by Cali MacKay
“Are ye sure ye don’t want to head back now?” She didn’t get a chance to answer him, and he didn’t get a chance to escape. The door was pulled open by a young man in his early twenties, who was no doubt her brother with his thick golden brown hair, ice blue eyes, and athletic build. Probably Patrick, if he recalled Maggie’s rundown of her family correctly.
“Maggie…ye should have called.” He caught his sister in a big hug, while giving Conall the crook eye.
Bloody hell. This was going to be a long day.
Chapter Nine
Maggie felt bad. Sort of. Actually, it was hard not to find the whole thing humorous-not that Conall shared her sentiment if his stiff shoulders were anything to go by. The poor man looked like he was navigating a minefield as he sat across from her father and two brothers, Aidan and Patrick.
Her da sat forward with a hard gaze pinned on Conall, his ice blue eyes so similar to her own. He looked good for a man in his late fifties, still bearing an athletic build, even if he’d gotten leaner in more recent years and his brown hair was now liberally streaked with grey. “Computer security? And how does that work when ye’re up in the middle of nowhere?”
Her two brothers mumbled something to each other, too low for anyone else to hear, and then laughed, making Maggie want to lean over and smack their heads together.
Conall shrugged at her father’s question, not rising to the bait. “Most of my work is done remotely, and if need be, I travel. It seems not to be an issue for my clients, many of which are in Scotland.”
“And ye think ye’ll be able to make my Maggie happy? She’s a city girl, born and bred, laddie.” Her da scoffed as Maggie threw him a glare, silently begging him not to do this. Conall was skittish enough about relationships without her father making matters worse.
“Honestly? I’ve always believed that the person ye’re with matters more than the setting. I like Maggie-a lot. But only she knows what will make her happy. I can only try my best to do right by her.” Conall reached over and took her hand, giving her a small smile that made her heart race. He then locked eyes with her father. “And I’m smart enough to know that she makes her own decisions. She won’t stay anywhere or with anyone if she doesn’t want to.”
She loved that Conall wasn’t backing down. Most men forced to confront her father would either be quaking in their boots or would have already abandoned the cause and headed for the door. Her da knew it, too, and though most couldn’t read the signs, it was clear he liked Conall-as much as he’d ever like someone she was seeing.
“Quit harassing him, Da.” She gave her father a teasing smile, before nestling against Conall’s side. “We’ve only been together a few weeks, and ye’re grilling him like he’s going to ask for my hand in marriage.”
“Well, love, what else am I to think when the two of ye are going to be holed up in some hotel in the city?” Her father shook his head, his body stiff. “I know ye’re an adult and ye make yer own choices, but ye’re still my little girl and ye’re daft if ye think I’ll be happy about it. Just be grateful these are modern times and we don’t already have him hogtied and heading for the church.”
“Da!”
Keys jingled in the front door and her mother walked in, saving Maggie and Conall from further interrogation and a quickie wedding. Maggie was already heading over to greet her ma.
“Maggie. Ye should have said ye were coming.” Her mother pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her cheek. It didn’t take long for her ma to spot Conall or her father and brothers just beyond. “I’m Nora. Have the boys been behaving themselves?”
Maggie crossed her arms in front of her chest and with a smug smile, glared at the male members of her family. “Of course not. They’ve all but raked Conall over hot coals.”
Conall stood and shook her mother’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet ye.”
Her ma gave him an easy smile. “The pleasure’s mine. I hope ye’ll stay for lunch.”
Maggie linked her fingers with Conall’s, a smile dancing on her lips as she looked up at him, utterly and completely smitten. “Aye, Ma. That would be perfect.”
Aidan shifted his gaze from her to Conall and then back again. “Maggie…could I have a word?”
She gave Conall’s hand a squeeze to keep him from worrying, though she didn’t know how he’d fare alone with her parents and remaining brother. “I’ll be but a minute.”
