Page 20 of Wild Irish

“No.” My parents would freak out if they knew what happened, and I don’t want to give them anything else to stress about.

His lips pull down slightly, but thankfully he doesn’t ask me anything else. I’m already a damn charity case to him, I don’t need any more pity from him.

“Go have a shower. Relax. There’s nothing else ye can do right now.”

“Drink,” I mutter, nodding at the new bottle of whiskey on the counter beside him.

He chuckles.

“I’m serious.” I push my chair back and stand. I’ve never been much of a drinker, but right now there’s nothing I’d rather do than get wasted. “I know you don’t want to go to your friend’s engagement party, but I could really use a night out. Anything to take my mind off the fact that I’m probably going to be paying off a car I can’t even drive for the next ten years.”

His expression changes, his blue eyes becoming stormy.

“Maybe you could just drop me off?” I know I’m asking a lot. He’s already done more for me than most strangers would do.

He grunts and places his mug on the counter, then crosses his arms over his chest in a defensive posture.

“Please.” Begging isn’t something I’m proud of, but I need this. I need an escape from my reality, even if it’s just for tonight. “I may be back on a plane to Chicago tomorrow. You’re not going to let me go home without crossing at least one thing off my list.”

Sure, it’s a bit manipulative, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

His nostrils flare, gaze darkening, his expression unreadable. I’m sure he’s going to say no, but he surprises me when he lets out an exaggerated sigh and says, “Fine.”

“Really?” Without thinking, I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him.

Even though I’ve felt it before, I’m not prepared for the heat that spikes through my body the instant I touch him. A blazing inferno that goes straight to my core.

I start to pull away, but he captures my wrists, his blue gaze narrowing in on me. There it is again. That look. Hungry. Primal. The one that says he would devour me if I let him.

Let him,my body begs.

But my brain, always the realist, screams,He’ll destroy you.

His fingers tighten and he leans in, his eyes studying me like he can read every thought, every fear going on inside my head.

“Go.” The command is a low growl. He releases me, dropping his hands to his side. “Get ready. We’ll leave in forty-five minutes.”

I nod and take a step back. “Thank you,” I murmur.

“Ye said that already,” he says gruffly, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Ignoring the gruffness of his tone, I shrug. “Well, I am.”

I leave him to the bottle of whiskey he’s already reaching for.

After I shower, I go back to his bedroom to get dressed.

It’s odd, but even though I know I’m one hundred percent screwed with the car, I can’t help but feel the tiniest bit of anticipation about going out tonight.

Back home, I’d probably be sitting on the couch, eating a tub of Ben & Jerry’s, while binge-watching Netflix and feeling sorry for myself.

But tonight, I’m having a real adventure.

And the way I see it, I have one of two choices. I can either have an emotional meltdown about something I can’t change, or I can take advantage of my situation.

Yeah, I’m single, jobless, broke, and probably close to financial ruin. But…I’m in freaking Ireland!

I doubt I’ll ever be back here. I might as well enjoy what little time I have left.

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