the direction of the cove. Nerves twisted through Cait's stomach and she swallowed against the bile that rose in her throat. It was now or never.
Chapter 31
Shane parked his car halfway down the lane from Fiona's cottage. The night enveloped them as Cait got out of the car and Shane shut his lights off. She held on to the side of the car for a moment and allowed her eyes to adjust to the soft light of the moon. The sound of waves crashing reached her and Cait drew in a shaky breath of the sea air. Soon she could make out where the hills sloped to the edge of the cliffs and the softly lit ocean that lay beyond. The moon's path trailed up the water until it hit the cove, yet the cove remained dark.
Cait tilted her head at the sight. It was the same thing she had witnessed at Keelin's wedding yet now she suspected it wasn't just a play of light. Cait jumped as she heard a bark and reached out to scan Ronan's mind.
"Hi, Hi, Hi!" Ronan panted as he raced across the field to them in the dark.
Cait bent to wrap her arms around Ronan when he pressed his cold nose to her leg.
"Hey, buddy. We are going to the cove, okay?"
"Okay. I'll come." Ronan wagged his tail at her and Cait smiled down.
"He's a good dog," Shane observed.
"Yeah, he is," Cait said quietly.
"Why the cove, Cait? Don't you think it's a little dangerous?" Shane asked. He came to lean against the car next to her.
"If you want to know me…all of me…you'll go down there with me," Cait said.
Shane eyed her for a moment. With a nod, he straightened and moved to his trunk.
"You're lucky I'm a farm boy," Shane said and popped the trunk. Cait moved around to take a peek. Inside were several pairs of Wellingtons. Shane grabbed two pairs and a wool blanket.
"These boots are a little big for you but probably better than those heels you have on." Shane gestured towards her feet.
Cait sighed at his thoughtfulness. She wondered whether, if they ended up together, his steadfastness would always complement her impulsive nature.
She slipped off her shoes and tucked her feet into the rubber boots. Though they were a bit large, she found that she could move easily in them.
"How come you have women's boots in your trunk?" Cait said, her eyebrow raised.
"My niece's." Shane smiled at her and tapped her on the nose. Cait stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. Cait's heart clenched a bit. Maybe they could get through this, after all.
"Come on, Ronan," Cait said and together, they started across the moonlit field. They said little as they trudged through the tall grasses and Cait's trepidation grew. She knew that she would have to perform Fiona's ritual at the bottom of the path. She squinted into the night, trying to find something to give as a gift. She could barely make out grass from a flower and she certainly wasn't going to dig up any rocks. With a sigh, she fingered Aislinn's earrings. There was really no choice but she suspected that Aislinn would understand.
They reached the edge of the cliff and both stood there silently.
"It's odd, isn't it? How dark it seems?" Shane said.
"Yes," Cait said.
"Is that…something to do with your mind stuff?" Shane asked awkwardly.
Cait shrugged her shoulders and started down the path, staying close to the cliff wall.
"Something like that," Cait demurred.
They settled into silence as they felt their way down the path, Ronan leading them carefully as they switchbacked over the cliff wall down to the sandy beach. Reaching the bottom, Shane began to step out onto the beach. Cait slammed her arm out and caught him in the chest.
"Hey!" Shane said.
"Don't go any further. I, uh, have to do something first, for protection," Cait said. Shane stared at her for a moment.
"Okay," he said quietly.
Feeling foolish, Cait slipped her boots off. Barefoot, she stepped onto the sand and drew a circle around Shane with her toe. Her nervousness ratcheted up a notch when Shane stared at her like she was crazy.
Stepping into the circle, Cait took a deep breath before reaching up to remove her beautiful earrings. Sighing, she cupped them in her palm and looked out towards the dark water.
"We come here tonight with purity of purpose. We mean no harm to the cove or those who rest here. Please accept this token as proof of our intentions. We ask for protection," Cait said clearly, though her voice cracked as she thought about what Shane must be thinking of her. With a small sigh, she threw her earrings into the water.
"Um, can we move?" Shane whispered as he glanced around fearfully.
"Yes, we should be fine," Cait said and stepped onto the sand. Ronan raced across the beach, disappearing into the darkness. Cait reached out to track him with her mind and found that he was having fun sniffing along the edge of the water.
"Will Ronan be okay?" Shane asked, worry evident in his voice. Cait smiled at Shane, struggling not to fall even more for a man that would worry just as much for a dog's safety as his own.
"Yes, the cove responds well to animals. It's just humans that it doesn't seem to like," Cait said as she began to walk down the beach.
"Why is that?" Shane asked.
Cait glanced at him in surprise.
"Well, surely you've heard the rumors about here," Cait said.
"Of course. You can't grow up in Grace's Cove without hearing stuff," Shane said.
Interested, Cait cocked her head at him.
"So what have you heard? Or, I should say…what do you believe?"
