Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I see.”
“Does Sully’s get thicker when he’s, ah, passionate?”
“That’s private.”
“So that’s a yes.”
I pursed my lips, and she laughed. “Okay, then. Maybe some wine and the lack of Sully in the vicinity will loosen your tongue.”
“Maybe.”
Sully slid drinks onto the table. “Look over the menu?”
“Fish and chips for me.”
“Oh, me too,” Bonnie agreed.
“I’ll make it three. Curry sauce?”
“Yes,” we chorused, and he laughed.
“I’ll go order.”
He walked away, and she leaned close again. “Quick. He works you over well, doesn’t he?”
I sputtered into my drink. “Bonnie!” I admonished. “He’s your family!”
She waved me off. “Second cousin, removed. Father’s side, I think—I can never remember. We’re like friends. Really.”
I couldn’t help my laugh. “I am not telling you anything.”
“Just a hint. Come on, lass. All that power and strength wrapped in a designer suit? That intense darkness around him? Smoldering and hemmed in, finally exploding. He is wicked, yes?”
My blush said everything. She was right. He was wicked. Talented. And his dark hair and eyes were quite the combination, along with his stature—he was intimidating. At least, he let you think he was. Never mind his dirty mouth and insatiable appetite. But she was his cousin.
“Hush,” I muttered. “I-I can’t share that.”
She sat back. “You just did. Blushing. Stammering. You keep eye-fucking him across the room, and I cannot even describe what his glances feel like toward you. I’m shocked yer knickers haven’t incinerated.”
I picked up my gin and tonic. “Maybe I’m not wearing any.”
She threw back her head and roared with laughter. “I see why he fell. I forgot how cheeky you are. He needs that.”
“Yeah, he does.” I glanced over again, watching him chat with the barkeep. The light gleamed off his dark hair, catching small glints of red. His stubble was thick tonight, and I decided he must not have shaved this morning. I shivered, thinking how that roughness would feel on my skin. Preferably between my thighs.
“Whatever you’re thinking, tone it down. And for God’s sake, stop chewing on each other’s necks. Keep that shite hidden.”
Sully sat beside me, sliding close so our thighs touched. “Can’t guarantee anything, cousin. She’s a tasty snack.”
I giggled—like a schoolgirl. Bonnie shook her head, looking amused, and Sully laid his large hand on my thigh and squeezed.
“Now, down to business, Bonnie. How do we get my girl here a job at the office?”
She sighed. “I need to figure that out. Let me chat with a few people tomorrow.”
“It might not be possible,” I murmured.
“Then you can work for me. Or we’ll get you a permit to work elsewhere. I have people at the firm who can help.”
“All of that takes time,” I reminded him.
“We have other ideas,” Sully assured me.
“Your other ideas are pretty drastic.”
“To some.”
I opened my mouth to retort, and he grinned. “Ah, dinner. Great. I’m starving.” He winked at me. “Best fish and chips around, love. Our favorite.”
Bonnie hummed, looking at the mass of chips covered in the biggest piece of fish I thought I’d ever seen. “Number one,” she agreed.
I picked up my utensils. There was no point in arguing right now about his plans or crazy ideas. I was hungry. Bonnie wasn’t upset—in fact, she seemed delighted I was here with Sully.
We’d worry about tomorrow then.
CHAPTER NINE
AUTUMN
Sully kissed Bonnie’s cheek as he helped her into a taxi. She waved goodbye as it pulled from the curb, and I returned her salute as he tucked me into his side. The pub was close to my hotel and the night was clear, so we decided to walk.
“That went better than I thought,” I murmured.
“I knew she’d be fine,” he replied, squeezing my hip. “Although she was a bit shocked at first.” He recounted the start of their conversation and the lull in the pub as she spoke loudly. He chuckled as he told me about the shouted affirmations from the drunken lads.
“So you’re a local hero,” I said with a grin.
“No, I’m a lucky bastard,” he replied. “They’re eejits.”
“Might explain why they’re in a pub with other, ah, eejits.”
He laughed. “Indeed.”
We were quiet as we walked, the distance to the hotel somehow too short. We paused before reaching the door.
“Thanks for dinner,” I said, unsure how to end the evening.
“I’ll walk you up.”
“Which will lead to you walking in and having to rush home at five to get changed.”
“Worth it.”
I shook my head. “Sully, we both need some sleep.”
He traced under my eye with his thumb. “I can come in and we can sleep,” he offered gently.
“Really?”
“Well, mostly,” he said with a grin. “Maybe a fast round or two. It’s only just after nine. By eleven, you’ll be out for the count. I’ll get a solid six hours in and go.”
He pulled me close. “We only have a few weeks until you leave. I don’t want to spend nights apart if we don’t have to.”