Danny

3

DANNY WOKE UP with a start, yanked out of a deep and dreamless sleep. The dogs were at the front door of the caretaker’s cottage, barking frantically. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, wondering what had set them off. Dragging the sheet along with him, he wrapped it around his naked body.

“Shush,” he said, walking out of the bedroom and flipping on the lights. “What are you two about?”

A frantic rap sounded on the door and he opened it to find Jordan standing on the other side. She was dressed in just a T-shirt and her panties, her feet bare.

Pushing past him, she stalked inside, then spun around to face him. “Were you just in the house?” she asked.

He looked at her and shook his head, trying to reconcile her strange appearance at his door. “What time is it?”

“I-I don’t know. Late. Maybe two?” Her expression was etched with fear. “Were you just in the house?”

Danny raked his hand through his hair. “No. I was asleep.”

“Don’t lie to me,” she snapped.

“What the hell are you talking about, Jordan? After you left, I came right back here. I’ve been here ever since. Though not by choice.”

“Someone was in my bedroom,” she said. “I was having trouble sleeping and I turned over and opened my eyes and he was standing in the doorway. I could see him.”

Danny reached out and drew her into his arms. “It was probably just a nightmare.”

“No!” she cried, shoving away from him. “I reached out to turn on the light and then he was gone. But I heard his footsteps in the hall. I ran out to follow him, but there was no one there.”

“Sometimes your mind can play tricks on you.”

“I know what I saw.”

“The doors were locked. How could anyone have gotten in the house?”

She drew a ragged breath, then sighed softly, sinking against his body. “I-I don’t know. I was just so-I was sure I-”

Danny smoothed his hand over her hair and drew her closer. “Do you want me to go back and search the house for you? I’ll take the dogs. If there’s anyone in the house, Finny and Mogue will find them.”

“No. I’m fine.”

“You can stay here with me, if you like. We’ll look into this tomorrow.”

She glanced up at him, eyes wide. “I can’t stay here.”

“Why not? Nothing is going to happen.” He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, then drew her along toward the bedroom. “I’ll stay on my side of the bed and you have to promise to stay on your side.”

“I don’t know,” she murmured. “Maybe I should take my chances in the house.”

“Your choice,” Danny said with a shrug. “I can send the dogs back with you. They’ll protect you.”

“Maybe that would be best,” she replied.

Danny couldn’t think of anything he wanted more than to have Jordan in his bed. From the moment they’d first kissed it had been all he could think about. But it had to be on her terms. Since her father’s call, she’d been a bit more aloof and he knew exactly what she was thinking. Having an affair with him would probably break all kinds of rules that she couldn’t afford to break.

“I’ll walk you back and make sure everything is all right.” He strode into the bedroom, grabbed his jeans and tugged them on. Then he pulled his jacket from the bedpost and when he returned to her, draped it over her shoulders. “Come on, let’s go.”

As they walked outside into the chilly night, he whistled softly to the dogs and they fell into step behind them.

“You probably think I’m crazy,” she said.

“No. Does anyone else have a key to the house? Did you ever give one to any of the workmen?”

“No. I’ve always been very careful. And I lock the temporary doors from the inside with a padlock. There’s no way to get in once I’ve locked everything.”

They walked through the dark house. He could feel her tense beside him and he slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. When they reached her bedroom, he walked inside first. “I thought you said you turned on the light.”

“I did,” she said. “At least, I think I did. Maybe this was just all a dream.”

Danny turned on the bedside lamp, then carefully surveyed the room. There didn’t seem to be anything amiss. “Come on, hop in.”

The dogs explored the room as Jordan crawled back into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Danny sat down on the edge of the bed. “The dogs will bark if anyone comes into the house.”

“Stay here a little longer,” Jordan said.

“Sure. Do you have any whiskey? Maybe a drink would calm your nerves.”

“There is a bottle downstairs.”

“I’ll go get it and check all the doors and windows. You stay here with the dogs.”

Jordan turned onto her side and clutched his hand. “I feel so stupid. It was probably just a bad dream. I had that curry for dinner and I always have weird dreams after spicy food.” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“It’s not a problem,” he said. He dropped a kiss on her lips, not really thinking before he did. She was so close, it just seemed like the most natural thing to kiss her. But as soon as he drew back, Danny realized that one kiss would not be enough. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

The house was silent as Danny walked through the lower floor, checking the windows and the doors. He had to believe that Jordan had seen something to send her running to him in the middle of the night. When he checked the library, he noticed one of the windows was open a crack and shut it. But before he turned out the light, he spotted a muddy footprint on the floor near one of the bookshelves.

