'Tis the Season for Seduction - Conclusion

Lucas finally got his woman, but will he catch the art thief?



Part One
Part Two
Part Three

'Tis the Season for Seduction

by

Fiona Summerville

"Lucas, it’s too small in here for both of us."

Caitlyn’s protest dissolved into giggles as Lucas drew back the shower curtain and squeezed into the tiny stall beside her. He towered over her, his massive form overwhelming the small space and her. Dipping his head to capture her lips, he pinned her against the cool tile.

"Mmmm…not too small. Cozy," he chuckled, as his hands drifted downward and grabbed her bottom, sliding her up the wall. The cool tiles at her back did little to dampen the heat her body was radiating. She wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned softly as he reached between their bodies, dipping two fingers into her core.

“God, Caitlyn. You’re already so wet.”

“You do seem to have that effect on me,” she gasped as he withdrew his fingers, sliding them leisurely up over her clit. A shudder ran through her and she dropped her head, resting her forehead on his. She wasn’t so much surprised at the effect he had on her body, as much as she was about her unslakable need for him.

“Lucas, I need to feel you inside me…now…please.”

A soft growl rumbled deep in his chest as he nipped and laved her perk, pink nipple. When he lifted his head, he wore a wolfish grin.

“Well, since you said, please,” he murmured, sliding her up the wall a little further before bringing her down, impaling her hard and deep on his cock.

***

When they finally emerged from the shower stall, the water had run tepid, the bathroom floor was flooded and Caitlyn’s cheeks bore the mark of his five o’clock shadow.

"You’re looking a bit scruffy there, my handsome man," she grinned up at him, running her hand along his cheek. “Why don’t you have a shave and while you do, I’ll cook breakfast."

Clean shaven and dressed, Lucas walked into the tiny kitchen and wrapped his arms around Caitlyn’s waist as she was filling two plates.

“Mmm… smells wonderful. And the food looks great too.”

“Och, go on with ye,” she giggled. “Sit yourself down. Can’t ye see I’m in the midst of creating a masterpiece?”

Planting a kiss on her cheek, Lucas obeyed and plopped into one of the chairs at her dining table. As she served up two plates filled with fried tomatoes, bacon, sausage, cold-boiled potatoes, beans, black pudding and fried eggs, she couldn’t help but note how Lucas dwarfed the table, and the room, for that matter. The man was larger than life. Thankfully, in more ways than one, she thought wickedly as she walked over to the table.

"Do you eat like this every morning?" he asked with a look of delight as she set a plate down in front of him.

"Pretty much. Oh, and I made coffee, too. Unless you prefer tea."

"Coffee, please" he said enthusiastically, as he forked and bit into a sausage.

Caitlyn fell a little in love with him in that moment. Maybe it was his boyish smile and the way he attacked his breakfast. Or the snow drifting down outside the window. Or maybe it was the way his every touch made her feel safe, secure and cherished.

Whatever the reason, she decided right then and there to stop over-analyzing and simply relish every moment of their remaining time together.

 ***

Caitlyn felt herself slowly being seduced. Not only by the intelligent, articulate, hunk of a man sharing her company, but by the spirit of Christmas. For the first time, since her gran’s death, Caitlyn reveled in the joys of the season. She delighted in the bright and cheerful Christmas lights strung across the streets, the holly boughs and wreaths on every door, and the warm cheerful greetings from strangers in the street.

They spent the days leading up to Christmas wandering through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Dublin, arm in arm, soaking up the festive holiday atmosphere while Caitlyn shared the history of her beloved, adopted city. In the evenings, while she worked, Lucas became a fixture at the O’Brien’s. Winning over the regulars as easily as he’d won her heart. And oh, had he won her heart.

Each time the realization that their relationship was only temporary crept in, threatening to put a damper on her joy, Caitlyn forced the thought back into the “things to be ignored for as long as possible” corner of her mind. Logically she knew it wasn’t meant to last, but that didn’t keep her from falling. All it took was a smile or kiss and her heart melted for him a little more every day…and night.

And her nights with Lucas were epic. He was an amazing lover who ravaged her, mind, body and soul. Giving and tender at times. Hard, greedy and relentless at others. Caitlyn had fallen for him after their first night together. By Christmas Eve, she knew she’d tumbled the rest of the way.

Her mind was busy making plans for New Year’s Eve as they crunched through the snow to Dublin’s medieval Christ Church Cathedral for the annual Christmas Eve concert. She smiled as they rounded the corner, her breath catching at the scene of the majestic cathedral bathed in light, its tower and turrets dusted with new fallen snow.

"You know, Henry II attended the Christmas service here in 1171," Caitlyn told Lucas, tucking herself into his side for warmth.

