Finn had done some investigating and informed Kelly nothing underhanded had gone down with Josh. Once Kelly had a chance to calm down, he let it sink in that she was once again single, but then the daiquiri showed up. That was when he realized how badly he wanted her. Then Evan happened.
He still wasn’t over what he’d seen that night, wasn’t sure if he’d ever get over it. No one had a right to touch her when she said no. Even Kelly didn’t deserve her love. She deserved a good man, a man that was dedicated, honest, and always put her first.
When he asked her to be his wife, she’d said yes. Amazing. He’d do everything in his power to be a good man, the kind of man she wanted. She deserved that.
His emotions were all very confusing. Since he didn’t quite understand the emotions he’d had when it came to Ashlynn, he’d kept them to himself. But the thought of disappointing her, letting her down in any way, scared the living shit out of him.
He’d passed the entire summer watching the door of O’Malley’s, waiting for her to step inside and say hi. As time went on he got angry, with her, with himself, with God. The day he told Colin what he was feeling and his brother had gotten him good and drunk, Colin also told him to grow up.
It wasn’t easy to hear, but his brother was right. Kelly never took life seriously and it was passing him by. Seeing through every transparent woman he met, what was once comfort, now was only a cold illusion. Because sex was off the table he had to be creative, actually talk, listen, and he realized he really liked the kind of person she was and the kind of man he wanted to be in her presence.
He wasn’t anybody’s hero, but he could be hers. He could make all her waiting and hoping worth something in the end. True, they didn’t know each other that well, but they’d get to know each other in time. She didn’t carry on about drama and bullshit like most women he knew. She was a straight to the point, no frills sort of lass and she suited him just fine.
Until her father had announced the one thing Kelly knew all along, the one aspect that had him hesitating since probably the first time he discovered who Ashlynn Fisher was. He wasn’t good enough.
Kelly picked up a pebble and lobbed it into the field. Roy Fisher was right. Kelly hadn’t done much of anything since high school. He’d run O’Malley’s and drank a good bit of his adult years away. If he had it to do over, he would’ve made better choices.
He could go to church. It wasn’t that he had a problem with God. Church was just a chore after working until four in the morning on Saturdays. But he’d drag his ass there every Sunday if it meant being a better man for her and maybe that would convinced her father he wasn’t such a bad guy. He’d waited this long for her he could wait a bit longer. She was worth it.
There was no eraser big enough to take back his past. There had been an incalculable number of women. Ashlynn had only kissed a few men. He shut his eyes as regret weighed heavily on his shoulders. She was independent, but also incredibly old fashioned. Both qualities appealed to him.
Behind all that preservation was a woman who had denied herself too long. There was such curiosity and enthusiasm beneath the surface, Kelly needed to be there when she finally let down her guard—wanted to be there more than he wanted anything else. Indeed, what she was preserving was a priceless gift, one he would appreciate more so than any other ordinary Joe or Josh. She saved herself for one man and he was determined to be that man.
Perhaps, in time, he could prove to Roy Fisher he was a good man and make him reconsider.
The door burst open and he twisted. Ashlynn squealed—an uncharacteristic, girlie squeal—and flew down the porch steps.
“He said yes! He said yes! He said yes!”
Kelly caught her, shocked, as she hurled herself into his arms. “What?”
“He said yes!” She pressed her lips to his and laughed.
Relief he hadn’t been expecting swamped him. His arms tightened around her, his mouth sealing over hers, as relief and hope broke free inside of him. This woman was going to be his wife. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss and then he heard the soft click of a gun cocking.
Lowering Ashlynn to the ground, her body made a slow glide over his clothing, and he glanced over her shoulder. Yup, there was her father holding a rifle.
“No one wants to see that,” Roy said.
Kelly quickly stepped away and Ashlynn growled. Her booted feet stomped up the steps and snatched the gun out of her father’s hands, completely unfazed by the weapon and handling it with a sense of familiarity. “Put this away before you hurt yourself.” She disappeared in the house with the rifle.