Narrowing her eyes at her younger brother, she followed him out to their backyard. She’d be more than a little annoyed if he was pulling her aside for a lecture on her relations with Conall, even if he was just being protective. “What’s this about, Aidan?”
“I don’t want to go worrying ye, but I thought ye should know. Seamus Flaherty ran into Da at the pub and was asking about you and your work.” He ran a rough hand across his chin. “Ye know what Flaherty’s like, aye? Figured ye might want to keep an eye out.”
She groaned. This was trouble she didn’t need. Few knew that her father spent his formative years as a thief-a damn good one, too, until he met her ma, fell in love and abandoned his old life for one on the straight and narrow. Not exactly the sort of information she wanted getting out when she ran a security firm-even if her father was a big part of why she was so good at her job. And what the hell would Conall think when he also dealt with company securities? It certainly wouldn’t do his reputation any good either.
Unfortunately, Flaherty ran the crew her da had been with and had yet to abandon his career for more honorable and legal pursuits. “Did Da mention the Hope-the necklace?”
“No, but I imagine Flaherty already knew about it if he was asking after ye.” Aidan tugged at one of her loose locks, as if hearkening back to the days when he was just a wee lad and used to pull her hair. “Ye’ll be careful, yeah?”
“Yeah.” She looked at her little brother, all grown up and worrying about her. It was hard to be away for so long, always on a job. Seemed he’d become a man when she had her back turned. “The Flaherty crew is always snooping around, but it seldom amounts to much. They usually have enough to keep them busy without pissing on their home turf. And they know not to anger Da. Still…with a big enough prize, they might risk it, and the Highlander’s Hope is certainly that. Don’t go worrying about it too much, though.”
“I’ll keep an eye out and an ear to the ground. If I hear of anything more, I’ll be sure to send word.” Aidan stuck his hands in his pockets, his brow still furrowed with worry.
“I appreciate it. And don’t go worrying yerself. It’ll be fine.” She reached up and ruffled his thick hair, just like she used to when he was little.
“By the way, I like yer fella there. Doesn’t say much, but seems like he’ll do right by ye.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Though I hope ye realize, it’d be a hell of a lot easier on us if every guy didn’t go falling in love with ye.”
She burst out laughing. “As if that’s ever been the case, ye wee gobshite.”
***
“Thanks for doing that, love.” Maggie mumbled the words between kisses, as Conall leaned against the hotel door, pushing it shut. All morning long she’d been looking forward to getting him alone.
“Och, ye’ll be making it up to me, lass.” Conall laughed against her lips as his hands slipped under her shirt, hot against her skin, his touch making her heart race. “I thought they might take me out back and string me up by my ankles for having the audacity to seek yer company.”
She smiled between kisses. “They liked ye.”
“Bloody hell. I’d hate to see what they’re like when they don’t like one of yer boyfriends.” Trailing slow kisses down her neck, they moved farther into the room while she tugged at his sweater, desperate to get the man naked.
He was so unlike anyone she knew, let alone dated, and despite his brusque exterior, he left her breathless now that he’d let his guard down and she’d gotten to know him better. Each moment spent in his company, in his arms, left him claiming yet another piece
of her heart. And she was happy to give it to him-except for the fact that he’d made it clear he had no interest in that sort of thing.
So what the hell was she doing? It was one thing to live her life to the fullest and another to foolishly risk her heart on someone who’d made his stance clear.
“What’s wrong, love? Ye’re distracted and yer smile’s faded.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, and brushed a thumb across her skin, his brow drawn with worry. “I was just teasing about yer family. Actually, they were rather entertaining, especially with yer mother there. And damn funny once they got started.”
She managed a smile, not wanting him to worry. The poor man had been through enough without making him discuss their relationship. “I’m just happy ye didn’t get scared off.”
“Takes more than that, love. And family’s important. I’d not have it any other way.” His eyes were still taking her in, and she knew he wasn’t wholly convinced. “So, why don’t ye tell me what’s really going on? I’m not some wee laddie, aye? I can handle it. And I don’t want anything getting in the way of our weekend together. Is it something yer brother said?”
