Page 45 of Tempting Irish

I know the gesture doesn’t mean anything, other than the support he’s offering. But it stirs something inside of me. Somethingdangerous.

“I’ll take her up to her room,” Owen says when we pull up outside thehotel.

I see Shane nod in the rearviewmirror.

Owen doesn’t say anything as we walk into the hotel. But when I go to press my floor number, he stops me, reaching over and pressing the topnumber.

“My room,” he says, going all caveman on me, and confusing me onceagain.

“I’d ratherjust-”

“Ye need yer stuff, and I don’t think ye should bealone.”

I cross my arms. “And who says I want to be withyou?”

He lifts an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at hislips.

I shake my head, reaching out to press my floor number again, but he steps in front of theboard.

I let out an exasperated breath. “And why would you want to spend time with me? Considering I’mtroubleandall.”

“Ye are trouble. Ye proved ittonight.”

“You’re blaming me for that asshole’sbehavior?”

“No. But if ye hadn’t runoff-”

“God, you’re unbelievable.” I push on his chest when he takes a step towardsme.

“And ye’re hidingsomething.”

“Just because I’m not willing to spill my entire life story, doesn’t mean I’m hidinganything.”

The elevator pings, and the door opens, but neither of us move. We’re trapped in a battle of wills, both too stubborn to lookaway.

When the doors start to shut again, he mutters a curse, and stops it. “Comeon.”

I hesitate before following him, wanting only to get my bags, then go back to myroom.

He goes straight for the mini-fridge, pulling out a beer, uncapping it and drowning half the bottle in oneswig.

“I’ll just get my luggage,” Imutter.

“Stay.”

I raise a brow at him. “Why?”

He pulls another beer out of the fridge and motions for me to takeit.

I look at it, then him, but I don’t move, because I have no idea what game he’s playing at. One minute he’s ice, the nextfire.

“Take the damn beer,Bree.”

“You used to be a lot nicer, you knowthat?”

“And ye used to be a lot less stubborn.” He places the bottle on the counter with a shake of his head. “But I’m not leaving ye alone after whathappened.”

“Would you stop acting like I’m still twelve? I’m fine. I’ve dealt with a hell of a lot worse assholes-” I clench my teeth and look away when I see the hint of concern in Owen’seyes.

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