Page 58 of Twisted Secrets
“Fuck off.”
Cillian rubbed the bridge of his nose. Aiden wasn’t going to talk to him and, if he kept pushing, his brother might actually hang up. Since Aiden was right and no one could get to the bottom of this information faster than Cillian, he needed to not push him past his limits. No matter how worried he was about him. “E-mail me what you found. I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“It would be better if you were in Boston.”
He knew that, but he’d have to make do. “I’ll get it taken care of. Just send me the files.”
“Why are you out there? Liam didn’t say a damn thing other than you took a few men and left town.”
Thank God for Liam’s discretion. Mark would have reported to him, so he’d know that Cillian wasn’t alone out here, but he’d kept it to himself. He understood why Liam had reported at all, though—there was only so far he’d put his neck out there.Far enough to have it cut off if this goes sideways.
He hesitated. Easy enough to come clean now and give Aiden a heads-up that Romanov might be a more active threat than they could have anticipated. All he had to do was open his mouth and say the damning words.
Instead he forced a laugh. “You know me, big brother. I had a lark, so I ran with it.”
“I thought you were past all this craziness.”
“Apparently I’m not.” Even hearing it now was a bone in his throat. He wasn’t that irresponsible dickhead anymore, but he’d play the part for Olivia. Rightnow the most important thing was making sure he could keep his promise to keep her safe. The rest would fall into place one way or another.
Aiden sighed. “Call me when you have the information I need.”
“Will do.” He hung up before he could change his mind. If, after he talked to Olivia, she was fine with him sharing with his family what she’d told him, then he’d call Aiden back. If she wasn’t…Well, it wasn’t like this would be the first secret he’d ever kept.
A board creaked, and he looked up to find her standing in the doorway to the porch, looking like heaven. Her dark hair had started in a ponytail when he’d picked her up, but strands of it had come loose in the intervening hours, softly curling around her face. Every other time he’d seen her, she’d been in her bar getup—ripped jeans and equally ripped T-shirts—but now she wore yoga pants that fit her like a second skin and a tank top that looked loose and comfortable. It made him want to hold her close.
Why not?
Still holding her gaze, he held out his hand in a silent demand.
She took a step forward, hesitated like she might change her mind, and then crossed the distance between them to slip her hand into his. He pulled her into his lap, the feel of her there settling something in his chest he hadn’t even been aware was broken. It felt good.Right.
And he was going to fuck it all up with what he had to ask her. “Sweetheart—”
She lifted her head. “I think we’ve talked enough for one night, don’t you?”
This close, it would be the easiest thingin the world to kiss her. And, fuck, he wanted the taste of her on his tongue more than he wanted his next breath. It was only sheer self-control that kept him from taking her up on the invitation blazing across her face right then and there. “Hadley?”
“She’s sleeping.” She made a face. “Though you’re right. I’d feel a lot better if there was a locked door between us and her.”
God, she was killing him. “Sweetheart, I didn’t bring you up here for this.” But he wanted it. Holy hell, he wanted it more than he’d wanted anything in longer than he cared to remember.
“I know.” She climbed out of his lap and tugged on his hand.
Still, he held off. “You’re sure?”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Do I have to spell it out for you? I’m tired of waiting for our chance to come around again, Cillian. I want you. You want me. Life’s too short. Let’s do this.”
He pushed to his feet. “And they say romance is dead.” He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.
“Hey!”
“I said it before, sweetheart. We do this, we’re doing it my way.” He smacked her ass for good measure, grinning when she cursed. The nearest room with a door that had the ability to lock was the rarely used study. He walked into it, locked the door behind him, and then shut the curtains. The O’Malley men might be discreet, but he didn’t want anyone getting an eyeful of Olivia except him.
Only then did he set her on her feet. She opened her mouth, but he kissed her before she could get a word out. Instantly, she melted into his arms, pressing her entire body against the front of his. He ran hishands down her back and grabbed her ass, backing her up and lifting her onto the desk. The extra height lined her up with his cock, the yoga pants a sad excuse for a barrier between them. He thrust against her, holding her hips in place so he could get the same angle he’d had in the car.
She gripped his shoulders, her head falling back, and a moan escaping her lips. “Cillian.”
“Sweetheart, next time you say my name like that, I’m going to be inside you.” He skimmed off her shirt and tossed it to the side, quickly followed by her bra. She leaned back on the desk and lifted her hips, helping him get the damn pants off.
