Looking out her window at the sudden summer storm, Maggie Callahan dreamed of a better time, when life was easy. The summers of her youth included fun, frolic, and no responsibilities. One summer in particular stood out in her mind, the summer of her eighteenth birthday.

Every year, the summer vacations consisted of surf, sun, and sand. That year, however, her father had said they were going to visit family in Ireland. She had been so upset.

Maggie had been ready to take a break before heading off to college. It would be her last summer of freedom, the last summer of her childhood. In the years since, Maggie had never been sorry they changed their plans. That summer was the best time of her life. It was the year she met her first and only love.

Leaving the cottage her parents had rented along the coast of Ireland, she walked the beach. According to her father, it was overly warm for this time of year. Maggie couldn’t remember ever seeing a sky so blue. The sun was bright and warmed her skin even though the breeze off the water seemed chilled. Wearing a yellow bikini top and low-rise cut-offs, she was comfortable with herself and her body. Maggie never thought of herself as beautiful, but her confidence made up for what she thought she lacked in appearance.

As she strolled along the beach, she looked toward the little town that would be her home for the summer. She was enthralled with the vibrant green of the grass and the traditional beauty of the cottage-lined streets. On the flight 7
over, she had wondered if it were possible that whitewashed cottages with thatched roofs still existed, but there they were. Not all of the houses were like this, but a few were, and Maggie found it charming. The majority of the houses were small and tucked cozily close to each other, each with shutters in shades of bright blue, yellow and red. In every yard, gardens burst with bright yellows, blues, purples, and especially pink. Each garden seemed to pop with what her grandmother had called fairy flowers; pansies, primrose, forget-me-nots, pink hollyhocks and violets, all in honor of the fairy queen.

In the distance, a ruin with its dilapidated, stony tower dominated an imposing bluff overlooking the sea. Its crumbling tower jutted into the sky. She recalled a conversation her parents had shared on the plane. Maggie pretended not to be interested but heard every word, committing it to memory.

St. Declan returned from Rome via Britain and left behind his bell in Wales. He was at sea when he realized this and was very upset by his absentmindedness. Heaven had given him the bell as he celebrated mass, so it was very precious. Declan’s prayers for the bell’s safe return were answered when a boulder carrying the bell floated to his boat. Once there, the boulder and bell sailed before his craft, navigating the way across the channel.
Declan vowed before his crew to establish his city and bishopric where the bell led him, and he came ashore an island by the west Waterford coast. A member of his party ascended the hill Declan had chosen and questioned the wisdom of setting up on what he called this little height. Declan is said to have replied, “Do not call it a little height but a great height.”
Picking up her pace and staring at the majestic tower, she did not see what was in front of her. Although, not usually so excitable, Maggie’s heart raced as the tower from legend loomed before her like a regal old king. Breathing the crisp, salty air was like breathing ancient history, and Maggie’s pace quickened as her gaze traveled the length of ruin. She had to see this marvel up close and explore every inch.

Maggie tripped over something solid, wincing as her ankle twisted. She hit what she assumed was the ground, hard, but instead found herself lying on top of a man. Not just any man, but perhaps the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life. The solidness of his body told her how well toned he was. His wavy, black hair fluttered as the breeze from the ocean blew over them. However, it was his eyes that captivated her, they were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. They were as blue as the sea crashing upon the shore beside her, and she felt herself gradually drawn into them.
          “Well, hello there, darlin’. Thanks for dropping in.”

Unable to speak, Maggie laid where she was for a long moment. The deep baritone of his voice, along with his eyes, made her mouth dry. When she started wriggling, his hardness poked her in the stomach. It sent little shocks of something she didn’t recognize throughout her body. At eighteen, she had never felt a man’s erection.

Feeling her face redden, she tried to speak but words failed her. After long moments of those mesmerizing eyes peering into hers, she felt the need to be gone. Jumping to her feet, she muttered a quick, whispered apology before gathering her breath and running away.
                                                ~ * ~
          The beep on her computer brought her out of the past with a start. Walking over to her desk, she hesitated to open the e-mail the beep had signaled. Computer viruses were vicious. Taking a chance, she opened the e-mail. Scanning it, a faint rush of fear wormed up her spine. Pushing the fear aside, Maggie read the e-mail.

