Wild Chance (Wild Irish Universe)(36)

Mona shrugged. “Me either. I think I had to trust him to allow him to do that to me. It was marvelous.”

“I bet. I miss good sex.”

“Don’t worry. Your time will come.”

Esme didn’t reply to that, but they’d gotten to the diner anyway. They climbed out and made their way inside. The host seated them by a side window in a red booth. Mona took the moment to bring up pushing their trip. It seemed like the right thing to do. Aedan needed people to stand by his side—good people.

“No problem,” Esme said. “We will move our trip to later.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No. I mean, this is more important. Not knowing his hurting Aedan and if you can help him get through this, you have to.”

Mona hugged her best friend tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When she stood back, Mona took a sip from her wine and inhaled. “We don’t know when we’re going yet. So, we could probably go on our trip and at the end, I meet him in Dublin then make our way to Dingle.”

“That’s an even better plan.”

Mona nodded. “Let me talk to him.”

“How are things otherwise?”

“Good. I mean he treats me so well I have no complaints. A couple of nights ago we went for a picnic and things got a little—wet.”

Esme arched a brow. “Wet?”

“We wound up having sex, outdoors, in the rain. It was amazing.”

“Damn, girl.”

Mona trembled at the memory of Aedan’s strong fingers tangled in her hair and pulling. Though she wouldn’t go into all the details, she explained it all to Esme. Her friend’s jaws dropped.

“Okay—any more of them guys single in that family?”

Mona laughed. “Probably. I’m pretty sure I haven’t met all of them.”

“Speaking of which—there’s this speed dating thing I wanna do. Think Aedan would mind if you were my wing woman?”

“I’m sure he won’t mind. Dude, you’re acting like this is the seventeen hundreds and I’m the little lady who requires her husband’s permission.” Mona sighed. “I’m not going to look for a man. I’m going to back you up.”

“Good—It’s next Saturday.”

“I’m in.”

After finishing up her lunch date with Esme, Mona dropped her home then headed to her house. Aedan was at Pat’s with the brood, so she spent the rest of her day working on some commissions. She shipped a couple off to their owners, updated her website then finally, long after dinner time, she sat down to some left over Irish Stew Aedan had made her.

The house around her was seriously silent. It’d been a while since she’d been alone at home. Usually, Aedan came home to her. She would snuggle into his chest, and spend lazy evenings listening to him speak about his childhood and some of the things he’d endured in the military. Then later, as morning begin seeping into the dark, Aedan would hold her to her bed and soothed himself with her body. He’d made love to her in ways only he would.

Mona enjoyed those moments alone with Aedan immensely.

With her meal finished, she washed her bowl, poured herself a glass of water and was on her way up the stairs when a knock brought her to the front door. She peeked through the peeping hole and grinned as she pulled it open.

“I didn’t expect you tonight,” Mona said, pulling Aedan into the house.

“I know. I’m exhausted but I couldn’t sleep without you—needy, huh?”

Mona kissed him. “Nope. I’m glad you missed me. Come on, I have to shower before I can climb into bed.

“May I join you?”

“Always.”




After spending the day pretending to be tourists around Baltimore, they parked the rental car Aedan had been driving and made their way into Camden Yards. Ever since Mona arrived in Baltimore she’d been itching to visit the baseball stadium. Esme wasn’t a fan of the game or the structures. Knowing that, Mona hadn’t bothered bringing the adventure up to her best friend.

Though Mona wasn’t a huge baseball fan, just being in that type of atmosphere brought it out in her. She clung to Aedan’s hand, loving the way strong warmth of his fingers wrapped around her own.

Will, Keira’s husband, had scored them some amazing tickets. Though she would have been happy with any seat in the house, knowing Aedan wouldn’t have to do much walking after their day out, gave her more of a sense of appreciation.

“Can you believe this?” She asked, turning her back into Aedan’s chest to take a selfie with her phone. “This place is amazing! We’re in some of the best seats in the house…” She did a duckface to take another while Aedan kissed the top of her head. “…about to watch the Orioles play Toronto!”

He laughed. “I didn’t know you were a baseball fan.”

“I am—kinda. Honestly, I love the stadiums and the crowds.” She inhaled. “The crackle of peanut husks under my shoes. And the food! Stay here!”

“Where are you going?”

“We can’t have a game without hotdogs and beer!”

Aedan laughed and tapped her butt as she walked by him. Mona giggled and took off running through the path leading back to the concession stands. There was a bit of a line, so she hurried to the bathroom then returned. The line hadn’t gone down. She frowned and joined.