“I’m not sure,” I respond, keeping my eyes on the road, watching the car turn, which also happens to be the road we are about to turn onto. He rubs my arm with a little more pressure.
Shortly after we turn, we arrive at the boutique and see Eoin sliding out of the driver’s seat of the Egans’ G-Wagon to open the door for Aisling. She steps out, and Ronan parks right behind them.
Callum opens the door and steps out before reaching for my hand. I’m still uneasy, but I can feel the tension leaving me thanks to Callum’s presence.
“The guys and I will be just inside the lobby if you need us. Just call out for me, and I’ll be in there before you finish saying my name,” he says seriously as he stares intensely into my eyes. He gently strokes my cheek with his thumb and kisses my forehead, his lips lingering there for a few heartbeats.I close my eyes, inhaling deeply.
“Okay, you two,” Aisling says, sounding amused. “Celeste is waiting for us inside. We’ll have the place to ourselves, so once the men have done their walk-through, we will be able to shop in peace.” She gives Cal a knowing look.
“Alright, well, let's get to it, eh?” I say.
She loops her arm through mine as we walk into the boutique.
Wow.
This place is fantastical. Vines hang across the ceiling, and twinkle lights cover the larger foyer. The walls are painted a darker shade to draw attention to the decor and the lighting. It certainly isn’t what I was expecting. It feels like walking straight into a fairytale. Aisling clearlyknows me better than most, even after all these years and my style change.
The mannequins that sit in the window adorned with classic white dresses, and other formal gowns, sparkle from the light being shone on them. They are stunning. I turn in a slow circle, taking it all in.
Just then, Celeste sweeps into the foyer.
“Welcome to ‘Sorcha Riona’”
Chapter 18
Maeve
Suasion (n) the act of convincing someone gently
The dresses that Celeste has pulled are nothing short of exquisite. She is sure to let me know that she will find the perfect dress before we leave today. We’re only on dress three when I hear a crash outside the dressing room. I open the door and walk out into the open space. All I see is a frantic Callum, searching for me. Primal, unhinged energy is pouring out of him. When his focus shifts to me, his approach becomes angst-ridden, and the urgency is unnerving. I don’t understand why he is behaving this way. We’ve only been apart for about thirty minutes at best.
When he crashes into me, I know, without a doubt, that he thought something had happened to me. His body is shaking so much it feels like he’s vibrating. Aisling looks at me with a questioning expression, but I silently tell her I don’t know what’s going on. She and Celeste excuse themselves to give us a moment alone. No doubt Aisling is on her way to talk to Eoin and the guys to get to the bottom of whatever this is.
The sob that leaves Callum’s body is one I have never heard come from anyone – outside of myself, that is. I’m all too familiar with the emotion that riddles that sob. His legs give way, and we crash to the floor, my knees cracking with the contact. I don’t let go. I don’t loosen my hold.He needs me, and I will stay just like this until he comes back to me from whatever hell he just found himself in. I don’t know what else to do other than try to reassure him that I am here, that I am real. I can’t stop my own tears, not with the way he is shaking and the grip he has on my body. The hold is desperate, as if I will disappear if he lets go.
“Shhh, I’m right here. I’m right here, I’m okay,” I whisper in his ear, and I run my fingers through his dark, chocolate hair. I eventually pull his face from my shoulder, placing my hands on either side of his face so I can look into his bloodshot eyes. He still looks as if he doesn’t believe I’m actually there.
“Cal, talk to me, baby. Please talk to me,” I whisper, a plea more than a demand. I need him to see me, truly see me. He looks at me as if he is taking in every tiny detail of me, ensuring I am whole. His eyes seem to linger on the scars longer than everything else. I feel bare, and typically I would cave into myself, hiding my vulnerability behind bitchiness. Except this is Callum, my Callum. He finally takes a deep breath, trying to prepare himself to speak again.
“I… I thought they had you, Maeve,” his voice breaks along with my heart as I watch the battle in his eyes. “I thought I had lost you again. Maeve, I can’t do this without you.” His head drops onto my shoulder, and he breaks once more. I let him hold onto me, just as I know I would hold onto him if the roles were reversed.
“Shhh, I’m safe. You’re safe. We’re safe,” I sing like a lullaby, and I can’t determine if it’s for my benefit or his. My hand rubs along his back. His muscles are taut and rigid as he shakes. We stay just like that for another ten minutes or more.
When he finally pulls back, his eyes find mine, and the look I see there, though terrifying, sends a heat wave coursing right through my body straight between my legs. He stands, pulling me with him. His lips slam into mine as he lifts me from the ground far enough for my feet not to touch the floor. He walks so fast that I’m not prepared for the contact with the wall. I ignore the pain and focus on trying to get this damn dress off of me. I make a note of the difficulty for a later decision. His impatience helps as he rips the dress off my body, sending clips flying across the floor.
Chapter 19
Callum
Acouasm (n) a ringing noise in your head
As I sit in the lobby of Sorcha Riona, I realize that Celeste has outdone herself with the decor. I find myself gazing around, admiring things for a moment before pulling my phone from my pocket and shooting a text to Ronan.
We’re inside whenever you finish the sweep.
Ronan walks through the door a few moments later, a look of bewilderment on his face. I raise my brows expectantly as he looks around the room, making sure there are no prying ears nearby.
“We may have a problem,” he says quietly.
