Cullen stood, dripping wet, hair tousled, over the barbeque as it smoked, wafting the delicious aroma of grilled meat. Spatula in one hand and beer in the other, he smiled and motioned to the hot tub. “Sorry. I didn’t wait for you to spectate. I was getting hungry.”
“Now worries. I’ll take in the ocean view instead.”
“Would ye fancy a glass of wine?” Cullen asked. “Or perhaps whisky or a pint of the black stuff?”
“Wine sounds good,” I said with a grin.
“Wimp,” Cullen teased.
I smiled. “I don’t drink a lot of hard alcohol, and not to insult you but Guinness is too bitter. Not to mention, it ruins my appetite.”
Cullen laughed again and said, “Ahh, so yer not a fan of the liquid dinner.”
“Not unless it’s a protein shake,” I quipped.
“Not a lot of protein shakes happenin’ around here.” Cullen smirked. “There’s some fancy cheese and crackers on the table that Ma put together and I took the liberty of pullin’ up all of the available flights leaving over the next couple of days, although we’d be happy to have ye stay longer.”
“That’s sweet. Thank you,” I said, picking up his iPad.
He left while I looked them over and returned with an empty glass, a bottle of red, two plates and a large bowl of salad.
“There was no white chilled.”
“That’s great. I prefer red.”
“So, what’s a day in the life of Sophia like,” he asked, flipping the steaks.
I started to answer when a man in a flashy bathing suit bottom stepped out the door.
“Old man, what in the bloody hell are ye wearin’?”
“Cullen. Bollix. I didn’t know ye were back. The banana hammock’s your Ma’s brilliant idea.” He looked flustered as he moved to stand behind a chair.
“This fine, male specimen is my father, John O’Kelley. Da, this is Sophia, the girl from Sainte Marguerite Island.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. O’Kelley.”
“‘Tis good to see ye lookin’ so well. This fella here was worried about ye after that fall.”
“I’m sorry to have caused so much trouble.”
“Well, now, nothin’ to be done about that.”
Lucille snickered as she walked out behind her husband and wrapped a towel around his waist. “‘Tis dinnertime, ye fool. There’s no sun.” She kissed his shoulder and then directed her gaze at me. “Sorry for invadin’ yer privacy, dear.”
Her red hair was swept up in a neat French twist that showed off her long neck and single bare shoulder to perfection. She seemed young to have two, fully grown men as sons.
“I apologize I’m not in better shape,” John added taking a seat. “I’m not in the habit of findin’ such a fine thing in the house, aside from my wife, that is.”
“Nice save, and let’s be keepin’ it that way,” Lucile added, with a chuckle.
“I appreciate the hospitality.”
“Sit down, Ma, and join us for a drink?” Cullen said. “We’ve cracked yer favorite wine.”
“Sounds grand,” Lucille said, darting back inside.
I took a seat across from John with my back to the house. Lucile returned, smiling, and filled her glass, topping mine up as well.
“To our new guest,” she said, dropping into the seat next to her husband.
“And,” I said, and lifted my glass, “to Cullen, for saving my life. I am ever so grateful.”
Cullen’s grin deepened. “Slainte.
Lucille looked down at the tablet screen on the table.
“Goin’ home so soon, dear?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful here, but I need to get back.”
“I’ll drink to that. We’ve been wanderin’ for a month now. Cullen and Liam only joined us last week, but the lot of us are headin’ home in a week. Cullen’s off to restore a castle somewhere in… where is it you’re goin’, son?”
“London, Ma.”
“Right, and the rest of us are heading on to Dublin.”
“Liam too? I thought he was after takin’ Morai somewhere?” Cullen lifted the grill’s lid and the mouthwatering smell of the meat poured out, teasing my appetite. “Morai’s my grandmother.” He informed me.
“Oh, well, maybe it’ll just be the two of us then,” Lucille said, looking up lovingly into her husband’s face.
“I can deal with that, to be sure.”
“Awe, Jackie.” She pecked him on the cheek.
