08

I love it.
No, not really. I hoped my voice was as dry and dull as I wanted it to be. I didn’t turn around ; instead, I continued to take in the kitchen.
I redid the kitchen for you. I know you love to bake and cook.
But, of course, he knew that about me as well. It shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did.
My daughter loves the sweets you make. She always insists we stop for your raspberry-filled cupcakes with lemon frosting.
That had me spinning around.
Aoife is your daughter ? I speculated.
He nodded. Of course, his daughter had to be the sweetest little girl in the world. It wasn’t possible.
How ? She’s sweet and nice.
He grinned proudly and leaned against the counter.
I can be sweet and nice, mo ghra amhain.
I gave him a monotonous look. Somehow, I find that very hard to believe.
He gestured to the kitchen with his hand. If anything is missing, will you let me know ? I’ll buy it for you.
Damn him. Damn him straight to fucking Hell.
Are you not going to kill me ?
The grin disappeared, and his face turned hard rather quickly at my words. He got off the counter, and I was pressed against the oven in one swift motion. This man was like a brick wall coming to life. He was hard all over and so big that his entire body covered and hid my own.
Kill you ? He repeated distastefully. You’re my wife, mo ghra amhain. My fucking wife. I’d never hurt you.
I opened my mouth to protest, but he reached for my hand. He lifted the shirt up and over my elbow. Our eyes stayed on each other as his finger traced over the bruises.
Who laid their fucking hand on you ?
I ignored him and found myself chewing hard on my bottom lip. His other hand came up, and he pulled my lip away from my teeth, and I scowled.
No one. It was an accident.
His jaw twitched, and his nose flared as he tightened against me. God, every inch of his was glued to mine. All I could feel was him. He was so close, and I could smell the faint smell of smoke, cigarettes, and something heady. I couldn’t believe I was sniffing him and trying to figure out what he smelled like.
What the fuck ? Was this Stockholm syndrome, or was it too early to have the symptoms ?
Then I’ll accidentally kill him. Who was it ? He demanded, repeating his question once more.
It’s none of your business. Stop touching me. I tried to shove him off, but he was persistent. Get off. I bit through clenched teeth.
I don’t care if you hate me, Elena. You’re still mine. You’ll always be mine. If I want to touch you. He rasped, and I felt his fingers trace my bruises.
He leaned down and kissed over every bruise, and I inhaled sharply at the feel of his lips sliding over my suddenly too-warm skin.
Then I’ll fucking touch you.
He left an open-mouthed kiss on my elbow, and I whimpered against my will from the roughness of his lips. It felt good to be touched and kissed, and I’d never had a man kiss me there, but it did something. It had to be some erogenous zone or something.
Such a sexy fucking sound, mo ghra amhain. I wonder what sounds you make when you cum. Are you a screamer ?
I ripped my hand away from his scorching touch, and this time he let me. He didn’t step back, choosing to occupy my personal space. He was so big and tall that I had to lift my chin just to look at him. I stood my ground and crossed my arms over my chest.
I scoffed at the audacity of his question.
How dare he talk to me like this ?
Wouldn’t you like to know ?
His eyes gleamed a darker hue of blue. Elena, I dream of it.
That’s all you’ll always have. Your stupid little dreams.
He chuckled and gave me a cocky grin. Your attitude gets me hard, mo ghra amhain. Be careful.
Oisin
The first thing I noticed when I walked into the kitchen was that she wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. It upset me, of course, since I wore mine like it was my religion. I’d never take it off.
Hell, I wanted to be fucking buried in it.
It was a token of my loyalty, love, and dedication to this woman. Her eyes fell to where I was staring, at her ring finger, and as if feeling disappointed with herself, she placed her hands behind her back. I hated that she wasn’t wearing it.
I really did, but I wasn’t going to force her. I wanted her to want to be mine, to want to show off that she belonged to me, and I’d wait. I waited this long, and I could wait a little longer.
Daid !
Aofie’s voice called out, and Elena blinked her eyes once she heard my daughter’s voice. She stumbled away from me and forced some distance between us. I fixed my suit and ran my fingers through my hair, and despite her trying to hide it, Elena’s eyes followed my every movement.
I’m in the kitchen, mo chailin milis.
Aofie walked into the kitchen with Fiona hot on her trail, and once she got to me, I picked her up in my arms. She was in her princess pajamas, and Fiona brushed and braided her hair.
Did you take a shower ? I asked, reaching for her hand.
I did. All by myself. She nodded her head, and I kissed the top of her hand.
Fiona disappeared into the kitchen and began plating and setting up the dinner table, and that’s when Elena caught Aofie’s attention.
Elena !
I set her down, and she ran toward Elena.
Elena smiled and bent down with wide arms. Hi, cara mia.
It was an endearment that she used on Aofie from her bakery days, and I cherished how tender my wife was with my daughter. She greeted her and wrapped her arms around my daughter. I took care of my daughter, and I love her more than the entire world combined.
But there was something about having a mother, a maternal figure in your life. I wanted Elena to be that for her, to be there for her in ways I knew I couldn’t be. Aofie was jumping up and down in excitement, and Elena laughed and ran her fingers over her face.
Are you surprised, cara mia ? Elena asked.
I am. I’m happy. Aofie chirped, and my heart constricted at the sight.
Elena ran her fingers over her cheeks and pulled her in for a hug. She kissed the top of her head and stood up to grab her hand.
Want to sit next to me ?
Yes, please.
She swung their hands back and forth, causing Aofie to giggle as Elena led her to the dining room. My heart felt so full, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. I followed them and watched Elena help Aofie get in the chair and sit beside her.
I sat on the chair beside Elena, but she didn’t indicate that she was annoyed, or maybe she didn’t want to react horribly in front of Aofie. The dining table was filled with various meals, and Elena’s stomach growled, causing her to blush in embarrassment.
I don’t know why she was embarrassed. It was normal to be hungry. I didn’t know she was this hungry, or else I would have had Fiona prepare dinner earlier. I held the back of her chair and leaned closer to her.
She was chewing on that sexy bottom lip again, and I swear I was more than tempted to lean down and tug it between my teeth to see what the hype was about.
Are you hungry, Elena ?
She turned her head to face me, and being up close to her felt fucking mystical, magical, and I was in so goddamn deep. I prayed I never got out. I wanted to stay where I was, in the overwhelming and overconsuming abyss that was Elena.
She pulled her teeth back and licked over her swollen lip.
Fuck.
I am. She murmured.
I ran the back of my hand across her cheek and couldn’t help myself as I leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth.
Had I known, I would’ve asked Fiona to prepare it earlier. My apologies, mo ghra amhain.