Page 38 of Tempting Irish

Chapter 11

Owen

Ipacedmy hotel suite most of the day, waiting for Bree to come back for herluggage.

But shedidn’t.

What the hell was with thisgirl?

I know she has a room. Called down to the desk to make sure. But I still have all her clothes. Her purse.Everything.

I didn’t think there was a more stubborn woman in this world than Emer and Agnus, but I’m starting to think that the girl inherited thegene.

Sure, I was a bit of an asshole this morning. But she’s the one who deceived me. If she wants to play this game, then I’ll wait her out. See how long she can go without herthings.

Sitting on the couch, I strum a few chords on my guitar, but not even the usual solace of my music stops the clusterfuck of thoughts and emotions that spin inside ofme.

My cell buzzes with a message from Cillian, reminding me that I’m supposed to be meeting them at X70 Bistro in twentyminutes.

Shit.Guilt creeps unwittingly into my chest, because I know Bree should be there. But even if one of the others invited her, she doesn’t have a damn thing to wear while I’m still holding her bagshostage.

I walk the five blocks to the restaurant, keeping my head down as I pass through the busystreets.

Hidden behind a pair of dark aviator glasses and the knowledge that most people don’t actually expect to see a celebrity walking the streets, I manage to get to the small Temple Bar bistro without anyone recognizingme.

It’s quaint. Off the tourist radar. But it’s also Agnus’ favorite restaurant, which is why we’rehere.

A man plays Thomé’s Simple Aveu softly on a baby grand in the corner of the restaurant. Dripping candles seem to be the main source of light, and it takes a few seconds for my eyes toadjust.

“Monsieur Gallagher,” a stout man wearing a full tuxedo says. “Your party iswaiting.”

I follow him to the back of the restaurant, to a table that is somewhat hidden from the rest of thepatrons.

Aiden and Cillian sit beside their wives, and give me a nod when they see me. Agnus, who is sitting beside Emer, stands, the corners of her eyes crinkling in genuine affection as she reaches out to embraceme.

“Look at that beard,” she admonishes, running a hand over my scruff and shaking her head. She teases, “Ye look like ye should be handling an ax rather than aguitar.”

“I haven’t heard any complaints from the women,” I say with awink.

She gives my arm a small smack andchuckles.

“Where’s Shane?” I ask, noticing he’s still missing. I hadn’t spoken to him since breakfast, which is odd considering everything that went down lastnight.

“I asked him to drive Bree,” Emer says, watching my reaction, like she expectsone.

I don’t give her thesatisfaction.

“Can ye believe she’s here?” Agnus says, tears misting her eyes. “After all theseyears.”

“Yeah,” Imutter.

Emer’s gaze is still on me, studying me, and I wonder for a moment if she knows something. But if she does, there isn’t any judgement in herexpression.

“There they are now,” Emer says, standing when Shane leads Bree into theroom.

There’s a whirlwind of commotion around me as Agnus rushes to embrace the woman. I’m pretty sure Emer is speaking to me, but I don’t hear her words, all my attention narrowed in on the vision in front ofme.

I swallow hard as I drag my eyes from the silver heels, up the toned calves and thighs to where the form-hugging black dress starts, accentuating every curve of her lush little body. As usual, she’s wearing little, if any, make-up. Not that she needs it. Her skin is flawless. Her dark eyelashes frame her cool blue eyes, and the hint of color in her cheeks isn’tartificial.

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