The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke

by N. J. Walters

The automatic doors slid open as she approached. She walked inside and grabbed a cart.

  Making sure she wasn’t blocking anyone, she pulled her cart to one side as she took out her cell phone and pressed the first number on her speed dial.

  Shamus answered on the first ring. “Cyndi?”

  She laughed. “I’m here and I’m fine.” There was no way she’d tell him about her white knuckles and cold sweat.

  “I know you’re fine. I just worry.”

  “Me too,” she added softly. “I’ll get potato chips,” she said more briskly. “Anything else?”

  “Just you.” His husky voice sent shivers of a different sort down her spine.

  “Be home soon.” She ended the call and tucked her phone away. Pulling out her list, she began to shop.

  It took her longer than she expected, but she soon had everything she came for and then some. The amount of items in her cart kept growing as she saw foods that Shamus might like. She laughed at herself, but it didn’t stop her from adding two thick steaks to the cart. There was a grill out back and she was hoping to talk Shamus into firing it up later tonight. Of course, then she needed steak sauce and mushrooms, as well as a host of other things she hadn’t thought to put on her list.

  As she wheeled her cart out into the parking lot, she was pleased with her trip. No one had bothered her. Sure, a few folks glared at her and stalked off, but just as many nodded at her.

  She’d smiled and nodded back. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  Her good mood disintegrated when she saw a woman leaning against the cart corral. She hesitated, but then wheeled her cart forward. She’d known it was only a matter of time until she had to face Dani Black.

  “I saw you getting checked out inside.” Dani crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought we should talk.”

  Dani looked good. Obviously marriage to Burke Black agreed with her. Her hair was still long and there were only a few light lines around her eyes. She was wearing jeans and a blue sweater that flattered her coloring. Cyndi tried to think of what to say to her. But really, what did you say to a woman whose relationship you’d tried to sabotage?

  “I’m sorry.” The words tumbled from her lips, surprising not only herself, but from the looks of her expression, Dani as well. The other woman seemed taken aback. Cyndi pulled the cart to a stop at the trunk of her car and took a deep breath. She’d already started so she might as well keep going. “I know I can’t change what happened all those years ago, but I am truly sorry for any harm I did to you and your family.”

  Dani’s eyes, a carbon copy of Shamus’s, narrowed as she straightened away from the cart corral and walked over to stand by Cyndi’s car. “That was a long time ago.”

  “Yes, it was,” she agreed.

  “What do you want with Shamus?”

  How could she answer this question without upsetting Dani? Cyndi didn’t think there was any way to do it. She certainly couldn’t tell his sister that she thought he was the hottest man on the face of the planet. No, that wouldn’t go over well at all.

  “Shamus is a wonderful man. He’s kind and thoughtful and extremely intelligent.”

  “I don’t understand you.” Dani canted her head to one side, studying Cyndi.

  Slightly uncomfortable with the scrutiny, Cyndi dug her keys out of her pocket, unlocked the trunk, and began to pile the bags of groceries inside. “There’s nothing to understand.”

  “You always had an angle, Cynthia.”

  She flinched at the sound of the name she’d discarded so many years ago. “Like you said, that was a long time ago. Maybe I’ve changed. Are you the same person you were all those years ago? Would you let another woman come between you and Burke now like you did then?”

  “Of course not,” Dani insisted.

  “So you’ve changed. Can’t you give me the same credit?” She finished loading the groceries into the car and shut the trunk. A cart corral sat only a few feet away, so Cyndi wheeled the cart over, pushing it into the metal stall. Dani was still standing in the same spot, watching her.

  “I’m not sure I believe that anyone can change that much.” Dani sighed, her fingers twisting in the strap of her purse. “I want to believe.” Cyndi could see the torment in the other woman’s eyes. “I don’t want Shamus hurt, not any more than he already has been.”