Maggie, it’s been a long time, and I’ve missed you. I sit alone in my room thinking of the nights you came to me—and with me. Do you remember, love; do you remember all the nights we’ve shared? I’m hoping you do.

Her knees weakening, Maggie slid into her chair and wrote a reply. Sending it off, she was stunned when less than two minutes later her computer beeped again, signaling new mail. With her heart thumping, she leaned forward and opened her mailbox, finding the e-mail had come back. The return e-mail stated the address wasn’t valid. She sighed and slumped back in the chair. Shaking off the uneasiness that had come over her, she stood and turned off the computer.

          Fresh air would help. She picked up her bag and headed out.
Walking with no destination in mind, Maggie strolled the busy street, window-shopping. Looking in the window of her favorite antique shop, she had the eerie sensation of being watched. Turning, she scanned the area, expecting to see someone. Not seeing anyone, but still feeling someone was lurking in the shadows, she jumped at every sound. Her heart started to thump and her stomach began to churn as fear took over. She walked quickly back to her apartment. She would be safe there.
                                                ~ * ~
Sitting in his rental car, he watched as she walked out of her building and down the street. Several times, he thought of getting out and walking up to her, but thought better of it and stayed where he was. After all, he would be seeing her face-to-face soon enough. Then, he would see if she remembered. He sincerely hoped so.
                                                ~ * ~
          Safe in her apartment with the door locked behind her, Maggie got ready for bed. A big meeting with a new client in the morning required she get a good night's sleep. Exhausted, Maggie slipped into sleep. Her dreams took her back…back to the day she first met Gideon, the beautiful blue-eyed, raven-haired Irishman who stole her heart along with her innocence. Never had there been another like him and Maggie doubted there ever would be.

Walking into the pub with her parents, Maggie hadn’t known what to expect. The room was dark, and the bar took up the entire length of the room. It was made of dark wood and gleamed in the dim light. Tables were scattered here and there, and along the far wall were booths. At the opposite
end of the bar stood a small stage where several people milled about.

          In her wildest dreams, she had never expected to see the pub overflowing with people. Not just young people out for an evening with their friends, but entire families sat at tables and booths. Everyone was singing, laughing, and having what seemed to be a wonderful time. It was a little overwhelming. As they sat, someone began playing the violin. The music was sad and lonely. When a voice joined the music, it tugged at her ear; the song was of war and heartache.

Turning in the direction of the ghostly voice, Maggie gasped when her eyes locked on the man from the beach. He stared at her, making her feel as if she were the only person in the room. She melted, little by little, with each note he sang. If he didn’t stop soon, she would be a puddle in the middle of the floor. When the song ended and the applause died down, the singer made his way to her table. Turning quickly to avoid his gaze, she jumped when he stopped and spoke to her father.

“Hello, Sir. My name is Gideon O’Rourke. I met your lovely daughter today on the beach. I was hoping that you would allow me to come calling tomorrow afternoon.”

Taken aback, her father smiled and told the would-be suitor it wasn’t up to him. If Maggie agreed, then it would be fine with him too. Turning to look at her, Gideon smiled and waited for her answer. Unable to speak and startled someone that handsome would want to see her again, Maggie only nodded. She glanced at her parents, who were staring at her with questions in their eyes. Smiling, she shrugged her shoulders, telling them without words she didn’t have any answers.
 

Maggie smiled in her sleep and kept dreaming. Her mind took her quickly through a series of events. Even though she had only spent the summer there, she had lived a lifetime. Gideon came every afternoon to see her. Friendship soon blossomed into romance. Her mind was full of him, and her heart overflowed with love for him.

Their first kiss had come after a week of afternoon walks on the beach.
          “Maggie, darlin’, I fear if I don’t kiss you soon I’ll fade away. I’ve waited these long days and don’t think I can wait any longer.”

