Chapter 3
The sun was streaming into the room in patches bathing the bed in a soft yellow glow when Caitlyn opened her eyes. Reaching her arms out wide with a stretch she sat up. Climbing slowly out of the big bed, her limbs still feeling heavy and sluggish with sleep she padded across the room the windows. Standing in the white bathrobe she looked out at the view, and she laughed out loud at how different it was from the sights she saw from her windows back home. There was red brick building with ornate rounded corners, and people mulling about on the street below. Wondering what it must be like to walk this city every day, for it to be completely normal. Did the locals still see how amazing it was, or were they jaded from a lifetime of experience? They would probably have laughed at her typical tourist musings, that's what, she told herself as she walked to the closet to grab her clothes.
Since she was planning on spending most of her day wandering around the city on foot she figured comfort was key. June back home in Michigan was muggy with humidity already, but it was quite a bit cooler here over seas. Thankfully she studied up on the typical weather patterns, and she packed some pants instead of only shorts. Deciding on a comfortable pair of medium wash skinny jeans and a deep jade colored t shirt for the day she walked into the bathroom. Splashing some water on her face and brushing her teeth she contemplated what to do with her hair. It was a wild mess of auburn curls, but it wasn't frizzy, so she let it be. Vacation hair, don't care and all that. Since she was planning on taking loads of pictures today, some of them inevitably selfies she grabbed her makeup bag. Swiping on a few coats of mascara, dabbing on a tiny bit of cream blush, and shoving her pink lip balm in to her pocket she nodded at her reflection.
Grabbing a thin infinity scarf in a gauzy material she wrapped it twice and pulled it on. Tiny little gold hoops in her ears, and a brown leather strapped boyfriend watch completed the accessories. Comfort over fashion won out, and she slipped her feet back into her favorite converse instead of the wedges she also brought. Bending over she rolled her skinny jeans up twice so they stopped just above her ankles. Making sure she had a small umbrella she swiped her purse and headed happily out of the room. Pulling the strap over head to wear it across her body she waited for the elevator. A quick breakfast in the hotel restaurant was all she could manage today, her excitement was too intense to spend time sitting down eating. She gulped downed the remnants of her orange juice needing to get out discover, and explore.
She made her way to Trinity College for a tour. Seeing the Old Library, with its Long Room, and Book of Kells was at the top of her priority list. The sheer magnitude of history awed her. Being an American, especially a Midwesterner nothing back home was this old. The east coast had some old historic buildings and monuments. But her state wasn't even founded until 1837. The Book of Kells was created sometime around the year 800. The years it had seen unfolding were just staggering to think about. It was beyond breathtaking. The colors so vibrant yet beautifully faded from age at the same time. Wondering how many hands touched it before it was put on display, and how many since in restorations boggled her mind. Looking down she noticed her own hands were shaking from such strong emotions coursing through her. The entire Long Room smelled like what Caitlyn thought heaven must, dry old paper, beat up leather bindings, and the promise of knowledge, or adventure to be found between the pages. Nothing on this entire earth smelled like an old book, and a room full of them was nearly overwhelming. The rest of the tour of the college grounds was wonderful, but being in the room with something so priceless clearly topped the list for her.
Caitlyn spent the rest of her afternoon wandering the National Gallery of Ireland, and the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology. Her sons were one hundred percent right about their mother, she was a complete nerd. Soaking in that much history all day long left her feeling slightly giddy. She was making her way back to the hotel when her stomach rumbled loudly. Realizing she hadn't stopped to have a bite to eat since her rushed breakfast she looked around. Making a quick decision that dinner in a pub surrounded by the happy noise and camaraderie of people sounded better than a quiet meal by herself she walked into the nearest one. The place was already hopping, and a quick glance at the watch on her wrist told her it was later than she originally thought, probably because on the walk back she had seen so many interesting things to take pictures of, she thought laughing at herself.
There was so much noise packed into the space it nearly blankets you. The smell of beer mingled with the richer tones of meat cooking in savory spices. It was everything you would expected an Irish pub to look like, and that made Caitlyn so happy she walked up to the bar with a giant crooked smile on her face. She absolutely, and immediately loved this place. Snagging an empty bar stool she climbed up and sat. The older man next to her turned and gave her a nod. She beamed at him and nodded back. The bartender, a good looking man she guessed was somewhere comfortably in his forties, walked over to her.