It was the print of a man’s shoe or boot, a bit larger than his own, with a different pattern on the sole. Bending down, Danny ran his finger over the footprint and found the mud still damp. “What the hell,” he muttered. Someone had been in the house, and not very long ago.

He grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the table in the library, along with two glasses and headed upstairs. For now, he’d keep his discovery a secret. It wouldn’t do to scare Jordan. But he had no intention of leaving her alone in the house now-with or without his dogs.

When he returned to the bedroom, Danny found her sitting up in bed, Finny and Mogue curled up beside her. He chuckled softly as he handed her a glass and poured whiskey into it. “I usually don’t let them sleep on the bed.” He snapped his fingers and the dogs jumped down to the floor. Danny sat down beside her and poured himself a glass.

“Did you find anything?” she asked.

Danny shook his head. “No. Everything was locked up tight. But I’m going to stay here tonight with you anyway. Just to be certain.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her up against his body.

She relaxed, resting her whiskey on his stomach as she nestled into the curve of his body. Danny sipped at his drink as he rubbed her shoulder, his palm smoothing over her silken skin. His thoughts focused on that part of her body then drifted back to their swim in the pool.

How much would it take to get them back to that moment, to that instant when their eyes met and the world seemed to stand still? He nuzzled his face in her hair then pressed a kiss to her forehead. He wasn’t going to go there. Not until she was ready.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said.

The whiskey warmed his belly and relaxed his body. But it only made the thoughts of her more intense. He ran his hand over her arm and she turned in to him, her warmth seeping through the jeans he’d pulled on. It wasn’t enough just to touch her.

Danny leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue slowly tracing the crease between her lips. When he drew back, she was watching him. They stared at each other for a long time, neither one of them moving or speaking. Then Jordan pushed up on her elbow, her hand slipping around his neck to draw him near.

A long, soft kiss was his reward for his patience. And when she finally drew back, he knew that they’d started where they’d left off earlier. In fact, to his surprise, she’d decided to jump ahead a few steps.

She worked the buttons open on his jeans, then ran her hand from his belly to his chest and back again. Her touch sent his senses reeling and he wasn’t sure if he could maintain his control at this kind of pace.

When her hand dipped lower, Danny groaned. It had been a while since the last time he’d had a woman. And he’d never had any trouble taking care of a woman’s needs before his own. But this woman could do things to him that had never been done before.

He waited, holding his breath, as her hand slipped beneath the waistband of his jeans. Danny was almost afraid to touch her, afraid that just the simple feel of her flesh beneath his fingers would send him over the edge. She still wore the T-shirt and panties and he was almost grateful that she was covered.

But that gratitude didn’t last long. Suddenly, she got to her knees and pulled the T-shirt over her head, tossing it aside. Danny’s breath caught in his throat. She was, by all standards, the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

He quickly stripped off his jeans and she rid herself of her panties. When they were both naked, she sat next to him, as if she wasn’t sure how to proceed. “I’ve never been much good at this,” she whispered.

“I find that very hard to believe.”

“If I’m doing something wrong, I want you to tell me. Promise?”

He shook his head. “We’ll show each other,” he said. “Take my hand.” She did as she was told. “Show me where you like to be touched.” Slowly, she placed his hand on her breast.

That was all it took to start them down a path of undeniable pleasure. That simple contact, the soft weight of her flesh in his hand, the stiff peak of her nipple, sent waves of desire racing through his body.

A sigh slipped from her throat and Danny pulled her down next to him and captured her mouth in a kiss filled with overwhelming need.

He pulled her beneath him, drawing her legs up alongside his hips. She was soft and warm, every inch of her naked body like a revelation. Had he ever felt this kind of need before? Had he ever been so determined to possess a woman?

Though he wanted to lose himself inside her, Danny realized that he’d left the condoms back at the caretaker’s cottage. He weighed the risks of leaving her, knowing how easily the connection between them could snap. There were other ways to satisfy them both.

