Page 19 of Killian

Somewhere inside, I feel like I need to do this for him. To feel the glow of his approval. To make him proud.

I crack my knuckles, glancing across the desk at him.

He’s sitting on the visitor’s side while I take up his throne. I honestly thought he would have kicked me out of his chair, making me sit on the other side, but he settled in easily, moving his papers so I could work.

At first, he tried to talk to me. I explained to him what I was doing, but when his eyes kept losing focus, I knew he had no idea what I was talking about. I spared him, telling him it was better if I worked in silence.

He took it in stride, starting his own work.

It was comfortable, though. It felt familiar. Right. As if sitting in this office with him was the most natural activity we could do right now.

My fingers itch to reach across and smooth out the furrow between his eyebrows as he studies the paper in front of him. Whatever it is, it’s stressing him out.

“If you don’t stop looking at me like that, I’ll have to lock the door and ravish you until you scream my name,a ghrá.”

I startle as his lips pull up in the corner, never taking his eyes from the paper.

“I needed to give my eyes a break.”

He glances up then. “So you looked at me?”

“Well, you aren’t hard on the eyes, big guy.”

He shakes his head, setting his papers on his desk. “Are you hungry?” He looks down at his watch. “We could grab an early dinner.”

“We can’t. You know that. Bash will keep an extra close eye on you now. I don’t know why you didn’t just ask me to do this in private. Involving him made things more complicated.”

He leans across the desk, grabbing my hand. “I’m slowly easing him into the idea of us. You said he was our obstacle; well, I’m overcoming it.”

I stutter, “Y-you what? Are you crazy or stupid? He will never agree to us dating, and even if he did, isn’t that my choice? God, you’re such an asshole.”

I’m sick and tired of all the men in my life acting like they get to make decisions for me. Well, everyone except Enzo. He’s the only one who has ever been on my side.

“It is and will always be your choice. You feel like I’m not a choice because of your brother. I’m trying to make myself a possibility. It’s up to you if you choose to grab that possibility.”

My expression softens at his admission. Killian’s a scary as fuck Irish boss, but deep down, he can also be kind and considerate.

“He could kill you,” I remind him.

He shrugs. “As long as I get even a second with you, it will be worth it, my love.”

I shake my head. “You really are crazy.”

“I’m only this way because of you. One look at you and I was a goner. You realize the magnetic pull you have, right? Every guy within a twenty-five-mile radius naturally gravitates toward you. Thank god one look from me scares them off. I have enough blood on my hands.”

A tingle spreads through my body at his admission. He’s said it before, but the fact that he reiterates it often helps me to believe it might be the truth.

“You’re being ridiculous.” I bite my lip, trying to hide my smile. “How about you go find me some good, old-fashioned Irish stew?”

He laughs. “I still don’t get you. Stew is something we make from leftovers or when we need to throw together a quick meal from whatever we have left, yet you eat it like it’s a delicacy.”

“It’s delicious. I think it’s crazy you don’t eat it more often. Now shoo while I get back to work.”

He stands, heading toward the door. “Yes, my liege. Will there be anything else for the queen?”

I shoot him an annoyed look, but I can’t hide the smile on my face. “No, you’re dismissed.”

His lips tip up. “Your ass is going to pay for that later.”

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