We make our way across the gaming floor, weaving between Blackjack tables and Texas Hold ‘em tables, toward the elevator. I’m sure security has already spotted us. Unless he’s occupied, they’ve already notified Finn we’re here.

  “I suspect it looks a bit different with all the lights on and people occupying the seats at the tables,” Sorcha concedes.

  “I’ll bring you back one night and you can judge for yourself. I’ll even teach you how to play if you want.”

  Her eyes widen at that. “Really?”

  “Who knows, you might even win a hand or two with beginner’s luck.” I press the elevator button.

  The bell dings and the door slides open. I sweep my hand out and she steps in first. I’m right behind her and then we’re moving. A few seconds later, we reach the top floor. I place my hand on her lower back and escort her down the hall to where Finn’s office is located. Past experience has taught me to knock. I have no desire for Sorcha to witness my brother’s bare ass pumping if he’s fucking his latest woman inside.

  “Come in,” the muffled reply comes through the wood.

  I open the door and walk in. Finn sits behind the desk with papers strewn across it. I have no idea how he handles the chaos of it all, but it’s his system and it works for him. He glances up and his gaze homes in on the woman at my side.

  “I don’t feel like we got a proper introduction yesterday.” He quickly stands and rounds the desk to give her a hug. “Welcome to the family, Sorcha.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  When Finn’s embrace lasts a little too long I growl. “All right, hands off.”

  Far too slowly, he releases her, but he clasps her hand, kisses her knuckles, and winks before stepping back. “My brother is one lucky man.”

  Sorcha’s cheeks turn bright pink and she smiles sweetly. I want to punch Finn in the face. I know what you’re trying to do. He only smirks.

  “Yes, he is,” she says with a bit of sass.

  “Shouldn’t you be getting back to work?” I give him a pointed glare.

  “Why would I want to do that when there’s a beautiful woman nearby?” He glances over at Sorcha again. “Has he given you the grand tour of the place?”

  She shakes her head. “Not yet. Unless of course you count walking from the front door to the elevator a tour. I’ll admit, it was kind of boring.”

  Finn palms his chest and staggers back a few steps. “You wound me. I’ll have you know that this is only the second most boring casino in Dublin. Liam Campbell’s is the first.”

  Sorcha giggles and I stare at her dumbstruck. She actually giggled. Is she really falling for his schmoozy charm? Is that the kind of guy she likes? Does she want me to be more like that? Why are you even worried about this anyway? It’s not as though I want her to fall in love with me. I don’t want to hurt her if—when—I can’t love her back. Then why do I have the urge to put a bullet in Finn?

  A gentle hand rests against my chest and I blink back the image of my bullet-riddled brother. Sorcha stands in front of me, her body nearly pressed against mine. “Are you okay? You have this weird look on your face.”

  I glance over her head at my brother who cocks his head at me and then my focus is back on who it should be. My fiancée. “I’m fine. Just lost in thought for a second.”

  “They didn’t look like they were nice thoughts. For a second I wondered if you were about to murder someone.”

  Behind her, Finn coughs.

  “No murdering.” At least not today. “We should get going though.”

  “I’ll give you the grand tour the next time you stop by,” my brother promises.

  Sorcha turns toward him. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

  If anyone is going to show her around, it’s going to be me. Finn is well aware of this, but apparently he’s in the mood to fuck with me. I glare at him and promise retribution. He’s not even fazed. As though sensing the underlying tension, her gaze bounces between him and me. She steps closer and puts an arm around my waist. “I’m ready to go if you are.”

  Shooting Finn a triumphant glare, we walk out of his office and to the elevator. It opens and we both step in. No sooner does the door close than a feral possessiveness washes over me. I push Sorcha against the wall and my lips crash down on hers. Her mouth opens on a gasp, and I sweep my tongue inside, tasting her surprise. I cradle the back of her head with one hand to protect it from the hard surface behind her and my other is free to roam. Instead, I keep it resting on the curve of her hip.