He moved against her, his shaft sliding along the moist slit between her legs. Jordan gasped, arching against him in response, her breath quickening. Danny closed his eyes, enjoying the sensations racing through his body. It was as close to sex as they could get without actually having sex and he thought it would be enough.

But for Jordan, it wasn’t. She shifted beneath him and his next thrust was met with a different kind of resistance. He slipped inside her once, then quickly withdrew.

“I have condoms,” he murmured. “But they’re back in the cottage. I can go get them.”

“I have condoms. And they’re in the bedside table. I bought them after we met,” she admitted.

Danny stretched out on top of her and opened the drawer, then grabbed the box. He quickly sheathed himself and a few seconds later, slipped back between her legs. He kissed her softly, his hands braced on either side of her shoulders, his shaft gently probing at her damp entrance.

It took every ounce of his willpower to wait, to move against her without plunging deep. But with every stroke, she seemed to grow more impatient, her moans tinged with frustration. And when he finally gave in, the sensation of entering her warmth nearly sent him over the edge.

Danny sensed she was close and every now and then, he pulled out and rubbed up against her for a time, before slipping back inside.

Jordan’s breath quickened and he continued to tease her until she was clutching at his shoulders and delirious with need. When the first shudder wracked her body, he knew that he could finally relinquish control.

Jordan arched against him, crying out as her body convulsed in a deep and powerful orgasm. He felt her tighten around him and drove into her one last time, then let himself go, his orgasm exploding deep inside her.

They continued to rock together, slowing the pace as the intensity of their pleasure subsided. It had been so quick, yet so powerful, nothing at all like he’d planned. He’d imagined a long, slow seduction, a gentle teasing before complete surrender.

This had been nothing more than a headlong rush toward mutual orgasms.

Danny pulled her down on top of him then rolled to his side until they faced each other. “Whoever told you that you weren’t good at that ought to have the shite beat out of him on a daily basis.”

“I think he might have been compensating for his own shortcomings,” Jordan said.

“Shortcomings? Really?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Really short shortcomings.”

As he wrapped her in his arms and tucked her body into the curve of his, Danny found a certain satisfaction in the notion that he’d been the best. It was a good place to begin.

THE END OF DANNY’S FIRST WEEK of work was cause for celebration, at least according to him. In Jordan’s mind, they’d been celebrating every night in her bedroom. There hadn’t been any question where he’d sleep at night and each evening, after a late dinner and a sunset hike along the cliffs, they’d climb the stairs and begin a lazy night of lovemaking.

Jordan glanced over at him as he steered the car through the narrow streets of Ballykirk. Though she would have been happy to find their fun between the sheets, Danny had insisted that they go out. His brother Riley was singing at the family pub and everyone would be there.

He pulled the Land Rover into the narrow lane behind the blacksmith shop and stopped it. “Now, don’t worry about meeting the family. You already know Kell, though I think he’s back in Dublin this week. Oh, and Ma and Da are still in Scotland. But you’ll like Riley. And his fiancée, Nan, is American, so you’ll have that in common.”

“I’m not nervous,” she said. “Why would I be nervous?”

He shrugged. “You shouldn’t be. It’s just that the pub can be a wee bit…well, everyone will be happy to meet you, I can promise that.” He jumped out of the car and jogged around to her side, then opened her door. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

She took his hand and got out of the car. “Thank you.”

He let the dogs out of the back, then slipped his arm around her waist. “I know this won’t be anything like the clubs you go to in New York but you’ll have fun, I promise. We’re going to dance and sing and have a few pints. And at the end of the night, I’m going to take you home and make love to you.”

“Can’t we just skip to the last part? I’m really not much of a party girl.”

“If you don’t like it, we’ll leave. But I promise, I’m going to show you a good time.”

“Then let’s go,” Jordan said. “I’m ready…I think.”

The pub was noisy and crowded when they walked inside. Danny wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her through the crowd, calling out greetings to friends as he passed. Jordan pasted a smile on her face and tried to appear friendly.

Suddenly, a beautiful dark-haired girl appeared out of the crowd. “You’re here!” she cried. “And you’ve brought a friend.”

“Nan Galvin, this is Jordan Kennally. My boss and my-”

“His friend,” Jordan interrupted, holding out her hand.

Nan took Jordan’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Hello. I’m Nan. Tiernan, actually, but everyone calls me Nan. I’m the soon-to-be sister-in-law. Not so soon. New Year’s Eve. You’re American. Kellan didn’t mention that. He also didn’t mention how pretty you are.”

