Page 4 of Mafia Boss' Surprise Baby

“I do what I can.”

“I bet,” she says.

“What about you? Did you run around LA in a skirt and heels?”

“No, but I did freelance work from home mostly. You don’t want to see me come in here in my pajamas do you? That won’t get me a job. It’s like you said. Nobody would take me seriously if I didn’t look the part.”

“Your skirt’s too short for an interview,” I say, and I sound like a grumpy old man. She grins.

“You think so? I guess by Boston standards you’re right. Sister Mary Agnes used to make me prove my hem was as long asmy fingertips if I put my arms down to my sides.” She’s smiling and it’s like getting an arrow to the chest.

“I sound like a nun now?”

“Maybe a little,” she says. “You’re just not used to seeing me grown up. Besides, I’m not applying to be the accountant for a parochial school, Mickey. Or do I call you Mr. O’Halloran? I forgot you’re the head of the family now. Do I kiss your ring?” She teases.

The idea of her bending or kneeling to kiss anything of mine chokes off my air. I can’t begin to answer her for a second. I have to get a drink of water before I do.

“You’re thinking about the pope, love. I’m a sinner through and through.”

“Are you now? I thought when I was a kid that you were the good one and Rory was the troublemaker.”

“That’s not far off from the truth,” I admit. “But he’s grown up some since those days and I screwed up plenty on my own. The only thing that kept me out of real trouble I think I was always too aware that there were eyes on me. I was the heir apparent and if I acted a fool, if I didn’t stay in line, that could cost me. The territory, the respect and security from these people. It’s worth too much to take risks.”

“Let me get this straight. You’re the head of the Irish organization in Boston. You run a huge gaming industry both legitimate and otherwise, and you don’t like risks?” She looks at me in disbelief.

“You could say that,” I reply, uncomfortable. I’m trying to act normal in spite of my reaction to her, but I’m failing miserably. I’m about to sweat to death in this dumb suit. I take off my jacket and unfasten my cuffs. I’m rolling up my sleeves when she gets to her feet.

“I won’t take up any more of your time,” she says abruptly. “I appreciate you giving me a job. I know it’s a courtesy to Rory,and I’m going to be mindful of that. I’m excellent at what I do, and I’m not going to let you down. It was—good to see you again,” she finishes a little awkwardly.

Then, as I live and breathe, Mary Kathryn Donahue, grown up baby sister of my top lieutenant and best friend, steps way too close to me, lifts on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek.

For a second, electric current rips down my spine and my vision goes spotty at the edges. Even in her heels, I’m too tall for her, because she sways a little toward me, and I steady her. I don’t do it right, I don’t catch her elbow and set her on her feet nice and politely. Instead, I get her around the waist and hold her still, against me.

I’m about two seconds from crushing her to my chest, breathing her in. She shouldn’t have kissed my cheek, because I’m going to replay that moment tonight along with the soft pillowy lips, the cute swell of her ass in that skirt. I hold her against me for a moment, close enough that I can see the skittering pulse in her neck She looks up to meet my eyes. I can see her pupils blown wide, her nervous energy.

She’s so hot, the warmth of her skin, the flush on her cheeks that looks fevered, the way she steadies herself with a hand on my shoulder that is searing through my shirt to practically scorch the skin underneath. She sinks her teeth into her glossy bottom lip and steps back a little.

“So, thanks again for the job,” she says, straightening herself and smoothing her hair.

I want her in every way that a man wants a woman, and that’s impossible. I shouldn’t have had her come downtown for a meeting. I could’ve just texted her brother the address of her job. That’s what I’ll do from now on. I’ll just contact Rory about her work and they can handle it from there. Otherwise, I’ll push that skirt up and fuck her senseless before she has time to react.

“Yeah, no problem. Good to see you.”

With that, she practically runs from my office, and I let a ragged breath out of my chest. Fuck me, she is going to be the death of me if I don’t get it together.

As soon as she leaves, I notice the floral scent of her perfume, the way my palms remember touching her. All I know is everyone will be better off if I steer clear of Rory Donahue’s little sister.

4

KATE

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” I mutter to myself.

I knew the second I walked in his office that I’m just as stupid as I was years ago when I had a huge crush on Mickey O’Halloran. He was rebellious, sexy, a little dangerous. Now he’s more dangerous and even sexier if that’s possible.

Dark hair and pale blue eyes with that sharp gaze that misses nothing combined with the square jaw and nose that’s been broken like a prizefighter in an old movie. All masculine power and the promise that he can be as tender as he is tough, that he can put the stingy line of his mouth to good use outside of work.

It took all of four seconds in the room with him before my impure thoughts went off the charts. I chattered, nervous and talking too much, while I tugged at the hem of my skirt, the one he noticed is too short, because I was trying not squirm in my chair. I practically started dripping the minute he shook my hand, that big, calloused palm engulfing my own. I wanted to feel his fingers in tight, slick places I had no business thinking of during an interview.

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