Page 30 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

“I will.” She made it sound like a promise and patted his shoulders when he dropped her back to solid ground. The damned woman hugged every single member of the team.

Duncan and Patrick waited until last, making sure Austin had already left the building before they stepped in and hugged Miranda with long, lingering embraces. Jealousy returned with enough heat to melt the floor beneath me and send me straight to hell.

“Ready?” Miranda touched my arm, and I almost jerked away before I recovered.

I held the door open for her to leave ahead of me. “Sure.” Her bags sat by her office door, and I grabbed them all before she had a chance and marched out the door and into the weak Washington sunlight. Miranda trailed along beside me, seemingly ignorant of my struggle to keep from blurting out every sordid feeling rattling around my insides. I bit so hard into my cheek that I tasted blood and threw her bags into the trunk of my black Camaro.

The ride ended up being miserable. I’d cranked up the music to try and drown out my thoughts, but it also eliminated any chance at conversation, and by the time I pulled up beneath the awning at the airport, the tense silence had grown into something volatile. Keep it light, man. “I don’t know how the team is going to survive without you.” Fuck. Way to follow directions, dickhead. “I mean, you know, since you won’t be there to coach them in interviews and stuff. A few knocks to the head and we’re all likely to forget everything you taught us.”

While that wasn’t much better, it at least didn’t ooze with desperation.

“I’ll come cheer you on at the games when I can.” A tight smile lifted one side of her mouth. “I might even offer a few reminders about being polite.”

A car pulled into the line I’d started. People jumped out, the riot of voices piercing. I drowned them out and concentrated on Miranda. She was all that mattered.

“I’d like that. Having you around makes all the difference to me.” I almost stopped there, but it still reeked of hope and personal attraction. “You know, for the team. We can always use another cheerleader. Especially one who makes us look good for the media. I didn’t mean it to sound like I’m romantically interested. Just that you’re good for the team. For morale and shit. I’d never make a move on Austin’s little sister.” I needed the reminder more than ever. Sitting in the car’s close confines turned me into a rambling idiot.

What had started as a smile turned sour. She yanked open the door. “I know, Charlie.”

I scrambled out and followed her around to the back of the car where I’d stowed her bags in the trunk. She beat me to the suitcase and dragged it out with a thump that bounced the hard case against her leg. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I saw anger in her face when she leaned past me.

I moved at the same time, the two of us grabbing the handle on her smaller suitcase. Our hands connected, mine wrapping over the top of hers and squeezing tight. Let go. Let go. I told my hand to move, but the fucker acted like I’d lost all control of it as my thumb ran back and forth over hers. “Sorry.”

The straight line of her spine relaxed, and a whisper of breath parted her lips. “I don’t want things to be weird between us.”

“They won’t be.” I’d make sure of it.

We both straightened, and I removed the rest of her bags, stacking them up so they’d be easier for her to manage. “Want me to walk you inside?”

“No. I can manage.” She smiled, and the look took any remaining sting from her words. “Goodbye, Charlie.”

“So long.” I opened my arms for a hug. She’d hugged everyone else, and it would be weird not to hold her one more time before I lost her to the city. She stepped into my embrace and lifted her head.

My brain stopped working, and my heart took over. One second I was dead set on letting her go and the next I kissed her like I’d die if she walked away. Our lips molded together, fitting perfectly in a seamless kiss. If I had a choice, I’d never leave this moment. This was where I belonged, right here with Miranda safe and snug in my arms, her lips on mine, and the promise of a future tying us together.

If only Austin would allow it. The thought jumpstarted my short-circuited mind and yanked me back a step. I kept hold of Miranda until she regained her balance after my abrupt departure. “Have a safe flight.”

Hazy eyes lifted to mine.

I took another step back, putting the car between us. “I’ll watch until you’re inside.” It was the best I could do to protect her from possible harm, and from myself.

She looked over her shoulder almost like she’d forgotten where we stood and that she was leaving. With one last look at me, she gathered up her luggage and walked through the door.

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