by Kris Bryant
“Probably tomorrow.”
That surprises me. “Wow. Back home, most new mothers go home within twenty-four hours,” I say.
“How are new mothers going to know how to take care of the baby after only a few hours?” she asks. She raises her head to look up at me, the incredulous look on her face hard to miss. “Seriously. That doesn’t even make sense to me.” Now that I think about it, it doesn’t make sense to me either.
I shrug because I don’t have the answer. “It does seem rather quick, huh? Well, why don’t you spend some time with your family today? I can run down to the wharf and take some pics and look around.”
“Wait, you don’t want to go with me?” she asks. My heart flutters. I feel my emotions pull me in every direction. My soul pushes me toward her, toward her life and family, while my mind pushes me away from her, away from this life in Ireland.
“I don’t think I belong there. Thank you for thinking of me though. It’s not a problem for me to do my own thing. Really.” I smile at her, hoping it will lessen the blow.
“You belong with me and nobody will say anything. Everybody likes you, Grace,” she says. My heart quivers again at the thought of being hers. “Plus, where else will you see such baby perfection?” She’s so convincing, but I stay strong. I can’t fall for this girl. Nothing good will come from this. This is supposed to be an extended weekend of fun and really good sex. The kind of sex you think about weeks, months, years later, and blush from just the memories. I’ve never been this open and free with any other woman before. Maybe it’s because I know the chances of seeing her again are slim and I’m giving myself to her completely. I consciously ignore the tugging on my heart that happens every time I look at her or when she moves closer to me.
“It’s okay. I already said my good-byes to everybody yesterday. I’ll feel like a stray dog hanging around,” I say.
She laughs. “They’ll be happy for me that you’ve extended your trip. When I’m happy, the family is happy.”
“So, I make you happy?” I ask.
She leans up and kisses me soundly. “Very much.”
“Strange how all of this has happened.” I press my lips against hers again. “One minute you hate that I’m here, now you don’t mind it.”
“It’s strictly because you give me really good orgasms,” she says.
I laugh. “That’s it? Huh. Weird because I’ve never been accused of that before.”
“That’s just crazy. You’re beautiful, passionate, submissive, everything I like in a woman,” she says. I shiver when she says I’m submissive. She’s managed to tap into a side of me I didn’t know I even had. All this time I’ve been playing the role of aggressor when I needed somebody in control of me. “And why are you getting out of this bed?”
“I need to leave you alone so you can get up and go to the hospital,” I say. She reaches my wrists before I climb off of the bed.
“It’s still really early. Neither one of us needs to be anywhere just yet. Wait. That’s not true. You need to be right here.”
“You’re insatiable, but I love it,” I say right before I slide back on the bed and spend the next hour getting to know her even better.
Chapter Fifteen
“I can’t believe you’re still there.” It’s good to hear Morgan’s voice. It’s been too long.
“I should have just taken two weeks from the beginning so that I wouldn’t feel so bad about it now.” I’m frustrated with my boss and myself. We both know I never say no to a job, so I don’t know what happens next. “Has she said anything to you?”
“Nothing really, other than she’s surprised you haven’t wrapped things up yet. She knows we’re friends. She isn’t going to talk shit about you in front of me,” Morgan says. “It’s not as if Alisa can’t get things done in your absence. Enough about all of this.” In my mind, I can picture her waving her hands dramatically at me to get my mind off of it. “Tell me all about your fire hot girlfriend.” She always makes me laugh.
“She’s great. Right now she’s with her family for a bit, but I’m sure once she gets back here, it will be game on,” I say.
“You needed this trip, Grace,” Morgan says. “You sound, I don’t know how to describe it. Happy? Stronger? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you so relaxed before.”
I smile just thinking of Kerry. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“Great sex? Hot body? Did she show you things you only ever dreamed about?” I know Morgan is joking, but my breath hitches when I think about how she topped me on the couch. I shiver recalling our exchange and how she let me know she was in control. “Hey, did I lose you? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I just had to…um…Abram the cat was getting into something.” She doesn’t need to know explicit details. Mind blowing sex is good enough for her. She doesn’t need to know that I can feel myself slipping and how something inside of me tightens up whenever I see Kerry or think about her.
