Going Under Cover

Chapter 20

20

I suddenly understood completely how Martin had felt that day when we were driving up to my old house. Maybe even more so on my part, who knows?

Clammy hands - check.

Butterflies in my stomach moving about like crazy - double check.

And unnecessary talking - bingo.

Yes, you could definitely say that I was nervous. And because of that, I was cursing Steve's genius idea of sending me to Martin's real home for a day or two. 'Save money,' he had said. Oh, I didn't care for that now. I'd take out another mortgage just to avoid staying in Martin's house alone for a weekend.

Just the two of us.

I shuddered and took a quick glance over to Martin. He seemed happy, normal even. Like nothing in the world was bothering him now that we were on the road. It was as if this world was his oyster and he was ready to exploit it for whatever use because he could. Right now, he was on top of the world and could do whatever the feck he wanted.

Lucky bastard.

 I on the other hand was finding it hard to keep still. The seat-belt that was currently strapped around me was making me feel unusually so claustrophobic in this car. I was on my way to Martin's house and I was freaking out about it. Why? Well there was an obvious enough answer to that question.

I was attracted to the bloke. I wouldn't lie about it, or sugar coat it. I thought him to be remarkable handsome now all of a sudden. Now, the reason why I did so, that was another story altogether which I was entirely sure of myself.

Martin was kind and sweet, very observant when it came down to understanding people's feelings. He had been growing a very nice stubble over the past few days, which I found strangely sexy in more ways than one. His eyebrows were thick, he had a good jaw line I guess too. And his shoulders had a good slope to them.

But other than that, I didn't know why I found him more attractive than other men. I found myself even liking his smile more than I had done with Ryan's. And now, that was just downright weird on many levels.

"So how are you holding up over there?" Martin asked casually, so unaware of my inner turmoil, which was completely to do with him. As usual, he took his eyes off the road for a mere second, a fact that I was not happy about. Still, it was nice enough of him to care about how I was doing. I was in truth tired, completely exhausted. We had been on the road for a good two hours now, heading in the direction of Cork, 'the rebel county'. And then, only yesterday, we had driven three hours from Dublin back to Longhall. It was taking a lot out of me as I wasn't used to it, nor did I want to ever get used to it. Martin looked to be as energetic as ever, still like a child on a sugar-rush. How he did it, I don't know.

"I'm good," I replied, trying to keep my tone as even as possible. I was far from 'good', my head was a nervous wreck after all. But I couldn't tell him that, I couldn't let him know that his presence was affecting me this much.

"Dad's pretty excited to see you," Martin laughed, taking a glance at me again. I narrowed my eyes as they stared out the window. Why on earth would I be meeting his father, whom I heard from Steve was a pretty good ex-copper?

"Your dad?"

"Yeah, Mam too actually. Said she'd bake you something nice for tonight."

"She's baking?"

"Yeah, for dinner. She's a good cook."

"So, we're going over to their house for a meal then?"

"Well, we're stopping there," Martin explained, turning a bend into a small enough road. Still, it was big enough for two cars to pass comfortably.