The Hurricane (13 page)

A WEEK HAD GONE BY since that night with O’Connell. As the days passed, I convinced myself that he must have dismissed the weekend as another drunken lapse in judgement, so when I entered the gym on Thursday, it was with a heavy heart. The atmosphere inside was buzzing. The place was packed and Kieran and a few other boys were crowded around the ring, chatting with a few of the trainers. I tucked my head down and made a beeline for the sanctuary of the office, but as soon as I walked in the door, Danny grabbed me and landed a smacking great kiss on my cheek. Then, bounding away like a jolly little leprechaun, he began pouring us both a coffee. I’d screeched when he grabbed me, but now I just stared at him, my mouth wide open like some stupid fish.

“Um...what was that for Danny?”

“Because you, my girl, are a bloody genius! I’ve been trying to get that boy to fight seriously for years. He trains with one foot in and one foot out. He lacks commitment and conviction. But I’m telling you, that cocky little shit has something special. It’s a gift that, up until now, he’s been pissing up the wall. Then Monday morning he comes and tells me that he’s all in and he wants me to train him to go professional. I don’t know what you’ve done to him, but he’s been working out like a machine ever since. Can’t say I’m thrilled about what’s going on between you two, but I never thought it would lead to this.”

He shoved the hot mug of coffee into my hand, but didn’t pay any attention to my stunned expression. Never, in all the crazy scenarios that I’d thought up, did I imagine that this was what had been going on this past week.

“Nothing is going on with me and O’Connell,” I stated flatly.

“Really, darlin’,” Danny replied with a chuckle.

“You must think I’m a right eejit. When he’s not training, that boy’s walking round with a stupid bloody grin on his face, and he’s spent the last half an hour checking the door every time it opens. Now, if he’s not looking for you, I’m a feckin’ monkey’s uncle.”

I kind of squeaked and looked at the door myself, remembering that I hadn’t seen O’Connell on the way in.

“Not you, too, sunshine,” Danny snorted.

“Don’t bother looking for lover boy. I’ve sent him on a long run. See if that helps with his concentration. Now, get to work, wench, and earn your keep.”

He laughed again to himself and left the room whistling some tune, in any key but the right one, and in a better mood that I’d ever seen him.

I sat down hard on the office chair and stayed there for a good five minutes while I processed what was happening. There was no way that I could take any credit for anything that was going on with O’Connell, but I couldn’t help the small spark of hope that maybe I hadn’t been dismissed as easily as I’d thought.

Determined to get a grip and stop mooning over some non-existent, fictional relationship, I started work. Danny came back about an hour later for a refill on his coffee, and I barely spared him a glance, determined to rise above his needling and prove him wrong. When the door went again, I didn’t look up until I felt breath hot against my neck.

“Jesus Christ!” I yelped as my heart jumped into my mouth. I spun my chair around to see O’Connell wearing the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. He was shirtless, as usual, and wearing the uniform shorts that he always trained in. He leaned his sweaty ripped torso forward and laid his hands onto the desk either side of me, trapping me in the circle of his arms. Even sweaty from training, he still smelt good, and I wondered how it would feel to kiss my way down those abdominals. He was so built and hard that being this close made me feel even smaller and more fragile than I usually felt. I noticed straight away that my neat, black, cursive still adorned his chest.

“Shouldn’t that have washed off by now?” I asked. I sucked in a breath as a thought occurred to me. “I didn’t use permanent ink, did I? I thought it would come off with water.”

He grinned even bigger, if that was possible, then grabbed my hand and placed it gently on his pectoral. With my fingertips, I traced the raised bumps of each line.

“Holy shit!” I whispered. “You’ve had it tattooed on you.”

“YOU SHOULDN’T CURSE,” he teased.

I ran my fingertips back and forth across his skin, in case I was wrong, but sure enough, the ridges of the text were slightly red and scabbed.

“But...” I muttered, at a complete loss for words. O’Connell seemed to find my reaction highly amusing.

“You should see your face, sunshine.”

“They weren’t even my words,” I exclaimed, as though he could still somehow change his mind about the tattoo.

“I know. But you gave them to me.”

“But my handwriting is terrible,” I replied, horrified yet exhilarated with what he’d done.

“It’s perfect, and it will give me a good story to tell our kids.”

“Holy shit!” I whispered again. I was sure he took pleasure in leaving me speechless as he laid a gentle kiss on my head and moved toward the door. On his way out, he turned back to me.

“I have to train late again tonight. Can you wait an extra hour for me, or shall I get Kier to walk you home?”

“I’ll wait,” I replied, as I felt my cheeks reddening.

He grinned back knowingly, and as he shut the door behind him, I crossed my legs to relieve the ache.

The door tapped a little bit later, and in walked Tommy, more subdued than I’d ever seen him.

“Hey, Tommy.” I smiled. “What’s up?”

“Thought I’d get in while Con’s distracted and try for that number,” he answered.

“Sorry.” I grinned back. “Numbers are tomorrow night, you know that.”

He rubbed that back of his neck in a gesture that betrayed his unease.

“About that. Me Da’s broken his leg which means he can’t work, so I’m gonna need to help Ma out with the rent. I’ve had a word with Danny, and he’s knocking my subs down to five quid a week for the next month till I can get my folks back on their feet. Danny wanted me to tell you in case he forgets to mention it.”

“Oh no!” I exclaimed. “Is he all right? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“He’s okay, thanks Em. He just feels like a bit of an eejit for falling down the steps drunk. Ma tore him a new one, though.”

“Your poor mum. I hope she’s all right, but let me know if there’s anything I can do,” I offered.

“Well,” he drawled, with his trademark confidence. “Maybe I should take your number, you know, just in case I can think of a way you can help.”

I laughed at his tenacity and pointed toward the door.

