by Bianca D'Arc
He joined her, scooping her gently into his arms and laying down with her on the wide bed. The way she fit against him felt special. He’d never been much of a cuddler, but Roisin was different. So different from any other female he’d ever known.
Fiery in bed, demure in public. She matched him in many ways. He loved knowing that he could turn the polite, proper woman into a wildcat with a single touch.
She turned in his arms after a bit, stretching lazily against him. He loved the soft feel of her skin against him, and the deep blue of her eyes as she gazed into his made him feel like he was drowning—happily—in the peaceful ocean of her gaze.
“Mm. That was nice,” she said, a satisfied smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “Good to know I wasn’t imagining things.”
“You too?” he asked before he could censor himself. “I mean…”
He might as well be truthful. He’d never been anything less than truthful with Roisin. Their previous encounter had been fast and honest, right from the start. Refreshing. No games. No pretense. He’d like that and wondered if it could continue. In his experience, women tended to over-complicate things and say one thing when they really meant another. Navigating a relationship often left him scratching his head, wondering what the woman he was with was really thinking.
Roisin chuckled. “I thought maybe I’d imagined how good we were together last time. It’s both good and a little scary to realize it was all true.”
He had to laugh. “I was thinking pretty much the same thing,” he admitted. “And for the record, I love your honesty.”
He paused for a moment. He’d unconsciously used the L-word. Would she notice and make a big deal about it? And why in the world had that particular word—something he’d avoided ever using when he’d been with anyone else—had just popped out of his mouth as naturally as breathing? It was something to consider.
Had he used that particular word because he really felt that way…about more than just her propensity for not playing verbal or mind games? Was his heart really involved more than he’d thought with this woman—this amazing woman—he’d only been with once before?
He hardly knew her, if truth be told. They’d only spent a short amount of time together.
But he’d spent a year thinking about her. A whole year considering what they’d had in that short night they’d spent together. An entire year to think about the way she’d rocked his world without even trying.
“I like your honesty too,” she told him playfully, reaching downward. He gasped when she took his cock in her hand, stroking him to hardness. “I like this even more.”
They didn’t say much after that as round two began in earnest.
Chapter Five
Roisin enjoyed every minute of her night spent in Jim’s arms. He gave as good as he got, treating her to things they hadn’t gotten around to trying last year. He spent time bringing her to peak after peak until she cried out his name, and she had reason to be thankful that she’d sprung for the luxury hotel with the soundproof walls.
They ate room service breakfast together in bed the next morning, but eventually, all good things had to come to an end. She had a gig to get to that afternoon, and she didn’t know how to say goodbye again. She didn’t want to go, and it felt like he didn’t either, so they lingered over breakfast in bed as long as possible, cuddling together and talking.
Jim had taken a little piece of her heart last night, and she was pretty sure she’d never get it back. Had it been worth it? Definitely yes. Would she never forget him? Yes again. But would they be able to start something a little longer term this time? She had no idea.
She was willing to give it a try, but he hadn’t said anything. Maybe she had to say something first. He’d said last night that he valued her honesty.
“I’ve got a gig this afternoon and later tonight, but I’m free after midnight if you want to get together.” She tried to be as casual as she could, but she was on tenterhooks waiting for his response.
“What are you doing between the two gigs?” he asked, surprising her. She liked the lazy smile on his face and the way he brushed back her hair from her cheek. He was so gentle at times like this, yet so fierce when they made love. The contrast fascinated her.
“Nothing much. I was going to grab some dinner somewhere. Maybe take a walk down by the harbor. If there’s time, I might even go to the National Aquarium. I love aquariums.”
“Let me guess. You keep pet fish?” He seemed intrigued.
“I do.” She nodded, grinning at him. It was fun to just talk. “I have a small pond in my backyard with goldfish that come inside in the winter. I also have a tropical tank with angelfish and tetras in different varieties.”
“That sounds adorable,” he told her, leaning forward to kiss her on the tip of her nose.
She laughed as he moved back to his side of the bed. “It’s a lot of work, actually, but I really enjoy it. The fish are very calming, and they can be left alone for a few days without too much trouble, which is why they make good pets for me, since I often take road trips like this.” She paused a moment, thinking about how her words may have sounded. “Well, not like this…” She gestured at him and the badly rumpled bed. “But I have to travel sometimes, and a more traditional pet would be more difficult to deal with.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Ro,” he assured her. “I don’t often do this sort of thing either. Not anymore, anyway. It’s been years since my time was my own, though I suppose that might be coming my way again, if I choose to retire and not re-up.”
“You mean, you can quit the Navy?”
“Not quit, exactly, but yes. My time is up in another month unless I sign up for another tour. Stationing me near my family for the last bit of my time was a reward, of sorts, from my last commander. He knew I was on the fence about whether to return to civilian life or keep going in the fleet. He figured seeing my family on a more regular basis would help me make the right decision.”
“To leave the Navy?” she asked.
