Page 16 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
“Nobody understands me, except Megan, and maybe Joey.” Tierney slumped against her. “An’ I was shitty to Joey.” She sounded close to tears.
“Okay, we’ve both had too much to drink. Let’s get you home.” She made to move Tierney’s drink away, but she grabbed it and cradled it between her hands.
“I’m not finished.” She took a defiant drink, and then another.
Kasia hoped she wouldn’t have to carry her home. She finished her own drink before she hoisted Tierney up by her elbow. Tierney drained her glass and almost dropped it. Kasia retrieved it and put it aside safely. She reached for Tierney’s coat and helped her into it. She was relieved to see the Walsh family’s table was now empty. If they were going to take anything Tierney said about the hotel seriously, they didn’t need to see her stagger out of the bar.
When they emerged into the moonlit dark, Kasia sighed and breathed in the night air. She just had to hope things would work out.
EIGHT
“Let’s go.”Kasia kept her hand on Tierney’s elbow as they made their way out into the road. She could see the door of the hotel from here, but she’d promised to get Tierney home to the cottage safely.
At least there was a full moon to light the way. She steered them in the right direction.
Tierney trotted along, noticeably silent until she said, “I don’t hate you either, Kasia.” She smirked in the moonlight. “In fact, I think you’re kind of sexy.”
Kasia did not need that right now. Or ever. She needed to get home to the safety of her bed and not do anything she might regret in the morning. “Shut up, Tierney. You’re drunk.”
Tierney lurched against her, and she had no choice but to wrap her arm tightly around her waist.
“Ooh, that’s nice.” Tierney tucked herself under her arm, and Kasia had the fleeting thought that their bodies fit well together. Shit, she was definitely drunk.
“I’m trying to get you home in one piece, that’s all.” Relief flooded her when the moonlit shape of Kevin Walsh’s substantial cottage came into view. Now to offload Tierney and get home.She tried the door and overturned the stone with her boot. “Where’s the key, Tierney?”
“S’in my pocket.”
Tierney slumped as she let go, so she propped her against the wall, using a leg to hold her in place while she searched her pockets in the least intimate way she could. Tierney’s jeans were tight around her curves.Stop it.She finally located the key and extracted it. Tierney was restless, and Kasia realized she was moving against her thigh, grinning. The throb between her legs was involuntary. “For God’s sake.”
“I’ve been wondering what it would be like to get this close to you.” She leaned forward, pressing her breast against Kasia’s arm. “You feel good.”
Kasia focused her attention on getting the key into the lock. “Get inside. I’ll make you coffee.” She couldn’t just leave her at the door, could she?
“Don’t need a coffee. How about a kiss?”
She stepped back. “No. You’re drunk.”
Tierney stood a little straighter. “I’m not that drunk. And is that the only reason?”
The little smirk was too much to bear. “Is this what you want? A quick fuck from the hired help to keep you entertained?”
Tierney’s smile disappeared, and her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play all innocent with me. Is this what you want? The full service?” Through the haze of vodka and anger, sensible thoughts fought their way through. That was unfair. Why was she trying to hurt her?Because she makes me feel powerless while she holds all the cards and doesn’t even care. But there was one way she could feel as though she held some power.
She pulled Tierney inside, slammed the door, then pushed her up against it. It was dark inside, but the moonlight from the window lit Tierney’s face from the side. She cupped her jaw.
“Do you want to try the service, Tierney?”
Tierney trembled under her touch. Kasia pulled her closer, firmly enough to let her know what she was about to do, but not too hard Tierney couldn’t move away if she wanted to. She didn’t pull away, and Kasia drew her in until their lips brushed. “Is this what you want?”
Kasia translated the half moan as an affirmative, and she kissed her with enough force to bruise. This was wrong. She was taking all her frustrations and feelings of being out of control out on Tierney. But here, she was in control. And Tierney had made it clear she wanted it. So why not?
When Tierney moaned again, Kasia forced her tongue into the warm depths of her mouth. Tierney gave her access and gasped around her invading tongue. Kasia wasn’t feeling so in control now, but she was too far gone to care. Tierney’s hands slid under her shirt and short nails scraped her back.
She groaned and pulled back with an effort. Tierney’s gaze was unfocused. Her lips stayed slightly parted. It was distracting.
“Tierney, go and get naked in bed, and I’ll be there in a minute.”