  My fingers itch to explore every inch of her, but my brain is sending warning signals that this is Sorcha. My body isn’t getting the message as I deepen the kiss. Her hands clutch the fabric of my shirt. I can’t tell if she’s pulling me closer or trying to push me away. The elevator comes to a jerky halt and we both stumble. I break the kiss, but tighten my hold on her to keep her from falling.

  The door opens, but it’s as though we’re both frozen. Our harsh breathing echoes in the small space, bouncing off the metal walls as the door closes again. Her eyes meet mine and they’ve darkened with desire, her pupils shot full. I open my mouth, but Sorcha expression shifts fiercely.

  “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry,” she growls.

  My teeth snap shut. I wasn’t going to, was I? Probably. Except I’m not sorry. “I have no intention of apologizing.”

  She blinks. “Oh. Okay, good. Because I’m not sorry either.”

  “Good.”

  Another two seconds go by before I manage to hit the button that opens the door. It glides apart and with her spine straight, Sorcha steps out. I follow right on her heels, my cock aching with an unsatisfied need. The taste of her still lingers on my tongue and I can still feel the softness of her body beneath my fingertips. My gaze drops to her ass as she walks in front of me. I’m so fucked.

  The drive home is quiet. I’d planned on showing Sorcha a few more of the businesses we operate, but after that kiss I need some time alone to process it. My reaction had been completely unexpected. This is Sorcha. Of course I’m attracted to her, but that went far beyond attraction. That was jealousy. Possessiveness. I’ve never wanted to maim or dismember either of my brothers over a woman before. But I’d been seconds away from snapping when Finn flirted with her.

  I pull through the iron gate and make my way down the lane to park behind Da’s vehicle. Sorcha and I walk through the front door of the manor.

  “I’m going to go get some work done. You okay by yourself for a little while?” I do my best to keep my tone level.

  She glances at me with an unreadable expression. “I’m sure I can find something with which to entertain myself.”

  “See you at lunch?”

  “Yeah.”

  I nod and head to the library. As soon as I walk in, I close the doors and go straight to the bar to pour myself a drink. I throw it back in a single swallow then lean into my palms on the edge of the wooden surface. It was just a kiss. How many times will I have to tell myself that before I start to believe it?

  I push off the bar, pour myself another drink, and head for the back corner of the library where I set up a desk for the times I want a little bit of privacy.

  Pulling my keyring from my pocket, I find the one I want and insert it into the keyhole of the top desk drawer. Lying undisturbed inside is a leather-bound journal and several charcoal pencils. I grab one and the notebook and close the drawer. While I sip my whiskey, I focus on the project in front of me. It normally takes me a while to start something new, but not this time. My hand flies across the page, lines forming shapes, shapes forming a subject.

  I lose myself in the drawing. My fingers ache, but I keep at it like demons are nipping at my heels. They won’t stop until I finish what I started. Shadows get shaded in with varying shades of gray giving the image texture and depth. Giving it—her—life. After the last line is drawn, I set down the pencil and lean back to admire the work. Jesus, it’s perfect. Not because I drew it, but because it’s her. There’s arousal in her eyes. Her hair lies in tousled waves around her shoulders. Plump lips shine with moisture. Lips whose flavor I can still taste. Sorcha looks exactly how she did after that kiss.

  The one that’s not supposed to mean anything.

  CHAPTER 18

  Sorcha

  The living area Aidan shares with Finn is quiet and empty. Aisling is helping Nora with lunch in the kitchen and I’m not sure where the boys have taken themselves off to after they announced they were heading outside. It’s been just me since Aidan and I returned from Dublin and he ran off to hide. The kiss in the elevator spooked him. Or maybe not so much the kiss itself, but his reaction to it. I’ve known him long enough to tell he’d been unnerved. A tiny flicker of hope, maybe, for this to work between us still hums in my veins.

  I sink into the chair with a sigh. After multiple phone calls and more than two hours, I finally have the twins and Aisling enrolled in their schools. Come Monday, they’ll be back to classes. Which will leave my days entirely free. The prospect is terrifying. I’m not used to idleness. Already my skin is getting itchy.

