“American?” she frowned. Then, her eyes brightened as the realization hit her. “Oh, yes! Of course!” Not giving him another glance, she darted up the stairs and disappeared around the corner in the upper hallway.
“Wait,” he ordered the blonde as she moved to climb the stairs. “What American?”
“The one she had lunch with. Remember?” she asked, then gave him a skeptical look. “They had a date scheduled for today.”
“Did they?” he asked with gritted teeth. His grip tightened on the banister.
The young woman said, “That’s what I hear,” then shrugged her shoulders and climbed the stairs after Caitlin.
Daniel knew he shouldn't be angry with her. What was between them now happened spontaneously. He flattered himself to think that because she hadn't had an opportunity to cancel dates, and he imagined that she hadn't thought of anyone else either.
As he climbed the stairs to follow after the woman, he froze as he saw his brother, Kilian, shaking hands with the American, his bearded face split into a wide smile, clearly amused by whatever the foreigner had said.
“Daniel! Just who I was looking for,” Kilian said as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder at Caitlin and the man that Daniel was growing to detest with every passing second.
“Oh,” was all Daniel could say as the anger began to simmer in his veins.
“Yes, we need to talk about tonight, we didn’t get a chance to finish.”
“Sure,” Daniel said, never taking his eyes from Caitlin. She was giggling, her emerald eyes all but glittered against her moss green sweater, something he was sure that the American now noticed. “The office,” he whispered, tearing his eyes from her lovely face and back toward the large oak door. He shut it firmly behind them and faced his brother. “What is it?”
“As I said before, we have a shipment coming in tonight. A box truck, like the one last night, but hopefully it doesn’t have any issues again.”
“Yeah, what was that about?” Daniel asked as he strode around his brother, and sat in the high leather-back chair of Noah's office.
Kilian shrugged as he reached towards the desk and plucked up one of the peppermints that Noah kept in stock and plopped it into his mouth. His full lips spread into a warm smile. “Sophie lost control and skidded off the road. It was the rain, I assume. Anyways, it was stuck, and took some fiddling with, but I got her back on the road and to the warehouse.”
“Thank God,” Daniel murmured.
“Mmm, and Sophie safely home.”
“Good,” Daniel said as he drummed his fingers on the desk, unable to shake the image of Caitlin flirting.
“I don’t have specifics, other than the custom shipment will be mixed soon with regular inventory beers, snacks, extra dishes,” Kilian rattled off. “That's going to be your job- to make sure they're safely stowed below, sign the paperwork, thank them for their business. Don't let anyone go through the boxes. I'll do the best I can on my end,” Kilian finished and straightened his police uniform. “I know it's your first time, little brother,” Kilian said and offered a half smile. “And the first time is always a little scary.”
“Maybe for you,” Daniel growled and reclined the leather seat back.
Kilian snorted. “Not what I meant, but all the same, keep a level head and everything will work out just fine.”
“Got it,” Daniel sighed. He heard footsteps draw close to the office door. Not bothering to knock, it swung open wide, and the most beautiful and irritating woman he’d ever known stood there in the middle, hands on her hips.
“I wasn't finished with you, Daniel Kelly,” she huffed as Kilian raised an amused brow.
“Hello, Cait.”
“Hey- Wait,” she rolled her eyes. “I'm not talking to you.”
“Who's surprised?” Kilian asked as he scooped up his third mint and plopped it into his mouth. “You, my love, are the epitome of the Irish lass with your hair like fire,” he said as he took a step toward her, a crooked grin on his face. “And eyes like emerald jewels.” He curled a finger under her chin, and she swatted his hand away. “And there’s the Irish spirit.”
“Shut up, I’m mad at you for how you spoke to me last night.” She frowned as his lips twitched in amusement. “And save your lines for someone you have a chance with.”
“Be still my wounded heart,” he said, as he rested a hand to his chest.
“Daniel,” she started as she held up a hand, silencing whatever taunting remark Kilian had cooked up.
“Yes, I know there's more boxes needing to go below. Thank you,” Daniel said, his voice even.
She sent him a puzzled look before Kilian spoke again.
