Celtic Knot Page 9

  For a long moment there was dead silence then he, Dan, his sister and Lily burst into unrestrained laughter. Meg slammed both hands on the table and hooted with delight. “You have met your match, my lad. Mark my words.”

  “You are indeed full of surprises, my lady.” Ian lifted Lily’s hand for a soft kiss then jerked his chin at Meg. “You, I’m ignoring,” he snorted, but grinned at the good natured teasing.

  As if on an unspoken signal, the two women began clearing the plates. Meg gave the men a dismissive wave. “Go play. We’ll be along in a moment,” she ordered.

  Happy to be excused from kitchen duty, Dan and Ian went to finish their game. They were joined a few minutes later by the ladies, who were giggling like old friends.

  “Dan suggested splitting into teams…do you play?” Ian asked , hoping she did.

  “A little,” answered Lily. Accepting the darts, she toed the mark on the floor. “What do we need to aim for?”

  “Two triple nineteens and a bull’s-eye, but–” Ian began.

  Bam. Bam. Bam. Lily threw the three darts in rapid succession, each hitting their mark with deadly accuracy. Smiling, she glanced at them over her shoulder. He blinked, unable to believe what he’d seen. Dan and Meg were gawping.

  Dan found his voice first, sputtering with mock indignation. “That does not count, Ian. You brought a bloody ringer in here.”

  The rest of the evening passed quickly and Ian suggested they call it a night when the hour approached eleven. Meg stood at once. “Ian. A moment, if you please?”

  He followed her into the kitchen, where a plastic bag awaited with several wrapped plates. “Aw, Megs, you–”

  She held up a small hand up for silence. “I’m going to say this just the once, so listen. She’s a sweet girl and I like her a lot. If you scare her off, I will personally kick your arse into next week, an dtuigeann tu?

  Ian bent and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I understand, Meggie, my darlin’.” Clutching his leftovers protectively, Ian trailed Meg into the great room. She joined her husband, linking her arm in his.

  “Thanks for having me over. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself,” Lily told them.

  Meg beamed. “Anytime, darlin’. You’ll come again soon?”

  Lily looked over her shoulder at Ian and smiled. “I’d like that,” she said.

  * * * *

  They walked hand in hand over to Ian’s apartment in silence, and Lily’s pulse raced faster with each step. The sounds of crickets and singing frogs filled the late night air. With no traffic it was so quiet she bet he could hear her heart pounding. When they reached his apartment, she swallowed heavily. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a wonderful time.”

  “Thank you for coming.” He opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter. Lily glanced around the apartment, determined not to look at the closed double doors. “I’m going to stick these plates in the fridge. Would you care for a nightcap?” Ian asked, startling her out of her skin.

  “Um…yes…th-thank you,” she stammered. Damn it. I sound like I’ve never done this before. She snorted in exasperation. Oh wait…I haven’t. I wonder if he’ll be able to tell.

  Oblivious to her distress, he disappeared into the kitchen with the bag. Returning a few moments later, he produced two brandy snifters and a bottle of Irish Mist from behind the bar and waved for her to join him on the couch.

  Trying to appear comfortable and at ease, she forced herself to relax and lean back. Holding the snifters in one hand, he poured a liberal tot of the reddish gold liqueur in each and offered her one. She smiled and raised the glass in toast then took a big gulp, coughing and wheezing when the fiery alcohol burned her throat.

  “Easy there,” he cautioned, clapping her on the back, “Sip it, sweetheart.”

  When she caught her breath–and she did have to admit that once the terrifying coughing fit was over, the whiskey liqueur gave her a relaxed, toasty feeling–she gestured toward the wall. “That’s a great TV, is it high def?”

  Ian snickered. “Why, yes…now watch this shameless and totally original ploy to get next to you.” With feigned casualness, he stretched his arm around her shoulders and picked up the remote from the opposite side table. Lily giggled in spite of her nervousness when he turned on the TV, dropped the remote on the couch, pulled her closer and brushed light kisses against her cheek and the nape of her neck. The heat of his touch reached her skin through her clothes and her pulse quickened in anticipation. Tucking a stray curl behind his ear, she lightly bit the lobe. Encouraged by the sharp sound of his indrawn breath, she tentatively traced his ear with the tip of her tongue. He went completely rigid and a soft moan escaped his lips.

