The blood began to rage, in his loins, in his head so that he was sure it would explode and leave nothing but shattered bones.

He saw her arms lift, rise witchlike toward the sky. Her movements quickened, and he began to murmur to her, the words desperate and Gaelic. It seemed she answered him, with the same urgency, in the same tongue. Then his mind hazed, and his body erupted, emptying him into her.

On a long, shuddering moan, she slid down to him. Visions danced in her head, faded.

She must have slept, for she awakened with her heart beating slow and thick, and her skin shivering warm. Even as he cupped her breast, her lips curved and welcomed his.

His touch was gentle now, almost worshipful. So she sighed, and enjoyed and let her body be stroked tenderly back to arousal.

She opened for him, felt him fill her. Delighting in the two sides of him, she matched his leisurely pace until the last ember of need quieted.

Later, she lay beside him, cozy in the blanket he’d drawn over them.

“Darling.” He stroked her hair. “We can’t sleep here tonight.”

She felt his muscles jerk when she ran her hand low over his belly. “We don’t have to sleep.”

“I mean we can’t stay out here.” He turned his head for the simple pleasure of burying his nose in her hair. “It’s going to rain.”

“It is?” She opened one eye and looked up at the sky. “Where did the stars go?”

“Behind the clouds, and there’s rain coming soon.”

“Hmm. What time is it?”

“I’ve lost track.”

“Where’s my watch?”

“You weren’t wearing one.”

“I wasn’t?” In reflex she felt her wrist. Odd, she never took a step without her watch. Never used to.

“We don’t need a watch to know it’s time I got you under roof.” With regret, he tossed the blanket aside. “Maybe you’d ask me in for tea so I could spend a little more time looking at you.”

She pulled the chemise over her head. “We could have tea in my room.”

“I’d feel as uncomfortable about that as I would taking you to mine while my family’s in the house.” He watched her smooth on her stockings. “Will you be after wearing something like that again?”

She tossed back her hair as she buttoned her blouse. “I assume you’re not talking about the suit.”

“No, darling, the under it.”

“I don’t have much along these lines, but I’ll see what I can do.” She rose to tug on her skirt. “Maybe I can pick up a couple of things in Dublin.”

“Dublin? Are you going to Dublin?”

“Tuesday.” She shrugged into her jacket, then took his outstretched hand. “Somehow, and I’m not entirely sure how it happened, I’m going with Rogan.”

“Ah, you’ve settled the contact then.”

“I haven’t even read the contract. But apparently I have an appointment on Wednesday to have publicity photos taken. Plus I’m supposed to give him a list of my inventory, as he calls my paintings back in New York. He seems to think I’m having a show in the fall.”

“That’s grand.” Delighted for her, he swung her off her feet to kiss her. “Why didn’t you tell me before? We’d have celebrated.”

“If we’d celebrated any more, I don’t think we’d be alive to talk about it.” When he laughed, she tucked her arm through his. His unhesitating pleasure, for her, even though she was unsure of her own reactions, touched deep. “In any case, I don’t know if celebrating is called for. I haven’t signed—though the way Rogan talks it’s a done deal.”

“You can trust him, if that’s what’s worrying at you.”

“No, not at all. Worldwide’s reputation is top notch. And beyond that, I’d trust Rogan absolutely. It’s a big decision for me, and I like to make even small decisions after careful thought.”

“But you’re going to Dublin,” he pointed out.

“That one got away from me. One minute we were talking about Maggie and Liam, and the next I had contracts in my hand and talk about shows and publicity ringing in my ears.”

“He’s the cleverest of fellows, is Rogan,” Murphy said admiringly. “I’ll miss you, Shannon. Will you be gone long?”

“I should be back Thursday or Friday, from what he said.” They were nearly back at the inn when the first drops of rain fell. “I really wanted to talk to you, Murphy.”

“So you said. Guidelines, was it?”

“Yes.”

“They’ll keep.” He nodded toward the window. “Brie’s in the kitchen. I’d like to come in, but we won’t be alone, and I can’t stay long.”

“They’ll keep,” she agreed.

On Tuesday morning Shannon was packed and ready and wondering what she’d gotten herself into. She’d wondered that quite a bit since coming to Ireland, she realized. It seemed that every adjustment she made, or considered making in her life, required another.

Still, the idea of spending a few days in Dublin wasn’t a hardship. It had been weeks since she’d been in anything remotely resembling a city.

“You’ve an umbrella,” Brianna asked, hovering over the bag Shannon had set by the front door of the inn. “And an extra jacket in case the weather turns?”

“Yes, Mom.”

Flushing a little, Brianna shifted the baby on her shoulder. “It drives Maggie mad when I check her packing. Grayson’s given up and lets me do it for him.”

“Believe me, I’m an expert, and it’s only for a couple of days. Here’s Rogan’s car now.”

“Have a wonderful time.” Brianna would have taken the bag herself if Shannon hadn’t beat her to it. “The Dublin house is lovely, you’ll see. And Rogan’s cook is a magician.”

“He says the same of you,” Rogan commented as he stepped up to take Shannon’s bag. He gave Brianna and Kayla a kiss before stowing the suitcase.

“Don’t forget to take your vitamins,” Brianna told Maggie, then leaned into the car to kiss her and Liam goodbye.

“I didn’t realize you were coming, Maggie.” Nor did she know how she felt about it. Turning, she gave Brianna a quick embrace and kissed Kayla on the tip of her nose.