“Yes, I’m from New York. And-and thank you.”

“Madison, Wisconsin,” Nan said. “Come on, I’ll get you a drink. Do you like margaritas? No one knew how to make them here. Can you imagine that? I guess they’re not very Irish. Now, everyone is drinking them. I’m not a fan of Guinness. It makes me burp.”

Nan took Jordan’s hand and led her to the bar. She glanced back and waved at Danny and he grinned. “How long have you been in Ireland?” Jordan asked.

“Since July.” She paused and smiled. “I rented the Quinn family cottage for my vacation and decided to stay for the rest of my life. What about you?”

“I’ve been here for sixteen months.”

“Really? That’s a long time. Then I’m sure you’ve been to plenty of pubs.”

“Just for the occasional meal,” Jordan said. “I didn’t really get out much…until Danny.”

“Well, then, we’ll have to make sure you have a grand time, won’t we?” When they reached the bar, Nan shooed a man off his bar stool and offered it to Jordan. When their drinks arrived, she handed the margarita to Jordan and gave a toast.

“To the mighty Quinn brothers. The sexiest men in all of Ireland.”

Jordan clinked her glass against Nan’s then took a sip. The other woman wasn’t at all what she had expected. Her dark hair was cropped short and curled around her face, and though she wore barely any makeup, she was strikingly beautiful in a pure and natural way. “Danny said you’re engaged to his brother Riley. I haven’t met him. I know Kellan, but not him.”

“He’s over there, on stage singing.” She took a sip of her drink, then set it down. “I would warn you off about the Quinn brothers, but I think it would be wonderful for Danny to find someone.”

“Oh!” Jordan was startled. “No, it’s not like that. I can’t fall in love with him. I’m leaving in a month.”

Nan smiled. “Of course you can’t. That’s what I said, too.”

“I’m sure that I won’t-”

“Enough of this!” Danny appeared out of the crowd and took Jordan’s hand. “I want to dance, woman. And there’s no one in this place that I want in my arms but you. Will ya dance with me, Jordan?”

Jordan looked back and forth between Danny and Nan. Though she’d prefer to sit quietly at the bar sipping a drink, this talk of love was too much. She’d known Danny less than a week. “I’m not sure I know how,” Jordan said, turning back to Danny.

“It’s simple,” he said. “I’ll teach you.”

Nan gave Jordan a wave before she disappeared into the crush of people on the dance floor. They walked past the stage and Jordan stopped to watch the singer. Riley Quinn looked like his two brothers, with the same dark hair and pale-blue eyes, the same devilish smile and to-die-for body.

Danny pulled her into his arms. “Just follow me,” he said. And off they went, spinning and stepping around the floor to the crazy rhythm of the music. They bumped into a lot of people, but that seemed to be part of the fun. Gradually, Jordan picked up the steps and before long, she didn’t have to think about her feet at all.

They danced three songs before the tempo slowed to a quiet ballad. Danny drew her close and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Are you having a good time?” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Jordan nodded. “I am. I’ve never really danced like that.”

“And now that you have, what would you like to do next?”

“I’d like to kiss you,” she said. “But I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

He brushed his lips against hers. “I think it’s a grand idea. What next?”

“I’d like you to do that again, with just a little more…tongue.”

He did as she asked, capturing her lips with his and slowly tracing them with his tongue. He lingered for a bit, then kissed her deeply and Jordan sank against him, her knees going weak.

The sound of the music and the crowd faded around them and Jordan lost herself in the rush of desire that overwhelmed her body. It had become so easy to need him, and yet it frightened her at the same time.

She hadn’t been prepared to feel this way, to completely surrender to emotion and physical need. But she couldn’t help herself. His touch, his taste, it had become an addiction too overwhelming to resist. When he touched her she felt beautiful and powerful, as if everything in the world were hers to enjoy.

“What else?” he murmured, his lips damp on her cheek.

“I want you to run your hands over my body like you did this morning before we got out of bed. I want to feel your lips on my skin. And I want you to take all my clothes off and I want to take all of your clothes off and-”

“Stop,” he growled.

“Why?”

“Because if you keep talking like that, I’m going to have to leave the pub with a bar tray over my lap.”

Jordan arched against him, her hips meeting his and he groaned again. “Just from talking?”

