Page 39 of Beneath the Quiet

“Hi.” Katie peeks behind my back. “Please don’t be sorry. We always make enough for two days, anyway.”

“Aidan,” Mum hisses and then pokes me in the side. I shut my open mouth and squirm away from her, darting a glance her way.

“Really, Mum?” I bite out through clenched teeth.

“I should go,” Maeve says.

I whirl around and do my best to school my features into a polite smile. “No, please come in. Katie’s right. We’ve got enough food to feed an army, and friends are always welcome.”

Maeve tucks a hair behind her ear. “Are you sure?”

I nod and quickly eat up the distance between us. I stop with my back to the door, so she can’t escape. “Come on, let me take your coat.”

She hesitates, opening her mouth again, but no sound comes out.

I peer into her eyes. “Please.”

Her tongue darts out to wet her lower lip, and if I had less control, I might’ve groaned from the sight. But controlling my real feelings is something I’m good at, and I don’t give even the smallest hint of what that act does to me.

She turns around and sweeps her hair to the side. The smattering of freckles that cover the nape of her neck sends a wave of warmth straight to my cock. A few of the freckles even look like hearts.

Fuck. So much for hoping my lust for her had disappeared.

I clear my throat lightly and reach up to catch the lapels of her coat and pull gently, letting her arms slide through. I place the coat on top of my left arm and jerk my chin at my parents, who are engaged in a very animated chat with my daughter.

“I haven’t finished with the kitchen yet, but at least I’ve come far enough that we can cook a proper family meal.”

“Aidan,” Maeve whispers and leans closer. She places her hand on my arm and tilts her head back.

“Yes?”

“I’m really sorry. I ran into your parents outside your farm, and they started chatting, and before I knew it, they were pulling me along.” She huffs. “Are you absolutely, two hundred percent sure that you want me to stay?”

Bad choice of words.

But she can’t know that.

“Two hundred percent? A hundred isn’t enough?”

“Be serious.” She claps a hand on my chest, eyes shooting daggers at me. But at least there’s amusement to be found as well.

“Relax, Detective. I said friends are always welcome, and I don’t lie.” I remove her coat from my arm and hang it up on one of the wooden hooks in the hallway. “Come on.”

“At least let me help you cook.”

I open my mouth to say no, but then I catch the stubborn set to her jaw. “Fine. You can help Katie finish up the lasagna, then.”

“Good.” She takes a step away from me. “And…thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I tip my head towards the kitchen. “Now, come on. I’m famished.”

Finally, her lips widen in one of her genuine, blinding smiles, relaxing fully, and I feel the sharp pang in my chest from the brightness of it. She walks away from me, and I pretend to check her coat’s still hanging on the hook, needing a second or two to gather my wits.

She might be comfortable and fully relaxed in my company, but it’s the exact fucking opposite for me. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to sit through the longest family dinner of my life.

I only have myself and the ingrained Irish hospitality to thank for it.

Maeve offered me an out, but I didn’t take it. She made sure I knew she wouldn’t have any problem with me rescinding the invitation from my parents, but I refused.