  Cyndi flinched, the keys gripped so tight in her hand that the metal dug into her palm. “I never wanted anyone hurt. I tried to get Shamus to leave me alone at first, but he’s very stubborn. He’s also an adult who can make his own decisions. I like him a lot and I want to be with him.”

  This time it was Dani who flinched away. Cyndi had stopped short of saying that she was in love with Shamus. One step at a time.

  They stood there for what seemed like the longest time. Finally, Cyndi decided to make the first move. “Shamus is working out at the house every day if you’d like to stop by and have a look at it.”

  “You’re really turning it into a bed and breakfast?”

  Cyndi shrugged. “I really am. I’ve been working in the hotel business for ten years now.”

  “It’s hard to imagine that place as a B & B.” There was no mistaking Dani’s confusion.

  “Like I said, times change.” Cyndi strolled to her side of the door and unlocked it. Dani followed close behind.

  “I’m still not sure I like the idea of Shamus being involved with you.”

  Cyndi yanked open her door and tossed her purse onto the passenger seat. “I’m sorry about that, but the only opinion that matters to me is Shamus’.”

  A breeze came up and Cyndi noticed a piece of paper flapping against the windshield.

  Looked like someone had stuffed a flyer or something underneath her wiper blade.

  Reaching over, she ripped the piece of paper out from where it was wedged and glanced down at it. She could hear Dani’s voice in the background, but it gradually faded as all her attention focused on the paper in her hands. It wasn’t a store flyer. The huge block letters, cut from newspaper print and pasted onto the plain white paper were all too familiar.

  Cyndi felt the world around her recede as the words blurred in front of her. GO HOME, it said, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

  “Cynthia?” She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm, falling back and striking her elbow against the car frame. Dani was staring at her with concern. For a moment, Cyndi thought she must be hallucinating. “Cyndi?” the other woman asked again, worry etched on her face.

  “Did you see anyone around my car?”

  Dani pulled her hand away, a frown forming. “No. What’s going on?”

  Reaching into her car, Cyndi grabbed her purse and dug out her cell phone, all the while scanning the parking lot. It wasn’t overly busy, but there were people coming and going. Dialing quickly, she waited until the phone was answered. “I need to speak with the sheriff.” She paused.

  “Tell him it’s Cyndi Marks.”

  She could feel Dani’s confusion, but didn’t even spare the other woman a glance. She felt so cold inside. She couldn’t fight this unreasonable kind of hatred. It seemed to take forever for the sheriff to pick up the line. As succinctly as she could, she told him where she was and what she’d found. He’d told her to stay put and that he had men on the way.

  She hung up and hit her speed dial. This time Shamus picked up on the second ring. “On your way home?”

  “Not yet.” Her voice quavered in spite of her best intentions.

  “What’s wrong?” She could hear him moving in the background.

  “I got another note. It was tucked against my windshield when I got out of the store.”

  “Get in the car and come home.”

  “I can’t.” She half turned her body away from Dani to try to keep her conversation private.

  “Patrick said to wait. He’s on his way and there’s a sheriff’s cruiser pulling in now.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “You don’t have to come. I can deal
with this.” She was steadier now that the authorities were here. She recognized the two men who climbed out of the car and came toward her and Dani.

  “I’m on my way,” he reiterated.

  “Okay. I’ve got to go.” She ended the call and tucked her purse away as the officers came toward her.

  —

  Shamus’s heart was racing as he drove, barely managing to keep the truck at the speed limit.

  He’d known something like this could happen if she went out alone. That’s why he’d been running all the errands or going with her.

  He should never have given into her pleas, should have demanded that she wait until he could go with her. “Yeah, like that would work,” he muttered under his breath. Cyndi was a very independent woman, used to running her own life. She wouldn’t take kindly to him telling her what to do.

  His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he maneuvered the streets, heading toward the grocery store at the other end of town. Logically, he knew she would be safe with uniformed deputies surrounding her. But he knew he wouldn’t rest easy until he saw her for himself.

