[just_muse_me] 5.8.5. New York, New York
5.8.5. New York
Co-written with phtgrphcscot
[Follows THIS and THIS]
Riley had been right. The Irishman definitely had a style of his own, and Beth liked it. Most of the audience had been glued to Tab, the petite redhead more than keeping them interested with her vocals and music. Beth, on the other hand, had been watching Keiran. She'd found herself moving to the rhythm of the songs, even enticing Riley into a bit of a dance as she enjoyed the show. She was finally letting her hair down for the first time in a long time.
It felt like ages since she'd smiled so much. When the show ended, Riley'd left her with a kiss on the cheek and went to talk to his twin sister and the boyfriend. Even the drummer made a beeline straight for a blonde. Although Riley's girlfriend wasn't here, it still seemed like Beth was suddenly in the middle of Noah's Ark.
Her lips twisted into a wry smile and her blue eyes followed Keiran as he went up to the bar. She smoothed down her top and adjusted her jeans before she went after him, and took the stool beside him. "Great gig. Buy you a drink?"
So maybe it wasn't Riley introducing them, but she figured she was a big girl and could do it herself. Maybe she'd even come clean to Keiran a bit later about how she already knew who he was.
She caught Keiran's attention right before his order was about to fall from his lips and he turned to her with a smile. "You must be Beth," he said and held out his hand. "Keiran Fitzpatrick. And I couldn't possibly be refusin' a wee offer like that."
Beth took his hand and for a second she looked disappointed. Her element of surprise had been taken away. Then she just grinned. "Aye, I am. Dinnae tell me Riley managed to tell you about his grand scheme. What's your poison?"
Keiran kissed her hand softly and then smiled. "Ach no, he didn't. But now I'm intrigued as to what scheme. It was our Tara. She's spoken about you a lot and Tab has mentioned her brother's... friend was coming over from Scotland. It's a small world there, aye?" He smiled at her, amused. "Guinness, please."
Beth tilted her head as she tucked her hair behind her ear and gave his hand a soft squeeze. At least he had the right moves. "You better forget I mentioned any kind of scheme. I wouldnae want him thinking I'm trying to get him in trouble with his sister by interfering with the bass player in her band. It is definitely a small world. And aye, I'm his friend. It's also okay to say 'ex'. I willnae bite your head off."
Beth turned to the bar tender that was still hovering nearby. "Guinness for the gorgeous lad, and a beer for me, please."
Keiran laughed. "I just wanted to be sure. I know sometimes it can be a touchy thing. Hell, my ex wishes I'd drop off the face of the earth." He shrugged. "So, what's bringin' you to sunny New York?"
"Really? I cannae imagine anyone wanting you to drop off the face of the Earth. Of course I havnae known you for that long." Beth rolled her eyes and laughed. "Well, first there's seeing Tab's band play. You all come highly recommended. Then there's the work thing. I'm trying to make the move--again--from Scotland to the States."
Keiran dipped his head, still smiling as he watched her. "Aye, thank you. But we had aggravation between us for sometime. We found ourselves in a situation we didn't expect and it was the ruin of any relationship we had. Shit happens, huh?"
He looked over in the direction of the bunch and laughed. "They're definitely interestin' to mix with. I'm kept on my toes, which is how I prefer it. Life wouldn't be life if I wasn't run off my feet." He accepted his drink from the barman with a nod. "Again? You like it here or you just want to get away from Bonnie Scotland?" He held up his glass to her in a toast, then took a sip.
Beth couldn't stop smiling either. Her lips curved as she nodded slowly. "Aye, it does. It's what happened with me and Riley, but I suppose we managed to salvage a friendship. We tried to salvage our love, but it didnae happen. It was long gone."
Beth leaned closer to him, but glanced over her shoulder briefly before turning her attention back to Keiran. "So what else do you do besides play bass?" She returned the toast and took a sip of her beer. "Originally I was going to move out here for Riley but I didnae want to stay after we broke up. I needed to heal a bit first. Now that everyone's moved over here though, I guess I just want to be near my friends. It isnae the same back in Scotland without Lachlan, Pat and Riley."
