by C. M. Steele
“You’re the one who doubted me,” I hiss out, practically spitting.
“You lied to me.”
“I didn’t do a damn thing. You pursued me. I told you to leave me alone if you remember.”
“And yet you knew I wouldn’t.”
“I wish you would.” The fight in me fails as I feel his full length digging into my bottom and his breath on my neck.
“I can’t.” He presses his forehead to the back of my head, his breathing hard. “I don’t know why you were searching for me, but I knew even last night that it didn’t matter. You were mine, and I don’t care if they set up some trap for me. You were mine. I need you, Gloria. More than anything. More than my pride, more than the truth. I just need you,” he pants against my throat.
“Let me go,” I command because I’ve lost and won.
“No,” he insists as his heart thuds against my back.
“Please,” I beg, choking on my tears. Reluctantly he steps back, and I spin around in his arms. Seeing his tears, I feel like I broke the dark prince of Dublin. It’s best if I fix it.
He’s right. I had a motive even if it never was a nefarious one and I owe him the truth. I cup his face, so our eyes meet. His green eyes are glossy and bright from his heartache. “I don’t even know why I stood outside an electronics store, like I’d been window shopping for a television. Still, I silently watched the news, and there you were. I didn’t know who you were until I heard of your father’s death that day. Your image came up as you climbed into the back seat of your car. I felt something come over me and I snuck away from my guards and fled to Ireland. I lied about having friends that ditched me; instead they helped me run away even if they knew they’d be in deep shit for it, but I didn’t want you to…” I don’t finish the words. His mouth is on mine, crushing it, kissing me until I have my arms wrapped around his neck and my legs around his waist. He lifts my skirt up and pulls out his cock, sliding it deep inside of me in one full thrust.
“You’re mine, Gloria. Don’t ever think I’ll let you go.” I wipe the last tear that falls down his scruffy cheek.
“I’m sorry, Cormack.”
“Don’t be. You’re everything to me. I shouldn’t have even given into thoughts of a setup last night. Please don’t regret us.”
“I love you, Cormack.”
“Fuck, I love you so much, Gloria.” He pistons into me repeatedly, giving no fucks that we could be on camera, but my body is completely blocked by his. “Come for me,” he demands, pulling my hair and I clench up, flooding his cock with my orgasm. As I go to scream, he kisses me. “Those belong to me too,” he grunts as he sends jets of cum inside me. Our heads press together as we catch our breath. We stay like this until Cormack slides out of me. He adjusts my panties, rubbing his seed onto my pussy for extra measure before he sets me on my feet. I watch as he tucks himself away.
“I can’t believe we did that with cameras around.”
“They’re turned off. Why did that turn you on, love?”
“No, but the way you made sure they couldn’t see me did.”
“What can I say? I’d have to rip their eyes out if they even got a glimpse of your goodies.”
“So if you didn’t send your guard away why wasn’t anyone there when I left?”
“He had to attend his daughter’s recital, and I was already on my way to you. With your guards keeping a close eye, I didn’t think it was an issue. I suppose I was seriously mistaken.”
“Wow, funny how one call can change the way we see things.”
“We just need to trust each other. It’s hard when we’re just starting out, but I’m sure as fuck never going anywhere. I need you. Are you ready to go?”
“I left my stuff at the hotel.”
“I know. It’s been packed up.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“The girl that helped you is Shamus’s sister. She didn’t know it was me you were running from, but rather the other guys your father sent. So she told us where to find you.”
“Oh. I didn’t tell her who.”
“Yeah, she’s a sweet girl, and I like that she didn’t send you off to fend for yourself. That’s the sign of a good character.” We leave the empty room with our clothes a little wrinkled, and then head to the airport lobby.
“Come on. We’ll go to my home in Dublin, and then we need to call your father because we’re getting married in a couple of days.”
“What? Have you lost it? That’s too soon. We just had a fight over trust issues and secrets.”
