Read Online Love and Blarney by Zara Keane - Free Book Online Page A

mentioned.”
    He led her down stone steps and through the ruined courtyard toward the gardens. The guidebook hadn’t done them justice. They were gorgeous, several little sections just beginning to bloom. Jayme peered at one of the plants. “What a beautiful flower.” She leaned closer. “What a sec… that almost looks like—”
    “Wolfsbane,” Ruairí said, pointing to the sign.
    “Aconite?” She drew back in alarm. “Wow. They weren’t joking when they named this part of the grounds Poison Garden.”
    “No, they weren’t. Hey, if you want to save money on the divorce, mandrake’s over there.” His teasing smile warmed her in spite of the February chill.
    She quirked an eyebrow, wavering between annoyance and amusement that he could joke about their marital issues. “I’m a doctor. If I was planning to kill you, I’m pretty sure I could come up with a more subtle poison than mandrake.”
    Her tone must have tipped him off that he’d irritated her. He frowned, then said: “I’m sorry, Jayme. It slipped out.”
    “Lead me toward this famous portal tomb and I might forgive you.”
    “We’re nearly there. Rock Close is up ahead.”
    They wandered through the rest of the gardens, eventually reaching the area Ruairí had pointed to.
    “Seeing as we kissed the stone,” he said, “we’d better continue our day of superstitions and descend the Wishing Steps backward.”
    “The Wishing Steps? How charming.”
    “There’s a catch, though.”
    She laughed. “Isn’t there always?”
    “You have to do it with your eyes shut.”
    “In other words, if we manage to get down the steps without falling and breaking our necks, all our wishes will come true?”
    He flashed her a wolfish grin. “That’s about the size of it.”
    “Come on then. Let’s do it.”
    “You have to think of a wish first, but don’t tell me.”
    Her wish didn’t require a second’s consideration. Rewinding the clock and changing the choices they’d made a year ago wasn’t feasible, but if the past few days were any indication, rekindling their marriage was still within the realm of the possible. She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m ready.”
    He took her hand in his and they slowly maneuvered themselves down the steps.
    “Oh,” she said, losing her footing. His strong arm broke her fall. Finally, after a couple more near misses, they made it to the bottom of the steps intact.
    She sagged against the wall, laughing. “So what did you wish for?”
    He smiled. “It’s bad luck to tell you. You going to tell me your wish?”
    “I’m superstitious enough not to want to tempt fate.” Their eyes met and time froze.
    “Jayme.” His voice was hoarse and thick with longing. He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his. His mouth parted, revealing very white, very even teeth. Her breath caught when he leaned in again. This time, she matched him movement for movement, their tongues meshing in an erotic dance. She slipped her hands inside his jacket, kneading the taut muscles beneath his shirt.
    “Jayme.” He murmured her name again against her ear. Every hair on her nape stood to attention. One of his hands slipped under her windbreaker. The sensation of him touching her burned through her thin wool sweater. He ran the other hand through her hair, loosening it from its ribbon. It cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.
    “Your hair’s longer,” he said, examining it.
    “Do you like it?”
    “Yeah. Definitely. The longer style suits you.” He let the strands fall through his fingers. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.”
    Her cheeks grew warm. “You’re a shameless flatterer, Ruairí MacCarthy.”
    “No flattery needed. It’s the truth.” He buried his face in her hair, and the smell of his spicy aftershave sent her hormones into overdrive. “I’ve missed you, Jayme. So very much.”
    “You can’t possibly have missed me as much as I’ve missed you.” Her voice broke on the words. She’d have