So Claire often escaped to her grandmothers house, where it was quiet and pretty, and she could talk about important matters, like all the things she was going to do with her life. Her grandmother had encouraged her to write it all down in a little journal. Only when you write it down will it become true, she had said. Later, as each of her dreams were fulfilled, Claire would tick them off in the journal.
Claire tossed the lotion on the bed and grabbed her bags. As she unpacked, she neatly arranged her clothes in the antique dresser against the far wall. She found her birth control pills in a side pocket and popped one out of the package and into her mouth. She and Eric would be together again. She had to believe that.
As she passed the leaded glass windows that lined one wall, a draft chilled her, goose bumps prickling her arms. She found a match on the mantel and lit the crumpled paper beneath the oddly shaped logs. Warmth from the fire began to seep into her skin and a sharp scent hung in the air. But at the same time, the room started to fill with smoke. Claire realized she hadnt opened the flue and scrambled to find a knob or a lever.
It wasnt on the outside of the fireplace and she couldnt see it on the inside through the smoke. She ran to the window and threw it open, then tore off her towel and began to fan the smoke out the window.
The smoke continued to pour out of the fireplace and Claire realized shed have to smother the fire to make it stop. She beat at the flames with the damp towel and the fire was nearly out when the smoke alarm went off.
Frantically, she searched the room for the alarm, hoping to disable it before Will Donovan responded. But a moment later, he burst into the smoky room, a fire extinguisher in his hand. Claire screamed and held the scorched towel up to her naked body.
What the hell is going on? In three easy strides, he reached the fireplace and smothered the remainder of the fire with foam from the extinguisher. He turned to her, a look of concern etched on his face. Are you all right?
Yes, Claire said. I justwhy would someone lay out a fire and not open the flue?
He stared at her, his gaze raking over her body. Claire clutched the towel more tightly to her chest, fumbling as she wrapped one end around her hip.
Why would someone put match to peat without checking the flue first? he asked.
Itsits freezing in here, she countered.
The window is open. He walked across the room and closed it, Claire scampering to stand against the wall. Will grabbed the bedspread from the bed and held it out in front of him. Hesitantly, Claire stepped forward and he wrapped it around her body, enveloping her in a soft cocoon.
I suppose Im going to have to give you another room, he murmured as he gently rubbed her arms. You cant sleep in here.
Im sorry, she said, risking a glance up at him. Tears of frustration pushed at the corners of her eyes. She was tired, she was cold, her life had become a huge mess and all she really wanted to do was crawl into bed and cry for the next day or two. He had no idea what it was taking to hold herself together.
He looked down and their gazes metand locked. Claire opened her mouth to speak, to apologize for her emotional state, but then couldnt remember what shed intended to say. She heard him draw in a sharp breath as his gaze fell to her lips. She knew what was about to happen and simply waited, unwilling to stop him.
Youre sure youre all right, he whispered, leaning closer.
Fine, she replied in a strangled voice.
Claires heart slammed in her chest and she closed her eyes and tried to maintain her composure. But Will took her action as his cue and a moment later, his mouth covered hers. It wasnt the typical first kiss, clumsy and a bit tentative. Instead, he kissed her as if hed been doing it for years, possessing her mouth as if it had always belonged to him, his tongue teasing at hers, challenging her to respond.
The kiss seemed to go on forever, growing deeper and more passionate as it continued. She couldnt remember ever being kissed like this, with such reckless abandon and unfettered intensity. Claire felt his hands slide from her shoulders to her hips, the quilt slipping down between their bodies.
A tiny moan slipped from her throat as she pressed her hips into his, fumbling to maintain some semblance of modesty. His hands came back to her face, cupping her cheeks in his palms. She didnt want it to end, the pleasure surging up inside of her, the crazy sensations coursing through her body. But at the same time, Claire knew that kissing a near stranger while wearing just a bedspread was probably a mistake.
When he finally drew away, she gulped down a deep breath and opened her eyes. She found Will staring at her, a perplexed expression wrinkling his brow. Jaysus, he murmured. He stepped back and raked his hand through his hair. What the hell.
Claire swallowed hard, clutching the bedspread to her body. Wh-why did you do that?