  The store came into sight and he could see several official vehicles parked in one area, so that’s where he headed. He parked his truck and was out in a flash, striding across the blacktop.

  Because he was tall, he saw her immediately. Her face was impassive as she answered questions, but he could see the tension there.

  As if she felt his presence, her head swung around and her eyes met his. He saw the relief in them and knew it mirrored his own. He scanned the crowd and noticed Patrick stop talking when he realized Cyndi was no longer listening to him. Their gazes met and Patrick nodded at him.

  Shamus inclined his head and kept walking, his long legs eating up the distance.

  Reaching out, he pulled Cyndi into his arms, wrapping them tight around her. She was safe.

  “I’m okay.” Her voice was slightly muffled against his shirt, but he heard her all the same.

  Over the top of Cyndi’s head, he saw his sister watching him. What was she doing here?

  He’d find out, but right now, all that mattered was Cyndi and getting her somewhere less open.

  “We’re going home.” He met his brother’s gaze.

  Patrick rubbed his hand over his jaw and sighed. “Okay. That might be for the best. I think we’ve got everything we need for now.” He flicked his gaze over Cyndi. “I’ll be by later.”

  He started to herd her toward his truck, but she dug in her heels. “Shamus, I can’t leave my car here. I’ve got a trunk full of groceries.”

  Shamus raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll come back and get your car later.”

  Cyndi frowned up at him. “There’s no reason I can’t drive it home now. You can follow right behind me.” She laid her hand on his chest, directly over his heart. “I’ll be fine,” she whispered so no one else could hear.

  Glancing around, Shamus realized that everyone was studiously looking everywhere else but at him. That is, everyone except his brother and sister who were watching him and Cyndi with great interest.

  “Fine.” He knew he was acting like a jerk, but he really wanted to toss Cyndi over his shoulder, stuff her into his truck, and take her somewhere away from this town. Somewhere she’d be safe.

  He kept his arm wrapped around her as he guided Cyndi to her car and settled her inside.

  “Wait for me.” He shut her door and faced his siblings. “I want a full report as soon as possible,” he informed his brother.

  He could tell that Patrick was torn between being amused at Shamus’s highhandedness and being angry. Fortunately, humor won out. “No problem. As soon as I finish here, I’ll let you know. And Cyndi can’t take the car yet. We haven’t finished going over it.”

  Relief filled Shamus as he opened Cyndi’s door again. She stared up at him, confusion on her face. “Patrick said that you can’t take the car yet. They’re not finished with it.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have thought of that.”

  Patrick surprised him by reaching out and gently touching Cyndi’s shoulder as she climbed back out of her car. “It’s not surprising you’re rattled. It’s been a hell of a week or so for you.”

  “The groceries. Can I get the groceries from the trunk? I have perishables in there.”

  “I’ll bring the truck over and transfer them,” Shamus said when Patrick nodded. As he walked back to his truck, his sister fell into step beside him. “Should I ask what you’re doing here?”

  “I came to get groceries, and when I saw her car, I stayed to talk to Cynthia.” Dani reached out and placed her hand on his arm.

  He stopped beside his truck. “Her name is Cyndi.”

  “Shamus,” Dani began tentatively.

  “No.” He pulled open his truck door as he turned to face his sister. “I don’t have time to get into this right now. Cyndi’s had a shock and it probably isn’t safe for her to be this exposed. Someone wants to drive her away from Jamesville. She’s already been physically hurt once, and I don’t plan on letting that happen again.”

  He climbed into the driver’s seat, but didn’t close the door yet. “Look, if you want to talk later, call me or come out to Cyndi’s place.”

  “She invited me to stop by.” He could sense his sister’s bewilderment.

  “I keep telling you that Cyndi is a good person. When will you believe me?” His gaze went back to her, and he was satisfied that Patrick was keeping her close. “She could be making a hell of a lot of trouble if she wanted to, demanding I not see any of you. But instead, all she does is worry about my relationship with my family. Think about that.”

