She drew a deep breath and winced, her head throbbing and her mouth dry as dust. Was this what all her therapists had talked about? Everyone had been predicting it. Had Gigi Woodson, tabloid princess and celebrity heiress, finally hit rock bottom?
Her father, Ellery Woodson, was a diplomat for the British government, and her mother, an American socialite. She was their only child and after the first eight years of her life, a pawn in their very nasty divorce. Bad behavior had come easily. It had been the only way to get her parents attention.
At age twelve, shed been kicked out of her first boarding school. By seventeen, shed been kicked out of more schools than she could remember. She had a brief spell of normalcy during her university years in Paris, when she worked on an art history degree and lived with a handsome French banker. But then her grandmother died, leaving her Winterhill and a large trust fund. At age twenty-one, the naughty Gelsey returned with a vengeanceand with a seemingly bottomless bank account.
Shed transformed herself from Gelsey Evangeline Woodson, well-educated daughter of a diplomat, to Gigi Woodson, party girl without a care in the world. For the first five years, it had been fun, like playing make-believe only with posh parties and exciting new friends. Even her mother had approved.
But in the past few years, her life had started to spiral out of control and she began to suspect that she really did care. That all the pretending didnt make the loneliness and the insecurities go away. Maybe she hadnt had the best family life and maybe her parents hadnt really wanted her around. But shed come to realize that the life she was living would never make her happy and the friends she had werent true friends at all.
Gelsey drew a ragged breath. So, perhaps this could be a fresh start. Today, this morning. Or afternoon. When she opened her eyes again, she could forget the past and start all over again. She could use what was left of her trust fund and build a simple life for herself, away from the glare of the spotlight and the flash of the paparazzis cameras.
Her thoughts dissolved and she fell back into a shallow sleep, content for the first time in a long time. Everything would be all right. Shed be safe here, in this tiny cottage. No one knew her in Ireland beyond the housekeeper at Winterhill. No one would care if she stayed away for a day or even a week.
She wasnt sure how long she slept, but the touch of a hand on her face brought her back from a dreamless state of exhaustion. She opened her eyes and found him sitting on the floor near the end of the sofa and staring at her intently.
Youre awake, he murmured.
Yes, she said, her voice croaking. Gelsey cleared her throat.
Would you like something warm to drink? he asked. I have coffee or tea. Or soup. Or maybe a bit of whiskey?
Her stomach growled at the mention of food. Yes, soup would be nice. As for the whiskey, shed decided to take a new direction in her life. It was time to stop drinking at least to excess.
Soup, she said.
Ill be right back, he murmured.
Gelsey clasped the quilt to her chest as she pulled herself up to a sitting position. To her surprise, she didnt feel nearly as bad as shed expected. Just a little bit weak and a tiny bit embarrassed. But she was here, being waited on by a devastatingly handsome man who was making her soup. The first day of her new life was beginning quite well.
As promised, he returned in a few moments with a huge mug and spoon. He sat down beside her and handed her the soup. Its beef and barley, he said. Its from the pub down in the village. My ma makes it.
Gelsey took a spoonful. The hearty warmth made her smile. Its delicious.
How are you feeling?
Fine.
How is it you came to be on the beach?
Gelsey opened her mouth to reply, then snapped it shut. She didnt want to explain it all, especially to this man. She didnt want him to think badly of her, to make assumptions and to write her off as some stupid girl without any limits.
II dont know, she said.
What does that mean?
Gelsey shrugged. I dont remember. She took another spoonful of the soup, waiting for him to question her. But he just continued to watch her suspiciously. Im not sure.
Are you saying you have amnesia?
Gelsey frowned. It sounded like a reasonable diagnosis and it happened all the time in the movies. If she didnt know who she was, then she wouldnt know where she came from. And she could stay here with this man. I dont know. I just dont remember. She took another spoonful of soup and handed it to him. Ive had enough, thank you.
Youve barely eaten at all, he said.
What is your name? she asked.
Kellan. Kellan Quinn.
