Getting Lucky Read online

  Yes, please.

  Though the small part of her that was still functioning rationally knew this was a mistake for several reasons—all of them legitimate and practical and sound—it didn’t matter. None of it mattered compared to how much her heart wanted this—wanted him.

  Letting go, Shannon slid her hands down his back and around his lean, corded waist, reveling in all his rock-hard muscles. There were benefits to boxing. His body was sculpted and defined and so, so toned. And yet, when she slipped her fingers under the edge of his T-shirt, she discovered his skin was velvet soft to the touch.

  “Oh, Shannon.” He breathed, his stomach muscles flexing under her fingertips. When she reached the front button of his jeans, she grabbed it and tugged gently, teasing. Though she really wasn’t. She was wet and achy and wanted every impressive inch of what she felt bulging beneath his fly.

  Shannon cried out in surprise when Sean moved suddenly, his tough hands gripping the back of her thighs and lifting her up, wrapping them around his waist. And then he was striding across the hardwood floor, his boots thumping loudly while he found her nipple with his mouth and tongued it through the fabric of her shirt. The friction caused by his tongue on the thin cotton had her swollen and ready before they made it to his bedroom down the hall.

  His lips closed around her and he sucked hard enough to make her gasp in surprise at the surge of heat it sent straight to her pussy. “Sean!” she cried out, impatient now for him to be naked so she could touch him, hold his hot, thick cock in her hands. “Clothes off,” she demanded between pants of mounting need. “Take them off.”

  But before he did, a flash of lightning split the sky. It lit the room just as Sean looked up, a wicked glint in his amazing eyes. “Ladies first.” And he kissed her again, slow and drugging, his tongue mating with hers in a lazy, sensual rhythm that had her melting boneless onto the comforter when he lowered her still clothed to the bed. “I’ve been dreaming about you,” he whispered hotly against her lips and thrust against her, rubbing gently.

  Moaning in pleasure, Shannon tightened her legs around his waist, using her feet to pull him even closer, loving the delicious pressure of his erection pushing into her. “Oh, yeah?” she whispered back, enticed. “What kind of dreams?”

  He ducked his head and found the base of her neck, biting playfully. “Naughty, naked kinds of dreams.”

  Shannon laughed. “Is that so?”

  Now he was skimming his firm, sculpted lips along her collarbone as his hands gripped both of hers, pinning them against the bed. Sean rocked his hard-on against her, holding the pressure there until they were both panting unsteadily. “Want details?” he said with enough heat in his voice that she wasn’t sure if he was joking.

  The thought of him describing his sex dreams to her was deeply arousing. It had her so swollen and throbbing and slick that she tremored slightly, a tightening inside her pussy like the beginning of an orgasm. Delicious. “Mmm,” she moaned, smiling. “Yes, please.”

  He went still, swearing. Then he moved swiftly in the dim room, stripping Shannon naked. Sean’s hands roamed up her legs possessively, impatiently, after he’d completed the task. “I’d rather show you,” he growled, the edgy sound of it making her shiver with need.

  When he reached her center, he skimmed a finger over the curls at her opening, teasing the sensitive, slick fold. “Christ, you’re so wet for me. I can already feel you.” He looked up and pinned her with a stare, his eyes like emerald fire. “I need to taste you.”

  Shannon’s head fell back against the soft comforter, and her legs spread easily for him. Having his mouth on her was everything she wanted. Everything she could need. Sean made her burn and ache and feel so many emotions that she couldn’t sort one out from another. All she knew was that being with him this way now was no longer as simple as a choice being made. It was a need that rose from someplace deep inside her that had been locked and buried and forgotten for years as she’d placed everyone else’s needs in front of her own.

  Raking her hands through his black hair and fisting there just as his tongue replaced his finger and he stroked over her slowly, leisurely—like her pussy was an ice cream cone and she his favorite flavor. Good God, the man could please. Gasping, floating on a sea of desire, Shannon spread her legs wider and pulled up her knees until her feet were flat on the bed and she was arching wantonly into him.

