Page 10 of Wine & Warlocks

“Not anymore. But the thought of it terrified the shite right out of me when the Goddess first mentioned it.”

“And the process to receive such ultimate magic? I heard tell it was painful.”

After a squeeze of her hand, he released her. “Aye, Dove, it was. And it’s why your decision isn’t a light one. I’ll not blame you for rejecting me or the job, yeah?”

Her head came up in her surprise, and she touched his wrist. “Thank you.”

The gratitude in her eyes made his stomach flip. He’d thought to change her mind, eventually seduce her, and remind her of their epic chemistry. But it seemed the idea of them as a couple was completely repellent to her, andthat, he couldn’t abide.

“I’ll state it plain to you now. I love ya, Dubheasa O’Malley. More than I’ve ever loved another. But I’ll not pressure you anymore, because I see it’s not what you’re wanting.” He downed his tea and stood. “How about we find our rooms, and tomorrow we start fresh?”

Climbing to her feet, she touched his arm a second time, and Ronan tried like hell not to read anything into the gesture.

“Ronan, about Trevor—”

“Aw fuck, Dove! I don’t want to hear the man’s name right now.”

He’d shoved back his chair and had almost reached the door when she said, “All I was going to say was that I’ll not be shagging him.”

Ronan stopped short, not daring to turn. The other shoe was about to drop. It always did for him. Ronan Fucking O’Connor wasn’t allowed things like hope or optimism.

“I’ll not be shagging him or thinking about him or any of the things to upset you while we’re sharing this link, yeah?”

Her words held an echo, and it surprised him to realize she’d communicated through their new mental connection.

“Thank you,” he said gruffly. “That’s all I can ask.”

Once again, he started to leave, and once again, she called to him.

This time, he turned, and the amusement on her face caused him to suck in a breath at the beauty of it. Like witnessing art in its purest form, was her expressive face.

“Don’t ya want to be knowing which room is yours, then?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Your sister said six. And I just thought I’d open all the bleedin’ doors until I found the one with a bed fit for a giant.”

CHAPTER5

“Where’s your watchdog?”

Dubheasa glanced up from spreading jam on her scone when Trevor sat at the table. “If by watchdog, you mean Ronan, he’s off to his room to make some calls.” She carefully set down the knife and studied his expressionless face. “Why did you take so long at the pub?”

“Is this what being married to you would look like? It’s fortunate Ronan has claimed you as his in that case.” His smile broke through as he sat across from her and stole her scone. “You’d nag me to death every time I was late coming home.”

“And would you be coming home late often?” she teased, rubbing her neck to ease the prickle she felt.

“We Americans like our sports and beer. I imagine I’d be a constant trial to a demanding woman such as yourself.”

“Then aye, it’s a good thing Ronan has claimed me.”

Trevor grinned as she spread jam on another scone, following it with clotted cream, then passed it to him. “Are you going to let him get away with being a caveman?”

“Never. It’s not in my DNA.”

“Good girl. Give him hell every chance you get.” Trevor saluted her with his teacup. “So, tell Uncle Trev why you’re fighting so hard against your attraction to him.”

She laughed, unable not to. As odd as it seemed, the man was easy to be with. “I didn’t at first. When he showed up at my office in New York, I had no idea who he was, and I let him sweep me off my feet.”

“What does that mean, ‘no idea who he was’? Would it have made a difference?”

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