Chapter Twenty-One
Connor
It may have been my worst score ever, but it was the most fun I’d ever had golfing.
After eating lunch at the restaurant in the hotel and then showering, it was time to get ready for the celebration at the Murphy’s Pub on Quay Street.
I always thought Fallon was beautiful, even in her worn-out dresses or old, faded blue jeans. But when she emerged from the bedroom in the form-fitting jumpsuit, all the air whooshed from my lungs, and I couldn’t do anything but stare.
Fallon’s long blond hair fell in loose waves onto her bare shoulders, framing her smiling face. She must have brought contact lenses because the glasses were gone, and she had the tiniest trace of some eye makeup and lip gloss. It took everything I had not to kiss her, touch her, or forget everything and just have her.
What was this girl doing to me? I needed to get a grip.
“Ready?” she asked with a bright smile.
“Let’s go, beautiful,” I said, taking her hand and trying to ignore the fluttering in my chest.
Quay Street was an animated corner of Galway filled with pubs and live music. Right at the top of the road, there was a little jewelry store, one I’d only walked by, but never paid attention to.
I’d never bought a woman jewelry or clothes. Without a mam or a serious girlfriend, there was never a need. But I couldn’t help it. I loved buying Fallon things. Seeing her eyes light up with genuine gratitude made my heart swell with pride.
“Wanna stop and do some shopping, pinky?” I asked, nodding toward the shop.
“Didn’t I say no gifts?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Well, these are local craftsmen. I just thought you might like to have a look. What if we pick up a little something for your nana? You haven’t sent her any souvenirs yet from Ireland,” I said with a smile.
“We can look…” she said hesitantly.
“I’ll take that,” I replied, leading her into the shop.
A bell rang over the door as we walked into the small room with a few display cases that were all filled with Claddagh jewelry. I guess the giant Claddagh sign hanging over the door should have been a sign.
“We can go somewhere else if you don’t want something Claddagh,” I whispered so the old man behind the counter didn’t hear it.
“Is that how it’s pronounced? Klad-uh?” Fallon asked in a bad fake Irish brogue.
“Ah, girl, first time to Ireland?” The old man pulled up a stool and sat down at the counter, rubbing his long white beard.
“It is,” she said, giving the old man her sweetest smile. “I live in Dublin for work. Visiting for a long weekend and looking for something for my nana.”
My chest swelled in a mixture of pride and something else, watching her. She never met a stranger, and even though she gave me hell, she was kind to everyone she met, never making anyone feel like they were any better or worse off than she was. The girl was remarkable.
The old man gave me a knowing smile. “Not getting something for your girl?”
“Haven’t decided yet,” I replied, putting my arm around Fallon which garnered a glare from her.
The man unlocked the case and pulled out a white gold locket with a Claddagh engraved on the front. “Do you know the meaning of the Claddagh?” the man asked, his focus on Fallon.
She shook her head. “No. Does that make me a dumb American?”
The old man laughed. “Naw, it just means I get to talk some more.”
He pulled out a pair of reading glasses from his pocket and held the locket up. “The crown on top here means loyalty. The hands holding the heart mean friendship, and the heart, well, that says, ‘with this heart I give you mine.’”
“That’s beautiful,” Fallon murmured, taking the necklace and running her finger over the heart.
“I think it’s perfect for you,” I said, taking the chain and unclasping it. She turned her back to me, and I put it around her neck, letting it fall just above her bust line.
A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard, trying to bury it deep.
This is for the company. This is for our futures.
I repeated the mantra in my head over and over, trying to push away the butterflies soaring through me.
“A beautiful necklace for a beautiful girl,” the old man said with a laugh.
“Can’t argue with you there,” I said, not looking at the man but at Fallon’s parted lips, which, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop staring at.
“We said no gifts,” she whispered.
“What if we get another one for your nana? Then you can both keep each other close to your hearts?” My chest constricted, and each word was a careful thought.
She finally smiled. “I think I can maybe agree to that.”
…
After paying for the necklaces, we headed farther down the street toward the pub. We couldn’t miss it, with the large anniversary banner and the crowd outside gathered around a fiddler.
“Do you think the guy can play ‘Whiskey in the Jar’?” Fallon asked, leaning close so I could hear her over the music.
“Metallica or the original?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Always the original.” She flashed a bright smile that lit up not just her face, but mine, as well.
“Wait right here,” I said, squeezing her hand before I headed toward the fiddler.
He finished playing “The Blarney’s Pilgrim,” and the crowd around him clapped and clinked their glasses together.
I leaned toward the middle-aged musician.
“Would you mind playing ‘Whiskey in the Jar’?” I asked as I pulled out a large note.
He looked from the money to me. Then he snatched the bill, stuffing it in his front pocket. “I think I can manage that.”
“Thanks, sir,” I said with a nod before returning to Fallon’s side.