“What are you going to do with him?” she asks.
I stroke his ear and smile as he purrs for me. “I guess Leigh is going to take him in. Although she has a really big dog that I know is going to drive him insane. Emma just had the baby so she can’t handle a cat, too. And Conor, he already told me his dad would not let him have a pet. I just feel bad for this little lover. I’m going to miss him,” I say.
“Maybe when you get home, you should really think about adopting a cat from the shelter.” Not a bad idea, but I’m afraid I will get a crazy one. My track record for any kind of companion hasn’t been good.
“I’ll think about it. I just need to get through all of this first. Kerry’s dad thinks the shop will sell quickly. It’s in a prime location and even though the economy isn’t great, some big company will probably get it at a decent price.”
“Does that bother you? I mean, shouldn’t you get the most bang for your buck?” she asks.
“Yes, but a part of me wants it done already. It’s exhausting here. I struggle with wanting to be friends with these wonderful people, and then turning around and laying them off. My aunt must have been crazy when she concocted this idea,” I say.
“Just think, you’ll have a life changing amount of money. You can do anything you want. Buy anything you want. It will be great,” Morgan says. I frown. Maybe three weeks ago that was the plan, but right now, it’s just not sitting well with me.
“I know. I just need to get on that plane Tuesday morning and never look back,” I say.
That gives me three full days with Kerry. She already told me she is taking me to the airport. I hang up with Morgan and decide I need to go for a walk. I’ve been cooped up in the apartment far too long and fresh air will do me some good. I want to walk through town one last time since I have a few hours to kill. The sun is shining after a quick rain shower this morning, so I grab a small umbrella, my camera, and a few slices of bread to feed the fish and seagulls on the wharf. I’m surprised to see Colleen down on one of the boats. Her out of control hair is pulled back in a clip, the bright color and curls hard to miss. I recognize her by her hair before I even see her face. She waves at me.
“Colleen, good morning. Do you ever sleep?” I ask. She smiles.
“I have to make sure my husband and my boys are working,” she says. “Or else we won’t have anything for lunch today. Boys, say hello to Grace. She’s Nola’s niece from America.” All three boys and her husband immediately stop what they are doing to say hello. I’m impressed. She obviously runs that household.
“It’s nice to meet you. Are you going back out?” I ask. I don’t know the schedules or when the best time to catch fish is.
“Oh, we’ve already put in a full day. We’re going to get the fish back to the restaurant, help clean them up and then get cleaned up ourselves,” Colleen’s husband says.
“Do you mind if I take a few pictures of you working on the boat?” I ask. This isn’t something I see back home.
“Hop on. Boys, fix your hair,
” Colleen scolds them.
“Oh, it’s fine. They look great,” I say. They all have windblown hair, suntanned faces even though it’s only April, and are full of muscles. One of the boys reaches out his hand to help me on the boat, ensuring I’m steady before letting my hand go. Colleen tells me they are eighteen, twenty-one, and twenty-three years old. I can tell they are hard workers.
“Do you have any daughters?” I ask Colleen.
“Clara. She’s at the restaurant now.”
“Does she work there full time?” I ask.
“Oh, no. She goes to school in the afternoons, but helps out in the morning at the restaurant.”
