Wild Chance (Wild Irish Universe)(13)

Mona reached across to squeeze his hand.

“By then I was old enough to pretty much take care of myself. So, after that I just stay out of her way. By then, I’d met Killian Collins and he and his siblings took me in as one of their own. Pop’s allowed me to earn some money around Pat’s doing odd jobs—take out the garbage, dishwashing—whatever he needed that he thought I could do. The kids rallied around me, like I couldn’t believe. Never once did they question my presence or made me feel like an outsider. I think if it hadn’t been for them I’d be dead or a very different man.”

“Sometimes, things happen to us and we question everything,” Mona said. “And I’m not going to say what everyone else probably said to you—everything happens for a reason—because I don’t think it helps. Bad things happened, and we just have to learn to stand up from them again.”

“That’s the best advice anyone has ever given me on that.”

“Yeah?”

Aedan couldn’t stop the smile that spread his lips. He turned his hand over to squeeze hers. “Yeah.”

“And besides, blood doesn’t always make family, right? It’s the people who chose to love you.”

He nodded in agreement. “Can we talk about something else?” Aedan caressed the back of her palm with his thumb. “Mona, about earlier—that kiss. I wasn’t very gentle with you, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“Being so rough. I should have controlled myself.”

She grinned. “It’s okay. Honestly, I enjoyed it. Can I tell you something? It might fall heavily under the TMI banner.”

“Sure.”

“I’ve always been a little bored with my sex life—or rather lack thereof. It’s been a while for me. I told myself I wouldn’t give myself to another man until there is some sign he is not a dud, if you know what I mean.”

“And do you think I’m a dud?”

“You don’t look like one. You definitely don’t kiss like one.”

“You’re going to have to explain that one to me.”

She cleared her throat and finished chewing. After Mona tapped the corners of her lips and set the napkin back in her lap, she leaned forward. “Well—I could be wrong—but, the size of your body, the way you walk into a room, your eyes…”

“What about my eyes?”

Mona licked her lips and pulled her hand from under his. But Aedan wasn’t ready for that connection to die. He reached for her again.

“What about my eyes?”

“They make me feel like you could devour me. That there’s a fire in you that could consume me, and I would happily burn for you.”

“You wouldn’t feel bad—guilty?”

“Not even a little bit.”

Aedan stared into her gaze for a moment longer before lifting her hand to his mouth. Softly, he kissed her wrist then dragged his lips along each fingertip and back to her wrist. “Be careful what you wish for, a stórín.”

She trembled for him and Aedan had to hold his breath. Her reaction to his voice, to his touch excited him. Again, the thought of controlling himself filled his mind and he gently set her hand down and returned to his meal.

“In this case.” Mona picked up her fork. “I don’t think I would mind getting it.”

Aedan smiled.

They spoke of other things from then on—each seemed to be skirting the purple elephant that now was plopped down in the center of their table. There was mutual attraction there but the fear of hurting her filled him completely.

With dinner over, hand in hand, they made their way back across the path and to the cycle. This time, as they rolled through the streets back toward her place, having her so close felt different. He’d shown her a part of his soul he hadn’t even showed the Collins. There was an intimacy in sharing his past with someone.

Mona hadn’t judged him.

She’d listened to his story and comforted him the best way she knew how. Then, she’d flirted with him, confessing her attraction in a way that was new but exhilarating. From time to time he lifted his gloved hand to press against hers.

He drew to a stop before her house and lowered his leg to the ground. Though she released him, Mona didn’t climb off the cycle. Instead she removed her helmet and cuddled into his back.

“Do you want to come in?” She asked.

Aedan turned as much as their position would allow. “That is a really bad idea.”

“Why?”

“I can barely—you know you turn me on, right, a stórín?”

She trembled against him. “What does that mean?”

“One day I will tell you. But I am going to give you some time to think about inviting me in.” Aedan couldn’t believe those words had left his mouth. “Then, if by Friday night you still want me to, I’ll give you everything you need.”

She lifted her head and climbed off the cycle. Instead of walking off, she set the helmet before him on the belly of the bike and reached up to remove his own. “I want to see your eyes for this. Tell me again. Promise me again.”

“I will give you the rest of this week to think about what you’re asking. If by Friday, you still want it, I will give you everything you desire. Keep in mind, I’m not vanilla, and in my bed, every part of your very delectable body will belong to me.” Aedan reached forward then to wrap an errant strand of her hair around his finger. “Every fiber of your being, every purse of your lips, every moan—will be mine.”