Irish Dreams Page 2

  In too short a time and with some obvious reluctance, he pulled his mouth from hers and released his hold on the back of her neck. “I shouldn’t have done that.” Ethan hung his head and braced one hand on the wall above her head. “I’m not sorry.” He met her gaze. “Yet I shouldn’t have laid my mouth on yours.”

  How could she respond when he’d left her in a daze? Maybe he shouldn’t have kissed her senseless, but his words were still a light punch to the chest. Probably better than dealing with rejection later. She licked her lips, enjoying his taste more than she should, and trying for some composure herself. “What now?”

  He nodded, took a deep breath and stepped back. “You tell me. Where’d you come from? A lost tour bus? A traveling college student?”

  College? “I’m thirty.”

  “You look younger. Doesn’t answer my question though.”

  Uh sure, because she should definitely tell a stranger where she stayed. Although this stranger did save her. “The Kelley’s.” Oh God, Elsie would be worried sick. “What time is it?”

  “Four. You telling me you’re staying with Bryan Kelley over at Rose Hill House?”

  “Four? I slept too long. I’m late. They’ll be back from Dublin Airport any moment now, if not already.” She pushed a few curls out of her face and slipped by him. The intensity of his gaze warmed her back. Her hands grew slick and she wiped one along the front of her jeans. She didn’t dare look up. Instead, she busied herself by setting her mug in the kitchen sink.

  “Hello?” someone called from outside.

  Maggie turned toward the front door as a gorgeous brunette knocked and entered. “Ethan?” the brunette said. She glanced up, locking gazes with Maggie. Her eyes moved over Maggie’s face, pausing on her lips. For a moment her smile faltered. “And you are?”

  Ah, this was why he shouldn’t have kissed her. And maybe why the inside of his cottage looked good enough to photograph. Grabbing her phone from the counter, Maggie started toward the door. “I’m leaving. Don’t mind me.” Shoot. She lifted a hand to her temple then winced as she brushed her bandage. How was she going to find her way back from here? “Um.”

  The brunette turned, one manicured brow lifted. “Yes? Forget something?”

  “Do you know the way to Rose Hill House?”

  The brunette’s smile widened, her perfect white teeth dazzling. “Sure. You walk out and turn left. Once you go over a hill, you’ll see border fence.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Wait. Maggie.” Ethan hurried after her. “I’ll take you there.”

  Please no. She just wanted out of there. Away from him and Ms. Supermodel Girlfriend. “No thanks, I’m fine.” She didn’t break stride and exited through the open door.

  “Ethan,” the brunette objected. “This is important.”

  “I’ll be back, Kara.”

  “No.” Injured head or not, Maggie would not be held responsible for some broken relationship. “Please don’t inconvenience yourself. I can find my way if I get lost,” she waved her cellphone, “I’ve got a phone.”

  * * * *

  “I believe I found the woman with whom I’ll be walking down the aisle.” Ethan grinned as Maggie marched–arms swinging–toward the neighboring estate, her bright red ringlets glistening in the afternoon sunlight.

  “Given certain circumstances, do you think that’s a good idea?” Kara asked.

  “Oh, Kara. Ever the lawyer. I didn’t mean it in a literal sense. She said she came over by way of the Kelley estate. Not to mention, the woman’s got an American accent. I bet you she’s Elsie’s best friend and maid-of-honor.”

  “Ah, I see.”

  “You have the papers?”

  “Yes.” Kara rustled through her leather briefcase, pausing with a sigh. “Damn it. I thought I did. Appears I forgot them.”

  “What? You came here with the intention of having me sign them.”

  “I know. I must have left them on my desk. I’ve a lot on my mind.” She pursed her lips. “I’ve an idea. We’ll meet up for dinner in town in a couple nights. You sign the papers and we’ll have champagne in celebration of this being complete.”

  Ethan frowned. “Bryan’s wedding is in a week. I’m sure he’ll need my help. You picked a really bad time.”

  “I know, and I’ll make it up. I promise. Come on, you’re finally gaining your freedom back.”

  Sometimes he swore Kara did these things on purpose, but he wasn’t in any mood for an argument. She had a point. A divorce from Miriam deserved a celebration. “Fine. You set up reservations and tell me a meeting place.”