"Evening, what'll ye have?"
"Good evening. I'd love a pint of Guinness, and whatever that mouthwatering smell is please."
"American huh?" He said with an easy smile.
"Yep, I can't blend in with this accent." She laughed with shrug and a raise of her eyebrows.
"The hair helps, so long as ye don't open yer mouth." The bartender answered back. "That smell would be the stew, and I can guarantee it tastes even better than it smells."
"That's cause his missus is the one back there making it." The old man next to her leaned in and joked.
"Is that so?" Caitlyn laughed, "lovely. You are a lucky man then." She said turning back to the bartender.
"That I am. I'll get yer pint, and a bowl of me wife's stew." He said with a wink walking over to the tap to craft her beer.
"What a beautiful day it was." She said to the older man. "I'm Caitlyn."
"Name's Tom." He held his hand out for a shake. "Didn't get soaked to yer skin while ye were walking about."
"I carried an umbrella all day, and the only time it rained was when I was inside the museum, so I didn't even need it. Of course if I'd forgotten it back at the hotel it would have rained all day."
"Oh, to be sure. Visited the museum today did ye?" He smiled and took a pull of his own drink.
"I started with Trinity College, this morning then slowly made my way back here." She said, the excitement still clearly ringing in her voice.
"The Book of Kell's huh?" A deep voice said from beside her. Turning on her stool Caitlyn looked at the man who was sitting on her other side. He most definitely wasn't there when she sat down. There is no way imaginable she would have missed a face like that. He had eyes that couldn't decide if they were meant to be green or blue, and settled with devastating beauty on somewhere in between. His hair was medium brown, with generous golden streaks dancing in the lights. There was the slightest cleft in his chin, and stubble along his jaw that said he hadn't bothered to shave in a few days. He was wearing a simple black t shirt, but had rolled the sleeves up once on his toned arms.
"Absolutely. In all my life I don't know that I've seen anything more beautiful." She answered him, thinking his eyes might just be right up there with the ancient book. If she had been standing at that moment she wouldn't have trusted her knees to hold her upright.
"Ah, but there is a lot of beauty here in Ireland." He said. "Isn't that so Tom?" He looked across her, to the man on her other side.
"Sure is." He answered with a chuckle.
Just then the bartender set her Guinness in down in front of her. "Heya Nolan, wantin' a pint?" He said to the handsome man.
"Sean, when have ye known me to not want a pint?" He laughed. The sound rumbled across her skin and had her heart beat speeding up. If an attractive man laughing next to her nearly had her moaning then her love life was far worse off than she ever thought.
"Truer statement. What's the craic? Haven't seen ye in a stretch." Sean the bartender said talking with Nolan.
"Been busy as all hell to be fair." Nolan nodded.
"Glad to see ye in here tonight boyo." Tom added from her other side.
Caitlyn was wondering if she should offer to switch spots with Nolan, or Tom, so they could chat without her in between. Before she could ask a lovely dark haired woman walked up and set steaming bowl of stew in front of her with a generous hunk of bread on the side. "Thank you, it looks great, and I've been told it tastes even better than it smells."
"Damn right it does." She smiled at Caitlyn.
"Keely when're ye gonna leave Sean and run away with me?" Nolan asked her in a loud stage whisper.
"Only in yer dreams Nolan, are ye after some stew tonight too, or did ye already eat love?" She patted his hand with clear affection.
"When have I ever come in here not wanting ye to feed me? Never. Since you broke me heart again I guess I will have to make do with yer stew." Nolan sent a grin at Sean as he set the beer down.
"Ye can keep trying, she's never gonna leave me for ye, ya fool." Sean laughed and kissed his wife on the cheek before she headed back into the kitchen.
