Deceived

by Suzannah Daniels

  I nodded. “I know, but I’ve been potty trained for a while, Mom. I’ll be fine.”

  She laughed and gave me another quick hug. “I’m leaving now.”

  I watched as she turned and scurried to the driver’s door. “Bye.” Waving, she slid behind the wheel and pulled away.

  After checking in my bag and going through security, I sat down at my gate and waited on Cade. Ten minutes later, I peered at the few people who entered the area, searching for his face.

  Since it was probably late when he got back home, I wondered if he’d overslept. I picked up my phone to send him a message when it dinged with an incoming text from him.

  Cade: Was held up. I had to change my flight. Get settled into the hotel, and I’ll be right behind you. See you soon.

  I frowned. This wasn’t what I had envisioned. At all. I had to fly to New York and connect with a six-hour flight, and it looked like I’d be making it alone, which was a major bummer. My Irish luck wasn’t holding up, after all.

  Attempting to look at the bright side, I reasoned that at least he was still coming and we would have a full two weeks to spend with each other.

  Unless he stood me up altogether.

  Chapter 5

  Emerald Isle

  Seren

  After boarding the final leg of my flight, I attempted to read to take my mind off the fact that the plane was flying directly over the Atlantic Ocean and there were sharks and whales and an endless amount of salt water beneath us. According to the Captain, the trip promised to be a smooth one and we would arrive in Dublin ahead of schedule. But that wasn’t enough to keep the motion sickness at bay, and by the time we were halfway to Ireland, I was pulling out my barf bag, just in case.

  The flight attendant brought me a glass of ice and a Sprite, and after I drank it, I did feel a little better. Glancing out the window, I could see nothing but fluffy clouds beneath us. Once I was satisfied that the nausea was gone, I opted to watch a movie instead of reading.

  To get my first taste of Ireland, the attendants served shepherd’s pie, which I enjoyed until the nausea returned. Cade’s seat beside me was empty, which opened up my view to some of the other passengers. Many of them were drinking alcoholic beverages, standing in the aisle as they rummaged through the overhead storage, and reading or watching movies.

  As I pinned my head against the headrest, I wondered if I was the only one who was suffering from nausea.

  The sickness made the flight seem twice as long, and I decided maybe it was a good thing that Cade wasn’t sitting beside me, after all. I imagined it wouldn’t help my cause if he watched me puke all the contents of my stomach into the slender bag.

  As we flew over Ireland, the view out the window mesmerized me. I understood why my Granda told me that nothing compared to the green of Ireland. The view was stunning despite the setting sun. Even though the deciduous trees were still bare, the fields were green, as were the evergreens. I imagined it would be even greener once winter was over, but it was still beautiful. It was easy to see why it had been dubbed The Emerald Isle, and I couldn’t hold back the tears that filled my eyes as I caught my first glimpse of the land from where my ancestors hailed. The aerial view was gorgeous, the grass appearing to be separated into irregular rectangles of varying shades of green like a breathtaking patchwork quilt sewn by both man and Mother Nature.

  By the time we landed, my nausea could no longer be ignored, and I felt as if I had a kinship with anyone who had ever wanted to kiss the ground. In that moment, kissing the ground seemed much more appealing than kissing the Blarney Stone, which was saying a lot since the latter was on my bucket list.

  I stepped off the plane and made a beeline to the restroom, squeezing my computer bag, my purse, and myself into a narrow stall while I hugged the porcelain throne and heaved my lunch into it.

  Feeling somewhat better, I freshened up, retrieved my suitcase from baggage claim, grabbed some euros from an ATM machine, and proceeded to rent a car.

  As the clerk walked me through the rental process, her accent mesmerized me, and I had to ask her to repeat herself more than once because I was rather slow at deciphering. As she spoke, the lyrical quality of her speech entranced me, and I could easily be tempted to sit and listen to her talk all day.

