Page 38 of Her Irish Boss

Selena stared at Cathal for a long, hard second. “Jacob and I used to date. I don't know, four years ago?”

Cathal shook his head and took a sip of his coffee, walking around the desk to stand beside Brogan. He didn't need his brother to tell him what he thought of the situation. He could see that eager puppy dog look on Jacob's face as easily as Brogan did.

Selena rose and pretended to fiddle with her laptop, putting Jacob to her side. She flicked her eyes up to Brogan. He wanted to drag her over the desk to him.

Cathal nudged Brogan before raising his voice. “Why don't we all go out tonight? Then we can meet about the loan, and you two can get reacquainted.”

Jacob hesitated.

Until Cathal added, “how about Five-Seven-Nine? My treat.”

His treat? That place was easily a $100 a plate before alcohol. Selena's mouth fell open for a quick second until Jacob leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. “Would you really be there?”

Brogan took a deep breath. He'd rather have Jacob there with Selena than to send them off on their own. “Yes. As our VP of Advertising, we'd want her there in case you had any questions on our future marketability.”

Her eyes widened.

Jacob clapped his hands together. “Well, then that sounds like a date. Can I pick you up?”

Cathal stepped forward. “You know, she has to work an extra shift today, so we'll carpool from here. We can meet there at about six.”

Looking to her for confirmation, or hope, Jacob waited for Selena to answer. She swallowed, pursed her lips together, and nodded. “Yes. That would be easier. We can catch up at dinner. Surely it won't all be about work.”

“No,” Brogan said, smiling even though it hurt his face to do it. “You can get reacquainted all you want.”

“I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for the invitation, Cathal.” He hugged Selena again without any invitation to do so. “I'm really happy we ran into each other.”

“Me, too.” She smiled as he left. They all stood in silence until they heard the front door to the restaurant close.

“What the hell?” She said, slamming the lid of her laptop closed.

At the same time, Brogan came around the desk. “You just let some guy put his hands on you like that?”

“We dated for three years. We talked about getting married at one point. He's not justsome guy.”

“But you aren't together now.”

She crossed her arms, eyes flashing with heat. “No. Now, I'm just the VP of Advertising. What kind of bullshit is that, Brogan?” she shouted.

“It's the kind that will hopefully make sure we even still have a restaurant next year.”

“Oh!” She took a step closer, her finger pointing at him. “So now you're using me to soften up the loan guy?”

He ran a hand through his hair and paced away and then back to her. “How in the hell was I supposed to know that you two knew each other?” He fired back. “It's not like any of this was planned.”

“Then why did you invite me to dinner if it wasn't to help you out?” Her voice raised to match his.

He stalked toward her until they were an inch apart. “Because I'd sure as hell rather watch you and him become reacquainted than to imagine what happens when you go on a date with another man.”

“You know being exclusive with someone, Brogan, means you call them something other than your damn VP of Advertising.”

The argument put a flush in her cheeks he'd not seen before. Her lips parted as she took a deep breath.

He didn't want to yell. So, he kissed her, hard, expecting her to push him away.

And she did. But only for a brief second. The anger in her eyes had faded. She fisted her hands into his dress shirt and tugged him close, kissing him the rough way he needed at that moment.

She was his. Every inch of his body recognized her as hismate. A counterpart that kept him balanced. And she shouldn't even be in his arms.

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