“Look, the second I get my ring on your finger, the less crazy I might be. Besides, there’s no way you’re going back to the states without being my wife.” I huff and shake my head as I climb into the backseat with Cormack until it hits me. Am I supposed to live in Ireland forever?
“So are you going to come back with me?”
“Of course. Are you nuts? There’s no way I’m letting you go without me, and there’s no way I’d keep you away from your family.”
“Okay. I think I’m nuts, going from one bossy, controlling man to another.”
“You’re lucky I know you’re talking about your dad.” He cups my pussy through my panties, reminding me that he’s the only one that has been there.
“So tell me about yours. I’m sorry that you had to deal with saying goodbye to him and then dealing with my shit.”
“I’ll chase you wherever you go. Although, I can’t promise I won’t spank that ass next time.”
“Whatever. So talk about your dad.” We drove back to the city proper, and he brought me to his large condo. He has a home in Kilkenny where he wants to have the wedding, but it’s too late to bother going.
Chapter Five
Cormack
The bastard didn’t answer, and he hadn’t bothered to call back like this matter isn’t important. I want to get this over with because we’re getting married regardless, but I want to talk to her father. He’s busy according to Gloria who was texting her sister all afternoon. “Fine. Let’s go to bed, Gloria. I’m too tired to wait up.”
“It’s cool. I’m not in a rush to break the news to him.” I let it go because she’s afraid of his reaction. It’s been a long stressful day for the both of us. We lay down around eight at night and I crash as soon as my head hits the pillow, holding Gloria tightly to me.
Long raven hair, pretty chocolate brown eyes and just the right curves in all the right places. I need to find her, and I need to find her now. How did she disappear so quickly? I walk through the village, forgoing my ride in one of my land rovers because there is a small backup of vehicles. Being six-three, I have a higher vantage point, but I can’t seem to find my petite beauty. I shouldn’t have even wasted a minute considering if she was there to play me. Now she’s in danger. She’s running from someone. I dash over to her, looking over my shoulder for the bastard frightening her.
I reach her and then she screams. “Stay away from me. I hate you, Cormack. I will never love you. I belong to another. You lost out.”
I shout out, “No,” waking up in a panic, only to find Gloria sleeping sweetly on her belly with a content smile on her face.
As if sensing I’m awake, my phone rings. Groggily I reach over to the nightstand and scoop it up. With blurry eyes, I see it’s her father. Climbing out of bed, I answer with a panting, “Delaney.”
“You piece of shit. What the fuck are you doing with my daughter?” I cut him off by ending the call. At this moment, I don’t need that shit. Entering the kitchen, I pour a cold glass of water, and like I expect he calls back. “Ready to calm the fuck down?”
He huffs, but calmly replies, “Is this some plan to get US connections? I looked you up Delaney. First, polygamy is a crime here.”
“How ironic that a mob boss is lecturing me on crime. And I’ll have you know that I’m not married yet. The only Delaney married is my brother. Although, I will say this, I’m marrying Gloria and it has shit to do with you or your sup
posed connections. I didn’t even know she was related to you. Not that it would have stopped me, but I didn’t learn about it until yesterday.”
“Where is my daughter? Her guards said she disappeared running in fear yesterday, threatening to castrate them.”
“Sounds like my Gloria.”
“Your Gloria?” he challenges. I can imagine his face is beet red.
I roll my eyes, knowing that the only reason I don’t hang up again is that he’s Gloria’s father. “That’s what I said. Gloria will be my wife in two days’ time. I’m supposing that you’d like to see it happen so if I was you’d I’d get to Kilkenny soon.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I’m Cormack Delaney, a dangerous motherfucker madly in love with your daughter and there’s no way in hell will I let you sell her to one of your cronies back there.”
“Sell? I wouldn’t sell my daughters and she turned down any potential guys I suggested.”
