Luck of the Irish (7 page)

“And ya say ya aren’t a witch?” Declan released her abruptly and stepped back, the cool air of the room replacing the warmth of his body. “Would seem ya tricked me again, lass, but at least ya have no more wishes with which to vex me.”

“What’s the matter, Declan?” Maggie pressed her hand over the amulet beneath her sweater. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”

He growled something in Gaelic that she didn’t understand and pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. Maggie backed up and sat on the ledge of the closed window not sure what to do or say next. She still couldn’t believe she said that wish out loud.

“Why would ya wish that?” Declan growled with frustration.

He tore his sword off over his head and leaned it against the wall. Maggie noticed that it had the same shamrock emblem embedded in the handle.

“I-I’m not ready to leave yet.”

“Ya don’t have to come, lass.” Declan kept his voice low and moved closer. “Ya can take back the wish.”

“No.” Maggie shook her head and pulled the amulet from under her sweater, worrying the disc between her fingers as she did anytime she was nervous. “I want to go with you but... it’s all happening too fast. Give me a couple of days to get to know you and hear more about your story, and
then
I’ll give you the amulet.”

“Alright.” Declan inched closer still, invading her space with ease and dropping his voice to barely a whisper. He pushed a lock of hair from her forehead before trailing his knuckles along her cheek and finally settling them under her chin, tilting her face toward him. “Tell me, lass. What would ya have me doin’ while I’m here?”

Maggie’s stomach fluttered from the heated look in his eye and suggestive tone that edged his words. He oozed power and sexual energy. She wanted to tell him to take her right then and there. To strip her naked and fuck her until she couldn’t walk, but her face heated from the mere thought of it let alone finding the nerve to say it out loud.

“I’m just so tired of being alone, Declan.” Tears she wasn’t expecting stung her eyes and fell down her cheeks before she could stop them. “Stay with me... and tell me about where you’re from. Tell me stories like the ones Aunt Lizzie used to share, and tomorrow after sunset I’ll give you back the amulet and you can leave.” Maggie sucked in a deep breath before exhaling slowly and whispering. “I rescind my second wish. You do not have to take me with you and when I give you back the amulet... you’re free to go.”

“Y
a are full of surprises, Maggie O’Malley.” Declan studied her face, open, innocent and earnest. He searched her lovely green eyes for any hint of deception, but found none. “That’s all ya desire? To hear me speak of days long gone? And you’ll not want to come with me when I leave?”

Her small form wavered and she lifted one shoulder before swiping at her tearstained cheeks. This woman, delicate yet feisty, sexually charged and yet shy, was a bundle of contradictions. Declan suspected that his time with her would be anything but boring. He was drawn to her beauty, yes, but it was more than that. What struck a chord with him most of all was her loneliness and clear desire to connect with not only him, but also the world around her. And yet by all accounts she seemed to rarely venture out into it.

“Yes.” Maggie tore her gaze from his and fiddled with the amulet. “That’s it.”

He was about to ask her more about her own life, the family mentioned who no longer lived, but a sudden and almost forgotten physical need pulled him from his thoughts. Declan cleared his throat and stepped back increasing the distance between them.

“Pardon the indelicate request, lass, but it seems that the feast I ate is catchin’ up to me.” He felt like an idiot. “Where might a man... ”

“Oh!” Maggie’s brows lifted and her cheeks pinked, clearly catching his meaning. “The bathroom? You need to use the—of course—sorry. It’s right out here.”

She hopped off the window ledge and hurried into the hallway before disappearing to the right. He followed and found her standing in a small bathroom made of white tile and with walls painted blue.

“Do you, um, know how to use everything?” She folded her arms over her breasts, her face reddening further by the second. “I know they didn’t have plumbing when you were last here.”

“Aye.” Declan nodded and stepped into the cool bright space with her. “At one time the mirror hung in a room such as this and I saw the way of it. Then again, I saw more than I needed if you catch my meanin’.”

“Right.” Maggie scrunched up her face and shook her head before slipping past him to the hall. “I’m sure you did.”

She stopped in the doorway and pointed to the towels that were hanging on a bar along the wall by a shower stall.