His eyes crinkled with mirth as he smiled down at her. "You don’t suppose we’ll see old Henry floating around, do you?"

She giggled and swatted at his arm with a gloved hand. "Tonight’s concert will be wonderful, but we definitely need to come back on New Year’s Eve at midnight to hear the change ringers do their thing."

"Change ringers? Who or what are change ringers?" He asked, staring down at her wearing a befuddled look.

"The change ringers are a four-hundred-year-old society of bell ringers who ring the bells in mathematical patterns called ‘changes’. Christ Church Cathedral has a total of nineteen bells used for change ringing—that’s the most bells in any one tower worldwide. New Year’s Eve is the only time all nineteen are rung together. It’s an magical way to literally ring in the –“

She broke off and came to a dead stop.

"Lucas! That hat! The man that hit me at Newgrange was wearing that hat!"

His chin jerked up as he followed her pointing finger and zeroed in on the figure of a statuesque woman wearing a round-brimmed hat about a dozen or so yards ahead, milling her way through the crowd.

"Sweetheart, that’s probably a popular unisex-style of hat," he said, following Caitlyn as she forged a path toward the woman.

“No,” Caitlyn said, shaking her head vehemently. “I only caught a glimpse before I was attacked, but I remember thinking how distinctive that herringbone pattern was. It's not Irish. I’ve never seen it in any store in Dublin."

Willing to chase down any possible lead, Lucas shoved his way through the crowd, planting himself in front of the woman as he reached into his breast pocket for his credentials.

"Excuse me, ma’am, Special Agent Lucas Conner with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. I’d like to ask you a couple of que— Hey!"

The woman spun on her heel and ran. She careened through the crowd, knocking down concert goers indiscriminately before breaking left and heading straight toward Caitlyn.

When their glances met, a flash of surprised recognition leapt into the redhead’s eyes. She sneered at Caitlyn. Och, sneer at me will ye? Ye brazen wench. We’ll see about that. Caitlyn stuck her foot out and leaned her shoulder toward the woman as she passed, sending the assumed art thief face first into the snow.

Lucas wore a look of amused appreciation as he approached, giving Caitlyn a wink before kneeling down to cuff the snow-sputtering woman.

“Good job, partner.”

“’Tis all in a day’s work, doncha know?” Caitlyn joked before stepping back as the constables swarmed the scene.

Caitlyn watched as Lucas and the local authorities bustled the woman away taking with them her dream of a cozy Christmas Eve snuggled in front of a fire with the man of her dreams.

As Caitlyn presumed, the next forty-eight hours passed in a disappointing blur. She spent the remainder of Christmas Eve at the police station, and most of Christmas day alone while Lucas and Inspector O’Malley worked the case. Their search of the woman’s hotel room yielded not only the Newgrange stone, but a Bronze Age dagger reported stolen some weeks prior from a museum in Cobh. Lucas had been correct in his assumption that she had been waiting for the heat to die down before attempting to smuggle the treasures out of Ireland.

Faced with mounds of evidence, Jewel Banks, one of her many aliases, admitted to a long history of well-planned art heists throughout Europe and the United States. She also agreed to provide the FBI with information about her wealthy Miami-based client in exchange for protection and immunity from prosecution. As a result, Lucas pushed through the extradition paperwork, and made arrangements to leave for the States late Christmas afternoon.

"I need to get her back and into interrogation before Saldana hears she’s been arrested," he told Caitlyn during a rushed farewell at her flat. "If nothing else, we’ll get the bastard on at least four felony counts of commissioning and financing the trafficking of stolen goods. I want more, though." He growled. "Much more."

Caitlyn watched Lucas pace around her tiny flat. If she needed any further proof of how much he loved his job, she had it. Edgy impatience poured off of him. She knew that in his mind he was already on that plane and headed across the Atlantic…away from her. Knowing there was no way she could ever compete with his profession stung.

"There was a reward for information leading to the recovery of the dagger," he told her. "It’s not much, only a few hundred euros, but Inspector O’Malley promised to make sure it came to you."

She nodded her thanks, her throat too tight to speak.

"Oh, and before I forget…" He walked over to the bag he’d set by the door when he’d entered and returned with it. "I thought I was going to have time to wrap it, but…well. Merry Christmas, Caitlyn."

Her heart aching, she dug through the tissue in the bag and pulled out a soft pashmina scarf in the most vibrant shade of emerald green she’d ever seen. She looked down at the scarf, not willing to meet Lucas’ gaze until the tears that threatened were well in check.

"It reminded me of your eyes," he whispered softly, tucking a finger under her chin and tilting her head back until their eyes met. He saw the tears, but said nothing. He simply pulled her into a tight embrace.

