Page 22 of Wild Irish

I roll my shoulders and neck in an effort to relieve the tension building there.

As soon as we arrive at the pub, Emer drags her away. They seem to click immediately, but the way they keep looking in my direction and giggling has my defenses up. But hell, they’re always up these days.

I can feel the tension around me. Most people have kept their distance, and the ones that have approached seem to be walking on eggshells.

Good. As long as everyone leaves me alone…

I should never have agreed to come here tonight, but I swear I can’t say no to Delaney.

Maybe I should just fuck her and get her out of my system. The way she looks at me, I know she’s begging me for it. But then, every time I touch her or get too close, I see the hesitation, the small traces of fear behind those hazel eyes.

“Yer American seems to be having fun.” Aiden hands me a Guinness and slaps my back.

I grunt at the impact.

“She’s notmyAmerican.” I drain half the glass, not taking my gaze off her.

Colin Murphy has been all over her for the past hour, his hand inching lower and lower down her back. And I know the look in his eyes – greedy lust. But what’s really pissing me off is that Delaney seems to be enjoying his attention.

Aiden chuckles. “Ye could’ve fooled me the way ye’ve been watching her.”

I make a sound at the back of my throat. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit jealous. Not that I have any good reason to be. I’m letting her stay at my place, but that doesn’t mean I can say who she can or can’t flirt with. But I know Colin. I know exactly what he wants, and what he’s willing to do to get it.

Colin leans over and says something to her. Whatever it is has her head tilting back as she laughs. His hand reaches out and brushes her cheek, causing her face to color slightly.

Enough of this bullshit.If anyone’s going to be touching her tonight, it’ll be me.

It takes me four long strides to close the distance between us.

“It’s time to go,” I growl against her ear.

I feel the small tremor that races through her body, but she does a damn good job at hiding it. She turns back to Colin.

“We just got here.”

Colin places his hand on her waist, and I see her flinch slightly, but she doesn’t do a damn thing about it.

“I can drive her back later, if ye want to head out.” The grin Colin gives me has my fingers curling into fists. When he glances back at Delaney, his intent clear in his eyes, I know I’m seconds away from beating the shit out of him. “Unless ye want to come back to my place. Ye’re more than welcome to stay with me if ye’re already tired of this bastard.”

If I had any claim on the woman at all I would take a swing at him, but I’m sober enough to know that I don’t.At least, not yet.

I grip Delaney’s elbow and pull her off the stool.

She lets out a small squeak, “Hey.”

Ignoring her protest, I lead her to the back of the pub, in the hallway between the restrooms, where there are no eyes on us.

“What are you doing?” She pulls out of my grip, staring up at me with a flash of fire in her eyes. But this time, the fire isn’t lust. It’s irritation.

“No, what’re ye doing? Are ye looking for trouble?”

“Maybe I am.” She tilts her chin up at me stubbornly. “Either way, it’s none of your business.”

A growl rumbles in my throat, because I want it to be my business.

“Is this about that damn list?”

“Yes.” She looks up at me defiantly, almost daring me to take what I so desperately want. What we both want.

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