Caitlyn closed her eyes and let the rest of the pub fade away like white noise in the background. Her first sip of Guinness in Ireland was a moment to be savored. The rich heady taste was everything she expected. When she opened them slowly, she found Nolan staring at her. The look on his face wasn't laughing at her for being idiotic either. "First Guinness in Ireland seemed like a moment. Ya know?" She muttered to him feeling slightly embarrassed.
"I like a woman who knows how to enjoy life." He said, his voice dropping slightly. His eyes burning with intensity into hers.
"Ye just like to enjoy women." Tom added lightening the moment. "Watch yerself with that one Caitlyn, he's trouble."
"I can tell. I'm thinking flirting comes as naturally to Nolan as breathing does." She laughed and spooned up some stew.
"Can't blame him though. If I were younger I'd be giving him a run for his money."
"And if yer wife wasn't expecting you home soon." Sean added laughing as he walked past them carrying a pint in each hand heading for the opposite end of the bar.
"That too. Best be getting back to her then." Tom winked and finished the last of his pint. He climbed off the bar stool and gave Caitlyn a hug. "Hope to see you again darling before yer holiday is over." She hugged him back. He walked over to Nolan shook his hand and pulled the younger man into a hug. "Good to see ye again. Don't make it so long next time, eh."
"Do me best." Nolan said with a pat on the old man's back. Tom gave a wave to Sean as he walked out, saying goodbye to a few other people he passed.
"He's in here for a pint every night. Rain or shine. Ye could set yer watch by him." Nolan said sitting back down. His sexy accent only added to his charm.
"I'll definitely come back to see him again then." Caitlyn said. "I liked him."
"Everyone does. Never heard a bad thing about him. So, the states?" He asked. Sean set Nolan's dinner down in front of him before walking away.
"Yeah." She said after she finished chewing.
"Whoa, slow down now. So much information coming at me with that answer." Nolan winked at her. It was a great wink too, he had probably perfected it moments after birth.
Caitlyn laughed in spite of herself. "The Midwest, a small town. Nothing very exciting."
"So tell me, why Ireland in June, and not Hawaii?" He asked.
"Well, if I was thinking Hawaii it would be during the long winter to escape all the snow we get back home. Besides laying around on a beach alone is only fun for a few hours. Its not nearly as relaxing as everyone seems to think. This," she made a gesture encompassing the pub, "is so much better."
"Can't argue there. Although laying around on the beach can have its moments, ye know." He added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"True. Maybe my next vacation I'll go somewhere I can pack nothing but bikinis." She tossed back at him, and had the pleasure of watching him gulp the beer he was attempting to swallow.
He recovered fast though. "And sun-cream. Wouldn't want all that lovely skin to get burned."
She was picturing Nolan slathering sunscreen all over her on some beach with palm trees swaying lazily in the warm breeze. An obvious blush swept across her cheeks. Damn her active imagination. She tucked into her stew like her life depended on it for a few minutes. Nolan let out a laugh and spooned up his own dinner, happy with what he knew with out a doubt she was thinking of. She figured having a hot as hell Irishman flirting with her in a pub was probably on everyone's vacation wish list. If not, it damn well should be. It was easy to enjoy since she'd seen him do the same thing to the very married Keely. He clearly meant nothing more than a good time of it.
He asked her how long she was staying for, and Caitlyn found herself telling him her plans for the next two weeks. Everything she wanted to see and experience while she was here. A few other patrons walked over and chatted him up, and he very sweetly, always included her in the conversations. Her food was gone, and her glass empty, the pub was even busier than before. Caitlyn was about to push herself away from the bar and say goodbye when Sean set two new pints down in front of her and Nolan. She looked up at him with surprise but he was already walking away with their empties.
"I signaled him for another round." Nolan said leaning in closer to be heard.
"Oh, thank you. I know its habit, or tradition, or maybe custom would be the right word, to buy a round in return. But if I drink three pints with you I won't make it out of here under my own steam tonight." She laughed. "Sean'll have to make me a bed in the corner to sleep it off."
"No worries, you can get me back next time love." He touched his glass to hers. "Slainte." He said grinning.
"Planning on being here for my upcoming date with Tom?" What the hell she was on vacation she thought, taking a sip staring straight ahead so she didn't gulp nothing but the frothy head.
