Page 24 of Killian

“This is a house that’s for sale. I thought it would be a nice place for a date night.”

“Why would we come to a house that’s for sale for a date night? Are you thinking of buying it?” she asks as I slide out of the car.

I help her out and rest my hand on her lower back as we walk toward the front door.

“I have no intentions of buying this place. But it was the perfect place for what I wanted. If you have enough money, you can make anything happen,” I tell her as the front door opens.

“Sir, madam,” the butler answers, letting us in.

“Hello,” we say in unison.

“As soon as the chef and sommelier leave, I will retire for the evening, giving you two privacy. In the meantime, if you need anything, just press the button next to the light switches. It will page me to come wherever you are.”

“Thank you.” Greer smiles.

“Right this way.” He takes off through the extravagant home. He bows as he reaches the kitchen, letting us pass him.

We walk in as the chef looks up, smiling. “Right on time! I’m Rachel and I’ve made you two something delicious for this evening.”

“We’re looking forward to it,” Greer says as she squeezes my arm.

The chef gives Greer a motherly smile. “If you just walk out those doors right there and follow the path down to the dock. The sommelier is already out there with a selection of wines for you to try. I just took out some appetizers for you. Dinner will be in about twenty minutes.”

Greer and I slip out the door and down the path. Greer stops in her tracks as the dock comes into view. I take in the candlelit dock and table and can't help but be pleased. They pulled it off.

“Kill...” Greer says, speechless as we walk toward the table.

The sommelier steps out of the shadows, making his presence known. “Good evening.”

“Good evening,” Greer says for the both of us as I pull out her chair. As she sits down, I pull the chair from the other side of the table and pull it alongside hers, making her smile as I sit.

Resting my arm along the back of her chair, I get comfortable as the man tells us about the local wines. He pulls out one bottle at a time, showing us they are all sealed before uncorking them and pouring us samples to try before slipping back toward the house, giving us privacy.

Greer turns ito me, a glass of wine in hand as she sets her other hand on my upper thigh. “I thought our first date set the bar, but this is something else.”

“Are you enjoying it?” I ask, playing with a piece of her hair.

“Am I enjoying it?” she scoffs. “The food is subpar, and the wine leaves something to be desired.”

“The spicy crab tapas were so subpar that you ate all but one,” I deadpan, making her blush.

“Okay, those were bomb.” She shrugs. “And fine, the wine is delicious even though it’s not Italian.”

“I’m glad.”

“Are you trying to woo me, Killian O’Reilly?” she teases with a twinkle in her eye.

“You’re mine, I’m just waiting for you to catch up.”

“Loving you is a losing game, Killian.” She shakes her head. “When we first met, I was young and had stars in my eyes. You showered me with attention and love. But then I realized that no matter how much I loved you, it couldn’t work. I wouldn’t be the reason for the start of a war. I wouldn’t be the one who made your men question your judgment.”

“No,a ghrá, the only one who will lose in the end is you. But don’t worry, I’ll treat you like the queen you are. You are worthy of going to war for, but I don’t think it will come to that. My men will follow me into the depths of hell. You don’t need to worry. You deserve so much more than to be tucked away like a damsel in distress. You need to reign, Greer. And reign you will, standing at my side.”

“How can you be so sure?” she asks as she brings her glass to her lips, finishing her wine.

A shuffle at the end of the dock catches my attention. I turn and see the chef and sommelier approaching.

The chef tells us about she meal they prepared and the sommelier refills our glasses. I wait until they are off the dock before giving Greer my attention once again. I remove my arm from the back of her chair and pick up my silverware.

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