Page 71 of Bumping into You

“My mam made me promise her that I wouldn’t stay alone when she was gone. She told me I had one year to mourn her and then to get on with my life,” he chuckles at the memory.

I smile, encouraging him to continue.

“She said to try and find someone who makes me happy, someone I can laugh with and makes it so I no longer feel alone. To really try and connect with someone. I wanted to keep my promise to my mam, but it wasn’t until I met you that I felt like I could. So now, not only have you allowed me to keep my promise to my mam but you’ve made my wish come true too,” he says before pressing his mouth gently against mine.

His hand holds me around the waist, pulling me closer to him as his other hand moves behind my head, cradling it. Our lips touch, and our tongues taste as we explore one another.

I have no idea how long we stay like that, making out in the garden like a pair of teenagers under the canopy of the night sky. The vast expanse is adorned with a breathtaking display of constellations, and the stars twinkle like diamonds against a velvety black backdrop. The world disappears, and there is nothing but the feel of Niall, the sound of my heart beating wildly in my chest, the taste of his lips on mine.

Breaking apart, Niall leans his forehead to mine.

“I don’t want to say anything to the rest of the group,” I say. “Not just yet, not with the wedding a few days away. I don’t want to take anything away from Holly and Greg.”

Nodding, Niall says, “I understand.”

“But,” I say, kissing him softly, “I’m not ready for tonight to be over. Can we . . . can we head back to our balcony?”

He looks deeply at me. “Mo ghrá, I want nothing more than this night to last forever.”

We walk hand in hand back to our rooms. Before we step into our separate rooms, he takes my hand and bends down to place a kiss on it. “See you soon.”

I nod mutely.How is a kiss on the hand so hot?

Flushed, I hurry to freshen up.

A moment later, there is a soft knock at my balcony door. Niall has taken off his shoes and cruise card lanyard, but everything else is just as he was a moment ago. Anticipation builds within me as I unlock the balcony door and slide it open.

Niall holds out his hand, and I take it, letting him guide me onto our balcony.

“Hi,” he says.

“Hi,” I echo.

He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Then, tilting my head up, he lowers his lips to mine. Still gentle, but harder than in the gardens. Almost . . . needy.

He needs me just as much as I need him.

A beat of a breath passes before we are in each other’s arms. Hands wandering, needing to be close to each other. His lips leave mine and trail behind my ear and down my neck, causing me to shiver. His hands push my shirt up slightly, stroking over my skin just above my hips. The cool ocean breeze is a stark contrast to the warmth of his hands.

Running my hands through his hair then down his arms, I explore his body. My gentle tugging registers to Niall, and he pulls away momentarily to take off his shirt in one swift movement and throw it over the chair next to us.

I swallow as I touch his bare skin. Damn is he fine. A shiver runs through him as my fingers trace his abs down to the top of his shorts.

“May I?” he asks, hands on my shirt.

I nod, trying to remember how to breathe. Bolts of electricity surge through me as he slowly lifts my shirt up and over my head and tosses it on top of his.

He traces the straps of my bra, following it down to the curve over my breast. The touch sends an urgency through me. I want this man more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. How is that possible when just days ago, he was infuriating me?

“You’re so sexy,mo ghrá,” he says in between kisses that move down my neck to my collar bone, his body heating my skin as he moves, thumbs tracing the underside of my bra.

“I need you,” I blurt, my face flaming at my outburst.But who am I kidding? If this doesn’t end the way I want it to, I may combust.

A low moan leaves Niall’s throat. He stops kissing and lays his forehead against my chest. “Mo ghrá, I never expected to meet you, never expected for this . . .”

“It’s okay. This is okay,” I reply, my heart racing in my chest.

“Are you sure?” Niall asks, his eyes searching mine. “I would never want to make you uncomfortable.”

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