  “Great.” She lifted her briefcase. “By the way, have you a date for the Kelley pre-wedding party tomorrow night? I’ve heard it’s a formal event.”

  Bryan hadn’t mentioned bringing a date. “No, although considering I’m not yet officially divorced, bringing another woman probably wouldn’t be the best representation.” Neither was the kiss with Maggie, but he’d leave that out of the equation right now.

  “Yeah, right. Well, have a good evening.”

  Ethan guided Kara to the door and let her out, releasing his breath in a sigh. She wanted him. Fair assessment or not, Kara reminded him of Miriam. Both were calculating, manipulative. Kara had more class.

  He threw a couple logs into the fireplace, then lit them. Wood and newspaper scraps crackled, the embers burning sunset orange. Like Maggie’s fiery hair. He’d only spoken with her for a blink in time and yet he’d bet his life her personality would prove itself as fiery. A corker, as grandfather was fond of saying.

  Ethan sat on the rug before the fire and smiled. Grandfather would get all worked up with the reliable Moore temper, but one of grandmother’s smiles was enough to have him sitting like a docile puppy. Even after grandmother passed, the old man refused other women’s invitations, and there’d been plenty. “I’ve loved the only woman who will fill me in this lifetime,” he’d say.

  Ethan wanted the love his grandparents shared, or at least, he’d wanted it at one time. Now, life seemed to have chewed him up and spit him back out. Marriage to Miriam had been a fool’s desire, wishful thinking. He wasn’t sure she’d ever loved him.

  Tossing one last log on the fire, he stood up and dusted his hands off on the front of his jeans. Marriage didn’t agree with him. Bachelorhood sounded far more appealing.

  He opened a kitchen cabinet, pulled out a bottle of Jameson. Hell, two years with Miriam and he could accept life as a hermit. Amber liquid spilled over several ice cubes. Lifting his glass, he relished knowing she didn’t approve of drinking at home alone. “To life without a woman and impending freedom.”

  He downed the entire glass, and enjoyed the burn coating his throat. Even as he set the empty tumbler down, his grandmother’s voice echoed, scolding him. She would have been right too. It was one thing to live as a bachelor, another, as an idiot. “Christ. I shouldn’t have let her go alone.” He grabbed his coat and Blackberry then headed out after Maggie.

  Chapter 3

  “Maggie!” Elsie jumped up from her chair at the table and rushed toward Maggie as she entered through the terrace door into the kitchen at Rose Hill House. “Where did you go? I was afraid you got caught up and took shelter under some tree, since the heavens seemed to be pouring down on us not too long ago. We just got home and I thought something happened. Oh no.” Her eyes widened as she neared. “Bryan, come here. Maggie is hurt.”

  “No, I’m not. Really, I’m fine.” She snatched Elsie’s hands from prying at the bandage on her head. “I’m just tired.”

  Bryan walked in, Blackberry next to his ear. “No, don’t bother going out to search. She only this minute arrived, with a bandage on her head no less. What did you do? I can’t believe you let her walk here from your cottage.”

  Her stomach flipped. Bryan spoke with Ethan.

  “You’d better hold your groom accountable,” Bryan said. “Woman’s got a lump on her head the size of a football.”

  That bad?
She reached up and fingered the bandage, only to have her hand swatted aside by Elsie. “Don’t mind him, he means a soccer ball.”

  “Is a soccer ball any better?”

  Bryan paced out of the room and Maggie stretched her neck to hear his conversation with Ethan. No use, since he spoke too low. “Stand still.” Maggie winced as her friend pulled the bandage aside, taking several hairs with it. “What a first day you experienced. At least you’re not soaked,” Elsie said. “Are you sure you feel up for dinner with my parents?”

  No, but it wasn’t every day her best friend got married. “I’ll make do, although I may turn in early. Where are they?”

  “Should be showering upstairs.”

  A hot shower sounded amazing now. “I might do the same before dinner.”

  Bryan entered, Blackberry in one hand, a first aid kit in the other. “Ethan sends his sincerest apologies regarding Misty Eyes. Said he’d like to make it up to you.”

