Chapter Three

Celine felt her cellphone vibrate from her pocket, but didn’t look at it since she was waiting on a customer.

“What can I get you?” she asked the woman and realized it was the woman Killian had been talking to at the party. She was beautiful. Her dark red hair flowed over her shoulders and her baby blue eyes sparkled.

The woman smiled at her. “Could I get a medium Hazelnut latte, please?”

Celine grinned. “You sure can. Just give a minute. You can have a seat at one of the tables, and I’ll bring it to you.”

“Thank you, I’ll do that.”

She watched the woman sit at one of the café tables. Celine made her latte, then walked to the table.

“Here you go.”

The woman stood and followed her to the cash register.

“This place sure packs them in, doesn’t it?”

“We’re busy every morning. I’m Celine Nelson. I’m the owner.”

“Savannah Collins, though most people call me Vanna. I own Timeless Treasures.” She put her hand out for Celine to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure to meet you too, Vanna. I would love to stop in your store. I love antiques.”

A big smile lit up Vanna’s face. “Please come by anytime. ”

“I’ll do that. I believe we’re neighbors.” Celine grinned.

“Really?”

“Yes, I live in the Clifton Townhouse community.”

“Oh! Then we are neighbors. I’m renting mine from Kinley Wilson.”

“I know. That’s who told me. Kinley is one of my closest friends. I live across the street from hers.”

“That’s wonderful. At least I’ll know one of my neighbors.”

“You should come over one weekend. We could get to know each other.”

“I would love that. I’d should get back to my shop. It was nice talking with you, Celine.”

“Have a great day and come back.”

“You too. I’m sure I will be back.” Vanna smiled then walked out the door. Celine thought Vanna was a very nice woman after all.

An hour later, she decided to take a break. Once she let Ainsleigh know, she headed back to her office, pulling her cellphone from her pocket to check her messages. She smiled when she saw that Killian had sent a text.

I was able to get us in the Hartland. I made the reservation for Saturday evening at six. Will that work for you?

Yes. You can pick me up at five-thirty. Here’s my address. She replied.

Got it. I’ll see you then.

Can’t wait. She sent back.

Same here. I’ll talk to you soon. I’m heading for a farm about some missing sheep.

Did Little Bo-Peep lose her sheep? She sent back, hoping he had a good sense of humor.

I talked to Mr. Little Bo-Peep. But he can’t tell where to find them but I know if I leave them alone, they’ll come home.

Celine chuckled and sent a laughing emoji. I’ll see you Saturday.

Looking forward to it. Have a nice day.

You too.

She couldn’t keep the smile off her face the rest of the day. He seemed like a great guy, then she frowned. So had Blaine at first. But Killian made her believe there were good men out there. She sure hoped so.

At five o’clock, she watched her employees leave, then followed behind them, locking the door. She was starving since she’d missed lunch and a hamburger from the diner sounded yummy.

She pulled the door open, and the bell jingled above her head. She sat at the counter. She knew the place would be filling up soon once people got off from work. Her shop was open from seven in the morning until five in the evenings. It made for long days. The shop was open six days a week, with rotation so her employees got another day off other than Sunday. Celine took every weekend off, and she planned to have a nice, lazy weekend. After dinner with Killian, obviously. She was so looking forward to seeing him again. He made her heart skip a beat just remembering those kisses shared between them.

Celine couldn’t help but think about kissing him again. She was surprised at how much she wanted this to lead to something real between them .

When Saturday approached, she grew more and more anxious by the minute. It was already five-thirty, and she feared she would become physically ill before he arrived.

She sat down on the couch, then quickly jumped up and began pacing around the living room. Eventually, she made her way upstairs and caught a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror for what felt like the hundredth time. Was she showing too much cleavage? Smiling, she shook her head. She wanted to see his eyes when he saw her and she knew the blue dress brought out the color of her eyes and the high heels added inches to her height, but no matter what, Killian would still be taller. He must be at least six foot four or five.

A smile spread across her face as she thought about dating a man who actually made her feel confident enough to wear heels. Blaine, on the other hand, had been five ten, barely taller than her, but he never let her wear high heels because it made her taller, and he couldn’t stand that. He loved being able to look down on her, both literally and figuratively with his condescending ways.