Caitlyn snaked her arms around his waist and held on for dear life. In her heart she knew this was all she’d have of him. The memories of the last few days and a scarf, both of which she would cherish for a lifetime.

"I got you something, too. Nothing grand, but…"

Extracting herself from his embrace, she walked over to the table near the tree, returning with a small box wrapped in cheerful Christmas paper. She smiled watching as he tore off the paper. She could almost imagine what he’d been like as a child on Christmas morning. The thought made the tears well again.

He grinned up at her as he pulled out the keychain. It was made of braided black leather with a silver ring at one end and a weighted Celtic knot at the other. She didn’t tell him it was a love knot. She couldn’t. Not with him leaving, no doubt never to return.

"It’s beautiful, Caitlyn. Thank you." He curled a knuckle under her chin and tipped her face to his. "I’ll be back."

"Och, will ye now?" Swallowing the lump in her throat, she dredged up a saucy tone. "And when might that be, me boyo?"

"As soon as I possibly can. I swear.”

***

Once again Caitlyn was alone. Only this time the loneliness was almost too much to bear.  

In the week that led up to New Year’s she kept up appearances. Moving through each day in a haze of half-hearted smiles and feigned holiday cheer, but inside she was miserable. The colored lights on the street mocked her. Her footsteps echoing in the empty quad at Trinity College, reflected the lonely ache in her heart. Even the pub was quiet. Most of the students were gone for the holidays and only a scant number of tourists were hardy enough to brave the weather. Leaving her to wallow and mourn a love that was never meant to be.

Lucas had emailed her the morning after his return to the States. He’d written that Banks was stumbling over herself to provide information knowing the FBI was the only thing standing between her and any death warrant Saldana might issue.

The following day he emailed again. This time to say he wouldn’t be able to communicate for a while. Caitlyn interpreted that to mean he was going undercover and worried nonstop the rest of the week for his safety.

The fear and worry were still with her on New Year’s Eve, when the entire pub emptied as everyone headed to Christ Church for the ringing of the bells. Mick, the pub’s owner, tried to cajole Caitlyn into joining them.

"Aren’t ye going to hear the bells, love?"

"Nah, Mick. You go on. I’ll mind the pub."

"Are ye sure? I'll be happy tae stay behind."

"I’m sure. Go. Enjoy yourself."

As the chimes began to sound, faint and clear in the distance, Caitlyn tried to numb the empty ache around her heart by keeping busy. She wiped down the counter and then set up rows of glasses for the patrons who would return ready to toast the New Year.

"Och, I’m nothin’ but a bloody fool," she muttered as the pub door opened and a late customer entered on a blast of cold air and the pealing of bells. "What was I thinking? How could I fall in love with a great glom I’ll probably never see again."

She heaved a heavy sigh and turned to tend to the customer, only to find him grinning at her.

"So I’m a great glom, huh?"

Lucas! She gasped. If they’d passed each other on the street, she wouldn’t have recognized him. He looked battle worn. Exhausted. His eyes were blood shot, and a vicious bruise mottled one side of his face, but he radiated triumph.

"We got him, Caitlyn. Saldana’s done."

She smiled through the tears that filled her eyes.

“Oh, Lucas. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!”

A twinkle of mirth danced in his eyes. "Not only that, my superiors were so impressed with my knowledge of prehistoric art that I’ve been assigned to a special Interpol task force based here in Dublin."

"Really? For how long?" Her heart swelled with hope, but at the same time feared his response. She couldn't do temporary. Not with him.

"For at least as long as it takes for you to finish your doctorate. Forever, if you want. I'll make sure of it, sweetheart."

“I…I...you…”

“Save it woman,” he chuckled, holding his arms open to her. “By my estimation you’ve got about ten seconds to get out from behind that bar so we can kiss in the New Year. Now move it!"

“Yes, sir!”

Laughing, Caitlyn ducked under the counter and rushed into his arms, the thunderous pounding of her heart drowning out the cacophony of bells ringing in the New Year. And as his lips crushed down on hers, she melted against him, basking not only in his warmth, but in the knowledge that she'd never spend another Christmas alone.

THE END

'Tis the Season for Seduction

In our previous installment, Lucas and Caitlyn had made their way to Newgrange on toe morning of Winter Solstice in hopes of catching an art thief connected to an American drug lord. Lucas assumed the art thief would be one of the fifty people selected to witness solstice from inside the tomb. He was wrong. 

In the midst of her reverie, Caitlyn stumbles upon a person wearing a very distinctive hat chipping away at the exterior of the tomb but before she can sound the alarm, she is attacked by the would-be thief. 

Does Lucas arrive in time to save Caitlyn and will he catch his thief?


Part One

Part Two

'Tis the Season for Seduction

by

Fiona Summerville

Part Three

"Caitlyn. Sweetheart."

