by Moni Boyce
The air had gone cold in the room, causing her to cross her arms over her breasts.
“Give me my clothes.” Jordan reached her arm out, looking every inch the coquette.
Conor looked down at her clothes in his hand and back up at her. “Will you do something for me?” He gave her a sly smile.
She folded her arm back over her breasts and tucked her hands into her armpits.
Her brows knitted together in a question. “What?” She drew out the word, hesitant to agree.
“Let me get a picture of you.”
The word no was already poised to come out of her mouth.
“Hear me out.” He laid her clothes on the chair and approached her.
Standing over her, she was forced to look up at him from her seated position on the desk. He ran his hands up and down her arms. “You are so sexy right now. I just want to have a memory of how you look at this moment. I know your gift to me for winning the game was that amazing job you did sucking my flute…” When she chuckled, he smirked at her and continued.
“But I would love for you to let me take one picture of how lovely you look right now. I promise it will be tasteful. You can keep your hands over your breasts like you’re doing now.”
Jordan bit her lip and stared at him, while she contemplated his request. “Okay… one. And you better hide it really well on your phone.”
Conor kissed her forehead. “Thank you.” He hugged her to his body, before he grabbed his mobile from the desk and stepped back to snap a shot of her. After he took it, he stared at it, savoring her saucy look and luscious curves.
“Now I get one of you.” She already had her phone in her hands.
Conor looked down at his body. He still wore the uniform shirt of the rugby team and from the waist below, nothing but his runners. His semi-hard dick hung well beneath his shirt. He shrugged and smiled for the camera.
After she took the picture, he picked up her clothes and handed them to her and went in search of his underwear and shorts.
Once they were both dressed, he took her hand and helped her off the desk. Conor pulled her into his body and wrapped his arms around her. He tucked her head beneath his chin.
“I was going to introduce you to Eoin, but he was being a shite earlier.”
Jordan giggled into his chest. “Maybe another time.” She snuggled into his embrace.
A thought struck him. “Let’s go away on holiday.”
She pulled back to look at him. Her eyes glowed with excitement. “Really?”
“Yeah… a mini-break. We could go on a road trip, see the Cliffs of Moher. Stay at one of those bed and breakfasts.
“I’d love to. Let’s do it.”
They shared another passionate kiss that almost had him bending her over the desk for round two.
When they rejoined the raucous crowd, Jordan laughed and joked with everyone. Conor watched her and tried not to feel sad that at the end of two weeks he was going to lose her.
13
Jordan
It took a few days for Conor to make arrangements for his father’s care in his absence before they could travel. Cash had promised to stay close to home, which she wasn’t sure if Conor took seriously. She wished he’d give Cash more credit.
Jordan had just come out of the hotel to find Conor fishing something out of the backseat of his car. Seeing his sexy ass in the air while he reached for something on the floor gave her naughty thoughts.
Approaching the car on the balls of her feet, she was able to creep up behind him undetected.
Carefully, she sat her bag on the sidewalk, and then reached up with both hands and grabbed his ass.
For a moment, Conor stiffened, but then relaxed. “Och lass, I think we have a few minutes before my girlfriend comes out and catches us. Better make it quick.”
Conor delivered the joke using an extra thick Irish brogue. His sense of humor had her clutching her stomach as she laughed hysterically. “What if it hadn’t been me?”
She could barely contain her giggles. “What if I’d been some big, burly dude that pinched your ass?”
“Is my arse that attractive?” He raised his brow and gave her a sassy look.
It only made her chuckle more. She stepped back so he could climb out of the backseat.
“What were you doing back there anyway?”
Potato chip bags, empty soda cans and a few other food wrappers filled Conor’s hand.
“I let Cash borrow my car and he litters it with rubbish and leaves it manky.” He turned up his nose while he dumped the items in a nearby waste bin.
Now that her laughter had subsided her mind locked in on the label he’d given her.
“Am I really your girlfriend?”
“Aye. What else would you be?” Conor reached out to caress her cheek and she sidestepped him.
“Uhm, perfect moment for you to do that, but… It’s just, you were handling garbage a moment ago, which means your hands are dirty.” She peered at him waiting for his reaction.
For a second, he stared at her and then burst into laughter. Conor threw his head back and roared, the corded muscles in his neck stood out and again Jordan thought he was sexier than any man had a right to be. When he finally finished, he pointed towards the hotel. “I’m going to go use the jacks and wash my hands. Can I have a kiss before I go?”
She grinned at him and went up on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss.
“Thank you.” He kissed her forehead without touching her and headed toward the hotel.
“Where should I put my bag?” Jordan called after him.
Over his shoulder, as he took the stairs two at a time, he responded. “Leave it there. I’ll put it in the boot when I get back.”
Jordan looked the car over. “Which part of the car is that?” She mumbled the words to herself.
They’d been driving along the M6 for less than thirty minutes. Conor had music from 2FM softly playing on the radio.
“It’s called the motorway. Only Americans say highway.” He corrected her.