When a knock sounded at her door, Celine cautiously made her way down the stairs. She took each step slowly, holding on to the railing for support.

As she stood in front of the door, she smoothed down her dress and took a deep breath before opening it. Her heart fluttered when she saw Killian standing there, holding a single blue rose.

“Come in,” she said with a warm smile as she stepped aside to let him enter. Her eyes roamed over his attire; black dress shirt, dark blue jeans, and distressed cowboy boots, and he looked even more handsome than she thought. And he smelled amazing.

“Thank you,” he said as he removed his hat and wiped his feet on the welcome mat before stepping inside. He handed her the rose.

“It’s beautiful,” Celine breathed as she pressed it against her nose, inhaling its sweet scent and watched his eyes roam over her. His gaze lingered on her cleavage then he looked into her eyes.

“It reminded me of your beautiful blue eyes when I saw it.”

Celine felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

“That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“You look beautiful, Celine,” he said with sincerity in his voice.

“Thank you, and you look very handsome.”

“Thanks. I’d kiss you but I don’t want to mess up your lipstick. But don’t worry, I plan on kissing it off later.” He grinned.

Celine couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not like you haven’t kissed it off before.”

Killian chuckled. “True, so there should be no nervousness between us.”

“Not with kissing, for sure.”

He tilted his head. “What would make you nervous?”

Celine met his gaze and knew he was teasing her. “When it comes to you, nothing.” Good Lord, did she just say that out loud ?

“We can skip dinner,” he suggested.

“We’ll talk about this later. After dinner.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Killian replied. “Well, if you’re ready, we’d better get moving before we lose our reservation.”

“Of course. Just let me put this rose in the fridge then I’ll grab my purse and keys.”

“I’ll be right here.”

Celine placed the rose in the fridge, picked up her purse and keys, then walked back to him.

“I’m ready.”

“Alright, let’s go.” He opened the door for her, and once on the porch, he took her keys, locked the door, handed them back, then grasped her hand and led her to his truck. He opened the door for her and once she was seated, he walked around the truck and climbed inside. He certainly had manners and she couldn’t help but mention it.

Killian shrugged. “My parents raised us right. My dad still opens doors for my mother. He was a good example of how a man should treat a woman.”

Celine chuckled. “It’s too bad he couldn’t be a good example to my ex.”

“Didn’t he do that for you?”

“No. He’d walk out of the house before me, get in the car, and start it before I was even ready to go.”

“So, I’d say his parents weren’t good examples.”

“His father always gave me the creeps. He’d stare at me all the time which made Blaine’s mother hate me. Like I’d be interested in that man.” She shook her head .

“Some men just don’t do what they should. What happened that you broke up?”

“It’s a long story.”

Killian glanced at her and grinned. “I’ve got time.”

Celine huffed. “We met four years ago in my coffee shop back home. I thought he was nice. I suppose I should stop thinking. Anyway, I liked him and when he asked me out, I was more than happy to go. Most women go out with a man, hoping it will lead to something more. After a year of dating and falling in love, we moved in together and it all changed.”

“How? Was he abusive?”

She could hear the anger in Killian’s voice.

“Not with his fists, but he was such a control freak. I mean, obsessive control. Everything had to be in the right place. Have you ever seen the movie, Sleeping with the Enemy with Julia Roberts?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Her husband was like that, but he would also hit her. Blaine never hit me, but he drove me crazy. There’s a part in the movie where her husband sees towels hanging on a rack and they’re not even, so he gets mad. All the cans of vegetables and soup had to face toward the front. Stacked neatly. That’s how Blaine was. If I happened to leave a cup in the sink, or God forbid, on a table. He’d go off. I was called a lazy bitch because I didn’t make everything perfect for him.” Celine shook her head. “One day, he came home and blew up. He said the place was a mess and I was too lazy to clean. The house was immaculate. Not one thing was out of place. I made the mistake of pointing that out to him and he picked up a glass vase and threw it at me. I moved just in time and it shattered when it hit the wall. He looked at me and said, ‘well, it’s not immaculate now’. Of course, that was my fault. By then I’d had enough. I’m not a clean freak. The place looked lived in, but that wasn’t good enough. Oh, and guess who cleaned up the glass from the vase? Yep, that would be me.”

“I don’t know how you lived like that.”