“That’s very good because I’d hate to kill a bunch of bastards. Gloria’s mine and I don’t care who has a problem with it. I refuse to live without her by my side and thankfully she feels the same damn way.”
“I’d like to hear that from her mouth.”
“Frankly I don’t care what you’d like. You can when you arrive. My bride is sleeping, and I won’t wake her up.”
“She’s probably tied up and can’t speak.” Man, I want to choke this asshole.
“Listen, your daughter speaks highly of you, and it’s the only reason I even bothered to call you in the first place. I’ve had a hell of a day and I don’t have the patience or the mood to deal with an angry father when Gloria is old enough to marry me.”
“You’re the one who called me.”
I look at the time on the clock. “Not at three in the morning. I called you hours ago.”
Gloria slides up by my side and snatches the phone from my hand. I take her and carry her to the sofa. She giggles and then says, “Papa, I’m sorry that you and Cormack are getting off on the wrong foot. He just buried his father today. Yes.” His voice dropped so I can’t hear what he said. “Yes, Papa. Very much. Okay, Papa. We’ll see you in two days. I’m sure there will be people to pick you all up. Goodnight.” She ends the call and hands me back my phone.
I stare at her completely dumbfounded. “He’s putty in your hands, isn’t he?” I ask, knowing that’s the only explanation for the suddenly calm temper.
“A big marshmallow, but he loves us girls. He wants to talk to you tomorrow when you’re both a little more level-headed, and he’s sorry about your father. Now, my handsome future husband, let’s go to bed. I’m tired and I’m tired of waking up alone.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll try to not let it happen again.” I kiss her lips, needing to wipe that pout off her face.
“Just as long as you let me know you’re leaving.”
“Okay. I promise, my love. Now it’s bedtime.” I carry her to bed and then we get cozy, snuggling until we fall asleep.
****
This time when we wake up, I’m still cuddling my woman and she’s resting her head in the crook of my arm. I stare at her, loving the feeling which made it so hard to leave after our first night together.
Gloria stretches and snuggles in, kissing my chest as she finishes a yawn. “Good morning, wife.”
“Not yet,” she breathes against my chest.
“As far as I’m concerned you already are my wife.” I tip her chin and kiss her lips.
“I need to message my sister and parents. I’m sure they’re running around like crazy trying to get ready. I know my sister; she’s going to try to figure out how many sketchbooks she’ll need.”
“Your sister draws?”
“Draws and paints. Aria’s super talented, but we hardly mention it because she’s self-conscious about it. If we mention it, she freezes and stammers. I think she’s so incredible it could sell for major money. She’s going to love the green landscapes here.”
“Then she will love our home in Kilkenny.”
“What about your brother? Will he be there, or does he live here?”
“We have homes in both cities, but he’ll probably be there tomorrow. With my father’s estate passing to him, I believe I’ll be moving out.”
“You can’t share it?” I haven’t broken down how much my brother is a bastard because I don’t want her to run away again.
“I’d prefer not to.”
“Do you and your brother not get along? I love my sister. She can be a pain, but I could live with her unless she starts crushing on you. She’s only fifteen.” We sit up in bed and I hold her close, pressing my lips to the crown of her head.
“Yeah, that would be a problem. I’d kill my brother if he took a special interest in you. He doesn’t have the same morals I do. He loves to step out on his wife.”
A searing look of indignation crosses her face. “Oh my goodness. That’s horrible. Sorry, but I don’t like him already and I’m afraid there’s nothing that will change that.”
She’s a smart woman. “It’s good because I don’t trust him.”
“Will he be at the wedding?”
“Yes, as my best man.” I come clean about it because as soon as she meets him I’m sure he’ll bring it up.
“What? Why?” She crosses her arms under her breasts bringing them closer to my face and drawing my attention to them. “Um…don’t stare at my tits. Answer my question, Mr. Delaney.”
“One because I don’t care as long as I get to marry you. Two is that if he’s not my best man, people will assume there’s a rift in the family, making us vulnerable to others willing to overthrow the Delaney family.”
