He paid the bill, left a generous tip and ushered me back to the car, eying my choice of footwear.
‘They cannot be comfortable,’ he stated, looking at my favourite cream five-inch stilettos.
‘No pain, no gain.’ My mother’s motto had stuck with me.
‘Can you walk in them?’ he asked seriously.
‘Absolutely. Walk, run, dance, shop, you name it.’
‘Great. I’ll take you somewhere you’ll love.’ His voice oozed confidence.
We drove through the quiet country lanes, barely meeting another car. He dropped his left hand onto my lap, which sent tremors from my neck to my toes. I memorised every detail soI could replay it in the early hours of the morning when sleep eluded me.
We arrived at a gorgeous viewing point, a waterfall descending into a deep grey rock pool below.
John opened the car door for me. ‘I’ve another pair of runners in the boot if you want to try them?’
‘I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I could walk in these shoes.’ I’d had plenty of practice traipsing round bar after bar in them. I could last the entire day without breaking a sweat.
He took my hand again, and we strode purposefully towards the waterfall. We had it to ourselves for the moment. It was so peaceful, the only sound was the gentle cascading water into the pool below, the rhythmic trickling reassuringly therapeutic.
John found the stump of a huge old oak tree a few feet from the rocky ledge. He sat, then pulled me down onto his knee smoothly, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. The weight of my body descended onto his lap.
As we watched the water gravitating downwards, I felt my internal gravitational shift. I was acutely aware of the proximity of his body, enjoying the physical warmth of his every inch. He smelt of sandalwood soap and freshly cut grass. My body hummed with hot, fierce desire.
I inched my face to his, wanting to make the most of every second that I could physically lay my eyes on him, and imprint every detail in my mind. He met my gaze with a deep burning one of his own. This time it was me leaning in towards him, desperate to taste him, needing to feel his mouth on mine.
Our lips met, his warm wet tongue gently explored my mouth, and multicoloured vivacious fireworks exploded inside me. It was the most sensual kiss of my life, made so much sweeter because I’d longed for it a million times over.
My hands ran the length of his broad back and lean torso, moulding every inch of his upper body until another car arrivedand we jumped apart guiltily. Our perfect moment may have been temporarily interrupted, but it was etched into me as fresh as a soldered wound.
Back in the car, I found myself leaning across the handbrake, yearning for more. It had been so long since I’d felt any physical desire, I’d began to wonder if it had left me indefinitely. I was in no doubt anymore. Every organ of my body was on fire, every single cell and nerve end blissfully aware of him.
We kissed in the car like a couple of teenagers, our tongues darting back and forth dancing, tasting each other, unable to get enough. He felt so good, I physically fought the urge to jump on his lap. It was a good job there was no overnight, because the way the day was starting out, I wouldn’t be able to control myself past lunchtime, and that was without any wine.
Eventually, he pulled back. ‘You look like the cat that got the cream.’
‘If only.’ I sighed, longingly.
‘I’ve never wanted anyone in my life as much as I want you right now.’ Sincerity exuded from those soulful eyes.
‘Ditto, my friend.’ I placed my hand on his leg as he negotiated the gearstick into reverse. ‘It will be worth it, when the time is right.’
This was the real deal.
I would move mountains for the chance to see how a relationship might develop with John Kelly.
He might have posed as a naïve dairy farmer from the west of Ireland, but I suspected there were many more dimensions to him than met the eye. I was dying to see them all.
He drove us to a nearby hotel with a long gravel driveway and delicately tended to gardens. The sign on the gate said Powerscourt. At the entrance the doorman took the keys and parked the car, while we were shown into the bar. I ordered a glass of Prosecco and he ordered a pint of Guinness.
‘Will you be joining us for lunch today, sir?’ The waitress looked straight at John without acknowledging my presence.
‘Absolutely,’ he replied, placing his arm lightly around my waist drawing me into the conversation. ‘Perhaps in about half an hour?’ He looked at me questioningly.
‘Great idea,’ I said brightly. She nodded curtly and left us at the bar to admire the enormous sash windows overlooking the beautiful grounds.
‘Am I invisible?’ I pulled a face at her retreating back.
