Chapter 4

 

Maggie Christy was the last woman Ethan needed right now and the only woman he wanted. Tomorrow night, freedom struck. This was a time for planning a proclamation of bachelorhood, not thinking how Maggie would look outside her beautiful gown. Part of him yearned for both, but the wariness in her gorgeous hazel eyes warned him off. Not a woman one trifled with.

“Do you mind a slow one?” he asked but didn’t give her a chance to answer before pulling her onto the dance floor. Her body shivered beneath his touch along the small of her back. “You cold?”

“No.” She cleared her throat. “You took me by surprise.”

“Forgive me. I react a bit quickly at times. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll back away.”

She nodded. “How do you know Bryan?”

“We’ve been friends since the beginning of time, or at least as long as I can remember.”

She broke into a big smile. Full rosy lips, white teeth–stunning. Her expression took his breath away.

“Elsie and I too,” she said. “Sometimes it does feel like it’s been forever. Other times, I feel my life has passed on fast forward.”

His tongue seemed stuck as she glanced at her hands. Her fingers were long, graceful. Her skin appeared soft. He cleared his throat. “I know what you mean.” His voice sounded gruff. “Either way, she’s been talking about you non-stop. If my mind hadn’t been elsewhere yesterday, I might have realized you were Maggie. We have quite a few tourists show up around these parts due mainly to nearby Powerscourt Estate.”

“I’ve heard about Powerscourt. Is it nice?”

“Beautiful.”

“Maybe I’ll check it out,” she said, biting her lip.

“I’d be happy to show you.”

“A guide would be nice here. Phoenix is a sprawling city but it’s definitely more crowded and built up than this part of Ireland.”

“Do you like city life or do you prefer the open Irish countryside?” He slowed their dancing, suddenly very interested in hearing her answer.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been a bit tired of it lately. When I come on trips like this, it’s like a dream. I wish I could stay here forever.”

“And why can’t you?”

Her cheeks grew flushed and she laughed. Her lashes shaded her eyes as she looked away. “I just couldn’t.” She bit down on her plump bottom lip as if considering her words.

“Why not?” What reason did she have to be so timid? He itched to peel away her unruly ringlets and turn her face toward him.

“I don’t know. What about you? Do you go where you want?”

“Aye. I buy and build hotels. Where I like land is where I stay. Ireland is always home. But don’t change the subject. I want to know why you can’t stay.” Was there someone else in her life?

“We’re talking about two different situations. Your job requires you to move around. Most people don’t just get up and rearrange their entire lives.”

“They might for the right reason or if perhaps their lives needed a bit of rearranging.”

She turned and met his gaze. A spark of heat lit her eyes. “Maybe.”

“Maybe I’m right?”

As if to answer, she opened her perfect, glossy lips, and for an instant, an urge to kiss her overpowered him. She studied him openly, her gaze combing his features to rest on his lips. The thud of his heartbeat vibrated in his ear and the air between them seemed charged with an energy so intense, she had to feel it too.

Her lids grew heavy and she blinked. “Ethan.”

His stomach clenched in anticipation as he leaned closer to her.

“What a surprise, already meeting fine Irish folk,” a man said beside them.

Ethan didn’t recognize the voice. Neither did he like how Maggie tensed in his arms.

“Rick.” She took a step back. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” Rick said.

Based on the accent, the other man must be a Yank. A spoiled, pretty boy dressed in a designer suit and graced with a decent–if not slim–build. Ethan had come across his type one too many times before. Of course, Rick rubbed him the wrong way. Perhaps it was the air of arrogance he wore along with his diamond encrusted cufflinks. Or maybe his curt tone explained the sudden desire to drive his fist into the man’s smug expression.

“Maggie, did you hear me?”

A deep crease formed between her brows. This spineless tool intimidated her. Ethan clenched his fists, wedging himself between them. “Doesn’t seem she wants to talk with you.”

“Oh Christ, Maggie,” Rick snapped. “Are we going to make a scene over this? I flew several thousand miles. Least you can do is hear me out.”

“Ethan.” Brushing her hand down his arm, Maggie tugged him back. “It’s okay. Give me some time with him. I’ll only be a minute.”

Ethan didn’t like it, but he claimed nothing over her. “Okay. I’ll be here if you need anything.”

They disappeared through the crowd. Bryan came up beside him and thrust a drink toward him. “Whiskey. Don’t tell me you’re already losing to competition.”

“Losing what?” He took the drink. “Unfortunately, I’m still a married man,” Ethan said.

“Hardly. Maybe you’re right though. Dating mightn’t be the wisest choice right now.”

“Miriam and I have been separated nearly two years now. I think that’s break enough.”

“I meant long-term relationships, not sex.”

“Aye, I hear you there.” Far too much time had passed since he’d been intimate with a woman, and being near Maggie didn’t help any. He sipped some whiskey as she led the man called Rick out onto the terrace.

“Who the hell was he anyway?”

Ethan shrugged. “Not sure. Some Yank named Rick. I don’t think Maggie was too keen on speaking with him either.”

“Ah, damn it.” Bryan downed his drink. “Let me find Elsie.”

What did his friend know that he wasn’t telling him? “Wait.” Ethan reached out and grasped Bryan’s arm. “What aren’t you saying? Why go looking for Elsie now?”

Bryan bowed his head and hooked one hand around the back of his neck. “You’re now getting your freedom. I don’t want you in the middle of another mess.”

What mess, and how would he end up in the middle? “Why don’t we start with who this Rick is?”

Taking a deep breath, Bryan said, “Rick Paxton is Maggie’s ex-fiance.”