I dont know, he replied. I just Will cursed softly. I dont know. Did you not want me to do that? Because, I got the feeling you did. Was I wrong?
No, Claire replied. I mean, yes. I was just surprised, thats all. It wasunexpected.
But welcomed? Please, tell me it was welcomed.
Claire thought about her answer for a moment. Should she tell the truth? Yes, she finally said. At the least it wasnt unwelcome.
Good. A smile twitched at his lips. I guess Ill leave you to get dressed. Will glanced around the room. Youre not going to start any more fires are you, Miss OConnor?
She shook her head. Not right now. And you dont have to call me Miss OConnor. I mean, considering you justwell, you know. Call me Claire.
All right. Claire?
Yes, Claire, she said.
Save the fires for later, Claire, he said, nodding. If youre hungry, I have supper downstairs. And after that, Ill find you another room. A warmer room. He wrinkled his nose. And one that doesnt smell of smoke.
Thank you, Claire said.
He stepped back, but not before reaching up and brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. When the door closed behind him, she sank down on the edge of the bed. Smoke still clouded the room and for a heartbeat, she wondered if shed imagined what had happened between them, if it had all been part of some bizarre, jet-lag-induced fantasy.
She touched her lips and found them damp. This was a disturbing turn of events. How was she supposed to react? She didnt feel indignant or insulted. Nor did she feel guilty or ashamed. In truth, there was a nice, warm sensation deep inside of her, something she hadnt felt in a very long time.
There was definitely an attraction between them. What woman wouldnt be attracted? Will Donovan was undeniably handsome. And very different from well, from Eric.
Her relationship with Eric hadnt been entirely perfect. In truth, lately it had become ordinary, not that shed realized it until this very moment. It had been months since hed made her heart skip a beat or her breath come in tiny gasps, months since hed kissed her with that type of passion. And now this stranger, this Irishman, had accomplished both in a matter of minutes.
And there were things about Eric that had begun to bug herhis vanity, for one. His selfishness. She couldnt remember the last time theyd made love where shed been completely and utterly satisfied. Will Donovan was probably the kind of man whod leave a woman pleasantly, thoroughly exhausted.
And there were things about Eric that had begun to bug herhis vanity, for one. His selfishness. She couldnt remember the last time theyd made love where shed been completely and utterly satisfied. Will Donovan was probably the kind of man whod leave a woman pleasantly, thoroughly exhausted.
Claire jumped up from the bed and rummaged through her suitcases, searching for something nice to wear. She hadnt planned on experiencing this particular element on her trip, so shed brought along comfortable clothesjeans, T-shirts and sweaters. She decided on a pair of black pencil-leg jeans and a translucent white silk blouse. To add a hint of interest, shed wear a black bra beneath. She retrieved her hair dryer and the converter plug shed brought along, then headed to the bathroom to get ready.
A half hour later, her hair was dry and her lipstick was on. Claire gave herself one last critical look in the mirror, then sighed as she stared at her reflection. What was she expecting? This was crazy! Did she plan to seduce this man over dinner? Grabbing a tissue, she wiped off her lipstick and tied her pale hair back with a silk scarf. Youre in love with Eric, she reminded herself. And he still loves you. He just doesnt realize it.
The inn was quiet as she walked down the stairs. A fire crackled in the front parlor hearth and she walked through the spacious rooms, searching for the dining room. But when she found it, it was dark and empty.
I thought we could eat in the kitchen. Its nice and warm in there.
Claire glanced up to see a shadowy form standing in the doorway, broad-shouldered, a hip braced against the doorjamb. Her heart fluttered and she cursed inwardly at the unbidden response. All right, there was definitely a spark. But that didnt mean she had to fan it into a raging inferno. She smoothed her hands over her blouse and forced a smile. Of course. And thank you.
For what? he asked.
For making me dinner.
You havent tasted my cooking, he replied with a low chuckle. He held open the door to the butlers pantry and Claire walked through the cabinet-lined room to the kitchen.
Unlike the rest of the house, the kitchen was sleek and modern, with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. But an old stone hearth burned brightly with a peat fire, the scent familiar to her now. She walked over to it and held her hands out. Why am I so cold? The winters in Chicago are brutal, but I dont feel the cold like I do here.
