by Jaime Lewis
“If you’re waiting to talk with Bailey, it’s not going to happen,” the voice beside him said.
“Excuse me?” He clearly stated with an attitude. Who was this guy to tell him he wasn’t going to talk to Bailey?
“She left,” Jonathan said, nodding at the side door.
Goddammit! He hated that fucking door. He should’ve known. He thought about going after her, but she had a good start. At least he could find out who this guy was. God, he hoped he was just a friend because he wasn’t sure what he’d do if she were already dating this guy.
“I’m Irish, by the way.” he said, introducing himself and putting his hand out there.
“I know who you are, and I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I’d be lying,” Jonathan said, but he shook Irish’s hand.
“This is going to be a bit abrupt, but I need to know. Are you dating Bailey?”
Jonathan laughed and then wiped his mouth with a napkin. “No. The last time I checked, relationships with family members was illegal. I’m her cousin. Jonathan Perner.
Irish couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. He glanced over to his friends and saw Alex watching him. Her lips twitched just before she turned her back and continued her conversation with Tenley. The damn woman knew exactly who Jonathan was. She just wanted to see him suffer a little while longer.
Irish felt a little awkward. “So, I’m guessing she’s told you about me?”
“She told me enough. Can’t say I blame her for not wanting to talk to you.”
“No, me either.” Irish stood there, silently playing with the label on his bottle. “Look, I need to talk to her. I need to apologize and explain some things. I had a lot of shit on my mind that night, and things just spiraled out of control. Not that I’m using that as an excuse, because it’s not. I let my job get the better of me, and I took it out on her. I said some pretty shitty things to her. Things that I wish could take back.”
“Do you love her?” Jonathan asked out of the blue, shocking Irish.
“Excuse me?”
“I asked, do you love her?” He said slowly.
“Yeah, I do. I think I fell in love with her the moment I met her.”
“She has that way about her. She’s an absolute sweetheart.”
“Where has she been the past week?”
“With me. She came to visit my parents and me for a few days. I would never refer to her parents as family. They are conniving, deceitful, and mean. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. And that includes hurting their own daughter for their own personal gain.”
“Yeah, I kinda got that impression from what she’s told me.”
“I don’t think you do because if you did, you wouldn’t have said to her what you did. There is so much you know and don’t know.”
“I know. I fucked up. Big time.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“So, how do I make her see she is the one for me?”
“I honestly don’t know. She was broken. Complete and utterly broken on the inside when she got to my place. I’ve seen her down in the dumps before, normally over something her parents did. But this time, I’ll admit, I was worried about her. And now, with the news, she was dealt today, well, let’s just say it didn’t help matters.” He picked up his beer and took a big chug of it.
Irish stood up straighter. “What happened today?”
Jonathan debated saying anything, but then he thought that Ace or Alex might tell him anyway since they knew. “She lost her job.”
“What?”
Jonathan explained what happened, and Irish felt his temper rise. This guy Randy was seriously looking for a death wish. It made Irish want to be with her now even more. They were leaving next week for Florida, and he still wasn’t a hundred percent sure if Bailey was still planning on going.
“Look, she’s supposed to go to Orlando with a group of us next week for Sienna’s birthday. We all want her to go. I want her to go. There will be some downtime where she and I can talk.”
Jonathan turned to face him. “Look, Irish, she needs someone who is going to be there for her. Someone who will fight for her and, most of all, someone who will love her. And love her for the woman she is and not the other materialistic things that come with her.”
“I get it, man. I want to be that someone.”
Jonathan looked out the window before turning back. “She loves you, Irish. She’s hasn’t actually told me that, but I can tell.”
“I love her too.”
Jonathan eyed him for a few moments. “Listen, I will make sure she gets on the plane as long as you swear to me you will never again treat her the way you did.”
Irish shook Jonathan’s hand. He knew for a fact he would never again behave the way he had with Bailey. He knew he was being given a second chance, and he wasn’t about to fuck it up.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Irish looked at his watch as his leg bounced up and down nervously. They only had about ten more minutes before the flight crew closed the doors to the plane, and Bailey hadn’t shown yet. Everyone else in their group, Alex, Ace, Frost, Autumn, Cody, and Alejandra, were seated and buckled in. They all were in First Class. Next time, he knew not to let Bailey pay for the airfare. She not only bought their three tickets, but she bought everyone else’s too.
“Irish, will you settle down. She’ll be here,” Alex said.
“How do you know? Did she call you?”
“Because she told me she would, and I believe her. She wouldn’t bail on Sienna.”
He looked at his watch again, eight minutes. Sienna was sitting in the window seat next to him. Bailey’s chair across the aisle from his was still empty. He pulled his phone out and was getting ready to send her a message when he heard the flight attendant greet someone, and he perked up. It had to be her. His hopes were dashed when a man, probably a few years younger than him, came into view. He was a Marine, dressed in uniform.
The blonde flirty flight attendant with fake boobs pointed to the empty seat across the aisle from him. Was she insinuating that the seat was empty? Oh, hell, no. That was Bailey’s seat. But then he heard Bailey’s voice, and his heart began to beat a little faster. She appeared right behind the Marine, and he turned and spoke to her.
