Page 51 of An Irish Kiss
“And for certain,” she added.
And they both laughed.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Travelling around the Irish countryside with an Australian man who possessed more charm than was good for him was definitely not good for her.Why she’d said yes to this crazy scheme was a mystery.Any thought of finishing today with her heart intact seemed impossible.
He’d been too easily pleased with her offerings.And yes, they might’ve included a few token touristy things.Just as she’d thought he’d appreciated seeing an ancient stone fort, and an ivy-choked castle near the cliffs of Kerry, which he’d described as wilder than anything he’d seen in Australia.
“They’re definitely higher than the cliffs you see on the Great Ocean Road.And I can’t get over how sharp the rocks look.Like dragon’s teeth.”
She liked how he said whimsical things like that.
“It’s limestone and siltstone, part of the rugged natural beauty you’ll find in the wild Atlantic way in the west coast of Ireland,” she’d said, as the wind whipped her hair across her face.
He’d drawn a hand across and captured her hair, holding it as she snagged it up in a ponytail.“I really like the natural beauty found in the west coast of Ireland.”
She’d blushed, and he’d smiled, like he’d wanted that reaction.
And maybe she was gullible, but it felt rather wonderful to have a man she liked say such sweet things.Even if the idea of anything more than friendship seemed too hard.
They’d made it as far north and west as Dingle, then a little further on to a stone restaurant, suitably called the Stonehouse Restaurant, where they had lunch.To sit there in the sun, watching the blue ocean with the Blasket Islands in the distance, enjoying life and the attentions of a handsome man, was enough to make her think there was a chance.
They drove back along the road that had taken them through Killorglin and the rugged hills and valleys, reaching Ballinskelligs Bay then climbing the steep pass before dropping down to the picturesque village of Caroll’s Cove.As they stood on the beach, she wondered just where today’s trip had taken them.
To friendship, certainly.But more?
“What are you thinking about so seriously?”he asked, as they walked along the sand.
“Have you enjoyed today?”
“It’s been perfect.The weather was perfect.”He gestured to the skies, where the first streaks of pink were filling the skies.“All the places we saw were fascinating.And it goes without saying that the company is perfect.”
She bit her lip.
“There.That’s the look.What’s going on?”
She peeked at him, then gestured to the setting sun.“If you want something to eat, the kitchen closes soon, so we should order.”
“Sure, let’s do that then.”
They walked back, and a waiter found them a table by the window overlooking the beach, sea and distant mountains.They ordered drinks and a seafood platter, which was soon served, with oysters, local fish, salmon, mussels in a white wine sauce, served alongside freshly baked brown bread.And along the way they talked more about their jobs and their passions.
“So, I’m curious about you, Miss Aurora Fairall.”
Her heart fluttered, as it always did when he said her name like that, with a twinkle in his eye.“What do you want to know?”
“Well, you seem to be a woman of many talents.Bookshop keeping, hotel management, stranded kayak rescuer—is there anything you can’t do?”
“Clearly you don’t know me very well.”
“Clearly I want to rectify that.”His smile was an invitation.
Very well, then.“So I studied Digital Humanities and IT at university—”
“Really?Wow.”
“It sounds fancier than it is.”