We live on the ocean. Its damp, Will explained. Thats why it feels colder. Theres no getting away from it. Will pulled a stool out from beneath the huge worktable that dominated the center of the kitchen. He nodded his head. Have a seat.
Claire perched on the stool and watched Will as he moved around the room. She was glad to see that he wasnt going to too much trouble, choosing to make sandwiches. Do you always cook for your guests? she asked.
Will shook his head. Never. When we have guests, our cook and housekeeper, Katie Kelly, comes in and does breakfast. Beyond that we dont serve meals.
She cupped her chin in her hand. So why are you doing it now?
He glanced up at her, sending her a devastatingly charming smile. After what youve been through today, I figured youd need it. And your only other alternative is the Jolly Farmer and thats noisy and smoky and filled with blokes who havent seen a woman as flah as you in a very long time.
Flah?
Beautiful, he said.
Claire felt a blush warm her cheeks. It was such an offhand compliment that she wasnt sure how to take it. Did he really think she was beautiful or was he simply humoring a guest?
So, what brings you to Trall? he asked.
She hesitated before she answered, unwilling to tell him the truth about her quest. Perhaps, if hed been a woman, shed unload her entire sad story. But he wasnt a woman. He was an incredibly attractive man. Family history, Claire quickly replied. My grandmother, Orla OConnor, visited the island a long time ago. She told me about it and so I thought Id see it for myself.
Theres not much to see, Will said. There are some shops in the village and theres a stone circle on the west side of the island. Most people come here for the Druid spring, though.
My grandmother told me about that. She glanced up to find him staring at her. He held her gaze for a long moment, then turned back to his meal preparations.
Beyond the stone circle, its Tralls only claim to fame.
I thought you were famous, Claire said. She let her eyes drift down, from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist, and then lower. Though his jeans were slightly baggy, she could see he had a nice butt. At least, thats what Captain Billy told me.
No, Will said, glancing over his shoulder. Thats just a load of rubbish. As for the spring, its a silly legend that brings tourists to the island, so no one disputes it.
But everyone knows about it.
I suppose, Will said. Everyone benefits from perpetuating the legend, I guess. There arent that many of us left on the island so we welcome the visitors. Just over five hundred now. Were kind of like one big family. Sometimes a wee bit dysfunctional, but a family nonetheless. He set a plate with a ham sandwich in front of her and followed it with a mug of steaming soup, then went to the refrigerator and grabbed a couple of beers. You drink Guinness? I have wine, too. Or bottled water?
Beer is fine, Claire said.
He opened a bottle and set it down in front of her, then opened his and took a long drink. He had beautiful hands. Claire had always found that she could tell a lot about a man by his hands. His fingers were long and tapered, the kind of hands that might touch a woman with expert effect, dancing over her body until she cried out in
You said you were from Chicago?
Claire swallowed hard. Y-yes, she said.
The Windy City?
Ummm. Have you ever been to Chicago?
I have, Will said. I remember the lake. A big lake. So big you couldnt see the other side even from the top of that tall building.
The Sears Tower. Thats Lake Michigan, Claire said, munching on the ham sandwich. What were you doing in Chicago?
Business, he murmured. Will studied the label on his beer bottle, scratching at it with his thumbnail. Claire found herself watching his hands again, her pulse quickening. A very exciting place, that.
She cleared her throat, determined to steer the conversation in a different direction. Tell me more about the spring, she said.
The water is said to be blessed by the Druids, although theres only one Druid on the island and I have cause to doubt her credentials. They say if two people drink from the same cup, theyll share eternal love.
Really?
He nodded. Couples usually come here before they go see a marriage counselor, hoping to find answers to their problems. And honeymooners like to come, too.
And do you know where this spring is? Claire asked.
There are springs all over the island. He gave her a sly look. It doesnt exist. Its just a legend. We Irish love our legends.
She took a sip of her beer. But if it doesnt exist, then why do people keep coming?
If you had a chance at eternal love, wouldnt you go after it? He laughed softly. That was a rhetorical question.