Page 60 of Until Ireland

As we pulled onto the long driveway, I finally spoke. “I’m not sure your photos will help. You basically broke into the building to get them. Cobi might say they’re illegally obtained and therefore inadmissible in court.”

Ireland nodded. “It was the risk I was willing to take.”

A chance which might have cost her everything had she not been careful. “I understand.”

“You say you love me,” she started. “Yet, you’re tense.”

“I’m trying to reconcile within myself how this beautiful creature I yearn to call my wife, could disregard everything to get photos of a chop shop. The same place where the owner abused, frightened, and intimidated her. You ran for a reason.” I pulled up to the garage and waited for the door to swing open so I could drive in. “A part of me admires your sense of justice in wanting to catch that bastard, while the other half of me is still pissed.”

Her shoulders drooped. “I told you already. It was something I had to do. As much as you and Hunter didn’t like it, I had to. I know what’s in there. I realized what Edgar had been doing, and I allowed it to continue instead of sucking up my fear long enough to do the right thing.”

“So, you feel guilty then?” I stared at her. “Because you didn’t say something immediately, even though he threatened to kill your family?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Ireland, I get it,” I murmured, placing her hand in mine. “You did what you had to in order to protect your family. In your situation, I would’ve done the same. Sometimes, you can’t control the narrative.”

She snorted. “You seem to be managing it just fine.”

I chuckled softly. “Doubtful. Remember, you snuck into the auction to get photos of stolen cars. If I was in command, your ass would have been at work all day or, better yet, at home until all of this blew over.”

The corner of her mouth twitched. “Well, I am a strong independent woman.”

“Yes, you are.” I cupped her cheek and turned her face to mine before kissing her. She softened under me, our fingers threaded together as we sat there in the semi-darkness of the garage. I could have lost her today. I could have been coming home to an empty everything. My heart constricted at the thought. For a second, I wasn’t able to breathe, until that intensity ebbed. “Let’s go in, independent woman.”

She nodded. “After you.”

We exited the building and crossed to the house. After few hours alone with Ireland, then I’d call Cobi and explain what happened. Maybe there was a way to fix the whole thing, or maybe I was being too paranoid about it. The minute we stepped into the back door of the house, I had Ireland in my arms. The kiss in the car was nothing. This time, I poured everything into it. My love for her, the fear, the passion, and the rage. I wanted her to be as hot and bothered as I’d been. The inferno blazing within me swirled and churned. The single-minded desperation shoved away my thoughts and focused my attention on her and me and the fact there was a clothing barrier between us.

Stumbling to the kitchen island, I fumbled with the hem of her shirt while she undid my belt. The lust rushing between us left us clawing at each other, trying to remove the last vestiges of our garments. When we were both naked, I didn’t hesitate. I bent Ireland over the edge of the island and filled her in one stroke.

Fuck. She was perfect. So wet and warm and tight. She gripped my cock in just the right way, and my head spun in pleasure. Her pussy rippled around me, accommodating my length. I gave her scant seconds to adjust before I began to move. Each thrust sent a tingle of awareness through me. Later, I would take my time. Later, I would whisper words of love and devotion. After wrapping an arm around her waist, I captured her throat with my right hand and stood her up, changing the angle of penetration. Ireland went wild under me. Her juices coated my dick and balls while she squeezed the fuck out of me.

This position limited both of our movement, but the tradeoff was the pleasure. She felt so good in my arms, her delicate skin under my fingertips. She swallowed hard, and her breath hitched. She trembled and whimpered, so close to the edge. I wanted her to come just so I could too. I pressed kisses to shoulder and back, fucking her in short, hard pumps of my hips. I groaned at the way she continued clamp down around me.

“So fucking pretty,” I whispered across her skin. “So fucking hot and tight.” Lowering my left hand, I found her hard clit and pressed down. She jerked in my arms, and her cry of need was music to my ears. “Tell me you want it, Ireland. Beg me for it.”

She trembled in my arms. “Please...” She sobbed, bracing herself against the marble counter while I continued to fuck her from behind. “I ache.”

“So do I.” I circled her clit, adding a bit of pressure to that slick bead. “Do it, cupcake.” With each rub and roll of her nub, she tensed more. She had a stranglehold on my cock. I rode the line between pleasure and pain, enjoying that extra bite. “Fuck, yeah.”

“Mack, oh fuck.” A whine slipped between her lips, and the tension snapped.

The cry ripped from her as her orgasm crashed over her, sending me tumbling with her. I snarled, burying my face in her neck while I throbbed deep within her. The only sound filling the house was our mingled breaths as we came down together. “I love you, Ireland. I’ll say it every day as a reminder that you’re not in this alone.”

She turned her head, the corner of her mouth lifting in a smirk while her emerald eyes sparkled with intention. “I love you too, Mack.”

Hours later, after Ireland and I christened every surface and room of the house, I sat in my office, waiting for Cobi to answer his phone. When he finally picked up, he sounded tired, which gave me pause for a second. “Did I interrupt anything?”

“Nope, same shit, different day is all,” Cobi replied. “What can I do for you, Mack?”

“Well, I’m not sure you can do anything for me, however, I think Ireland did something that might gum up the works.” I blew out a breath and braced for whatever tirade would follow, because anything Cobi said now would be the truth.

“Out with it.” Frustration laced his tone.

“Ireland went to the auction earlier today. She snuck in and took pictures of all the stolen cars.” I waited for the coming onslaught of curses.

“She did what?” His calm voice had me on edge.

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