Shamrocks and Secrets

by Cayce Poponea

“I’m going to shower for the first time in a week, then I’ll come back, and put your real engagement ring on your finger.”

  I didn’t have time to say anything as he dashed out of the room.

  “Here, Christi, this is to keep that shamrock in.”

  Nora then passed me the piece of lace that Patrick had placed on the table. I took a closer look and found it was a beautiful handkerchief. The green vines I had seen were dainty little shamrocks that surrounded the initial “M” embroidered into the lace.

  “Her name was Christie, also. The villagers told her he would never return,” Nora spoke into my ear. “She worked as a lace maker and when he gave her the shamrock, she made this to keep it in. It’s now for you to keep and pass on to your sons.”

  I looked at the vine that was now wrapped around my ring finger. I could only imagine what it was like for her to wait for a man to make good on his promise while you heard negativity from all those around you.

  “I wish that it wouldn’t wilt, I’d rather have this, than all the diamonds in the world.”

  “Shush now, or he’ll have a grove of these made so that he can get a fresh one daily. You hang on to it as I have mine. But, Lass, take the diamond he chose for you.”

  I laughed along with her as she placed the lace in my hand. I would treasure it forever, and if I was lucky enough to be blessed with sons, I would carry on the tradition.

  Quicker than I thought possible, Patrick was back and tugging me away from his aunts.

  “Are they trying to discourage you as their ancestors did for my great-grandmother?”

  I sighed as I slid into his arms. I missed him so much and the feel and smell of my Patrick just made everything better.

  “Nothing they could say could change how I feel about you.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that since I have this insanely beautiful ring I want to get on your finger.”

  I didn’t want to move from the safety I found in his arms. I wanted to feel the warmth that radiated from him and bathe in the smell that was now a clean Patrick.

  Far sooner than I was comfortable, Patrick released me from his chest and took my hand and carefully removed the shamrock he had so carefully tied around my finger earlier. I would never forget this day. I refused to have one detail removed from my memory.

  As he placed the platinum band on my finger, I gasped at the sight of it. Patrick was correct; it was insanely beautiful. Three bands, all connected, with diamonds surrounding each one. The center diamond sat on four silver prongs that hovered over the three diamond-covered bands.

  I watched as Patrick then placed a single kiss to the ring.

  “Happy birthday, Patrick,” I spoke only loud enough for him to hear.

  “Best birthday, ever,” he responded.

  “Really, and I haven’t even given you your gift yet,” I responded with a wink.

  “Oh, really? Saying yes was enough, I assure you.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you, Mr. Malloy,” I spoke as I moved in closer, pulling his tie so that his body leaned closer to mine.

  “I like how you think…Mrs. Malloy,” he spoke as he placed tender kisses along my cheek.

  Not going to lie…I liked the sound of my future name.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  When I first thought of the perfect gift to give to Patrick for his birthday, I never once thought it would include saying yes to the most perfect proposal.

  I had something a little more personal in mind.

  Remaining seated last night was one of the hardest things I had ever had to do in my life. I answered a million questions and hugged and kissed everyone at least twice. Finally, we were able to bid our goodbyes and headed for Patrick’s condo.

  “So, is my gift bigger than a bread box?”

  Patrick had been tossing out question after question as to what I had gotten him as a gift.

  “No, it isn’t bigger than a bread box, technically.”

  That was the last question I allowed him to have, before I excused myself to the bathroom. I had a little something to put on I was sure Patrick was going to enjoy.

  I turned out the lights in the bathroom, slowly opened the door and peeked out to find Patrick sitting against the headboard. His chest was bare and he looked amazing in his black satin sleep pants, but they were going to be lying on the floor in about thirty seconds. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when he wore those things and walked around the house in them...just not right now.

  He glanced up at me with his gorgeous green eyes and his chiseled jaw flexed, making me want to lick it.

