Page 103 of Beneath the Quiet

She widens her eyes and releases a long whistle. “Wow. Okay, I really need to find a man soon, but not today. Let’s get going.”

We leave the makeshift shelter, and I make a valiant attempt to force all my less-than-angelic thoughts about Aidan to the furthest recesses of my mind. I don’t succeed for long, though, because as we round another stall, the man in question walks straight towards us, a slow smile spreading on his lips. I steel my spine. The urge to kiss him hits me like a tidal wave, and I bite my lip to hold back a long sigh. He’s wearing the black-and-grey-chequered shirt today–my favourite, though I won’t admit it–the sleeves rolled up to show his strong, corded arms, and I almost have a mini-orgasm when I let my eyes trail down his strong thighs in the dark-blue jeans that seems to be his choice most days. His hair has grown a bit longer since I met him, and my fingers tremble from wanting to pull it a little.

An intense tug settles between my legs.

It should be illegal to have this effect on women.

“Hello, ladies.” He stops in front of us, hands in his pockets. “Are you ready for the best festival in the county?”

Roísin beams up at him. “Absolutely.”

His eyes drift to me, but I don’t trust myself to speak, and I nod instead.

“Well, I hope you have a grand day. Don’t forget to stop by my food stand. Might have a few items you’d like to try.”

Roísin wraps her arms around her middle and cranes her neck. “Do you have your sweet chili honey again this year?”

“Of course.”

“Brilliant.” She dashes off in a half-run and leaves me alone with him. Heavy silence settles between us, and I make a face.

“Sorry.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “What are you sorry about, Mae?”

“She knows,” I blurt out. “I didn’t tell her about us. She guessed.”

He shifts on his feet. “Not that I don’t believe you, but how did she guess?”

I sigh and wrap my shawl tighter around my shoulders. “Apparently, we bicker so much when we’re together that we sound as if we’ve been intimate, and I quote,” I raise my hands and jiggle my fingers, “at least a thousand times, unquote.”

“Really? Wow.”

His lips twitch, and I narrow my eyes when he tries to cover it up by running a hand over his mouth.

“This is not funny.”

“No, no. Not at all.” He nods, full-fledged smile in place. “It’s a little bit funny, but I know Roísin. She’ll keep our secret.”

“Perhaps we should cool things down for a bit.”

That wipes the smile right off his face. “If you think that’s necessary.”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe…ugh.”

Aidan takes a step closer, his brows furrowed. “If you want to stop, we’ll stop, but, fuck, Maeve. I’ve not had my fill of you yet. Just standing here out in the open without touching you takes all my strength.” He releases a shaky breath. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I’m not ready for it to be over. Are you?”

I wet my lips with my tongue, and when his eyes jump down to my mouth, flutters attack my tummy. Am I? I already know the answer.

“No. Not yet.”

He nods once. “Good.” He takes a step away from me and smiles. “I promise I’ll behave today, but make no mistake, one way or another, the day is going to end with my cock buried in your sweet pussy. I promise you that.”

My core clenches at his words, and as his eyes darken, a reckless plan takes shape in my head.

“In that case, I’ll change into a dress before the concert.”

His nostrils flaring, he smiles darkly. “Can’t fucking wait, Wildfire.”