“Or stay. Seeing my family has helped me realize the advantages to both scenarios. I haven’t figured out what to do yet, but I have to give them my decision next week.”
“Next week?” Her voice squeaked a little bit on the second word. She couldn’t help herself. She hadn’t expected to see him ever again, and now, he was saying there was a chance he might decide to become a civilian again and stay here in Baltimore.
She could see him whenever she wanted then…if he agreed. And after last night, she thought he’d agree. At least for a while. To see where this went.
She desperately wanted to know where this amazing thing between them could lead.
“Yeah, I was going to try to figure out my answer this weekend.” He moved away to sit on the side of the bed. He looked as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders for a split second, and then, his demeanor brightened as he turned to look at her. “What do you say we spend the afternoon together? Maybe take that walk you were thinking about and then have dinner together before your next show?”
Her heart filled with joy. “I’d love that.”
*
The afternoon was idyllic. Jim was waiting for Roisin when she finished playing the luncheon party, and he helped her pack up her stuff and return it to the hotel for safekeeping. Then, he took her on a walking tour of the historic harbor area. There were romantic spots down there where he would pause to let her take in the view, then he’d kiss her. She’d forever remember every scenic spot on their little tour by how much he’d made her toes curl with his delicious kisses.
He took her to a restaurant with a view of the water. It was a place away from the tourist madness, filled with locals. In fact, a few of the people greeted Jim by name when they walked in but otherwise left them to their own devices.
The lighting was low, the food delicious, and the view spectacular. The company wasn’t bad either. They talked about their childhoods and families. She was interested to hear about
his parents, who lived nearby, and the rest of his siblings. She opened up to him about her rather different childhood as the daughter of an acclaimed musician and what that had meant to her introduction into the business at a very young age.
The talk was companionable. She laughed out loud at a few of his stories, and he seemed amused by hers. Over the hours they spent together, she realized more and more that their attraction was real, and it was blossoming before her eyes into something she’d always wished for but never really expected to find.
“You know…” Jim said, pouring her another glass of wine from the carafe he’d ordered to go with dinner. “I really enjoy being with you, Ro.”
“Me too,” she agreed, toasting him with her newly filled glass.
She normally didn’t drink when she had to work, but a glass or two of wine with dinner seemed mandatory in these surroundings and wouldn’t hurt her performance later. The moment was too romantic to deny herself anything right now.
“Is the invitation to see you later tonight still open?” His voice dropped to a low, sexy purr that she found impossible to resist.
“Definitely.” Her words came out on a breathy sigh as she thought about how great last night had been and how much she wanted a repeat.
“And do you think…if I don’t re-up with the Navy, that we might be able to make a go of this on a more regular basis?” He watched her intently, waiting for her answer.
Her heart wanted her to leap into his arms and say yes, but her head told her there were still obstacles to their being together.
“I live in New York,” she said, thinking aloud. His expression tightened, and she felt compelled to add more. “But I would love to try to figure out a way to see you. I…” Should she lay her heart bare here? Was she willing to take a chance?
She thought about that for a moment. Taking a chance on Jim had gotten her here. It made sense that she keep taking chances. He hadn’t disappointed her yet.
“Jim.” She set down her wineglass and looked up into his eyes. “I really like you. A lot. I’m not sure how a long-distance relationship could work for us, but I’d really like to try.” She paused, watching his expression but not knowing what was going on behind his gorgeous brown eyes. “That is…if you want to.”
His sexy smile brought relief to her stretched nerves. “I definitely want to, Ro. More than anything.” He reached across the table to put his hand over hers. “I’ve thought about you for a whole year.”
“You too?” she breathed, surprised into speaking the first words that came to her mind.
He chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Yeah, there’s a reason I found you again. If I didn’t know better, I’d say my old aunty’s leprechauns were working on our behalf.” He looked deep into her eyes. “To tell you the truth, if our paths hadn’t crossed last night, I wouldn’t have lasted much longer without looking you up and traveling north to see you. You’ve been on my mind almost constantly since we parted last year.”
Her breath caught at the seriousness of his tone. “I’ve thought about you a lot too, Jim.”
“Yeah?” That grin of his dared her to say more.
“Yeah,” she agreed. “But I didn’t know where to even begin to look you up. All I knew was that you were in the Navy and could be just about anywhere in the world.”
“Hmm.” Jim let go of her hand and scooted his chair a short way back from the table. He then reached into his pocket and drew out a small case, placing it on the table in front of him. Then, he reached for the pen in his top pocket. “That’s my bad.” He took what looked like a business card out of the case, flipped it over, then began writing in neat bold letters on the back. “This is my business card, but I’m giving you my home number and my parents’ address and phone number on the back, so even if I move again, you’ll have a way to track me down.”
She laughed at his thoroughness. “Won’t your parents think it’s a little strange if I call them to track you down?”
“Not at all,” he told her. “Do you know how many places I’ve been stationed over the past few years? My folks are the only people who really, consistently, know where I am. My friends call them when they want to know where I’ve ended up. It’s not uncommon.”
