Page 58 of Back in the Saddle

If only stabbing someone wasn’t illegal. Because I’d sure like to stab her with my fork right now.

“Farms are hard work everywhere, Mam,” Ciaron said, almost like it was an afterthought.

He wasn’t wrong. But the delay in his answer made me wonder if he actually believed it. Maybe he thought farming in Ireland would be easier than here. For fuck’s sake, everything that involved Mary had me overthinking, doubting, reacting. But I couldn’t help it. I needed to, though. If I ruined these two weeks because of my attitude towards her, I could wipe out hope for our future.

21

Ciaron

Taylor was putting the last of the dishes away when I got back from dropping Mam off. Mam had changed since I was younger. She recognised my efforts more. She seemed to think Taylor was taking advantage of me sometimes and maybe she recognised that she was like that too. It felt like she was trying to help when mentioning how I always did the cooking.

“That was a fun dinner,” I said.

Taylor gave me a withering look. “Fun for the golden child, perhaps.”

I shrugged. “I can’t help being amazing.” I sidled up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you for not giving it to her.”

She turned in my arms. “Lucky, I love you.”

I chuckled. “Or else I’d be stabbed with that fork instead of kissed on the cheek?”

“Yep.” She gave me a soft kiss.

“How did your chat with Isabelle go?”

“Good. I think. I told her I was sorry and that I was going to do better.”

“And what did she say?”

“Nothing really. I think she will be harder to win over than you.”

I brushed her hair back with my fingertips.

“Actions speak louder than words. She did stick up for you at dinner, though.”

Taylor rolled her eyes and shook her head. I knew she meant that it shouldn’t have been necessary for her to do it.

“She did admit she had no plans for a party. It was all a ploy to get us back together.”

I pulled her closer. “It worked.”

She nodded and smiled. “We are going to organise a small pizza party, so your mam doesn’t get suspicious.” She rested her hands on my chest. “A party would be good for everyone; I think it would be good for morale.”

“Good plan.” I bent my head to hers and tugged at her bottom lip.

“You know what else is a good plan?” she asked as she ran her hands over my chest. She pushed herself against me.

“What?” I rasped out.

“We get naked and go shower,” she whispered against my lips.

I grabbed her arse and pulled her against my hard-on. “We’ll save water showering together.”

“We can get all hot and sweaty and clean at the same time.”

Fuck me if my dick didn’t get harder. “Twice in one day.” My voice was unsteady.

“Need to make up for all the good times we missed out on,” she said, before she brushed her lips against my neck.

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