  Once I was finally behind the wheel of my rental car, I plugged the address of my hotel into the navigation system and wrapped my palms around the steering wheel, which happened to be on the wrong side of the car—for me, anyway.

  And since the steering wheel was on the opposite side of the car, I had to shift gears with my left hand.

  Darkness cloaked Ireland, and I suddenly felt as if I were going to have a panic attack. How was I going to deal with a steering wheel on the opposite side of the car, switching gears with my left hand, and driving on the opposite side of the street all while trying to navigate unfamiliar roads in unfamiliar towns in an unfamiliar country in the dark?

  All the excitement that I had for visiting Ireland turned to paralyzing fear. I glanced around the parking lot, wondering if any of the attendants were paying attention to me. Finally working up some courage, I shifted gears and slowly began to press the gas. The small car sputtered and died.

  I cranked it again, revved the gas, and was rewarded with a spine-snapping jerk. And the engine died again.

  After the third time starting the car, I finally managed to work my way through the parking lot, having serious doubts about my ability to drive.

  Knowing there was no way to reach my destination except to drive through the streets of Ireland, I forced myself to do it. I breathed a sigh of relief once I had practiced for a few minutes and gotten onto a main road, which reduced the amount of shifting necessary.

  By the time I arrived in Drogheda where my hotel reservations began, my confidence had grown. Of course, I was also in a town, which meant more stopping and going, more gear shifting with my left hand.

  Three near-misses and one nervous breakdown later, I finally pulled the compact car into a parking space at the hotel.

  I turned the ignition off and took a deep breath. My hands shook, and my heart pounded. I let the relief that I had made it in one piece soak in while I sat quietly, giving my blood pressure the chance to return to normal levels.

  At least it hadn’t been raining.

  Allowing the cold, inky night to envelop me, I opened the door and stepped out, the realization that I was now on another continent dawning on me. The parking lot faced the River Boyne, and moonlight cast a golden glow on an old railroad bridge with beautiful arches that crossed the river in the distance.

  I wished my parents could be here. They would be thrilled at the opportunity to explore the Irish countryside.

  Reluctantly turning away from the gurgling river, I unloaded my luggage and checked in. I had a busy schedule while I was in Ireland, and I would only be in the hotel for a short stay.

  Once I’d gotten settled in my room, I checked my phone for messages, and I had one from Cade.

  Cade: On my way. I’m a couple of hours behind you.

  Me: Can’t wait till you get here.

  Surprised that he’d found a flight that close to mine, I decided that I had enough time to take a nap, hoping that when I woke, all remnants of my nausea would be gone.

  ***

  I sprang awake from a deep sleep, the sense that I’d overslept pumping adrenaline through my veins. Scrambling toward the nightstand, I snatched up my phone to check the time. It’d been almost two hours since Cade had sent me his text, which meant he would be on his way.

  I quickly sent him a text letting him know my room number before grabbing my toiletries and rushing toward the shower. The bathroom contained only bath towels and hand towels—no washcloths, so I opened the pack of wipes that were tucked in my suitcase and began the lengthy process of getting ready.

  After showering, I dried my hair and applied makeup. When I went to plug in my straightener, I realized that the outlets in Ireland wo
uldn’t accommodate American plugs, so I opted to leave my hair long and wavy.

  Hoping he would be up for grabbing a late dinner, I selected a sleek black dress with long sleeves. I usually dressed casually when I went to Whiskey Nights, so I wanted to capitalize on the opportunity for him to see me in a whole new light in a whole new atmosphere.

  My phone dinged, and I ran across the room to read the text.

  Cade: I’m here.

  Panic set in, and I slipped on a pair of sexy black heels.

  I wanted to start the trip off with a bang, something that would force him to think of me in terms other than friendly. It was something that I’d wanted to do for a long time. Today was the day that I would have my first kiss with Cade Mayfield.