Roy shrugged innocently. “Care to come back inside?”
Kelly smiled and loped up the stairs. As he passed, Roy grabbed his arm. “You hurt my baby, McCullough, and I will kill you. Just so we’re clear.”
Kelly nodded. “And just so we’re clear,” he said, meeting the man’s eyes. “I ever see someone hurt her I’ll be asking to borrow your gun.”
The man smiled and patted him on the back. “I like your style.”
* * * *
When they finished at Ashlynn’s fathers, she drove Kelly back to the pub to get his truck. She was relieved he wasn’t ready to call it a night. Kelly followed her back to her house where they shared a late supper and many overdue kisses as they discussed their future. It seemed neither of them wanted a long engagement.
After supper, Kelly helped Ashlynn with the dishes. It was getting late, but she didn’t want him to leave.
“I better get going,” Kelly said as he returned the last plate to the cabinet.
She sighed but agreed. “I’ll walk you out.”
The second they stepped on the front porch Kelly’s mouth was on her. Ashlynn’s back pressed into the front door of her house as Kelly proceeded to kiss her goodnight. Of course, to Kelly, a goodnight kiss wasn’t complete until they were both panting and needy and ready to tear each other’s clothes off.
Warm liquid heat tugged through her veins as she pressed into him. Everything was still so surreal. Embracing the dream before she woke up—still not fully convinced this was really happening—she wrapped her arms over his shoulders and pulled him tight.
“I can’t wait until our wedding night,” she whispered against his lips as she ran her fingers through his soft hair.
He stilled as if her words shocked him. Pulling back, he tipped his chin and gave her a devious look. “What was that?”
She giggled. “Did you think I wasn’t curious? My God, Kelly, I’m twenty-four years old. I’m dying to see what all the fuss is about.”
He growled and sealed his lips to her neck, tickling her with his tongue. “Good wife,” he purred below her ear.
“I plan to be,” she sighed and he pressed his hips to hers. All of that manly power and strength would be hers. Kelly McCullough was going to be naked for her, touch her, make her shiver, and feel things no one else would ever make her feel! “How long do you think it will take to arrange everything?”
He chuckled. “Impatient, are you?”
“Um, yes. Very.”
He hummed in the most carnal way. “Oh, I like this side of you, love. I like it very much.”
He nibbled her throat and her fingers tightened on his shoulders. Breathlessly, she asked, “Will you teach me everything, Kelly? I want to be everything you need.”
He pulled back and shut his eyes, a smile pulling at his lips. “Is there some magic place you find these sweet words? Ashlynn, I will teach you whatever you want to know.”
“What about blowjobs? Do you like that?”
His eyes widened. “No man dislikes a blowjob. It’s natural law. Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock, but nothing beats a blowjob.”
So clever and naughty and witty and sexy—and hers! Pressing her lips tight, she held in a chuckle. “What’s so great about them?”
His dark brow arched high. “They’re just…good. You know how there’s no business like show business?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, there’s no job like a blowjob.”
“I don’t know if I’d be able to—”
“Wait,” he interrupted, frowning. “Who told you about blowjobs?”
She bit her lip. “Josh.”
Kelly’s expression darkened like a thundercloud. “I’ll kill the little prick.”
She grabbed his shirt and laughed. “Kelly, wait. I only heard him say the word. I was curious so I looked it up online.”
He calmed only slightly, but pulled her close, tugging her chest to his as his fist wrapped around the straps of her overalls. His lips traced over hers and he whispered, “Looking at porn online is a sin, Ms. Fisher, soon to be McCullough.”
She grinned and threw his words back at him. “That’s what confession’s for.”
He laughed. “Bet you made the priest drop the book on that one.”
“No, Father Mark was very understanding. He said the Internet wasn’t the place to find the answers to my questions. My husband would someday explain everything I needed to know.”
“You actually told him you researched blowjobs?”
“Of course! That’s what he’s there for.”
