Page 83 of Stolen Rival
I’mnot a smirker, so I’ve no idea why I am, in fact, smirking. I move my lips to her ear. “Do you like the feel of my body fused against yours,mo mhuirnín?”
“It’s okay, I suppose.”
I bark a laugh, taking a nibble of her lobe while I’m there, thoroughly enjoying the full-body shiver that runs through her.
“Right, aim at the target.” I tap underneath her extended arms until she’s right where I want her. “Good.” I put her ear defenders on her ears and do the same with mine, raising my voice so she can hear me. “Now fire. Remember, you’ll get a little recoil.”
She squeezes the trigger. The gun goes off. The bullet ends up nowhere near the paper target at the end of the lane.
She drags off her ear defenders, and I’m pretty sure she stamps her foot. “Damn. I’m no good at this.”
“It’s true. I expected you to nail it the first fucking time you shoot a gun.” I roll my eyes. “Have some patience, woman. Now put your ear defenders back on and go again.”
She huffs but does as I ask. By the time she’s emptied the magazine, I count one bullet on target. Not bad for her first time.
“Reload. We go again.”
She shifts her body weight, turning to face me, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright. “You were right about the adrenaline.”
“It’s oddly thrilling, but don’t forget, it’s also a deadly weapon and should be treated with the utmost respect.”
“A bit like you.” She grins and nudges me with her elbow.
A laugh sets in, and when I start, I can’t stop. “You are…”
“Amazing. Incredible. Funny as fuck.”
“All of the above.”
She cants her head. “Well, would you look at us? The peace treaty is holding up pretty well.”
I tip up my chin. “Reload.”
“Sir, yes, sir.”
Fuck.
I grip her chin and plant a hard kiss on her mouth. “Behave, Mrs. Mahoney.”
She flashes me another of those cheeky grins that I’ve come to look forward to. They feel like little rewards, a sign that we may stand a slim chance of making this work.
“Focus, Sorcha. You can do this.”
She snaps the magazine into place, takes aim and fires off eight rounds, getting six hits.
“Much better.” Pride blooms in my chest. Only sixteen bullets fired, and she’s already improving. “Well done.”
“Again?”
“Yes.” I hand her another magazine.
Riiiiiinnnnggggggg.
She leaps out of her skin. “What’s that?”
I tear off my ear defenders and toss them on the floor. “Security alarm.” I pat myself down. No phone. Fuck. I must’ve left it in the house. “Stay here.”
“Wait, no. I’m coming with you.”
