Page 42 of Ciaran

A rush of adrenaline fuels my blood. Could I have misread the signals? Yeah, knowing my track record with this particular woman, that’s more than likely.

“Are you saying she’s interested in being more than friends?”

Laurella rests her hand on my forearm. “I’m saying talk to Millie.” She kisses my cheek. “You’re an amazing person, Ciaran. Any woman would be lucky to have you, including Millie.”

She disappears into the room she shares with Callum while I close my eyes and rub the center of my forehead to alleviate the tension. Goddammit. I behaved like a dick, and I’d deserve it if Millie tosses my apology back in my face. Still, I stride across the room and lightly tap on her door.

She answers a few seconds later, her lips still pursed, hands resting on her hips. “Yes?”

I grimace. “I’ve come to eat a large slice of humble pie.”

She hitches a shoulder, her face impassive. “Make sure you wash it down with antacids. I wouldn’t want you to get a stomachache.”

I give her a crooked smile. “I’m so sorry. I’m tired and fractious, and I took it out on you. I shouldn’t have.” I stick out my hand. “Friends?”

She leaves my hand lingering in the air, her teeth grazing over her bottom lip. “I don’t want to be friends.”

I let my hand fall back to my side as her words lacerate my skin as efficiently as a scalpel. “I see.” I turn away.

“Ciaran?”

I keep my back to her. “Yeah?”

A whisper of air brushes my arm as she moves in front of me, and her mocha eyes lock on mine. “I want more than that.”

I stand there, stunned at her revelation, my heart in my throat, and say… nothing.

Her gaze falls to the floor. “I-I’m sorry.”

She moves past me, but I whip around and clasp her arm.

“Millie.”

She lifts her chin. “Yes?”

Gently cupping a hand around her neck, I edge up her chin, tilting her head back. If any of my family blunders in right this second, I’ll take out my gun and shoot them. Slowly, I brush my lips over hers, tentatively at first, but the moment she parts her lips beneath mine, I deepen the kiss. She tastes so sweet, like candy, and equally addictive. Somehow, I draw back, because if I kiss her for much longer, I won’t be able to stop.

I caress her bottom lip with my thumb. “I want more than that, too.” Her face lights up, and my heart skips a beat, forcing me to take a deep breath. “Would you like to go on a date with me? And when I say a date, I mean a real date—like what two people who are attracted to each other go on.”

Her eyes shine, and her smile melts my heart.

“I would love to go on a date with you.”

Chapter 17

Millie

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, aware the new dress I bought for my date tonight is an extravagance I can’t afford. It’s worth it, though. I want to look nice for Ciaran, and for myself. This is a big deal. Agreeing to a date means I’ve finally left my old life behind and accepted that I have a chance at a brighter future. I still have a long way to go to repair my self-esteem, but agreeing to a date is a start.

After slipping my feet into a pair of flats, I grab a light jacket. With a final glance at how I look, I pick up my purse and leave my room.

Ciaran is in the living room chatting to Declan, and he doesn’t see me immediately, so I hover by the door, glad of this chance to observe him without his knowledge. We’ve barely spoken this week. He’s been working night shifts, and I’ve had my days taken up with the job I’ve grown to love. But during the time apart, I’ve replayed our kisses over and over in my mind. The one on the boat, and the far more passionate one right here where I’m standing.

He’s chosen to wear a pair of slim-fit dark jeans, a black open-necked shirt, and sneakers. He looks good. Better than good. Hot. A shiver of pleasure creeps down my spine. It’s like I’ve been given a new pair of glasses and, now that Tanner is out of my life, I have 20-20 vision.

I see you.

Ciaran’s words in Central Park, before Tanner had turned up and ruined the moment, come back to me. Well, I see him now, too. My one regret? I hadn’t noticed him years ago.

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