  “Sean.” She breathed, dazed with passion. “Oh. My. God.” And that was the last of her coherent speech, because he’d found her clit and began licking her, kissing her hotly.

  Rain pounded steady against the windows, the sound like perfectly planned mood music as Shannon let herself go. Soon her eyes were closed, her head rolling back and forth as she moaned and Sean spoke to her darkly, erotically—urging her to come. His voice had gone rough and his accent heavy. And when he started coaxing her to orgasm and slipped into Gaelic, murmuring words she couldn’t understand but that sounded so incredibly sexy, Shannon arched into him one last time and cried out, orgasming almost violently. It ripped through her hard and fast, leaving her weak.

  “Oh, you don’t think I’m done, do you?” Sean said, but his voice sounded far away from where Shannon was currently floating.

  Then he was stripping off his own clothes and standing at the foot of the bed naked, breathing hard, his thick, gorgeous cock heavy with arousal. Shannon’s body reacted to the sight instantly, surprising her. Multiple orgasms had never been her body’s thing. But by the way her pussy was growing hot and throbbing again, she knew that another one was building.

  Because of Sean.

  The man had the most amazing body. So hard and tough from his years of boxing, his arms and abs were ripped and sculpted perfectly. The slight dusting of chest hair and happy trail that ended in a thatch of curly black hair nestled around his erection only served to remind Shannon that he was an all masculine, virile male.

  Before she could stop herself, she rose onto her knees and went to him, crawling naked toward him over the bed sheets. Her skin was prickly and hot and almost too tight, desire building hard and fast again inside her. The only thing that would appease it would be his hands all over her. She needed them on every square inch of inflamed skin.

  But first it was her turn to do the tasting.

  “What are you doing, love?” Sean asked softly, his gorgeous eyelashes lowered over his passion-filled gaze. His heavy, sculpted thighs were braced apart and she ran her hands up them, scraping her nails along his skin gently. She smiled when he sucked in deep. Finally her hands reached him and she thrilled at his quick intake of breath and the way he hissed through his teeth.

  “This,” she replied and placed her mouth around him, flicking the plump head of his cock with her tongue. No one had ever inspired her to want to do this before, but Sean made her feel things, made her want things. And right now she wanted him in her mouth.

  Sean swore violently as she took him deep and rocked toward her, his hands fisting in her loose hair. “Feck. Jesus, Shannon.”

  Smiling around him, feeling wild and adventurous, she took her time sucking and exploring the velvet steel length of him until he was panting heavily. Glorying in her newfound sexuality, she laughed when he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her away a little roughly. “Too much for you, baby?” she teased, amazed at herself. Who was this woman?

  But before she could begin to feel embarrassed and pull out of the moment, Sean had covered himself with protection and was on her, stretching out his big, hard body over her. The thick head of his cock split her folds and she moaned in anticipation. And when he pushed into her with one hard thrust, she cried out at the sensation of such incredible fullness.

  “Shannon,” he groaned, like the sound had been ripped from his chest. For a suspended moment he was still. But then her inner muscles tightened around him involuntarily and Sean dropped his forehead to hers as he began thrusting slow and deep and steady. “You’re exquisite,” he whispered against her lips
.

  And she felt that way. With every single thrust of his hips, every caress of his hand, every heated, passionate look he gave her, she felt exquisite—and beautiful and wanted and free.

  “Come for me,” he suddenly demanded, his movements becoming faster, harder. She could feel him on the brink. And knowing that created a rush of desire so intense that she had no choice but to obey. And when she came this time he was right there with her, groaning, thrusting one last time with his own release—the most incredible orgasm of her life taking her over.

  SEAN LISTENED TO the rain pound against the windows as Shannon dozed quietly next to him, her body half flung over his. He was gently skimming his fingers over her, enjoying the silky feel of her skin, and his brain was blank as feck because he couldn’t think after what had just happened.

  Shannon had blown his mind.

