Page 76 of Feel Me

“He called all of you?” I ask.

My eyes widen when the entire O’Brien clan storms forward. Like at Thanksgiving, I’m pulled into bodies big and small.

“Hey, Mel,” Finn calls, hauling me toward him and Sol.

“How you doing, girl?” Wren says, leaving Evan’s arms just to hug me.

“Gawgeous. That’s how you look,” Molly insists. “Gawgeous.”

Seamus, Killian, and Sofia embrace me next. Everyone’s sweet, happy to see me, but instead of feeling a sense of relief from their show of warmth, I’m left more uneasy and confused.

Angus laughs, slinging his arm around me. “How about it, huh? Our brother and your man the future mayor.” He lifts his glass toward Declan and yells, “To Philly’s next mayor!”

The O’Briens hoot and holler, raising their glasses. I join them in their toast, although I can barely bring myself to smile. Angus referred to him as my man. Had Declan even told them we broke up?

Declan’s grin widens at his family’s tribute. He excuses himself and makes his way forward. I start to edge away, unsure whether I can pretend that everything is fine when my heart is breaking away in pieces.

I turn and run straight into Trevor Stone. TrevorfuckingStone.

“Hey, sexy,” he says, snaking an arm around my waist and dragging me in for a kiss.

If I didn’t jerk my chin at the last moment, his mouth would have landed on mine. As it was he connected with my temple, the squeal created by the back noise making me shudder. I slide out of his hold, backing further away from the O’Briens. “Trevor . . . hi,” I say, stumbling over my words.

“It’s been a long time,” he says, trailing me.

His stare drills into mine exactly like it did at the last governor’s ball, hours before we ended it up in his hotel room with our clothes piled on the floor.

Good heavens, like I need this. “Yes, it has. How’s your family?”

“Fine,” he says. “My father sends his best.”

His father can’t even remember my name. But the way Trevor is eyeing me, he’s not here to make small talk. He takes another step closer, playing with the strand of my hair. The sound creates more back noise against hearing aid, the high-pitched squeak grating my delicate nerves.

I inch further back before I realize there’s no place else to go. Not with the wall of people lined behind me. “I like your hair like this,” he says. “You look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

“And when was that?” Declan says, suddenly beside me.

It’s then I notice how much quieter it is, probably due to the O’Briens gathered around us, their scowls in place and their mouths shut tight.

Oh, God.

I edge between Declan and Trevor. But there’s not a lot of space so I’m now standing inches from Trevor. “Declan, this is Trevor Stone. He’s the State Representative for?”

“I know who he is,” Declan says, his expression and tone as cold as ice.

Trevor frowns, his fingers skimming down my arm. “What’s going on?” he asks, leaning in close.

Declan’s focus follows Trevor’s touch, his voice deadly. “What do youthinkis going on?”

Trevor’s hand falls away. “You’re here, withhim?” he asks me.

“We arrived together.” Declan’s hand lifts mine, drawing me to him, his frigid demeanor locked on Trevor. “And I guarantee we’re leaving together.”

I don’t know who to be more furious at, Declan for acting so possessive or Trevor for assuming I came alone. For now, I choose Trevor. “It you’ll excuse us, I don’t want to cause a scene.”

Trevor smiles. “What a shame,” he says, honing solely on me as he steps away. “We had a great time.”

Declan smiles with all the warmth of savage tiger. “That’s in the past,” he assures him. His fingertips graze down my side and to my hip. “I’m her future.”

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