  Just to make it interesting, I snatched the blindfold from my suitcase before zipping it and moving it out of the way. I turned on a soft lamp and turned off the overhead light. Glancing around the room, I wondered where I should position myself. Should I stand by the door? He’d be trying to come in with his luggage, and that would be awkward if I were blocking his path. I quickly made the bed and sat on the edge of it, crossing my legs for maximum sexiness.

  Damn it. He wouldn’t have a key to let himself in. Sliding back off the bed, I rushed to the door and opened it enough that I could flip the lock out before letting the door rest against it, creating a small gap. Then, I resituated myself on the bed, fluffed my hair out over my shoulders, tied the silken blindfold around my eyes, and crossed my legs.

  I heard a knock on the door, and I took a deep breath.

  “Seren?”

  He used my first name. That was a good sign. Ever since high school, he had always called me by surname. The fact that he used my given name indicated that he had already elevated our relationship to something more intimate.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” I responded, making my voice soft, breathy, sexy.

  I heard the soft clink of metal as he flipped the long slender safety lock out of the way, then I heard the door close. A soft thump warned me that he was nearer now, and I imagined that he had set down his suitcase.

  “Damn,” I heard him whisper, and pleased by his response, I couldn’t hide the small smile that crept across my face.

  A gentle rustling filled the room, and I knew he had removed his jacket and tossed it into the chair nearby.

  My heart thrummed rapidly, and in an effort to contain my nervous energy, I forced myself to breathe evenly.

  The mattress dipped with his weight, and his fingertips skimmed my arm, leaving a tingling trail in their wake.

  “Any man would happily travel around the globe if he had you waiting for him when he arrived.”

  “You like?” I asked softly, surprised by just how much I needed to hear his approval.

  “Oh, I definitely like.” His weight left the bed, and he reached down and took my hands, pulling me into a standing position.

  Reaching out, my palms landed on his hard, muscled chest, and I glided them over his shoulders as his arms encircled my waist.

  Lifting one hand to his face, I gently grazed my thumb over his lower lip to gauge the position of his mouth, and he gently kissed it. I leaned in, anticipating the moment that my lips met his in a kiss that I had imagined more times than I could count.

  Warm hands cupped my shoulders, pulling me to him. We paused momentarily. “You’re incredibly sexy,” he whispered, his breath fluttering against my skin. I parted my lips to respond, and his lips met mine, soft and gentle. He sucked on my lower lip before slipping his tongue in my mouth, deepening the kiss. His tongue stroked mine, and I kissed him eagerly in return.

  Soft moans emanated from my throat as I reveled in the feeling of being in his arms, of being kissed by him. Now that I knew what I had been missing, I briefly wondered why I hadn’t made a move sooner.

  He was an exquisite kisser, and when he finally pulled away, my chest heaved with my need to catch my breath.

  “Kissing you was even better than I imagined,” I whispered, afraid to speak too loudly and ruin the magic of the moment. Wanting to see the look on his face, to see whether he had enjoyed our kiss even half as much as I had, I pulled the blindfold down past my chin, letting it rest against my chest.

  My eyes fluttered open, and I focused on the extremely handsome face poised just above my own.

  My eyes widened.

  My breath froze in my lungs.

  Then I scurried into action, backing away until I was free from his embrace. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Chapter 6

  Kiss Me Arse

  Cade

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  From my seat at the bar, I glanced over my shoulder¸ scanning the area behind me before I turned back to Lexi, wondering if she’d lost her mind. In all the time I’d known her, she’d never spoken to me so crudely.

  Cocking my head in confusion, I narrowed my eyes while I tried to make sense of her accusatory glare. “Are you talking to me?”

  “Yes, Cade Mayfield, I’m talking to you.” Her dark eyes glittered with the same anger that her tone held.

  I knew I’d been out of town a while, but surely I was still welcome in Whiskey Nights. “Am I missing something?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, and the frigid look in her eyes promised to turn the recipient of her stare into ice.

