Page 9 of Wild Irish

“You’re leaving me here?”

“Ye need food. And I definitely need a drink.” He rakes his fingers through his hair, causing it to flop to the other side. Ye can stay in my room tonight–”

“Your room? I think you misunderstood–”

“I’ll take the couch.”

“Oh.” Disappointment settles in my chest, and I reprimand myself for it.

He’s a stranger, Delaney. Even so, my panties are wet just from the thought of sharing his bed. Well, that and the deep brogue that rolls from his tongue every time he speaks.

When he brushes past me, I swear every nerve in my body begins to vibrate.

I follow him towards the living room, where he throws a few logs into the fireplace, then crouches to start it. The crackle of flames as it bites into the wood fills the silence, and soon there’s a steady heat coming from the pit.

Cillian stands. Over six feet of lean, hard muscle looms over me. “I left my phone on the counter. Ye can make yer calls. Let yer family know ye’re okay.”

My family. They don’t even know I’m in Ireland. Not that they’d care. My parents are still too caught up in their grief to worry about me.

“Thank you.”

He gives a brisk nod, his expression stoic. Then he pulls out a crumpled paper from his back pocket. I recognize it immediately – the list.

Shit. Even though I know it isn’t there, my hands go to my pockets. How did he get it?

“I think ye lost this.”

Did he read it?

Heat burns my cheeks when I take it from him.

“I…” Licking my lips, I glance away, unable to meet his heated gaze.

What is he thinking?

I can’t read the man, and it’s infuriating.

“I’ll be back soon. Make yerself comfortable. I turned the water heater on, but it’ll take some time for it to heat up. So, unless ye want a cold shower–”

“I’ll be fine.”

He studies me for a long moment before giving a brisk nod, then turning and walking out the door.

I stand there, puzzling over the man.

Cillian Gallagher. Even his name is sexy. He’s got the whole dark, brooding, mysterious vibe going on. Plus, he knows he’s sexy, which is sexy in itself.

I clutch Maeve’s list in my hand. There are more than a couple of items on it I wouldn’t mind crossing off with him.

But right now, I need to figure out what I’m going to do about the car.

Going back to the kitchen, I pick up his phone. I left my rental agreement with the insurance papers in the glove compartment.

Damn it.I probably should have contacted them immediately, but I wasn’t thinking straight. When Cillian gets back, I’ll ask him to call the tow company to get the numbers.

Let yer family know ye’re okay.

I pick up the phone, expecting to find a passcode. But it’s unlocked.

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