Kelly shut his eyes and laughed. “Wait until the church sees who your husband’ll be.”
She grinned. Kelly McCullough was going to be her husband. “So…will you tell me how to do it?”
“Do what?”
“Blowjobs.”
He kissed her lips, growled, and kissed her again—deeper. Then he stepped away. “That’s information for my wife.” He loped down the porch steps.
“I’m going to be your wife!”
“I’ll tell you when you are, love. See you tomorrow.”
She groaned and blew him a kiss. “I have internet research to do anyway!” she shouted.
He stopped midway to the truck. “I’ll start planning the exam.”
And with that he was gone—her fiancé, Kelly McCullough.
Chapter Eleven
Kelly climbed up the steps to his house whistling like a cartoon. As he entered the kitchen, he found Luke sitting with his mother.
Maureen stood and smiled. “Hello, dear. You’re looking mighty happy. Did you have a nice day?”
He hugged his mum and pressed a smacking kiss on her rosy cheek. “Lovely day, mum.”
She slapped his cheek and bustled to the fridge. “Yer drunk!”
“Sober as a saint,” he proclaimed, slapping Luke on the back and taking a seat in his father’s chair. His booted feet propped on the table.
Maureen pulled out a dish and heaped a large scoop of rice pudding in a bowl. As she carried it to him, she slapped his feet and the chair collapsed forward. “Don’t be an animal. Here. Eat. You look pale.”
He shoveled a large bite in his mouth and moaned happily. His mum sat beside him and grinned curiously. It had been a while since he’d been in a jovial mood. “So go on and tell us what has you so cheeky.”
“I’m in love.”
Both his mother and brother’s expressions fell. “What?” she rasped.
“Love, mum. I’m in love.”
Luke laughed. “The women will rally.”
“To be sure.” Kelly winked at his brother. “But this prime cut o’beef is officially off the market.”
“Who is she?” Maureen asked, an expression of shock still on her face.
He leaned in close and whispered. “Oh, she’s a good girl.”
“Kelly, love, what are you doin’ with a good girl? You’ll ruin her for all other men.”
He scraped the last of his mum’s pudding in his mouth and grinned. “There won’t be any other men. She’s all mine. I’m not giving her back.”
“What do ya mean, all yours?” his mum asked, brow creased with worry.
“I mean,” he said as he stood. “I’ve asked her to marry me.”
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Kelly, tell me you’re joking.”
He frowned. “I’m not and she’s said yes.”
“Who is she?” Luke asked, stark shock written all over his face.
Kelly grinned. “You’ll never guess.”
“I haven’t a clue,” his brother said, as speechless as his mum.
Braydon came into the kitchen and stilled. “Whhhhat’s going on?”
“Kelly’s getting’ married,” Maureen said without blinking, her voice a breathless rasp.
Braydon snorted. “And I just shit a flock of butterflies.” He turned and rooted through the fridge. When he found what he was looking for, his brother faced the rest of them and stilled. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’ll be wantin’ to see those butterflies, Bray. My betrothed may be wantin’ to use them for the ceremony.”
The back door opened and Sheilagh walked in and staggered to a stop. “Who died?”
Bray faced her and said, “Kelly’s getting married.”
She snorted. “Oh, okay!”
“He’s serious,” Bray said.
Sheilagh sobered. “What? No he’s not…”
She scanned their faces.
Kelly scowled. Was it so hard to believe someone would marry him?
“Holy shit,” Sheilagh muttered, sliding into a chair. “Who?”
He pursed his lips and stood. “Well, hell if I tell the lot of you. Not a bloody one of you seems to think I’m capable of being a groom.” He turned and left the kitchen.
“Kelly, love, we’re just a little shocked. That’s all. Come tell us who she is!”
He took the steps, not stopping until he slammed his bedroom door. Screw them all.
* * * *
Sheilagh stared at her brothers. “This is a joke, right? I mean… he’s a hoe. Who would marry him?”