“No, love…” When he nuzzled her and gave her a sweet kiss, it gave her courage the boost it needed. “It’s just that…you were never meant to be more than a bit of fun. A way to pass the time while on the job.”
With pursed lips and his eyes narrowed, he wasn’t looking happy. Not one bit. He pulled away from her and started to pace. “What are ye trying to tell me, Maggie? That none of this matters? That I’m just here to keep ye from getting bored?”
Bleedin’ hell, he’d misinterpreted what she meant. “No, you fool. The exact opposite.”
His pacing stopped and he turned towards her. Though he said nothing, she could see his jaw was still clenched tightly, despite his thick stubble.
She took his hand and moved to his side, a smile tugging at her lips. “I’m trying to tell you that I’ve fallen for ye. Stupidly, head over heels, fallen for ye.”
“So what’s the problem, Maggie?” He shook his head, still serious, as her smile faded and she was back to her original concerns.
“The problem is you’ve made it abundantly clear that ye have no interest in pursuing something serious. And that was perfectly fine when you were just a distraction.” She leaned her head against his chest, unable to look at him. “I don’t know when things changed or why, but they did and…I don’t want to have my heart broken, Conall.”
He lifted her chin up so she’d be forced to look at him. “I won’t deny not wanting a relationship-and that sure as hell was the case when we first started. But Maggie…like you, I’ve had to rethink what I truly want. It doesn’t escape me that we’ve not known each other long, but it seems not to matter.” He brushed her lips with his in a whisper of a kiss that had her leaning into him.
He left her breathless. “What are ye saying?”
With a sigh, he nestled his cheek against hers, the scent of him intoxicating-like a winter sea laced with smoke and leather. “I’m saying that ye’ve turned my world upside down. I never wanted this, love. Yet now, there’s nothing I want more than to be with ye. And I don’t want this to be casual, Maggie. Nor do I want it to end in a few months when ye’ve moved on to the next job and town.”
Her breath caught in her chest, as if she might scare him away by simply exhaling. He’d been so standoffish. And now? Was he really giving her-giving them-a chance? “It’s a big step for ye, isn’t it?”
“Aye, love. I’ll not deny it. My parents didn’t have an easy go of it, and I’m afraid my own experiences left me not wanting to pursue anything serious. But everything changed with you.” He then laughed and brushed her cheek, mischief sparking in his eyes. “From the moment I first saw ye sticking out of that hole with yer arse in the air, I was a goner.”
She slapped his chest playfully. “Ye’re such a troublemaker.”
“Me?” He shook his head, some of his smile fading. “If anyone’s trouble, it’s you, love. Ye’ll likely shatter my heart to pieces, yet I’m helpless to walk away.”
His words were like a vice around her heart. She hadn’t realized until that very moment how badly he’d been hurt. He was taking a leap of faith-with her. It wasn’t just a big step. It was huge. And in that moment, she felt her heart slip that final notch.
She cupped his face in her hands, searched his eyes, her heart overflowing, her chest tight with emotion. “I love ye, Conall. I don’t know when it happened or how, but it did. And I swear I’ll not hurt ye.”
His gaze trailed over her face as if searching for the truth in her words. He brushed the hair from her eyes, and then kissed her, slowly, sweetly, as if they were the only two people in the world. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t spoken the words in return, not when she could read his emotions so easily in his touch, his kiss.
She lost herself in him, left to wonder how he could claim her heart in so little time, yet no longer able to imagine her life without him in it. What she felt, how he made her feel…it didn’t matter that they’d not known each other long.
When his kisses slowed, he still held her close, cradling her against him. “By the gods, Maggie…this isn’t what I expected or wanted.”
She pulled out of his arms, confused and starting to feel like a fool. She should have kept her mouth shut. “Well then, I’m sorry for putting ye in such an awkward position.”