“You have that effect on me,” Danny said.

“Maybe we should take a walk and get some air,” Jordan said. “We’ll cool off a little bit.”

“And that’s a fine idea. Lead the way.”

He grabbed her waist and gently pushed her along through the crowd, walking behind her. When they reached the front door, Danny held it open and they both stepped outside onto the street. “Come with me,” he murmured.

“Where are we going now?”

“Some place where we can be alone.” He pulled her into the doorway of a shop and kissed her again, his body blocking her view of the street. His fingers skimmed along her waist, then worked at the buttons of her dress. When he finally cupped her breast in his palm, he moaned softly. “Jaysus, I need you. I’ve never needed a woman like I need you right now.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the doorway. “We can’t stay here.”

When they passed an alleyway, he pulled her into the shadows and pressed her back against a brick wall, parting the front of her dress until he found her nipple with his mouth. He teased at the peak through the lacy fabric of her bra. Jordan’s breath caught in her throat and she sighed, waves of delicious sensation coursing through her body.

His hand slid beneath her skirt and before she could catch her breath, he touched the damp spot between her legs. Jordan arched against him and he gently stroked her through her panties. She was already on the edge and it didn’t take much more to make her shudder with pleasure.

Jordan tried to occupy her mind with something else, work, plans, schedules. But it was no use. He was determined to prove his power over her. She tipped her head back, her fingers clutching at his shoulders. And then, her body throbbed and wave after wave of sensation coursed through her. A moan slipped from her lips and though she knew they might be discovered at any moment, Jordan didn’t care.

When the last spasm died in her body, Jordan looked up at Danny and found him smiling. He touched his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. “Sorry about that,” he murmured. “I didn’t realize you were so close.”

“Neither did I,” Jordan whispered.

“Can you walk?”

She nodded. He took her hand again and led her out of the shadows. Her legs felt boneless and it was all she could do to put one foot in front of the other. They walked past the bakery and then found the path that led to the smithy.

Finny and Mogue were sleeping on the stoop and they raised their heads as Danny opened the front door. The moment the door latched shut behind them, Jordan knew what she wanted. With frantic fingers, she stripped off her clothes and then started on Danny’s.

They stumbled to the bedroom and by the time they reached the bed, they were both naked. Jordan pulled him down on top of her. How had she gone her whole adult life and never felt this desperation, this overpowering need?

He moved to find a condom in the bedside table, but Jordan stopped him. It was her turn this time. She wanted to watch him, to bring him to his climax, to memorize his every reaction without losing herself in her own pleasure.

“Don’t,” she whispered. “We won’t need them. Not yet.” Jordan trailed a line of kisses down his chest, stopping at his belly.

Danny’s fingers tangled in her hair. “What are you about?”

“You’ll see,” she murmured, wrapping her fingers around his stiff shaft. “Just relax. I’ll take care of everything…”

“DANNY BOY!”

The shouts echoed through the empty interior of the Speckled Hound as Danny stepped inside the pub. His father was serving breakfast to the Unholy Trinity-Markus Finn, Dealy Carmichael and Johnnie O’Malley-three pensioners who were regular customers at the Hound. Kellan and Riley were sitting on the opposite end of the bar, reading the newspaper.

“There’s our boy,” Riley shouted. “What’s brought you back here so soon?”

“Never left,” Danny said. “We spent the night at my place rather than drive back.”

“Too much of the black stuff?” Kellan asked.

“Something like that,” Danny said. He sat down at the bar. “Can I get a couple of cups of coffee to take away and some soda bread? Warmed up. And toss some butter in the bag.”

“Where’s the girl?”

“Still asleep,” he said.

Kellan looked up from the paper. “You’ve got yourself a girl?”

“Sure and he has,” Riley said. “Brought her to the pub last night, though they only stayed for three dances. Then they started snogging on the dance floor and a few minutes later they were gone.”

Nan came out of the kitchen, a coffee mug in her hand. Her expression brightened when she saw Danny. “Good morning, you! Is Jordan with you? I forgot to tell her last night that she should come to our engagement party. You’ll tell her, won’t you?”

“Wait a bloody minute,” Kellan said, glancing between Nan and Riley and Danny. “This girl, the one you were snogging. It’s Jordan?”

Danny winced. “Well, yes. That would be correct. Jordan and I are…involved.”

