Page 8 of Illicit Temptation

Untangling my fingers from my hair, my heart nearly stops when I see the glint of shiny metal on my hand...

A wedding band.

CHAPTER FOUR

Trace

My last glimpse of Shea-Lynne O’Rourke, hair messed up, lips swollen, and standing funny from the way I fucked her all night, will burn in my brain until my last breath.

I took a risk propositioning her last night. I’d thought about her non-stop over the years. Something inside me just snapped being close to her after all this time. She grew into a flawless beauty and after one touch, I was instantly hooked.

A gnawing obsession is overtaking me now that I’ve had her. She. Is. Mine.

The man standing with her in the elevator jolted my heart briefly, but with one look at him, plain suit, dark shades, and sharp jawline, I figured he was her guard.

Last night, Shea mentioned her ten a.m. flight back to New York. That doesn’t give me much time to get dressed and intercept her before she leaves.My wifeleft me without kissing me goodbye.

Christ, I’m gonna punish her for that. With my cock. Which sheloved. She sucked me off like a cat in heat andthen came a few times while riding me. I made her lose it again and again when I had her on her hands and knees, her fingers gripping the headboard for dear life.

We had an amazing night. Sure, she was drinking. We were both a little pissed, but I never got the sense she wasn’t fully in control of herself.

For some reason, she’s not answering my calls. My phone rings a second later, sending my heart into a free fall.

But it’s my boss.

“Trace Quinlan,” I answer, keeping the frustration out of my voice.

“Where are you?” he gruffly asks, like he’s been up all night.

“You gave me a few days off, sir,” I remind him. “I’m in Las Vegas.”

“I’m revoking your PTO. There’s been a mass shooting at Leinster House in Dublin. Minister Keegan and the others are returning to session tonight.” He mentions the high-ranking cabinet minister I’m assigned to guard. “Get back here on the next plane. Expense it. That’s an order.”

My throat tightens, and my sense of duty takes over. “Aye, sir.”

The call ends, and I stare down at the message prompt for Shea where I type:

Me: Dearest wife. I’m needed in Dublin with a national emergency. I only wish you could give a man going to war a last taste of heaven before all I’m consumed with is hell. Leave me with a memory of your silky wet cunt. My contract is up in a few months. I WILL be back. When I do, you will truly be mine. -Your husband.

We have to figure out how this long-distance marriage will work until I’m released from my security contract. Then I can move here and make her a proper bride. Breed her with gorgeous Quinlan O’Rourke wee-ones.

WHEN I GET BACK TODublin, however, the agency’s head of security calls me in for a meeting.

“I’m pulling you from Keegan’s detail. I need you to investigate this shooting,” he says. “We’ll make it worth your while, Quinlan.”

I consider if it’s more important to settle this marriage business with Shea in my current financial and employment state. I’m not exactly rich and months from being unemployed when Keegan’s term is up. If I don’t take this assignment, I’ll be unemployed even sooner. All of these factors won’t convince Shea or her family that I’m a suitable match.

An Irish Mob princess’ proper hand must be approved by her brothers.

“Can I have time to think about it, sir?” pull at my collar.

He swivels in his chair, taunting me. “Twenty-four hours.”

I push out of my seat. “One bloody day?”

“This is an active investigation. I’m offering you a top spot on the leadership team.” He looks down at my file. “If not, I’ll be forced to offer the assignment to your old commander, Faolan Malone.”

Hearing that name fuels me with rage that can set this office on fire. “Malone is retiring from military detail?” Just saying the man’s name tastes like acid on my tongue.

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