“You know,” Kieran drawled, and the heat of his breath coaxed the hairs along her neck into a standing ovation, “if you wore this one, we’d match for South Side’s colors.”
She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze homing in on theway his shirt collar kissed around his neck, andChrist, it was a good thing she hadn’t spun all at once.
Her knees wobbled, and her heart melted into her belly as she turned, drinking in the sight of him.
Black. All black. A crisp black shirt so perfectly molded to his skin it left nothing of his muscular neck or shoulders to the imagination. A black tie tucked below a matte black waistcoat detailed with embroidered black leaves and wisps like wind. It tapered in, and Lily had to force her gaze down, otherwise she’d back Kieran into the dressing room, pop the waistcoat off and trace the muscles underneath with her tongue.
His black slacks fit well. They didn’t cling to him—they shouldn’t, anyway—but they weren’t baggy. The hemline brushed his shiny black shoes.
“Holy fuck, Kieran.” She dragged her attention back to his face in time to catch his smirk.
He swung on his jacket and closed the top button, finishing the look. “That good, huh?”
She stepped into his space, breathing in the spicy scent of his cologne. Now it was her turn to skim her hands across his chest and trail her fingertips down his arms. She stopped at his wrists. “What about cuff links? Red, for the gym?”
“I was thinking white, for reusability. Some fake diamonds or something.”
Not a bad idea, especially since he had bought the tux instead of renting. “Gonna use it again for Shauna’s wedding?”
He stepped back, stretching and testing his mobility within the suit. “I might as well. It’s a nice tux.” He paused then plucked at his sleeves. “What do you think about coming with me?”
Lily’s gaze shot up, meeting his. Even with all they’d shared, being his date for Shauna’s wedding was far more intimate than anything they’d done. And it was so far. A destinationwedding, at least as far as their budget was concerned. The wedding was on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan. She worried her lip between her teeth. “I don’t know, Kieran. I don’t want to take you away from your siblings, not on an important day.”
Sidestepping around her, Kieran examined the delicate red fabric of the dress she’d been eyeing. He held it up toward her, and his lips pinched together with concentration. “I think this would fit you. Why don’t you try it on?”
“Please don’t change the subject.”
He huffed, but the corner of his lips lifted in a teasing grin. “I think my family would have a better time if youwerethere. Danny and I wouldn’t be fighting, and I’d be distracted from all the worrying I do about them.” He had the dress draped over his arm now, and with his free hand, he steered her back toward the dressing room he’d occupied.
After hanging the dress on the hook, he stepped out and tugged Lily into his embrace. The fabric of his suit was smooth and soft. “I want to get away with you. Have some time away from the camera.”
She placed her palms against his chest, leaning back so she could search his face. While a getaway would be lovely, it was the sort of thing she would suggest, not Kieran. He was more of alet’s hide in my bedroom naked all weekendkind of guy. “What’s on your mind?”
His smile crumpled and fell. Sighing, Kieran dropped onto one of those plush white couches and propped his elbows on his knees. “Neal plans to turn the gym over to me after the tournament.”
Lily’s eyes widened, and her jaw slackened. “That’s amazing!”
Neal would enjoy retirement; he’d love up on his family every day and never have another worry. And Kieran? His entirelife was South Side MMA. With him as the owner, he’d mold it into the type of competitive gym he dreamed of. He could make his own hours. Spend as much time with Danny as he wanted.
His downturned expression was the opposite of her own. “Lily…”
She kneeled before him, taking his hands in hers. The cool shock of the tile floor was a stark opposite to his touch. “What’s wrong? You love that gym.”
“I do.” He nodded in agreement, and his jaw worked over the words caught in his throat. “I’d be your boss. This would be a really fucked-up power imbalance.”
A small O formed on her lips, but no sound emerged. Her boss. Not a coworker. Boss brought in an additional layer. Potential accusations of favoritism or harassment. She’d be a liability.
She could quit. Though she’d rather not go back to three different waitressing jobs. At least now she had relevant experience on her résumé.
Or she could stop seeing Kieran.
That should’ve been the easier answer. It wasn’t like they’d ever named their situationship. She hadn’t even told him how she felt. Instead, the thought caught in her throat and squeezed.
Her heart twisted and shrank back in her chest.
Kieran tightened his grip on her hands and drew her in closer, kissing her cheek. “Try on the dress. Knock these fuckers out in ways I never could at this dinner, then come away with me.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. “I want to know what it’s like when it’s just you and me.”
A shallow breath shuddered through her. What did that even mean? A weekend trial of a real relationship? Why did it feel like he was weighing what mattered more—her or the gym?