  Dani looked so upset. He reached out and gave her a brief hug. “Everything will work out. Don’t worry.”

  Her arms tightened around him. “Be careful.”

  “I will.” He released her and she stepped back.

  “Love you.”

  “I love you too, sis.” He closed the door and drove over to park beside Cyndi’s car. It only took him two minutes to transfer the groceries and get Cyndi settled into the passenger seat beside him.

  As he pulled out of the lot, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Patrick had his arm wrapped around Dani as they both watched his truck until it disappeared from sight.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Both she and Shamus were silent on the ride home from the grocery store. When he parked in front of the house, she slid out of the truck and, before he had time to object, grabbed several grocery sacks, carrying them inside. They worked side by side, putting everything away, neither of them speaking. When that was done, Shamus told the workers to pack up and go home for the day, for which Cyndi was grateful. She just wanted to be alone with him.

  Boiling the kettle, she made herself a cup of tea, but it sat untouched on the kitchen counter as she peered out the window. The garden was more barren than when she’d first arrived, many of the leaves were now scattered on the ground. The trees looked desolate and cold. Cyndi shivered, rubbing her hands over her arms for warmth.

  Picking up the teacup, she forced herself to take a sip. She wasn’t really hungry or thirsty, but recognizing that her body had had a shock, she knew the sweet tea would help.

  The front door closed heavily, the sound echoing through the mostly empty house all the way to the kitchen. She could measure how close Shamus was to her by the sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor. She laid her cup aside and watched the door.

  He filled the doorway, his face set like stone as he watched her. She wasn’t quite sure what to say. There was a tension between them that hadn’t been there before. Cyndi’s body began to tremble. She didn’t know why she was reacting like this.

  Shamus swore and came toward her, scooping her into his arms. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Even her voice sounded fretful, which wasn’t like her at all.

  “Shock.”

  She buried her face against his shoulder, wanting to get closer to him. Shamus
was always so warm and she wasn’t sure she’d ever feel that way again. Another shiver took her by surprise as he carried her up the stairs and down the hallway.

  He set her down on the edge of the bed. “I’m going to run you a hot bath.” He paused to crank up the thermostat before he went into the bathroom.

  “Okay.” She stared around the room at nothing when he left. As if she’d had one upset too many, her brain was having a hard time processing everything. She’d been through so much these past weeks.

  She’d been shocked when she’d first gotten news of her father’s death. Finding out that he’d left everything to her had been overwhelming. The decision to come home to Jamesville and face her past hadn’t been an easy one to make, but she’d been determined.

  Things hadn’t gone quite as she’d planned. Never could she have anticipated a relationship with Shamus O’Rourke or the trouble that would bring to his family. Then there was the discovery of her father’s illegal dealings. Add to that the emotional drain of disposing of the contents of the house and the fact that someone out there hated her enough to shoot at her, slash her tires, and send her threatening letters, it wasn’t any wonder she’d finally had enough.

  Still, she was made of stronger stuff. Forcing herself to stand, she leaned against the bed, supporting herself with one hand as she toed off her sneakers. Methodically, she stripped off her jeans, shirt, and socks, leaving them in a pile on the floor. She wandered into the bathroom just as Shamus was heading back into the bedroom. He said nothing as he stripped off her bra and panties and helped her into the tub.

  The hot water swirled around her and she closed her eyes, sighing with pleasure. Heat sank into her stiff muscles, soothing them. Her eyes popped open when the water swirled around her.

  Hard hands shifted her.

  “There’s room for two.” Shamus picked her up and arranged her on his lap, his arms adding their warmth to that of the water. When the tub was full, he leaned forward and turned off the taps before settling back against the side.

  “About what happened today,” she began, but Shamus cut her off.

  “All that matters is that you’re home and you’re safe.” She could feel the hard length of his erection pressing into her lower back, but his touch was soothing rather than arousing. Still, her body responded to his nearness. Her breasts grew heavy, her nipples tightened, and an ache grew between her thighs.