Secrets Left Neglected

Chapter 26

Caoilainn

We make it back to the club with just enough time for me to change and grab a quick bite to eat before class. After popping the vitamins my doctor gave me the other day, I close the prescription lid tight, and put the bottle back in my tote bag.

Stretching my legs, I think about the day that Tadhg and I made a run to the orchards for Duncan. He had placed an order for hard apple cider for the bar and we volunteered to pick it up. I'm missing Tadhg like crazy today, and I smile at the memories.

I laughed as Tadhg tugged my hand forward, pulling me to the back of the orchard and away from the crowds. Before we picked up Duncan's order, Tadhg and I took ourselves on a little detour of the grounds. We had ducked under a rope and kept jogging, ignoring the signs posted that the section of the grove we were heading into wasn't ready for picking yet...

...I hopelessly try to steer clear of fallen fruit on the ground and under my feet. I do my best to be quiet. I don't want a lot attendant or anyone else to hear us.

Tadhg's in stealth mode. He's quite adept at silent movement between obstacles, in fact. While the soles of my sneakers slide across the skin of errant unripe apples, he navigates the way with deadly precision. He's on a mission and will not be deterred.

When the noise of the crowds is left far behind, Tadhg tightens his grip on my fingers and pulls me in between two apple trees. Our lips lock before any fruit can be shaken free from the branches. His hands are in my hair and cruising to my backside. Before I have time to react, we're on the ground rolling tiny apples out from under us.

Lying there in Tadhg's arms, it's as if the whole world has disappeared.

All too soon, when we hear a nearby apple cart's wagon wheels squeak, though, and we halt in place, waiting to see how close the person is to us.

"Tadhg," I whisper, giggling. "We have to get up. Someone's going to find us."

"Not yet," he pleads. "I need you."

"Tadhg, we're in a public apple orchard, for Pete's sake," I laugh exacerbated but just as eager. "We're going to get caught." That's what I tell him, and yet, still my hands continue moving, egging him on. My pulse speeds up at Tadhg's answering touch. He's kissing my neck. His lips caress my skin delicately enough not to leave a mark, but passionate enough to let me know he's as lost in the moment as I am.

When I hear an old man whistling in time with the squeak of wheels I start to squirm.

"Tadhg, someone's coming," I pant out, eager to finish what we've started before we're found.

"Just one more second," he answers, shifting our position. Tadhg groans as he finds home and we're both caught up in our movements. "Oh damn, Caoi." His eyes are closed as we frantically pick up our pace.

"Tadgh!" I echo his sentiment, finding my own rhythm. "Oh, shit, Tadhg! Oh!"

Immediately afterwards, we pull apart. Just as we get somewhat decent again a man wearing dusty overalls rounds the corner. We're standing next to an apple tree like two cats who swallowed canaries and got caught. I turn from Tadhg's devilish glance and suppress my grin with difficulty, saying hello to the man.

"Hey, you two," he points at us, adding a well-deserved lecture next. "You're not supposed to be back here! This section's not open to the public yet. Didn't you read the signs?"

We look at each other and do our best not to laugh. It's not the easiest thing in the world to do considering Tadhg's shirt is hanging half-in and half-out of his pants. To say nothing of the brambles and leaves donning my hair.