Shane stopped and unfolded the blanket, shaking it out into a large square before laying it down on the damp sand.
"Oh, I've heard that it's cursed. That people die here. I've heard tales that the real Chalice of Ardagh lies here. I've also heard that this is Grace O'Malley's final resting place." Shane paused as he finished pulling the corner of the blanket flat. "But what do I believe? I believe that there is some sort of greater power that lies within here. Whether it is enchanted…or cursed…I can't say. But, I'm not foolish enough to ignore hundreds of years of Irish mysticism. Which is why I don't come here." Shane gestured to the blanket for Cait to sit as he plopped down.
Cait stood over him, her body trembling in the darkness. It was so different for her, here. She could all but feel the pulse of magick. It caressed her skin and made her pulse beat at a different frequency.
"Do you feel any different here?"
Shane considered the question for a moment.
"I…hmm…it is almost like the air is a little th
icker? Does that make sense?"
Cait smiled down at him. So, he wasn't completely immune to the magick held here.
"Much of the rumors are true. That protection ritual that I just did? For a good reason," Cait said. Unable to sit, she paced in front of the blanket. "Grace O'Malley rests here," Cait said as she swept her hand out to the water.
"So, it's true, then?"
"Yes. The reason that people can't come here isn't because the cove is angry. There is just heavy magick that protects Grace's grave."
"And the chalice?" Shane asked.
"Fiona and I both believe that it is here. But, we feel it should stay here," Cait said.
Shane sat up straighter.
"You believe that a national treasure is hiding in these waters and that it should just stay here?" Shane said incredulously.
"Yes," Cait said simply.
"I…I don't know if I can agree with you on that," Shane said.
"You have little choice. The cove will kill you if you try to go after it," Cait said simply.
Shane's mouth worked as he opened and closed it, and opened it yet again.
"Why did you bring me here, Cait?" Shane finally said.
"I'm not quite sure," Cait said as she paced. Turning to look out at the dark water, she took a breath. "Actually, I am sure."
"Okay. So, speak," Shane said.
Cait put her hands on her hips and stared down at him. "Hey, you're the one who went all caveman on me at the pub. Don't you think you should tell me why you dragged me from there?"
Shane sighed in frustration.
"Is it always going to be like this with you? A constant battle?"
Cait lifted her chin at him.
"I don't know. Probably. Is that a problem?" Cait asked. Her stomach did a little flip at him talking about "always" with her.
"I suppose that I should expect it," Shane muttered, almost to himself. Looking up, he met her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Shane said.
Cait's breath stilled for a moment.
"For what, exactly?" Cait asked.
"I'm sorry that I walked away from you. I shouldn't have done that," Shane said.
"No, you shouldn't have," Cait agreed.
"Hey, it's not like you haven't walked away from me either! That day at my stables? You just left!" Shane shouted.
"How was I supposed to stay? You didn't know me. Don't know me," Cait said wearily.
"That's bullshit, Cait Gallagher." Shane stood on the blanket and shouted down at her. Cait winced at the fury in his voice. Vaguely, she could hear the waves pick up behind her. Ronan's soft whine came to her over the wind and in a matter of moments she felt his cold nose press to her leg. Reaching down, Cait stroked his head.
"It's okay, buddy," Cait whispered.
"Oh, please. Like I would ever hurt you or the damn dog," Shane shouted and turned to the cove, where the waves had begun slamming into the beach. "Would you knock it off? I love this damn woman and am trying to get it through her thick skull!"
Heat rushed through Cait and her world did a little spin and then seemed to right itself. The cove had gone instantly still at his words and Shane stared in awe at the water.
"You do? Mind-reading ability and all?" Cait said.
"I do," Shane said.
Tears pricked her eyes. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I couldn't tell you. Who wants to live with that? Knowing your partner can read your mind at all times?"
"Read me. Right now," Shane said quietly, his eyes boring into hers.
Cait hiccupped out a small sob and reaching out, she dipped into Shane's head.
"I love you, Cait Gallagher. Seeing you…being next to you…is the best part of my day. I could no more live a day without you than I could turn from you because of this. Can't you have faith in me? In us?"
Cait blinked against the tears as she shuddered in a breath. She reached deep down, scanning for anything that would say that he was lying, that he thought she was some pauper, that she wasn't good enough. Instead, she found pure, true love. Shaken to her core, she reached up with her hands.
"I love you, too. Oh…oh, so much. I was so scared that you would never see me for who I am," Cait whispered.
Shane stepped closer to her and looked down into her face.
"I see you, Cait," Shane whispered.
A wash of blue light swooped over them and they both gasped. Shane grabbed Cait to his chest, wrapping her in his arms and turning her from the cove.
"What's happening?" Shane shouted.
"It's okay. The cove glows in the presence of love," Cait whispered. "It's true." Together, they turned to look at the water. A soft blue glow emanated from deep in the water, its light flickering against the canyon walls, making the cove look like a giant aquarium. Ronan raced along the water and barked happily.
