Page 40 of An Irish Kiss
“About what?”
“About you being a heroine.”He leaned against the door frame.
She shrugged, her gaze shy.“We might have our differences of opinions at times—”
Don’t go back there, he silently pleaded.
“—but I couldn’t let you drown.”
“No?”His voice dropped.“Why is that?”She had to care.A little bit, at least.
“Because a drowned guest would be a really bad look for the hotel.”
CHAPTERTEN
“Can you tell me why that man was wearing your jacket?”
Rory sighed.She should’ve known her eagle-eyed sister would demand the truth.“Look, he was shivering, his lips were almost blue, and I couldn’t let him die of the cold.”As it was he’d be lucky to not catch a cold.Or influenza.
“Well he certainly wouldn’t have been shivering when he returned to his room.”Aisling smirked.
“Because you cranked the heat all the way up to maximum, right?”
Aisling giggled.“You told me to make it warmer.”
“But not to a sauna degree.”
“Well, he won’t complain about being cold now.”
That was for sure.Especially if he took her advice and had a bath.
Ugh.She shuddered.She wasnotthinking about him.“Look, I should probably have a shower too.”
“I’ll make you a hot chocolate.”
“Could… could you make one for him too?”
Aisling’s eyebrows rose.“Well, well, well.Like that, is it?”
“No.He might appreciate it, that’s all.”
“Yeah, after what his actions put you through, I don’t know if I’m feeling that inclined to help the man out.”
“Him losing the paddle wasn’t intentional.”
Her sister’s lips pursed, then she huffed.“Fine.But I’ll leave it at his door.I don’t want to go in there and have another of those moments like at the spa.”
Good.
The fierceness of her internal reply shocked her.Was she really feeling jealous about her sister potentially seeing him?This was crazy.Except… something about his vulnerability, his humility, had touched her.He hadn’t stopped thanking her, showing his appreciation.And there had been something soft and appealing in his eyes when he’d spoken to her earlier.Something that washed away so much of the hurt from before and made her feel like there was a way of recalibrating this relationship and forging a new way forward.And she wanted him to do that with her, not Aisling.
“What on earth was he doing out there at that time, anyway?”Aisling wondered aloud.
“I don’t know.But I do know that I need a shower.”She shivered, and not just for effect.
“Fine, go get clean and warm, and I’ll make you both a hot chocolate.And I promise not to lace his with rat poison.”
“Thank you.”