A deep, reassuring voice penetrated the pain. Caitlyn struggled to sit up, but gentle hands pushed her back onto the icy ground. Which was just as well, her head was spinning.

"Don’t move, baby. The paramedics are on their way."

Caitlyn opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as her eyes struggled to focus, when they did, they met Lucas’ worried gaze.

She reached up, touching her temple with tentative fingers only to have his gloved hands cup her hand and bring it to his chest.

"Shhh…just lay still. You must have slipped and hit one of the stones going down. You’ve got a nasty bump on your temple. You may very well have a concussion."

Her temple throbbed, but Lucas’ words pierced through the fog and Caitlyn gasped with sudden recollection.

"I didn’t slip! He hit me with his cane."

"He who?"

"It had to be the art thief! He was prying loose one of the quartz stones. Everyone was focused on the sunrise… Oh, no!"

At her cry, alarm leaped into his amber eyes. "It’s okay, baby. Shhh, you’re going to be fine." Lucas snarled at a uniformed officer standing off to the side. "Where the hell are those paramedics?"

"Lucas, I’m fine. Really.” Using the resistance of his grip on her hand, she pulled herself up to a seated position and leaned her head against his chest. “It’s just that…I missed the sunrise.” Her voice tapered off into another soft cry.

"Oh sweetheart, there’ll be more sunrises." His voice was rough with concern as he gently stroked her hair. "Do you think you can give us a description of the man who attacked you?"

"I only caught a glimpse of him." She closed her eyes, searching her pain addled brain for anything that might help. "I think he was older, but that might have been because of the cane. I didn’t see his face. His scarf was pulled up and he was wearing a big bulky overcoat and a hat.”

The police constable nearest to them, turned away and barked into his radio. "All units! Be on the lookout for a gentleman with a cane, wearing an overcoat, muffler and hat. Hold him for questioning concerning an assault."

"And for defacing an antiquity," Caitlyn muttered, pointing to the small hole in the tomb’s upper ring. Indiscernible to most, but to her the jagged, empty hole made a mockery of everything she held dear.

"There was a design there," she said softly. "A triple spiral. I showed you a picture of it last night at the library, remember? How dare some greedy bastard defile something that has withstood time and the elements for over five thousand years!"

Caitlyn winced, pain shooting through her head as she raised her voice in anger. Lucas pulled her close, hoping to sooth not only the pain in her head but also her heart. In the short time he’d been with Caitlyn, he’d learned how deeply she revered the megaliths she studied. It was one of the many things he’d grown to love about her. Love? Aw hell no.

He stared down into her face. Even etched with pain, her beauty and fiery temper shone through. She was a bright and gifted scholar with so much knowledge to offer the world. He should never have involved her in this op. But he’d been so certain his target would be inside the tomb, not outside with Caitlyn. Dammit. She could have been killed.

Lucas stood stock-still, cursing himself silently as the paramedics arrived and guided her from his arms to start their examination. He let out an audible sigh of relief when they confirmed her pupils were refracting normally and that her pulse and blood pressure were strong and steady. Still, it was decided that she should have a doctor look her over at the hospital.

Lucas helped her onto the gurney and walked along side to the waiting ambulance. He was about to climb in when Inspector O’Malley stopped him.

"We’re searching everyone on the site. Purses. Pockets. Thermoses. So far we’ve come up empty."

"I have a feeling you’ll find the cane under a bush somewhere," Lucas said grimly. "It’s served its purpose, both as a tool and a weapon. No doubt part of the disguise, too."

“You’re probably right, but we’ll keep at it anyway.”

***

Two hours later, the attending physician declared Caitlyn well enough to go home.

"You’ve a sizable lump on your head, so just take it easy until the pain and swelling subsides, alright?"

"I will."

"Watch her closely for the next twenty-four hours," he warned Lucas. "If her headache worsens, her speech slurs or she seems confused, bring her right back, do y’hear?"

“Yes, doctor and thank you."

Caitlyn shot Lucas a glance, but held her tongue until the doctor left the room.

"Oh for goodness sake, there’s no need for you to watch over me for the next twenty-four hours."

"Doctor’s orders. Unless there’s someone else available," he added casually. "A roommate, maybe?

"She’s gone home for the holidays. But I’m working this evening. They’ll watch out for me there."

Lucas snorted softly. “You’re supposed to take it easy. There’s no way you’re going to work tonight.  You’d best call to let them know you won’t be in."

"But…"

"No buts, Caitlyn." He placed a hand under each arm and lifted her off the exam table. "I should never have involved you. It’s my fault you got hurt. It’s my responsibility to make sure you get better.”

