Kynedi

When we got to the O’Sheeran commune, Tiernan took me to his house to rest. He argued that waking Cassius at Aidan’s house made no sense. He promised that when I woke up, he’d bring Cass over. I was too tired to argue. I barely held my eyes open as he carried me into his home. I was laid on the most comfortable bed I’d ever felt in my life, my shoes were removed, and that was all I remembered.

I’d slept for I don’t know how long. When I opened my eyes, I knew it was well into the day based on the brightness of the sun barely peeking around the edges of the shutters on the windows. I groaned as I rolled over. Lord, my whole body ached. Wiggling into a semi-seated position, I took a minute to take in my surroundings. It became clear that this wasn’t a guest room. Gasping, I scanned it closer.

The bedside table closest to me had a framed photo of Tiernan’s parents and siblings. The room had personal touches and warmth that most guest rooms lacked. And even if those were gone, the scent surrounding me, coming off the sheets, told me it was his bedroom. It smelled just like him—woodsy mixed with musk. Why in the world did he put me in here? After moving to sit on the side of the bed for a few moments to gain my balance, I stood and slowly made my way to one of the doors. There were three of them. I had no idea which door led to the rest of the house. Taking a guess, I opened the closest. It wasn’t the exit but the next best thing—a bathroom. I had to pee badly.

Hurrying inside, I shut and locked the door. Wow, my mouth fell open. I hadn’t gotten to tour Tiernan’s house the other time I was here. I was just in the main one. It had been stunning, and this one from just these two rooms was no less so, despite the different decor. I gazed around as I took care of my business. That was after I discovered not one but two water closets. One had a single toilet, and the other had a toilet and a bidet. I felt like I was in a fancy hotel. Standing at one of the sinks, I grimaced when I saw myself. My hair was a mess, and the bruising didn’t help. I was pale, and my mouth tasted terrible. Searching for the hand towel, I blinked when I saw a couple of items on the counter that were the same brands I used. It was my face wash and lotion.

A knock on the door made me jump. “Kynedi, are you alright?” Tiernan asked. He sounded concerned.

“I’m fine. I’m just waking up and using the bathroom,” I called back softly. My voice was still raspy and my throat sore.

“If you want, why don’t you take a shower? It’ll probably make you feel better. There are towels in the armoire in there. Your stuff is in the top drawer and under the right sink. I’ll step out so you can have privacy to dress. If you need anything, there’s a call system by the door. Press the button, and it’ll ring the living room.”

“Oh, uhm, okay, thank you. I’ll be out soon.”

“Take your time. Cassius is with me, and he’s well entertained. He’s schooling me in everything I don’t know about horses.” He chuckled.

“I bet. I’ll be there soon.”

“See you then.”

I might’ve wanted to rush, but after I figured out the controls on the shower, it was too decadent to take a rushed five-minute shower. I basked in the luxury of it. When I was done, I located all my care stuff where Tiernan said they would be. As I searched, I found a hair dryer, so I dried my hair and then put it up in a ponytail.

Checking out the bathroom more, I was further stunned to find not one but two substantial walk-in closets. The few pieces of clothing I brought with me were hanging in the one that was almost empty. I gulped. Why was he putting them in here? There was no way I’d let him give up his bedroom. I could share one with Cass.

Taking a casual dress off the hanger, I searched for my underclothing. Not seeing the bag I brought my clothing in, I opened the drawers in the ample built-in dresser in the closet. The top drawer contained my bra and panties. I grew hot at the thought of him handling my intimate things, but then I calmed down when I guessed that he had a maid or something. There was no way he cleaned this house. Or maybe his sister put them away for me. Although, I must’ve been dead to the world to sleep through it being done.

Once my composure was regained, I went to the last door and opened it. I was in a short hallway. Walking through it, as I passed an open door, I glanced inside to find an office. I kept going toward where I heard Cass and Tiernan talking. I had to stop staring at the decor before I ran into the wall.

I found them on the couch, watching a movie in a large living room. I recognized it. It was one of Cass’s favorite animated movies about horses. He was entranced like he was every time he saw it. He never looked away. Tiernan either heard me or saw me out of the corner of his vision because his head turned, and he was up on his feet, hurrying toward me. He reached out and took both my hands in one of his.

“Why don’t you sit down and rest while I get you something to drink and eat?” he asked as he led me into the kitchen.

“Tiernan, please, don’t feel you have to wait on me. I can take care of myself. I’m not really hungry, but if you point me to where you keep your glasses, I’ll get some water,” I said, pointing to the fridge with the ice and water dispenser. I wasn’t comfortable having anyone wait on me.

“I’m offering because I want to take care of you, not because I think I have to. Sit here. I’ll get it.” The stubborn man pulled out a stool at the long counter slash island. He didn’t move until I took it. His hand ran across my back as he walked behind me. I shivered.

“How did you sleep? I hope we didn’t wake you up.”

“You didn’t, and I slept well—too long, in fact. I hate that you and your family had to handle Cassius on your own. How has he been? Any problems?”

“He’s been great, no problems. I had him brought over here when Khloe went to her day camp, not that she was happy about it.” He snickered.

“Camp! Oh my goodness, day camp. I didn’t call to tell them he wouldn’t be there today,” I gasped. They were sticklers about parents doing it. I frantically looked around. I couldn’t recall if I got my purse last night at the apartment. He sat my water down in front of me and gently squeezed my shoulder.

“ Mil , everything was taken care of. I called the camp, spoke to the person in charge, and explained there was a family emergency and he wouldn’t be there. Cassius told me where he goes.”

