Tom filled them in on my little speech, which caused several glances my way before a round of cheers for Bree climbed to a roaring pitch.
I’d been careful last night not to drink so much I’d end up with a hangover, but many others were not so lucky.
Within an hour, the pub filled and everyone was too happy about fixing their throbbing heads to worry about why the three of us wore the same clothes we’d had on last night.
14
BREE
Ronan’s hand brushed mine when he passed me in the hall on his way back from yet another part of the men’s room renovation.
I jerked away, a sizzling sensation zinging straight to my heart.
Gray eyes flicked to mine for half a second before he held up his paintbrush. “Nice choice on the color. It’s looking great.” He twitched his head toward the door. “But I wouldn’t recommend going in there yet. The fumes will knock you on your ass.”
Was it terribly wrong that I loved how he said ass? I couldn’t help the way my eyes twitched downward toward his own ass.
I swallowed hard. “I’ll take your word for it. I’d rather wait until it’s finished.” I trusted him to do the work we’d talked about, and the last thing I needed was to be trapped in a narrow space with him. It was hard enough running into Declan behind the bar every few minutes.
Ronan had started renovations three days ago. Almost a full week had passed since our night in bed together. A night Icouldn’t get out of my mind and one that kept me awake late into every single night as I chased any kind of release that might save me from my fantasies.
I wasn’t that drunk on St. Paddy’s Day. I lied to them, thinking it would help me cut ties with them. It killed me to lie. Every touch. Every kiss. Every single deliciously deviant thing they’d done for me.
But I’d panicked when I woke up alone and they were all downstairs, busting their asses to get out of the pub. To get away from me.
My chest squeezed.
Ronan’s hand lifted, moving toward me. He took a step back and drew his hand away. “I might need to order another door. This one isn’t as sturdy as I’d like.”
I nodded, my head moving automatically. “Whatever you need.”
That’s what I thought I was giving them when I lied and tried to protect myself before they had a chance to reject me. I’d hoped to avoid the whole “Well, that was fun but it’s over” from them.
Ronan returned to that perfect stillness I’d experienced the day we met. I envied him that ability because I sure as shit couldn’t stand still.
It had been like this all week. Ronan went about his business, and I pretended my heart didn’t race every single time he walked through the door.
I danced around the elephant, or a trio of tall, broad-shouldered Irishmen, taking up the room.
Declan made everything worse and better all at the same time. I retreated to the bar and poured a cup of coffee for myself, and another for Mrs. Whittaker when she drilled me with a look. I added a generous splash of Bailey’s when when she arched her brow.
Declan stood at the far end of the bar, sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he filled a pint and handed it to a man I didn’t recognize. He’d kept his distance, keeping things polite and professional behind the bar. But I caught him watching me several times a night.
Those blue eyes I’d fallen into last week tracked me across the room when he thought I wasn’t looking. The second I turned toward him, he yanked his head around and talked to the nearest person.
My heart fluttered every damned time.
Tonight wasn’t any different. I took a sip of coffee then started a new pot when my taste buds protested the bitterness of a pot sitting too long. I turned to dump the old coffee grounds into the trash can and smacked Declan’s arm in the process.
“Sorry.” I stepped back.
“No harm done.” He patted my shoulder like we were old friends.
My skin heated at the touch, the burn going deeper as shame burrowed in and set up house. Of course it didn’t matter to him. I turned and finished making the coffee, then turned and reached for a glass over my head.
My foot slid backward, pitching me forward.
Declan’s hands landed on my waist and kept me from bashing my nose on the counter.
