Keelin's mouth dropped open as Shane wrenched Cait to his chest and captured her lips in a smoldering kiss before shoving her away from him.
"You're crazy. You drive me crazy. This is all crazy," Shane muttered to himself. Seeing Keelin, he threw his hands up in the air and breezed past her out of the door. Keelin turned to watch him go and then looked back to Cait, her eyebrow raised.
Cait stood with her hand to her lips, her face slack with a mixture of shock and lust. Keelin walked over and waved her hand in front of Cait's face.
"Hello…earth to Cait," Keelin said.
Cait's eyes snapped to hers. "Sorry about that."
"Oh, don't be. Really, it was most entertaining," Keelin said and laughed down at Cait. Cait moved behind the bar and poured them both a cider without asking. Keelin settled onto a stool and studied her friend's flushed cheeks.
"So, want to tell me about that?" Keelin asked.
"Nope, not in the slightest. I can see it all over you that you have way more exciting news. So, dish." Cait gestured with her cider.
Keelin eyed her for a moment. "Okay, I'll give you afree pass. For now. And only because, yes, I have the best story for you."
Keelin all but glowed as she filled Cait in on her night.
"Three times? Three!" Cait squealed at the end of it and Keelin laughed.
"Three," she said.
"So, when do you see him next?" Cait asked.
"Tomorrow: we are going hiking. I'm nervous," Keelin admitted.
"Because you haven't told him about yourself, have you?" Cait asked, reading Keelin's mind.
"I haven't. I…he just seems so resistant to the concept. How do I even begin?" Keelin asked as she tore apart a bar napkin.
"I don't know. I really don't. But all I can say is…the sooner, the better. You don't want to get too far along with him and have him find out. He'll never forgive you," Cait said ominously.
Keelin finished her cider and mulled it over. Cait was right. She'd just have to do it on the hike tomorrow. Worst-case scenario, he'd run screaming over the hills to get away from her. Keelin could only hope that it was far less dramatic than that.
CHAPTER 25
Fiona helped Keelin to pack her hiking bag the next day. The old woman fussed nervously over her.
"I'm fine," Keelin said.
"I know, I know. I just…never mind," Fiona said as a knock on the door interrupted them.
"Coming!" Keelin yelled out, and snagged her small pack for a day hike. "I shouldn't be too late."
"Good luck, my dear girl. Remember, true love sees all."
Keelin nodded and stepped into the sunshine and the warmth of Flynn's smile. He scooped her up immediately and caressed her lips with his. Startled, Keelin let out a laugh as she sunk into his mouth. He tasted elemental – all manly and earthy. On a small moan, she stopped herself and leaned back to look into his deep blue eyes.
"Morning, handsome." Keelin smiled up at him and tried not to sink into his eyes. Oh, she was for sure a goner,she thought as her heart tripped a bit and seemed to fall off a ledge into her stomach.
"Hey, beautiful. I thought about you all night. I couldn't wait to see you again today." Flynn smiled openly and easily at her as he took her hand and led her down a path. Keelin's heart clenched a bit. She wanted to fall into this easy rhythm with him. She didn't want there to be secrets. How would she bring the subject up?
They followed a path over the hills and winding around the other side of the cove. The sun was retreating behind one of Ireland's famous mists, yet it was still warm enough for a hike. Keelin realized that she was able to identify many of the plants and flowers thanks to Fiona's tutelage. They reached the base of a path that led up a sharp cliff. Though the ascent didn't look to carry on for that long, the path was severe.
Flynn stopped her at the base. "Up for a climb? It is tough but only for a small bit. The view is worth the climb."
"Absolutely. I would love to see the view."