“I love that your entire family is involved in your business,” I say. She looks at me strangely, like this is normal and she’s confused as to why I would point out the obvious. I slip away and happily snap photos of all four men working on their haul. It’s beautifully mechanical how well they operate together. They are quiet, efficient, and know each other’s moves. After about ten minutes on the boat, I thank everybody and tell them I will definitely have lunch or dinner at their restaurant again before I leave. I find my meditation rock from last week and sit on it, happy to be at peace. I feed the fish pieces of bread and throw some crumbs on a nearby rock. The seagulls seem tame enough that I could probably reach out and touch one, but I don’t just in case they decide to peck my eyes out. I don’t even know how long I have been sitting on this rock. I watch several boats glide into the harbor and some sail away. Off in the distance, a lone figure walks toward me. I know it’s Kerry. I recognize her tall, lithe frame and beautiful red hair. Ever since I told her that it’s beautiful, she has been wearing it down for me. My heart speeds up the closer she gets, the flutter fast and furious in my chest. It’s welcoming and frightening at the same time. She smiles and a jolt of energy circulates through my body.
“Why did I know you would be here?” she asks right before she kisses the corner of my mouth.
“Hi. What a nice surprise to see you here,” I say. She helps me off of the rock, but doesn’t let my hand go when we are on the boardwalk. She laces her fingers with mine and we stroll along the water’s edge. I give her fingers a tiny squeeze and she squeezes mine back. I smile at that small, yet meaningful gesture of affection.
“Did you get a lot of pictures?”
I nod. “This is such a wonderful place. No wonder my aunt picked Howth to live in and start a business.”
“I love Howth. I love Dublin, too. Your aunt was a smart woman,” she says.
“Tell me about her,” I say. Kerry squeezes my fingers gently, her warm hand comforting to me.
“She was always so nice to everybody. The Irish Garden was her dream come true. She loved flowers, loved making people smile, and truly loved her life. Did you know she was a trickster?” I shake my head no. “She made that place so much fun for Emma, Leigh, and Conor, and made them all feel like they were a family. Even when she was diagnosed with her cancer, she still had a positive attitude.”
“I never even knew she was sick. I mean, my family never said anything to me. Of course, I should have made the effort to get to know her,” I say.
“Don’t beat yourself up, Grace. It’s not your fault. She was in a completely different country and you were busy building up your career,” Kerry says. Yeah, that doesn’t help me at all.
“I’m so selfish. I can’t help compare our lives, Kerry. We are so very different. You are all about your family and heritage, and I’m all about myself. I’m shallow, my friends are shallow, hell, even my job is shallow,” I say.
“Stop. You are not. You love Morgan so she can’t be shallow. You’ve worked so hard to get where you are. People depend on you and your talents. Don’t think I don’t know about your late night e-mails and projects. That makes your job not shallow. We are just different people who grew up differently. I know what’s in your heart. I know the real you, even if only for a little bit.” I walk with Kerry, my voice silent, but my thoughts loud and disruptive to me. “Quit thinking so much. Let’s go grab a late lunch or early supper, then get back to the apartment. I only have you for a few days.” She ends the sentence with a frown, so I reach up and place a small kiss in the corner of the frown, my tongue quickly touching her lips.
Chapter Sixteen
There is a different feel to the apartment today. The heaviness of me leaving tomorrow hangs between us. Even Abram is more active, walking back and forth.
“Are you sure Leigh is all right with watching him?” I ask when Abram jumps up on the couch and curls up next to us.
“She promises she is.”
“But what about Danga? He’s even bigger than I am,” I say.
“Don’t let his size fool you. Abram will have complete control of that household by the end of the week. And I promise you that if it doesn’t work out with Leigh, I’ll be the backup stepmom. Once this place sells, I can get my place and Abram can move in with me and the goats. He will love it.” She brings my hand up to her lips to give it a quick kiss. I’m really going to miss Kerry and Abram.
“I know you will love him and take care of him. I trust you,” I say. I try to give her an encouraging smile, but it comes out sad and I’m surprised at the sting in my eyes. I quickly look down at Abram and play with his ears, hoping she doesn’t see my tears. If she notices, she doesn’t call me out.
“He will be king of my farm. Hey, what do you want to do on our last day?”
I want to spend the day in bed with her. I want to memorize her curves and touch her everywhere. I want to taste her skin and feel her warmth against me. “Honestly? I want you. I just want this final day to be about us.”
