Merchants with Evil Intent (49 page)

      
She sighed. “It’s kinda soon, don’t ya
think? I mean, we haven’t known each other very long.”

      
He wiggled his eyebrow at her. “Ya didna
think that when we made love.”

      
“Ah that’s true. I was quite wanton back
then,” she teased.

      
A slow sexy smile spread across his
stubbled face. “How wanton are you now?”

      
A trill of anticipation touched her
spine. Of course she wanted him! Just the way he looked at her made her very
warm in a certain place.

      
She lifted her chin. “You’re still
healing and shouldn’t try anything physical.”

      
He grinned. “You’ve that aright. I
believe you should do all the work.” He stood and held out his hand to her.

*
     
*
     
*

      
He led her to his room and at once lit
the peat in the fireplace. Afterwards he turned and began unbuttoning his
shirt.

      
She helped him with his shirt, grazing kisses
along his neck and shoulder. He ran his hand through her silky hair and tilted
his head back as she ran her tongue over his Adam’s apple.

      
“Gel, you’re driving me crazy,” he
rasped.

      
She looked at him under her eyelashes.
“I’ve only just begun.”

      
He parted her lips with his tongue as she
unbuttoned his jeans, maneuvering them down his legs. He kicked them aside and
thrust his tongue further into her mouth.

      
They kissed hungrily for long moments
while he moved his hand under her jumper, sliding his hand over her soft,
smooth back. She pulled away and lifted her sweater over her head, casting it
to the floor.

      
He sucked in a breath.
“Red
lace, aye?”

      
“Aye,” she grinned. “Panties match, too.”

      
“Let’s have a look,” he prompted in a
soft, coaxing voice.

      
Her eyes never left his as she removed
her jeans seductively, causing a lump to form in his throat, not to mention his
shorts.

      
His gaze raked over her, drinking in
every inch of her. He gasped when he saw the wound on her arm. He came nearer
and inspected it.

      
Leaning his chin against her forehead he
sighed. “I’m so sorry, love. I should’ve gotten to you sooner.”

      
“Hey, you’re supposed to be checking out
my red lace panties, not my battle wound,” she said lightly.

      
He shook his head and laughed. “You amaze
me.”

      
“I’ll show you something amazing,” she
purred, taking his hand into hers, pulling him towards the bed.

      
“Saucy wench,” he teased.

      
Gently she pushed him onto the bed and
covered his body. Straddling him she peppered warm, moist kisses down his jaw
to his neck, grinding her sex over his.

      
He grappled at the back of her bra,
looking for the hook. “It’s in the front,” she rasped.

      
He ran his hands over her, discarding the
bothersome garment.

      
She braced her hands against the
headboard while he kissed her taut nipples, causing a burning desire within
her.

      
Slowly she moved, finding his lips with
hers.

      
Her kisses spread to his chest and lower
still as she removed his shorts. She lazily ran her tongue over his sex. A soft
moan escaped his lips.

      
Feeling her hair against his thighs and
her mouth around him nearly ended their lovemaking abruptly.

      
“Gel, come here,” he rasped.

      
She looked at him puzzled, but eager for
what he had in mind. She dotted his inner thighs, hips and chest with damp
kisses until she reached his mouth.

      
Feeling his smile beneath her lips she
pulled away and gazed down at him.

      
“Now it’s me turn to show you something
amazing,” he said huskily.

      
He sat up and placed his palm along side
her neck, kissing her as he eased her onto the bed.

      
The intensity of his gaze struck a chord
in her. How can he look so lovingly when he still harbored feelings for
Teaghan? It was maddening. What was more disturbing is despite that, she still
wanted him. Not just sexually, either, although that was definitely high on the
priority list right now.

      
The area between her legs ached for him
and he seemed to understand her need as he languorously moved his hands and
mouth lower down her stomach.

      
In a sweeping motion her panties were quickly
discarded. An intense heat flooded her at the touch of his tongue against her
sex.

      
A moan of pleasure slipped through her
lips while his tongue sent her to even higher levels of ecstasy.

      
While little ripples of spasms still
shook her core he gently entered her. His fullness filled her completely and
ever so slowly they rocked together until she felt him shudder inside her.

      
Afterwards he tenderly wrapped his arm
around her and she snuggled into the contour of his body.

      
He filled a moment of physical desire
within her, but at the same time he also tore apart her soul.

Chapter
17

      
Camryn’s feet shifted on the tiled floor
of the terminal. Anxious to be gone and at the same time, she felt sick inside
knowing it was the last time she’d see him. Tears pricked the backs of her
eyes.

      
He wondered if he looked as distressed as
she did.

      
A voice over the intercom system
interrupted their thoughts.

      
A sad smile formed on his lips. “Right
then, your plane is getting’ ready to board,” he murmured.

      
She nodded, biting her bottom lip to stop
it from quivering and to stop a flow of tears that threatened.