  “What do I do now?” he whispered almost silently, his gaze directed up toward the ceiling. Whether he was asking God or Jesus or somebody for help, he didn’t know. All he knew was that his feelings for Shannon were scary strong, and he was in over his head.

  Now that he’d had her, there was no way he was going to be able to stop. And while one part of him—the part that had just been fucked senseless by the woman of his dreams—was already looking forward to round two, the other part remembered all too well who Sean Connor Donaghy really was and knew he had just made a huge mistake.

  But then Shannon moved against him, snuggling closer, and he just didn’t have the heart to shut it down and walk away. Not when everything he’d ever wanted was lying right there in his arms. Not when he’d given up the hope of ever getting so lucky.

  But most especially, not when he’d just fallen in love.

  Chapter Seventeen

  THREE DAYS LATER, Shannon was at the Hole in The Wall bakery sitting across from her sister again. Three wonderful, amazing days filled with Sean and a whole lot of really, really great sex.

  And it must have shown all over her face.

  “You slut!” Colleen shot her a wicked grin. “You slept with him.”

  There was no point in denying it. “Of course I have,” Shannon replied nonchalantly, like sleeping with Sean was the most natural, evolutionary step in the world. Which it actually had been, oddly. Doubts and fears aside, making love with Sean really had been the most natural thing she’d ever done. Maybe not the wisest, but it sure was easy.

  And fun. Wow, was it fun.

  Colleen huffed and tore off a piece of glazed donut, shoving it in her mouth. “I can tell it was good. You’re glowing,” she said as she chewed. Very unladylike. No one would ever guess in a million years that she came from one of the most prestigious families in America. The woman ate like a trucker. “Even though I’m shamelessly jealous and hate you a little bit right now, I want details.”

  Shannon snorted and looked out the front window at the people passing by. “Not in a million years.” How could she explain something she couldn’t even wrap her own mind around because her heart kept getting in the way?

  “Is he hung?” her sister asked after she’d taken a big swig of straight black coffee. “I bet he’s hung.”

  Shannon glared, feeling embarrassed. “That’s none of your business.” But yes, yes he was.

  “Oh, come on, Shan. It’s been too long for me and I’m feeling desperate. Give me something to live vicariously by.” Colleen looked sincerely put out, presumably by the fact that she hadn’t had sex in what, maybe six months? Shannon really doubted it’d been longer than that for her sister, not with her “sex with someone new at least twice a year” rule.

  Shannon did some quick mental math, realizing just how many partners that would be if she herself had held fast to that rule. Colleen was doing laps around her. Not that it would be hard to do, given that Sean made partner number three.

  Hey, the third time was supposed to be charmed, right? Shannon’s stomach quivered excitedly at the idea. Sweet.

  Wouldn’t that be lucky?

  Colleen was staring at her expectantly, so Shannon caved a little and gave her something. “He knows what he’s doing with the female anatomy.”

  A pale blond eyebrow lifted. “Really?” And then, “That’s all you’re going to tell me? That he’s good with pussies?” She leaned back in her seat, crossed her arms, and glared. “Like that wasn’t already obvious.”

  Shannon tipped her head to one side. “I didn’t realize you wanted a detailed summary of my sex life. Although, judging by the way you keep scanning the place, I’m beginning to think you asked to meet here hoping for another glimpse of something—or somebody—of your own.” She ended with a wink.

  Her sister sighed, deep and weary. “Okay, it’s true.”

  “What’s true?” Shannon said, really looking at her sister. There were dark smudges under her hazel eyes and her coloring was paler than normal under her freckles, like she hadn’t been getting enough sleep. “What’s going on?” Suddenly her good mood went south as she became swamped with worry.

  Colleen tossed her blond hair over her shoulder and held up a hand, her index and middle finger in a V. “Two things.”

  “Okay,” Shannon drawled.

  “The first thing is, yes, you’re right. I have been scoping the place. That guy we saw last time we were here has been stuck in my head and I can’t get him out. You know—Mr. Badass? A big part of me was hoping I’d see him while I was here to tell you the second thing, and if he’s single, I planned on climbing him like a mountain and howling from his peak like a coyote.”