“If you want to take a shower you can use those towels. They’re fresh. I hung up new ones yesterday after I had my shower. The hot water is on the left and the cold water is on the right. There’s soap and shampoo in there, too. Use whatever you need.”

“I may do that.” Declan nodded his approval and bowed his head. “I give ya my thanks.”

She stood there for a moment as though she didn’t know what to say or do next. For a split second Declan considered inviting her into the shower with him, but the thought left as swiftly as it came. It was better for both of them if he put a stop to that now. He’d kissed her because he hadn’t thought of doing much else since he’d laid eyes on her, but getting involved with him would bring her nothing but heartache. He’d already destroyed Anastasia and he refused to do the same to Maggie.

“Anyway, um, okay.” She jutted her thumb over her shoulder and backed out while closing the door. “I’ll be out in the living room. Take your time.”

After Maggie left Declan did exactly what the lass suggested and took his sweet time. He stripped his clothes and stepped into the shower, eager to use the indoor rain the way he’d seen so many do over the years. It looked enjoyable enough, but nothing could have prepared him for the exquisite ecstasy of the hot water as it sprayed over his weary body. He remained there until his flesh began to wrinkle, and truth be told would have stayed longer if the water hadn’t cooled.

When he slid the glass door aside and stepped onto the thick mat Declan grabbed a towel and dried himself. It took him a minute to notice that his clothing was gone. What had that woman done now? Did she plan on leavin’ him naked so he could not leave? A growl of discontent rumbled in his chest and he wrapped the towel around his waist. He tore the door open and stormed down the hall ready to give the lass a talking to.

“Where in the hell have ya put me clothes, woman?” Declan groused.

He rounded the corner into the main living area of her home and found her sitting cross-legged on a couch flipping through a large book with pictures in it. She snapped her head up and gaped at him like a fish out of water.

“Answer me.” He settled his hands on his hips. “What have ya done with me clothes?”

When he saw the shocked look on her face, he instantly regretted his tone.

“I-I put them in the washing machine,” she said softly. Her emerald gaze drifted over his bare chest in one long, lazy stroke. Declan’s dick twitched as she studied him brazenly, and when her gaze clapped with his it was like a kick in the gut. He saw need and desire in her eyes, but he also sensed hesitation. “I thought you would want them cleaned. I mean, you’ve been in them for two hundred years. I’m sorry... I can take them out. They’ll be wet but... ”

She set the book on the table before rising to her feet. Maggie went to move past him, but Declan clasped her hand and she stopped dead in her tracks. She stilled but kept her gaze on the floor, her body wavering dangerously close to his.

“Apologies, Maggie.” Declan ran his thumb along the soft flesh of her arm and breathed in her flowery, feminine scent. “Would seem I’ve been away so long I’ve forgotten me manners. Can ya forgive a crotchety, old leprechaun for his crass ways?”

Maggie nodded, but refrained from looking at him. He tightened his hold on her delicate arm ever so slightly.

“Why do ya not look at me?” Declan shifted his body and stepped in front of her gathering both of her hands in his. “I’ve behaved badly, Maggie, and I do not want to frighten ya or make ya run off. What can I do to make it up to ya?”

She sucked in a deep breath, her narrow shoulders lifting briefly before she finally turned that lovely face to his. Maggie inched closer and tangled her fingers in his. The lusty look in her eyes confirmed his suspicions. The wee girl with the hair of gold wanted him just as much as he wanted her, but Declan was one to learn from his mistakes. If Maggie wanted to dally with him she would have to say the words. He knew he shouldn’t pursue this with her, but Declan kept telling himself that it wouldn’t mean anything and he would be leaving tomorrow.

He would have his world and she would have hers... but tonight they would have each other.

“Seems we’ve both been alone too long, Ms. O’Malley,” he murmured. “Tell me, Maggie. Tell me what ya want.”

After what seemed like an eternity, she finally uttered the words he was both hoping for and dreading.

“Make love to me, Declan.” She took both of his hands and placed them over her full breasts. The soft feel of them, even through the fabric of her shirt, was almost more than he could bear. “Give me one night to feel anything but alone.”

