Page 36 of Illicit Heir

Well, I didn't want her to know who I was. I wanted to leave things on a good note. Maybe even pop back in one of these days just because she is so fucking good in bed.

Jesus, she's good in bed.

Well, I've ruined that option now.

I finally step back and stare at all the cash on the floor. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and answer my brother, "What?"

"We're pulling in right now. I know you said a half hour, but we're ready to go."

"Where did ya stay last night?" I question, glancing at the cracks in the mirror behind the bar.

Tynan answers, "We stayed with the women. Who else would we have stayed with?"

I'd usually give him an atta boy, but now isn't the time. We've got to get out of town. My arrogant courage from last night has been replaced with common sense. I don't put it past Lauren to call the O'Learys, which wouldn't be a good thing. We don't have any backup, and the last thing we need is a showdown between them and the four of us.

I glance at the cash, then walk past it and unlock the pub door. I yank it open, then freeze. I glance behind me.

There's no movement from the staircase. I stare for over a minute.

What am I doing?

This isn't the time to linger.

I step outside, slamming the pub door, and slide into the passenger side of the car.

Tynan asks, "Ya get what ya wanted?"

I grunt. "Of course I got it. Dumbass."

Cathal reaches from the back seat and pats my shoulder, announcing, "Have to admit, your plan to get out of town and get some new blood in us wasn't a bad one. That lass knew how to come on my cock like a freight train."

I don't look at him. I lean the seat back and close my eyes, stating, "Aye, ya pussy. Ya should listen to me more often."

He whines, "Come on! Do ya have to put the seat back? Ya know there's no room back here."

"Deal with it, I'm tired," I claim, keeping my seat right where it's at. Then I glance at my brother, declaring, "Ya might want to drive faster."

He arches his eyebrows. "Why?"

I nonchalantly confess, "Lauren might have seen my driver's license."

His eyes widen. "What do ya mean she might have?"

Annoyance fills me. "I was showering. I came out of the bathroom, and she was looking at my license."

He groans. "Jesus. What the fuck were ya thinking leaving your wallet in the other room?"

"Shut your mouth and drive," I snarl. I close my eyes again and pretend to sleep for most of the journey. And I curse myself for washing the scent of her off of me. Even though I know I won't see her again and there's no hope for a future between us, everything about that girl turned me on. Keeping a part of her would have been nice, even if, eventually, it would be gone.

I should have grabbed her fucking panties.

I curse myself for wanting any memento. Now that the sun's up, I need to move on with my life.

A long time passes before I finally open my eyes. I stare out the window, ignoring all the banter in the car. I scold myself for having to experience what my older brothers have. Now that I've had Lauren, I only want more. No matter how much I tell myself to forget her, she's consuming all my thoughts. And that look of hatred she gave me is haunting me.

Fuck.

I'm not a man who allows guilt to eat at me, but it sure is right now, and I'm doing a poor job of stopping it.

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