Page 21 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

10

MIRANDA

Touching Duncan was like trying to hold onto a live wire without letting anyone know I was getting fried. The hairs on my arm lifted beneath my long sleeves, and my heart sped up so fast it hummed behind my ribs. What happened last night? The indications he’d made butted up against my fuzzy memory.

“We’ll talk more later.” It was a clear dismissal, and I usually tried to be gentler, but I needed him out of my office before I gave into the wild attraction sparking the air between us.

Duncan released my hand and dropped it to his side. Turning without a word, he slipped out the door.

I had enough time to draw in half a breath before the metal door swung open, banging against the bare wall and coming back to smack into Patrick’s palm. He stepped through, closing and locking the door behind him.

“Patrick?” I licked my dry lips. His blond hair hung in soft waves around his face, his blue eyes raking over me with a kind of blistering heat that made me anxious to have him closer.

“We need to talk.” He closed the distance in four strides, not slowing down until we stood nose to nose. He never broke eye contact, and the things I saw there, the heavy desire and raw passion, curled my toes in my cute ankle boots.

I tried for nonchalant. “I assumed that when you closed the door. But did you need to lock it?”

“Maybe.” Another assessing look sent heat waves rolling through me. He not only wanted to talk, but he wanted us alone where no one could interrupt or overhear.

My stomach sank. He must want to talk about last night. Did I tell him I had hazy memories of the pool but not much else? Duncan’s implications that we’d taken things too far were cemented by Patrick’s intensity. How had I let things get out of control? I was their PR manager. The person responsible for shaping their reputations. I remembered kissing them. At some point, we’d left the pool, because I had a clear memory of Patrick’s arms around me. Then…flashes of pleasure that might be real or might be my mind’s vivid imagination. I’d woken up alone, in the same room I always used when I visited Charlie, with no indications of sex on my person. I blushed and tried to duck my head.

Patrick tucked one finger beneath my chin and raised my head. “Your brother gave us one hell of a speech about you. Told us all you’re off limits.”

The way he looked at me…damn. It was all liquid heat and wanton desire, wrapped up in his perfect body and intensity. I remember seeing that in him last night. In all of them. I’d instigated a kissing competition, and they’d all made me feel delicious, incredible things that no one else had ever brought out of me. My already small office seemed to shrink until no space remained. I breathed in the spicy aftershave and coconut conditioner Patrick used and breathed out the temptation to fall into his arms.

“I’m not supposed to start anything with you.” His mouth quirked in a move I found strangely familiar. “Bit late for that now, but it is what it is.” He sighed and ran his finger along the edge of my chin, up my jaw, and across my ear. “Your brother clearly doesn’t want any of us getting involved with you. As his teammate, I’m loyal to Austin.”

Why did it hurt to hear those words? I’d known they were coming. Austin always made it clear I was to stay away from hockey players, especially members of his team. I sucked a ragged breath through parted lips, drawing Patrick’s attention to my mouth.

“Damn it, Miranda.” His eyes shuttered closed.

Why did I know those words, the exact cadence of them against my body? It triggered a tug in my belly, a slow building of heat that I knew Patrick had the key to unlock.

I had no words, no answers for him, and if I opened my mouth any further, it would be to ask for all the things I knew were off limits.

“I can’t get you out of my head.” Patrick’s hands rose to settle on my neck. He kept the touch gentle, barely even there, showing a remarkable amount of restraint considering the hunger that flashed when he opened his eyes. “That’s never happened before. But I won’t overstep again. The puck’s yours, Miranda. It’s all up to you.”

“What are you saying?” Part of me knew, but the other part–the more pragmatic part–needed to hear the exact words.

“I had the time of my life with you last night. The best night of my life. I’m willing to live with the guilt of starting a relationship behind Austin’s back to be with you.” His thumbs skated over my jaw, the back and forth motion as intoxicating as it was soothing.

I wanted more of it, more of him.

“I’ve never considered betraying my loyalty before. I need you to know that I don’t make this offer lightly. Austin is important to me, but this, what I feel for you, is even stronger.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he dipped his head.

I had seconds to tell him no, to push him away and demand that he leave my office. I had all the time I needed, and I pulled him closer, offering my permission by lifting my face to his.

His lips met mine in a crushing hold that softened an instant later. The hands framing my neck shifted. One slid to my neck, the other going to the small of my back. I held onto his shoulders, the thick lines of muscle giving me ample space. His mouth slanted, taking the kiss deeper.

Blood roared in my ears, my entire body coming alive as I crashed into his chest. Patrick was all strong angles and hard muscle. He didn’t have the breadth of shoulder like Duncan, but he’d honed his body to a sharp edge. The man had the capacity to cover every sports magazine in the country. The problem was he knew it. He knew how desirable he was and he’d learned to use that to his advantage.

How many women had he slept with? The question doused my desire. My attraction to Patrick remained, but I had enough control to put a damper on the kiss and pull away. I’d been burned by one playboy. I didn’t dare risk my heart on another. Luther took all my joy and stuffed it away. Even Patrick’s desperation and the sense of security I found in his embrace couldn’t stop the spike of fear pulling me away. “I have meetings with the rest of the team today.” I checked the small clock sitting on my desk. “Murphy will be here any minute. You’d better unlock the door.”

I had no intention of giving him an answer to the unspoken question he’d shot my way.

“I’ll see you around, Miranda.” He cupped my face and pressed a lingering kiss to my lips before backing away. A flick of his hand and he’d unlocked the door.

I smoothed my hair down and though I hated to, I rubbed the back of my wrist over my lips and fished my compact from my bag hidden away in the bottom drawer. My lips tingled with the effects of his kiss, but with time running toward my next appointment, I had no choice but to focus on fixing my smeared lipstick and hoping my swollen lips returned to normal before Murphy arrived.

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