Page 44 of Her Irish Boss

The view he'd tortured himself with all night was his to savor.

“This is so not fair.” Her hands slipped underneath his jacket, gripping the back of his shirt. “I can't even kiss you because I'd probably get lipstick all over your shirt.”

“Then,” he murmured, moving across her bare shoulder, “just stand there.”

“That's no fun.” Her head fell back. “How long are we supposed to stay gone?”

“Shh, I need another second.” He worked his way back across her collarbone, breathing in that wildflower scent. With a mind of their own, his fingers skimmed along the edge of her skirt and the exposed skin of her thighs. Wanting a little more, he slipped his hands just underneath the hem.

“Brogan?”

He tightened his hands with the whisper of his name.This was why he didn't drink whiskey. He stopped, his lips hovering over hers. Her hands tightened on his shirt.

As light as he could make it, he pressed his lips to hers. “Alright. I think I'll survive now.”

“Yeah, but I don't know how I'm going to walk in these heels with my legs feeling like jelly.”

Brogan patted her hip and then released her from the door. “Take a second in the powder room if necessary. I'll head back to the table.”

He opened the door and checked the hallway. He took a step only to have Selena tug him back. Her deep kiss tasted sweet from her drink and ended as soon as it'd begun.

“Now, I'll survive.” She brushed past him and disappeared into the ladies’ room.

He adjusted his tie and wiped any lipstick from his mouth as he proceeded back to the table. He sat down, Jacob's eyes on him immediately.

“Sorry about that,” Brogan said, holding up his cell phone. “The shift manager had a question. Where's Selena?”

Jacob relaxed back in his chair. “Restroom. We were discussing financing options.”

Cathal grinned and lifted his glass in Brogan's direction. “Yes. It seems Mr. Peters thinks the restaurant is worth the loan.”

11

Selena didn't make it to work by nine, so her late greeting with Brogan was polite and informal and pissed her off again. She'd helped make sure Jacob had a lovely time. She engaged in conversation and lived up to be agreatVP of Advertising. He should have greeted her with something more than a head nod. Despite the fact, other employees had arrived.

Katie jutted a hip out and rolled her eyes. “Why won't you go back out with me? I promise I'll be sober this time.” Her eyes widened. “Unless you're seeing someone.”

Selena whipped her head up. “What makes you say that?”

Katie pointed at a spot on her neck. “Because that looks like a hickey.”

“A hickey?” Crap. That would have been part of the supply room seduction.

“Who is it?” Katie leaned on the table. “Is it that Jacob guy you mentioned stopped by yesterday? You know, your old boyfriend?”

“No. I'm not interested in going out with Jacob again.Last night proved that I've changed since we dated.” For the better. She used to love his attention back then. Let him order things at restaurants for her because she was scared she'd mess it up. Now, she knew what she wanted. She also knew that giving the other men at the table decision making power would put them in a different light in Jacob's mind. He was always impressed with superiors. And it'd worked. Jacob sent over the loan papers to be signed that morning.

Brogan stood at the bar with Cathal. Both were in suits. Both attracting every female's attention in the place, including hers.

“It's the boss man, isn't it?”

“What?” Selena glanced around. “Be quiet. I don't want to get fired for your jokes.”

“I wasn't joking.” She shrugged. “Just the way you watch him. If he doesn't know you have the hots for him, the rest of us do.”

Had she really been doing that? She turned her back to where Brogan stood. “Well, I'm not, and I don't. Granted, he is handsome. You've said that yourself.”

“Yes. I have. So,” Katie said, clasping her hands together, “if you're not seeing him, and that'snota hickey, then you have no reason not to come out with me.”

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