Page 57 of Taming Irish

He doesn’t seem to like my answer, because his lips tug down and he grunts. “I can’t help the photos peopletake.”

“I wasn’tcriticizing.”

“Justjudging.”

“No. Maybe…” I sigh. “Tell me you didn’t go home and Googleme.”

“Ididn’t.”

“Really? Even after you found out who my exwas?”

“Half the shit they write online isn’t true anyways. Or it’s a half-truth. Either way, it’s dangerous to believe something without knowing the fullfacts.”

It’s a bit of a reproof. One I shouldn’t need, considering it’s my name that’s been dragged through the mudlately.

He reaches out and grazes his knuckles across my cheek, then takes my chin between his thumb and index finger and leans down, his gaze searchingmine.

“I’m pretty much an open book,” he says. “Ye want to know something, ye just have toask.”

I give a small nod, but the only thing I can think about are the lips that are inches frommine.

He chuckles knowingly. “Ye keep looking at me like that and we won’t make it todinner.”

“I…” Swallowing hard, I breath in deeply, and try to ignore the heat that pulses through my body. “It’s probably not a good idea to be seen in publicagain.”

“I figured ye’d say that, so I made other plans.” One arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against his hardbody.

“What kind of plans?” I squint up athim.

“Plans that can easily be rearranged if ye’d prefer to stayhere.”

My body hums at the idea, but I’m out of groceries, and as incredible as it seems, there aren’t any food delivery places anywhere nearhere.

“I have nothing to eathere.”

“I’d disagree with ye.” He leans down and nibbles on my ear. “I can think of something I’d like toeat.”

I whimper despitemyself.

“Food,” I say, pushing on hischest.

He gives a small grunt of disappointment, but when he pulls back, he’s wearing his typical grin. “Fine. We’ll have dinner out.” He leans closer, his sage eyes blazing with promise. “But we’re coming back here fordessert.”

---