Page 69 of Midnight Escape

“Give me a few minutes to clean out my brushes. Then I’m all yours.”

Leaning over but using a hand to shield his eyes from seeing her work, he kissed her gently and lightly. “I’ll be down in the kitchen getting supper together.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I’ll do a stir-fry with plenty for the team. They could use some vegetables. Or so my boss’s wife tells me.” This time he rolled his eyes.

“I’ve never cooked stir-fry. I’ll be glad to learn.”

“It’s easy.” He glanced at his watch. “But lots of vegetables to cut so let me get moving.”

He kissed her once more before departing.

She sighed with contentment. Her world rocked. Playing house with Danny was more fun than she’d ever imagined such a position would be like. Would she ever find something like this when she returned home? Being comfortable around each other? Feeling cherished by another? Treated as precious cargo yet with faith in her strength? Feeling loved?

Nay,scratch the last one, but feeling close to it. And that almost sent her into a panic attack. What if he fell in love with her? She was moving back across the ocean. That was a bit too far for a long-distance relationship.

Slowly, she brought her erratic breathing under control. The whole mess would be wrapped up shortly and Danny wasn’t in love with her. And she wasn’t in love with him.Liar,a little voice said.

Moira shook her head and rinsed out her brushes. Sometime later, she ventured downstairs to Danny watching TV from the kitchen with a large knife in his hand, half-raised, ready to chop something. He probably was, but the frozen stance made her giggle.

“What do I need to do?”

He turned and smiled. Placing the knife on a cutting board loaded with broccoli, he said, “You can cut the zucchini. Here.” He placed a cutting board in front of her then handed her the vegetables and knife. “Cut it like this.”

She didn’t let on that she knew how to julienne a vegetable. It was more fun watching him show her. Since she knew how to cut, she watched the breadth of his shoulders and the muscles in his arm as he moved. The man had a fabulous body.

“Got it?” He stepped back and placed the knife on the cutting board.

Nodding, she added, “Aw, sure look it.”

He shook his head at her Irish slang. He wasn’t sure what that phrase meant, so he just smiled. “Good.” He returned to his spot on the opposite counter—their backs to each other. Pity. She’d appreciate ogling her man-candy.

After vigorous chopping of a mountain of vegetables, Danny confused her for a moment when he asked, “Are you sure?”

It took her a moment to remember he also spoke to the team through his earpiece. She thought she’d mastered holding two conversations at once. That was until she met Danny. He could manage three. One in front of him, one on the phone, and one in his ear.

“We have company.” He didn’t sound happy. After answering the door, he returned with her brother.

“Declan.” She rushed up and hugged her brother. Her heart felt so full with him here. She looked behind him. “Where’s Diana?”

“She’s safe in Boston.”

Confused, she asked, “Then what are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad to see you, but Diana?”

“I’m here for you.”

Her happiness plummeted. She had no idea if he meant to go to Boston with him or if it was finally safe to go home. While she planned to one day go back to Ireland, she hadn’t planned on leaving Danny, just yet.

In her ear, Declan whispered, “There’s plenty I need to say to you. Privately. We’ll speak after everyone goes to bed.”

Unnerved by his request, she said the only thing she dared. “Okay.” The beautiful world she’d enjoyed earlier began to crumble, and she didn’t like it one bit.

Chapter Thirty-Two

After a loud, fun dinner with the team, Danny, Declan, and Moira sat down to chat. Worried about what her brother wanted to speak privately with her about, Moira allowed the two men to speak about her like she wasn’t present. It didn’t matter. Tonight had sealed how close she and Danny were. Yet Declan wasn’t happy—if his facial expressions and tension were any indicators. And why was he being so secretive? It set her on edge.

“Boyle has learned where Moira is, so I’m taking her out of here.” Declan waved his hand to stave off any argument. “I know you do a great job, but if she’s not here when he comes, she’s safe.”

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