She drops her hands and then sighs, “Well that makes sense. So I have to play nice?”
“Just a little. Once we’re done with the wedding, I don’t plan to see him for a long time and then we’ll travel to America, so you don’t miss your family too much.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do you not like that idea?”
“I freaking love it. I’m going to miss them. Besides, I told you we have the best food.” She rolls her eyes at me like I’m silly for not remembering.
I climb off the bed and slip on some pants. “Speaking of food, I need to feed you and then we can get ready to leave.”
“Sounds good to me,” she moans, which does nothing to calm my morning wood.
“I have to make sure my son is well fed,” I add, causing her mouth to fall open.
She’s quick with a reply. “Son? I could be having a girl or not be pregnant at all.”
“Either way, I’ll keep trying.” I kiss her lips and walk into the kitchen to start some food. Opening the fridge, I know it’s pointless. “Let’s get dressed and I’ll feed you on the way. Apparently being single and busy means my fridge is empty.”
“Fine. Is there anywhere to get a good burger? I’ve seen a fuck ton of cows on these roads. There’s got to be a spot.”
“Is that a legitimate measurement?” I tease.
“It is, and the longer it takes to eat, I’m liable to gut one and cook it on the radiator of your pretty ride.”
“Let’s get you moving. I’ve heard about women getting ‘hangry.’” I rushed her to our room and into the shower. We’re out in ten minutes, forgoing the fucking I’d love to do because I doubt she’s fucking kidding about the food.
The drive down to my hometown is beautiful and Gloria can’t take her eyes off the scenery. I’m proud of the natural enchantment of Ireland. It’s perfect and I honestly could raise our family here. Maybe we will, and visit her parents or have them come to enjoy the land.
“This place is perfect. You want to marry me here?” I slow down and look at her to see tears in her eyes.
“Sweetheart, please don’t cry. There’s a lot of shit I can take, but not your tears.”
“It’s just so romantic. Goodness, my sister’s going to adore this place. Maybe we can find her a husband he
re in a couple of years.”
“When the time comes, I can introduce her to friends if you’d like, but I’m not sure your father would care for that.”
“Probably not.” We break out into a fit of laughter just as we pull down the path to the family estate.
Chapter Six
Gloria
Yep. I don’t like Peter at all. In fact, I despise him and wish he’d been the Delaney whose death I heard about. He’s a creep and a half. His wife is an absolute doll and I hate that she’s with such a sleazeball. His eyes roam over everything that walks with a pussy between the thighs like he’s the fucking king off all he sees. Cormack doesn’t end him because he doesn’t want to take over or he’d kill him himself, especially when he said it’s a pity I picked the wrong brother while licking his lips.
“I can’t even,” I mutter, shaking my head as I glare at my fiancé’s lousy asshole brother who has more power than he should.
“Your family’s here,” Cormack says, kissing my cheek and bringing me back to a cheerful place. “Peter, please behave like a respectable human being for a change.”
“I’ll do what I please in my own home.” When my family comes in, I rush into my father’s arms, wanting him to know that I don’t want problems.
He smiles down at me. “I’ve missed you, princess.”
“I’ve missed you too. I’ve missed all of you.” I go around hugging my mother and sister who smile brightly when our faces meet. They had their seconds to admire my man while I greeted my father. “Let me introduce you to my Cormack.” I lead them halfway as Cormack comes to my side. “Mother, Father, Aria, this is Cormack Delaney. Cormack, this is my mother, Ignacia, my father Anthony and my little sister, Aria.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.” Dad gives him a look of total bullshit, so Cormack adds. “Even you, sir.” Hearing a cough behind us, Cormack stiffens his back. “I’d like you to meet my family. This is my brother Peter, and his wife is at present resting.”
“It’s a true pleasure to meet all of you. Gloria didn’t mention that the good looks run in the family.” Not in yours.