“You’ve been working for her for five feckin’ days,” Kellan shouted. “How the hell is that possible?”

“Don’t ask me,” Danny said. “I’m as surprised as you. But there’s no problem.”

“You’re sleeping with your boss,” Kellan said.

“Not actually. She’s not my boss. She’s my muse.” Eamon Quinn walked out of the kitchen, a coffeepot in his hand. Danny turned to him, anxious for a change of subject. “Hello, Da. How was your holiday?”

“Oh, it was grand. Got back late last night. You know how your ma loves Scotland. We expected to be back a few days ago, but there was another festival that Maggie just had to see. Bought a kilt, she did. What does a good Irish girl need with a bleedin’ kilt? It’s sacrilege, it is.”

“I like the girl,” Nan said, sitting down next to Riley.

“What girl?” Eamon asked.

“Danny’s new girlfriend,” Nan replied. “Or his boss. Or his muse.” She giggled. “Take your pick. She’s very pretty. But then, all American girls are pretty, don’t you think?”

Danny grinned. “Yes, they are. You should visit Castle Cnoc and see the work she’s done on the manor house. I’m sure she’d give you a tour.”

“That would be lovely,” Nan said. “It will give me another chance to convince her of your fine qualities and noble ambitions.”

“I do believe our brother is in love,” Riley teased. “Look at him. He looks besotted. He’s got that well satisfied look. And he can’t keep himself from smiling.”

Danny shook his head. It was hard to keep from grinning when the only thing going through his head was thoughts of Jordan…naked…asleep in his bed. “I’m not in love,” Danny assured them all. “I’ve only known her less than a week. And you’re the besotted one in this family, Riley.”

“Well, I’m happy he’s found a nice girl,” Eamon declared. “It’s about bloody time. I was starting to wonder if any of you lot would ever settle down.” He walked over to the Unholy Trinity and leaned against the bar. “We made the bet on Riley and Nan. What say we put some money on Danny and this new girl?”

“You’re gambling on my love life?” Danny asked.

“We’ve grown bored with wagering on Dealy’s ability to catch fish,” Markus said. “And it’s not nearly as interesting as your ability to catch women.”

“Can I get in on this?” Riley asked. “What’s the wager? How much are we tossing in?”

Kellan shook his head. “For a total wanker, Riley, you managed to get yourself a great woman. Don’t feck it up or you’ll go back to being a total wanker.” Kellan turned to Danny. “As for you, watch yourself. I happen to be fond of Jordan and I don’t want you hurting her.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” Riley asked.

“No, I just know my little brother. And he doesn’t have the best reputation. Jordan is a nice person. She doesn’t deserve a git like you.” He stood and grabbed his newspaper, then took it and his cup of coffee to a table in the corner.

“You know what your problem is, Danny boy?” Dealy asked. “You’re too damn good-looking. Riley and Kellan too. Look at Markus here. Look at that face. When he was a lad, the girls didn’t have such high expectations when it came to him. They knew he’d have to work harder because he was so close to ugly.”

“Who are you to talk?” Markus said. “You’re ugly as a bucket of toads.”

“It’s true,” Johnnie said. “When a lad is too flash, he thinks he can get any girl. He’s never satisfied with the one he has.”

“I’m perfectly satisfied,” Riley said.

“So am I,” Danny added.

“Don’t you get too comfortable,” Kellan shouted from across the room. “It won’t take her long to see her mistake. You just can’t go draggin’ anyone off to bed and expect them to fall in love with you.”

“I didn’t drag her into bed,” Danny said. “In fact, she came to me. How could I refuse?” That wasn’t exactly the full story. But what had he been supposed to do? She’d been frightened and uneasy and he’d just calmed her nerves in the best way that he could.

Kellan set his paper down and crossed the bar, leaning close to Danny, his voice low. “She looks like she’s tough and like she’s got herself together,” he said, “but she’s a lot more fragile than that.”

“I know,” Danny said. “And I’m not going to hurt her. That’s the last thing in the world I’d ever want to do.”

“You don’t understand. She doesn’t work like other people. She has this way of pulling you in, until all you want to do is make her happy. I’ve seen her do it. And if you fail, she doesn’t yell or curse. She just acts all disappointed and then you feel lower than an earthworm’s arse.”

Danny nodded. “I know, I know.” In truth, he didn’t know. He hadn’t experienced that moment with Jordan. And he didn’t mean to anytime soon.