"Bein' in love is easy. It's keepin' it for the long run that's the hard part, darlin'. It's a special thing what you and Riley are managin' to salvage. Not many people are strong enough to do that," Keiran told her with a smile. He took out a packet of cigarettes. "Do you mind? I don't really partake at home much, so I do my worst on gigs."
He followed her line of sight briefly, but she had his attention back almost immediately. "I play all guitars and I sing. Just not much with this band. Bass is my true love and preference. I prefer to be at the bones of a melody rather than at the front of it. But this is really just the hobby for some extra cash on the side. I'm a music teacher by day," he revealed with a smile. "Well, part time. I do that four days a week." He dipped his finger into the foam of the Guinness and licked it off. "Oh aye, they're a bunch. There are runnin' jokes in our family about our Tara hookin' a Scotsman but the lad couldn't better for her. True loyalty and honour in your bunch. Again, a rarity one must hold on to at all costs."
Beth gave a shake of her head. "Nay, I'm used to the lads all smoking. It doesnae bother me. A social smoker, aye? Or just being in this environment?" She took another sip of her beer as she gave his comment some thought. "It feels like it shouldnae be so hard if you're truly, deeply in love. It wasnae hard with Riley until Lachlan got shot. That seemed to be the one thing we couldnae recover from because it triggered so many wee things."
"So you dinnae feel as if you’re missing out on anything by being the bassist for this band?" Beth pushed her hair back and smiled. "Aye? I was a photography teacher until a few months ago. I decided to quit and try and pursue photography proper. Part of me is missing it though. I just thought if I didnae try at least once I'd regret it." She watched him intently as he licked the foam off of his finger. "I can believe it. Don't think there arenae jokes on Lachlan's side about marrying an Irishwoman. He couldnae have done better either. She's a lovely lass. They're perfect for each other. I love them all, but I didnae feel so at home the first time I was here. I suppose there was too much going on. I want to try again."
Keiran took a smoke from the packet and gestured with it as he fished his lighter from his pocket. "Neither," he said with a smile. "I just can't smoke at home. My son is asthmatic. So I guess it puts me right into the social smoker category." He nodded. "It was horrific. I don't think anyone could be the same after that. I know our Tara and Lachlan aren't. It's expected none of their loved ones would be."
"Oh, no no. Not at all. People like Tab are made for it but I'm more instrumental than anythin' else. I'm more at home teachin' kids how to read, write and play music. I love kids. If I can pass some of my skills on to them, all the more better." He smiled. "Well, I'm mighty glad you did want to try again. Gives us a chance to meet and have a wee chat."
"Riley mentioned you were a father. That's great. I'm sorry your son is asthmatic. Is it hard with him being so young? If you dinnae mind me asking, does he live with you?" Beth frowned and gave a shake of her head. "Nay, I don't think any of us have. It's just hard. I dinnae regret how things ended with Riley, but I guess I miss having someone close. Tara and Lachlan have been through so much, but they went through it together. They're stronger for it I think."
She laughed and looked at him. "You dinnae once find yourself wanting to strangle one of the bairns because they cannae get a chord or something right no matter how many times they try?" Her hand brushed against his leg briefly and she nodded. "Me too. So you like it here in New York?"
"Of course I don't mind you askin'. It is hard, but he's a tough wee thing. He's seven months old and he lives with me. My ex? The one who wants me to drop off the face of the earth? She blamed me for the pregnancy. By the time we found out, she was too far along to do anything about it, so I told her I'd take the wee one. And I did. I haven't looked back since. My aunt takes care of him when I have to work. I wish I could be with him more, but I need money to raise him with the best I can give him." He smiled wryly. "I understand the loneliness. Datin' isn't so easy with a baby. Most lassies think it's cute to date a single dad until they realise just what it actually means. So, it's mostly just Connor and me all the way."
He laughed. "No, no. That's the fun of it. Music isn't for everyone, but everyone can have fun tryin'. It bothers me when they don't want to try, though. The ones who are just there because their parents think it's trendy. Some kids just prefer to be out rollin' in the dirt or have their nose in a book. You can't make a kid like music if they just don't."