“Go, and let me get on with some work before Danny catches us skiving. If you need me, you know where to find me.”

He left happier than when he’d arrived, and I got to work. Hours later, I was immersed in numbers when O’Connell walked in, drenched with sweat.

“Hey, sunshine, I’m just grabbing a shower. You about done here?” he asked.

“Sure,” I sighed. “I’ll close down out here and meet you outside.”

“No, stay here where it’s warm, and I’ll come and get you in a minute.”

I shut down the computer and put on my coat and scarf, making sure to turn off the heater and coffee machine. His must have been the quickest shower in history, but I was ready by the time he came for me. He grabbed my bag without asking and threw it over his shoulder with his training bag. The gym was empty by the time we left, but I assumed that Danny was still here as the lights were all on and someone had to lock up.

“You know, Danny was right. When I first came in here the smell was disgusting, and now, I’m so used to it, I can’t smell anything at all.”

O’Connell chuckled at that, and then frowned when I buried myself deeper into my coat as we hit the fresh air.

“Is that your only jacket?” he asked softly.

“Yeah,” I muttered, embarrassed at my poverty. I knew I needed a better one for winter, but I was trying to save as much as I could for school.

“We’ll have snow soon, I can tell. I’ll start bringing my car next week. It’ll keep you warmer on the way home.”

“You drive?” I asked surprised. I’d never seen O’Connell with a car, so I just assumed he didn’t have one.

“Yeah,” he replied sheepishly. “A Ford Mustang. The boys helped me fix it up a couple of years ago, but I don’t drive it much lately.”

“Why not?” I asked. This time it was his turn to look embarrassed, though he needn’t have.

“I had to give up my job in construction to train with Danny full-time. He’s trying to get us some sponsors, but until I win a few decent fights, it’s gonna be tough. Kier’s Ma is letting me crash with Kier for a bit, rent free, but I’ll probably have to sell the car soon to pay for training. Danny’s offered to help me out with expenses, but I don’t want to take his money. It’s enough to ask him to train me.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything so he’d keep talking.

“I used to make pretty good money bare knuckle boxing, but I promised Danny I wouldn’t do that anymore. I can’t afford to if I try to go pro.”

He looked nervous like he was waiting for my reaction.

“Danny told me you were trying to go professional. He seems to think you have a good chance.”

“What do you think?” he asked. His question puzzled me.

“I don’t know anything about boxing, O’Connell. I think that trying to better yourself at anything is a good thing, especially if it means cutting back on the partying and drinking. But honestly, I worry about you getting hurt fighting with professional boxers.”

He smiled, looking pleased with my answer.

“What?” I questioned at the look on his face.

“It’s kind of nice having someone worry about me.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop facing him. He moved in so close that our noses were almost touching.

“Tell me you can feel this. I need to know I’m not the only one,” he spoke gently.

“I feel it,” I whispered, staring at the ground. “But I’m not doing anything about it. Everything that you make me feel is completely overwhelming, and I can’t give you what you need, not even close. I don’t want to talk about why I am this way, but just offering you friendship is a big deal for me right now.”

I finished my rant feeling more desperate than ever. This big, strong, beautiful, terrifying man had feelings for me, but seriously how long would they last? I was getting better, but I was afraid of my own shadow most of the time. I was small, weak, and lacked any self-confidence. O’Connell was dangerous, addictive, and so sexy that I was consumed by lust every time we were in the same room together. He used his body like a weapon and the danger attracted women like a magnet. With that many women, all vying for his attention, what little charm I held for him would fade like mist in the morning sun. If I let him in, he had the power to break what little of me was left whole when I couldn’t keep him.

Reaching out one giant, scarred and calloused hand, he tucked a wayward curl behind my ear. He lifted my chin with his knuckle forcing me to meet his gentle gaze. He looked so happy and intense right now that I could feel my eyes welling up. I never thought that anyone would ever look at me like that.

“I know I’m scary and loud. I’m fucked up, and I’m gonna fuck up with you a lot because I’ve never done this before. I don’t date girls, I fuck them and walk away because that’s what they expect. It’s all they think I’m good for. I’m not smart like you, and I know I don’t deserve you. Right now, I’m dirt poor, but one day, I’m not gonna be. I will fight to make something better of myself, to be someone better. Someone you can be proud of. If you need time, then I’ll give you time. If you need friendship, then I’ll give you friendship. But you’re mine, and when the time is right, when you’re ready, I’m coming for you.”

I nodded, so close to tears I knew that if I tried to speak, I’d completely break down. I swallowed hard, and the tears fell anyway. O’Connell wiped them away with his thumb and gently pressed his big firm lips to mine. Just like that, my fears were forgotten. The kiss was gentle, but fireworks exploded all over my body. It was like he had invigorated every cell with life. The touch of his lips wasn’t enough to satisfy, only to feed my addiction. I knew in my head that I wasn’t ready for a relationship, but my body wanted to drown in the revelation that it could feel something other than cold, hunger, and pain. It was a kiss both chaste and pure and everything I hoped that my first kiss would be, because everything I gave to him, I gave freely. Slightly out of breath, our lips parted, and he rested his forehead back against mine.

“I’m gonna give you the fuckin world, baby,” he whispered against my lips.

He kissed me again quickly and grinning like a kid, threaded his fingers through mine.

“You know friends don’t hold hands,” I whispered, knowing that there was no way that I was letting go first.

“Huh,” he grunted. “Me and Kier hold hands all the time.”

I burst out laughing at the thought, and he revelled in my happiness.

“It’s a good thing we’re sticking to being friends,” he explained. “The next couple of months are gonna be really tough. I should be taking you out on dates and buying you flowers and shit, but I’m going to be training every hour I can, and I won’t have any money.”