Page 33 of Ireland

“No,” Alina scoffed sarcastically.

“You think I have terrible taste, but?—”

“Iknowyou have terrible taste. And how that’s possible with Gideon Cross as an examp?—"

“Call me Liz,” she hissed urgently as the bedroom door opened behind her, “not Ireland.”

“What?” Alina frowned, then lifted her gaze, and her eyes widened. Her face suddenly softened with something akin to awe and wonder.

Ireland spun on her heel, her long hair swirling around her like a cape. “And there he is! Ronan, this is my best friend and partner in crimes, Alina Rurik. Alina, this is Ronan Boudreaux!”

Ronan approached to greet her, every inch the Southern gentleman but there was no mistaking his vibe. He was so inherently sensual and earthy, with poise that told a woman he knew exactly how to blow her mind in bed.

“Alina, an unexpected delight.”

She watched as her best friend went googly-eyed at the faint drawl.

“Uh, hi.” Alina stretched forward to shake his hand as if she couldn’t wait for him to close the distance. “It’s nice to see you. Um,meetyou.”

He smiled, and Ireland felt it low in her belly. Did Alina feel that same simmering response? Or was she uniquely susceptible to his charms?

“I’ll head out and let you two catch up,” he said, moving into her space and taking her hand in his with easy familiarity.

When he took a step toward the door, she held him back. “You don’t have to leave!”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt!” Alina protested. “We weren’t supposed to get together until tomorrow. I should’ve called first.”

“We’ll switch days, then.” His smile was all charm and warmth.

Ireland pouted. “What about breakfast?”

“Are you hungry, Alina?” he queried.

“I could eat.”

“Problem solved.” He gave Ireland’s hand a soft squeeze. “I appreciate the efforts on my behalf,cher, but we’ve agreed that I have travel arrangements to cancel. Walk me out. It was a pleasure, Alina. I look forward to seeing you again the next time.”

“Oh, yes,” she said, grinning. “Same. Do you have any brothers or close cousins you could bring with you?”

Ireland waved that off with a laugh as she followed Ronan into the elevator vestibule. “You’re canceling your flight? Not just postponing it?”

“Does that scare you?” He pushed the call button, then turned into her, unlinking their fingers to pull her into his embrace instead.

“You’re the one who can’t skip out of here fast enough,” she countered, leaning into him so they were pressed together. “DoIscare you?”

Ronan held her with the faintest of curves to his lips. “I’ve already admitted that you do.”

“Alina will want to go home and sleep off her jet lag soon. Will you come back? Or maybe I could come over?”

The rumble of his deep laughter tightened her nipples. “I’m going to enjoy wearing out your inexhaustible energy. The challenge is as tantalizing as you are.”

“That’s not an answer.”

His hand lifted to her face, the backs of his fingers caressing her cheek. “No, we won’t be seeing each other again today.” He pressed the pad of his thumb against her kiss-swollen lips, then stroked the curves, effectively silencing her protest. “Trust me on this,cher.”

She nipped him with her teeth, smiling when he hissed at the sting. “Dinner tomorrow?” she asked, even as she planned to call him later and change his mind about today.

“How about lunch? Do you have time for that?”

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