"Make love with me," she said again and twined her arms around his neck. "Fast and desperate. Like it was the last time."
There was a witch in her. He'd known it the first time he'd looked in her eyes. The power of it glowed out of them now, confident and challenging. Though her breath hissed out when he dragged her head back by her hair, the look never wavered.
"Like this then." His voice was rough as he dragged her around. He braced her back against the king stone and, cupping her hips, lifted her off her feet.
She clamped herself around him, willing and eager. The power burst when he thrust into her, battering them both with the speed and desperation she'd demanded.
They were eye to eye, each violent stroke heating the gasping breaths they took. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her lips curved in triumph as their bodies convulsed together.
His legs went weak, and his palms had gone so damp he feared he'd lose his hold on her and drop her. He could hear his own breath panting out like a dog's.
"Jesus." He blinked stinging sweat out of his eyes. "Sweet Jesus Christ."
Slumped against his shoulder she began to laugh. It bubbled up through her, full of joy and fascination. He
could only struggle to get back his breath and balance her as she threw her arms into the air. "Oh, I feel so alive."
A grin tugged at his mouth as he managed to keep her from tumbling both of them. "You're alive all right. But you damned near killed me." He kissed her hard, then set her firmly on her feet. "Get your clothes on, woman, before you finish me off."
"I wish we could go running buck naked through the fields."
He blew out a breath and bent to pick up her bra. "Oh, my sainted mother would love that, if she happened to take a turn around the yard and look out."
Amused, Shannon slipped into her bra and plucked her panties out of the grass. "I bet your sainted mother knows just what you've been up to, since you didn't come home last night."
"Knowing and getting a first-hand look's two different matters." He gave her bottom a friendly pat when she bent over to pick up her shirt. "
You look sexy in men's clothes. I meant to tell you."
"Men's look," Shannon corrected, buttoning the oversize shirt.
"What's the difference?" He sat on the grass to put on his shoes. "Would you go out with me tonight, Shannon, if I come calling for you?"
Baffled and pleased, she looked down at him. That the man could ask, so sweetly, when they'd barely finished going at each other like animals, charmed her. "Well, it may be I'd do that, Murphy Muldoon," she said, giving her best shot at a west county brogue.
His eyes danced as he tossed her one of her shoes. "You still sound like a Yank. But I like it-'tis a darling accent." She snorted. "/ have a darling accent. Right." She reached down to pick up the blanket, but he stayed her hand.
"Leave them... if you will."
Smiling, she turned her hand so that their fingers twined. "Yes. I will."
"Then I'll walk you to your door."
"You don't have to."
"I do have to." He led her through the arch of stone and into the field where the light was just beginning to pearl the dewy grass. "And want to as well."
Happy, she leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked. In the east, morning was rising gently in pinks and golds, like a painting washed by a pastel-tipped brush. She heard the crow of the rooster and the cheerful song of a lark. When Murphy stopped to pick a wildflower with creamy white petals, she turned, smiling, so that he could slip it into her hair.
"Look, there's a magpie." She lifted her hand to point as the bird darted low over the field. "That's right, isn't it? Brianna showed me."
"That's right. Look there, quick. Two more." Pleased at his luck, he swung his arm around her shoulders. "One is for sorrow," he told her. "Two is for mirth. Three for a wedding, and four for a birth."
She watched the flight and cleared her throat. "Murphy, I know you have very strong feelings, and-"
He lifted her up and set her over the next wall. "I'm in love with you," he said easily. "If that's what you're meaning."
"Yes, that's what I mean." She had to be careful, she realized, as her own emotions had gone so much deeper than she'd ever intended. "And I think I understand how you believe that should progress. Taking your personality, your culture, and your religion into account."
"You've a wonderful way of cluttering things up with words. What you mean is I want to marry you."
"Oh, Murphy."
"I'm not asking you at the moment," he pointed out,
"What I'm doing is enjoying a morning walk with you and looking forward to seeing you again in the evening."
She slid him a glance, saw he was studying her. "So, we can keep it simple?"
"There's nothing simpler. Here. Let me kiss you before we're in Brie's garden."
He turned her into his arms, lowered his head, and melted her heart. "One more," she whispered and drew him back.
"I'll call for you." He made the effort and released her. "I'd take you out to dinner, but-" "Your family's here," she finished. "I understand." "They'll be gone tomorrow. If you wouldn't feel awkward with Brie, I'd like if you'd spend the night with me then, in my bed."
"No. I wouldn't feel awkward." "Till later then." He kissed her fingertips and left her on the edge of the garden where the roses were still damp with dew.
Humming to herself, she crossed the lawn, let herself in the back door. Only to come up short when she saw Brianna measuring up coffee at the stove.
"Oh, hi." Unaware of the foolish grin on her face, Shannon stuck her hands in her trouser pockets. "You're up early."
Brianna only lifted a brow. She'd been up half an hour, the same time as she was up nearly every morning of her life. "Kayla wanted breakfast."
Shannon glanced at the clock in surprise. "I guess it's a little later than I thought. I was just... out."