  When he slanted his mouth hungrily over hers, Lily swallowed hard, realizing she had just strayed from the shallow end of the pool with not a lifeguard in sight. It’s not like you planned to remain a virgin forever, her inner voice reminded.

  His thoughts were spoken in a soft whisper against her lips. “Is it your intent to drive me insane from wanting you? If it is, you are most assuredly succeeding.” He kissed her again, sucking her lower lip gently. “Sweet like honey, you are,” he sighed, stroking the skin beneath her hair.

  Suddenly he went rigid and jerked away from her. “Sonofabitch,” Ian swore aloud and when Lily gaped at him, he pointed to the TV.

  “…Alafia River. The latest victim has been identified as…” the newscaster read. A high school yearbook photo of a smiling, dark-haired woman filled the screen.

  “That’s the woman I saw after the fencing show,” Ian explained. “They stopped me on my way to change. She was with a short, heavy man and a blond guy. I told Dan something wasn’t right with them.”

  Lily gasped. “Are you positive?”

  His answer was swift. “I’d stake my life on it. I got a good look at her. She had a lot of odd energy...” He seemed to catch himself. “She seemed…nervous.”

  “You need to tell the police what you saw.”

  He nodded. “I’ll take you home and go now,” he said.

  At the door of her apartment, Ian wrapped his arms around her and sighed. “This wasn’t how I envisioned the night going, but I can’t just stand by and not do anything.” He gave her a tight smile. “Thank you again for tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.” With a quick brush of his lips on hers, he turned and rapidly descended the stairs.

  By the time Lily got to her bedroom window, he was already gone.

  11

  Ian called around one the next afternoon, having been at the station until very late. “I told them what I saw and they took a bunch of notes,” he said with a yawn. “Dan is increasing security around the park, but even so, I don’t much want you out strolling around in the dark by yourself, anywhere. Promise me you’ll be careful?”

  Lily’s heart did a little dance over his concern. “I promise.”

  Over the next week, she fell into a comfortable routine with him. They talked as often as possible by phone, stealing moments to text when they were busy. Ian and the crew put in long hours to get the new section completed before the upcoming Halloween celebration. Lily, on the other hand, struggled to find some sense of normalcy at the agency with Lucas pointedly ignoring her at every turn.

  On Tuesday, Lily surprised Ian with a picnic lunch basket filled with his favorite Cuban sandwiches. They shared it under a tree in the English garden area of the park, which did not go unnoticed by his work crew. They happily tormented him about it for the rest of the afternoon, Ian told her that night on the phone.

  On Wednesday, they decided to try a new Spanish restaurant in nearby Ybor City. After sharing a wonderful dinner of savory paella and arroz con pollo, holding hands with Ian, she enjoyed the salsa band. Ian’s face lit up. “Dance with me,” he begged, tugging her to her feet.

  “I’ve never been out dancing before,” she whispered, embarrassment heating her cheeks.

  “Come on then, I’ll teach you,” he said, pulling her onto the crowded dan
ce floor.

  She giggled as she stumbled against him. “So are the Irish big on dancing?”

  “’Course they are,” he scoffed. “Didn’t you see Riverdance?” When she nodded, he gave a self deprecating bark of laughter. “Well, don’t look for any of that here tonight.”

  Putting his arm around her waist, he took her hand in his and she began to move with him. “Relax, darlin’, let me lead you,” he whispered. The music and the other dancers slowly faded away until there was only Ian holding her close, their bodies moving in unison. “Together and apart, forward and back,” he murmured, “it’s just like making love.”

