Page 45 of Where the Waves Kiss the Shore
She glanced at the door, fighting the urge to run. But Kasia stood in her way. Also, she was stuck on a rock in the ocean. Where was she going to run?
“I think we have to resist.” She shuffled her feet. “I can’t offer you anything long-term. And you work for my dad. It’s not right.”
Kasia’s sharp laugh made her jump. “This isn’t a marriage proposal, Tierney. I live on an island, and it’s winter. Let’s just try keeping each other warm for a while.” She stepped up close. “I don’t expect a promotion or engagement ring when the spring comes. You’ll move on, and I’ll keep running the hotel. I’m fully aware of our positions. But before then, we could enjoy each other. No need to freak out, be awkward, or run. You just have totell me if it feels like too much pressure, or if you want to end it.” She shrugged and her fingertips traced the line of Tierney’s jaw to her collarbone. “Just fun. Nothing more.”
Tierney closed her eyes as memories of those fingers flickered through her mind. She wanted this, but Kasia’s admission that it would be nothing more than some fun to fill the winter nights sat heavily in her chest. She didn’t want commitment, so why did the thought of sex without any ties bother her? Deep inside she knew the answer.
With Kasia, casual would never be enough.
She saw her own desire reflected in Kasia’s eyes. Giving in, she pulled Kasia’s head lower. Kasia’s mouth settled on hers, and she stopped overthinking the situation—stopped thinking completely.
Hungrily, they explored each other’s mouths. Kasia’s tongue drove her crazy until she thought her legs would give way.
Eventually, Kasia pulled back. “Should we take this back to the hotel? Poor Joey’s going to die of hypothermia.”
Kasia’s lips had regained their color, and more. Tierney felt a flash of embarrassment that in the heat of their kiss she’d forgotten Joey was on the island. “I’ll finish up here. You go and tell Joey we’re ready to go if they’ve fixed their imaginary engine problem.”
Kasia snickered, gave her a last searing kiss, and put on her coat. When she’d left, Tierney cleaned up and put ashes on the embers of the fire. She propped the fireguard securely. The last thing Joey needed was to come back to find their fishing hut had burned down because Tierney wanted to get into bed with Kasia.
She gathered her stuff strewn around the room along with Kasia’s perfectly packed bag and headed out, trying not to show the urgency she felt in getting back to the hotel. Joey met her at the door and locked up, having the decency to do nothing more than smirk.
The trip back was quick. Kasia had wrapped up tightly in her coat and stood looking out as Inishderry grew on the horizon. Tierney resisted the urge to touch her. Instead, she dug around in her bag until she found her beanie. Kasia took it with a grateful smile and pulled it over her still damp hair. Tierney pulled up her hood. This wasn’t the weather to be wet. They really should’ve brought more clothes. She hated winter, and winter on Inishderry was long. But if she had to stick it out, maybe Kasia was right. Together they could make the long nights more bearable.
As they got off the boat, Joey whispered, “I’ll drop off your camera kit tomorrow.”
She’d forgotten she even owned a camera in her desire to leave the island. The trio said goodnight and Kasia and Tierney walked up the short hill between the harbor and the hotel.
When they reached the door, Kasia leaned in. “Don’t hurt me,” she murmured as their lips brushed.
Tierney pulled back slightly. “I promise I won’t.” She practically snatched the key from Kasia’s hand and pulled her inside, not letting up on the kiss until they were at the stairs. She ran up, pulling Kasia along with her, until they reached her rooms. Suddenly feeling she was intruding on Kasia’s private space without asking, Tierney pulled up in the doorway. Kasia ran into her from behind.
“I thought you were in a hurry?”
She turned. “Oh, I am, but this is your home, and I don’t want to act as though…” She paused, trying to say the right thing.
“You own the place?” Kasia’s eyes twinkled. She pushed past her into the room. “That’s sweet. Please join me.”
Tierney complied and closed the door behind them. She reached up to unbutton Kasia’s shirt, but Kasia brushed away her fingers and instead, pulled it off over her head. Tierney stared. Kasia’s breasts were partially covered by a thin white bra.Part of her brain wondered how Kasia always managed to look so well dressed, even half naked. Most of her just wanted the bra gone. As if reading her mind, Kasia unclipped it quickly and discarded it, then turned her efforts to Tierney’s T-shirt. Kasia removed it quickly, along with Tierney’s sports bra.
Kasia pushed Tierney back through a doorway and against the wall. Crushing their breasts together, Kasia cupped her face. Tierney groaned with need and took Kasia’s thumb into her mouth and sucked it. Kasia’s hips bucked, and she replaced her thumb with a crushing kiss that stole Tierney’s breath.
Without breaking their kiss, Kasia pulled down Tierney’s sweats. Tierney stepped out of them, glad she hadn’t bothered with underwear after their swim. Kasia’s strong hands wrapped around her waist and lifted. Tierney went with it, not caring they were in the kitchen, not the bedroom. The surface of the worktop was cold beneath her thighs. She shuffled back until Kasia stood between her legs. Kasia pulled away and looked into her eyes.
Tierney opened her knees wider. She needed Kasia’s hands on her. She’d waited too long for this moment. Kasia’s hands moved from her waist and cupped her breasts, flicking her tight nipples until Tierney gasped.
“Touch me, please.” She ran her fingers through Kasia’s hair and pulled her close.
Kasia gave a low laugh and moved her hands slowly down Tierney’s body. The anticipation was agony and delicious at the same time. When Kasia’s fingers entered her, she groaned and buried her head in Kasia’s neck, nuzzling the skin as she opened herself to Kasia’s touch. It didn’t take long for her climax to build, and when she reached the peak, she pushed so hard she nearly slipped off the smooth worktop. But Kasia’s body moved against her and kept her safe.
“I’ve got you.”
The soft voice in her ear almost made her come again. When she followed Kasia to the bedroom, Tierney couldn’t help revisiting the promise she’d just made. Was she sure she could keep it? Kasia’s vulnerability had been surprising and unnerving. This was meant to be sex and nothing more, but it already felt like something bigger than that. Instead of worrying about hurting Kasia, should she be concerned she might be the one to get her heart broken?
TWENTY-TWO
There wasa rewarding popping sound when Kasia stretched her back. The plasterer had finished his work in the restaurant, and she’d been working on cleaning up and painting ever since. Over the last two weeks, the dining room had been transformed from dated with flock wallpaper and unattractive windows to an open space. Bi-fold doors blurred the lines between indoor and outdoor dining. Perfect for those summer days when people wanted to feel they were outside without having to risk the occasional downpour. Kasia could feel her vision gradually coming to life. But progress was slow. Tierney seemed wary of moving on with the bigger jobs.
Last time they’d discussed the roof, Tierney had said her dad had only approved work essential for the coming season. She’d gotten a contractor over from Portrinn, and he’d said he could repair the worst areas, and it would probably hold out for another year or two. Kasia had pleaded with her to get a second opinion, but Tierney had made it clear she’d done what she could.
