Page 9 of Killian

I chuckle, shaking my head. “You can’t have me.”

“Oh?” He trails his fingers over my stomach, stopping when he reaches my center.

“Kill,” I moan as the heat fills my body.

He leans in, kissing me. “I brought you coffee.”

“You know me so well.” I sigh, attempting to arch up into his hand, making him move his fingers closer.

I watch as Killian’s eyes heat as they trail down my chest, making my nipples tighten.

“I don’t just know you,a ghrá. You’re mine.”

“Kill,” I chide. “There is a reason we’ve never worked in the past,” I tell him, sitting up, giving myself space to think.

“That’s in the past.” He waves away my worries. “We may both be hotheads, but we work together. We need to put the shit aside and have faith. You being here will help.”

“I’m going home tomorrow. I won’t be here,” I say as I pick up the mug, taking a sip.

He remembers.A splash of creamer and only two scoops of sugar. Perfect mixture of sweet and bitter.

“What are your plans for the day?” he asks, abruptly changing the subject as he stands and walks into his closet.

“I should probably meet with Bash again. Sofia said something about dinner, so maybe I will just wait. Two birds, one stone. Last night he told me he wanted me to go home tomorrow. I may try to negotiate another couple of days,” I say, the coffee rolling in my stomach at the thought.

“You should stop by the pub before you go over there,” he says as he walks out of the closet, T-shirt in hand. “Here, you can wear this,” he says, handing me the T-shirt.

“Thank you.” I sigh. “I don’t think stopping by your bar would be a great idea. I don’t need to stir the pot anymore. I probably shouldn’t even be here. I just hope today goes better,” I say, running my thumb along the edge of the cup.

“I could always go with you,” he offers, leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the room.

“Why are you all the way over there?” I ask coyly.

“Nice deflection, but we both know that doesn’t work on me. I’m over here because your breasts are begging for attention and we don’t have time this morning. Now tell me, would you like me to go with you?”

Setting the coffee cup back on the nightstand, I crawl out of bed and walk toward him. “I appreciate the offer, but you going with me would only pour gasoline on the fire. He would want to know how you know me, and I’m not ready to divulge our secrets quite yet,” I say, standing on my tippy toes and kissing him.

“If you change your mind, I’m only a phone call away.” He kisses me softly three times, then walks to the door. “I’ll see you later,a ghrá.”

Slidingthe keycard into the door, I wait for the light to flash green, letting myself in. I shut it softly in case Enzo is still asleep.

“You made it back sooner than I thought. What, the Irishman didn’t have enough stamina to entertain you into the morning?” Enzo teases, making me drop my head to the door.

Walking into the room, I take in Enzo sitting on the chase, drinking his coffee. “I’m back because he had to work. And trust me, his stamina is just fine.” I smirk, making him cringe.

“Well, you seem to be walking fine, so that’s a good sign.” He sighs as he sets down his cup, getting serious. “What are your plans for the day?”

“I need to get some work done.” I point to the room I’m staying in, knowing my bag of tricks.

“I figured. Would you like me to reach out and arrange dinner with the family tonight?”

“Why not?” I sigh. “Might as well get it over with.”

“May I speak out of turn?”

“Since when do you ask?” I deadpan. Catching the serious look on Enzo’s face, I nod.

“I worry,” he says, choosing his words carefully. “I worried when he showed up in Italy and started courting you. I worried as I watched you fall in love with him, and I worried when you walked away. You two were in a constant state of a storm, always hiding from those you care about. You never got to enjoy each other outside of hiding. It’s not healthy.”

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