Page 12 of Wild Irish

“I know yer just trying to help.” I rough my hand over my beard.

A sad smile plays on her lips. “Come over to the house. I’ll make ye a bite to eat. Aiden will be home soon–”

“I can’t.” I put my hand up to stop her protests. “And before ye start into me, I’ve got a good reason.”

“Fine.” I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but at least her smile has returned. “Come by soon.”

“I will.”

“That’s a promise then?” She points a finger at me, brows raised.

I nod, which seems to satisfy her.

Exhaling heavily as I watch her walk away, I know I’ll have to live up to the promise. But I knew when I decided to come home that I’d have to see the guys again – even Owen. I was just hoping to put it off as long as possible.

I manage to get out of the store without anyone else recognizing me. Or if they do, they know better than to approach.

The sky is a deep purple by the time I get back to the house. It’s quiet when I walk in. Delaney isn’t in the kitchen or the living room. I place the groceries on the counter, then walk down the hall towards the bedroom. The bathroom light is off, so it’s the only place she can be.

My chest tightens when I see her.

Spread out on my bed, dark hair draped over her cheek, her eyes are closed. I have no control over the way my body responds to seeing her in my bed. I’m instantly hard.

Leave it alone, my brain warns, urging me to step away from the bedroom. I’m already in too deep by allowing her to stay here. As soon as I made the decision to bring her back to my place, she became my problem.

I shut the door and go back to the kitchen, pouring myself a good shot of whiskey, then slam it back before refilling my glass.

My phone is still on the counter. Four missed calls. Two from Owen, the others from Aiden and Shane.

Fuck. By now, the whole town probably knows I’m back. It won’t be long before those assholes start knocking on my door with their demands.

I drain my glass and refill it again before pulling out the meat and vegetables from the fridge. I keep drinking as I sauté the beef and chop the onions, potatoes, and carrots. I’m nearly halfway through the bottle by the time the stew is simmering on the stove.

Taking my glass and the bottle of whiskey, I lay down on the living room couch, my head already swimming in the warm fog of alcohol.

I close my eyes, allowing my thoughts to drift to the woman in my bed.

If I wasn’t in such a fucked-up place, and I knew she could handle sex with no strings attached, I’d be all over her. There’s no way in hell she’d be sleeping right now. She’d be screaming my name, begging me to fuck her harder and faster.

I’m good at it. Sex. Making women cry out in pleasure. And I know I could fulfill number twenty-two on her list.

Have a mind-blowing orgasm.

And be damned if I don’t want to give it to her.

Chapter 5

Delaney

It’sdark when I finally open my eyes. The only light is the soft glow from under the door. And it’s quiet. So damn quiet I swear I can hear my own heart beating.

My stomach growls and I realize what woke me – the strong scent of garlic and meat cooking.

I’m starving. With my stomach turning on the plane, I hadn’t been able to eat the bland meal that was provided. But whatever Cillian is making has my mouth watering.

A small bundle of nerves twists in my chest as I climb out of bed and walk down the hall towards the kitchen. But it’s more from the anticipation of seeing the man again.

There’s a large pot on the stove, steaming. I lift the lid. It’s some kind of stew with chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots.

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