Page 30 of Taming Irish

“Ye know each other?” Nora gives Makena a funny look. “I thought ye said ye hadn’t heard of WildIrish?”

“I hadn’t…” A crease forms between her brows when she looks between Nora and I, and I can see the moment she realizes who I am. But, instead of the awe I expect to see in her eyes, she continues to frown at me like I just ran over her puppy. She squints up at me. “You’reWildIrish?

“Part of the band, yeah.” I try and keep the cocky grin that’s usually a permanent fixture on my face, but I’m starting to get the feeling that she either hates our music, or she’s heard about myreputation.

But the latter doesn’t make much sense, because I’ve been pretty damn straight about my intentions since the first moment I laid eyes onher.

“Ye’re not a fan?” I chuckle, trying to ease the tension that’s now almostpalpable.

“You…” She ducks away from me and takes a few steps back. “You should have toldme.”

“I figured ye already knew. Not many people don’t know my face.” The words come out sounding cockier than I intended, even though I’m only stating thetruth.

She rolls hereyes.

“I’m going to go,” Nora says cautiously. “It was nice seeing ye again,Shane.”

I nod, watching as the woman quickly slips out thedoor.

“Oh my God.” Makena covers her face with her hands, but I can still see the crimson that colors her cheeks. “Andthisis why I don’tdate.”

“I didn’t know we were dating,” I say, taking a step towards her, ready to get back to where we left off before Nora interrupted us. “But I wouldn’t mind spending a little more time withye.”

Makena puts her hand out to stop me. “I’m sorry, but I can’t dothis.”

“Do what? Spend time with me, orfuck?”

More heat creeps into her cheeks, a look I’m starting to enjoy, because I know it means I’m getting under her skin. And that’s exactly where I want to be. That, and balls deep inside ofher.

“Either,” she says, jutting her chin up atme.

“Five minutes ago, yer body was saying somethingdifferent.”

“That’s before I knew who youwere.”

I take another step towards her, watching her stiffen, and yet melt at the same time. The constant war between her mind and body makes her skin flush, her muscles tense, and her bottom lip tremble as her gaze keeps dropping to mymouth.

“And who am I?” I ask, placing my palms on the wall beside herhead.

She swallows. “You’re…acelebrity.”

“And that bothers ye?” The woman isodd.

“People like me are toys to men like you. The difference between you and Chad…” A sharp look of pain cuts across her features momentarily, before she continues. “At least you’re honest aboutit.”

“I never said ye were a toy, love. Just that sex can be enjoyed outside of a committed relationship, by bothparties.”

“Samething.”

“No, it’s not.” And I hate that she thinks of me the same way she thinks about her ex. Sure, I enjoy sex, but I never promise anything I don’t intend to give. Every woman that’s ever been in my bed has known exactly what they were getting, and most of the time, it’s all they wanted,too.

She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, then she sighs and says without looking at me, “I’m sure you’re a niceguy-”

“We’re back to the nice guybit?”

“I just don’t need anymore-” She pauses. So much damn pain swirls in her dark eyes, and I find myself being pulled into her gaze, needing to know the secrets she’s holdingback.

I cup her jaw, forcing her to look at me. “Anymorewhat?”

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