"To be honest I'd probably tag along the rest of yer holiday if it were an option." He said with all seriousness, looking deep into her eyes.
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure you have nothing better for the next two weeks than playing tour guide to me." They were turned full on facing each other now. Caitlyn's elbow on the edge of the bar, her head resting in her hand. Nolan's foot resting on the pegs of her stool. They made quite the cozy picture to everyone else in the pub.
"To be sure it would be memorable." He said.
"I'm sure. Who wouldn't want a strapping young Irish lad escorting them around. It should be an option when you book your trip." Caitlyn tried joking to ease the building tension between the two of them.
"Age doesn't measure the amount of life one's lived." He said defending his age.
"Spoken like someone in their early 20's." She said laughing so hard she leaned her head back. When she focused on Nolan again he wasn't smiling at all. The burning intense look from earlier was back in his eyes.
"Being 25 just means that I've the energy to keep up as ye traipse all over the countryside." His words seemed innocent enough, but the tone of his voice said he wasn't actually talking about walking around.
"Oh, I've no doubt you would be tons of fun." She admitted with all seriousness finishing her drink. Standing up she waved a goodbye to Sean before this went any further. Intending to thank him for the beer and company she turned back to Nolan. He was off his stool, standing really close to her side.
"Let me walk ye back to yer hotel, Caitlyn. I bought ye the second pint, its only right I make sure ye make it safely." The no thank you she intended to say never made it past her lips. Looking into his eyes she found herself nodding her head before turning to walk out. He was taller than she had expected. Sitting down they were nearly the same height, but he had at least three or four inches on her own five foot five when standing. Thinking that with his height if she wanted to she wouldn't have to go up on her tippy toes to kiss him, not that she planned on it. Nope.
The sun had set sometime ago, and the night was noticeably cooler after the heat from all of the people crowding in to the pub. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air she shook the thoughts out of her head sending her hair flying all around a moment.
"What?" He asked looking down at her with a half smile.
"I was just thinking...about nothing really." Next time one pint was her stopping point. Telling him she was thinking about kissing him was so not cool.
"Mmmhhhhmmm. Ye have very talkative eyes love, and they were not telling me that ye were thinking about nothing." They were still standing in front of the bar. He wrapped his arm around her, hand resting lightly against the small of her back. She just looked up at him with a smile. "Not telling huh, its OK, I can guess." He winked. "So where are ye staying?"
"The Westbury. Its just over that way." She gestured with a nod of her head. He started walking them slowly in the direction she had indicated.
"Only two weeks?" He asked. She nodded hoping they never made it to her hotel. "How old are ye Caitlyn?"
"I'll be 35 in October. I have 15 and 13 year old sons back home." She answered quietly, suddenly not so sure he didn't mean anything by his flirting.
"But no man? Ye say that number like it were three hundred." He stopped them across the street from her hotel. Turning to face her, hand still blazing hot on the small of her back.
"Some days it feels like it is. No, there hasn't been a man in," She paused looking up at him, and just couldn't tell him how long it had been since she had a man. "I'm divorced." She finally supplied with a shrug.
His other arm wrapped around her, just above the first. His stunning eyes looking pleadingly down into hers. She knew what they were asking, he didn't need to say it out loud. And it was tempting as hell, god knows. But she wasn't about to be someone's grungy night out, no matter how fun it would be. And there was no doubt in her mind it would be good, really good. He just oozed sex. She wasn't inviting him to come up, but she couldn't seem to stop her hand from reaching up. She ran her fingers over the scruff on his jaw, and up into that expanse of burnished brown hair. He stood utterly still staring into her eyes, and she lost herself in their depths, more blue than green now. Pulling his head down to hers she pressed her lips softly to his, and licking her tongue out she tasted him. His arms tightened around her, and he opened his mouth kissing her back with enough passion to melt the soles of her shoes to the sidewalk. Caitlyn let herself savor the kiss for a few minutes before pulling herself back from the edge of desire. Touching his bottom lip with her thumb, still moist from her lips, she stepped away from him knowing that she didn't want to be doing it.
"Definitely memorable, Nolan." She said softly and walked across the street into her hotel before she could change her mind.