  In the distance, someone knocks on a door. Seconds pass and feminine voices drift into the room. I sit up. Should I go out and greet whoever it is? No, that’s a bit presumptuous of me. It could be anyone. Footsteps approach and then an auburn-haired woman maybe a few years younger than me and a glasses-wearing brunette around my age step into the room. I nearly jump up from the chair and smooth my palms down my thighs.

  “Damn, Aidan has good taste,” the former says as her gaze scans me from head to toe. I flush under her scrutiny. “No wonder he’s kept you all to himself.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  The brunette rolls her eyes and steps forward with an outstretched hand. “You’ll have to excuse Caitlín. The filter from her brain to her mouth is broke. Hi, I’m Nessa, Cian’s girlfriend. And this, as you might have guessed, is Aidan’s cousin.”

  Still processing Caitlín’s comment, I shake Nessa’s hand. “I’m Sorcha.”

  “Oh, we know,” she says kindly. “Word has been traveling through the family for a few days. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You as well.”

  “Welcome to the family.” Caitlín forgoes the handshake completely and gives me a giant hug. “Once we heard what Aidan had done, we couldn’t wait to meet you. I’m glad he could give two middle fingers to Liam. That twat needs to be brought down a peg or two. I don’t know how Imogen puts up with his ass.”

  The brunette—Nessa—winces. “He’s trying.”

  Caitlín side-eyes her. “Yeah, trying to be a major prick.”

  Yikes. Not wanting the conversation to escalate into an argument, I clear my throat. “Thank you for stopping by. I’ve been wanting to meet you both. Aidan has told me a lot about you.”

  “That makes one of us.” Caitlín pouts. “He hasn’t been forthcoming with information about you other than you’re getting married so he could pay off your Da’s debt and that you have three much younger siblings. Which is why we’re here. We wanted to invite you out to lunch so we could get to know you.”

  Oh. “That’s very nice of you, thank you.”

  “She’s not being entirely altruistic. Caitlín is nosy and likes to be in everyone’s business,” Nessa says with a laugh.

  Aidan’s cousin shrugs, completely unapologetic. “Sue me. Anyway, lunch?”

  I hesitate. Aidan and I were already gone this morning. Should I really leave again when the boys and Aisling are still settling in? I don’t want them to think that because we’re not in Burtonport anymore, I’m just going to push them off onto someone else.

  “I’d love to, thank you. Let me just check on the kids and make sure they’re okay with me leaving. I feel guilty for not being here. Just in case they need me. Other than Aidan, they don’t know anyone else very well yet.”

  “I don’t have any of my own, but my sister Brenna has a shit ton of them, and I can tell you that as long as someone feeds them they’re fine,” Caitlín says.

  That makes me laugh. “I suppose you’re right, but it will soothe my anxiety just to make sure. Maybe I need it more than they do.”

  “Understandable,” Nessa agrees.

  The three of us head out of the room in search of Kellen, Carson, and Aisling. On our way to the kitchen, a set of double doors open and Aidan steps out. The library, if I remember correctly. He comes to an abrupt halt and his gaze bounces between us before landing and sticking on me.

  The heat in his eyes burns through me. This is the same way he looked at me in the elevator. My core pulses and arousal makes my skin tingle. One of the women clears her throat. I dart a quick glance their way and back to Aidan. “Caitlín and Nessa came by to invite me to lunch. I was just looking for everyone to let them know.”

  Is that disappointment in his eyes? “That was nice of them. I won’t keep you then.”

  I turn to the women. “Would you mind giving us a minute?”

  “Of course.” Nessa tugs Caitlín’s arm and guides her away.

  “Damn it, why do we always miss the good stuff?” Aidan’s cousin’s voice trails off.

  I think I’m going to like her. Clearing the smile from my lips, I face him again. “I don’t have to go with them today if you had plans for us.”

  He shakes his head. “No, you should go. Enjoy some grownup time.”

  I lay my hand on his chest. His heart beats firmly beneath my palm. “I enjoy my grownup time with you.”

  Aidan covers it with his. “You know what I mean. It’ll be nice for you to get to know each other and have other women to talk to. I know it’s been lonely for you without that.”