“Your old girlfriends do this?” she challenged, giving him a bit of a daring, skeptical look.
“Not that I know of,” he answered promptly, putting away his pen before holding the card out to her. “But Mom’s better than the Secret Service. She always knows who to let through and who to bamboozle.”
“Well.” She accepted the card, already knowing it was going to become one of her prized possessions. A tangible memory of this amazing day. “Hopefully, I wouldn’t be on the bamboozle list…if I called.”
“No way you’d be on that list,” he said, his voice dropping low, the moment intimate again.
“Why?” She wasn’t sure what she was asking, exactly, but he seemed to know.
“I need to give you a way to find me because, Ro, I don’t want to lose you again.” He took her hand in his, this time, lacing their fingers together.
Interruption arrived in the form of the waiter, bringing the check. Jim let go of her hand and saw to the mechanics of paying the bill. The moment was lost.
Chapter Six
Roisin’s gig that night was a repeat performance at Pat’s Pub. It wasn’t quite the usual thing to play the same place two nights in a row, but when they’d heard she’d be in town all weekend, the invitation had been made. Roisin liked the family and the place so much, she’d happily agreed. The extra money was nice, and it gave her another opportunity to promote her new recording.
It also gave her more time to spend with Jim. Once he realized she was playing Pat’s again that night, he’d decided to go with her to the pub. She tried not to stare at his table, but she was definitely aware of him sitting there—just a few yards away.
She was surprised when two men and a pretty woman joined him at the table about halfway through her first set. The men looked enough like Jim to be brothers, and the girl… Well, Roisin was hoping like hell that she was either one of the others’ girlfriend or maybe she could even be Jim’s sister.
Roisin worked her way through her set. She’d mixed up the set list from last night, using alternate songs and putting the old standards—and selections from her new album—into slightly different spots. That was one way to keep things fresh.
She was also taking requests from the audience. Every once in a while, someone would come up and ask her if she knew a particular song. There weren’t many in the Irish repertoire that she didn’t know, so she was able to fulfill the majority of requests, much to the delight of her audience.
She’d just finished “Flower of Scotland” when an old man who’d already requested something earlier asked her to sing ‘Wild Irish Rose’. While it wasn’t normally a song sung by a woman, she was able to adapt it somewhat, and the man seemed well pleased when Roisin ended her set with it. In fact, the old gent took a rose off one of the tables and presented it to her in thanks.
Roisin blushed, accepting the rose and applause from the rest of the audience as the sound of recorded music came over the speakers. It would play in the background until she resumed the stage for her next set.
She put her instruments down and turned to step down from the stage, only to find Jim there, his hand outstretched to help her down. She blushed. It was a silly reaction, but she knew there were people at his table—friends, or possibly family—who were probably watching them. Was this some kind of public statement on his part? It almost felt that way.
It was like he was claiming her in front of everyone in the pub. She glanced around quickly and noted a few raised eyebrows. The old man who had given her the rose was nodding and smiling at her, as if in approval of the man she’d chosen to spend her time with.
Oddly, that was good enough for her. Roisin took Jim’s hand and allowed him to lead her to his table. They’d moved the chairs around to make a space
for her right next to Jim, and two bottles of cold water were sitting there, ready for her. Jim had figured out her routine after watching her last night. Or maybe Tristan behind the bar had given him a hint. Either way, she was touched by Jim’s thoughtfulness.
Roisin stood behind the chair left open for her, Jim at her side. The two men at the table rose politely at her arrival, and the woman smiled. All seemed welcoming.
“Ro, this is my sister, Kayla, and my younger brothers, Nolan and Jeremy. I hope you don’t mind my inviting them down here. We were supposed to all meet up for drinks tonight. I just moved the location.” He pulled out her chair. “Guys, this is Roisin.”
To say the siblings were friendly would be understating the next few minutes. Kayla asked a few pointed questions but seemed more amused than anything else. The boys were more reticent, watching all and nodding in approval here and there. Overall, Roisin got the sense that they liked her…and that they liked the way their older brother was in her presence.
“Our folks have been waiting for Jimmy to come home for a long time,” Kayla said to Roisin at one point while the men were discussing a basketball game that was playing on one of the televisions mounted near the bar. “We’re all hoping he decides to stay, but I know it’s his decision. Maybe now that he’s met you, he’ll have a bit more incentive to leave the Navy, huh?”
Roisin wasn’t sure how to answer that one, so she tried to be diplomatic. “Maybe. He said he has to make his decision by next week sometime, right?”
“That’s what I hear,” Kayla confirmed, looking at her oldest brother and frowning a little. “I worry about him.”
“Hey, sis, what’s wrong?” Jim leaned over and chucked his sister under the chin while his brothers continued to talk sports, oblivious.
“Nothing, Jimmy. I was just telling Roisin about how happy we all are to have you home again.” Kayla smiled brightly and seemed to put away her worry so Jim wouldn’t see it.