On a curse he took Maggie’s face in his hands and slanted his mouth over hers. Declan groaned when her sweet lips opened and allowed him entrance into the velvety warmth. Need, stark and sharp, fired through him as his tongue lashed along hers, seeking more of what she had to offer. She tasted sweet and hot like fruit that was plucked fresh off the vine in the summer. Ripe and ready.

Declan broke the kiss briefly and pulled back just long enough to tear her shirt off over her head. To his delight, she was free of the undergarments so many women of her time wore and he was greeted with the sight of her round, creamy breasts.

“
Mac soith,”
he said reverently. “Damned beautiful, lass.”

He wrapped his hands around her tiny waist and trailed kisses down her throat before dropping to his knees and taking one pink nipple into his mouth. Maggie arched against him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he licked and suckled one breast and then feasted on the other.

Maggie knelt down and captured his mouth eagerly with hers. To his surprise she grabbed the towel around his waist and tore it off. Tangling his fingers in her long hair he murmured against her lips, “Like I said, lass. Full of surprises.”

“I’m tired of playing it safe, Declan.” Maggie’s warm fingers curled around his shaft making him groan. He clenched his teeth and fought for control as she started to stroke. Her hand rushed up and down his cock as she flicked his lip with her tongue. “And I want to give you the same pleasure you gave me, but this time... while we’re both awake because I don’t want there to be any question in my mind whether or not this happened.”

Declan grabbed her wrist stopping her from going any further, and cradled her head with his other hand before kissing her deeply.

“If ya keep that up, lass,” he murmured against her lips. “We’ll be over before we’ve begun.”

Before she could voice her protests Declan scooped her up in his arms and rose to his feet. She let out a shriek and linked her arms around his neck as he cradled her against his chest.

“Seein’ as this is the only time ya shall make love with a leprechaun I’ll have to make sure it’s one ya remember.” Declan strode toward the bedroom with Maggie snuggled in his embrace. “And one ya remember with a smile.”

***

C
radled in the steely warmth of Declan’s embrace Maggie didn’t take her eyes off his ruggedly, handsome face as he carried her to the bedroom. She’d never in her boring life asked anyone to make love to her, and if she’d thought about it at all she probably wouldn’t have done it. But that would have gotten her right where she’d been most of her life. Boring and alone.

Not tonight. Tonight she would live out her fantasy and not regret one single second of it.

Declan strode into the bedroom and laid her out gently onto the soft, queen size bed, but to Maggie’s surprise he didn’t try to join her. He stood nude and fully aroused at the foot of the bed simply staring at her, and Maggie took it as an opportunity to soak in the visual beauty of his gorgeous, masculine physique.

He cut a striking figure. Tall, broad shouldered and with a thick, muscular build, he looked like he’d been carved from stone. His perfectly sculpted chest was covered in a dark dusting of hair that lead down to the impressive erection between his legs. Hands at his side, he stood before her as though allowing her the courtesy of getting comfortable with him, but then it dawned on her that maybe he was waiting for her to finish undressing.

“Sorry.” Maggie blurted out. She hooked her thumbs into the waist of her yoga pants intent on taking them off, but fumbling in her nervous and admittedly turned on state. “I should take these off.”

“No, lass.” Declan held up one hand and shook his head before grabbing her ankles and dragging her toward the edge of the bed. “Why would ya deny me the pleasure?”

Declan leaned over her and settled one hand on either side of her head, caging her in. He loomed over her and the heat of his body wafted along her bare flesh in thick waves. She opened her legs instinctively bringing him closer, and sighed when the ridge of his cock pressed along her sex.

“Sorry.” Maggie suddenly felt self-conscious and curled her arms over her bare breasts. “I guess I’m not very good at this.”

“Would seem I’ve made ya nervous again, Maggie O’Malley,” Declan whispered. He rocked his hips, the motion making the hard length of him rush against her clit and sending wicked licks of pleasure right to her core. “Can’t be havin’ that now, can we?”

Maggie shook her head and gasped as he continued to pump against her with long, slow strokes. Lust fogged her brain and snuffed out her insecurities because all she could do was feel. She couldn’t think about being embarrassed or what would happen in the morning. In a matter of minutes Declan had reduced her to her basest, animal instincts of desire, lust and need.