He nodded. “Couples usually come here before they go see a marriage counselor, hoping to find answers to their problems. And honeymooners like to come, too.”
“And do you know where this spring is?” Claire asked.
“There are springs all over the island.” He gave her a sly look. “It doesn’t exist. It’s just a legend. We Irish love our legends.”
She took a sip of her beer. “But if it doesn’t exist, then why do people keep coming?”
“If you had a chance at eternal love, wouldn’t you go after it?” He laughed softly. “That was a rhetorical question.”
“So no one really knows where it is?”
“Oh, I’m sure some might think they’ve found it. But I’ve never seen proof that any of the water on this island does more than quench a man’s thirst.”
He smiled and Claire felt her stomach flutter. This island was already working its magic upon her. She felt alive and uninhibited, as if anything were possible. She wanted to jump out of her chair and kiss Will Donovan again. Her fingers ached to touch his rumpled hair and her body craved his warmth. There was just too much about him that she found attractive.
“How’s the sandwich?” he asked.
“It’s very good,” she said. “Everything here is… good.” And Claire had a very distinct feeling that it would get even better before the night was over.
2
SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. Perhaps the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. Will watched her as she took a sip of her wine, then snuggled back into the pillows on the opposite end of the sofa.
After dinner, they’d moved to the front parlor where Will had opened a bottle of cabernet and stoked the fire in the hearth. Though business had slowed down once the warmer days of summer had ended, for once, Will was grateful not to have other guests to tend to. Right now, he wanted to focus all of his attention on Claire.
She was different than any woman he’d ever met. Since all the publicity that followed his appointment as one of Ireland’s most eligible, it had been difficult to meet women who were really interested in him and not his money. In fact, all the energy spent trying to discern a woman’s true motives had made dating a chore.
He had managed one serious relationship, with a beautiful woman whom he thought he might marry. But the moment she found out Will was planning to sell his business and move back to Trall, she tossed him over for a hard-partying football player.
To Claire, he was just a guy who ran an inn—and he liked that. “How long do you plan to stay?” he asked.
She took another sip of her wine and sighed sleepily. “A day or two. I want to see something of the island.”
“You’ll be comfortable here.”
She met his gaze. “Yes, I think I will.” Covering her mouth, Claire stifled a yawn then sent him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to keep my eyes open. I have no idea what time it is back home, but I know I’ve been awake for too long. I should get some sleep.”
Will wasn’t anxious for their evening to end, but he was curious to see how it would end. Would they indulge in another kiss? He stood and held out his hand. “Come on, then. I’ll help you move your things into another room.”
She placed her fingers in his hand and he pulled her to her feet. She swayed slightly, from exhaustion or the wine, he wasn’t sure. Will reached out to steady her and she leaned against him, her face pressed into his chest. “You’re warm,” she murmured. “Maybe I ought to put you in my room for the night and forget about a fire.”
“I am warm,” he replied. And growing warmer by the second. This physical contact between them was enough to stir his desire as evidenced by the blood racing to his groin.
Will wrapped his arms around her and gently rubbed her back. Her breathing grew soft and slow and he realized she was falling asleep in his arms. When her knees finally gave way, he reached down and scooped her off her feet.
Her eyes flew open and she cried out in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you up to your room,” Will said, starting for the stairs. “You’re nearly asleep and I’m not sure you can make it under your own power.”
With a sigh, she settled into his grasp. “I think the service in this hotel is really wonderful,” Claire said, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’m going to recommend it to all my friends.”
Will took her to a room on the opposite end of the hall, kicking open the door with his foot. He’d placed a small space heater in the corner and had lit a fire in the fireplace and when they walked inside, the room was cozy. He hoped she wouldn’t notice and that she’d repeat her invitation for him to stay and keep her warm.
He set her down next to the bed, her arms still wrapped around his neck. And when she turned her face up to his, he did what he’d wanted to do all evening. Will covered her mouth with his, savoring the taste of her. She responded without hesitation, her tongue meeting his, silently offering more than just a kiss.
The attraction between them was undeniable and intense, yet Will wasn’t quite sure how to handle it. With any other woman, he wouldn’t have hesitated to crawl into her bed and make love to her all night long. But Claire O’Connor was a guest! And then there was Sorcha’s little love spell. If that had anything to do with this attraction, then Will wasn’t about to let it affect his judgment.
Still, he couldn’t resist enjoying just a few more moments with her. His hands skimmed over her body, slipping beneath the silk shirt to touch bare skin. She leaned closer, inviting further exploration, and there didn’t seem to be anything standing in his way.
Will slowly worked at the buttons of her shirt, opening them one by one and bending to kiss each inch of exposed skin. When he reached the soft tops of her breasts, he sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her into the space between his legs.
His lips found her belly, so smooth and warm, and he spanned her waist with his hands as he kissed her there. Claire ran her fingers through his hair, guiding his head until he reached the lacy fabric of her bra. Will nuzzled at the soft flesh, then reached up to tug the lace down to reveal her nipple.
Claire tipped her head back the instant his lips teased at the hard peak and a heartbeat later, they tumbled onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. All good sense seemed to vanish and Will focused on pleasure, the wonderful act of exploring her body with his lips and his fingers, inhaling her scent and listening to the tiny sounds that escaped from her throat with each tantalizing caress.
He twisted his fingers around hers and gently drew her arms above her head, gazing down into her face. “Are you sure you want this?”
She didn’t open her eyes, but merely smiled. “Yes.”
“Look at me,” he said.
Claire opened her eyes and he stared down at her. “Would you like to go to sleep?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied.
