Page 47 of Irish Rebel
“Now you can introduce me to the hunk.” Mo fell into step beside Keeley.
“I will if you can behave like you have a brain as well as glands.”
“It has nothing to do with glands, I’m just curious. Don’t worry, I’m taking a page out of your book there when it comes to men.”
Keeley stopped at the door to the stables. “Excuse me?”
“You know, guys are fine to look at, or to hang around with occasionally. But there are lots more important things. I’m not going to get involved with one until I’m thirty, soonest.”
Keeley wasn’t certain whether to be amused or appalled. Then she heard Brian’s voice, the lilt of it. And she forgot everything else.
He was in the box with Lonesome, a temperamental roan gelding. The horse moped, as was his habit before a race.
“They ask too much of you, there’s no doubt about it,” Brian was saying as he checked the wrappings on Lonesome’s legs. “It’s a terrible cross you have to bear, and you show great courage and fortitude day after day. Perhaps if you win this one I can put a word in for you. You know, extra carrots and that sort of thing, a bit of molasses in the evening. A bigger brass plaque for your box at home.”
“That’s bribery,” Keeley murmured.
Brian turned, his eyes going warm. “That’s bargaining,” he corrected. “But if I can interest you in a bribe,” he began and opened the box door intending to snatch Keeley inside for a much anticipated welcome-back kiss.
He nearly stepped over Mo. “Sorry. Didn’t see you there.”
“I’m short. That’s my cross to bear. I’m Mo Logan.” She stuck out a friendly hand. “Keeley’s cousin from Three Aces.”
“Pleased to meet you. You’ve a horse running tonight, Ms. Logan?”
“Mo. Hennessy. Sixth race. My money says he’ll win laughing.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I get up to the betting window.”
“I want to take a look at Hennessy before his race. Come up to the dining room if you have time, Brian, for food or a drink. The family’s all there.”
“Thank you for that. Pretty thing,” Brian murmured when Mo dashed off.
“She wanted to take a look at you, too. She heard you were a hunk.”
“Is that so?” Amused, Brian shifted. “Did you tell her that?”
“I certainly did not. I have more respect for you than to speak of you in such a sexist way.”
“Respect’s a good thing.” He yanked her into the box, crushing his mouth to hers before she could laugh. “But I’m banking on passion just at the moment. Have you passion for me, Keeley?” he murmured against her mouth.
“Apparently.” Her ears were ringing. “Oh, Brian, I want—” She strained against him until they bumped into the horse. “You. Now. Somewhere. Can’t we... it’s been days.”
“Four.” He wanted to tear off the long slim dress she wore and mount her like a stallion, all blinding heat and primitive need.
He’d thought, convinced himself, that he’d be sensible about her, kept his wants and wishes under control. And all it had taken was seeing her. Just seeing her. It was exactly as it had been that first time he’d laid his eyes on her. A lightning strike in heart and blood.
“Keeley.” He ran kisses over her face, buried his hands in her hair, then started all over again. “I’ve such a need for you. It’s like burning from the inside out. Come with me, out to the lorry.”
“Yes.” At that moment, she’d have gone anywhere. It seemed he would swallow her whole. “Hurry. Let’s hurry.”
She took his hand, fumbled with the door herself. Breathless, she would have stumbled if he hadn’t caught her. “Teach me to wear heels in the damn stable,” she muttered. “My legs are shaking.”
With a nervous laugh she turned back to him. Her legs stopped trembling. At least she couldn’t feel them. All she could feel now was the unsteady skipping of her heart.
He was staring at her, his eyes intense. When she’d turned, his hands had reached up to frame her face. “You’re so beautiful.”
She’d never believed words like that mattered. They were so easily, and so often carelessly, said. But they didn’t seem easy from him. And there was nothing careless about the tone of his voice. Before she could speak, before she could think of what could be said, there was a shout and the sound of running feet.
