Page 52 of Highballs & Hexes

“And I toldyou, you turn grumbly, like Patrick, when you’re trying to hide your softer side.” She bumped Noah’s shoulder with hers, then sent a laughing glance Patrick’s way. “I’ve you both figured out.”

His desire to sweep her up and steal her away gave him pause.

“Why are you frowning?” She shifted and positioned herself in front of him. “What was it I said wrong?”

“You didn’t say anything wrong, love, and fuck anyone who ever makes you feel like you do.” Clasping her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You’re perfect, Fionola Bohannon, and don’t be forgetting it again, yeah?”

With a wry laugh, she grabbed his face and laid a loud, smacking kiss on his mouth. “I won’t, but don’t you be forgetting it whenever you’re vexed with me in the future, yeah?”

“I won’t.” He grinned.

Lowering her voice to a whisper, she asked, “So why the frown?”

“I experienced the need to run away with you. To chain you to my bed, make love to you, and never let you leave again,” he confessed, equally low. Not blinking so she could see his honesty, he said, “It scares me to feel this way, Fi. What if I act on it?”

“I’m hoping you do, but only with me. After all this is over, and you’re safe, I’ll expect such treatment.” After giving him a saucy wink, she turned serious. “You’re right to worry, but it’s the worry that will keep you from acting on impulse, Patrick. You’ve only to have faith in yourself, and all will be well.”

“After this is over, I want you to take time for yourself to make sure this”—he gestured between them—“is what you truly want. Will you do that for me, love?”

“You’re talking about the future.”

Her smile glowed, filling Patrick with wonder that he could feel the way he did after so short a time.

He huffed out a laugh. “Aye. So I am.” Looking beyond her to where the other three men had moved to give them privacy, Patrick shrugged. “How can I lose with them on my side?” He met her loving gaze. “And with you.” Throat tight with overwhelming gratitude, he simply stared at her.

“I’m real. This is real,” she assured him, sensing his uncertainty.

“Thank Christ!” Tugging her onto his lap, he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and an arm around her waist, then dipped her backward to put her off balance. A sparkle lit her eyes and started a fire in his soul. Unable to wait another second to kiss her berry-colored lips, he dipped his head and captured her mouth.

Fi’s arms circled his shoulders, and she opened under him, accepting his kiss and returning his passion twofold. This moment was made sweeter by the knowledge she’d remain beside him, would continue to care about him, despite his villainous trip to the dark side.

When he let her up, her cheeks were flushed and she was laughing her delight. “I forgot we had an audience,” she whispered with a giggle.

Patrick checked over her shoulder, seeing the only one who noticed was Noah.

Guilt, or something like it, was a knife to his heart. He’d been on the other side, when Rose preferred another. Then another, and another one after that. It sucked Godzilla-sized balls to see your love with another. With a grimace, he mouthed an apology and received a sad little smile in return.

Noah faced away, and his brief words to Damian and Ronan were indistinguishable. With another quicksilver half smile, he afforded them a sharp nod and strolled in Patrick’s direction.When he arrived, he reached down and helped Fi to her feet before holding out a hand to Patrick.

After they were standing face-to-face, Noah nodded. “You’ll be good to her, yeah?”

“If she’ll have me for the long haul, she’ll be treated like a feckin’ princess,” he promised.

“That’s all I can ask.” Turning to Fionola, Noah held out his arms, bussing her forehead the instant she stepped into them. “And you, Fionola Bohannon…” His swallow was audible and fed Patrick’s guilt. “You’re fired. So ya best never set foot in my pub again. At least not until my broken heart has had time to heal properly.”

“How long is that? Until a petite brunette walks in next week?”

“Ouch. It will take at least a fortnight, but give me twice that for my wounded pride.” He laughed and ducked away when she tried to gut-punch him.

After he’d sobered, he caught her hand in his, and a long, poignant moment passed between them. “Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d’aghaidh, Fionola. Know that the sun shone warm upon mine when I held you.”

Taking Patrick’s hand in his free one, Noah placed it over hers, entwined their fingers, and curled them under before letting them go. He grinned at the unified fist, but it failed to reach his dark eyes.

“I’m guessing this is how the Goddess planned it; the two of you fighting the world together as one. Don’t take advantage of her forgiving heart, Patrick O’Malley, or you’ll answer to me.” With that one last warning, Noah teleported away.

Patrick maintained their connection and used it to tug her against him. “I won’t,” he promised, looking deep into her shimmering eyes. “I promise, love.”

CHAPTER 23

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