***

Lucas’ cell phone rang as he and Caitlyn walked across the parking lot to his rental car. He listened for a moment and gave a terse response before ending the call.

"That was Inspector O’Malley. They found the cane, but no trace of your attacker or the stone. They’re widening the search, but something tells me our guy has gone to ground."

“Lucas, we have to find him before he gets the stone out of the country. We can’t let him get away with this.”

Lucas nodded as he loaded her into the passenger seat and then made his way around to the driver’s side.

"You know, I’ve got vacation built up. I was thinking I might stay here in Dublin over the holidays. Would you like to spend them with me? I mean, that is if you don’t have any other plans."

Caitlyn’s heart soared at the thought of spending Christmas cuddled in front of a fire with Lucas. She was already envisioning New Year’s Eve wrapped in his arms listening to the bells ring through the night when he sent her crashing back to reality.

"The target may have gone to ground, but the way I see it, he’ll want to get the stone to Saldana within the next week or so, and I want to be here when he does."

She stared over at Lucas in the driver’s seat. Despite knowing his only real interest in staying over was to nab the art thief. Caitlyn resolved to make the best of his offer. Girls like her didn’t meet men like him on a regular basis. Why not enjoy the time while it’s afforded to her? She smiled brightly at him.

“That’s a great idea, Lucas. I’d be happy to spend time with you while you’re here.”

***

Once home, Caitlyn reveled in the distraction named Lucas Connor. She watched in amused wonder as he tucked a blanket around her before making his way into the kitchen. She heard cupboards opening and closing and the click of the stove’s pilot light catching. Before long Lucas emerged with a tray piled high with sandwiches and a fairly decent pot of tea. As the afternoon wore on, Lucas entertained her with what she suspected were highly embellished tales of some of his more memorable adventures as an FBI agent.

In turn, Caitlyn opened up a little more about her life in Dublin and about her grandmother. It was more than she’d ever shared with anyone before and despite her best efforts, the ever-present loneliness and pain crept into her voice.

Lucas ran a lazy finger down her forearm. "It must be hard being alone this time of year."

"It is, a bit. But I’ve got a good group of friends and school and work to keep me plenty busy."

His astute, beautiful eyes searched her face, but probed no further. "How’s your head feel?" he asked instead.

"Great. The headache faded hours ago."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely."

“How about some dinner then? I’m starved and you don’t have much in the way of food in that kitchen.” He said with a wink before bundling up against the weather and heading down the row to O’Brien’s.

He returned with snow dusting his brown waves and the tantalizing scent of fish and chips wafting from a brown paper bag. They ate in front of the fire. Lucas crunched down on his deep-fried haddock while Caitlyn sprinkled vinegar over her fish and chips before digging in. She was midway through her portion when she felt him watching her. When she looked up, giving him a quizzical look, he smiled.

"How can you eat fries without ketchup?"

"They’re better with vinegar."

At his dubious look, she help up a fry.

"Och, at least try one before ye go hatin’ on it."

Caitlyn’s heart fluttered when he dipped his head and ate it from her hand. Her breath hitched as he licked the salt and vinegar from her fingers. And when he raised his head, and pinned her with his gaze, she forgot how to breathe altogether.

Knotting a hand in her hair, Lucas pulled her to him as he shoved their half-eaten meal aside with the other. His mouth molded onto hers and Caitlyn locked her arms around his neck, straining against him, reveling his warmth.

His lips sent electric charges surging through her body as he trailed kisses along her jawline and down her neck. It had been so long… Oh, who was she kidding? She’d never felt like this with another man, ever. Lucas Connor made her blood boil and every nerve ending sing.

Unadulterated need and hunger raged through her body like a wildfire, unchecked and uncontainable. His teeth scraped and nipped their way along her collar bone, and Caitlyn dropped her head to the side allowing him better access, crying out when he bit down on her shoulder before dragging his lips up to claim hers again. Greedy mouths fed off one another as impatient hands stripped away layers of clothing and before long, Caitlyn was stretched out beneath Lucas, arching into every caress.

"God, Caitlyn, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, raking her with hot, hungry eyes.

She moaned softly as he leaned over and captured her breast with his lips, flicking and swiping his tongue over her pebbled nipple. She writhed beneath him, her hands threading their way through his waves, as she pulled him closer.

“Patience, sweetheart. I’ll give you what you need.”

Moaning her assent, Caitlyn bucked against his hips as he spread her legs and wedged himself between them. His hands took the place of his lips, kneading and pinching her breasts as his lips traveled down along her belly, nipping at her hip bone and coming to a halt hovering just above her mound.

A small shudder coursed through her body as his breath tickled her sensitized bud of nerves. He nuzzled her inner thighs. Licked and teased her smooth inner folds. Circling but never landing on her clit. She cried out her frustration, rocking her hips, straining to reach his lips as he broke off his torture and grinned up at her.

