Page 66 of Tempting Irish
Chapter 19
Owen
Not tearingBree’s clothes off right there on the fucking balcony took every shred of willpower I had left. But food isn’t the only thing I didn’t have in the house. And as much as I’d love to take her bare, I’m not chancing the baby fever Aiden and Cillian have signed upfor.
Cradling the brown bags filled with enough food and condoms to last us the three days I plan on holing up here, I open the front door, then shut it with myfoot.
“Bree?” I place the bags on the counter, frowning when there’s noresponse.
I know she was exhausted on the ride here, but if she’s fallen asleep, I’ll be waking her up with my face buried between her thighs. I can be a gentleman when I have to, but tonight my inner caveman is beating his chest, demanding I make hermine.
Trouble.That’s what I’m in. Big time. I’d asked her what she wanted from me. But the truth is, I’m not sure what it is I want from her. I just know I want more. Need more. I want to break through the barricades we’ve both constructed around our hearts and letgo.
I hear the faint sound of music coming from the studio at the back of the house. With the walls insulated and the door sound-proofed, I can still hear the fluttering of fingers over keys, and the soft voice that filtersthrough.
Slowly, I make my way down the hall and press my palm against the door, opening it acrack.
My chest constricts at the sight of her profile as her fingers dance, creating a deep, aching melody that sends a shiver down my spine. Her eyes are closed, her face free of the tension that often tightens herfeatures.
“I would chase the wind. Hell, I’d even settle down. I’d break all my rules to get out of this godforsaken town.” Her voice is a rich, throaty alto, her pitch perfect, tone smooth, despite the unique rasp that gives it an edge that most singers neverachieve.
She’d always been quick to pick up any instrument that was put in her hand, but I never knew she could sing. There’s a rawness to her. Anauthenticity.
I know I’m interrupting a private moment, but I can’t walk away. The song wraps around me, gripping something deep in mysoul.
“Damn it.” Her fingers cramp into a loose fist, and she curses, banging the keys hard before starting to massage herhand.
“Yeokay?”
Startled, she jumps at my words, spinning on the bench. “I-I didn’t know you werehome.”
I go to her, taking her hand in mine and rubbing my thumb against her palm until I feel the spasmrelease.
“How long were you standingthere?”
“Long enough to know ye’ve got some serioustalent.”
Her cheeks flush. “I can’t even get through one song without my handseizing.”
“I was talking about yer voice.” I press her knuckles against my lips, then shift her so that she’s sitting between my thighs, her back against my chest and the piano in front of us. “Did ye writethat?”
She trembles against me as I lift my hands to the keys and play a few notes. “Yes.”
“It’s good.” I nuzzle her ear. “Really good. We could put some strings to it with the band, and recordit.”
“No.”
“Why not?” I cup her chin, twisting her towards me so I have access to her mouth. “Ye sing like that, the whole world will fall in love withye.”
Hell, I swear, I alreadyhave.
She holds my gaze, her breath soft against my lips, begging me for a kiss, begging me for things I never expected to want. Not from this girl, not fromanyone.
“Are ye hungry yet?” I ask, needing to break the intensity that pulls between us, making me feel like at any moment something inside of me is about tosnap.
“Mmm,” She licks her lips and grins, then surprises me by wrapping her arms around my neck and spinning around so that she’s straddling me. “Starving,” she whispers against my ear. “But not forfood.”
I chuckle, pushing back the stool, and standing, lifting her with me. “ThankGod.”
