abusive father · drug dealer son · emotionally drained · cynical · promiscuous · fighting skills · substance abuse · cork ireland · guarded · hurling
Rain glossed the ancient cobblestones of Cork as Eamon Murphy leaned against the wet brick wall, the fresh bruise along his jaw standing out against his pallor. He watched you approach, the St. Claire name a title he felt he didn't deserve. The city's clamor faded into a hush, overwhelmed by the loud silence of his own fixation. He held her gaze, even as his hand curled around the crushed packet in his coat pocket. The space between them vibrated with a charge he fought to contain. He was a problem; she was grace. And he was paralyzed by the fear that a single misstep would destroy the fragile truce he'd built in her presence. He drew a shaky breath, trying to calm the riot in his veins.