Wild Irish Roots (The Mystic Cove Series) (2 page)

A flash of heat zipped through him as he saw pretty Margaret O'Brien step from the front door of the teashop down the road. His stomach knotted in lust as he watched the sway of her hips under a purple dress with a hem that was just short enough to make his mouth water. He'd watched Margaret for over a year, never having a chance to really talk to her until that one night at the pub.

The night that had changed his life.

He'd never fallen for a girl so hard before. There was just something...different about her. It was like she had known him, not just the person he pretended to be. In just a few moments she had broken through his barriers and he'd found himself confiding his dreams to her.

Was he love struck? Oh yeah, Sean thought. The stars were crowding his eyes, no doubt. He could all but see little birds chirping around Margaret as she walked up the street. If he didn't get a taste of her soon, Sean was quite certain he would die. Holding the flowers up in the air, he moved down the sidewalk to greet her. As she laughed up at him and his poor little bouquet of flowers, it seemed like nothing in his world would ever go wrong so long as pretty Margaret O'Brien kept smiling at him. 

––––––––

M
argaret laughed at Sean's outstretched hand, where wildflowers wilted around a twine bow. Her heart clenched as she took the flowers and looked up into his warm brown eyes.

"Thank you." Margaret twinkled up at him. She saw the moment that Sean leaned in a little, almost as if he would kiss her, before stepping back. She wanted to stamp her foot into the ground. She'd been aching for his kiss for months now.

Margaret smiled as he held the door open for her and whisked her into the small restaurant. She inhaled the scent of sea and man as she brushed past him and had a sudden urge to kiss the skin that she glimpsed from the opening of his shirt. Swallowing against the heat that trailed through her, Margaret wound through the restaurant as the hostess directed them to a small table in the corner. A fat candle sputtered in the middle of the table and the waitress pointed to a chalkboard on the wall.

"Food's listed there. Drinks?" She raised an eyebrow at the both of them.

"Um, a glass of your red, please," Margaret said.

"No wine, hun, beer or cider."

"Oh, a Bulmers please," Margaret said.

"Guinness," Sean requested before scanning the chalkboard. "I suppose fish and chips would be best as that seems to be what they are popular for."

"Aye, that's fine with me," Margaret said though her stomach was in knots and she was quite certain that she wouldn't be able to eat a thing. She breathed out a small sigh and smiled as the waitress dropped their glasses onto the table with a thump, before sashaying away.

Margaret laughed as Sean raised an eyebrow at the waitress and used his napkin to wipe the table where their drinks had sloshed over the rim.

"Sorry about that. I guess that I thought that this place would be nicer," Sean said.

"It's no big deal. So, how was your day?" Margaret said and settled in to listen to him talk about being out on the boat. His eyes lit up as he talked about his passion and Margaret wished that he would look at her this way. Sipping on her Bulmers, she allowed her shields to slip and let his emotions slip into her.

Happiness and a strong punch of lust washed over her. Margaret's eyes widened as she realized just how much Sean was interested in her. Knowing this, feeling this part of him, made her heart sing. Never having felt confident with boys before, Margaret watched this man who was clearly enamored with her and decided then and there that she would give him every part of herself.

Well, except for one thing. Nobody would ever know that. She'd always been careful to conceal that part of her and after a while, it had just become second nature. Margaret didn't see any reason that Sean would have to know that side of her. The less she used it, the less she thought about it. It had become easier and easier to distance herself from Fiona's curious reputation, and soon people had forgotten that Margaret might be touched with something extra special too.

Margaret took a bite of her fish and savored the melted butter and freshness of the daily catch. Thinking about Fiona made her stomach clench a bit. The older she had gotten, the more her mother had pressed her to explore her gift. She'd refused more times than she could count. Though she knew that Fiona was a renowned healer and that people traveled from all over Ireland for her services, Margaret had staunchly refused to ever attend a healing session. Guilt had led Margaret to help her mother collect herbs and flowers for various ointments, but her involvement in her mother's world stopped there.