“I should have left him sooner,” Celine said. “My mother warned me that he might start hitting me, but I didn’t listen. I thought I could change him, but it was just wishful thinking. The next day after Blaine went to work, my father came by and helped me pack my things. I moved back in with my parents.”

“I’m sure your father wanted to make sure you were safe,” Killian said. “Did he like your ex?”

Celine chuckled. “Not at all. My mother couldn’t stand him either. I should have listened to her instincts. I’m just glad I didn’t marry him. Something kept telling me not to.”

“Well, I’m glad you got away from him. Does he know you’re in Clifton now?”

“I’m not sure. I doubt he would show up here, but if he did, I would tell him to leave me alone. I would never go back to him. You and Blaine are so different; not just in manners or lack thereof, but also in looks. He was five ten and never let me wear heels when we went out. And he was blond with blue eyes, while you’re…”

“I’m what?”

“You’re the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.” She laughed as Killian chuckled .

“Why, thank you, ma’am.” Killian grinned. “Have you ever married?”

“No. I dated a lot but none of them were marriage material, and the relationships didn’t last. The one with Blaine did though, but something kept nagging at me not to marry him. He asked me to marry him but I told him I didn’t want to get married. So, then he talked me into living with him. What a mistake that turned out to be.” Celine sighed. “He hid it so well before we lived together.”

They arrived at the restaurant and found a parking spot. Killian walked around the truck and opened the passenger door for Celine, taking her hand to help her step down. They walked hand in hand through the parking lot toward the entrance.

As they sat down at their table and looked over the menus, Celine glanced around the busy restaurant.

“This place is always packed,” she remarked. “How were you able to get a reservation?”

“Lucky timing,” Killian replied. “There was a cancellation right before I called.”

“That was lucky. We could have gone to the diner if you hadn’t been able to get one,” Celine said.

“We can go there the next time,” Killian replied.

Celine nodded. “Sounds good to me. Have you been here before?”

“I’ve been here a few times. The first time was with Creed after we solved his case.”

Their server brought out their food and set it on the table, wishing them an enjoyable meal before walking away.

****

Killian couldn’t take his eyes off Celine as they sat across from each other in the booth. To him, she was the most stunning woman in the entire restaurant. The warm glow of the candle on their table danced over her features, highlighting every curve and angle of her face. When she looked up and met his gaze, he was certain he had never wanted a woman more and every time she looked at him, it felt like a touch on his skin. She knew what she was doing to him.

“Why are you staring at me?” she asked with a playful smile.

“I was just thinking how beautiful you are,” he replied. A soft blush rose on her cheeks, making her even more alluring. “Why are you blushing?”

“I’m not,” she denied but sighed when he raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Because I haven’t had a man compliment me like that in a long time. Blaine never did after we moved in together.”

“Well, get used to it,” Killian said with a grin as he took a sip of his iced tea.

Celine chuckled and leaned back against the plush seat. “So, how often do you see your parents?”

“About once or twice a month. My brother is actually in town. He’s staying with me and wants to talk to my boss about transferring here for work. He’s been taking care of my dogs and horses.” Killian’s grin widened. “I told him I miss my animals more than I miss him. ”

Celine laughed. “I bet that went over well.”

“He threatened to not give them back,” Killian admitted with a sigh. “But enough about me, what about you? Do you have any family nearby?”

“My parents are in Spokane, Washington. I need to visit them. We’re pretty close.” Celine took a sip of her own drink before continuing. “You mentioned wanting to buy a house. Have you talked to a realtor yet?”

“Not yet,” Killian admitted. “I’ve looked at some houses online and driven by a few, but nothing has really caught my eye.”

“You should talk to Lydia Griffin at Clifton Realty. She’s amazing at finding people exactly what they want.” Celine tilted her head in thought. “So, what exactly are you looking for in a house?”

“I’d like a place with at least twenty acres of land and enough space for my horses.” Killian shook his head with a wistful smile. “I miss riding.”

“Lydia can definitely help you find something like that,” Celine said. “She’s known for working miracles when it comes to finding the perfect house for her clients.”

“I’ll have to give her a call then. Thank you for the recommendation.”

“Of course,” she replied with a smile.

“Do you ride?” Killian asked as he cut into his steak.

“Do I ride… what?”

He bit his lip to keep from grinning. “Horses.”