  Mason walked over to hand me another beer. I looked at him, hoping he could help me out by deciphering his girlfriend’s strange behavior, but I didn’t have to ask for his help because he could instantly tell something was off-kilter.

  “What’s wrong, love?” He cupped Lexi’s chin and forced her to face him.

  She lifted her chin from his grasp and pointed at me. “He’s supposed to be in Ireland.”

  Seren

  “Answer me.” Anger and confusion eddied in my chest as my hands curled into fists.

  He lifted his palms in a placatory manner. “Now just calm down.”

  Hysteria welled within me. “I will not calm down,” I shrieked. “If Cade didn’t want to come, he should’ve been man enough to tell me.” He was every bit as handsome as Cade, but I should’ve known. I should’ve known the minute he called me Seren that he wasn’t Cade. “Where’s your brother?” I demanded to know.

  “Probably in Creekview by now.”

  “He didn’t get back in time for his flight?” Had Cade sent his brother in his place because he couldn’t make it?

  He didn’t respond, just sat there with a smirk twisting his handsome features.

  “And you kissed me, Paxton! Why the hell did you do that?”

  “I wanted to.”

  I didn’t know whether to be furious, frustrated, or flattered, and I thought perhaps I was a combination of all three. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here instead of Cade.”

  “I’m here because I want to be here, Seren.”

  “And Cade didn’t?” His answer terrified me. “Did Cade send you because he didn’t want to come himself?”

  “Technically, Cade doesn’t know I’m here.”

  I watched his warm hazel eyes, waiting for him to explain further, but he said nothing else.

  “Why not?”

  “I never told him.”

  “He knew,” I said, snatching my phone from the nightstand and waving it at Paxton. “He and I have talked about the trip.” Then it dawned on me. “Shit,” I whispered. “I’ve been texting you, not Cade.”

  All the joy I had felt from thinking Cade was interested enough in me to come to Ireland was deflated as I realized that I had based it on nothing more than an elaborate deception.

  I rushed by him in a flurry of anger and disappointment and locked myself in the bathroom.

  A soft knock sounded at the door. “Come on, Seren. Just give me a chance to explain.”

  I didn’t want to hear anything else from him as I struggled to restrain my tears and my temper.

  “I’m here, Seren. You don�
��t need Cade.”

  I jerked the door open and pushed my way past him.

  “You already admitted you liked kissing me. If you’ll just calm down, we can do it again. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he cajoled.

  I grabbed my purse. After snatching up the key to the room and my phone, I headed toward the door, but Paxton blocked my exit.

  He lifted his hands as if he were contemplating touching me. “Relax.”

  “Kiss my ass,” I whispered between clenched teeth. “But then again, we are in Ireland…so kiss me arse, Paxton Mayfield,” I said in my best Irish accent. “Now move out of my way.”

  He stepped to the side, and I stormed out the door.

  Refusing to take the time to wait on the elevator, I barreled down the stairs, the action allowing me to burn off some of my anger as I listened to my heels click against the concrete steps. I didn’t know what the hell was going on, but I was going to find a quiet corner somewhere with an Internet connection and find out.

  I had no idea whether Paxton would come after me, but sitting in the lobby seemed too obvious. The hotel had two different restaurants on the ground floor, so I picked one and asked for a table with some privacy.

  With the tall petitions that divided the dining room, I couldn’t be easily seen. After ordering a sandwich and a drink, I connected to the Internet and called Lexi. She answered immediately.

  “You aren’t going to believe this,” I told her. “Cade didn’t come.”

  “I know,” Lexi replied. “I’m sitting beside him right now.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes. Cade seems a little confused about what’s going on, too.”

  I clamped my mouth shut, my anger with Paxton boiling back to the surface. “Paxton was the one who responded to my invitation. So all this time I thought I was texting Cade….”

  Lexi breathed in sharply. “You were texting Paxton?”