Her mum tsked. “Love, don’t call your brother a hoe. Say whore. It sounds nicer.”
She rolled her eyes and Braydon said, “He seemed pretty serious.”
Luke frowned. “He isn’t even dating anyone.”
“Who?” Their father asked, stepping into the kitchen.
Maureen stood. “I thought you were in bed.”
“Someone slammed a door and woke me up. What’s going on?”
He settled into his chair and Maureen dished out a second serving of dessert. “Have some more pudding, love.”
Her dad made a contented face as he took a bite of her mum’s rice pudding. Sheilagh couldn’t hold back. “Kellysgettingmarried!” she rushed out.
Her father sputtered and her mum handed him a glass of milk.
“What?”
She grinned. “He just told us, but he won’t say to who.”
Frank McCullough scowled and his dark brows slowly lifted, his blue eyes going wide. He stood. “I need to have a word with my son.”
“Do you know who it is?” they all yelled, but her dad was already gone.
“Has everyone gone bloody mad?” Bray snapped. “This is Kelly we’re talking about.”
Sheilagh still didn’t believe it. “Mum, you have to do something.”
Maureen turned slowly, her eyes wide. “What would you have me do, love? He’s a grown man. I cannot tell him how to behave. Kelly’s always had a mind to do what he wants when he wants.”
“And who he wants,” Bray mumbled.
Sheilagh glanced at Luke who was being oddly silent in the face of such shocking news. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Luke shrugged. “What’s there to say? He’s obviously in love—”
Bray snorted. “Love?” He scoffed. “In terms of affection Kelly can’t tell his arse from his elbow. What does he know of love?”
“I presume he knows as much as you, Braydon, love,” Maureen cut in. “Just because we all expected Kelly to be our rogue forever, doesn’t mean that’s the only way it could be. God’s gone and surprised us, is all.” She smiled. “A great, wonderful surprise.”
“You don’t know who the lass is yet, mum,” Luke reminded.
Her mother’s face fell a littl
e. “Oh, well, Kelly’s quite knowledgeable of the selection out there. I’m sure he picked a good one. He did say she was a good girl.”
Sheilagh frowned in disbelief. She’d heard enough. “What good girl in their right mind would agree to marry a slut like Kelly? He can’t even date a woman for a week without getting bored and lookin’ elsewhere. This girl’s a moron.”
“Don’t be a devil, Shei,” Luke hissed. “She could be a perfectly nice girl. You don’t know everything that happens behind closed doors no matter how much—”
“Oh my God.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “I know who it is.”
“Who?” Bray and her mum asked at once.
Shaking her head, she slowly stood. “I can’t believe it. He’s really going to marry her.”
It all made sense. The one girl Kelly couldn’t have was the one he wanted most, enough to marry. Did she sleep with him? It was common knowledge Ashlynn had a crush on Kelly since they were all kids. There was no way she’d tell him no, virgin or not.
Then she frowned. A sick, twisting sort of envy took hold of her stomach. Sheilagh wanted nothing more than to run upstairs and shower off the memory of her evening. She glared at Luke. Where was Tristan? “I have to go.”
“Sheilagh!” Bray snapped. “Tell us what you know.”
Shaking her head, she looked at the lot of them. It was all wrong. Bray should have been married first. He was the good son. But Colin had stolen his Sammy. And then there was Luke. Luke who seemed all man to the rest of them, an athletic God with zero tolerance for softness or shortcomings, yet he was hiding the greatest secret of all…her Tristan. And now Kelly?
No.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair she let herself get groped by some guy she barely knew who would never call—not that she wanted him to—and Kelly was getting married. Where was the sense? There was supposed to be some universal code in play where the good got theirs and the wicked waited.
Feeling utterly terrible about her life and self-pity for the things no one else knew about her, she turned, and scowled at Luke. “Well, I guess love is a wondrous thing after all. No matter who you are…eventually someone is bound to see you as the best thing in the world. Funny. I have no clue what that feels like.”
Chaste Page 22