“Hush, baby. I’ll let you come soon. Just relax and enjoy it. I know I am.”

“Please, Lucas. Stop teasing. I need…need…Oh my God!”

Lucas spread her wide, lashing her with his tongue. Caitlyn arched toward him, his name tumbling from her lips on moan. She fisted his hair with both hands, holding him in place. Now that he was there, she wasn’t going to let him wander off.

His tongue laved and dipped in her weeping core. She spread her legs further, her heels digging furrows in the carpet.

“More,” she heard herself cry and Lucas obliged.

Spearing her with two fingers, Lucas thrust deep, finding and stroking the so oft times elusive spot deep within her core as he suckled her clit. Caitlyn flexed toward him, clamping down on his fingers. Through the haze she heard and felt Lucas growl against her mound, the vibrations sending her screaming over the edge and into an untamed climax. She bucked hard against his mouth, screaming his name over and over. He held her tight, forcing her through it until the last of her shudders subsided. Only then did he move up alongside her, enveloping her in a possessive embrace. His rock hard presence pressing into the small of her back.

“I guess I did good?” He murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

“Och, aye,” she quipped softly in an exaggerated brogue. “I’d say ye took top honor.”

She turned in his arms to face him, reaching her hand down to stroke his cock.

“What do ye say, boyo? Are ye ready tae claim your prize?”

'Tis the Season for Seduction

When we left Lucas and Caitlyn, they were exploring a little more than just the ancient tomes  in the secluded alcoves of the Trinity College Library. With less than twelve hours to go before Lucas ventures to Newgrange to catch a thief, will he let the delectable Ms. Burns distract him from his quarry? 

Part One

'Tis the Season for Seduction

by

Fiona Summerville

Part Two

Sparks ignited at flash points throughout Caitlyn’s body. Heat speared into her belly, and pooled a little further below.

In all her years in Dublin, she’d only indulged in one pallid affair. Now, after less than three hours with Lucas Conner, one taste of him made her want more. Much more. She dared herself to delve a little further. With a little grunt, he shifted in his chair, propped the back of her head in his palm, probing and sparring with her tongue.

Suddenly, he drew back, his breath coming in hard, fast pants. Running his thumb along her bottom lip Lucas’ amber eyes searched hers.

"Tell me you feel what I feel.”

Caitlyn’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded and leaned into the hand now cupping her cheek. He leaned his forehead against hers.

“Good. You know, I’ve been wondering what you taste like all afternoon.”

This time it was he that initiated the kiss, sliding the hand on her cheek under her hair to the nape of her neck and drawing her to him. With a groan, he wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap.

Caitlyn shifted to straddle him, astonished by her shameless response to his kiss. Dragging her fingers through his hair, she pulled him closer, deepening the kiss, nipping at the tongue that was so thoroughly exploring her mouth.

They moaned in unison as she rocked against his rigid cock. His lips left hers and seared a trail of kisses along her jaw as his hands grabbed her hips and held her fast.

His thumbs travelled up beneath her sweater, drawing lazy circles on her belly. She shivered at his touch, silently willing him to venture further. Never in her life had she wanted to have a man’s hands explore every part her so completely. Most certainly never in public. Bloody hell.

Caitlyn stilled and dropped her hands to Lucas’ shoulders, pushing away gently. They had to stop. If they didn’t there was a very good chance she’d let him take her in this very public, albeit secluded, part of the library.

Lucas noticed the shift in Caitlyn’s mood and drew his head back, releasing the vice grip his hands had on her hips. He silently uttered every adjective he could think of as he willed his rebellious body into submission.

He let his forehead rest on her shoulder as his shallow breathing came back into check. God…Every part of him wanted to sweep her out of the alcove and take her back to his hotel room, stretch her out in front of the fire and make love to her until she gasped and writhed in pleasure.

"I’m sorry," he whispered raggedly.

“Are ye now? Because truth be told, I’m not. ’Tis been a while since I’ve been kissed like that."

Her voice was tinged with amusement and her adopted brogue had reappeared. When Lucas lifted his head and stared into her bright green eyes, he knew he had to end this. Right here, right now. She was too tempting, too seductive and he had too much at stake. Looking down once again, he raked a hand through his hair.

Caitlyn’s arms snaked under his jacket and around his waist as she moved in to nuzzle his neck. They both froze as her hand brushed over the holster strapped into his belt.

She gasped, and Lucas cursed as he pulled her arms out from beneath his jacket.

"It’s legal," he said quickly.

She scrambled up, fear and uncertainty flooding her eyes.

"Who are you? Why are ye carryin’ a gun?"