She laughed. “I enjoy a good… ride.”

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered .

“Well, in answer to your question, I have ridden horses before. It’s been a while though. I used to love it. Horses are one of my favorite animals.”

“If I ever get my horses here, we’ll go riding. I have a few that are very gentle.”

“I think I’d like to ride with you,” she said way too innocently, but when she looked into his eyes, she licked her lips, then laughed when he shook his head. “So, how many horses do you have?”

“Seven. Five American Quarter horses and two American Paints.”

“And how many dogs?”

“Three. I have an Australian cattle dog, a Doberman, and a Rottweiler. All three are the biggest babies.”

“How did you end up with three different breeds?”

“The Australian cattle dog showed up at my house and when no one claimed him, I kept him. I adopted the Dobie and Rottie when they were young. They’d been raised together so I didn’t want to part them.”

“You’re a good man, Killian Doyle,” she softly said.

He shook his head. It didn’t matter what she said, it was driving him insane and if she licked her lips one more time, he was going to drag her under the table.

Once they finished their meals, their server appeared beside them and asked if they wanted desert, both declined and Killian asked for the check. When the server returned with his credit card, he signed the receipt, adding a tip .

As they walked outside, Killian took her hand in his and led her toward the truck.

“It’s a beautiful night,” he said.

“Yes, it is. It was so hot today. Oh, did you find the sheep?”

“No. It’s not that simple. I had to look for tracks first. There were some truck tire prints and I had to run them through the database to see what type of vehicle they’re used on.”

“I’ve never understood how a vehicle could be found by tire tracks. I mean, people can put any tire on their cars or trucks, right?”

“Yes, but it can narrow it down. When unknown shoeprints or tire tracks are found at a scene, the make and model of the shoes or tire that made those impressions could be identifiedusing various databases. The information could help generate leads. We can find out where, when, and who bought them.”

“I really never thought about what all your line of work entails.”

“There’s more to it than just looking for any stolen livestock. Once we see who bought the tires and when, we talk to those people. If the tire tread is worn down and the tracks don’t show that, we know that person couldn’t be involved.”

“Fascinating.”

“It can be.”

He opened the door for her, and she slid onto the seat. He stared at her for a few seconds, closed the door and walked to the driver’s side. He started the truck and drove from the parking lot to take her home. He hoped she’d invite him in.

When he pulled into her driveway, he shut the truck off, opened his door, then strode around the front to her side. He opened the door, and she slid her legs to the side and stared at him. He sighed, then helped her step down, and led her to the door.

****

Celine opened her purse, removed her key, and inserted it into the lock, then she pushed the door open. She turned to look at him to see him staring at her. When she grinned, he groaned. His eyes glinted with desire as he took a step closer to her.

“Would you like to come in?”

“Yes.”

Celine stepped inside and he followed. She set her purse on the end table, then turned to face him.

“You’ve been teasing me all night.” His voice dropped to a deep rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

Celine swallowed hard, feeling the butterflies in her stomach flutter. She’d never been so bold before, but something about this man made her want to break free from her inhibitions and get him into her bed. Afterall, she’d kissed him without even knowing him. Too late to be shy now.

“Maybe I have,” she whispered, meeting his gaze with a challenge.

“There is no maybe about it.”

He took a step toward her, their bodies only inches apart now, and reached out to tug gently at the hem of her dress. With slow deliberation, he pulled it up over her head and tossed it aside, revealing her lacy blue bra and that barely contained her breasts and the matching blue boy-cut panties. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight before him.

“Damn, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, tracing one finger over her collarbone and down to trace the lace of her bra. He unclasped the front hook, lowered the straps and pushed the bra off. His touch sent bolts of electricity through her body, making her nipples pebble up in anticipation.

She gasped as he cupped one of her breasts, rubbing his thumb over one nipple before leaning in to take it into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue. Celine arched her back involuntarily, fisting her hands in his hair, moaning softly at the sensation.

“Killian...” She breathed out.

Then he pulled her against him and kissed her with a passion that stirred her senses. In that moment, nothing else mattered. The world outside their embrace was a blur, a distant memory. All that existed was the two of them, entwined in each other’s arms. She moaned when he lifted his lips from hers.

