“Fine. Everything’s great. Barb wants wine.”
****
A few more contractors had battled the weather and arrived by midday. They’d have to work through the night, but by tomorrow all the rooms would have heat with functioning bathrooms. Plus, they’d plowed and salted the roads leading to the castle’s entrance, and if nothing else went wrong, the guests shouldn’t have much more than a few flight delays getting to the castle.
I shoved Shane and whatever the hell he wanted to the back of my mind. Worrying about him showing up was a waste of time and would achieve nothing. I should tell the police, but what could they do? They couldn’t trace him through the text. The phone he’d texted from, like all his phones, was probably a burner. Something he could dispose of when it had served its purpose. Much like he’d disposed of me.
The rest of the day passed in a cloud of dust and cleaning chemicals. The room I shared with Keegan was functional enough, but some of the other rooms hadn’t been used since Brendan closed the doors over a decade ago. Oak Castle should have been one of the busiest wedding destinations in Ireland, but the place was as broken as Brendan’s heart—such a shame. Everyone deserved love, and I hoped one day Brendan would find it again.
By the time I reached the tower rooms, dusk had fallen. I set down my bucket of cleaning supplies and stretched out my aching back. Cleaning all day reminded me why I was allergic to the gym and exercise. Every muscle screamed from fatigue and overwork. A steaming, bubble bath was in my future, and this time, I’d drink a full bottle of wine.
I heaved open the squeaking door and flicked on a light that cast a dim orange glow around the room. The small space held a twin bed and an overstuffed armchair that sat by a fireplace. Ribbons of cobwebs ticker-taped the blackened hearth and swayed in the chimney draft.
A tornado of dust motes circled my feet and legs every time I moved. To air out the musty room, I opened a small window and inhaled the frosty air. A darkening sky silhouetted twisting trees, and the North Star shone beside an iridescent waxing moon.
Until a few years ago, I’d wished on the first star I saw in the night sky, but I no longer believed in magic and miracles. Life had shown me that dreams and wishes never came true—at least not how you expected them too. I’d wished for true love and look how that had turned out.
For the hundredth time, I checked my phone. Shane hadn’t texted again, but that meant nothing. The devious shit was planning something. Something that would cause me even more headaches.
If I told Keegan about Shane, would he know what to do? Or would he think I was being dramatic, that an ex texting me, even if he was the one who’d ruined my life, was hardly something I needed to worry about?
Keegan. I sighed. Another man causing me problems. A relationship with him would bring me trouble with a capital T. But, oh, those lips. Their touch and taste had stayed with me all day. A few more kisses from him wouldn’t be the end of the world. A few more kisses could help make the whole fake fiancé thing more realistic. After all, we were supposed to be besotted with each other. Besides, spending some quality time with Keegan might help me forget Shane and his games for a while.
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.” Keegan’s deep lilt came from behind causing my heart to race. I smiled and glanced over my shoulder and saw him leaning against the threshold. Dust stains covered his t-shirt, and his hair was a disheveled mess. He’d never looked hotter.
Rolled up sleeves exposed the sinewy muscles of his forearms, and I fought the impulse to run to him and beg him to lick me from head to toe.
“You expecting a handsome prince to rescue you from your tower?”
Yeah, you. “A girl can dream.”
Keegan closed the door and sat on the unmade mattress. His blue eyes bright in the lamp-lit room. “You want to talk about what’s going on between us?”
“A few kisses doesn’t mean anything’s going on between us.” I wanted to say I’d imagined getting down and dirty with you all day. That my lips still tingled. That not throwing myself on top of you took more willpower than I thought I could ever possess, but I stayed quiet, and an awkward silence stretched across the room.
Keegan cleared his throat and watched me intently. “You can’t deny something’s pulling us together.”
“It’s not that.” I hesitated for a few seconds before answering. “First… thanks for all of your help today. As for what’s between us. I’m not looking for anything serious. Been there, done that. I don’t want the heartache or the hassle again.”
“There doesn’t have to be any heartache or hassle.” He leaned back on his elbows, opening his body to me. “What’s to stop us from enjoying ourselves while we’re here? No strings. No commitments or promises of forever.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“It’s a great idea.”
The earth’s crust moved, sending shockwaves up my legs, and when Keegan reached for my hand, I willingly gave it. He looked perfect laying there with his hair sticking up at weird angles and a dust smudge on his cheek.
“Aren’t you afraid it’ll mess things up even more?” I asked, taking a step forward. “We’re rivals. You don’t like me.”
“We’re not rivals, and I do like you.” He sat up, lifted my hand to his mouth, then pressed his lips against my palm. “I can’t get you off my mind.”
I swallowed hard. “Is that a good thing or a
