I turned and gawked. “What do you mean?” Images of trespassing, arrest, and being sent back to America flickered through my mind.
“It’s private property, but don’t worry. It’s Ireland. The owners are nowhere near. Visitors can use the walkway, and if anyone asks, say we didn’t know. You’re American. They’ll believe you, and I’ll play dumb.”
I bit my tongue, thinking of how I trusted Jaime yesterday, and focused my attention on the tiny details left in the deserted castle walls. If he says we are fine, we are okay.
“Follow me.” Instead of grabbing my hand again, Jaime waved me toward the castle turrets.
He brought me to the hill’s peak, looking out at the craggy ocean. “They built this castle in the early 1800s. Then the famine hit, and the castle was bought and sold multiple times. I think it’s been neglected since before 1900.”
“It’s a beautiful building.” I walked back to the cool stones and pressed my cheek against them.
Jaime settled against the castle wall and I joined him. The ocean waves lapped in the distance.
“Thank you for taking me here,” I said. “It feels different exploring Ireland with a local, you know? It’s like I’m not a tourist, and the entire experience feels more authentic.”
“When I was in America last semester, I was lost. People weren’t the nicest, and I found myself disappointed often. I didn’t want you to feel that way.”
My face fell. “I didn’t realize you studied abroad last year. I’m sorry you had such an awful experience.”
Jaime turned toward me. “No, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I’m used to, and I had a bit of culture shock, as well. I didn’t connect with my flatmates, so I spent a lot of time exploring the city alone. I want you to have a better experience than I did.”
I leaned against him and placed my hand on his. That damn jolt of electricity shot through me again, and I ignored it, leaning my head against his shoulder. “I can’t wait to take a shower,” I said.
In the far distance, I heard the waves crash against the surf. The bright sun beat down on my face, and the closeness of Jaime’s body heightened every nerve in my body.
“Yeah, you kind of stink,” he said.
Straightening my back, I turned to him with a wide grin and a slap on his thigh. “Stop!”
“Just kidding,” he said. “You smell like roses.”
I hit him again, threw my head back, and laughed into the Irish clouds. When I pulled my head down, he was right there. The freckles across his cheeks and forehead highlighted his eyes, and the shadows created a green shade around the edge of his pupil. I had never seen such a deep shade of green before. His captivating eyes stopped me, and my soul shed its clothes. My smile dropped, and everything felt serious, like if I said or did the wrong thing, I would ruin it forever.
The intensity drew me closer, and before I could say ‘Scott’ my lips were on his and my body was on fire. His soft lower lip fell into the crevice between mine, and his beard tickled my chin. I leaned into him, intensifying the waves of electricity, as his beard roughed up the delicate skin around my mouth.
Then a red flashing stop sign with blaring sirens sounded behind my eyelids. “Abort! Abort! You have a boyfriend,” the siren wailed.
My eyes popped open and my breath caught in my throat. Pulling away, I stared into his hypnotizing eyes and the walls I’d built around myself melted within the inferno of my lust.
This was not good.
The moment my brain registered that I was a cheater, I pulled away like I had touched an open flame. What am I doing? This is not me. I don’t cheat. I don’t stray. I’m devoted and dedicated, and committed. To everything I do. I’m not a cheater. I’m not like my dad.
I pulled my chin into my neck and analyzed the tufts of green grass pressed against my legs. Pulling out tiny, sharp blades and creating a pile beside me, I refused to look at him.
“That was lovely,” he said. He cleared his throat, and my heartbeat stuttered in response to his compliment.
I didn’t look up. I couldn’t. My body radiated heat, and my dry tongue stuck to my lower jaw. I forced back all the saliva I could manage and swallowed.
I squirmed under his eyes. Please stop looking at me.
“Was kissing an Irish bloke on your to-do list?”
A chuckle burst out of me, and I raised my eyes. “Nope. I can’t say it was.”
“It wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.
I smirked. “I’ve had worse.”