  I made my way into the light of the room, trying to be as sexy as possible. I watched his eyes as he looked at what I was wearing, the look of surprise spiking his brow as he took it all in. I watched as his pink tongue peeked out and licked his bottom lip…and then he burst out laughing.

  “What…you think this is funny?”

  “Oh, fuck, Babe, come here,” he continued to laugh.

  When I really got to thinking about what to get him, knowing he clearly had everything, I knew he couldn’t possibly have this.

  “Where did you find that?”

  “On line, do you like it?”

  He continued to laugh as I got closer to the bed. “I’m going to love it more when it’s on the floor,” his voice was husky and driving me crazy.

  “Ugh, Babe. You have to read it…out loud,” I said, curling my lip out. I was not certain who was having more fun with this, him or me.

  “Oh, Jesus, not the pouty lip,” he whined.

  “Then read it to me,” my voice sounded even whinier.

  “Fine. ‘Feck, yes, I’m Irish. Wanna see me shillelagh?’”

  “Why yes, Mr. Malloy. As a matter of fact, I do.”

  “Then by all means, let me introduce the two of you.”

  His lips were suddenly attached to my neck as he closed the distance between us. By now, Patrick would be able to feel that I wasn’t wearing anything under this shirt.

  “Is this a shirt you wish to keep?” he growled, his hot breath fanning across my face, desperation saturating his voice.

  “It’s actually the wrapping to your real gift,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with need.

  “Good, I never save wrapping paper.”

  I giggled as he quickly ripped the shirt down the front, pulled it off me and then tossed it across the room. I was suddenly on my back with Patrick’s firm body pressed to mine, ending any additional giggles and allowing the moaning to begin.

  He was setting me on fire with the feel of his hot skin under my fingertips, the hardness of his erection pressed against my hip, and his firm grip on my naked thigh as he hitched it around his waist, gaining a closer angle to my wet and wanting core.

  “My God, you’re exquisite,” his gruff voice growled against my shoulder.

  “Patrick,” my voice came out barely a whisper as his thumb pushed between my folds. My lips found purchase on his neck, licking, sucking, and biting, marking him as mine. And after tonight, anyone who saw him would know.

  His lips found mine as his tongue suddenly filled my mouth, capturing my own, and claiming it for his pleasure. The taste of him was almost overwhelming and yet I could not get enough. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. Having him gone had only increased my desire for him. This was how it was destined to be.

  His left hand had made it to my enlarged clit. He began to circle and tease it, then he flicked it with the tip of his thumb. I cried out and jerked as he continued to circle and flick. Two of his fingers began to make slow and calculated massaging circles up and down my bare lower lips. My sudden climax was strong and nearly painful as my entire body lurched upward.

  He moved his hand from my drenched folds and began to slowly trace his way up my body, stopping at my left nipple. With his hand firmly kneading my left breast, his mouth sucked wildly at my right. I would be shocked if he didn’t leave a brand of his own. However, as I neared my next orgasm, I couldn’t have
cared less.

  I could not move or speak. I could only feel; feel the moisture between my lower lips double as his efforts increased.

  He switched breasts and began to attack the other nipple. Patrick knew exactly what he was doing. He knew what I needed without me asking, which was a good thing since I didn’t have the ability to speak as my third orgasm ripped through my body. How many men could say they could give a girl an orgasm just from sucking on her nipples? Yes, my man was good.

  “Oh, yes! Patrick…”

  I felt his lips form a smile as he left my breasts and traveled slowly to my stomach, taking slow and deliberate nips at my lower pelvis. He raised his head slightly as he kissed just below my belly button, pausing to look at my stomach reverently.

  “This is sacred, Christi. Someday it’ll hold our babies as they grow.”

  “You seem very sure of yourself.”

  “I’m going to give you children, Christi. That’s a promise I intend to keep.”

  He didn’t let me respond as he tossed my legs around his neck and delved tongue first into me. My back arched off the bed as he probed even further inside of me, his tongue swirling around maddeningly as he searched for that mythical spot all women were rumored to have.