"Connor's a great name. I love anything that let's me roll my r's!" She proceeded to do just that as she repeated his son's name. Then she did his name as well. It was a little harder so she just wound up laughing as she covered her mouth. "Sorry! I think I just murdered your name a wee bit. It's a brave thing you did to take care of your son. Not many would do that if they thought they couldnae handle it completely. It would definitely be hard for you with a wee son. I cannae even imagine. I'm practically climbing the walls and I dinnae have a child."
Beth moved her glass around and smiled. "I understand completely. It's the same with any art, I think. Parents arenae so likely to send the children into photography though because it's 'cool'."
"Connor seemed fittin'. Us Irish and Scottish tend to stick to traditional names. Strangely enough, I considered Riley in the early days, but with different spellin'. You could always just have more practice. I won't protest that," Keiran said with a smile. "Some days I feel like a rotten dad. Like, I wish I could give him more or better. But he's my world. Bein' a parent is the best thing I ever did."
"So, you wouldn't go back to teachin'?" he asked.
"I definitely like the traditional names. They always sound so much nicer and they have a history behind them." Beth gave him a look as her cheeks burned, and she licked at her lips. "Aye, more practice. You cannae do more than your best. You're allowed to make a living and you're allowed to do a couple of things for yourself. Isnae anything wrong with that. It's only wrong if you cannae find time to love him."
She shrugged. "I dinnae think I would cross it off completely. Like I said, I still think about going back to it but I did want to try and see if I had what it took to be a professional photographer."
"I keep waitin' to hear what our Tara and Lachlan have picked but they are tight-lipped. Knowin' Lachlan, it'll be something really meaningful. He's more patriotic than anyone I know." He turned to her with a soft smile. "You're still sittin' here," he noted. "Thank you. Most usually don't want to hear about it."
He had a small sip from his Guinness. "Are you basin' here or in Princeton? Either way, I don't think the commute is anythin' too painful. I go to Princeton all the time see Tara. More jobs at your fingertips in NY."
"I havenae a clue, so I cannae help you there, Keiran. Lachlan always reminds me why I love being Scottish. It sounds strange, I know, but it's true." She winked at him. "There isnae anywhere else I want to be right now. It's nay trouble."
For a moment Beth wondered if he was talking about them commuting for each other but then her brain caught up to the last part of what he was saying. Work, of course. "Aye, true. I suppose New York is the better option, but I cannae profess to know the area well. I dinnae even really know where to start looking."
"I understand," Keiran laughed. "Hell, the bastard makes me want to be Scottish some days. Answered the door to me on my last visit in nothin' but a kilt and a smug smile. Lucky arsehole. I wouldn't swap Connor for the world but sometimes I'd just really like to get laid," he admitted.
"Don't be worryin' too much. I've only been here a few months myself and I always manage to find my way home. The day I met Tab about joinin' the band, I got lost and left her waitin'. Seriously thought I screwed myself over. But it's a nice place. Somethin' for everyone here. Plus, my apologies for bein' so forward, but it might be easier to not live with your ex and his new lassie in such close vicinity twenty-four-seven."
Beth glanced down at her beer before she swung around to face Keiran properly and leaned in closer to him as a smile danced on her lips and her blue eyes gazed at him. "Then it's my turn to apologise for being so forward, but I think I might be able to help in the getting laid department. I cannae deny you're a gorgeous lad, Keiran. I willnae pretend I know what I'd be getting into with you and your son, but I do know I'd try if you ever wanted to get past just a shag."
She nodded. "Aye, you're right about that last part. I dinnae feel much like living near the two of them, and they dinnae need me close by either."
"And you can still be there for your friends. It's just a drive away..." Keiran murmured. He couldn't quite believe what she was saying. It had been a long time since he'd had such an interesting conversation with a hot single girl, let alone one who seemed interested in reciprocating. But he didn't think he'd ever had either of that with someone okay to accept that he and Connor were an inseparable unit.
He wet his lips and then tried to shove the awe out of the way so he didn't start to stare rudely at her. So he did the next best thing... he leaned in and kissed her softly. Better to find out early on in the piece if they had chemistry.
Beth brought her hand up to cup the side of his face as she kissed him back. It was stupid, but it felt like it had been an age since she'd been kissed. She'd loved Riley, but kissing Keiran was different. There was no history, no need to try and win back something.
There was only discovering something new and exploring it.