He moved his lips along her cheek, then to her ear, sending shivers down her spine. She sighed contentedly as he whispered, “Are you cold?” His warm breath tickled her ear, and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Not at all,” she answered, relishing in the intimacy of their moment. She grinned when he chuckled, his deep voice vibrating against her skin. Nothing felt more right than being in his arms, lost in the heat of their desire. She unbuttoned his shirt, then pushed it off, letting it fall to the floor next to her bra, then she traced her fingers over his six-pack stomach and the defined muscles of his chest, feeling his heart beating against her palm.

He lifted his head to gaze into her eyes, his intense stare making her heart race.

“Bedroom?” he asked and she pointed toward the stairs. Without a word, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, laying her down gently on the bed before joining her. They kissed and caressed each other, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. Every touch, every kiss, was a declaration of their desire for each other.

Celine whimpered when he got off the bed, but she watched as he toed off his boots and removed a condom from his jeans. Then unsnapped them, lowered the zipper and removed them. She groaned when she saw his hard cock straining the material of his black boxer briefs. She wanted this man more than she wanted air to breathe.

****

Killian stared at her, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he noticed the way she looked at him. He was so hard, he ached to be inside her. His boxer briefs did little to hide how much he wanted her. He approached the bed slowly, taking in the sight of her body. She had always been beautiful, but something about her nakedness made him ache with desire. He hooked his thumbs in the elastic of his underwear and pushed them off, leaving him completely naked in front of her. He opened the condom and rolled it on, then he leaned over her and slowly removed her panties. Pulling them down her legs and dropping them to the floor. He climbed onto the bed and settled between her legs.

He traced a path of open-mouthed kisses along the curve of her breast, teasing the sensitive skin until she quivered with anticipation. His hands moved over her ribcage, leaving goosebumps in their wake as he kissed his way down her body.

He moved up again and claimed her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. His tongue swept over hers, exploring every inch as if he couldn’t get enough. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as their bodies touched.

Killian moved his hands over her body, teasing and caressing every inch of her. She arched into his touch. He slid his hand down her stomach, until he reached her slit, and moved his finger along it, feeling her wetness.

“You’re so fucking wet, baby,” he said.

Her breath came in gasps as he found her clitoris, already swollen and aching for his touch. He moved his finger against the sensitive nub, applying just the right amount of pressure to send her spiraling toward release.

He slid down her body and moved his tongue along her slit to taste her. She tasted sweet and musky, and he knew he’d never get enough of her. He licked her slit, savoring her flavor before focusing on her clitoris. He sucked on it and heard her hiss in a breath .

She cried out, her hands tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer. He could feel her getting closer to orgasm, her body trembling with pleasure. He increased his efforts, his tongue working on her as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.

Finally, with a cry, she came. Her body shook as immense pleasure washed over her, and he kissed his way back up her body, until he reached her lips.

“You’re so beautiful, Celine. I’ll never get enough of you.”

She reached between them, wrapping her fingers around his cock and he had to clench his jaw to keep from coming. He groaned as she began to stroke him.

He placed his hand over hers and had her guide him inside. Gritting his teeth, he inched into her until he was deep within her.

Celine groaned loudly, arching her back as he began to thrust into her. The bed creaked under their combined weight as they moved together in a rhythm as old as time. Grunts, gasps, and moans of pleasure escaped their lips with each powerful stroke. Skin against skin moving in an erotic symphony that was both satisfying and arousing. Celine’s arms wrapped around his neck as her legs tightened around his waist. Her nails dug into his back, as she met his pace with equal fervor. Their hips moved together like two lovers who had been separated far too long; their need for each other intense in every possible way.

Killian felt her inner muscles grip his cock as he pressed his lips to hers. She moaned into his mouth when she came again. He growled deep in his throat as he followed her over.

He kissed her lips, then rolled onto his back and pulled her against him. He smiled when she snuggled up against him.

“How about a shower?” he asked.

“Sure. As soon as I can move.” She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “That was incredible.”

“I think that’s an understatement, but I don’t know how else to say it.” He grinned when she laughed.

He moved away from her, then walked toward the bathroom.

“I’m taking a shower with or without you,” he teased.

“Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you there.”

“Alright.” Killian entered the bathroom, disposed of the condom, then turned the water on.

The sex had been more than incredible and he knew he wanted to be with her as much as he could .