Page 115 of Rags to Royals

I feel Cian’s hand tighten on my neck. I look up at him. He’s staring at me with clear happiness. And desire.

“Cian, I had no idea that you’d done that. Why didn’t you tell us?” Fiona asks.

He shakes his head. “I don’t know. It didn’t come up.” He looks down at me again. “I wasn’t sure where it was all going to go. I needed to recruit the right person to be president. To help me lead it. Now that I have, we can really get things rolling.”

I feel that light, warm feeling spread. We really have endless possibilities. That’s how this feels, and it feelsso good.

“That’s really fucking cool,” Owen tells him. “Good for you, man.”

Cian tips his head. “Thanks.” His eyes go to his sister. “I have a soft spot for single moms who need a little extra help.”

Fiona looks choked up. “Oh…wow.”

Cian’s hand squeezes me again and I look up quickly to find that his eyes look a little shiny too.

Oh my God. This is so… great.

“Where is the place in New Orleans?” one of the guys at the end of the table asks.

Cian gives him the address but then says, “But it’s not a tourist spot. I don’t want a bunch of people over there or driving past. It’s their home.” He sounds very firm and a little protective.

“No, of course,” the guy says. I think his name is Mitch. “But if you ever need any help with maintenance or repairs or anything, you know you can just ask, right?”

“Same here,” one of twins with long hair and beards says. He’s the one Cian does construction with sometimes, but I can’t remember if he’s Zeke or Zander. “I’m happy to help out.”

Cian swallows hard and nods. “Thanks, guys.”

“Where’s your next one going to be?” one of the women asks.

“I’m not—” Cian starts.

“Columbus,” I say. “Ohio.”

Cian looks down at me. I just hold his gaze. Then he slowly nods as his smile spreads. “Yeah. Columbus. Near Emerald.”

“That’s just so…” Suddenly Fiona is up out of her chair and around the table and hugging Cian from behind.

He puts a hand over hers and squeezes her back.

“I’m proud of you, man,” Knox, Fiona’s husband, says.

Now Cian almost looks bashful.

Oh, God.

If sexy, charming Cian makes me say yes to things I shouldn’t, and dirty talking, bossy Cian can get my panties off in less than ten seconds, and sweet, playful Cian has been slowly working his way into my heart, and quietly charitable Cian has made me rethink almost everything, then proud-choked-up-bashful Cian is going to make it impossible for me to resist him.

After Fiona releases him and everyone has finished with their effusive praise, Cian leans over and says in my ear, “You agreeing to lead my foundation is so fucking hot.”

I lean into him. “You creating a foundation for me to lead is pretty fucking hot too. Now that it’s sunk in.”

“Though you telling my family about it…”

I tip my face up to meet his gaze. “Was very appropriate. They should know.Everyoneshould know, Cian. Not because you need the praise—though you deserve it—but because your name will bring in donors and volunteers and will give it a legitimacy that we need to get started.”

“I suppose you think I should reward you for all of that?” he murmurs.

“Well… I’m not going to complain if you think I need to bepunishedinstead.” I lean even closer. “How thin are the walls in your house here?”

---