It had to, Margaret thought stiffly, and brought herself back to the table.

"So, it's just you and your ma, huh?" Sean asked as he shoved a chip in his mouth. Margaret jumped as she realized that she had gotten a little engrossed in Sean's emotions and had stopped listening to him. She took a sip of the crisp cider and nodded, hoping to deter any more questions.

"What happened to your dad?"

"He died when I was young. My mother never remarried," Margaret said with a shrug. She remembered that time of her life in colors and emotions more than anything. The grief that Fiona had felt had almost dragged her sensitive soul under. Only when Fiona had realized that her emotions were harming her empathic daughter did Fiona close that part of herself off to Margaret. 

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sean said with a gentle smile. Margaret could tell that he meant it and she shrugged her shoulders at him.

"Just something that can't be changed, I guess," Margaret said.

"Is it true...what the say about your mum?" Sean asked.

Margaret stiffened and leaned back in her chair. She knew this was going to happen. It always did. People invariable questioned her about her "witch" of a mother.

"Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Sean said and reached across the table to catch Margaret's hand. She jumped as a shiver of heat ran up her arm from where he traced his thumb over the sensitive skin of her palm.

"Um, yeah, it's okay, I get it." Margaret blew out a breath. "No, she's not a witch. She's not even Wiccan or anything like that. She just practices the centuries-old tradition of Celtic healing. You know, herbs and ointments...all made the old way is all. I can't knock it either, to be honest. She seems to really help people."

"That's kind of cool. My mum just raised us kids while my dad worked. Nothing special. It must be neat to see your mom help people," Sean said eagerly.

Margaret tilted her head and considered his words.

"I suppose that it is pretty cool that she helps a lot of people. She certainly bucks traditional medicine," Margaret said.

"Do you want to learn to heal, like her?" Sean asked.

"No, I really have no interest. I..." Margaret let her voice trail away. She'd almost let out her secret dream.

"Tell me. What do you want to do?" Sean asked, excitement lighting his eyes.

"I want to move to the city and work in real estate. I know that may seem crazy...a small-town girl like me...but I really think that I'd love it. The hunt for the best properties, helping to match people with their new homes. I think that I'd love that," Margaret said softly. She'd never told anyone this as she didn't think it would happen for her.

Sean leaned over and grabbed her other hand. Margaret stared longingly into his handsome face as he brushed a kiss across her hand.

"I want to move back to the city too, after I learn all that I need to know about running a fishing business here. We..." Sean stopped abruptly.

"Yes?" Margaret said, her voice husky with need.

"We could go there together. You know, start a new life, away from here," Sean suggested, his heart in his eyes.

Margaret gulped against the emotion that clogged her throat. She simply nodded, drowning in her love for him. She'd known. From the minute that she'd seen Sean, she'd known he was her destiny.

––––––––

S
ean pulled Margaret from the restaurant, her hand all but disappearing in his wide palm. Turning his head, he looked up and down the street and groaned.

"I want to kiss you so badly right now," Sean whispered down at her.

Margaret, her heart knowing what she wanted, smiled up at him and tugged his hand to have him follow her down the street. Looking both ways down the street, she waited until it was clear before ducking behind the teashop and pulling Sean into the small, sheltered courtyard that was tucked behind the shop.

Sean smiled as he saw the private yard and in one motion he backed Margaret against the wall, his tall frame making Margaret feel dainty.

Margaret gasped as he pressed his body against hers and slid his muscular leg between her thighs. Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he looked at her, his eyes heavy with lust. Without a word, he lowered his mouth to hers, laying a whisper of a kiss across her lips.

Margaret's heart, quite simply, sang. The touch of his lips on hers shot lust straight through her and she moaned into his mouth. Liquid heat pooled low in her stomach and she jerked against the hardness of his leg pressed to her. He still didn't touch her with his hands, and led the kiss with his lips only. Softly, slowly, he opened her mouth with his tongue, tasting her heat.

Margaret shuddered against his mouth and brought her arms up to wind them around his neck, threading her fingers through his thick hair. Sean's kiss was demanding, a question and an answer.

