she didn’t see it—or the one of Seamus she’d given Padraig on his birthday, or any of the others for that matter—and she briefly wondered what he’d done with them.
Then she studied the pictures that were still there, unsure why she felt compelled to look at them again. Perhaps because she was perusing the pictures through different eyes as she now knew the stories behind them. Every photograph on the wall included Mia.
Emmy smiled sadly when she saw the selfie of Padraig and Mia standing before the Hogwarts Castle at Universal because she now knew about the horrible migraine that had ravaged Mia later that same night. Her heart panged when she saw the panoramic of Paris, and she recalled Padraig’s wish that he’d been able to freeze time right there in that moment. She hoped there might come a time when he’d wish the same thing for them. And then there was the one of Padraig and Mia on their wedding day.
Emmy forced herself away from the photos, walking into the kitchen. She grabbed some plates, dipping out their food. It smelled delicious. She left them on the counter and returned to the living room, allowing her hopes for the night to play out in her mind.
Emmy let the romance writer inside her take over as she closed her eyes, setting the scene. Reaching for a blanket that hung on the back of the couch, she spread it out over the floor, then tossed a couple of throw pillows on top. She turned off the overhead light, opting to illuminate the room with just one lamp.
Returning to the kitchen, she was touched to find a bottle of her favorite Chardonnay in his refrigerator. She uncorked it and poured a glass before popping the top on a bottle of Guinness for Padraig.
She heard Seamus and Padraig return, then she listened as he led the dog down the hall to his bedroom before meeting her in the kitchen.
“Thought we might enjoy our meal more if we didn’t have that mutt of mine sitting next to us on the floor, begging.”
She giggled. “I thought you were working on training him.”
“I think you and I both know I’m shit when it comes to disciplining that dog. He’s got me wrapped around his paw.”
She and Padraig had had countless conversations about his untrained dog. Emmy had forwarded him information about a dog training course he could sign up for, but Padraig hadn’t bothered. He’d confessed last week that his hesitance was based on the fact Seamus had actually been part of Mia’s bucket list, her desire to own a “badly behaved” dog. It was the first time she’d understood his reluctance, even though she hadn’t realized how deep Padraig’s desire ran to keep things just as they’d been with Mia.
Her thoughts drifted to the photos again, to the fact he’d never changed them.
Padraig reached for their drinks, while she grabbed the utensils and plates. It wasn’t until he lifted his hands that she realized he was holding something else.
“What is that for?” she asked about the necktie as they walked to the living room together.
“You’ll see.” They set their plates on the coffee table, then dropped down to sit on the blanket she’d spread out.
Emmy started to reach for her meal and a fork, but Padraig shook his head. “Not yet.”
Her heart rate increased when he began to unbutton her blouse. “Naked dinner?” she asked, her voice suddenly breathless.
“One of us is going to be naked.”
“What about you?” Emmy’s gaze narrowed.
“We’ll get to me later.”
She shook her head, but Padraig ignored her, continuing to strip off her clothing, her blouse and bra tossed to the side of the blanket before he urged her to her knees so he could unzip her skirt and tug it down her hips.
“Slip off your shoes,” he said.
Emmy did as he requested, then reached out, intent on removing his clothes as well. He caught her wrists before she could touch him.
“Bad girl,” he murmured, his tone suddenly deliciously dark and sexy.
“Paddy,” she whispered, hearing the slight whine in her voice.
“You’re mine, Emmy. Tonight, you’re all mine.”
She licked her lips, turned on by the possessiveness in his gaze. She leaned forward, needing more from him. With her hands still captive in his, all she could do was attempt to steal a kiss.
Padraig tugged her away from him when he shifted her hands from her front to her back. She struggled briefly when she felt him loop the necktie around her