She leans over and kisses me softly. “That sounds fantastic. I was hoping you would say something delicious like that.” The gleam in her eye tells me that she’s going to make this a very memorable day for me and I shiver with anticipation.
“Can I just say how much I’ve enjoyed this last week with you? Thank you for spending it with me. I know you are busy with baby Ian and you are sacrificing your time with him, and your job, to be with me.” I pull her close to me and give her a quick kiss on her mouth. “So thank you.” I barely get the words out before she pushes me back down on the couch, giving Abram just enough time to scoot away or risk getting squashed beneath us. I break the kiss first. “As much as I enjoyed our last make out session on the couch, I think I’d much rather be on the bed.”
“Okay, but under one condition,” she says, pulling me up with her.
“Anything for you,” I say. I mean it.
She raises her thick eyebrow at me. “You can’t say something like that without knowing first,” she says.
“I trust you.” I stand still while she peppers my face with tiny kisses and unbuttons my jeans. I help her and take off my sweater and camisole, but leave my bra on. I’m so thankful that I packed only matching bra and panty sets. The look of lust and appreciation in her eyes empowers me. I reach out to her, but she steps out of my reach.
“No,” she says. I pout. She runs her fingertips over my mouth and gasps slightly when I suck her finger into my mouth. Her lips part as she watches me, her breath warm against my mouth.
“I love watching you,” I say.
She smiles at me. “Watching me do what?”
“The way you look when you’re turned on. Your eyes darken and you get this little smirk on your face knowing that we’re about to have mind-blowing sex.” I keep it lighthearted because if I don’t, I will crumble.
“Mind-blowing sex?” she asks. I nod. “Not sweet love making or a grand opportunity to get to know each other better physically?” I shrug like it’s no big deal. She takes a step closer to me so that our bodies are only an inch apart. I can feel her heat without touching her.
“Can I touch you now?” I ask. I lick my lips wanting to taste her skin, her mouth, her sex. She disappoints me by shaking her head. I sigh. “What would you like?”
“I want you to watch me,”
she says. She slowly unbuttons her blouse, her eyes never leaving mine. I feel like the first one to look away, submits. I want to, but a part of me wants to hold on for a bit longer, to challenge her a bit. I don’t want to give in right away, even though we both know I will. My peripheral can only pick up so much before I have to break eye contact so I can watch her shrug out of her blouse. Her skin is so pale and smooth and I have to ball my hands into fists so that I don’t pull her to me. Her flat, tight stomach, the one I feathered with light kisses last night, is now bare to me. She isn’t wearing a bra and her nipples are hard and puckered, beckoning for attention.
“Please let me touch you,” I beg. She shakes her head no. A cocky smile slides into place. She knows she just won. I stand there and wait for her to tell me what she wants. I moan when her pants slide to the floor. She is now standing in front of me in only silky panties. I can’t help but drop to my knees in front of her. I’m weak with desire. My mouth is inches from her. I can already tell she is wet for me. I lean forward and place a delicate kiss on her thigh. She doesn’t stop me. I stop myself from smiling because if she sees me, she might stop me and I don’t think I can. I lean over and place a kiss on the other thigh. She spreads her stance making it easier for me. She still hasn’t stopped me. I slip my tongue under her panties and lick the silky spot where her thigh meets the softest skin near her sex. My tongue is demanding, yet her panties are still in the way. I need my hands. She surprises me when she reaches down and moves her panties to the side giving me full access. We make eye contact and I keep looking at her as I run my tongue up her slit, stopping at her clit. I apply more pressure at the top and she moans. I break eye contact first.
“May I please use my hands?” I ask. She shakes her head no again. I’m not deterred. As a matter of fact, I like this challenge. I lean forward more and bury my face into her mound. My tongue digs into her folds and I taste her warm wetness, the tangy sweetness only makes me want her more. I feel her hand on the back of my head, moving me closer and holding me tighter against her body. She starts to sway and I can feel the slight vibration of her shaky legs. I really don’t want her to come this soon. “Now may I use my hands?”