A memory flashed in her mind, so clear it might have happened just yesterday. The boy that had chased her from the beach so many years before. His name had been Kellan. Shed heard his brothers yell it across the meadow and shed committed it to memory. This was the same boy, all grown up.
She smiled to herself. How many times had she woven long and complicated fantasies around that boy? For at least a month after, shed thought about returning to the beach to find him. But the summer had ended and shed been sent back to school, leaving thoughts of him far behind.
Kellan, she repeated. I like that.
And whats your name?
Gelsey, she replied.
He said it back to her. Softly. The sound of it on his lips caused a shiver to skitter through her body.
Do you have a last name? he asked.
Im not sure I do, Gelsey said.
A grin teased at the corners of his mouth. Does that mean you dont remember it or you dont want to tell me what it is?
A little of both, she said. She drew in a sharp breath as her gaze fell to his lips. Lord, he was handsome. She had dated an endless string of gorgeous men, but not one of them had captured her fancy like this man. He was just a regular guy, yet there was something so intriguing about him. You kissed me, she murmured.
No, Kellan said.
You did. I remember. On the beach.
You kissed me, he said.
Yes. Gelsey reached out and touched his face, then leaned closer, curious to see if the kiss she remembered was really so good. Her lips found his. He didnt seem surprised or reluctant. Instead, he gently cupped her face in his hands and returned the kiss in full measure, his tongue tangling with hers.
Desire raced through her body, warming her blood and making her mind spin. Gelsey felt giddy, like that breathless young girl on the cliffs. Hed been such a handsome boy, but now he was a man, full grown and capable of making her weak with need.
Does that help? he asked.
Help?
Your memory, Kellan said.
Yes, she said. I remember liking that very much. She peeked under the blanket. I have no clothes. Did you undress me?
Kellan nodded. You were cold. I had to get you warm.
I dont remember that. She reached out and took his hand and placed it on her bare shoulder. Maybe you should show me how that happened.
Kellan stared at the spot where he touched her, then slowly drew his hand away. Youyou should rest, he murmured. Youve had a long day.
I dont remember that. She reached out and took his hand and placed it on her bare shoulder. Maybe you should show me how that happened.
Kellan stared at the spot where he touched her, then slowly drew his hand away. Youyou should rest, he murmured. Youve had a long day.
What time is it?
Nearly five, he replied. Do you have a place to go? Someone who might be waiting for you?
Gelsey shook her head. No, she said. No one is waiting for me. In truth, the only person whod wonder where she was might be Caroline, the housekeeper at Winterhill. Shed call the first chance she got, but Caroline knew not to worry. Gelsey often disappeared for days at a time.
As for her parents, theyd given up worrying a long time ago. No. No one really cared at all. The only one whod ever truly cared had been her grandmother and shed been gone for years now.
You can stay here until youre feeling better, he said.
I wouldnt want to put you out, she said.
You wouldnt be.
You know what Id really like? A hot bath. Ive got sand in places I didnt even know I had. It feels like I slept in it.
You did, Kellan said. I found you on the beach. He stood. We have a shower. The bathroom is just through the kitchen. Or we have an old tub that I can bring in and fill if youre set on a bath.
I think a shower would do nicely, Gelsey said. And I could use some clothes. Do you have my dress?
Ill find you something better to wear.
She slowly stood, wrapping the quilt more tightly around her naked body. Thank you, she said. For saving me. She paused. Youre a nice man, Kellan. I havent known too many nice men in my life.
Im not all that nice, he replied.
You cant fool me, she said, pushing up on her toes and placing a kiss on his cheek. Then Gelsey slowly walked toward the bathroom.
As she closed the bathroom door behind her, Gelsey leaned back against it and drew a deep breath. Had he been any other man in her life, she would have seduced him on the spot. Shed never been one to play coy when it came to satisfying her desires. And shed never met a man whod refused her.
But that was precisely how shed gotten into trouble in the past. Shed led with her heart, not her head. Her argument with Antonio last night had been a prime example. She should have been nicer, considering his word would go a long way toward making the assault case disappear. Instead, all the anger and resentment over their breakup had come bubbling to the surface, and after a long predawn phone argument, shed grabbed a bottle of champagne as the sun came up and wandered along the cliffs to the cove.
