Wild Chance (Wild Irish Universe)(40)

“Damn—see what you made me do?”

Mona poked him in the ribs and Aedan obliged her with a grunt.

“You were too impatient—too impatient, Aedan.”

“Sorry.” Aedan kissed her ear.

“No, you’re not.”

He laughed softly. “You’re right. I’m not.”

They remained like that in silence. A million thoughts flew through Aedan’s mind in that moment. There were so many things he should have done with his life—places he should have been. He had to get his world together before he could truly claim Mona. He needed to have it together.

“I’ve been thinking.” He rubbed his day old stubble against the side of her face. “What if we find my mother and she doesn’t want me?”

“Doesn’t want you? Aedan, you’re a fantastic man. She’d be lucky to have you.”

“You’re biased.”

Mona chuckled. “Maybe. Did Pops ever made you feel like you’re worthless?”

“No, never.”

“How about Killian? Tristan? Kiera?”

“They consider me family.”

“Then see?” Mona asked. “I’m not the only one who believe you would make the perfect son. Don’t worry. Your mother will love you as much as we all do.”

Aedan heard the word love and smiled. He knew she probably didn’t mean to just blurt that out, so he would give her a break on it. But he loved thinking Mona was in love with him—it made his heart glad.

“One more thing I’ve been thinking about.”

“You’re thinking too much, Aedan Callahan. Maybe I should give you something else to do to occupy your mind. But, just this once, I’ll bite. What of?”

He chuckled. “I’ll take the job.”

“The one training the cops?”

“Yeah. I had to think about it after our talk because I want you to be proud of me.”

Mona shifted to bring her legs over one arm of the chair and looked up into his face. “Aedan, I am proud of you. You’ve been through hell and back and you’re still standing. You should only take this job if it’s what you want.”

“I do.”

“Then good. I’ll support you and you have an entire clan at your back.” Mona sighed while caressing a tender palm up his chest. “I’ll be here at the end of the day to make the bad days go away.”

“That’s music to my ears, a stórín.”

“Listen, Aedan. Seriously for a second. You know I’m here for you, right?”

Her serious brown eyes shimmered at him. There was something there that pulled Aedan even closer to that edge where he could no longer turn back. Who was he kidding—he was already there and falling off the very tip of it. “I know.”

“And if you need anything at all, you can call on me.”

“I know that too.” He smiled. “I know you feel strongly for me, Mona Lisa. Every time you look at me, the tremble in your touch, the way you hold my hand as we walk, the softness in each and every smile you give me—I know.”

“Good. ‘cause I do.”

Aedan sighed then and took her lips. This time when he kissed her it was to confirm to himself that what he’d found with Mona Lisa was the best thing to ever happen to him. Somewhere in his miserable life, he’d done something to deserve her. Perhaps it wasn’t snapping at his aunt when he could have. Maybe it was walking away when he did and leaving her to her own pain and hate. Maybe it was all those hours spent working for Pops, not looking for anything in return but some peace and a warm smile. Whatever it was, he was glad he’d done it.

As her arm lifted around him, her fingers caressing the back of his neck, Aedan inhaled, deepened the kiss and released his very soul to her.





Epilogue


For Aedan’s thirty fourth birthday, Mona wanted to do something special for him. When she’d asked him, Aedan said he would be happy with a night with her. But she figured he deserved more. He’d been working hard, training to start his new job. He’d come home to her exhausted and bruised. But he never once complained. At nights when she figured they would only snuggle into bed, he would take time to make love to her, to make her feel like a desired woman.

No. Aedan Callahan deserved the best she could muster for his big day.

When the idea came, it terrified Mona. But just because she was scared, didn’t mean she shouldn’t do something wonderful for her man.

With a grin, she’d set her plan in motion—the entire Collins clan, including spouses and children, descended on Mona’s home and the backyard. Space was a little lacking—her house may be big for just her and Aedan but with an entire brood, it was a tad cramped.

While Will and Tristan commandeered the grill and anything to do with it, the others fell in and helped Mona get everything else ready. Killian spent his time trying to instruct Will and Tristan how to grill things—which led to a rather loud but loving teasing. The others flocked around the kitchen—getting the cake out of the boxing a cake Lilly had made and covering it with a dome, slicing up fruits for the kids, making punch—it was all hands-on deck.

It had been hard to keep the get-together a secret from Aedan. But she’d managed it.