I briefly glance over my shoulder and lock eyes with Liam, forcing a little shock on my face before I compose myself. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle myself.” I hope my apology is written on my face as I lift my leg and knee Owen in the balls.
He curses, bending over and cupping his crotch.
“I can see that.” Liam’s amusement underscores his tone. He sounds nothing like his brother, but I wasn’t expecting him to. Diarmuid lived in Ireland for thirteen years, yet Liam has livedhis entire life in New York. There is no hint of an Irish accent in his voice.
“Ouch,” another unfamiliar man says, coming up alongside Liam. I turn to look at him, instantly recognizing him from the file. He’s Rian Murray, Liam’s best friend and reported unofficial number two. “I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that.”
“Get rid of him,” Liam instructs, circling his arm around my waist uninvited.
“I don’t like to be touched without permission,” I calmly say, stepping out of his reach.
“I’m just keeping you safe, baby,” he confirms, reaching for me again.
I fold my arms around myself, knowing it’ll push my tits up. “Like I said, I appreciate it, but I can take care of me.” Liam’s eyes lower to my chest, and his pupils darken.
If he continues being this predictable, this should be a cakewalk.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” he asks as Rian and a couple of other guys haul Owen up and drag him toward the stairway.
“I’m no one,” I say, moving to push past him.
“You’re most definitely someone.” He falls into step alongside me. “I saw you looking at me earlier.”
“You were looking at me first.” I fling my hair over my shoulders.
“I’m not denying it.” His fingers run through my hair because consent clearly means nothing to this guy. I let it go though, content to reel him in and push him away as we start to play this push-pull charade. “You have the most beautiful hair. You’re fucking gorgeous, and I’m smitten.”
I stop at my table and turn to face him. “You don’t even know me. It’s impossible to be smitten with someone you’ve only just met.”
“I beg to differ, gorgeous.” He takes my hand and kisses it. Unlike the courteous way his brother did it, he presses his smarmy mouth to my skin, lingering as he sucks on it like it’s his God-given right.
I yank my hand back. “I thought we already discussed this. I don’t like to be touched unless it’s consensual.”
“Trust me, it will be.” He flashes me a grin, dazzling me with a bright white smile. There is no denying he’s a good-looking guy. He’s got a couple inches in height on his older brother, but he has a similar build, and the same brownish-red hair. His eyes are green to Diarmuid’s blue, but I’d still identify them as brothers in a lineup.
“Wow. I can’t decide if you’re arrogant or confident.”
“Truthfully, it’s a mix of both.”
I grab my purse.
“Let me buy you a drink.”
“I’ve already got one, and I’m not staying.”
“What do I have to do to get you to stay and have a drink with me? I’ll buy you the finest champagne. The most expensive bottle they have.” He lifts his hand and snaps his fingers, and a guy gets up from one of their tables.
“I don’t drink alcohol,” I lie. Diarmuid mentioned Liam doesn’t like women who drink too much and act inebriated. It’s such sexist bullshit, especially since their tables are dripping with alcohol. His eyes automatically dart to the half-finished mojito on the table.
“It’s a virgin. I prefer to stick to nonalcoholic beverages unless it’s a special occasion. I’m concentrating on building my business, and I don’t like losing time to hangovers when I could be out there growing my empire.”
“Smart as well as beautiful? Now I’m intrigued. And this definitelyisa special occasion.” He lifts his hand and touches my face. The guy truly has no respect for boundaries. “It’s the nightwe met. We’re going to remember this moment and tell our kids and grandkids all about it.”
I blink repeatedly, and I don’t even have to act shocked. “How many times have you used that line, and don’t tell me it actually works?”
He throws back his head and laughs. “Never. It’s not a line. I swear.”
Liar.