“I’m sure someone else in the world calls it a highway.” She teased him.
It amused her that he was intent on teaching her all the Irish terminology, vernacular and slang.
While he drove, he rested his hand on her thigh. His need to always be touching her gave her a warm feeling inside.
“I think we should stop soon and get petrol and snacks. We have two and a half hours before we reach Cliffs of Moher.”
“Yum. Snacks.” She could definitely eat something. She’d only had a piece of fruit and a turnover when she woke up.
“Are you hungry? We can stop and get a bite?” Concern laced his voice.
“No, I’ll see what kind of sandwiches they have when we stop.”
Conor moved his hand from her thigh to her belly and gently massaged it. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
The gesture was very sweet. That he always seemed to be concerned about her comfort and well-being made her wish again that she could meet the woman that raised him.
Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the gas station. Conor handed her some euros. “Get me a Red Lemonade and a packet of Hunky Dorys.”
“Which flavor?”
“Cheese and onion.”
Jordan shook her head. “You won’t be kissing me after you eat those.” A mischievous smirk covered her face.
“We’re going to lob the gob after I eat those crisps and you’re going to love it.” He teased her and tried to kiss her.
“Eww, no.” She giggled and stepped away as he made a kissy face at her, complete with kissing noises.
Once they were back on the road. The drive flew by amidst their conversation and banter. He told her stories about what he was like as big brother to a newborn, Cash. How he tried to sell him on the street corner, before his mother caught him offering the screaming baby to a motorist. Jordan cracked up over Conor terrorizing his baby brother with stories about The Wee Folk or The Fey that would come and carry hi
m off into the night. She listened intently when he spoke of a period in his teen years when he dressed Goth and listened to the music of Bauhaus, Virgin Prunes and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
“I want to see you dressed in all black, hair dyed black, looking sullen.” Seeing a different version of a teenage Conor that wasn’t in the pictures at the pub fascinated her.
“My mam hated it.” Conor chuckled. “I bet my da still has pictures.” He laughed, a nostalgic look in his eyes.
“What about you? What was it like growing up? You and your sisters?”
Jordan shared how Elodie tried to use her as her human Barbie doll, dressing her up and at one point even giving her a haircut, much to her mother’s horror. She spent part of first grade with a hideous cut that tried to mask how Elle had butchered her hair.
When the story of the elementary school talent show came up Conor wiped tears of mirth from his eyes while he imagined everyone’s faces at hearing her sing.
“You sang in public?”
“First and last time.” Jordan giggled. “I was in third grade. I didn’t know how bad I sounded yet.”
Ten miles away from the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country roads they found themselves on became clogged with dozens of baaing sheep blocking the road. Jordan was so tickled by all the lambs.
Conor honked the horn. “Bloody hell.”
“They’re so cute.” She pushed the car door open and got out, determined to get a shot of the wooly animals. Sheep must be averse to taking pictures, because the minute she had her phone ready, they had dispersed.
“Good job. Now we know how to move them along. Just pull out a camera.”
Jordan pouted. “I really wanted a picture.”
“Maybe when we come back through, they’ll be here again.” He squeezed her thigh and accelerated so they could get out of there before more sheep showed up.
The day was beautiful when they got out of the car in the parking lot of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Center.
“This is fierce weather. We should have a great view of the cliffs on a clear day like today.” Conor took her hand and they walked inside.
Thankfully, she’d bought their tickets online already.
Deciding not to linger inside, they went out to the cliffs. Jordan was blown away by their splendor and how endless the cliffs seemed.
“People have died out here, you know. Fallen right off the edge.”
At Conor’s words, Jordan took a giant step backwards.
“Sad really. One day you’re on vacation and then whoops, next thing you’re splattered all over the rocks and you’re fish food.”
“That’s not morbid at all.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.
“Let’s get you closer.” He chuckled and grabbed her hand.
Where was he taking her? He walked them towards the right of the visitor’s center. His long strides meant she had to do a light jog to keep up.
“Sorry.” He slowed down.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I remember there is an exceptional spot for really good pictures.” Conor looked back at her over his shoulder. “I know you’re going to want pictures to remember your trip here and I want them to be worthwhile.”
Sometimes, he was too good to be true. That he wanted her to get the perfect shot was sweet.
The trek to this picturesque spot took them past a castle. For a while there was nothing and then they came upon a group of tourists that looked like one wrong step and they would be the fish food Conor mentioned earlier. After they got past that area, they kept walking. Only the sound of the wind and crashing waves filled her ears. Suddenly, the hillside sloped into a sharp descent. Conor held her hand a bit tighter while he navigated them down the steep path.
Jordan kept eyeing the ground during their descent, trying to keep her footing stable, to avoid tripping. The path curved off to the left and Conor followed it. On a small landing area, she noticed a white sign, but what took her breath away was the breath-taking view of the Cliffs of Moher and the sea.