Cait stepped away from Shane and gestured to the water.
"I come from this, Shane. I'm part of Grace O'Malley's bloodline. Every one of us has something special. As will any daughters that I have," Cait said, watching him carefully.
The blue light didn’t diminish as Shane pulled Cait back into his arms.
"So? That will just keep things interesting."
Cait laughed and then gasped as Shane picked her up and laid her on the blanket. She shivered as he braced himself over her.
"I love you, Cait Gallagher. I've been waiting a long time for you to see that," Shane said and lowered his lips to hers. Cait gasped and arched against him as he laid a whisper of a kiss across her lips.
Easing into the kiss, Shane teased her lips with his own. With a soft moan, Cait opened her mouth and Shane slipped his tongue in to toy with her own. A shot of lust tugged low in Cait's stomach and she squirmed against Shane's body, wanting, no, needing contact with all of him.
She gasped against his mouth as he brought his leg up between hers and pressed himself to her most sensitive of spots. Cait opened her legs helplessly, enjoying the tingle of pleasure from the pressure of his leg. With a groan, Shane lowered his mouth to the sensitive spot in the nape of her neck. Cait shivered against his lips, against the heat that trailed through her body at his touch.
Shane propped himself on his arms.
"I need you. All of you," Shane gasped out.
Cait nodded and pushed him gently aside. Getting to her knees, she pulled her dress over her head in one fluid movement. Shane's eyes drank in the sight of her naked body and he breathed out a soft prayer of gratitude.
"You're gorgeous," Shane said.
"Really? I'm kind of straight up and down," Cait said as she ran her hands along her waist. Shane reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling it to his mouth to kiss it.
"You're perfect. Every fantasy I've ever had," Shane said against her palm before trailing a line of kisses up her arm. Shane moved to kneel in front of her, running his hand along her waist, up to her bra. Leaning over, he kissed her softly as he reached around to unclasp her bra. Cait shivered as the soft breeze hit her bare breasts. Reaching out, she unbuttoned a button on Shane's shirt. Shane stopped and raised an eyebrow at her.
"It's only fair," Cait protested and Shane laughed. Standing up, he quickly stripped and Cait felt her mouth go dry as the light emanating from the cove played across the lean muscles of his body. Shane was all sinew and strength and Cait wanted to run her hands over his body. Suddenly ravenous to touch him, she reached her arms up to him. With a gasp, she laughed as Shane picked her up and slid her body down his, her breasts tingling against the hardness of his chest. Cait squirmed against the length of him. Leaning forward, she kissed the warm skin of his chest. Shane gave a soft inhale, and Cait trailed her tongue down his chest a little, tasting him, his manliness and earthiness.
She'd never felt as alive as she did in this moment. Every sensation, every touch, seemed to be heightened a million times over. His hands burned across her skin, trailing lust in their path. Her body felt liquid and loose, ready for his love. Her mind, finally at ease, was able to drink in t
he love that poured from him.
Shane ran his hands down her body to find her butt. He groaned as he clasped the generous lobes and molded them in his hands. "God, I've wanted to touch your bum…oh I don't know…a thousand times," he said against her neck.
"All yours," Cait breathed against his chest. She gasped as Shane stepped back and leaned down to trail his mouth over her breasts. Arching into him, she held his shoulders as Shane tortured her with his mouth, causing waves of lust to pound through her. She wanted him, all of him.
"Shane, I want you," Cait gasped.
"Not yet," Shane murmured and kissed his way down her stomach, to the sensitive V of her legs. Cait gasped as he found her with his mouth, ready and aching for him. With a moan, she cried out as his mouth took her over the edge, his arms bracing her legs as she shuddered against him, heat filling her body. Her mind hazed over with emotion and sheer delight. With a curse, Shane drew away and swooped her into his arms, laying her back against the blanket.
Shane eased her knees apart and positioning himself above her, he took her mouth in a long kiss.
"I love you forever, Cait," Shane said against her mouth as he thrust deeply into her. Cait gasped as he filled her and then shuddered around him.
"I love you too, Shane," Cait whispered. Together they rode the wave of lust and love into completion, gasping into each other's mouths as they shattered together, finally seeing each other's love clearly.
Chapter 32
Cait lay on the blanket, Shane cocooning her, and looked up at the starry sky. Her heart felt so open, so wide, that she was worried it would break. A fissure of insecurity worked through her. As though he sensed it, Shane nuzzled into her neck and kissed her damp skin.
"You know what we need?" Shane asked.
"Food? Another round? A bed?" Cait said. Shane laughed against her neck. Standing up, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder just like he had at the pub.
"Hey, I'm an adult. I've been walking on my own for years now," Cait griped against his back, and then squirmed as she realized where he was taking her.
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