  His warm breath against her ear nearly made her knees buckle, his hypnotic voice was so oddly familiar. She closed her eyes and found herself entangled in a wisp of a memory…

  * * * *

  …the firelight flickered, and the sensual cotton caressed her thighs as she gathered up her heavy skirts. The drums beat an infectious rhythm in the background and others danced around her, but she saw only the beautiful dark man with the luminous green eyes. He held her close as they swirled, bare feet on the hot sand, moonlight illuminating their faces. “Te amare por siempre,” he whispered to her and she smiled, seducing him, dancing away from him, teasing him to follow her off into the darkness…

  …come to me…

  * * * *

  Ian gasped as a blaze of heat flared between them. In the instant that followed, he knew two things. One, he wanted her desperately, but it was the second thing that blindsided him. I’ve fallen in love with this woman, he realized, feeling her melt against him, allowing him to lead her in the dance.

  When the music ended, he drove her home and accepted her offer to come in for a moment. “Come sit with me,” he said, patting the couch beside him. Bella needed no such invitation. She staked out a spot on his other side, making biscuits on his leg and purring like a boat motor. When he began to speak, he was hesitant and uncertain. “Lily…there’s, erm…something I need to tell you.”

  He took a deep breath. “Lily, you are so beautiful, and you’re incredibly smart, and you make me laugh…and sometimes I just…I can’t think clearly when I look at you. And I should tell you…I mean, you should know… Bloody hell, I’m making a right mess of this.” He sighed, rolling his eyes.

  Lily stiffened, looking him straight in the eye. “Just say what’s on your mind, please.”

  “I can’t remember having said it before…well, and meant it, anyway, except maybe to Ma or one of my sisters…but not in the same way, you understand.” Ian smiled weakly. After a long, long pause, he mumbled, “Sweetheart…I…”

  When understanding finally dawned, Lily gazed up at him with a brilliant smile. “I love you too, Ian.”

  His entire body relaxed as he pulled her tightly against him and whispered into the hollow of her neck, “Ah, Lily…I love you.” He sat curled up with her for a long time, her soft sighs mingling with his and Bella’s contented purring.

  After a while, Lily started to shake. Ian pulled back in alarm, only to discover to his horror the impossible woman was giggling. “What the devil is wrong with you?” he demanded.

  “Now honestly, was that so hard?”

  Ian looked into her sparkling eyes and knew whatever chance he had left at keeping his heart locked away had just slipped right out of his fingers. And as he bent to kiss her again, he decided he didn’t care.

  * * * *

  During her lunch break on Friday, Lily braved the mall in search of a birthday present. She browsed several window displays then stepped inside the jewelry store’s brightly lit showroom and waved the saleswoman over. “Could I see these necklaces, please?” she asked.

  The jeweler obliged, opening the glass case with a key dangling from her lanyard. “Aren’t they beautiful? Italian white gold–we just got them in this week,” she said, running her fingers over the array of chains.

  Lily touched one and was immediately swept away in a distant dream…

  * * * *

  “But I want to be married now,” the beautiful girl wailed, clutching the folds of her woolen stola to reveal a small foot stamping in frustration. “I do not wish to wait. I grow old waiting.”

  “Fourteen is not so old. We shall be married when I return from battle, little one. I’ll not make you a widow before you become a wife in deed as well as word. Hush, now. See what I’ve brought you,” Lily crooned, her voice unnaturally deep and masculine. She glanced at her reflection in the polished disc suspended on the wall. It was startling to see a handsome warrior in his early thirties staring back with her own blue gray eyes. Brushing aside the white cape of the Legatus, she opened the leather pouch suspended from his sword belt, pulled out a delicate silver chain and draped the necklace around the girl’s neck. “Perhaps I’ll bring you fine pearls to string upon it,” she said, chucking the beautiful girl gently under the chin, “one for every year we are wed.”

  The child looked up then, her dark green eyes sparkling with tears. “But what if you do not return?” Her voice was small and forlorn. “I shall never see you again.”

  Lily clasped the girl’s small, soft hands in her sun roughened ones, scarred and callused by battle. “I will always return for you,” she vowed solemnly…

  * * * *

  The saleswoman’s words reached her ears as if coming from a great distance “…you wanted?”

  Lily shook her head and the images dissolved like smoke. “No, thanks,” she said. “I already have the perfect charm.”

