Page 23 of Tender Temptation

His description of his brothers makes me miss Forrest and how our family used to be normal. “How cool. You all sound very driven.”

“Yeah, we’re quite the bunch.“ He chuckles, then turns serious again. “May I pry a bit more without upsetting you?”

“Oh-kay…” I tilt my head and brace myself.

“Why is your birthday tough? You’ve alluded to it a few times.” Cillian’s thumb continues to trace patterns on my inner thigh, making me tingly.

He’s been open with me, I want to do the same as much as possible. “My brother died on my thirteenth birthday.” I suck in a quick breath because I nearly blurt out “five years ago” accidentally. “We were swimming and jet-skiing and celebrating with a load of our friends at my house. He hit hishead on a rock and drowned. My birthday turned into the day we lost him instead of the day I came into the world.”

“I can’t even imagine.” Cillian pulls off into downtown Seattle.

“It’s been awful.” I squeeze my eyes shut to stop myself from crying. “I loved him and he was such a light in our family. It’s a struggle sometimes not to feel sorry for myself. Or, angry at the world. My birthday is now forever associated with his death but I can’t make it about me or my loss because then I’m an asshole. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t mourn him. He’ll never be able to fulfil any of his potential. Get married. Have a family. There are no words for how much it hurts.”

Cillian squeezes my thigh. “Ivy, this might sound crass, but it needs to be said. Your brother’s death doesn’t need to define you. You’re still alive and you have your own hopes and dreams, right?”

“Yeah.” I nod, touched by his empathy. “I do. It’s the reason I was out at Kells the other night. I decided to reclaim my day.”

“I’m glad you did.” He kisses my temple. “Maybe meeting was our fate.”

As we drive toward his loft, I know I have to tell him everything. He deserves to know the truth.

How, though?

Tonight, I want him to make love to me, lie in his arms and bask in the afterglow of our weekend. Enjoy the feeling of falling in love for the first time. “I’m really glad we did this. I know we just met, but being with you means a lot to me.”

“Me too, sweet Ivy. Me too.” He pulls into his parking garage.

On the way up to his loft, Cillian’s arms wrap around my waist and I lean back into his broad chest. His cheek rests on top of my head.

Everything about being with him feels perfect, yet the secret of my age hangs like a shadow. What happens if he finds out I’m eighteen?

My biggest fear is the truth will shatter our beautiful illusion.

Leaving us both to pick up the pieces.

ten

Cillian

One Week Later

In one week, Ivyhas burrowed her way into my heart.

We’ve been virtually inseparable since the day we met and I’m not entirely sure what to do with all the feelings swirling inside me.

The credits of the murder-mystery news show we’ve been watching roll across the screen. I haven’t really been paying attention because she’s all I think about. When I’m not with her, I miss her. When I’m with her, like now, I’m already planning the next time we’ll betogether.

How can this be? None of it makes sense, yet my feelings for Ivy are the truest I’ve ever felt.

“Seriously, how did she stay with him. I mean, come on! The guy was creepy.” Ivy sits up from where she was resting comfortably in my lap. It’s dark outside now, and the soft glow from the big-screen TV casts shadows across her cheek, highlighting her serene beauty.

Chuckling, I playfully tickle her ribs. “We’ve only been seeing each other for a week. Should I be glad you’re not getting creepy vibes from me?”

“Oh, give it time.” Ivy giggles, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I’m sure you have at least one or two mysterious quirks I’ve yet to discover.”

As Ivy’s laughter fades, I lean in, captivated by the sparkle in her eyes. “Mine aren’t so mysterious. How do you feel about nipple clamps? Or a remote clit vibrator?” I whisper before our lips meet.

The contact sends a shiver through me. Her lips are soft yet insistent, and as I intensify our kiss, my world seems to narrow to the warm, sweet taste of her mouth. It’s a revelation each time—this feeling of rightness. Of wanting to linger in the moment forever.

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