Eamon Quinn walked through the doors from the kitchen with a paper bag. “Here’s your breakfast. Two black coffees and soda bread. I threw some fruit salad in there. And before you leave town, you may want to stop by and wish your mother a happy birthday. Tell her she doesn’t look a day over thirty-five,” he said.

Danny winced. “I’m sorry. I forgot all about her birthday today. I’ll ring her later. I’ve been so-”

“Don’t worry. Kellan told her all about your new job. You know, she’s been dying to get a look inside that castle, too. You might invite her for a tour to make up for the missed birthday.”

“I will,” Danny said. “Once it’s all finished, I’m sure Jordan wouldn’t mind.”

“Remember what I said,” Kellan muttered.

Danny nodded. “I have to go.” He grabbed the bag and headed out the front door of the pub. As he strode back to his cottage, he drew a deep breath of the sea air and smiled to himself. Funny how his life had changed so much in just five days.

It didn’t matter to him how long it lasted. He was going to enjoy himself while he could. And when it was time for Jordan to leave, he’d kiss her goodbye and regret that it couldn’t go on for just a little longer.

But even as he told himself it was just a passing thing, Danny could imagine them together for more than just a few weeks or months. He found her endlessly fascinating. And she seemed to find him interesting as well. There was a lot to be said for that, wasn’t there?

Danny hurried back to his cottage. The dogs were waiting and he shooed them out, then closed the door. A moment later, Jordan rushed out of the bedroom, half-dressed, her hair tumbling around her face.

“Where have you been?”

“I just went to get us breakfast,” he said.

“We’re late. I have to get back to the house. The workmen will be there and I have calls to make and-”

“It’s Saturday,” Danny said.

“I know it is. I work on Saturday. So do you. Just because we’re sleeping together doesn’t mean we can ignore our responsibilities.”

She’d gone from lover back to boss-and she was disappointed in him. “I wasn’t gone that long. I was talking to my brothers. Kellan was at the pub and my da was back from his holiday.”

“You should have told me you were leaving,” she said. “I woke up and you weren’t there. I looked all over for you and-”

“You knew I wasn’t far,” Danny said, frowning. “Jordan, I wouldn’t have left you here. I knew we had to get back. So come on, then. Get dressed. Let’s go. You’re the boss.”

Jordan blinked, her expression suddenly shifting. “Don’t say that.”

“What? That you’re the boss?”

She cursed softly. “I’m sorry. I’m really tired and I’m a little hungover and I just want a shower and a really big cup of coffee.”

He took one of the paper cups out of the bag. “I brought you coffee,” he said. Stepping closer, Danny dropped a kiss on her lips. “And something to eat.”

Jordan groaned. “See. I’m really awful. You’re right. I need to learn to relax. Why can’t I do that? It’s Saturday. We should just go right back to bed.”

“I shouldn’t have left you alone in a strange house.”

“Well, don’t do it again. Or I’ll have to make a note in your personnel file.”

Reaching out, he ran a finger along her arm, tracing a lazy path from her wrist to her elbow and back again. “You have a file on me? What does it say?”

She took a sip of her coffee and then sighed. “It says that you have trouble separating work from-from everything else, and I think that might become a problem.”

He stared at her for a long moment, fighting back a surge of frustration. Would it always come back to this? Did they always have to be boss and employee? Why couldn’t she see them as just a man and a woman? “Am I supposed to pretend that I don’t want you? Because I do. All the time. And if that’s a problem, then write it up in my personnel file. In big red letters.” He walked to the door and pulled it open. “I’ll be in the car with Finny and Mogue. As soon as you’re ready, we’ll go.”

Danny snapped his fingers as he walked out the front door, and the dogs came running. He opened the rear door of the Land Rover and they hopped inside. Then, he slid in behind the wheel and waited, his anger growing with every moment that passed.

When she finally came out of the cottage, Jordan walked slowly toward the vehicle. She got into the passenger seat and looked over at him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “This is all kind of new to me and I haven’t figured out how to handle it yet. You might be able to separate work and pleasure, but I’m going to have to work on it a little longer.”

“Then forget about the job. Don’t worry. I will get it done and it will be perfect. You have to trust me. We can just be lovers.”

She nodded, then reached out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. Jordan pressed her face into his chest. “I really hope so.”