“You did? Thank you. I’m not usually this scatterbrained.”

“You don’t usually get attacked in your home, either. It was no big deal. We spent time outside while Mam stayed in here to be sure you didn’t wake up needing anything. Then we’ve been talking and watching movies. We had lunch not too long ago.”

Not knowing how to respond to someone other than me taking an interest or caring for my son, I scrambled for something to say. For some reason, my mind landed on the unfamiliar words he had spoken last night and just now.

“Can I ask what some words mean?”

“Sure can.”

“Well, one sounded close to an English one, so I think I know what it meant. What does leanbh and mil mean? Sorry for butchering them.”

“ Leanbh means baby or child, and mil means honey. As for the other one, foc means fuck.” He said the last one softly as he shot me a devilish grin.

My cheeks warmed at him calling me those names, even though I knew most men said them to the majority of women, and they meant nothing.

His thumb skimmed my cheek, and he leaned closer. “ Diabhal , goddamn, but I love to see your cheeks get pink like they do, Kynedi. It makes me want to say more to make you do it again and again,” he whispered.

I tried to move away, but it was as if he had an invisible hold on me. “Tiernan, you’ve got to stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop whatever this is. I’m not a woman who plays silly games. And you’re not a man who should be playing them, especially with someone like me.”

He frowned and was opening his mouth when Cassius came out of the entrancement he was under. The movie had ended, and he finally noticed I was there. He jumped up and ran to me, yelling, “Mommy! You’re awake.”

I scooted sideways in my chair and opened my arms. He ran to me. I let him decide if he’d hug me or not. Even with me, there were times he avoided physical contact. Apparently, this wasn’t one of them. He snuggled up against me. I held in my flinch. It hurt, but not enough to tell him to stop.

“Hi, Cass, I am. I hope you’ve been behaving and listening to Tiernan and the others. They were so nice to bring you here last night.”

“I have. And I got to stay home from camp. Khloe went to hers, but Tiernan and I had fun. I thought you’d never wake up. Does it hurt?” he asked as he tenderly touched my bruised face. I took his hand and kissed his fingers.

“It hurts a little, but not too much. Now that I’m awake, why don’t you and I give Tiernan a break? I bet he has a ton of work to do. Did he tell you that we’ll be staying here for a couple of days so I can get better? You can show me where we’ll be sleeping tonight.” I was rambling, but I didn’t know what to do. Tiernan was intently watching me. I saw his gaze narrow when I mentioned sleeping.

“Cass, go put the movie back, and then we can show your mama around.”

“Okay,” he said happily as he skipped back into the living room.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Tiernan leaned over to murmur into my ear. His hot breath made me want to moan. “You and I will talk more later. There are things we need to clear the air about.”

I glanced at him. “Like what?”

“Like the fact you’re not sleeping in the same bed as your son. I have more than enough bedrooms that sharing one isn’t necessary.”

“Fine, but I’m not kicking you out of yours. If you have so many, give me one close to him.”

“Later,” was his only response.

Cassius ran back to join us. He was excited. He insisted on taking me on a tour of the house. I guess he was already given one while I was out. It took us a while to tour. Downstairs, besides what I’d already seen, there was a ton more. Off the kitchen was the family room, a breakfast area, a formal dining room, a laundry room, a small room with a shower that Tiernan called a pool bath, a half bath, and a guest bedroom with its own attached bathroom. It was incredible and more than enough for him, but that was only part of it. When we approached the stairs to go to the second floor, I was stunned to be guided into an elevator.

Upstairs, there were three bedrooms with attached bathrooms and walk-in closets, a media room, and two spots open to below. One was over the living room, and the other was open to the foyer. Outside was a long veranda at the front of the house, and in the back, a covered lanai complete with a full outdoor kitchen. Each side of the house had a two-car garage. The exterior was Mediterranean-style. It was beyond a dream home. When we were done, Tiernan took us to sit outside on a lanai.

Last night, we packed a bag with some of Cassisu’s favorite toys in it. I found them out there. He happily sat down to play. I looked out at the expansive yard. Even though I could see the main house, the outdoor pool, and other houses, there was more than enough space between them to give privacy.

“Tiernan, this is just unbelievable.”

“What is?”

“This, your house and the family commune.”

He burst out laughing at my slip. I hurried to reassure him it wasn’t meant in a negative way. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I’m not saying your family is a cult. It just reminds me of what communal living can be.”

“I’m not offended, Kynedi. I think it’s a great name. Why didn’t one of us think of it? Usually, we just call it the compound, which has its own negative connotations to many. Wait until I tell the family.”

“No! Oh God, don’t. I’ll never be able to face them if you do,” I pleaded.

“They’ll love it. Before I forget, we’re having a cookout tonight. Cass and I already plotted it out. Don’t be surprised if a few people come by. Khloe will definitely be here. Before she left for camp, she and Cass made plans to play together when she got home. He said burgers and hot dogs were what he wanted. I’ll have steak and chicken, too. I figure Aidan will want steak.”

“I’m good with whatever you prefer. Don’t go to any trouble on our account.”

“It’s not any trouble. I will admit, I did ask Agatha if she’d make a couple of things for us. I do alright, but potato salad kicks my ass, and she said she wanted to make us a surprise dessert.”

“I can help. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

“I need you to relax. You constantly work and take care of Cassius. Let me take care of you. It’s all been handled.”

I tried to debate with him, but he wasn’t having it. Finally, I gave up and let myself enjoy not having to do anything. I was ahead on my transcribing work. As time grew nearer to dinner time, I wondered who would stop by.