  “Won’t be necessary,” Maggie said. She wasn’t going to earn herself a notch on his belt, unless… “His girlfriend is certainly beautiful.”

  “You mean his wife?” Bryan shrugged, clueless to the fact he’d burst her bubble of hope. “Woman’s okay if you like gold-digging, back-stabbing–”

  “Bryan.” Elsie shook her head. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t like her.”

  “Yes, dearest.” Baring a mischievous grin, he bent and kissed the side of Elsie’s neck. “I’m off to get some work done in our den before dinner. I’ll see you in a bit, love. You ladies behave.” He turned and exited through an arched entryway.

  “We, behave?” Elsie asked then smiling, placed a new bandage on Maggie’s head. “Speaking of behaving, what did you think of Ethan?”

  “Nice.” Outrageously gorgeous with dreamy bottle green eyes, a mouth made for sinning...need she go on? Oh God, she’d kissed a married man. She’d become her own worst nightmare.

  “Nice? Describing him as nice is like saying a lion is a cute cat. Come on, Mags. You may have dated the world’s biggest asshole. Doesn’t mean you’re blind.”

  “He’s married.”

  “Ah.” She waved a hand. “A technicality.”

  “Um, that’s a pretty big technicality. I’m no home wrecker.”

  “I didn’t mean you were.”

  “I know you didn’t.” Maggie took a step back. “Now if you don’t mind, I need a shower. I’ll see you later.”

  “You better get used to having him around. He’s Bryan’s best man. Only makes sense for the best man and maid-of-honor to spend time with each other.”

  “Spending time with each other is not exactly dating a married man, Elsie.”

  Elsie shrugged, eyes wide. “’Course not. See you in a bit.” She blew a kiss and left the kitchen.

  Somehow Maggie doubted the next few days would be simple.

  * * * *

  “That dress is beyond stunning on you,” Elsie said as she shut the door to Maggie’s bedroom. She crossed the room and sat on the bed behind where Maggie stood in front of an oval-shaped, standalone mirror.

  “You think?” Maggie turned to face her friend, and smoothed a handed over the fitted strapless bodice. The dress’s skirt flared out with a spin. “You should like it, considering you helped me pick it out. Never thought I’d wear it. You sure it’s not too formal?”

  “Um, excuse me.” Elsie stood and pointed at her lavender gown. “Anymore poof and I’ll float up into the sky.”

  She shook her head. Poof or not, Elsie looked like a doll in the quaintly decorated guestroom. The periwinkle and white floral comforter matched her bright eyes and the ornately carved rocking chair to the side of the bed seemed to complete the scene. “Totally different. You’re the bride. A bride is allowed as much poof as she desires.” Maggie returned to the mirror, fiddling with a stray ringlet. “My hair is insane tonight. I can’t control these ringlets.”

  “No more.” Elsie came up behind and grabbed her shoulders. “In another minute, you will be driving me crazy. You look gorgeous. Let’s go before Bryan thinks I’ve run away with you.”

  “Fine.” Reluctantly and with her stomach in knots, Maggie let her friend lead her out of the bedroom. Just a pre-wedding party. No reason for nervousness. Didn’t change her sweaty palms or weak knees, though.

  “You know, all this fussing, one might actually think you wanted to look especially nice. Any reason?” Elsie said.

  “What do you mean? What about looking nice for you? You’re my best friend.”

  “Hmm, you didn’t look nice for me in fourth grade after you slipped and fell in a mud puddle. And you weren’t nice when I went to help you. Instead, you pulled me into it. Nor were you nice in eighth grade when you tricked me into doing the dunk tank for our school fair.”

  Maggie rolled her eyes. “Now is different. You know what I mean.” She grinned. “Besides, mud is good for skin.”

  As they walked down the upstairs hallways, Maggie’s heartbeat sped up its tempo. Whether she wanted to see him or not, Ethan would be there. She lifted a finger to her mouth and smoothed her bottom lip. She could almost imagine the tingle of his lips touching hers.

  Ugh, the man was married. What was her problem? She was no better off than Elsie with her remarks–even worse because she’d kissed him.