“Och, love, that’s not what I meant.” He shook his head with a laugh and blocked her slap to the chest. “Bloody hell, woman, ye have a wee temper, don’t ye? I’m trying to tell ye that I hadn’t expected to fall in love with ye.”
Her heart hitched to hear him say he loved her, not quite believing it. “Are ye sure that’s what it is?”
He shrugged, his face blank. “Either that or it’s the airline food giving me indigestion.”
She burst out laughing as he pulled her into his arms, her heart ready to burst with happiness.
“I love ye, Maggie Brennan. Gods help me.”
Chapter Ten
After leaving the hotel for a bite to eat, Conall let Maggie show him around the city. Not that he hadn’t been to Dublin before, but this was her Dublin. Pubs that had been around hundreds of years, hole-in-the-wall eateries to sop up the drink between stops, and dingy used record shops. With luck, they’d still manage to crawl back to their hotel room-if they could find it.
Conall wandered behind Maggie as she dragged him into a music shop. Most of it was sectioned off to house used albums, with the remaining space used to display a wide variety of instruments, some new, most used. “Another one of yer hangouts?”
“Yeah…used to spend my paychecks here when I was in school. Could never resist. Wish I could play, but never had the patience to learn.” She flicked through a few albums, and threw him a sideways glance. “The guitar at your place-have you been playing long?”
He tensed at the mention of it. “Aye. Though I don’t play much anymore.” He really didn’t want to have to explain how he’d lost all desire to play during his troubles with Janet. And now? Playing it only reminded him of how happy he’d once been. Before he’d gotten his heart trounced on.
She grabbed his hand and looked up at him with a flirty pout. “Ye have to play for me once we get back. Please…”
He didn’t want to ruin the great evening they’d been having, but he wouldn’t make a promise he couldn’t keep, either. He let out a weary sigh. “Nae, love. I can’t.”
Her smile faded. “Oh…”
“Maggie, I’m sorry. It’s just…complicated. It has nothing to do with you, love.” He cupped her cheek and pulled her close for a kiss. “Can ye forgive me?”
He saw her struggle, but only for a minute more, a smile forcing its way to her lips. “There’s nothing to forgive. Ready for the next stop on our tour?”
By the gods, he was one lucky man. “That I am, love.”
With their arms wrapped around each other, they made their way to a pub M
aggie used to frequent. And damn if that woman wasn’t going to drink him under the table. Sitting at the bar, Conall nursed his pint with Maggie tucked in at his side, this crowded pub just one of many Maggie had dragged him to.
“How do ye do it, lass? I must be getting old.” It’s not that they were necessarily having a lot to drink, but it’d been years since he had more than a pint or two.
“Ye can’t not go drinking with the lads in this industry. It’s bad enough I’m a woman, aye?” She ran a hand down his thigh while taking another pull of her pint.
“There’s nothing bad about it from where I’m standing.” He leaned over and nuzzled her, unable to stay away for long. She was so beautiful, so alive, it stole his breath.
He still couldn’t quite believe how things had turned out between them. He hadn’t expected to ever fall for anyone again, knowing the risks were too great and not worth the hassle. Instead he’d fallen harder and faster for Maggie than he could have ever imagined falling for anyone. She’d leave him shattered if she ever broke things off between them. And he didn’t think he’d ever recover.
He kissed her as if she alone could sustain him, his head dizzy with the feel of her in his arms, her sweet scent drawing him in. “Let’s head back, love.”
She nipped at his bottom lip and pulled him close, her arms wrapped around his waist. “Sounds perfect.”
“Little Maggie Brennan. Been a long time.”
Conall turned to find a man in his late twenties looking at the two of them, Maggie stiff in his arms. She straightened up and cocked her head. “Sean Flaherty.”
“Are ye not going to introduce me to your fella?” He flicked a look at Conall, but his gaze didn’t stray from Maggie long. It made Conall’s back go up.
“We were just leaving.” Maggie was already shrugging into her jacket and then grabbed Conall’s hand. “Are ye ready, love?”