“Did you just pay off the fiddler?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Before I could respond, the fiddler started the opening notes, and her smile turned into an all-out grin.
My heart beat wildly as I put my hand out to her. She took my palm and let me lead her to the middle of the crowd where some older couples were already dancing.
“You know, I’m still not much of a dancer. And since we’re doing this sober, this could get interesting.”
“Well, we’re about to kick it up a notch.” I smiled.
“What are we doing?” she yelled over the music.
“It’s a two-hand dancing down style,” I replied. Then spun Fallon around a few times. She laughed as I pulled her close, taking one of her hands in mine and putting my other hand on her lower back, still moving in step.
I could only resist holding her for so long. Being close to her was like coming home after a long trip, and I relaxed against her.
“You amaze me, you know that?” she said, the bright smile lighting up her entire face.
“I know,” I replied, spinning her around a few more times before repeating the two-hand steps, spinning her, and finally pulling her close again.
As the song came to an end, I spun her one last time then put both hands on her back. I dipped her slowly, brushing my lips against hers, which caused a cheer to erupt from the crowd. I didn’t know if it was for us or the music, but at that moment all I could focus on was Fallon’s flushed face and the taste of her mouth.
Every alarm bell went off in my head, but my beating heart drowned all that out, looking at the beautiful woman in my arms.
“Connor Murphy, always making an entrance.” A deep voice bellowed through the crowd, knocking me out of my trance.
I pulled Fallon up, keeping one hand around her waist as we approached the man in the doorway.
Noah O’Donnell had been with Murphy’s since my da first founded the company. For the past twenty-five years, the larger than life man with a booming presence and bright red hair headed the Galway location.
“Noah, good to see you!” I said, briskly shaking his hand before his gaze wandered to Fallon.
“And who is this? I can’t remember you ever bringing a girl along on your travels. Why are you hanging with this fool?” Noah laughed, taking her hand in his.
Before she could answer, I pulled her close, squeezing her side, a need to claim her taking over and making my heart thump. “Noah, this is my girlfriend, Fallon. Fallon, this is Noah, a longtime Murphy employee and owner of this location.”
The smile broadened on Noah’s face as he nodded. “This must be a special occasion if you’re bringing your girlfriend to meet me.”
“Anytime we have an excuse to celebrate is a special occasion,” I said, not able to stop my own smile.
“Then let’s celebrate. Come in. There’s plenty of whiskey and food to go around.” Noah ushered us inside to the wood-paneled room, packed with people standing or sitting at little tables. That is if they weren’t standing at the bar, waiting for one of the few bartenders to get them a pint.
“Looks like you could use some help,” I yelled to Noah over the music of a band jammed into the corner.
“One of our busiest days and two of my bartenders called in sick, as well as two waitresses. Had to have my boy, Ben, and my daughter, Anna, fill in,” Noah said, nodding toward the bumbling redheaded boy behind the counter that had to be barely twenty-one. The girl next to him had matching hair, and she rolled her eyes, holding out an empty plate.
“We can help out,” I offered.
Noah shook his head. “No, no. You’re a guest and technically my boss. I couldn’t ask you to do it.”
I clapped his shoulder. “I practically ran the Boston pub when I was at uni. I know when a busy location needs a hand. You didn’t have to ask.” I glanced at Fallon. “Ever waitressed?”
“Uh, briefly one summer at a diner,” she stammered.
I nodded. “That works. Let’s get some aprons.”
…
Within a few minutes, Fallon and I were donning green aprons and taking orders. She grabbed a tray and immediately went at it like a pro, getting drink orders while I stood behind the bar, pouring pint after pint.
“That’s one hell of a girl you got there if she’s willing to help out a guy she doesn’t even know,” Noah yelled over the music.
“She is one hell of a girl,” I said, my focus on my smiling girl, who laughed and talked with customers like she was right at home.
She was the best of the lot. But watching everyone else be charmed by her had a new sense of pride taking over me.
“I met my wife when I worked at the pub near Trinity. One look at the way she talked to customers, treating everyone from a big CEO to a smashed local the same, made me realize I didn’t want to be without her. Two kids later, we’re still together. When you find the one, you don’t let go, lad,” Noah said, clasping my shoulder before he headed toward the front of the pub to greet some more customers.
A twinge of guilt burrowed deep in my gut. There was no problem making people believe I was falling for her. But when our six months was up, I’d have to be the arsehole who dropped the girl everyone loved.
Fallon approached the bar. Instead of standing in front of the counter like the other waitresses did, she made her way behind it. Her hip bumped against mine, sending a surge of energy to my groin.
“What are you doing?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She held out the little notepad. “It’s a big order, so I thought I’d help out. Okay, okay… I was a bartender at a strip club. But I didn’t strip. I just served drinks and quit after a month because half the girls had bullet-hole scars, and when the lights came on at that place…” She shook her whole body.
“Okay. I get the picture, pinky. But really, I got this,” I said, putting my hands up.
