Wild Chance (Wild Irish Universe)(32)

Aedan smiled. “Yes. How do you think I shower at home?”

She pressed her face into his wet chest. “I have so much to learn.”

“Don’t worry about that now.”

For the next little while, Mona forced herself to think of nothing but Aedan. She pushed her worries about cancelling her trip with Esme, of having to deal with Aedan’s hurt at dealing with his mother and aunt and of deciding if all of this was worth fighting for, the very back of her mind. She basked in Aedan’s hard body against hers, of his hands sliding over her flesh, of his mouth nibbling against her.

“One day soon,” Aedan whispered as he turned her to face the wall. “I will give you complete control of my body.”

Mona whimpered.

“You will have to hold the reigns and do to me what you believe will make me growl for you.”

“Aedan.”

“Yes, a stórín?”

“I need you—right now.”

He kissed her neck from behind and stepped from the shower. “Don’t move.”

When he returned, it was with a condom. Aedan stormed her body then in a slow, deliberate coupling that left her panting. She braced her palm into the wall, dropped her forehead against it and encouraged Aedan but pushing back into him and screaming for him. Aedan’s hands traveled up her body, around her to pinch at her nipples, to brace against the pulse at her neck. His mouth traversed the back of her neck, her shoulders and behind her ears.

She melted for him repeatedly, shouting her happiness.





Chapter Twelve


The day he’d received the box with his mother’s letter melted into the past. Though Aedan didn’t go back to his aunt’s house, he spent the time trying desperately to reach someone in Dingle, anyone who could help him. But dealing with government offices in every country seemed to be the same—a giant pain the ass compounded by language barriers and red tape bullshit. Information was slow in coming.

Within that time, he’d also been job hunting and working at Pat’s. He’d gotten a chance to speak with Riley and the rest of the Collins brood—not in one big group as he’d hoped but the word got around. They were excited to have him home—given they had questions—but all decided they would plan something close to him, so they could all celebrate.

Aedan wasn’t in the mood for celebrating but when that family said party, they meant it.

A week and a half had passed, and Aedan finally received a job offer. Though it hadn’t been for one of the jobs he’d applied for, he read it and considered it seriously. This job would keep him in Baltimore and in some form of enforcement. He would be training new Quick Response Team recruits for the city of Baltimore.

The pay and benefits weren’t bad either.

“So, you’re not going to take it?” Tristan set a plate in front of him.

“I don’t know,” Aedan replied. “I spoke to the chief and they got some glowing recommendations from my former commanding officer. They want me, even with the leg.”

“Amputees do amazing things every day,” Tristan said. “I’m sure that wasn’t a thought for them. It’s doesn’t make things impossible. You just have to be a little more—creative.”

“True. I would need to get back into training myself. I mean, I can’t have my guys do these obstacles when I’m not even capable of them.”

“You’re the teacher, remember that.”

“Yes, but what’s good for the goose.”

“Is good for the gander. Got it. Look, Cal, you’re not super-human. There are going to be things that you can’t do and that’s okay. But you can’t let the fear of failing stop you from trying.”

Aedan nodded. “And I have to talk to Mona before I make a decision.”

“Oh.” Tristan leaned in, stole one of Aedan’s fries and shoved it into his mouth. “You’re really serious about this woman, huh?”

“Very. She’s the one, Tristan. I know it.”

“Good. It’s good to be sure about these things. How does she feel?”

Aedan shrugged. “I don’t know. There is so much going on right now. I mean, she has a trip coming up with her best friend next month. I have to figure shit out with my mother—first, I have to find my mother. And then there’s—”

“Hey you two!” Kiera greeted them. She kissed Aedan’s cheek, blew Tristan a smooch and stole a couple of Aedan’s fries.

“Between you and your moocher brother, I’ll die of starvation.” He pouted.

Keira grinned. “Caring his sharing. I’m not staying—I’m just here to grab some food for the family. I’m in zero mood for cooking today.”

“Hey, Kiera, you have a connection at the Irish Embassy, don’t you?” Tristan asked.

“I have a friend who works there. Why?”

“I’m trying to find my mother,” Aedan confessed.

“Um—why?” Kiera asked.

“She thinks he’s dead.” Anger tinted Tristan’s voice.

“Why would she think you’re dead?”

Aedan delved into a shortened version of the story and Kiera’s eyes filled with fire.

“Well that’s a bullshit thing to do to anyone!” Kiera said. “I’ll make some calls. If your mom is still in Ireland, we’ll find her. Even if she’s not in Ireland—I’m sure Will has connections all over the place. We’ll make this work for you.”