Page 41 of Ireland

He flashed his teeth in a wide smile. “You got it.”

Ronan waited in the lobby of the Vidal Hotel, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entrance driveway. His back was to the lobby, his posture such that it discouragedanyone from approaching him. His blood thrummed steady and hot in his veins; the anticipation of seeing the woman he’d spent the past few nights dreaming about was now at a fever pitch.

Behind him, the noise was astonishing. The music pumped through the Vidal sound system was set at a louder volume than most hotels and leaned heavily toward rock. The driving beat of frenetic drums forced guests almost to shout to be heard, and tourists passed through in surging waves, pouring in from Times Square at all hours of the day and night.

It was not his preferred type of lodging by any stretch, but Jules had enjoyed a steady stream of companions in his room since their arrival. Claudette was merely amused that Ronan had chosen it. She was perceptive, that one. She knew him well enough to reason what he didn’t say.

His left hand was in the pocket of his dress slacks and his phone was in his right. He watched the screen as the little black car steadily followed the line on the map leading to the hotel. Ten minutes to arrival. Scarcely any time at all, considering how interminable the morning had been waiting for her. But her voice on the phone had been strained and hurried, and now he was concerned. He would continue to worry until she was with him again.

The screen blinked as if it glitched, and suddenly, the destination on the app was not the Vidal. His gaze narrowed as he studied the map, noting that the new destination was within walking distance away. He almost called her to see if everything was all right but found himself spinning through the revolving lobby doors instead. At this point, he’d much rather see her than hear her voice. His concern was now suppressing his excitement.

“What are you up to,cher?” he murmured to himself, noting the approximate location of her new destination on the app before sliding his phone into his pocket.

He wasn’t the only person in a business suit passing through Times Square, but they were in the minority. Tourists clogged both the roads and sidewalks as they gawked at the massive digital billboards and performers wearing dirty Elmo, Cookie Monster, Barney, and similar costumes. The smell was unpleasant, the ground littered with trash. Bourbon Street was also malodorous and dirty, but at least the architecture was lovely. Times Square was garish in every way.

He reached 48thSt. and turned, his pace quickening when he spotted the woman he sought unfolding from the back of a black town car, her hair a silky curtain that enveloped her. She was dressed in a short column of black material, the fit loose and the shoulder straps thin. Her sleek legs were miles long and strong, her calves and thighs flexing with lithe muscle.

Ronan noted the small duffel bag in her hand and smiled grimly, accelerating his pace to catch her. Her gaze raked over and past him, as he weaved through the cars crawling through the densely trafficked area. Then her attention shot back to him, her eyes widening with surprise.

“Ronan!” She turned toward him when he reached her but was too stunned to react when he caught her close and lowered his mouth to hers. The moment their lips made contact, she surged into him, her free hand clutching his lapel as she kissed him back with such eagerness it stole his breath.

He pulled away only because they were on a crowded street.

“How did you—” Realization dawned in her eyes, the shade of blue one he’d only ever seen in Caribbean waters. “Oh! I’m sorry. I should’ve called to explain. I work here and have to take care of something urgent.”

Cupping her jaw in one hand, he committed every nuance of her extraordinary face to memory, especially how she looked at him at that moment.

She covered his hand with hers and nuzzled into his palm. “I’m glad you’re here. I have so much to tell you. Would you mind waiting for me?”

“As long as it takes.”

Her smile was like sunshine. Catching his hand, she pulled him behind her, but he lengthened his stride to get the door for her.

“Hey, Charlie,” she greeted the guard as he gained his feet behind the desk. “Can you hook Ronan up with a badge, please?”

“Of course.”

Ronan slid open the wallet attached to his phone and handed the guard his driver’s license and a business card.

She smiled at him but was visibly anxious and uneasy. Her wide, mobile mouth was pinched at the corners, and her expressive eyes were dark and sad.

He squeezed her hand when she attempted to pull away from him. “Let’s go up together.”

“I’m late for something important, or I’d wait. It won’t take Charlie long to get you checked in.” She pushed onto her tiptoes to press those lush lips to his in a brief kiss. “I’m going to surprise you today. Just trust me, okay?”

“Cher—”

But she was walking away, already miles from him in her mind, and no longer heard him. The elevator doors opened instantly when she pushed the call button, the car already on the ground floor.

He followed, calling after her again, but she was gone. Exhaling harshly, he tried to shrug off the tension tightening his body. The scent of her perfume lingered, taunting him.

He wanted her beyond reason, with a deep-seated hunger that was maddening. He’d called her inconvenient, but she was a much bigger problem than that simple word implied. He was operating blind, having blown up all of his meticulously craftedplans, and his lack of guilt for making that choice was a dire warning.

“Like a tornado, isn’t she?” he said to Charlie.

The guard’s smile was fond. “Been that way her whole life,” he agreed, his gaze on his monitor as he typed. It seemed interminable before he handed over a badge in a clear sleeve. “Wear that at all times. Head up to the third floor. Reception will direct you where to go.”

“Thanks.” Ronan clipped the badge to his jacket pocket and took the stairs at a dead run. He was conditioned to strenuous exertion, yet his heart hammered in his chest. He broke through the door on the top floor and skidded to a halt just in front of reception.

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