Thrust.
His chest connects with my back.
Thrust.
His hand wraps around my throat. Circulation cut off.
Thrust.
Stars float in my vision.
Thrust.
Pleasure explodes, filling my veins with earth-shattering bliss. His thrusts become erratic and uneven as I feel the heat of his cum filling me. He braces himself on the counter in front of us to keep from collapsing on top of me. I attempt to catch my breath.I look at his corded muscles and the tattoos glistening with sweat.
Suddenly, realization dawns on me. We’re only just down the hall from the others. They had to hear us. I could die of embarrassment. I meet Callum’s gaze in the mirror again, and as if he’d read my thoughts, he gives me a roguish wink.
“Let’s get back out there. I’ve worked up an appetite,” he jokes before slapping my bare ass. I yelp and swat his arm, then make haste putting my bra back on.
“How much do you think they heard?” I ask him as I pull my shirt over my head. When I do, I find him standing inches from my face. I jump slightly and giggle as his lips connect with mine, and I wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him closer.
“Everything,” he murmurs, then pulls me through the door. Orin, Ronan, and Saoirse are the only ones in this cart, but based on their expressions, I’m now certain Callum is right. Theydidhear everything. They smile at us with comically raised brows as we enter, and I feel heat rising in my cheeks.
“Oh, shut it,” I quip before taking my seat.
Chapter 34
Callum
Paramnesia (n) a condition or phenomenon involving distorted memory or confusion of fact and fantasy
Maeve is snoring softly beside me, and the peace I feel is hard to describe. My world has been nothing short of dull and mind-numbing. Every day for the last nine years has felt like I was just going through the motions. Every breath was merely for survival and nothing more. Now, though, it feels like spring blooming inside my chest. Colors are more vibrant, and each breath feels like a promise, a promise that tomorrow will be better, even if the world is crumbling around us.
I look toward Saoirse, who is actively avoiding dealing with Ronan. Her eyes are closed, ignoring his rambling. In a hushed voice, I ask, “Is everything set up for later?”
“I spoke with them earlier, and they have everything set up to your specifications. My men are sweeping the place now to ensure there isn’t anyone lingering on the grounds,” she responds professionally, but that professionalism is short-lived once Ronan catches her eye. She scoffs, stands up, and they start to bicker.
Saoirse walks toward the door to leave our train car, Ronan on her heels. He puts his arm over her shoulders, but she shoves it off. I can’t help but wonder if Ronan has been more annoying than usual since she will be coming home with us this time. She turns before she gets to the door and starts in the other direction toward the dining cart.
Orin is sitting up in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest, his head leaning back, eyes closed. I know he’s tired. He’s been exhausted for a long time. I worry about him sometimes, but he doesn’t talk as much as he used to. He didn’t speak to anyone except Maeve for days following her kidnapping. We didn’t push him, though. We knew he needed the space. He lost so much.
Maeve begins to stir. I glance down at her, then back at Orin, and I realize he has a look on his face I don’t quite recognize.
“Oi, you okay?” I ask quietly. Orin looks over at Saoirse, who has risen from the table. Ronan had been whispering in her ear moments before. She heads to the cabin door and slides it open, walking through and closing it behind her without a backward glance. Ronan stares after her for a second, then follows her out of the cabin. Orin turns back to me, looking to make sure Maeve is still asleep before he answers.
“Yeah, I mean… I’m breathing,” he whispers, glancing out of the window. He’s unable to meet my eyes. I know what he means, though.
“You know we’re here, man. Any time you need to talk or just sit with someone,” I reassure him, and he nods his head.
There’s a long beat of silence, then Orin sighs heavily.
“I had a dream about Laoise the other night,” he murmurs, looking at the floor. I silently nod, waiting. “It wasn’t how I usually see her. It’s got my mind doing weird things. I usually see her face in that moment. That moment I told her that Thadg was dead. It’s always just as painful as the first time. But this time… this time she wassmilingat me, and it was like nothing had happened. Like I’d never had to tell her about Thadg. Like things were…normal, I woke up in a sweat, I was… I was in a panic. But this wasn’t a nightmare. Or at least, not a regular nightmare. It was like she’d been right there, and then she slipped through my fingers. Again…” he trails off, clearly lost in thought.
Fuck. I don’t know what to say, or how to say it, but he continues.
“And I don’t know if it means anything or not, but something is just…off.” He runs his hands over his face, taking a deep breath. “I just wish I knew where she was, man. I should have gone to look for her myself.”
“I’m sorry, man. I know it’s hard. Look, we can send some men out again to see if they can find her. Maybe she’s settled down somewhere. It’d be easier to find her now if she has,” I offer, but he shakes his head.
