He twisted toward her. “What happened wasn’t your fault. James was a jerk before you ever came on board. He’s a bully.”
“I seem to attract bullies.”
He pulled her close and held her, kissing her forehead. “It’s not about you. Some guys are just dicks. But I want you to be safe.” Bran had this sudden fear of something happening to her. He couldn’t stand the thought of anyone hurting Ireland. “Will you consider taking a self-defense class?”
She touched his hand near a fresh, raw scratch. “So I can fight like you?”
He pulled back. “So you can injure any piece of shit who tries to hurt you, and run. I don’t want you fighting, but I don’t want you vulnerable, either. This town is beautiful, but it has its share of deadbeats. You have to be careful.”
Thinking about what could have happened to Ireland if he hadn’t gotten there in time made him edgy. “Let’s get out of here.”
Ireland shookas Bran drove down the long drive to his house, latent adrenaline coursing through her body.
He glanced over, a frown on his face. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, the touch grounding her somehow. Weeks ago, she couldn’t have imagined the sense of peace he gave her. It was as though she’d never known him at all. As though he’d been hiding his true self.
A small part of her worried the old Bran would come back, and the last few weeks would all be a dream.
They pulled up to his house, and Bran grabbed her bag from the back seat. He led her to the front door, and they walked inside. Bran flipped on the lights.
For some reason, Ireland hadn’t noticed how bare his house was the first time she’d visited. Possibly because they’d been on a mission to find condoms. And then too busy putting them to use. Her face heated.
Bran scratched the side of his head. “It’s not much, is it?”
“No, it’s nice. The walls and flooring look brand new.”
“That’s because they are. But I never got around to furnishing the place.”
“Your bed is pretty,” she said, smiling.
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Priorities.”
Ireland wrapped her arms around his waist. “You prioritize well.”
He pulled her in front of him so that their thighs and bellies pressed together. “I do, don’t I?” He grinned lewdly, and she laughed.
She’d felt like crap when they first arrived, and now she was laughing. Bran was a big old softy deep down. And she loved being the one to see that side of him. He was sweet and caring, and she didn’t know how she got so lucky to have him in her life.
Bran glanced around. “Seriously, though, it’s time to furnish this place. We couldn’t even watch a movie if we wanted.”
Ireland looked at the old recliner in front of a massive TV—the only two items in the living room. “A couch might help. But is watching a movie what you want to do right now?”
He ran his hands down her arms. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
“After the high of fixing the software, and the low of James…I’m drained. I’d like to take you up on that offer to hold me.”
“Done.”
They made their way upstairs to the second floor that must also be new, because the bathroom had shiny finishes and the bedroom walls and flooring appeared new as well. There also weren’t any window coverings or furniture aside from Bran’s bed, which she was acquainted with.
He grabbed clothes lying on the end of the bed and tossed them in a walk-in closet, then he set her bag near the bed. “I’ll grab something to drink. Are you hungry?”
She’d bought food hours ago and never eaten it. Her stomach was tense. A large meal didn’t sound good, but she needed to eat something. “Maybe a snack.”
Ireland changed into shorts and a T-shirt while Bran ran downstairs. She was sitting on the bed thinking about tonight when he got back.
She must have had a sour look on her face, because Bran said, “How do you feel?”
“Upset.”
