𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮...
In which a 28 year old American woman finds herself entangled with one of Dublin's biggest celebrities.
First book of the Auden & Cillian series
TW: Age Gap, Mature Themes, Sexual Content
CILLIAN MURPHY x O...
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AN (edited version): so this is a combination of three chapters from the original version. moving forward, the comments left by past readers may be confusing as they no longer align with what's occurring in the plot. I am trying to really streamline this story into one that makes sense, hence why some chapters have been combined (also why did I ever think it was okay to have three separate chapters with only 1,000 words over one single timeframe?) I hope this doesn't confuse anyone or take away from the experience!
—
"He's late."
Brigid stood with one hand on her hip, her expression unimpressed as she leveled Auden with a look.
Auden glanced down at her watch. "Only by, like, thirty minutes. Just give him time."
She said it lightly, but anxiety had been creeping into her stomach long before Brigid voiced her impatience. She wasn't even sure why she was nervous about seeing him again, but it was the way he had looked at her last night, his voice dipping low as he tucked that strand of hair behind her ear, that she could not get out of her head.
Now I can see you.
Auden pressed her lips together and shook the memory away.
Earlier that morning, she and Charles had sat down with Patrick to finalize the details of his exhibit. Part of her wished to avoid him entirely, but it was inevitable now. A pang of guilt had settled in her chest for not inviting Cillian, but after last night's events, it had seemed like the right choice. Things were already more complicated than they should've been, because Patrick had asked her to dinner — not a date — since she hadn't taken him up on lunch.
Technically, it was a harmless invite, but something that blurred the lines enough to make her hesitate before saying yes. It hadn't helped that Charles had been there, watching the way Auden responded to his invitation. It seemed stupid to say no, and not take up any opportunity to expand his business. That was, after all, her job.
Maybe she should tell Cillian. Maybe she should address whatever had happened last night.
But what if he brushed it off? Worse — what if he didn't even remember?
She was so lost in thought she barely registered the sound of the front door swinging open.
Cillian entered in a blur, a tray of coffees in one hand, the other gripping the tiny fingers of a young boy. His sweater was worn, a hole near the collar exposing a sliver of skin. His dark hair was messier than usual, and — glasses? Auden had never seen him in glasses before. Somehow, they made him look younger. Softer.
But his expression was anything but soft.
His jaw was tight, his breathing a little too sharp, and when he reached Auden, he handed her the tray of drinks without a word.