No one was in her way or blocking her shot. She would be able to get a pristine shot of this amazing sight. The sky was a pale blue, dotted with a few of the cotton candy clouds. The cliffs were visible for as far as the eye could see and covered in moss and lush green grass in various spots. The sea was a deep turquoise.
She could hardly bear to stop looking at the gorgeous sight as she tried to pull her phone from her pocket. Once she had her cell phone out, she took several pictures of the landscape that was devoid of people.
“I want a picture of us… So I can always remember this moment.”
Conor smiled at her and took the phone out of her hand. They turned and put their backs to the cliffs. He put his arm around her waist. Jordan put her arm around him and leaned into him.
The first picture he took, the cliffs were in the back to the left. They both grinned at the camera. In the second picture, Conor had turned and kissed her on the forehead while he snapped the shot. She was sure that was going to be her favorite, even as he took more selfies of them.
After another hour spent roaming around the Cliffs of Moher, they went back to the car. On their way to Doolin, where they were staying, they did some more sightseeing. Stopping off to visit the ruins of a church and Dungaire Castle.
At one point, Jordan upended her large tote onto the backseat searching for the Ireland vacation guide she was sure she packed. She’d wanted to look up more information on the area, but couldn’t locate the book. Conor reassured her they were doing just fine without the guide.
It had been a while since their sandwiches and snacks, so they were famished by the time they drove into Doolin. The little town was quaint. Jordan craned her neck to peer at the pink cottage with the thatched roof that said The Sweater Shop.
“After we eat, I want to look in there. I can get nice gifts for everyone back home.”
The town was just as the pictures had described. It felt like the place had been untouched by time. More cottages dotted the countryside, creating an idyllic feel to the place.
Conor pulled the car in front of the mustard yellow exterior of a restaurant called The Ivy Cottage. Her stomach growled seeming to know that food was nearby.
They took a seat at a table on the outdoor patio that had a nice little garden growing around it.
Within seconds a woman walked up wearing a monogrammed shirt with the restaurant’s name on it.
‘The name’s Roisin and I’ll be serving you today. Cup of cha to start you off or our fine Italian coffee?”
Roisin was sweet and charming. She had a motherly nature about her that made Jordan smile.
Jordan asked her some questions about the menu and made her selections. When it came time for Conor to order he looked up at the woman and stared at her without saying anything, like he was taking her measure.
“I’ll try the fish ‘n’ chips… I want to know what all the fuss is about. We’ll see if it’s any good.”
Jordan looked up in alarm. She heard the joke in Conor’s words, but the waitress might not. Without hesitating, she kicked him beneath the table.
‘Don’t.’ Jordan mouthed to him, when he looked up at her. He was not about to get her food spit in, if the woman thought Conor was being rude.
At his comment, Roisin finished writing in her notepad and stared back, the hint of a smile on her lips.
“You, lad must be a Jackeen, but we won’t hold it against you, will we?” Roisin winked at Jordan.
“What?” Jordan looked back and forth between the two of them. She had no idea what a Jackeen was, but she asked her next question anyway. “How… how do you know?” Uncertainty laced her words.
“We know dear, because he thinks everything outside of Dublin is shite.”
Connor guffawed. “Can you imagine a culchie trying to insult me?” He touched his hand to his chest in mock outrage.
“I’m a culchie and proud of it.” She smacked him on the shoulder, before walking awa
y with a broad smile on her face.
Jordan was a little confused, but definitely relieved the woman could take a joke.
“I was sure you were about to piss her off.”
“Naw. She’s a spirited Irish lady. She knows how to take a joke.”
* * *
While they ate their lunch, she wondered if there would be any time to bring up him moving to New York during their trip. Was it selfish of her to want him close? Want him to be able to finish realizing his dream of becoming an architect? As she drank, she eyed him over the rim of her water glass.
Once they finished their meal and Rosin came to collect their plates, Jordan wondered if the two of them would engage in more “taking the piss” with each other.
“Care for any afters?” Roison looked between the two of them.
Jordan looked at Conor with a silly smirk on her face, hoping he was going to interpret. A chuckle fell from his lips.
“Yes dear, any afters?”
Of course, he was doing that. He knew she didn’t have a clue what afters were.
She hung her head and giggled. When she looked up again, Conor leaned over to Roisin and spoke in a loud whisper and pointed at her. “She’s completely clueless. She has no idea what afters are.”
Now Roisin gave a hearty, full belly laugh that shook her ample bosom. “Oh lass. It’s dessert: cake, pie, cheesecake.”
Oh.
After the full meal at lunch, neither of them wanted to do anything, but check into their bed and breakfast. Getting up early to get on the road at a decent hour had taken its toll.
Conor carried their bags inside the cozy little room, and then plopped down onto the bed. “Let’s have a nap and then we can find some place to have dinner later. Maybe see what the town’s nightlife is like.” Conor made the joke while he sat on the edge of the bed taking off his shoes.
He stretched his arms over his head and yawned, before lying back against the pillows. A sleepy grin spread across his face and he patted the empty space beside him on the mattress. She climbed onto the bed. Conor turned so he was spooning her.