As he stood, she backed away from him, eyeing the exit. Lucas held up his hands and slowly reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, producing his credentials.

“It’s ok, Caitlyn. I’m with the FBI."

She studied the identification and badge for several moments, her eyes bobbing between the leather wallet and his face before the tension in her shoulders visibly eased. Her eyes, still doubt-filled, assessed him warily.

"What’s the FBI doing in Ireland?”

Lucas let out a heavy sigh and gestured for her to take a seat, pulling his chair close to hers. Thankful for their secluded surroundings.

"I’m part of a narcotics task force that’s been tracking Enrique Saldana, a Miami-based drug lord with an affinity for prehistoric artifacts.”

"And you think he’s going to be at Newgrange tomorrow?"

"No, not him. The art thief he’s hired. We’re hoping to nab him and turn up the heat enough that he’ll work with us to get Saldana.”

Lucas probed her shocked expression, giving her time to absorb everything he’d just revealed. And, once again, Caitlyn’s reaction surprised him.

"Well, good luck with that," she snorted softly. “You’re going to have a hell of a time taggin’ anyone in that crowd."

"What crowd? I thought access was limited to a few dozen people."

"Sure. Only fifty people can go inside the tomb, but hundreds gather outside. Besides the news crews and scientists, Druids and Wiccans from around the world gather to celebrate the Winter Solstice. It’s quite a spectacle."

Dammit! He hadn’t counted on a huge crowd. That definitely added an extra layer of difficulty to the scenario he’d worked out. Not only did he not know who the thief was or what he looked like, but now he was going to have to pick them out of hundreds, maybe thousands of spectators.

“Maybe, I could go with you tomorrow. If you think I could help."

Lucas’ eyes shot up to meet Caitlyn’s hesitant gaze as he considered her proposal. Despite her being a civilian, she was an expert on the tomb. He’d be foolish to turn down her offer.

"I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have another set of eyes and ears. You could mingle with the crowd outside while I’m in the tomb.”

She smiled and nodded, but her smile quickly faded. “Wait. What if this person you’re looking for is armed, like you?”

"He won’t get far. Everyone has to pass through a metal detector before entering the site.”

She nodded and once again her shoulders dropped in relief. "That’s right. They do. Alright, count me in. That is, if you want me.”

The mischievous glint in her eye told him she was well aware of the thinly veiled double entendre she’d just thrown out. He laughed and pulled her close, catching her by the chin to draw her in for a long, sumptuous kiss. God, her lips were amazing. When he finally drew away from her, he planted kisses on the tip of her nose and forehead.

“Oh, I definitely want you, baby. I’d also like your help tomorrow morning,” he said slipping back into professional mode. “We’ve got an early start. What do you say, we call it a night?”

Caitlyn looked up from the pile of books she was stacking. Her eyes, brimming with subdued passion, silently questioned whether they’d be calling it a night together. Dammit, as much as he wanted to take her back to his hotel, he knew it wouldn’t be wise. They both needed to have their wits about them in the morning and only a good night’s rest would make that possible.

Lucas reached up and stroked Caitlyn’s cheek, before sliding a note pad towards her.

"Give me your address, I’ll pick you up in the morning."

She sighed softly and nodded, giving him a rueful smile as she quickly jotted down her address. He could tell she was disappointed. Hell, so was he. But, if things went well tomorrow, he’d be free to focus on Caitlyn with the same single-mindedness with which he’d tracked Saldana.  And enjoy it a hell of a lot more.

It was snowing as they walked out of the library, and Lucas turned to flag down a cab.

“Let me give you a lift to your flat, Caitlyn. It’s starting to snow.”

“Och, ‘tis nothin’ but a wee dustin’,” she chimed, falling back into the brogue he was growing to love. “You go on. I’ll be fine.”

Lucas nodded and pulled her in for one last lingering kiss before stepping into the cab. Directing the cabby to his hotel, he turned and watched as Caitlyn trudged through falling snow in the opposite direction, thinking about all the wicked things he planned to do to the delicious Ms. Caitlyn Burns once he got her into bed.

***

Caitlyn and Lucas were greeted by Inspector James O’Malley of the Arts and Antiquities Division when they arrived at the Brú na Bóinne visitor center in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. Although the sun wouldn’t top the ridge to the east for another three hours, huge crowds were already waiting in line for transport out to the tombs.

Bundled in the thick pea jacket she’d purchased at a secondhand store and a wool muffler wrapped around her throat, Caitlyn followed closely along as Inspector O’Malley whisked them around the security checkpoint and onto a minibus.

Her body hummed with excitement as the bus started moving towards the tombs. Although there were hundreds of passage tombs scattered across Ireland, including one on the magnificent Hill of Tara, most scholars, Caitlyn included, considered Newgrange the oldest and most impressive of them all, sitting high on a hill overlooking the River Boyne.