Her heart had told her to kiss Kellan that day in the meadow. And her heart had told her to do the same thing when he found her on the beach. And both times, it had felt so right and so real, not wicked or manipulative. Just perfect.
She didnt have to live her life in brilliant swaths of color and chaos. She could be just like everyone else if she wanted to benormal. From now on, shed try to become the kind of woman who didnt indulge her every whim, a woman who controlled her desires and considered her actions.
Except for kissing, she murmured. After all, what harm could it do to enjoy the lips of a man as handsome and sexy as Kellan Quinn? It was only a matter of time before he found out about her past, about the life she wanted to leave behind. And men like Kellan were not the type to put up with the kind of baggage she carried with her.
Gelsey turned on the shower, then let the quilt drop to the floor. She was warm now, and happy. It was time to take a breath and see life the way everyone else in the world didwithout the endless drama and rollercoaster emotions.
2
KELLAN SET THE PILE of clothes down next to the bathroom. Though he was trying to keep his mind on other things, it wasnt difficult to imagine what was going on beyond the door. She was naked, obviously. And hed seen her body when hed undressed her, so there was no use trying to forget the sweet curves and soft flesh that had been hidden by the quilt.
Shed kissed him not once, but twice. Shed made it quite apparent that shed welcome more. But Kellan wasnt one to play games when it came to sex and he knew damn well she was hiding something.
Shed refused to provide her last name, which made him suspect she might be running from something or someonethe authorities or a jealous husband or boyfriend. That was more likely. She didnt seem like the criminal sort. And chances were that a woman as beautiful as Gelsey would have a man in her life. She possessed the kind of beauty that could make any male mad with jealousy.
Kellan cleared his throat, then rapped on the door. Im going to run down to the pub and get some supper for us, he called. Ill be back in about twenty minutes.
Im really not very hungry, she replied.
I am, Kellan said. Dont make your shower too long. Youll run out of hot water. There are clothes on the floor outside the door.
The bathroom door opened and she poked her head out and smiled. Water droplets clung to her lashes and ran down her cheeks. Thanks, she said. She bent down and grabbed the clothes and he caught sight of her naked body.
A current of desire raced through him as his gaze settled on a sleek leg, setting his nerves on edge. Kellan couldnt help but look. Are these yours? she asked, nodding at the clothes.
Yes. They wont fit, but theyll keep you warm. For now. Ill see if Nan or Jordan might have something you can borrow.
Who are Nan and Jordan?
Nan is my brother Rileys fiancée and Jordan is my brother Dannys girlfriend.
I dont mind wearing your clothes, she said.
But I do. With that, Kellan turned and strode to the door. If she wasnt going to walk around the cottage naked, then at least hed make sure she had clothes that enhanced her beautiful body.
When he got outside, Kellan took a long deep breath of the cold evening air. The day had begun like any ordinary day, but suddenly, hed found himself in possession of a beautiful woman, one who planned to spend the night.
A brisk walk into the village should clear his mind of any thoughts of seduction. But he couldnt seem to put Gelsey out of his head. There was something about her, something he found incredibly intriguing.
Kellan made a mental list of all her qualitiesthe long blond hair, perfectly balanced features, a body that was made to be touched and skin so flawless it made her seem unattainable. But it wasnt just the physical that he found attractive. It was what he didnt know about her that was even more tantalizing.
There was a certain appeal to the idea of a mystery woman, a complete stranger with a secret past. Though he was usually quite rational and fantasies werent a regular indulgence, Gelsey seemed to bring out the devil in him. What would it be like to have her in his bed, to lose himself inside such a lovely creature?
The pub was busy when he walked in the front door. But the conversation softened to a low murmur the instant everyone saw him enter. He glanced around, then found Danny smiling at him from behind the bar. There he is! Danny shouted. The hero of the day. So what did you do with your mermaid, Kell? Did ya toss her back? Or have you decided to keep her?