Chapter 17
Elizabeth
People packed O'Halloran's, and there was more than the promised close family and friends. Exactly what I didn't want or need. Most of these people had been at my first wedding, and I could already hear the "I knew it wouldn't last" comments when Caden and I divorced.
From the second we walked into the bar, he held my hand, and when everyone clinked their glasses and chanted for us to kiss, we obliged, which sent them chanting for more. It wasn't a hardship, and if this had been my real wedding day, it would have been perfect.
My dad's larger than life absence was noticeable, but no one asked where he was. They all knew he was at home recuperating from the accident. What would everyone say if they knew he'd practically promised me to Caden in exchange for money? And what would they say if they knew I went along with it not exactly kicking and screaming.
Sean, who acted as DJ for the day, tapped the microphone. "Everyone, for the first time, please welcome onto the dance floor, Mr. and Mrs. Caden Gallagher."
I'd forgotten about the first dance. Crap. I wasn't much of a dancer and hated being the center of attention.
Caden squeezed my hand and led me onto the makeshift dance floor. Unforgettable blasted from the speakers. It was one of my favorites, and one I'd listened to constantly as a teenager. Sean once threatened to break the CD because I'd listened to it so much.
Caden placed his hands on my hips, and I put mine on his shoulders. We moved like two kids at a middle-grade dance and not like two people in love. He leaned down and pressed his lips to the shell of my ear, and set off a round of goosebumps.
"Relax," he said. "The worst part is over."
"I'm trying, but I feel like everyone knows we're lying."
"If you don't act like we're in love, they're going to suspect something is wrong."
He pressed kisses to my cheeks, and when he reached my lips, I parted them, inviting him in.
The kiss wasn't sexy or sensuous. It was tender and sweet and brought tears to my eyes. His performance of doting husband was so good he could win awards, but his kiss did what he wanted it to do, and some of my tension melted away.
"I didn't tell you how much I love your hair," he said. "You look beautiful. I'm lucky to have you by my side."
I beamed. Changing my hair color had taken Anna, the town's only hairdresser, a full afternoon at the salon. I would have to use super strength conditioner for the rest of my life to compensate for the chemicals used to strip away the old color, but being my natural color was worth it.
"Thanks. I wasn't sure. I was dark for so long. I didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror."
"It suits you. Makes you look even more kissable." As if to make his point, he pressed a kiss to my neck.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked. "You don't have to compliment me. We're married now. You don't have to be nice to me ever again."
"Why wouldn't I be nice to you? I mean every word. You look stunning, Lizzie."
For once, I believed him.
The song ended, and he guided me off the dance floor.
"Do you think we could sneak away a wee bit early?" he asked, pressing himself against my back.
"Why?" I didn't need him to answer because his answer pressed into the base of my back.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled his nose into the crook of my neck.
"Because I want to fuck you senseless."
The edge in his words stole my breath, and the dark want I heard there stunned me.
"Ever since the night I took you against the wall," he continued, "I haven't stopped wanting you."
What was he up to? I wanted him too, but his hot and cold routine was too much to keep up with. Giving myself to him again would be so easy, but I was afraid that every time I gave in and slept with him, he would take another piece of my heart until pretty soon I'd have nothing left because he would own all of me. But the idea of sleeping with him again felt so right. It was sex pure and simple, and if I kept reminding myself of that, my heart would stay intact.
"Okay," I said. "Let's leave as soon as we can." I was a grown woman who could take charge of what she wanted without anxiety or guilt, and I wanted him. I wanted him to fuck me into next week, and I wanted orgasm after orgasm.
He took my hand. "Let's get out of here. I can't wait any longer."
"Where do you think you two love birds are slipping off too?" Sean asked stepping in front of the door.
"I'm taking my wife home," Caden said.
"Before you go, my wife and I have a little gift for you."
"You've already done enough," I said. "The reception. All the food."
"Nonsense." He spotted my mom and waved her over. "These two were about to sneak off. We should give them their gift now."
My mom slid her arm around Sean and smiled. "Since none of Caden's family could make it, and because once work begins on the club, you won't have time to go on a honeymoon, we've bought you a long weekend in Ireland. You leave tomorrow."
"We can't go to Ireland," I said, shocked. "We can't—my dad."
Caden squeezed my fingers so hard it hurt. I glanced at him and was surprised to see how pale he'd gotten. I don't think I'd ever met an Irishman who hated his country so much.
"Thanks very much for the thoughtful gift, but really we can't accept it. Lizzie's right her dad needs us here."
"Nonsense," my mom protested. "The old fool has a twenty-four-hour nurse." She placed a gentle hand on my bicep. "And I can check in on him as much as he'd hate it. Do this for yourself, honey. Make a life while you have the chance. Get from under his shadow."
The plea in my mom's eyes was enough to break my heart. Over the years, I hadn't accepted much from her, and I didn't want to reject what she now offered.
I wrapped my arms around her neck and hugged her tight. "Thank you so much. It means a lot to both of us. I'd love to meet Caden's family."
I stepped back and didn't miss the thunder covering Caden's face. He clearly wasn't happy at the thought of going to Ireland tomorrow.
"This is more than unexpected and too generous. Lizzie and I will chat about it at home. Maybe we can change it to another weekend?"
"Not possible," Sean said. "There was an offer on air miles. If you change the dates, they're lost. You wouldn't want me to lose thousands of air miles, would you?"