Page 47 of Destined Lovers

“Never, Hanora.” He kisses the top of my head, and I feel myself flinch. I don’t want to ruin this moment in his arms, so I try to mask it, but I’m sure he doesn’t miss it.

“What’s wrong, babe?”

“I haven’t heard someone use my full name since my parents died. It just took me by surprise for a second.” I fake a smile.

He lifts my head with his fingers and softly caresses the side of my face, “I wish I could have been there for you, Nora.”

“You were. You were right here.” I point to my heart with force. It has never been a question in my mind that the only person who has ever occupied my heart was Declan Buckley and only Declan. Always and forever for love and friendship.

He bends to meet my lips and, ever so gently, presses his to mine. “You’re so perfect, Pip,” he whispers. I smile into his mouth. He’s the perfect one. He has no idea.

“Okay, now that we are two hours behind schedule, I think we should leave, babe. We will have all week to cuddle.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

Clearly, cuddle is code word for something else.

I internally cringe, this time not letting him see how his words affect me. The ‘something else’ he’s alluding to makes me nervous as hell.

I’m a freaking twenty-nine-year-old virgin, for god’s sake. What if I’m terrible at it? Or he hates it and is disappointed I have no experience besides dry humping him on the couch.

Ugh! Why didn’t I at least watch more porn?

Declan is still talking, completely unaware of my inner thoughts. “…is that a good plan?”

“Sorry, I zoned out. What plan?”

He chuckles and looks back to reverse out of the driveway. “I was saying that I booked us a room in Carlingford first. I know it’s south, then we have to come back, but I figured we would just follow our original plan, with some small changes, if that’s good with you?”

“I’m happy to go anywhere with you, Declan. Is this the first town my parents started their road trip with?”

He nods. “I figured you’d want to do the same. It’s just a small little town, but we will have enough time to walk around, have dinner, and grab a drink or two at the pub. Then tomorrow, we can hike in the Mournes Mountains, a short drive away. I thought you’d like to paint there.”

I nod excitedly. I’ve always wanted to paint the Mournes; I only wish the heather was in bloom. Purple is one of my favorite colors to paint.

* * *

After a quiet car ride, we make it to the charming town of Carlingford. I stick my head out the window and watch as we pass by this beautiful coastal town adorned with the most magical Christmas decorations.

“Isn’t it funny that many small Irish towns look similar but are still so different? I get excited every time I visit a new one.”

“You’re cute when you’re excited, Pip.”

“I am not ‘cute,’ that’s like the last word I would consider myself,” I mumble to myself, and I hear him chuckle.

“This town was founded in the thirteenth century by Hugh De Lacy, a Norman Knight. The first thing he did was create that medieval castle,” he points ahead of us. “The castle is called King John’s Castle, after King John, Lord of Ireland stayed there.Local myth has it that he started to draft the Magna Carta when he stayed there for those few nights, in year twelve ten.”

I love this man, I really do. He is so smart it kills me. “Are you going to tell me facts about all the places we go?”

He turns and shoots me the sweetest smile. “without a doubt.”

* * *

“Declan, I love this hotel!” I cry. Does he know how perfect and happy I feel right now? “Do you think I’ll have any time to sketch something outside in their garden quickly? I mean, it’s perfect with Slieve Foye in the background, isn’t it?”

He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers, “No—” He stops himself from saying my name. I reminded him I go by Riley now, and it’s only in private that I’m okay with Nora.

“Pip, anything you want to do, we will do. You just tell me, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Okay,” I smile and bounce in place. I love this trip already, and I can tell he does too.

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