Keiran deepened the kiss and his hand came up to thread through her long hair. By then, he'd completely forgotten they may well have an audience and he didn't care, either. She smelt and tasted fantastic. There was argument it was because he hadn't physically been with a girl in months, but he knew it wasn't. He wanted to get laid, but he wouldn't just do it with anyone for the sake of it. He'd been intrigued by Beth since she arrived at the bar earlier in the night and now this just felt so right.
Beth braced herself with a hand to his chest, and responded immediately when he deepened the kiss with a soft moan. She could taste the hint of nicotine and Guinness on his tongue, but she didn't mind. The rest of his mouth tasted wonderful. He was covered in the scent of sweat, smoke and something else that just had to be Keiran himself. And she loved it. She'd spent all night watching him up on that stage and wondering about his lips and how he kissed. Now she didn't really want to stop. She slid forward on her stool to try and get closer, her legs slipping between his as she rest her feet on the bottom of his stool.
Keiran could've kissed her forever. There was definitely chemistry and it was more than enough for him to know that he wanted dabble more in their connection. He reluctantly pulled from the kiss, but kept his face close to hers with a smile. His hand fell to stroke softly across her leg. "Would you like to come back to my place? It's a wee cab drive from here but I'm game if you are. I can offer coffee... or somethin' else," he murmured, watching her lips and then wetting his own as he met her gaze again.
Beth sucked softly on her lower lip as she nodded. Her gaze never left his mouth either, and she let out a nervous giggle before she leaned in to kiss it briefly. God she wanted to kiss him until she had no breath in her body. She could wait though, at least until the cab ride. "I'm definitely game, love."
Keiran took her hand and sought out Tab in the crowd. The set was over, but he didn't want to skip out on the band without letting them know. He caught the singer's gaze, trying to ignore the wide smirk on her lips and pointed his thumb in the direction of the door with a smirk of his own. She sent him a thumbs up followed by another rude gesture which nearly made Keiran blush.
He turned back to Beth with a smile. "No time like the present, then," he said and slipped his arm around her waist as she stood to make their way to the door.
pullmysteth, asinthecity, notskywalker, drcampbell, doctortara referenced with permission
Word Count | 3,262
Co-written with phtgrphcscot
[Follows THIS and THIS]
Riley had been right. The Irishman definitely had a style of his own, and Beth liked it. Most of the audience had been glued to Tab, the petite redhead more than keeping them interested with her vocals and music. Beth, on the other hand, had been watching Keiran. She'd found herself moving to the rhythm of the songs, even enticing Riley into a bit of a dance as she enjoyed the show. She was finally letting her hair down for the first time in a long time.
It felt like ages since she'd smiled so much. When the show ended, Riley'd left her with a kiss on the cheek and went to talk to his twin sister and the boyfriend. Even the drummer made a beeline straight for a blonde. Although Riley's girlfriend wasn't here, it still seemed like Beth was suddenly in the middle of Noah's Ark.
Her lips twisted into a wry smile and her blue eyes followed Keiran as he went up to the bar. She smoothed down her top and adjusted her jeans before she went after him, and took the stool beside him. "Great gig. Buy you a drink?"
So maybe it wasn't Riley introducing them, but she figured she was a big girl and could do it herself. Maybe she'd even come clean to Keiran a bit later about how she already knew who he was.
She caught Keiran's attention right before his order was about to fall from his lips and he turned to her with a smile. "You must be Beth," he said and held out his hand. "Keiran Fitzpatrick. And I couldn't possibly be refusin' a wee offer like that."
Beth took his hand and for a second she looked disappointed. Her element of surprise had been taken away. Then she just grinned. "Aye, I am. Dinnae tell me Riley managed to tell you about his grand scheme. What's your poison?"
Keiran kissed her hand softly and then smiled. "Ach no, he didn't. But now I'm intrigued as to what scheme. It was our Tara. She's spoken about you a lot and Tab has mentioned her brother's... friend was coming over from Scotland. It's a small world there, aye?" He smiled at her, amused. "Guinness, please."
Beth tilted her head as she tucked her hair behind her ear and gave his hand a soft squeeze. At least he had the right moves. "You better forget I mentioned any kind of scheme. I wouldnae want him thinking I'm trying to get him in trouble with his sister by interfering with the bass player in her band. It is definitely a small world. And aye, I'm his friend. It's also okay to say 'ex'. I willnae bite your head off."