  “Hey.” Elsie paused and grabbed her arm. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Don’t know. You went space cadet on me. Thought you might be thinking about Rick.”

  Just hearing his name made her chest constrict. “No, I wasn’t.”

  “Oh honey, I’m sorry.” Elsie hugged her. “I want you happy. I thought… Never mind. Let’s go down and have fun.” Tugging her hand, Elsie pulled her over to the banister overlooking the large ballroom. “Do you see Bryan?”

  She didn’t, but what she did see was magical. Renaissance era paintings of cherubs and idyllic maidens lined the walls and ornate carvings decorated the seams where they met. Golden chandeliers hung from a domed ceiling.

  “It feels like we stepped back in time, somewhat,” Maggie said. At the foot of a sweeping marble staircase, uniformed wait staff wove through the crowd, effortlessly carrying silver trays lined with hors d’oeurvres and champagne. “Everything is beautiful.” Men were dressed in three-piece suits or black dinner jackets and crisp white shirts, while women wore long evening gowns and large gemstone necklaces, assuaging any fears she had about her own formal dress. “Don’t you think so?”

  “Aye, I’d have to agree with you there.”

  Heat crept up Maggie’s neck. Ethan’s voice. Guests moved aside. He and Bryan stepped through an opening in the crowd.

  Her stomach fluttered like a school girl’s as they stood mere feet away from her and Elsie, each dashingly handsome in a tux. Slightly taller, Bryan was fairer where Ethan was darker–except for his mesmerizing eyes–and broader in the shoulders.

  Ethan neared, and for an instant, Maggie let her eyes flutter closed as she inhaled his scent of fresh mountain air and soap.

  “Ladies,” he said.

  “Ethan.” Elsie kissed him on the cheek. “You made it.”

  “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “Do you like the decor?”

  “Decor and more.” He rested his gaze on Maggie then it strayed back to Elsie. “I’d say this party is a complete success minus a missing bride.”

  “We were on our way down.” Elsie joined her fiance and gave him a chaste kiss on his cheek. Her devilish expression promised not-so-chaste kisses later.

  “Where is my kiss hello?” Ethan stepped closer.

  Maggie’s breath caught in her throat. “I...”

  “On the cheek.” With a lean in her direction, Ethan lightly brushed his lips along the side of her face.

  “I say we go down. Guests have been waiting awhile.” Bryan took a step back, tugging Elsie with him.

  “What?” Maggie met Elsie’s gaze. “You’re leaving?�
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  “We’ll be right back. Ethan won’t bite, right?” She pinned Ethan with her most take-charge stare.

  “Definitely not.” He raised his hands in surrender as his mouth curved upward. “I will behave like the utmost gentleman.”

  “All right.” Turning, Elsie followed her fiance, leaving Maggie standing alone with Ethan.

  “Married gentlemen don’t kiss or ask for kisses, especially with unknown women,” she said.

  Ethan frowned and adjusted his cuffs. “You’re right.”

  With one look at his contrite expression, sadness and a hollowed out feeling filled her. How could one man affect her this easily? After Rick, how could she ask such a silly question? It appeared learning from mistakes was beyond her capabilities.

  “I’m sorry if I offended you,” Ethan said.

  “No worries. After what you did yesterday, I owe you.”

  “How about a dance?” Hand held out, he nodded toward the floor below. “Friends. Completely platonic dancing.”

  Absolutely nothing with this man could be completely platonic.

  She quickly quashed the thought and slipped her hand in his.

  Chapter 4

  Maggie Christy was the last woman Ethan needed right now and the only woman he wanted. Tomorrow night, freedom struck. This was a time for planning a proclamation of bachelorhood, not thinking how Maggie would look outside her beautiful gown. Part of him yearned for both, but the wariness in her gorgeous hazel eyes warned him off. Not a woman one trifled with.

  “Do you mind a slow one?” he asked but didn’t give her a chance to answer before pulling her onto the dance floor. Her body shivered beneath his touch along the small of her back. “You cold?”

  “No.” She cleared her throat. “You took me by surprise.”

  “Forgive me. I react a bit quickly at times. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll back away.”

  She nodded. “How do you know Bryan?”