  It really has. “You’re being sweet again. You know that, right?”

  He cradles my jaw and his thumb caresses the ridge of my cheek bone. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain.”

  “I won’t,” I say softly.

  “Good.” Aidan leans down and kisses me. It doesn’t last nearly long enough before he rests his forehead against mine. “I’ll let the boys and Aisling know you’ll be back later this afternoon. How’s that?”

  The pull to stay here wars with the need to enjoy a little bit of freedom. “Are you sure? What if they need me for something?”

  “We’ll be fine. If it gets desperate, I’ll call you. Go and have fun.”

  I rise up and manage to bring my lips to his for another brief kiss. Everything in me wants to linger, but I make myself draw back. “Thank you. We shouldn’t be gone long.”

  Aidan squeezes my hand gently and releases me. “Call me if Caitlín gets you guys into any trouble.”

  “It’s just lunch.” I chuckle.

  “You don’t know my cousin. She’s like a magnet for trouble. Ask her about the time she drew a knife on Nessa’s stepda.”

  My mouth falls open. “You’re kidding?”

  He’s the one to laugh this time. “Not at all. Granted the bastard deserved it. May he rot in hell.”

  “You know, I’m not sure if I should admire her or be completely terrified.”

  “Both,” Aidan replies. “All right, go. Enjoy.”

  I wave goodbye and go find Caitlín and Nessa who are waiting at the door. His cousin whistles and opens it. “Holy shit woman, he’s got it bad for you.”

  “What? No. We’re just friends,” I insist as I follow her and Nessa out to another expensive-looking vehicle. It’s a sleek silver sports car that shines. I’m almost afraid to touch it.

  “Friends who happen to be getting married,” Caitlín points out.

  I somehow keep forgetting that. “Fine, I’ll admit there’s a certain amount of attraction on both sides. At least I’m pretty sure it’s on both sides.”

  “Oh, it’s definitely on both sides. When Aidan stepped out of the library, Nessa and I no longer existed,” Caitlín says while Nessa nods in agreement.

  My cheeks heat. His cousin gets behind the wheel and Nessa takes the backseat.

  “Your first ride in this thing should definitely be up front,” she says.

  Once I’m in, Caitlín takes off. She glances over at me. “I won’t even tell you what I had to negotiate to get the car today. Sometimes I think Roarke loves her more than he loves me.”

  “You know that’s not true.” Nessa laughs.

  “Fine, maybe it isn’t. I still had some hard negotiations to make to be able to drive her.”

  Nessa leans forward and touches my arm. “Don’t ask her what she negotiated. It’ll be something sexual. Caitlín likes to see how much she can shock people.”

  Aidan’s cousin jerks her head sideways and glares before returning her attention to the road. “Thanks for calling me out.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Caitlín glances over at me. “Since Nessa ruined all my fun, tell us about yourself.”

  It’s clear the two of them have a close friendship, which is nice, but also intimidating. “There isn’t a lot to tell, I’m afraid. My life is pretty boring.”

  “How did you meet Aidan? He said you’ve been friends since you were at university,” Nessa says.

  Old memories surface, and I shudder. I hate talking about the past, but I’m not sure how to avoid answering without being rude. “My ex-boyfriend was pissed and having trouble understanding what the word no meant. Aidan happened to be nearby and reminded him.”

  A heavy silence falls until Caitlín curses. “Men are such pieces of shit sometimes. I’m sorry that happened to you, but I’m glad my cousin was there to protect you.”

  It’s as though he’s been protecting me ever since. “I am too. He made sure I got home safely and checked on me for a couple days after. That was right around the time my mum died as well. Aidan was there when I got the news. We’ve been friends ever since. He’s always been there for me.”

  “I know our family has a dangerous reputation—one that’s well-deserved—but what people don’t know about us is how much we love one another.” Caitlín glances in the rearview mirror at Nessa. “There are times we fight, of course, but we are all close with each other. There isn’t much we wouldn’t do for one of us, even if we were pissed at the person. Except Liam. He can fuck off.”