  Leaving the jewelers, Lily picked her way through the milling throng of shoppers. Suddenly the hair on the back of her neck prickled and she knew she was being watched. Her pulse quickened and she paused to glance around casually. Seeing nothing but unable to shake the creepy feeling, she darted inside the first store she came to and secreted herself behind a table piled high with scented soaps and shampoo.

  When she felt the coast was clear, she left her hiding place and promptly ran into…

  “Lily!” Irena called. “I didn’t know you were coming over here, you could’ve dropped off my phone bill for me. Hey, can I ask you something personal since we’re not at work?” Irena placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “What happened with you and Lucas?” she said, a sympathetic note in her voice. “You both seemed so happy together.”

  Lily hedged, suddenly uneasy. “Well, I…uh–”

  “You met someone else, didn’t you?” Irena interrupted with a knowing smile. “I can just sense these things.”

  “I’ve, uh…got to get back. I’m going to be late,” Lily said, moving so abruptly, Irene’s hand fell to her side. With a wave, she turned to go. Reflected in the large plate glass store window, Irena stared at her, a malevolent expression on her face.

  * * * *

  At the Castle late Friday evening, Lily was in the middle of a reading when she suddenly looked up to see Ian walk into the gypsy tent, still clad in his painting gear. Beth hopped up from her table to greet him, eyeing his clothing pointedly. “Your mild mannered alter ego, I presume?” she asked.

  He grinned back at her. “Evil twin, more like.”

  After finishing up with her customer, Lily hopped up on tiptoes and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips before he could bend his head down. The way his shoulders sagged told her he was exhausted.“Did you get it finished?”

  “Just now. We’re all wrapped up and ready to go for tomorrow,” Ian said, struggling not to yawn . “I’m looking forward to a hot shower and a soft bed tonight, though.”

  “You look tired,” she said, pushing a damp curl back from his forehead.

  “I am, sweetheart. I just wanted to stop by and say good night before I head for home. Are you looking forward to tomorrow night? The Castle holiday parties are always good.”

  She gave him a sweet smile. “You have no idea how much.”

  “Until six tomorrow. I will count the moments until I see you again, sweet lady.” He leaned in to give her a quick kiss but when she moved to e
ncircle his neck, pulled away with a laugh. “Ah now, darlin’ you can’t do that. I’m filthy.”

  “I don’t care,” she retorted with a grin and hugged him anyway.

  Lily watched him leave the tent then turned to find Beth staring at her, arms folded across her chest. “He looks like he rolled in whatever he was painting but you’re drooling over him like he was wearing a tux. This whole discretion thing just blew right past you, didn’t it,” she said, shaking her finger in a mock scold.

  Lily laughed and walked back to her table. Not giving up so easily, Beth followed behind her. “So…have you slept with him yet? Hmm, I’ll take that becoming shade of beet red you’re turning as a resounding no.” Beth spread Lily’s cards out face down. “Pick one,” she said with a wicked grin.

  Lily hesitated then selected a card from the middle. As soon as she touched it, the card’s image sprang full blown in her mind, the sensual empress lounging on her pillowed throne awaiting the arrival of her virile emperor. She turned the card over and it was a long time before Beth stopped laughing at how deeply Lily was blushing. Again.

  * * * *

  Lily enjoyed an extra long bath Saturday afternoon, relaxing in the warm lavender scented water and imagining the splendor of the evening ahead. She dressed with utmost care, savoring the excitement building with each breath. Of course they would both be in costume, but she had wanted something extra special to wear. The Castle wardrobe department came through for her with a forest green velvet gown with angel sleeves and a plunging sweetheart neckline. She wore a gold circlet on her unbound hair and a matching girdle with an ornate Celtic knot hanging over the apex of her legs.

  She surveyed herself in the mirror and had just decided she’d pass muster when the doorbell rang. She ran to open the door and for a long moment could only stare in appreciation at the man standing there. Ian wore a white linen poet’s shirt with a black and forest green doublet accentuated by a heavy silver livery collar. His pants and boots were black. No surprise to her, their outfits complimented each other’s as if they had coordinated in advance. “Won’t you come in, sir?” she bade him then sank into a deep curtsey. “Does my gown meet with your approval, my lord?”