Beth turned to the bar tender that was still hovering nearby. "Guinness for the gorgeous lad, and a beer for me, please."
Keiran laughed. "I just wanted to be sure. I know sometimes it can be a touchy thing. Hell, my ex wishes I'd drop off the face of the earth." He shrugged. "So, what's bringin' you to sunny New York?"
"Really? I cannae imagine anyone wanting you to drop off the face of the Earth. Of course I havnae known you for that long." Beth rolled her eyes and laughed. "Well, first there's seeing Tab's band play. You all come highly recommended. Then there's the work thing. I'm trying to make the move--again--from Scotland to the States."
Keiran dipped his head, still smiling as he watched her. "Aye, thank you. But we had aggravation between us for sometime. We found ourselves in a situation we didn't expect and it was the ruin of any relationship we had. Shit happens, huh?"
He looked over in the direction of the bunch and laughed. "They're definitely interestin' to mix with. I'm kept on my toes, which is how I prefer it. Life wouldn't be life if I wasn't run off my feet." He accepted his drink from the barman with a nod. "Again? You like it here or you just want to get away from Bonnie Scotland?" He held up his glass to her in a toast, then took a sip.
Beth couldn't stop smiling either. Her lips curved as she nodded slowly. "Aye, it does. It's what happened with me and Riley, but I suppose we managed to salvage a friendship. We tried to salvage our love, but it didnae happen. It was long gone."
Beth leaned closer to him, but glanced over her shoulder briefly before turning her attention back to Keiran. "So what else do you do besides play bass?" She returned the toast and took a sip of her beer. "Originally I was going to move out here for Riley but I didnae want to stay after we broke up. I needed to heal a bit first. Now that everyone's moved over here though, I guess I just want to be near my friends. It isnae the same back in Scotland without Lachlan, Pat and Riley."
"Bein' in love is easy. It's keepin' it for the long run that's the hard part, darlin'. It's a special thing what you and Riley are managin' to salvage. Not many people are strong enough to do that," Keiran told her with a smile. He took out a packet of cigarettes. "Do you mind? I don't really partake at home much, so I do my worst on gigs."
He followed her line of sight briefly, but she had his attention back almost immediately. "I play all guitars and I sing. Just not much with this band. Bass is my true love and preference. I prefer to be at the bones of a melody rather than at the front of it. But this is really just the hobby for some extra cash on the side. I'm a music teacher by day," he revealed with a smile. "Well, part time. I do that four days a week." He dipped his finger into the foam of the Guinness and licked it off. "Oh aye, they're a bunch. There are runnin' jokes in our family about our Tara hookin' a Scotsman but the lad couldn't better for her. True loyalty and honour in your bunch. Again, a rarity one must hold on to at all costs."
Beth gave a shake of her head. "Nay, I'm used to the lads all smoking. It doesnae bother me. A social smoker, aye? Or just being in this environment?" She took another sip of her beer as she gave his comment some thought. "It feels like it shouldnae be so hard if you're truly, deeply in love. It wasnae hard with Riley until Lachlan got shot. That seemed to be the one thing we couldnae recover from because it triggered so many wee things."
"So you dinnae feel as if you’re missing out on anything by being the bassist for this band?" Beth pushed her hair back and smiled. "Aye? I was a photography teacher until a few months ago. I decided to quit and try and pursue photography proper. Part of me is missing it though. I just thought if I didnae try at least once I'd regret it." She watched him intently as he licked the foam off of his finger. "I can believe it. Don't think there arenae jokes on Lachlan's side about marrying an Irishwoman. He couldnae have done better either. She's a lovely lass. They're perfect for each other. I love them all, but I didnae feel so at home the first time I was here. I suppose there was too much going on. I want to try again."
Keiran took a smoke from the packet and gestured with it as he fished his lighter from his pocket. "Neither," he said with a smile. "I just can't smoke at home. My son is asthmatic. So I guess it puts me right into the social smoker category." He nodded. "It was horrific. I don't think anyone could be the same after that. I know our Tara and Lachlan aren't. It's expected none of their loved ones would be."