She smiled and leaned over, and her breasts pushed against the thin fabric of her top. I sucked in a breath as she pressed against me, grabbing two bottles from the trough.
“No bra, pinky?” I growled low, unable to tear my eyes away from her, all the heat of my body rushing below the belt. I couldn’t think about the pub or drinks; all I could think about was what I wanted to do to her.
“I didn’t pack a strapless one,” she murmured, standing up and pouring two shots.
I grabbed two glasses and filled them with Guinness, jiggling the handle, my hands twitching. “You know, I need to get another keg in the backroom. You should help me out once you deliver this drink order,” I said, giving her a wicked smile.
Her cheeks flushed scarlet as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. “Let me get this to the table, and I’ll meet you back there.”
I nodded before she turned, swaying those oh so curvy hips as she sauntered to the table. I licked my lips, trying to control myself and not take her right there.
“I’ll be right back. We need more Guinness,” I told one of the bartenders, not even waiting for his answer as I pushed past the double doors of the kitchen then to the back storeroom.
It wasn’t much bigger than the bar area, and stacked with bottles, boxes, and kegs on all four sides.
Within a minute, the door swung open and there stood Fallon, giving me a smile that would have made my dick jump to life if it weren’t already begging to spring out of my trousers.
“You needed some help?” she whispered, biting down on her bottom lip and walking toward me, her hips swaying. Damn, this girl had no idea how sexy she could be.
Everything about her was amazing. From her beautiful body, blue eyes, and blond hair, to the way she helped everyone out, no questions asked. My heart beat wildly, adrenaline coursing through me as I stepped closer.
“Do you know how damn sexy you look right now?” I growled, running my thumb along her bottom lip.
I didn’t wait for an answer and pulled down her top.
“Connor,” she hiss-whispered but arched into me while I eagerly sampled the curve of her neck and down to her chest.
She gasped. My body ached for her, and I couldn’t get her soon enough, pulling down her jumpsuit so she was clad in nothing but her panties.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she whispered.
“No, but I need you,” I murmured, lifting her up as she wrapped her legs around my waist before our mouths collided.
I gripped her arse, and throbbing pleasure pulsed through me.
I tried to find an empty wall to push her against, but everything was covered with shelves full of bottles, and the door swung limply with a porthole window.
Blast.
“This isn’t going to work, is it?” she whispered.
“There is always a way,” I muttered, setting her to her feet. I raked my gaze over her. Fuck, it was downright sexy, and this was definitely going to work. I just had to think with the right head.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out my wallet and grabbed a condom before I unbuckled my belt and slid down my pants. I opened the foil packet and rolled it down my length before crouching and crushing my lips to hers.
Her tongue mingled with mine as I slowly moved us to the floor. I got on my knees, wrapping her legs around my waist before pushing her panties to the side. I rushed with adrenaline at the possibility of getting caught.
“Well, this is new,” she murmured against my lips as I rubbed my thumb over her already soaking core. Her eyes went to half-mast as I slowly filled her to the hilt, inch after inch, each one better than the last.
“Ready to learn to drive a stick?” I murmured, rocking her body to mine.
“Are you seriously asking me that in the middle of sex?” she asked, pulling her head back and raising an eyebrow.
I smirked, holding on to her arse. “Well, first we have the clutch pedal that’s used when moving from one gear to another.”
I stroked her clit with my free hand. The soft movement of her body sent all the blood to my groin, and I had to bite back a growl.
“Can’t forget about the clutch when shifting gears,” I whispered.
“And you have to work the gas pedal, as well.” I gripped her arse, my body surging with each thrust.
“Now there’s first gear…” I murmured, slowing down.
“And then we’ll move to second,” I whispered huskily and rocked our bodies.
She clamped down hard, her beautiful body moving in sync with mine. A tremor built in my stomach.
“Then we move to third and fourth, of course,” I murmured, pressing my face into her neck and taking in her sweet scent. She matched my rhythm as her body erupted.
No one had as powerful effect on me as Fallon. Her kisses spoke of things unsaid. Things I didn’t think either of us could say, even if we wanted to. In this moment, I could just focus on memorizing every one of her curves and pretend nothing else mattered.
Her voice quavered, and I held on to her tightly, finding my own release before I collapsed onto her chest.
We didn’t say anything for a few moments, just breathed each other in.
“We should probably go back to the pub,” she finally whispered.
“Technically, I own the place, so we can do whatever we want,” I murmured into her chest. “Including another driving lesson.”
A knock came at the swinging door. I caught a glimpse of Noah’s face in the window, and I hoped we were out of his line of sight.
“Um, Connor? The bartenders said you went back here to get more Guinness over half an hour ago, and I heard a ruckus. Not sure what’s going on in there, but can you bring another keg of Guinness and some Jameson?”
Fallon’s face went bright scarlet, and I pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, focusing on her as I answered. “Yeah. Be right there.”