As they stepped off the bus, Caitlyn’s breath caught at the sight of the massive cairn illuminated by floodlights. Two hundred thousand tons of grass-covered earth formed the rounded roof. Beneath the roof was an upper ring of white quartz "pebbles," polished to a lustrous sheen by centuries of river water before being gathered by the ancient tomb builders. Beneath the glistening quartz ring stood the base, consisting of ninety-seven monstrous curbstones weighing five or more tons apiece, silent sentinels to man’s determination.

"Just think," she murmured to Lucas as he tucked her under his arm to shield her from the icy wind, "the people who built this tomb had no clocks and no calendars. Yet every winter solstice for more than five thousand years, the rising sun shines through that box, illuminating the inner burial chamber for fifteen or twenty minutes.” Lucas leaned his face in closer to hers as she pointed to a square opening directly above the tomb’s entrance. “Those brief, few minutes herald the end of winter and the coming of spring. In a more spiritual sense, it celebrates the rebirth of Mother Earth and the new Sun king.

"Like the birth of Christ," Lucas murmured.

"Exactly."

She turned and smiled at him, pleased he’d paid attention last evening when she had explained how many pagan rituals and beliefs had been incorporated into modern religions. She chuckled to herself as a wicked thought flitted through her mind. She would have to reward him for being such a good student.

As they moved through the crowd, Caitlyn could sense Lucas’ tension as he scanned the sea of faces muffled by wool scarves and hats pulled low on foreheads.

"Do you have any idea what this person looks like?" she murmured.

"Not a clue."

“Jaysus, talk about a needle in a haystack.”

“Yeah, I know,” he shrugged. “But it’s the best lead I’ve got. I have to run it down.”

As they wove their way through the crowd, Caitlyn took in every aspect of the megalith with reverence and awe. Each giant curbstone was decorated with prehistoric art—spirals, zigzags, concentric circles, triangles—images that represented the sun, moon and stars. There was no way a thief could steal one of these five-ton slabs without a crane. And, with all the uniformed police officers in the crowd she thought it unlikely that someone would try to chisel out one of the designs. Still, her apprehension intensified with every passing moment.

The snow glistened on the surrounding hills and mist swirled up from the River Boyne as the predawn darkness gave way to thin, gray light. And, despite the underlying reason for her being there, Caitlyn couldn’t help but be enchanted by her surroundings which only seemed more magical when Lucas paused and turned to face her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t get a ticket for you.”

"Auch, weel." She gave him a wry smile and slipped into a heavier than normal brogue. "’Tis enough t’watch the sun come oop from here. Now, go on with ye. Do what you must. I’ll be waitn’."

"Go sit on the bus if you get too cold."

"What? And miss the sunrise? Are y’daft, man?"

He laughed softly and pulled her closer.

"Oh, Caitlyn. I know we’re an hour early, but…happy Solstice, beautiful girl.”

Caitlyn’s heart fluttered as he dipped his head and claimed her mouth, searing her lips with a kiss so hot it left her melting inside despite the freezing temperatures. She must be crazy, she thought, watching him stride toward the tomb entrance. She’d only just met the man and yet the view of his broad back and long, sure stride stirred a hot, sweet lust she had no business feeling. Not to mention the sparks he ignited with just a simple touch.

Only after she watched him duck under the stone lintel at the entrance and disappear inside the tomb did her internal heat yield to the frost outside. The pre-dawn chill slowly crept through her limbs as the sky lightened across the river at an agonizing pace. Still, Caitlyn waited with eager anticipation along with the rest of the crowd.

As a thin red rim appeared above the trees lining the river, Caitlyn moved away from the crowd. Finding a spot all to herself at the foot of a giant curbstone, she settled in to absorb the timeless moment in solitude. She smiled softly to herself as the sun continued its ascent, slowly gathering in size and intensity.

She felt at one with the ancient peoples who had once stood where she stood, marking the passing of one season and celebrating the birth of another. She stilled, focusing on the awesome spectacle before her until a faint, almost inaudible rattle penetrated her quiet contemplation. Another louder rattle followed. Her curiosity piqued, Caitlyn abandoned the protection of the curbstone to follow the sounds.

Rounding the corner, she gasped when her eyes fell upon a form, bundled from head to foot in a bulky overcoat and floppy-brimmed wool hat in a distinctive herringbone pattern, using the tip of a cane to pry a glistening quartz rock from the upper ring. She started to back away, but suddenly, the figure whipped around, slamming the cane into Caitlyn’s temple. Pain exploded in her head and as the rising sun faded to black, Caitlyn heard a disembodied voice that sounded curiously like her own call out for Lucas.