Cullen set a plate full of steak and shrimp in front of me. “Sorry, folks, but we’ve run out of meat. I didn’t know ye were joining us. Should I toss a couple more on?”
“No, we had dinner with Auntie Shay.”
“This smells delicious,” I said, cutting off a huge chunk of meat.
“Tastes good too,” Cullen said, stuffing one of the shrimps into his mouth before taking his seat.
“Cullen, you’ll get indigestion,” Lucille chided.
“Oh, Lucy, he’s all grown up. Leave him be.”
“That’s a great idea,” Lucille said, standing. “My wine is almost empty anyway.” She paused and reached for her husband’s hand. “John, wasn’t there that thing you wanted to show me?”
“What?” John looked up, perplexed.
“That thing—you know.”
“I don’t remember any thing, unless you want me to model my new swimsuit for you upstairs.”
“Oh, John,” Lucille said, tugging his arm. “Let the kids be. Come on.”
“All right by me,” John said, standing quickly and sweeping Lucille into his arms.
“Goodnight,” Lucille called, giggling as John carried her into the house.
“Your parents are—”
“—Somethin’ else, to be sure,” Cullen said, answering for me.
I took another bite and pushed my plate away. The air had cooled, and I was beginning to feel chilled in my dress.
“Cold?” he asked, getting up and flipping on the outdoor lights. Flames shot up and lit the stone hearth to my left.
“You have an outdoor fireplace?”
“What did ye think it was?” he said, laughing and disappearing into the kitchen.
It even crackled like a real fire.
Cullen returned, covering me with a velvety soft blanket. He topped up my wine.
“You’re spoiling me.”
“Just what ye deserve.”
I flashed him a smile and for the next half an hour, he talked about his family. We moved to more comfortable seating and lounged on club chairs, his feet on the matching ottoman. His anecdotes about his older brother, the priest, and his parents, whom I’d met, made it obvious how fond he was of them.
“What’s the story? How come I’m doin’ all the blatherin’ here.
“So, what’s the craic?” He winked.
“Pardon?”
“Ye know, what’s up with yer man from the hospital?”
“We broke up.”
“Thank the heavens. He’s a real cad.”
“No argument there. I’m just thankful you pulled me from the water.”
“What fella wouldn’t have?”
“Nick, for one.”
For what seemed like an eternity he just sat there looking at me. Was it just me or was that chemistry crackling between us?
When he stood up and came and sat in the chair next to me, I knew I wasn’t alone in my thinking.
“I know we don’t really know each other, but—” he said, stopping short and I thought of Conrad.
“It feels like we do,” I said, finishing his sentence.
“It does.”
I took a quick breath and he leaned forward as if to kiss me. I jumped to my feet, almost spilling my wine.
“It’s getting late,” I paused. “I should go to bed.”
He let out a deep breath and set his glass down on the table with a clack.
“Yeah, it’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” Standing and stretching his legs, he moved around th
e table, walking so close behind me I could almost feel his breath on my neck as he gathered up the plates.
“Did you get yer flight booked?” he asked, before carrying our dishes into the kitchen.
“Yes. Sorry, I meant to ask you if you knew of a car service that might be available Friday night. That’s the earliest flight I could get.”
“We’re happy to have you and I’ll take ye.” He handed me a bottle of water
“You don’t have to do that.” I opened it and took a sip.
“It’s all right. I want to. There’s just one caveat.”
“Okay, what’s that?”
“You have to go on a date with me?”
“Pardon?”
He laughed.
“I know it’s brazen, but we have tickets to the show tomorrow night. I know Ma will expect that you join us. Say ye will?”
“What sort of show. I’m limited on what I brought to wear.”
“No problem there.”
I stared at him quizzically.
“Aye well, Ma lives for fashion and they have more money than they know what to do with so she’ll have something.”
