Page 60 of Illicit Heir

Silence and tension fill the air, mixing with her floral scent, heating my blood until it's scorching in my veins.

"Ya need to go, Devin," she softly repeats.

I ask, "Is that what ya really want? Me to go?"

She turns her head, and I see a tear fall. I swipe at it with my thumb. She slowly turns back to me and locks her blues on mine.

Instinct takes over. I press my lips against hers, sliding my tongue into her mouth before she can object. It only takes her a few seconds before she returns my kiss.

I tug her closer, but she suddenly pushes against my chest and jerks her head backward.

She orders, "Don't touch me."

My stomach flips, and my chest tightens. I demand, "Admit ya missed me."

"I didn't," she proclaims.

"So ya didn't miss me because you're with him?"

"Stop saying that! I'm not with Caleb."

I blurt out, "Aren't ya? My sources say you are."

Shock fills her face. "Sources? Are ya spying on me?"

I just stare at her silently.

She directs the same disgusted expression that she used for Caleb at me. She seethes, "Who do ya have watching me?"

I continue to maintain my silence, and the blood pounds between my ears.

Her voice turns louder. "Tell me!"

I lean closer to her face. "Do ya think I would tell ya my secrets?"

Horror replaces her disgust. "So O'Connors are in my pub?"

I reach for her cheek. "Ya don't need to worry about this. It's not to hurt ya."

She moves her face away from my hand, demanding, "Why would ya be watching me?"

I can't answer her. Anything I say would make me sound weak.

"What do ya want from me, Devin?"

"I don't want anything from ya. I thought I made that clear last time."

Anger overshadows the horror in her expression. "Ya made it clear? Ya did everything in your power to seduce me."

My stomach dives. "Is that how ya see it?"

"What other way is there to see it?" she snaps.

My arrogance takes over again. "From where I was standing, you were a willing participant."

Fire burns in her eyes. She scolds, "You're a pig. And I'll never forgive ya. Now get out of my pub."

Her words sting. It takes me a moment before I taunt, "How many times are ya going to tell me to leave before ya realize that's not what ya want?"

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