"Oh, no no. Not at all. People like Tab are made for it but I'm more instrumental than anythin' else. I'm more at home teachin' kids how to read, write and play music. I love kids. If I can pass some of my skills on to them, all the more better." He smiled. "Well, I'm mighty glad you did want to try again. Gives us a chance to meet and have a wee chat."
"Riley mentioned you were a father. That's great. I'm sorry your son is asthmatic. Is it hard with him being so young? If you dinnae mind me asking, does he live with you?" Beth frowned and gave a shake of her head. "Nay, I don't think any of us have. It's just hard. I dinnae regret how things ended with Riley, but I guess I miss having someone close. Tara and Lachlan have been through so much, but they went through it together. They're stronger for it I think."
She laughed and looked at him. "You dinnae once find yourself wanting to strangle one of the bairns because they cannae get a chord or something right no matter how many times they try?" Her hand brushed against his leg briefly and she nodded. "Me too. So you like it here in New York?"
"Of course I don't mind you askin'. It is hard, but he's a tough wee thing. He's seven months old and he lives with me. My ex? The one who wants me to drop off the face of the earth? She blamed me for the pregnancy. By the time we found out, she was too far along to do anything about it, so I told her I'd take the wee one. And I did. I haven't looked back since. My aunt takes care of him when I have to work. I wish I could be with him more, but I need money to raise him with the best I can give him." He smiled wryly. "I understand the loneliness. Datin' isn't so easy with a baby. Most lassies think it's cute to date a single dad until they realise just what it actually means. So, it's mostly just Connor and me all the way."
He laughed. "No, no. That's the fun of it. Music isn't for everyone, but everyone can have fun tryin'. It bothers me when they don't want to try, though. The ones who are just there because their parents think it's trendy. Some kids just prefer to be out rollin' in the dirt or have their nose in a book. You can't make a kid like music if they just don't."
"Connor's a great name. I love anything that let's me roll my r's!" She proceeded to do just that as she repeated his son's name. Then she did his name as well. It was a little harder so she just wound up laughing as she covered her mouth. "Sorry! I think I just murdered your name a wee bit. It's a brave thing you did to take care of your son. Not many would do that if they thought they couldnae handle it completely. It would definitely be hard for you with a wee son. I cannae even imagine. I'm practically climbing the walls and I dinnae have a child."
Beth moved her glass around and smiled. "I understand completely. It's the same with any art, I think. Parents arenae so likely to send the children into photography though because it's 'cool'."
"Connor seemed fittin'. Us Irish and Scottish tend to stick to traditional names. Strangely enough, I considered Riley in the early days, but with different spellin'. You could always just have more practice. I won't protest that," Keiran said with a smile. "Some days I feel like a rotten dad. Like, I wish I could give him more or better. But he's my world. Bein' a parent is the best thing I ever did."
"So, you wouldn't go back to teachin'?" he asked.
"I definitely like the traditional names. They always sound so much nicer and they have a history behind them." Beth gave him a look as her cheeks burned, and she licked at her lips. "Aye, more practice. You cannae do more than your best. You're allowed to make a living and you're allowed to do a couple of things for yourself. Isnae anything wrong with that. It's only wrong if you cannae find time to love him."
She shrugged. "I dinnae think I would cross it off completely. Like I said, I still think about going back to it but I did want to try and see if I had what it took to be a professional photographer."
"I keep waitin' to hear what our Tara and Lachlan have picked but they are tight-lipped. Knowin' Lachlan, it'll be something really meaningful. He's more patriotic than anyone I know." He turned to her with a soft smile. "You're still sittin' here," he noted. "Thank you. Most usually don't want to hear about it."
He had a small sip from his Guinness. "Are you basin' here or in Princeton? Either way, I don't think the commute is anythin' too painful. I go to Princeton all the time see Tara. More jobs at your fingertips in NY."
"I havenae a clue, so I cannae help you there, Keiran. Lachlan always reminds me why I love being Scottish. It sounds strange, I know, but it's true." She winked at him. "There isnae anywhere else I want to be right now. It's nay trouble."
For a moment Beth wondered if he was talking about them commuting for each other but then her brain caught up to the last part of what he was saying. Work, of course. "Aye, true. I suppose New York is the better option, but I cannae profess to know the area well. I dinnae even really know where to start looking."