“Okay,” I agreed and helped him load the dishwasher. He walked me to my room after that which coincidentally was next to his and we lingered in the doorway. I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to kiss him. With everything going on, I didn’t need to further complicate my life but there was just something about him. He looked at me for a moment then shut the door and slid his fingers around the back of my head, lacing them through my hair and drawing my mouth to his. The water spilled a little as we moved further inside the guestroom and he set it down for me. Chills ran up my spine as we kissed again. His hands went to the buttons on the back of my sundress. He undid them with ease, placing his hands on the bare skin of my back.
One hand pushed further inside my dress and then moved it to the front, touching my breast. I shivered as my dress passed my shoulders and slid down my arms onto the carpeted floor. Then he paused and let me go.
“I’m sorry.”
“What? What’s the matter?” I asked.
“I’m behaving like a jack-off. Ye’ve just been through this huge ordeal and I’m taking advantage of you. I’ll just get out of yer hair,” he said, backing out of the room.
“No. Please, you’re not taking advantage of me and anyway, you don’t have to leave yet. We can talk.”
He looked at me standing brazenly half-nude, and a grin curved his lips.
“I somehow doubt that’s what will happen. I want to, believe me, but it wouldn’t be right. I’ll see ye in the mornin’, and I look forward to our date.”
“Goodnight.” I smiled and watched him leave, closing the door behind him. Why did he have to be such a damn gentleman?
Oh well, fatigue tugged at my eyes, so it was probably for the best. I closed the door and pulled down the sheets. I was just drifting off when I heard the sound of my cell phone ringing.
“Hello?” I croaked out, spotting the familiar floral-patterned curtains framing the moonlight in the O’Kelley’s guestroom.
“Sophia, honey, did I wake you?”
I recognized Gigi’s voice and looked around the room for a clock.
“No. Well, yes,” I said, trying to clear my head.
“You don’t normally go to bed before eleven o’clock.”
“Long day. I closed my eyes for a moment, and crashed.”
“You sound upset.”
“I had a nightmare, that’s all.”
“Awe, sweetie. Big hugs. Was it the same one?”
“It was nothing,” I replied sniffing the scent of tobacco in the air. “Anyway, what’s going on? How come you’re calling? I thought I was going to call you.”
“Oh, I know. Everything’s fine. I just have to go into the hospital tomorrow so they can run some tests.”
“Tests? Why?”
“Sophia, now don’t get all worked up. It’s no big deal. Leslie had to go home to work and I just knew you were planning to call tomorrow, and I didn’t want you to worry when you didn’t get an answer.”
Right, like I’m not worried now.
“What are the tests for? Who’s taking you if Leslie’s working?”
“Well, actually, Greta’s in town.”
Alarm bells went off in my head. Greta Woods was Gigi’s daughter, my grandmother, or simply Greta, as she liked me to call her—a self-absorbed woman who moved to California after her first failed marriage to pursue a career in acting. Leaving my mother, who was four years old at the time, behind with Gigi. Greta never made it as an actress, but she landed herself a rich oil tycoon and moved to Texas, sending money and cards on our birthdays.
“They’re just double checking something,” Gigi replied calmly.
This was probably the most involvement Greta’d had in her own mother’s life in ten years.
“Greta wouldn’t be in town for no reason. How serious is it?”
“You’re being silly, girl. It’s fine. They found a little lump, that’s all. At my age nothing grows quick, not even tumors; don’t worry yourself. I’ll call you when it’s all over.”
“I got my passport and booked the red eye. My flight gets in Saturday. Maybe I should come directly up to the Lake House.”
“Now, you don’t have to rush. Stop and sleep. Leslie’s coming up for dinner on Sunday. You know that girl would starve if she didn’t eat me out of house and home at least once a week. Why don’t you just wait and ride up together. I’m—”
“Gigi.” I cut her off. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
S leep and a hot shower the following morning was just the ticket. I was considerably refreshed when I went downstairs. The smell of fresh-brewed coffee in the air was tantalizing and piquing my appetite. Perhaps I’d grown a little too used to breakfast in bed. Spending a couple of weeks in the life of a Princess could do that to you. Lucile, however was no palace servant, but she had graciously made arrangements to have breakfast prepared and served. Apparently, the O’Kelley’s traveled with help. Either that, or she’d called in a local caterer.
