Page 69 of Ronan

“You live here in New York now? Interesting,” I mutter the last part to myself under my breath.

“For the most part. I will still be traveling for business. Are ya thinking about when ya plan to move in?”

“What?”

He gives a rich laugh and reaches to give my thigh a squeeze. I take a breath and shake off the panic. Dating is one thing, living under his roof is something else entirely.

My mind goes to Kaye. My friend is getting married. She and Felix are engaged. I love that for her.

Guilt begins to rise because I still need to keep my distance from her and Lakia until I end Bujar’s life. I can’t allow my other life to hurt anyone I care for. Felix is a great guy. Kaye deserves this.

“Ya can relax. I’m not kidnapping ya. Not tonight.”

I smile and release a small laugh as he pulls up to the valet. Yeah, Ronan has bread. Underground parking with a valet in upper Manhattan.

“I’m sorry to hear about yer ma. Let me know if there’s anything ya need.”

“Thank you. She’s doing a lot better now, but I’ll keep that offer in mind,” I say with a smile. “Now come on, stop stalling. I want to see your place.”

He chuckles but says nothing else as he gets out. I allow myself to think over all we’ve talked about on the way here. It has all been one big misunderstanding.

He’s been busy with business and my timing was poor when I decided to reach out. I can understand that. I shouldn’t be this happy to see him, but I am.

I haven’t stopped smiling since he came back with my book and led me out to his SUV. I had time to dismiss Hudson and the others for the night while Ronan collected the book.

I was going to suggest going to his place since my mom is staying with me. However, I didn’t have to, as he told me I’d be spending the night at his place. Now I’m sitting here like a goofy as I hold the box with my book to my chest while I watch him step out of the car and hand over his key.

He rounds the car to open my door. I’m once again grateful for the Roman-style purple-and-pink ombre dress with the deepVfront and bare back I have on. I don’t miss that my clear six-inch heels have his attention as I step out.

He runs his gaze from head to toe and then back. I smile wider as he licks his lips while his eyes linger on my breasts and then my hips. Memories of what that mouth and tongue are capable of fill my head and my pulse quickens.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joesph, I’m going to fuck ya something fierce. That dress and those heels are killing me, Danny. I can’t wait to be inside ya,” he leans into my ear to breathe.

“You spent half a million to outbid me. I think that calls for a little head and a good fuck,” I tease in a whisper as I look him over as he did me.

“Aye, sounds good to me, but ya owe me nothing for the book, love.”

I shrug. “Maybe not, but I’ve already made up my mind.”

Backing me up against the passenger’s side door of his SUV, he palms the side of my face and my neck. I bite my lip as his large hand covers so much surface in a single grasp. It’s such a turn-on for me.

With his thumb, he pulls my lip free from my teeth before leaning in and delivering a toe-curling kiss. He kisses me like a man who’s just found something he’s been looking for all his life. I get caught up in the lip-lock much too quickly.

When he palms my ass and squeezes, I nearly squeal into his mouth. The things this man does to me. A car blows its horn, interrupting our moment.

I jump away and glance up at him in a daze. He pulls me away from the vehicle into his chest and kisses my temple as the valet driver speeds off. I’m panting as I remember myself.

It was just a kiss, Danika. Not your first kiss either.

Ronan is breathing hard as well as he glares at the driver of the car that blew their horn. The man behind the wheel gulps and begins to look nervous. I place my hand on Ronan’s heaving chest. He slowly drags his attention back to me.

Um, oh yeah. This man has a temper just like mine. Can this really work? I laugh to myself. I doubt his temper has led him to shit I’ve done or am about to do.

“Come on. Let me get ya upstairs,” he murmurs, breaking into my thoughts as he pins me with a heated look in his eyes.

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. Placing his hand on the small of my back, he then leads me to the elevator. The confines of the small space are charged with energy as he stands looking down into my eyes after pressing the button for our floor.

I’m not sure how far up we’re going, as his large frame blocks the panel before I can get a look. However, it seems to take us hours to come to a stop. Although it could be seconds.

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