Page 29 of Dublin Beast

For the first time tonight, he cracks a smile.

“Aye, ye got me there.” He takes the end of the towel and wipes sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm. “But I’ve got enough of a reputation and clout that he’ll think long and hard before he ever comes after me.”

I toss my gloves onto the shelf and look him over. “Oh, yeah? And why is that?”

His grin is dangerous, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Yer not the only one with brothers, ponytail. I’ve got four, and no one wants to piss them off.”

I hear the warning in his words and my heart picks up, beating too fast. “You told me that I need to stop because I’m not from Mason’s world. Does that mean you are?”

He winks. “Aye, now yer gettin’ it. And believe me when I say that if yer friends have been gone since the summer, yer not likely to find them. Go home, lass. They wouldn’t want ye to die for them.”

I lift my chin and meet the emotion in his gaze. “I’m not going anywhere, but I have an idea—a proposition, really. One that could benefit both of us.”

Stepping closer, he backs me up against the mirror. He presses his hands against the wall on either side of my shoulder and leans in. “A proposition, ye say. Och, I can’t wait to hear this.”

“I, uh…” My traitorous mind goes blank.

A jolt of adrenaline passes through my body as the air between us crackles. I squeeze my eyes closed for a moment, thinking that might save me from truly embarrassing myself.

He leans closer, running his nose along the edge of my jaw as his lips brush against my ear. “Ye what, lass? What idea came to mind? What benefits were ye in search of?”

His breath tickles the sensitive skin on my neck, raising a trail of goosebumps.Oh, hell.

I feel his chest rise and fall steadily in front of me and decide to rip the bandage off. Yes, obviously I’m horny and he’s likely the hottest man on the planet, but sex wasn’t what I was proposing.

Straightening, I open my eyes and meet his gaze. His liquid emerald eyes search mine, and it’s like he’s taken possession of all my girl parts. My nipples harden. Warm heat pools between my thighs. And a small moan falls from my lips.

Dammit. That shouldn’t even be possible. I clear my throat. “I was thinking…”

“Aye, I’m all ears.” He arches a brow and my heart rate doubles. “Spill it. What’s the idea?”

CHAPTEREIGHT

Bryan

“Morning, trouble.” I push the door open to the hotel business center and hold it with my elbow as Kieran comes in behind me with our computers. Harper’s already there, plugged into her laptop, her fingers flying over the keyboard, her focus locked in.

She holds up a finger, lost in something she’s reading, which is a good sign—she’s back to being all business.

Whatever adrenaline-fueled moment we almost got caught up in after our workout last night was just that—a moment.

An explosive, hot and bothered moment, but nothing more. And it’s better that way. We’re both here for a reason and we’re both committed, determined people.

There’s no sense muddying the waters.

Besides, the only women I’m interested in are the anonymous variety who will ride my cock, scream out my name, and then be gone by the time I’m out of the shower and ready to go to bed.

Harper doesn’t strike me as a swift exit, no strings, use it and lose it, kind of woman. And after hearing her plan to get kidnapped, there’s no doubt in my mind that she is all kinds of trouble.

That’s why I reckon this will work—this arrangement.

I set the tray of coffees down on the table, along with a couple of bags of food. When she finally glances up, her gaze flicks from me to Kieran to the spread of food I’m pulling from the bags. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I brought a bit of everything. Help yourself.”

Her brows lift slightly, and her expression softens. “That was thoughtful. Thank you.”

I shrug, dropping into a chair across from her. “I figure we’re going to be here for a while. No sense spending the hours with an empty stomach.”

Kieran scoffs, snags his coffee from the carrier, and takes the seat farthest from where Harper is sitting.

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