      
He pulled her into a tight embrace. “Call
me when ya land, aye?”

      
“I will,” she squeaked in his ear.

      
Walking away she felt a gentle tug on her
hand. “I love you Camryn Margaret O’Mara,” Declan proclaimed loudly.

      
She looked around at the passerby’s who
waited eagerly for her response. She shook her head sadly, a single tear slid
down her cheek. “I will
always
love
you, Declan Corrigan.”

*
     
*
     
*

      
Declan stepped into Teaghan’s and at once
noticed how vacant it felt; Nellie wasna clamoring to his side; Eoghan wasna
berating him and most poignantly Camryn wasna there to greet him with a smile.

      
He hurried up the stairs into her room.
He
glanced
aboot, looking for anything she may have
left.

      
A folded sheet of paper lay atop the
dresser.

      
A slow smile spread across his face; a
love letter mayhap?

      
When he snatched the paper from the
dresser, a frown formed on his lips. Beneath the letter lay the ring he gave her.

      
He read the letter the first time,
dejectedly. The second time, he was perplexed. The third time he cursed, loud
enough to wake the dead.

      
“Now what ails
ye
?”
Eoghan sighed wearily appearing next to him.

      
Declan shoved the letter in his face. “This!
She bloody left me ring and this!” he growled waving the letter in Eoghan’s
face.

      
“’ave ye gone daft?
I canno’ take it from ye, ye lackwit!”

      
“She’s tellin’ me it was grand while it
lasted, but thinks it’s best if we part ways!” Declan stomped around the room,
running his hands through his hair. “The damn gel is goin’ to drive me feckin’
barmy! One minute she wants me and the next she doesna!”

      
Eoghan sat by the fireplace, stroking his
chin thoughtfully. “Women are a curious lot, aye?”

      
“You’ve that aright,” Declan snorted. He
wanted to punch something and wished Eoghan was made of flesh.

      
Eoghan shot him a sneer, “Ye wouldna last
a minute at me hands whelp.”

*
     
*
     
*

      
Camryn was glad when the plane finally
landed in Chicago. The eight hour flight felt like twelve hours with John
trying to get her to talk.

      
She didn’t want to talk about it, about
him. She just wanted to go to her apartment, take a long, hot shower and cry.

      
After retrieving their luggage they
headed for the exit and were greeted by their family and a small showing of
Chicago cops.

      
Camryn raised her eyebrow to John. “Did
you know about this?”

      
He grinned, “Nope, but it’s grand to be
home, aye?”

      
She shot him an irritated glance.

      
Her parents embraced her so tightly she
nearly couldn’t breathe. “Guys, you’re crushing me,” she choked out.

      
They pulled away and laughed, wiping away
tears.

      
“We’re so glad you’re home,” Patrick said
with a catch in his throat.

      
“My sweet baby!”
Grace squealed.

      
“My turn!” yelled Ryan who took her into
his arms and hugged her fiercely.

      
“Geez Ryan, didja miss me?” she teased.

      
He pulled away and held his thumb and
forefinger an inch apart.
“A little.”

      
Claire stood back, eyes wide with unshed
tears. Camryn frowned, “Claire?”

      
“Oh Camryn!” she cried, running into her
big sister’s arms. She shook, sobbing into Camryn’s chest.

      
Camryn stroked her hair, shooting her
parents a bewildered glance.

      
Patrick shrugged, “She was worried she’d
never see you again. Hell, Cam, we all were.”

      
Claire pulled away, wiping her tears on
her wool coat sleeve. “I’m okay.” A little grin formed on her lips. “You’ve got
a line forming to see you,” she nodded behind her.

      
Camryn lifted her gaze and grinned as
Greg Travers walked towards her, a bouquet of roses in hand.

      
“Greg!” she laughed, hugging him.

      
“I’m glad you’re home. I worried about
ya,” he replied huskily. “I’m glad you got the bastard, but I’m sorry you got
hurt in the process.”

      
“Yeah, I got him,” she mumbled and shook
slightly.

      
Noticing her discomfort he wiggled his eyebrows.
“Ya gonna show me your scar?”

      
She playfully hit his arm.
“Pervert.”

      
“Always,” he laughed as he handed her the
roses.

      
“Okay, break it up here,” muttered Ryan.
“I brought someone to see you.”

      
Camryn lifted her eyebrows. Everyone was
here, except for Tamara. She brightened at the thought of seeing her bestie.

      
Instead of Tamara she saw a handsome,
tall brown-haired, blue-eyed man with two days stubble on his jaw.

      
It was her old boyfriend, Dylan Hearn.

*
     
*
     
*

      
Declan’s mobile rang, awakening him from
a restless slumber, courtesy of Jameson whiskey and Camryn.

      
 
Good. He needed to yell at someone. Well, a
certain someone.

      
“Hello?” he answered angrily.

      
“Declan? I need your help,” Colleen
cried.