“I can’t thank you enough, Ms. Anderson. What you’ve done means the world to my family and me.”
Irish watched as Bailey gave the Marine her gorgeous smile. He’d missed that smile.
“Please, call me Bailey, and it wasn’t a problem in the least. Just make sure as soon as you get off this plane, you run like heck and get to your wife and daughter.” She leaned over and said something to Alex. He saw Alex smile and nod her head, then pull out one of her business cards and hand it to Bailey. Bailey turned back to the Marine, handed him the card and told him to call when he had some information.
“Bailey?” He questioned, and she gave him a half-smile and nodded to the Marine, who was taking the seat Bailey should be sitting in.
“We’ll talk later,” she told him. “He needs that seat more than I do.” And with that, she walked toward the back of the plane. He watched her put her bag in the overhead compartment, then took a window seat about two rows from the rear, and he wondered what the fuck was going on? Why would this guy need the seat more than her? He sat back down, and the Marine was staring at him.
“Is Bailey your girlfriend?” the guy asked him, and without any hesitation, he said yes.
“Well, she is definitely a keeper. There needs to be more people in the world with a heart like hers. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t make it home in time to see my little girl before she goes in for heart surgery.”
Irish swallowed hard. Jesus, not that age mattered, but he wondered how old his little girl was because the guy only looked to be in his mid to late twenties.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how old is your daughter?”
“Seventeen months. She was born with a heart defect. ASD or Atrial Septal Defe
ct. There are three types of ASD. Charlotte, my daughter, has Secundum. The defect is in the middle of the atrial septum. It’s the most common form of ASD. They say at least half of all babies born with Secundum ASDs close on their own. But Charlotte’s heart hasn’t shown any signs of the hole closing. I was shipped out three months ago to Pakistan. About two weeks ago, the doctor told my wife they would have to do the surgery. I thought there would be some time before it would be scheduled. I was pretty surprised when I got the call six days ago, saying they were going to operate tomorrow at Shand’s Medical Center in Gainesville, FL. Luckily for us, it actually works out because my wife’s parents live just about an hour from there.”
Irish’s thoughts immediately went to Sienna. He couldn’t imagine going through something that terrifying with a child. Then having to deploy to another country and leave your spouse behind to handle everything. He always thought that spouses of military personnel were the true heroes.
“Well, I hope everything works out for your family. I’ll make sure I send up a little prayer for Charlotte.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate that. And please tell your girlfriend I said thank you again. I don’t know how it happened, but my flight into Gainesville got scheduled for tomorrow instead of today. I tried to get on one of the later flights, but they were all sold out, so Orlando was the closest I could get a seat on.”
“How does Bailey actually play into all of this?” Irish asked.
“She happened to be standing next to the ticket counter when I was explaining the situation to the gate attendant. Unfortunately for me, to get on the Orlando flight, I had to go with another airline, which meant purchasing another ticket. Not that it mattered. I’d pay my life savings to get back to my little girl. However, when I’m deployed, I don’t take my credit cards, and I must have stuck my damn check card in my checked bag because it wasn’t in my wallet, and I only had three hundred and fifty dollars in cash on me. The cost of the ticket was $765. Anyway, Bailey stepped in after hearing everything and paid for my flight, no questions asked. Then, as we were boarding, she told me to take her seat in first class. She said I deserved it more than she did. I tried to argue with her, but she kept insisting. I told her I wanted her address, so I could pay her back, but she said if I wanted to pay her back for me to make a donation to this organization.” He held up Alex’s business card, and Irish couldn’t help but smile. Not only did Bailey step in and help a complete stranger in need, but she also aided a friend who was doing amazing work to assist our veterans that were in need of medical assistance.
The Marine shook his head, and Irish swore he saw the man’s eyes glaze over with tears. “I owe your girlfriend my life. If she hadn’t been standing there, I don’t think I would’ve made it in time.”
Irish nodded his head. “She is definitely an angel, and the first woman I’ve ever loved.”
The guy smiled. “Well, you be sure to treat her right. There aren’t many like her and my Nicolette.”
Irish and Bryan, the Marine, ended up talking almost half the flight. The more they chatted, the more Irish liked the guy. He even invited him and his family to Virginia Beach once Charlotte was better. Once Bryan knew he was in the Navy, they exchanged some military stories. Nothing classified, just funny stories of mishaps, mainly during boot camp. Then he introduced him to the rest of the gang on the flight. Bryan and Alex spoke for a while about her Foundation and what all it involved. The guy was pretty impressed and said he would spread the word when he got back to base to help drum up donations.
Now Irish sat there, his mind on the woman who was sitting all alone in the back in the plane. He debated going back there to talk to her, but he didn’t want to piss her off. She told him she would speak to him later, so he just needed to be patient. He tried reading a book, but that lasted about three minutes. Then he tried to close his eyes. Falling asleep was easy. They were trained to take naps when they could. But even that simple task seemed impossible. He kept turning around, looking back toward her seat. He couldn’t see the top of her head anymore.