Maggie. Engaged. Not a surprise, yet the possessiveness wrenching his gut bothered him. She was a beautiful, interesting woman. “Why ex-fiance?”

“Not completely sure. Elsie detests him. My guess is the bastard did something stupid. Either way the idiot won’t get away with anything further in my home.”

“Hey.” Elsie came up and kissed Bryan’s cheek. “This is supposed to be a party. You guys look beyond serious.” She glanced around. “Where’s Maggie?”

“Talking to some guy named Rick,” Ethan said.

“What?” She took a step back, then gave Bryan a gentle shove mid-chest. “You know better. Where is she?”

“Why is he her ex-fiance, Elsie?” The sudden need for an answer burned in Ethan’s chest.

“Because Rick is an ass who cheated on her with a co-worker and never treated her right.” She met Bryan’s gaze then faced him again. “Reason enough? Now where is Maggie?”

“I’ll get her.” Ethan headed to the terrace, pushing past people with inexplicable urgency. The large ballroom suffocated with guests. Reaching the terrace doors, he pushed one open only to have the air sucked from his lungs.

Rick grasped Maggie’s shoulders as his mouth melded with hers. Her dark lashes fanned out against her pale skin. The kiss seemed to last an eternity. As he pulled away, Maggie’s eyes remained closed. “I’ll meet you tomorrow, okay?” Rick asked.

She nodded, standing motionless as he kissed her cheek. “I love you,” he said, then met Ethan’s stare and winked. “Take care of her for me.”

Rick left down the terrace steps. Maggie lifted her eyelids, gasping as she looked at him. In dusk’s light, her honey-colored eyes glistened. Her lips parted, swollen from their kiss. Lip gloss smudged her chin, and he hated he hadn’t been the one to have caused it. Like a deer in headlights, her stance said she was poised for escape. Her chest rose and fell with each breath.

“Elsie is looking for you.” Not a lie, but not what he felt like saying, either. He didn’t trust himself to speak further. Fisting his hands, he turned into the ballroom and left her standing alone on the terrace. A dull ache pulsed inside him. Just another woman. And tomorrow he would be a free man. A suddenly empty, lifeless excuse.

“Is she okay?” Elsie ran up beside him.

“She’s waiting outside.” He moved past her.

“Hold on a sec.” Bryan stepped in front of him and held up one of his hands between them. “Where you going? What happened out there?”

“Nothing. I’ve got a lot on my plate tomorrow.”

“A load of crap if I ever heard one,” Bryan said.

Shit. Only Bryan would push him. “Not tonight. We’ll talk, but not tonight.”

His friend studied him for several moments then moved out of his way. “Call me.”

“I will.”

“It wasn’t like this with Miriam, you know. Even in the beginning.”

“I know.” Ethan walked toward the front door. Outside, he pulled off the stifling bow tie and jacket then gulped in cool evening air.

* * * *

“Mags, what are you doing out here?” Elsie rushed toward the terrace railing and scanned the lawn below.

“He’s gone.” Ethan must have mentioned Rick.

Crossing her arms, Elsie leaned with her back against the railing. “What was he doing here, first of all?”

Meeting her friend’s pale blue eyes, a sob caught in Maggie’s throat. Rick had told her he loved her and admitted he was an ass. Days ago, she’d yearned for those words. Now everything seemed wrong.

“Oh, baby.” Elsie stepped close and hugged her. “I’m sorry. What did he do? I can send Bryan or Ethan off to kill him. Rick is such a wimp I doubt it would take two of them.”

Maggie giggled through tears. A ridiculous thought. She couldn’t imagine what Ethan assumed after seeing her kiss Rick. Either way, she’d bet he wouldn’t come running to her rescue. Didn’t matter. He was a married man. She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “I’ve messed up my makeup.”

“Don’t worry about your makeup. I can fix it.”

“Rick confessed his love and admitted he was an ass.”

Elsie huffed. “What an understatement.”

“He wants me back.”

“Oh, Maggie.” Elsie pulled away. “Please tell me you haven’t agreed to get back with him.”

“I haven’t. I am going to meet him tomorrow for dinner when you and Bryan go talk with the priest.”

“Why? Guy’s a jerk.”

Rick had behaved like a jerk but if she did the same, neither walked away stronger. “I don’t know. I feel if I don’t take the time, I’m no better than he is. Make sense?”

“I guess, in some warped supernatural world.”

Maggie laughed. Elsie always made her feel better. “Ever the drama queen.” She blinked several times. “Does my face look presentable?”

“You look fine.”

“Thanks.” She smoothed her hands over her dress. “Did you see Ethan on your way out here? I need to apologize.”

“Yeah, but he looked like he was heading out. Why do you need to apologize?”

Would Ethan have left because of her? “I don’t know. Rick cut our dance short and when Ethan came outside…we were kissing.”

“You kissed Rick?”

“He kissed me.” A poor excuse.

“Yeah. Last I checked, a kiss takes two,” Elsie said.

She couldn’t deny it. “I know. I wanted to see if it would feel the same.”

“Did it?”

She shook her head. She didn’t dare admit she’d imagined Rick was Ethan during their kiss. It was like the day in Ethan’s cottage, his fresh masculine scent flooding her senses. Their kiss had felt sensual, passionate. The reality of Rick had ruined everything.

“A good thing, right?” Elsie’s gaze held hope, and Maggie couldn’t fault her.

What was she thinking? This was her best friend’s pre-wedding celebration. Enough playing the fool. “Yes, a good thing,” she lied.