"I understand," Keiran laughed. "Hell, the bastard makes me want to be Scottish some days. Answered the door to me on my last visit in nothin' but a kilt and a smug smile. Lucky arsehole. I wouldn't swap Connor for the world but sometimes I'd just really like to get laid," he admitted.
"Don't be worryin' too much. I've only been here a few months myself and I always manage to find my way home. The day I met Tab about joinin' the band, I got lost and left her waitin'. Seriously thought I screwed myself over. But it's a nice place. Somethin' for everyone here. Plus, my apologies for bein' so forward, but it might be easier to not live with your ex and his new lassie in such close vicinity twenty-four-seven."
Beth glanced down at her beer before she swung around to face Keiran properly and leaned in closer to him as a smile danced on her lips and her blue eyes gazed at him. "Then it's my turn to apologise for being so forward, but I think I might be able to help in the getting laid department. I cannae deny you're a gorgeous lad, Keiran. I willnae pretend I know what I'd be getting into with you and your son, but I do know I'd try if you ever wanted to get past just a shag."
She nodded. "Aye, you're right about that last part. I dinnae feel much like living near the two of them, and they dinnae need me close by either."
"And you can still be there for your friends. It's just a drive away..." Keiran murmured. He couldn't quite believe what she was saying. It had been a long time since he'd had such an interesting conversation with a hot single girl, let alone one who seemed interested in reciprocating. But he didn't think he'd ever had either of that with someone okay to accept that he and Connor were an inseparable unit.
He wet his lips and then tried to shove the awe out of the way so he didn't start to stare rudely at her. So he did the next best thing... he leaned in and kissed her softly. Better to find out early on in the piece if they had chemistry.
Beth brought her hand up to cup the side of his face as she kissed him back. It was stupid, but it felt like it had been an age since she'd been kissed. She'd loved Riley, but kissing Keiran was different. There was no history, no need to try and win back something.
There was only discovering something new and exploring it.
Keiran deepened the kiss and his hand came up to thread through her long hair. By then, he'd completely forgotten they may well have an audience and he didn't care, either. She smelt and tasted fantastic. There was argument it was because he hadn't physically been with a girl in months, but he knew it wasn't. He wanted to get laid, but he wouldn't just do it with anyone for the sake of it. He'd been intrigued by Beth since she arrived at the bar earlier in the night and now this just felt so right.
Beth braced herself with a hand to his chest, and responded immediately when he deepened the kiss with a soft moan. She could taste the hint of nicotine and Guinness on his tongue, but she didn't mind. The rest of his mouth tasted wonderful. He was covered in the scent of sweat, smoke and something else that just had to be Keiran himself. And she loved it. She'd spent all night watching him up on that stage and wondering about his lips and how he kissed. Now she didn't really want to stop. She slid forward on her stool to try and get closer, her legs slipping between his as she rest her feet on the bottom of his stool.
Keiran could've kissed her forever. There was definitely chemistry and it was more than enough for him to know that he wanted dabble more in their connection. He reluctantly pulled from the kiss, but kept his face close to hers with a smile. His hand fell to stroke softly across her leg. "Would you like to come back to my place? It's a wee cab drive from here but I'm game if you are. I can offer coffee... or somethin' else," he murmured, watching her lips and then wetting his own as he met her gaze again.
Beth sucked softly on her lower lip as she nodded. Her gaze never left his mouth either, and she let out a nervous giggle before she leaned in to kiss it briefly. God she wanted to kiss him until she had no breath in her body. She could wait though, at least until the cab ride. "I'm definitely game, love."
Keiran took her hand and sought out Tab in the crowd. The set was over, but he didn't want to skip out on the band without letting them know. He caught the singer's gaze, trying to ignore the wide smirk on her lips and pointed his thumb in the direction of the door with a smirk of his own. She sent him a thumbs up followed by another rude gesture which nearly made Keiran blush.
He turned back to Beth with a smile. "No time like the present, then," he said and slipped his arm around her waist as she stood to make their way to the door.
pullmysteth, asinthecity, notskywalker, drcampbell, doctortara referenced with permission
Word Count | 3,262