Page 15 of The Bossy One

I stepped out into the hallway, wrapped in a towel, and all but ran into Declan. I squeaked and stumbled back, clutching at the front of my towel to keep it from falling or flapping open.

Declan grabbed my arms to keep me from falling back and tumbling down the stairs. His big hands rested on my bare skin a few seconds longer than he needed to before he released me and stepped back.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said, his voice gruff. “I just wanted to show you how to use the shower. Someone pointed out it might be confusing for Americans.”

I didnotwant to think about what conversation of his could possibly have included me, his showerhead, and my lack of intelligence.

I raised my chin. “I managed just fine without your help.”

“Are you sure?” he insisted. “The place was renovated not that long ago, but some bathrooms might still have the old—”

“Not a problem,” I interrupted. “Like I said, I managed just fine.”

“Grand,” he said. “Grand.” He stepped to the side to let me pass, at the same time I stepped to the side to move around him. We did that a few more times until he solved the issue by turning sideways and stepping around me with his back toward the wall. I slid past him, trying to ignore the scent of freshly showered man.

Why did he smell sogood?

When he was no longer right in front of me, I remembered there was something he could help me with. I turned back, just in time to catch him checking out my ass. I ignored the flutter of awareness that sent through me.

“What’sa charamean?”

“You say it with a ‘k’ sound, not a ‘ch,’” Declan corrected. “It means friend. Unless you’re being an arse, then it’s sarcastic.”

So @DBCoder wasn’t flirting when he called mea chara. He was just being friendly.

Well, I’d never turn up my nose at friendship. Especially friendship that came with hot water help.

Declan cleared his throat. “Was there anything else you needed, or…?” He was having a hard time keeping his eyes from straying below my collarbone, and he didn’t seem happy about it.

I almost laughed, but that would have felt too much like poking the wild, grouchy beast. “No,” I said, and fled for the safety of my room.

* * *

I did my best to coax a sleepy Catie out of her shell over a breakfast of eggs and toast. Declan hid behind his laptop, his fingers flying so fast I found myself wondering if he was just hitting the keys for effect. His brain and his hands couldn’t possibly work that fast.

I didn’t think he was listening to me and Catie at all until I suggested she and I go on a walk to Ballybeith’s town center today.

“You should go to Galway instead,” Declan said without looking up from his laptop. “There’s more to see, and it’s actually got a toy store for Catie. There’s nothing to see in Ballybeith.”

I tried to be patient. “That’s a good idea for another day, but I don’t have a car. I don’t even know if my license is valid here.”

“It is,” Declan said. “Just remember what side of the road to drive on. And you can take one of my cars. Or you can use my driver, if you prefer.”

Just like that, my plans for a nice quiet walk where Catie and I could get to know each other and our temporary home went up in smoke. I briefly closed my eyes and counted to ten until I felt calmer. I was still going to do my best to be quiet, polite, agreeable…but surely I could do that while still expressingsomeopinions, right?

I rose. “Declan? Can I have a word in private?” I nodded toward the next room.

Declan finally looked up from his computer. He stood and followed me out of the kitchen.

I crossed my arms. “I appreciate your input, but I think it’s best if our first day is just about settling in and getting to know her new home.”

“I really don’t think you understand how small Ballybeith is,” Declan said. “It’s an hour walk round trip that will take you past a pub, a church, a restaurant, a grocery store,and nothing else.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he pulled out his wallet and produced a credit card, which he casually pressed into my hands. “Buy her whatever she wants, all right?”

“I don’t think she needs—”

“Actually, some of the smaller places only take cash. You might need this.” He handed me three €50 notes.

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