Page 78 of Tempting Irish

Chapter 23

Owen

The Crow’sHead is packed when I lead Bree into the dimly lit pub. I would have much rather spent our last night before going back to Dublin in bed, but I have business to deal withhere.

I hate that we have to go back. And I wouldn’t, if it wasn’t for Emer and Aiden’s reproduced wedding. I wouldn’t go anywhere for a long time if it meant having Bree in my bed every night, and waking up to her everymorning.

“We won’t stay long,” I say, leaning down and placing a hand possessively on her waist when I see curious gazes turn ourway.

“It’s fine. This place is amazing.” She smiles up at me, and my heart twists in my chest, because I wasn’t kidding when I told her yesterday that I see her.I do.Every beautiful, broken piece of her. And I don’t want to let hergo.

“Jeezus, Mary, and Joseph,” a deep brogue yells from across the bar. “If it isn’t Owen fecking Gallagher. Thought ye arseholes were still ontour.”

Patrick Murphy half hugs me and slaps my back when heapproaches.

“Patrick,” I growl out, bringing my palm down on his own back with equal force, making himlaugh.

I don’t believe for a second that he doesn’t know our tour is over. There’s always been a healthy dose of competition between Wild Irish and his band, O’Mulligan. I know he follows us, just like I follow him. That, and the fact that we’d sold out the entire AvivaStadium.

All of Ireland knows we’rehome.

“Tour finished in Dublin last week.” I tilt my chin at him, a smirk pulling at mylips.

“Ah, right.” He winks, confirming what I already knew. “I may have heard something about it.” Not one to miss a pretty face, his gaze dances over Bree, and he raises an eyebrow. “And who do we havehere?”

I place my palm on her hip and pull her towards me. “Bree Walsh, this is Patrick Murphy, lead singer ofO’Mulligan.”

“Hi,” she says shyly, a touch of awe creeping into her voice, which irks me. “I love O’Mulligan. Have all youralbums.”

“Really?” Patrick pushes his way between us and wraps an arm around her shoulder, then starts to lead her to a table in front of the stage. “You’re in luck. Because we’re playingtonight.”

Ignoring the knot of jealousy that forms in my throat as I watch him touch her, I grunt, “That’s actually why I camehere.”

Patrick raises a brow at me, while pulling out a chair for Bree to sitdown.

“Now that Wild Irish is done touring, Shane and I have been mulling over the idea of starting our ownlabel.”

“Ambitious,” Patrick says, sitting beside Bree and motioning the bartender to bringdrinks.

“With O’Mulligan and Wild Irish together, it could really besomething.”

Patrick leans back in his chair, one arm resting behind it. “Have ye got any other talent signedup?”

A grin tugs at my lips, and I glance over at Bree. “Haven’t signed her yet, but I’m working onit.”

Bree stares at me for a moment as if she doesn’t realize I’m talking about her, then her eyes widen and her mouth parts. “I…”

“Ye must be pretty special to have caught this arsehole’s eye,” Patrick leans towards Bree, one brow cocked, interest and curiosity flashing in hiseyes.

Bree’s cheeks turn a shade of red. “I…I’mnot…”

“Ye sing?” Patrickasks.

She nods. “Alittle.”

“She’s being modest,” I say, which earns me a frazzled look from Bree. “She can write,too.”

“Now ye really have me intrigued.” Patrick pushes his chair back and takes her hand, pulling her up. “Let’s hearye.”

---