Page 69 of Stolen Rival
Before I met her, I can’t remember a single occasion where I questioned myself. I had supreme confidence in every single decision. I didn’t care who I hurt or what was said about me behind my back. And I still don’t… apart from when she is my unfortunate victim.
Damn woman has got her talons underneath my skin, and I don’t fucking like it.
This is all Dylan’s fault. Bloody man put ideas in my head that don’t belong there. Good thing he’s dead already. I might’ve sped up the process if he wasn’t. Family life worked for him, but it won’t work for me. No matter what he says, I think it made him a moderate, and that soft underbelly was what emboldened Andrew to step way beyond the boundaries of his role.
Not any longer.
I’ve got my eye on that fucker. And tonight is another step toward putting him squarely in his place.
It damn near takes an entire room-by-room search of the house before I find Sorcha curled up on a chair in the formal drawing room that’s never used, her nose in a book. My father was partial to holding his business meetings in here, but I’ve always found it dingy and lacking in natural sunlight.
“We’re out for dinner this evening. Be ready in an hour.”
Sorcha closes the book with a snap, then scratches the space between her eyebrows. “I don’t feel like going out.”
“Are you sick?”
Slowly, her gaze lifts to mine. “Of you, yes.”
Since I deserve that, I’ll let this one go. “It would be… helpful if you accompanied me.”
“Why?”
Yep. She’s going to make me work for it. If the roles were reversed, I’d do the same. Maybe we aren’t that different after all.
“It’s time we were seen out in social circles. Otherwise people might think you don’t exist.”
“Or they may think you’ve murdered me.”
One corner of my mouth tilts up. “That, too.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“A decent meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant and a chance to leave this house.”
“Hmm.” She taps her bottom lip. My eyes linger there, the image of those rosy lips wrapped around my cock springing into my mind and playing on a constant loop. Sorcha’s mouth is a work of art. The way her top lip is fuller than the bottom one, giving her an almost pouty expression, even whenshe isn’t trying. I harden instantly. Whatever our problems may be, sexual attraction isn’t one of them.
“Those two definitely go into the positive column. Unfortunately, having to spend the evening with you is in the negative column.”
“Two to one.” I still have no idea why I am entertaining her rebelliousness, but I can’t seem to help myself. It’s a hobby I never knew I needed, and now that I’ve had a taste of it, I refuse to give it up.
“Yes, but if you were a Scrabble tile, you’d be worth ten points while dinner and a trip out are a two and a three.”
I break out a full-on smile. “Scrabble? You’re comparing me to Scrabble?”
She hitches a shoulder. “It’s as good an analogy as any.”
Crossing the room, I pluck the book out of her hands and set it on the table, then extend my hand. Ten seconds pass before she heaves a sigh and joins her palm with mine. I wrap my fingers around hers and pull her to her feet.
“Come to dinner. I’ve invited Rosanna and Garrett, and I think Cillian and Molly are going to try to make it if they can get a babysitter. Liam and Darragh are coming, too, and Andrew, so you’ll know most of the people going.”
“As your brothers are only marginally more palatable than you, they are not selling points.”
God, she’s fierce. And I am fucking here for it.
“But Rosanna is.” I tilt my head to one side. “Right? And it’s a good chance to see Molly again.”
Her nostrils flare as she huffs. “Fine. I will come to dinner. But for the record, the way you spoke to me after…” Her free hand twirls in the air. “What we did. It was cruel and unnecessary.”