  Now that was a visual.

  But before Shannon could laugh, Colleen continued, “But the real reason I asked you to meet me is that I found something. And before you say anything, yes, I have been doing research—not just frolicking about in Fortune having a grand time. You’re involved in something, so it’s important.”

  “Thank you,” Shannon said, and watched as Apple and a small group of women walked by, talking excitedly. When her new friend looked up and saw her, the blond waved with a big friendly smile. “I’ll believe you if you say you found something on Dad. But it’s difficult to believe that you could have found anything on Sean.”

  “Why, because you slept with him?” Colleen eyed her seriously. “You do realize that sex doesn’t automatically make him innocent, right?”

  Well, yeah. She’d decided on his innocence before having sex with him. Big difference. “I know that, Colleen. What did you find?” she asked, hoping to move the conversation away from her and Sean’s bedroom activities.

  Colleen pulled a plain tan file folder from her bag and handed it across the booth to Shannon. “I think I’ve found something significant. I’m not positive, but I’ve got that buzzy feeling. It all began with a Google search on the word O’Banion. That alone didn’t herald anything noteworthy, so I added the words ‘horseracing’ and ‘gambling’ into the search engine with it. This is what I discovered.”

  Taking the file from her hands, Shannon opened it and set it on the table. She glanced up at her sister. “Explain to me what I’m seeing.”

  Colleen leaned forward and tapped a photocopied picture of a racehorse running full out, its jockey leaned far over its neck as they flew down the track. “Okay, I’ll walk you through. That’s Something Unexpected, Sean’s horse. Notice the tongue hanging out of the corner of his mouth?”

  She nodded and said, “I do. I’ve seen video clips of him and noticed he has that quirk when he’s running.”

  Her sister flipped the paper over, revealing the next one below. It was another racehorse running on the track, its tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth too. Only this horse was bay and the photo looked old. “This is that famous Irish racehorse, Shergar,” her sister said. “Remember that story?”

  Shannon nodded, her eyes squinting on the photo. Picking it up, she held it next to the photo of Zeke. “I’ll be damned,” she mumbled. “I wonder if Tim was right.”

  “Who’s Tim?”

 
Blinking, she laid the photos back down and explained. “He’s Sean’s yearling trainer. I was talking to him a few days ago and he mentioned to me that it’s rumored that Zeke was descended from Shergar. But that doesn’t make sense because that horse disappeared in the early eighties. His bloodline died with him.”

  Her sister tapped the picture of Zeke. “Did it? During my research, I ran across a lot of articles related to Shergar’s story. The official report is that the Irish mob abducted him. But there are a dozen theories surrounding his abduction and what really happened to him. They range from him being ransomed by the Irish Republican Army in an arms deal to being kidnapped by Libyan extremists. And one of the theories is that he didn’t actually die, that he was kidnapped and became a prized stud at a secret breeding operation in Northern Ireland, where he lived well into old age and sired many offspring that were sold for a fortune to wealthy people around the world.” She tapped the picture again. “Look at his tongue, Shannon. Shergar was famous for that move. What if Zeke really is Shergar’s grandson?”

  She saw the ramifications. “It would make him priceless. But I don’t get what that has to do with Dad, though, or O’Banion.”

  Her sister leaned back and picked up her coffee, sipping. “You should look at the other pages.”

  She did. One was an Irish Times newspaper article about a man named Mickey O’Banion who was indicted in connection with the mob over an illegal horseracing betting ring but later cleared when they failed to find substantial evidence against him.

  Chills ran down her spine. “You think that’s the same O’Banion that Dad owes money to?”

  “I think it might be,” Colleen replied after hesitating briefly. “Though to be fair, that article was written almost twenty years ago. Still, I think there’s a connection.”

  Looking at the pictures of the horses and their matching lolling tongues, Shannon had to agree even though she didn’t like it. “Thanks for sharing this. I need to sit on it for a while, but I’m sure you’re right.”