  My reaction to his tongue was enough for him, as he added two fingers and with his free hand, he began to tease my clit. The added pressure of his fingers caused my next orgasm to hit like a tidal wave.

  “Motherfucking...!” I couldn’t finish as the next orgasm hit me just as hard. I was panting, sweating, swearing like a sailor, and I didn’t give a flying fuck as Patrick continued to lick, probe, and suck me into oblivion.

  His actions slowed as my legs began to quiver hard. With a final kiss to my clit, he made his way back up to my face. His eyes locked with mine as he hovered over me, his flattened tongue slowly licking my peaked nipple. He kissed each peak as he continued up to kiss my mouth. I had no idea when he had grabbed a condom, maybe he had expected things would lead to where we currently were. The gold foil glistened in the light from the table lamp.

  “Didn’t think I’d forget, did you?” his voice a mixture of lust and amusement.

  I picked up the condom and smiled seductively. “Allow me.”

  I pushed on his shoulder, encouraging him to lay back. I crawled in between his legs as I grasped his very erect cock in my hand. Turnabout was fair play after all. With a wink and a smile, I ran my tongue from his base to his tip, circling the head and then plunging him deep into my throat.

  “Sweet motherfucking…oh, God!” he shouted as I increased the pressure of my suction. I smiled around his cock as I continued to bob up and down, swirling my tongue as I went. Suddenly, his hand reached down and pulled my arm, and thus my body, back up.

  “Babe, as fucking good as that feels, I want to be buried inside you for this.”

  I applied the condom and placed a firm kiss to the latex-covered tip. Placing my hands on his manly shoulders, I slowly lowered myself onto his cock.

  All the times before Patrick were faint memories, as I began to grind myself up and down on his shaft. This was his birthday and I wanted him to enjoy this. I let go of his shoulders and placed my hands on my tits. Men were visual creatures and I wanted him to get an eyeful. While my right hand massaged and pinched at my nipples, my left traveled down to my clit and I began to rub it with slow calculated circles.

  Patrick’s hands firmly gripped my hips and I knew he was enjoying watching me when he began to actually lift me off his cock and slam me back down, his pace speeding up. I watched as his face contorted and I worried that something was wrong. However, my fear left just as quickly as it came as he shouted, “OH. MY. GOD!” Each word accentuated with a hard thrust in between before he came explosively, jerking uncontrollably beneath me before going limp and collapsing into the mattress. “So that’s what heaven feels like.”

  I stayed atop him as he continued to twitch inside of me. I slowly kissed his forehead, loving the salty taste of him. I couldn’t help myself and giggled as he began to lick a bead of sweat that was falling between my breasts.

  “I love you,” I smiled down at him. And I really did.

  We were lying in each other’s arms a while later when a question came to mind. “Patrick?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I need to ask you a question and I really want an answer.”

  “Yes, Baby, I’d be happy to go again.”

  I turned my face to look at him, “Later, this is important.” I raised up to face him; I really wanted an answer to my question. “Why in the world did you call me Legs?”

  He chuckled as he kissed my chin, “Truthfully?”

  “No, fucker, lie to me. Of course I want the truth.”

  “The night of the wedding, you were standing talking to Charlotte and I watched you scratch an itch you had on your ankle. I followed that ankle to your knee and then to the hem of your skirt. You have the most beautiful set of legs I’ve ever seen,” he smiled, his face so loving I could easily get lost in his eyes.

  “That’s seriously sweet,” I kissed his chest. He began to chuckle. “And it’s complete bullshit, isn’t it?”

  He was laughing now. “Fuck yes! I called you Legs because I wanted to know what was between them.”

  Before I could get angry with him, he flipped me on my back and dove back in tongue first between my legs. Well, now he had his answer. The man had a very talented tongue and I would gladly stand on the highest mountain and shout to the world that I was one lucky bitch.

