“No way.” Hayden sat back in her chair and typed something on her phone. “You’re not leaving until I hear this story. I’m letting your boss know you’re with me in ‘a meeting’ and that you’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Hayden set her phone down and leaned across her desk. “So what happened? Obviously, something did. Bran was the wild one last night, and that just isn’t him. He still avoided women, but he was drinking like a fish and encouraging the rest of us to drink too. We joined in, because it was the only way to find out what was up. But he never budged. Instead of destroying my liver, I should have just come to you and saved myself the fog-brain double hammer to the skull this morning.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” Ireland said. “Bran doesn’t like me. He’s always given me the cold shoulder. It wasn’t any different during the cruise. Mostly.”
“Mostly? And why wouldn’t he like you? You’re my new favorite employee. What’s his problem?”
“I’m youronlynew employee.”
Hayden waved her off. “Minor detail.”
“Like I said, it was more of the same. I stumbled. Though this time, my eyesight wasn’t to blame.” Ireland wore her glasses at work, so it was no surprise to Hayden, or any of the other Blue employees, that she needed them. She pulled her shoulders back. “A stupid wake hit the boat. Then Bran blamed me for falling into him and holding on too long.”
“Did you hold on too long?” Hayden gave her a devilish grin.
“What do you think?”
“I think, yes.”
Ireland shrugged. “It was Bran Cade. Naturally, I held on too long. But that was no excuse for him to be mean. After he was a proper ass, I went for a dip to escape. Only that damn lake is freezing. Bran said something, but I couldn’t talk while I was in hypothermia mode. So he jumped in, the jackass, and invaded my quiet time.”
“The horror,” Hayden said, smiling. “Then what?”
“And then…”
Hayden leaned forward. “Yes?”
“He kissed me.” God, why couldn’t Ireland lie like a normal human being?
Hayden slammed her palm on the desk. “No! Bran?”
“Shhh.” Ireland swiveled her head, expecting someone to barge into the office. “Keep your voice down!” she stage-whispered. “The kiss was nothing.” Ireland felt her face heat.
“Oh, yeah.” Hayden snorted. “I can tell it was nothing. That good, huh?”
Ireland bit the inside of her lip. “Unfortunately. So, of course, I shoved him away. Well, after he…”
“You shoved him away? Are you nuts? Why would you do that?”
“Because. He pressed me to his…body.”
Hayden narrowed her eyes. “Details.”
Ireland waved in the genital region.
“He did not! The monk grinded on you?”
Ireland winced. “A little… And it was hot. Which is how I knew I was in trouble.” She scrunched her face. “I wanted to jump him—theass—so I shoved him away. I don’t hook up with guys who are jerks. Not anymore.”
Hayden shook her head. “Holy crap, Ireland. You’rethe one.”
“The one what?”
“The one who’s going to break the monk. He’s been a cyborg, rarely going out with anyone except his brothers. Adam is ready to take him to a physician. But Brankissedyou, and he was sexy about it. Hot damn!”
“Shhh! I don’t care what’s wrong with him. I’m notthe one. I want nothing to do with that man.”
“Hmmm.” Hayden tapped her chin.
