Page 13 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

6

PATRICK

Miranda knew how to have a good time. I’d expected her to lambaste Duncan for the drinks, and the shots. Instead, she tossed one down like a pro and cracked a grin in Duncan’s direction. Charlie and I were on our third shots, the hard liquor going down smooth and setting a fire burning that had nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with Miranda sitting close enough for me to smell her fresh scent.

“It’s no wonder you’re always in trouble.” Miranda pointed at Duncan, who snapped his teeth in her direction.

“He doesn’t like when people point.” I kicked Duncan under the table. “But that’s no excuse for acting like a feral dog.”

“Not feral.” Duncan’s head wagged side to side. “Just like everyone to stay out of my fucking space.”

“Right.” I scoffed into my beer. “That’s why you bit the bouncer and got us kicked out of Eight Below.”

“Bastard shouldn’t have touched me.” Duncan cracked his neck and eyed Miranda across the table.

She pushed aside her empty glass and bottle. “Getting drunk at a restaurant isn’t good for any of you. I’m here to improve your image, not sit on the sidelines while you destroy it.” She met and held Duncan’s gaze. “I know you understand where I’m coming from. Don’t give me that puppy dog face. You’ve already tried to bite me. I’m not falling for that.” She wiggled her fingers toward him while keeping her hands on her side of the table.

Duncan blinked, his mouth rounding in an O before a deep laugh rattled out.

“Then let’s take this party somewhere else.” I leaned toward Austin, who’d down almost as many shots as the rest of us. “What about it, man? Your place?” I shifted my attention to Miranda. “No safer place than that. Little swimming. Little drinking.”

We’d enjoyed plenty of parties at Austin’s house. What was one more, especially if Miranda joined us.

“It’s Miranda’s decision.” Austin finished his food and drink. “She’ll be living there until her contract ends.”

All four of us watched her and waited for her response.

She took her time looking us over. Emotions I had no name for brewed in her charcoal gaze. A slow smile appeared in increments. It started with her lips, the faintest of twitches, and spread to her cheeks, dimpling them both. Her eyes lit up with a wicked glint. “Let’s go.” She held up both hands. “Everyone had better keep it together.”

We all knew she meant Duncan. He was the first out of the booth and on his way to the car.

I stood and waited for Charlie and then Miranda to join me. “Duncan won’t be a problem.” I’d make damned sure of it if I had to. No way I’d let him ruin this night. I might never get another chance at seeing Miranda cut loose.

I followed Duncan to the car. Charlie trailed behind, and I egged him on for his quiet demeanor. He’d seemed excited about the party, but as I drove us to Austin’s mansion, his foot jigged up and down, and I caught him biting the edge of his thumb, an old nervous habit he’d broken a year ago.

Austin must’ve called ahead, because a line of cars joined us as the iron gates swung open to reveal the white mansion highlighted by spotlights and the circular drive looping around a swan fountain.

Miranda exited Austin’s car and jogged up the steps, waving and calling something to Austin over her shoulder before she disappeared through the front door. Duncan, Charlie, and I cut around the side of the house, taking the concrete path lined with roses all the way to the pool house. We changed into the swim shorts and t-shirts we kept on hand and snagged drinks from the bar Austin had decorated to resemble a tiki hut.

Music burst out from the house when Austin opened the double-pane French doors. The group from the cars that followed us inside stuck to Austin’s ass like superglue. One woman in particular seemed inclined to keep close enough to bump into him every time he even thought about stopping.

Austin ducked around the edge of the pool and stopped in front of us. “I called the rest of the team. They’re on their way.” Typical Austin. He always tried to make sure everyone was included, even here at an impromptu party at his bachelor pad.

Movement on the veranda raised my head. Miranda stood there in a blue, two-piece bikini that showed off her golden skin and long, dark hair. She kicked off her shoes and weaved her way through the crowd to the bar. Slim arms crossed on the wooden bar, and she propped her toes on the concrete, putting all her weight on one leg until the defined muscles in her thigh popped.

“You’re drooling.” Charlie shoved his hand against the side of my face. “Stop looking at her like that.”

“Keep your hands off my face or you’ll lose them.” Duncan shoved Charlie even though he’d pushed me without even glancing Duncan’s way. “You’re not her brother.”

“No.” Charlie agreed with a hard swallow. His gaze skated back to Miranda. The poor man looked at her like a starving man did an all you can eat buffet.

I barked out a laugh and closed the distance between me and Miranda.

Scooping up a fruity drink mixed in a cocktail glass with a pink umbrella poking out the top, she turned to face me. “How often does this happen?”She toasted the party with her glass before taking a sip.

“Couple times a year.” I shrugged and ordered a whiskey. Maybe the sharp bite of alcohol was a terrible idea considering my growing attraction to Miranda, but I’d be fucked if I planned on turning down free drinks because of Austin’s uptight ass.

“You know her?” Another tip of her drink and Miranda finished the pink mixture. A soft glaze sheened her eyes, and I followed her pointing finger.

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