Page 3 of Pints & Potions

With sparkling eyes, she asked, “Your pub? So you’retheO’Malley in Lucky O’Malley’s Pub?”

“One of them. Cian O’Malley at your service, darlin’. And whom do I have the pleasure of speakin’ with in turn?”

“Piper Kelly.”

“Ah, to be sure, you must be a good Irishcailínwith a name like Kelly.”

Her laughter was as golden as her aura. The sound reached in and grabbed him by the nads, making him lose all sense of up or down.

“Does this—” she made a swirling gesture with her hand around his mouth “—actually work to help you pick up women?”

He placed his palm flat over his heart. “You wound me, darlin’. You surely do.”

“Uh-huh.” She sounded doubtful, but his soon-to-be lover had a twinkle in her eye, which clearly indicated she liked his suffering.

“Put a man out of his misery and run away with me, why don’t ya?”

“I’m sure your wife wouldn’t appreciate that.” She gestured with her thumb over her shoulder to Bridget, who stood behind the bar, giving him the evil eye.

“Bridget isn’t my wife, love. She’s my sister. And the look she’s gracing us with, is because she’s vexed I’m passing time with you, and not servin’ up these louts hangin’ about me bar.”

“Pull on your wellies, lads,” Bridget called out. “It’s about to get deep in here because Cian intends to rabbit on in hopes of catching a ride!”

“Ride?” Piper questioned just before taking a sip of her pint.

He mentally debated the merits of honesty when the ginger-haired Seamus, sitting on the stool beside her, spoke up and beat him to the punch. “Shag. Cian’s hopin’ to shag ya.”

Guinness sprayed the air as Piper choked on her drink. Seamus earned a dark glare from Cian as he snatched up a dry bar towel to mop the beer from his face.

“Dry up this mess and don’t be annoying me, Seamus, or you’ll be finding yourself out on your arse,” Cian growled and threw down the damp towel.

“Jaysus, Cian! Don’t be hasty,” Seamus exclaimed, rushing to comply. “It was Bridget who said it.”

“And it wasyouwho were repeating it, you feckin’ eejit.”

“Is this always the way you woo women?” Piper asked with laughter heavy in her voice.

Her grin was as bright as the noon sun on a clear summer day, and Cian found himself soaking up its warmth.

“If we’re being honest, no. I’m much more smooth and charming.”

“Good to know you weren’t banking on your looks alone.”

Although they were in a crowded place, Cian only had eyes for this lone woman. The tilt of her head and the half smile still lingering on her lips fascinated him. She was, without a doubt, flirting in return. Ah, the sight of her sped up his heart. It truly did.

“Love, I have a bet with a few of me friends.” He laid it on thick, but he was savvy enough to recognize she was enjoying their exchange. “It’s a well-known fact that me boyos look up to me in these parts.”

“Uh-huh.” She sounded cynical but amused. “So what’s this bet?”

“Well, it’s more of a tradition, really,” he lied. “I’m forced to kiss all the new colleens who stroll into me pub.”

“Forcedto?”

“Yeah, and if I can win a kiss from the fairest of women—that be you—I’d be a living legend in these parts.”

“Still not seeing where the bet part of this comes in.”

“I bet me boyos that you’d take mercy on me and bestow the kiss to end all kisses.”

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