Taking her by the hands, Gideon laid his lips on hers. His gentleness helped to soothe some of her fear. With each passing second, he took the kiss deeper and deeper. It was long and sweet, and before long, she was breathless.
He wanted to eat her whole—she tasted so sweet. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her even more deeply. Her body pressed to his caused his mind to whirl and his blood to go hot with the possibilities. When he closed his eyes, Gideon could see her standing naked before him, her breasts high and full, and her nipples hard and jutting out, begging him to cover them with his mouth. Hearing her moan as he pulled her down to the sand, he showered her with deep, passionate kisses. His tongue teased hers as his hand slid up her body to rest on her breast.
          Feeling the tingle of awareness that came from the touch, Maggie arched to push her breast fully into his hand. Settling beside her, his hardness pushed against the denim of his jeans. With a boldness she had never felt before, she reached down and rubbed it gently through his clothes. Moaning, he broke the kiss.
          “Oh, darlin’, I have a burning desire for you. I need to be inside you, to fill you and to hear your moans, as I love you. I fear, my darlin’ Maggie, I’ve lost my heart to you.” His blue eyes searched hers as every muscle in his body tensed.
Tears filled Maggie’s eyes. Here was the man of her dreams, and all she could think of was the fact she would have to leave him behind.
         

“Gideon, I love you, too. I want so much to be with you. Still, I can’t; I’m not ready. This is all so new to me, and I need more time.”

          Sitting up, she straightened her clothes, and he did the same. He glanced at his watch, then stood and pulled her to her feet.
He brushed a strand a hair from her eyes. “Maggie love, don’t look so worried. I’ll wait. I don’t want you to feel I’ve pushed you into something you’re not ready for. When the time is right, you’ll tell me.”

Blushing, Maggie looked down at the ground. “It’s all so sudden, Gideon. I have never felt this way before; you’re nothing like the boys back home.”
He grinned and took her hand. “Come on love, I’ll walk you home and see you safe inside.”

When she returned to the cottage, a note from her parents lay on the kitchen table. The note said they had gone to Dublin and would return the following day. They had always trusted her. This was surely a sign that she should finally give herself to a man.

Waiting until it was dark, she walked to Gideon’s house. Looking through the window, she saw him sitting at his desk, his computer glowing and him typing furiously on the keyboard. He had never taken her to his cottage, preferring instead to meet in public, probably to pacify her parents. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. Hearing him grumble, she smiled. When he opened the door, a glint of awareness came into his eyes. Smiling, he took her hand and ushered her inside.

Opening a bottle of wine, he filled two glasses and offered her one. His eyebrows raised in surprise as she quickly drained half the glass. Maggie had needed something to wet her dry throat. A million butterflies danced in her stomach.

He ran a finger down her cheek. His touch was so gentle, so lingering, she couldn’t help but think it spoke of his love for her. Leaning into her, he kissed her. Soft and sweet, the kiss awakened feelings in her she never knew existed. She cupped the back of his neck, and he responded by taking the kiss deeper. His hand slid inside her top. She startled, but relaxed as his warm touch slid up and down the small of her back. A soft whimper of pleasure escaped her as his hand glided slowly up her back and unclasped her bra.

She moaned when he took her nipple between his thumb and forefinger and rolled it. His obvious pleasure and the achingly sweet sensations coursing through her body, threatened to make her cry out. Instead, she bit the inside of her cheek to subdue the urge. Taking her by the hand, he led her to his bedroom. As they moved down the hall, he stopped a few times to indulge in a kiss and to remove another piece of her clothing. Maggie’s clothes were scattered from the living room to the bedroom. When she stepped over the threshold of the bedroom, she was completely naked.