“How’d ye sleep?” Cullen asked as I joined him at the table in the dining room.
“Good,” I answered.
“Then why the long face?”
“Oh. Is it that evident? My great grandmother called after you left. She’s going for tests today, so that’s bothering me a little, but nothing I can do about it from here.”
“Tests? Is she sick then?” he asked, in a serious voice.
“No,” I answered, forcing a smile. “Or at least she wasn’t. She mentioned a growth so I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Well, it’s like ye say. Nothin’ to be done about it from here so just try to push it out of your mind and I’ll do my best to entertain ye until ye’re back home to her.”
“Thank you,” I said. “But you really don’t need to babysit me. I crashed your vacation. Please, feel free to do whatever it is you had planned.”
“Nonsense,” he said, shaking his head. “You say crashed. I say brightened.” He went on. “So, the show doesn’t start until eight tonight. What shall we do today?
“I’m thinking bed,” I replied.
A grin spread across his cheeks, and I couldn’t stop myself from blushing. I started to explain myself, when he reached across the table and patted my hand. “I know what you meant, Sophia. You’d like to rest up,” he said. “Although I’m happy to indulge if it’s company you require.” Then he added, “You are after all the guest.”
My cheeks hurt from smiling. Maybe time with him was better than time alone. “How about we relax together. I was thinking of reading in bed but I could do that by the pool or ocean if you wanted to join me.”
“Sounds like a date,” He said and smiled.
By six in the evening we’d had enough of the great outdoors and returned to our room to get ready for our night on the town. Lucille had hung a long dre
ss in my closet on the off chance I would need it. It was gorgeous. A smoldering silky black number with a long-sleeved overlay in black-and-white dotted print. Slit up to the thigh on one side, it was very French, and since my own dresses were wrinkled, I decided to wear it.
After I’d dressed and styled my hair, I looked around for Lucille to thank her but didn't see her anywhere. I heard a wolf whistle from my position in the kitchen and glanced out the patio doors. Cullen was hunkered down with a smile on his face, looking sleekly put together in his dinner jacket and perfectly starched shirt, his red hair smoothly combed, it was hard to believe he was the same guy I’d hung out with all day.
“Hey, there,” I said. “Right back at cha. You sure clean up nice.”
He took a sip of his drink and blushed. “Thanks! It’s not as comfy as shorts and sandals but Ma insists—fashion maven that she is.” Then he stood up and came over to kiss my hand. “You look beautiful. Is that the dress Ma bought for ye today?”
“Lucille bought this today? Oh my, I thought it was hers and she’d just pulled it from her own wardrobe.”
“Oh no, that would never do.” He grinned. “You like it? You don’t have to wear it, just to make her feel good.” His voice lowered to a conspiratorial tone. “We can pretend it didn’t fit if you prefer your own clothes.”
“No, are you kidding? I love it.”
Cullen looked up and smiled. “Good ‘cause I’m pretty sure she went through your clothes to get your size. She’s invasive like that.” I laughed and he cleared his throat. “And here they come.”
We managed to fit in a quick round of drinks and appetizers before the limo picked us up. The wild west themed circus was hilarious, but by the eighty-minute mark, I was ready to chew on the seat in front of me. Thankfully, there was no wait at ten in the evening. Our coats were whisked into cupboards secreted in the wall, and we were shown to the lounge for a pre-dinner aperitif. Or, at least, that’s what the fancy-schmancy waiter called it.
“How did the two of you meet?” I asked, sipping the champagne John had chosen.
“Oh, that’s a story, all right!” Lucile smiled, snuggling closer into her husband. She was in an ivory cocktail dress that draped elegantly from one shoulder.
“Lucy here worked for me. She was nineteen when I discovered her in London.”
Cruel Fortunes Omnibus: Volumes One to Four Page 18