Finally, finally...he touched her, running his hands down her waist and pulling her tight against his body. His heat burned into her, and Margaret's skin felt sensitized to his touch as he drew a hand up her waist and cupped a breast in his hand. Shock popped Margaret's eyes open and she arched her back, pushing her breast into his palm as his finger toyed with her nipple through her dress. Sensations pounded through Margaret and with no shields up, Sean's lust washed through her, doubling her own pleasure. Unable to help herself, she writhed against Sean's leg, and gasped as he caught her mouth in a heady kiss. The combination of his hand on her breast and the heat of his mouth proved to be too much for Margaret and much to her embarrassment, she found herself shattering over the edge into a blissful wave of pleasure.

Sean's hand stilled against her breast and he pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck. His breathing was heavy against her neck and Margaret was glad that he couldn't see the heat that stained her cheeks. Uncertain of what to do, how to handle this, she stayed still.

"We can't do this here. You deserve more," Sean said gruffly against her neck. Margaret shuddered at the movement of his lips against her sensitive skin. 

"Sorry about that," Margaret whispered in embarrassment.

Sean drew back and met her eyes. He brought his lips to hers ever-so-gently and Margaret almost fainted from the kiss.

"Never. Don't be sorry. You want me as much as I want you. But, not here. Not like this. Saturday? Can I see you Saturday?" Sean breathed against her mouth.

Margaret did a quick mental calculation. It was only two days away. She could wait two days to start the rest of her life. Nodding happily, she smiled up at him.

"Saturday it is."

M
argaret awoke to Fiona singing softly in the kitchen. At nineteen, Margaret supposed that living with her mother was probably frowned upon, but she'd just never found the right time...or enough money to move out on her own.

Until now. A little thrill shot through Margaret as she thought about Sean and life in Dublin. Mentally, she built them a little apartment with a window overlooking the water. Being away from this world where she hid a part of herself and dealt with people constantly questioning her about Fiona would be perfect for her. A new start.

Stretching, Margaret pulled her hair into one long braid before throwing on an old robe that hung behind the door. She had today off to daydream and plan the perfect date with Sean tomorrow. Her stomach dipped a bit as she thought about Sean. She knew that her date with Sean tomorrow would change everything. Finally, she would step into womanhood.

Daydreaming, Margaret went into the kitchen to greet Fiona. Fiona stood at the counter, kneading dough for brown bread that Margaret knew would taste moist and perfect. Fiona's skills in the kitchen were almost as legendary as her healing remedies were. Margaret supposed that they were one and the same...essentially just a mixing of ingredients.

"Good morning, love. Want some oatmeal?" Fiona asked with a smile.

"Sure, thanks," Margaret said and dropped down at the long table that dominated the main room of the cottage. Behind her, shelves lined the walls and were cluttered with hundreds of glass bottles and jars, all meticulously labeled. Margaret almost didn't see them anymore, so used to Fiona tinkering with ointments that she barely glanced at the wall.

Fiona stopped and sent a measured look at Margaret.

"So, you're in love then," Fiona said quietly.

Margaret's mouth dropped open and her spoon stilled on the way to her mouth. A fluttering of nervousness hit her stomach and she squirmed in her seat. It had always been like this. She could never hide anything from Fiona. If she had been bullied at school, Fiona knew. If she lied, Fiona called her out on it. If she was in love...well, Fiona could see it. Hating how different her little family was from the rest of the world, Margaret glared at Fiona.

"God, have you ever thought about giving my emotions some privacy? I don't have to share everything with you, you know," Margaret said sullenly, turning away so she didn’t see the hurt in Fiona's eyes.

"I'm sorry. I suppose that you do have a right to your privacy," Fiona said stiffly and went back to the sink, carrying a plate with her. Margaret watched her mom's rigid shoulders and felt bad. Hoping to make amends, she sighed.

"What are you doing today? Do you need help?" Margaret asked, deliberately steering the conversation away from Sean.