Autumn leaned forward in her seat from behind him. “Irish, do you want me to go and check on her?”
He grinned. “Is it that obvious?”
“Well, considering you keep fidgeting and looking back there every five seconds.” She smiled at him.
“I want to go back there, but I don’t want to upset her.”
She patted his shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
Autumn wasn’t even gone for two minutes when she was walking back to first class. He raised his eyebrows.
“She’s sound asleep.”
“Thanks,” he said and turned to face forward. He closed his eyes; maybe he could try getting a couple of minutes of shut eye now that he knew she was okay.
◆◆◆
The group was headed to the restaurant inside the hotel, and Irish had yet to see Bailey. After they got off the plane and collected their bags, a limo took them to the hotel. Another surprise from Bailey, however, Bailey hadn’t ridden with them. According to Alex, Bailey told her she had some business she needed to tend to and said she would meet them for dinner. So, here they were but still, no sign of Bailey. He asked Alex, and she said she hadn’t heard from her. In the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but be worried about her.
They had just sat down when Frost spotted Bailey. Irish turned around, and his chest tightened at the sight of her. She looked cute in a pair of dark grey Capri sweatpants and a white tank top. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she looked youthful as she walked through the hotel lobby, pulling her bag behind her. But when he caught a glimpse of her face, he frowned. She looked tired and upset. When she got in line at the lobby desk, he looked at Alex.
“What is she doing?” Alex’s cheeks turned a little pink, and she tried looking away as if she was trying to avoid his question. “Alex?” He asked again.
She sighed. “Fine. Bailey told me she would come on the trip but that she was getting her own room.”
Irish looked back in the direction where Bailey stood. Enough was enough; she wasn’t going to avoid him any longer. “Like hell she is,” he said, standing and storming off in the direction of the lobby.
◆◆◆
Bailey stood in line to check-in at the hotel. She was tired. Between not sleeping the past few nights, traveling, then having to spend the last two hours dealing with the bank that used to hold her trust fund, she was literally spent and ready to pass out. At least she managed to get about forty-five minutes of sleep on the plane.
As she went to step up to the desk, she felt a hand squeeze her shoulder. She jerked and looked over her shoulder and met Irish’s intense eyes. She swallowed.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
She licked her dry lips. “Checking in.”
He held her gaze. “Why? I already checked us in.”
“Yeah, about that. I don’t – “
He cut her off, then looked at the desk clerk who was watching them intently. “She’s with me, and I already checked us in, so she won’t be needing a room.” Before she could argue, he was pulling her through the lobby, down a hallway before stopping in a hidden alcove far away from prying eyes. Her back hit the wall, and he placed a hand on her hip and the other against the wall above her head.
“Look, I know I was an asshole and hurt you. But I’ve been patient. I’ve given you time and space like everyone has told me to do. But dammit, enough is enough. I’ve missed you so much. I know an apology doesn’t even begin to make up for what I did. Just know that I intend to make it up to you. We both have a lot to talk about but know this; I won’t give up on us. I made a commitment to you that first night you slept in my arms, and I intend to stand by it. I won’t let you go. At least not without a fight. And sweetness, know that I have never lost a battle, and I don’t intend to now.”
Bailey knew her eyes were wide as saucers, and as much as she should be feeling angry and fearful at Irish’s barbaric behavior,
that so wasn’t the case. Her body felt on fire; she was aroused by his determination, and holy shit, she wanted him. She missed the domineering and bossy Irish.
Before she could even consider rebutting his comments, he swooped down and kissed her. There was no holding back either. He kissed her fiercely and thoroughly. Their tongues tangled as if they were meant to be one. He pulled away but suckled her neck right in a spot that made her squirm. She was so turned on.
“Jesus, I’ve missed you,” He huffed out.
She held on to his waist and took a couple of deep breaths. “I’ve missed you too.”
She noticed he was looking at her shirt, and she looked down and saw her breasts were pouring from the top of it. He reached down and fixed it for her. When his eyes met hers again, and she saw the love they held, she knew deep down everything would work itself out. It may take some time, but things would be okay. Fifteen minutes later, after taking her stuff to their room and having another impromptu make-out session, they finally joined the rest of their friends for dinner.
As soon as they sat down, all eyes were on them, and then a smile appeared on Alex’s face.
“Well, I guess we can all assume you two have kissed and made up.” Ace and Frost both chuckled. Autumn was covering her mouth, trying not to laugh, and the kids, well, they were just being kids and not paying any attention to the adults.
“Why would you think that?” Bailey asked, then looked at Irish. He held a straight face.
“Well, judging by that large hickey on your neck, I just assumed,” Alex said, giggling.
“Sonofabitch!” She whispered, and she could hear Irish snickering next to her along with the others. She looked over at him and gave him the evil eye. “That is so not cool.” She touched the spot on her neck, where Irish was sucking just minutes ago. “You marked me?”
All Irish did was smirk. Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Next time, it won’t be your neck that I mark.”