          His lips on her neck set off little sparks of desire inside her. He took his time, and she relaxed with each step he took. He finally took one sweet bud into his mouth and started to suckle. As he teased one nipple with his mouth, his fingers teased the other. Maggie was unable to hold back her moans of pleasure.
Gideon basked in Maggie’s fair beauty. Curved in all the right places, the sight of her made his body react. Every muscle hardened in aching need. Brushing her auburn curls from her face, he stared deep into her alluring, green eyes. The sparkle he saw there told him she was ready for him. Ready for all he wanted to share with her. Still, she was young; eighteen, barely old enough to be legal.  

“Are you sure?” he asked, watching carefully for any hesitation, any flicker of doubt. There was none. She nodded, giving him a sexy smile that made his erection throb. That was all the answer he needed, not to mention the answer he was hoping it would be.

Fisting her hands in his soft raven hair, Maggie tried to speak of her desire but found herself unable to put into words the pleasure she was experiencing. Having never been with a man, Maggie had never been touched like this, nor had she ever touched a man. Nevertheless, her inexperience didn’t stop her. When his mouth came back to her, she reached down and pulled his shirt over his head. Tracing a line, kissing down his neck, she bit and soothed his nipple, much the way he had done to her. The moan that escaped him spurred her on.
While she experimented, she unfastened his jeans, taking her time, letting her hand roam down his body to feel his hardness. She was fascinated. What had she done to warrant this type of response?

Once his jeans were off, he pulled her to her feet. Laying her down on the bed, she sighed as his hand roamed down her flat stomach, coming to a rest between her thighs. She gasped as his finger slid between the folds and teased her. Moaning, she arched as his finger slipped inside her.
         

“So tight—you’re so tight, darlin’, tight and wet and ready!”

Maggie was unable to think or speak. Never, in all her life, had she felt this wonderful. It was sweet and so intense. She wanted so much to tell him how he made her feel. However, the words wouldn’t come, so instead, she showed him by pushing herself against his hand. He shifted. She tried to say something, anything, to prevent this feeling from ending. When he kissed her inner thigh, her eyes flew open. She looked down just in time to see his tongue dart out of his mouth then felt the most exquisite touch of her life. Heat built inside her.
          “Relax, just let go,” Gideon whispered, his breath warm.

Her hands fisted in the sheets and her mind cleared of all conscience thought as she experienced her first climax. When her senses finally returned, her only thought was of having more. It took long moments before the buzzing in her ears subsided enough that she was able to hear him speaking to her.
          “Open your eye’s, darlin’. Look at me. I want to see your eyes when I enter.”

Opening her eyes, she smiled as she saw he was between her legs, his hardness jutting from his body. At first, she was alarmed, but then his finger slid down and found her most tender spot. When he started rubbing, she looked him in the eye, and all she could do was whisper his name.

Smiling, he started to enter her. He wanted so badly to plunge into her. Restraining himself, he slowed. She was so tight, and he moaned as her velvety warmth enveloped him. He tried to ease deeper, but her body tensed. He tried again, slower this time, but again, her muscles tightened. He looked in her eyes, which regarded him with wariness.
         

“Maggie, why didn’t you say something, I would never have gone this far? As much as I wanted to make love to you, I love you enough to wait.” He started to withdraw, but she clutched his shoulders, holding him in place.

“Gideon, I love you, and I want to be with you more than anything I have ever wanted before in my life. I can’t stop now. Please, don’t stop,” she begged.
With those words of assurance, there was no way he could stop. He pulled out of her body, and she arched to keep him sheathed inside her. He took his finger and teased her again as he plunged forward in one fast stroke, breaking through the barrier. She gasped, her entire body trembling.
          Now that he filled her, he lay on top of her to give her some time to recover. It wasn’t long before her hand slid across his backside, then began to knead his taut flesh. His heart ached as her silent tears fell on the pillow. Had he known she was a virgin, he would have waited until they were married.
         

“Maggie?” he asked as his heart raced. Had he hurt her? Had he gone too far? She gazed into his eyes, and a slow smile spread across her face as she arched her back, sheathing him tighter and deeper inside her. Her smile widened as he rocked his hips. He stared into her eyes, amazed that she could trust him so completely. This was love, he was sure of it now. He had been given the greatest gift a man could get.