  Patrick and I stayed in bed the entire weekend. He preferred to take me in his bed, not to say he didn’t pin me against the wall by the elevator yesterday after dinner was delivered, as well. I smiled at the memory of him waking me very early in the morning on Saturday by sucking on my nipple. As he slowly turned me onto my back, he reached for the condom that was conveniently lying on his pillow. I smiled as I shook my head and took the condom from him, tossing it across the room.

  “No more condoms,” I whispered to him.

  The look of confusion on his face was nearly comical. However, that lasted long enough for him to quickly bury himself to the hilt inside me. I had forgotten how much a condom restricted and confined and I wasn’t prepared for the sheer true-to-life size of Patrick. I almost felt like a virgin all over again.

  As I crawled into my car on Monday morning, I winced as I felt the muscles in my thighs and nether regions protesting. It had definitely been a good weekend.

  My sister would be dropping Abby off so she could go take care of some honeymoon preparations. I had embarrassed her to death last week when I asked Dillion if he preferred bare, triangle, or landing strip. He had looked at me confused while thought about my question. Finally, the light bulb went off in his head and he requested bare.

  “Auntie Christi, look at what my daddy gave me!”

  I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear the door open. Abby was running full steam around my desk, her eyes were big and bright with joy. Once she was standing directly beside me, she showed me the beautiful shamrock necklace Dillion had given her.

  “Isn’t it pretty?” Her voice raised three octaves as she bounced in place. I couldn't describe the feeling I got when I heard Abby refer to Dillion as her daddy. But that was exactly what he was. That little girl had him so tightly wrapped around her whole hand, forget the little finger. She had taken total possession of his heart. “He says it’s for good luck.”

  I smiled as I kissed her pink cheek. “It’s very pretty, Baby.”

  “And look what Uncle Patrick gave me.”

  This took me aback. Patrick had given her something and he hadn’t told me. However, there on her tiny wrist was a miniature diamond bracelet that matched mine and Shannon's.

  “Uncle Patrick said I was his perfect princess and that all princesses deserved to have diamonds.”

  Uncle Patrick would certainly be hearing from Auntie Christi later.

  “I think it’s even
prettier than mine, Abby.”

  She only giggled as she danced around the room.

  Shannon and Frankie walked into my office together, laughing and whispering about something. Shannon took one look at me and her eyes went wide.

  “Holy…S-H-I-T!” She pointed her index finger at me. With little ears around, Shannon and I had become very good at spelling out the bad words. It was comical when Abby would try it and just spout out random letters.

  “Frankie, that’s the face of a woman who’s been well f-u-c-k-e-d, and by a man who clearly knows how.”

  I was certain my face was crimson, but I just grinned. “I’m certain I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh, don’t play coy, Christi, if Dillion had given me a rock like yours, I’d still be riding him.”

  “Why would you ride Daddy, Mommy?”

  Shannon had also become quick on the uptake, “Because he likes to play horsey with Mommy.”

  “Oh,” her little brows wrinkled in the middle. “Is his horsey named Oh God, Mommy?”

  Poor Frankie was doing everything she could to keep from bursting out laughing. Shannon was quick to keep a straight face as she responded, “He has a couple of names for his horsey, Sunshine, but they’re a secret so let’s not tell Daddy we know about his pretend horsey, okay?”

  Abby shrugged her shoulders and went back to dancing around the room.

  “Good morning, Ladies!” Paige shouted as she walked into the room.

  “Good morning, Paige. How are you?” I smiled and rose to hug her.

  “I hear a certain man is smiling from ear to ear this morning.”

  “He’s not the only one,” Shannon quipped with a smirk.

  “I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse me, I have to go over the flower order for the wedding this weekend and I also have to meet with the Birches to finalize the cake selections for their wedding,” Frankie smiled as she turned to leave.

  “All right, Frankie. I’ll be out of the office for a little while so call me on my cell if you need me,” I instructed her.

  “No problem, Christi, I’ll be here.” Frankie replied as she exited the room, winking at Shannon as she left.