“Thomas MacGregor is going to break every bone in your body,” Jonathan added cheerfully.
“Why don’t you look surprised, Dag?” Bébhinn asked. “Sharing is caring, you ass.”
When Ciar let Gray up for air, she was putty in his arms. He caught Blair’s sparkling eyes first. She signed, “About time.”
Mags grabbed Gray’s shoulders and brought her into a hug. “Forgive me for outing you, but I know you well enough that you'd overthink your relationship until water turned to wine. At least I didn’t truly reenact you screaming Ciar’s name.”
Turning to Ciar, Mags said, “Let me know at least three months before you propose, boyo. I’ve already envisioned the perfect embroidery for Gray’s veil.”
Ciar and Gray spent the next four days working on pub business in the morning. Their days were filled with white water rafting, hiking, trail riding on horses, ziplining, and checking out Telluride’s nightlife.
Tonight was their final night in Colorado, and despite the nagging worry about what his boss needed to see him about, this had been one of the best holidays he’d ever taken.
Being inside Gray every chance he could, paired with the wild landscape around them, made this time together more special. It was going to be hard to leave tomorrow morning.
They were going out tonight, and from Dagr’s frayed nerves over the past five hours, Ciar had a feeling he knew what tonight’s main event would be.
Ciar finished buttoning his dress shirt and smoothing his hands down the front of his dress pants when Gray walked into the bathroom.
Once the group knew they were a couple, he moved into her room immediately. He hadn’t brought up how well they got along living in the same space, but he planned to make his case. Soon. That night.
He already knew the two-story, historic brick building close to his new pub was for sale, and it would make the perfect home for him and Gray. Her job would take her all over the world, but he knew that Gray and Bébhinn planned on making a name for themselves in Dublin. Mags and Blair had yet to commit to either Ireland or Scotland.
Tonight, he would tell her that he’d already made an offer on the property. By the time it was renovated, she would hopefully have come around to his high-handedness.
It had taken him almost two years to lock Gray MacGregor down, and he wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers.
“You look stunning,” he said, leaning down to kiss her soft lips, “and you’re all mine.”
She ran her hands down his chest, kissing him back. “You’re lucky I lo—” she cut herself off, “like you so much, Ciar Murphy, because my body hasn’t been this sore since I did two hot spin classes in a row last year.”
He pulled her against his chest. “Don’t tell me about how sore your body is, baby,” he groaned, “or we won’t make it to dinner and miss Dag’s big announcement.”
She hummed against his lips, seemingly contemplating his offer, which had him fighting an instant hard-on. “Gray,” he warned. She was wearing a black slip dress that showed her curves to perfection, and his unruly body was already wondering how long it would be before he could peel the material from her body.
“Tonight,” she promised. “So, you’ve figured out what Dagr has in store for Bébhinn tonight, huh?”
“I’d have to be the King of Obliviousness not to know. It’s taken everything Daniel, Jonathan, and I have to keep quiet. The man’s blood is pumping through his veins at such a rate that his normally pale skin looks sunburned.”
“It’s romantic,” she sighed. “The girls and I have had a damn hard time keeping Bébhinn in the dark.”
He didn't want to bring up their living arrangements yet, but with Dagr’s proposal, he was getting nervous that he wouldn’t have his chance if he waited.
Grasping her silk-covered hips, he told her what he’d done without her permission. “I put an offer on the building near the new pub.”
Gray’s gray eyes widened in surprise. “Wow. Well, I suppose that makes sense. I grew up hearing that one could never own enough property. Good for you. It’s a beautiful neighborhood. Maybe you could reno and lease.”
“I plan on you and Bébhinn renovating the place.”
“Oh, well…that’s…well, of course.”
She was flustered but still not grasping what he was saying. “I want the space for us, Gray. To make a home together.”
Her sudden intake of breath had her choking. He never let her go, just watching her face for any indication that she might not hate the idea.
“You…” she paused, her gaze steady as she met his. “You purchased a home for us after only a few days of dating each other, and without consulting me?”
“Yes.” He gave her lips a quick smacking kiss. “You are mine, right?”
