Page 40 of Tempting Irish

Shane stands, giving Emer a pointed look before taking his mother’s hand and leading her to the dancefloor.

“Owen.” Emer turns her gaze on me, and I know what’s coming next. “I’m sure Bree would like todance.”

“No, I…” Bree stutters, lookinghorrified.

“And I think ye should learn not tomeddle.”

Emer’s face falls, her mouth dropping open, and Aiden coughs to cover alaugh.

“Come on,” Aiden places a hand under her elbow and helps her stand. “I’dlike todance.”

Emer looks between me and Bree, frowning, before finally letting out a sigh and following Aiden to the dancefloor.

Bree shifts in her seat. “I’m sorry aboutthat-”

“She knows, doesn’t she?” I say accusingly. “Ye told Emer whathappened?”

“I didn’t want there to be any morelies.”

I grunt. “And did ye tell her the truth? That ye lied about who yeare?”

“Yes.”

I hold her steady gaze, waiting for her to look away, but shedoesn’t.

“I’ll ask ye again, Bree. Why are ye here? What do yewant?”

“I already told you. I came to see myfamily-”

I lean closer, watching the heat creep up her neck and into her cheeks, aware of the warmth that spreads through my own body as I close the distance betweenus.

“I meant from me. What is it ye’re hoping togain?”

“Nothing.”

“Ye said no morelies.”

“I’m not…” She shakes her head. “You want to know thetruth?”

“Yes.”

“The truth is, I wanted last night. I wanted that kiss. Wanted more.” Her voice is a rasp, thick and throaty. “Wanted everything your eyes promised. And yeah, I was willing to lie to you about who I was to getit.”

I hold her gaze, searching her eyes. Not sure what to do with herconfession.

There’s no denying the pull between us, the heat that sizzles in theair.

“I should have told you who Iwas.”

“Yeah, ye shouldhave.”

“But all I want is to forget that anythinghappened.”

I grunt, knowing as long as she’s here, it’s an impossible task. Because, despite my brain’s protests, my body aches to touch her, to finish what we started lastnight.

Her thumb traces the pattern of the Dara knot on her innerwrist.

I take her hand, feeling her flinch slightly at my touch, then flip it over so I can see the pattern etched into her skin. A memory pulls at the back of my mind, making my chestsqueeze.

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