Page 67 of Taming Irish

Chapter 18

Shane

Ishould never have broughtMakena into the Shamrock. But I hadn’t known who her ex was then, or that people would recognize her. But I should have known that people would takephotos.

They always do. Everywhere I go. Especiallyhere.

“I’m sorry about the pictures.” I keep both hands on the steering wheel, knowing if I don’t, I’ll end up reaching for her, and the last thing I can tell she wants right now isme.

“It’s not your fault,” she mumbles, rubbing her hands over herarms.

She’s drawn into herself, and I have no idea what the hell she’s thinking. I just know I have to make thisright.

When I pull to a stop in front of Colleen’s cottage, she opens the door and mutters a quick, “Goodnight,” then getsout.

Turning the ignition off, I get out and sprint to catch up to her before she barricades herself back in that damnhouse.

I take her hand and turn her towards me. The moon is high, and it casts a silver glow across herface.

Fuck, she’s beautiful. But the resignation I’ve worked the last two days to tear down is backup.

If I was smart, I’d let her walk away. She’s giving me an out. A chance to end it before it gets more complicated than it already is. But I’ve already had a taste of her, and instead of curbing my appetite, it only increased thehunger.

“Tell me what ye’re upset about. Is it being seen with me?” Maybe it’s my image she’s worried about. The scandal it will bring toher.

She shakes her head. “My life is on publicdisplay-”

“I know what it’s like to be hounded by thepress.”

“You don’t get it. Youchosethis life. You want to be known. To be seen.” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “All I ever wanted…” She chokes on the words and swipes angrily at a single tear that falls down her cheek. “Damn it. I’m not going to dothis.”

She turns away from me, but I pull her into my arms. If I let her go now, there’s no way in hell she’ll ever let me back in herlife.

I cup her chin, forcing her to look at me. “What do ye want,Makena?”

“The complete opposite of you,” she says, exasperation forcing the wordsout.

“Ouch.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” She covers her face with her hands, then drops them in defeat. “All I ever wanted was to be a wife. To have a family. I know for someone like you it sounds lame, but it isn’t to me. I just want to be happy. To be with someone I can trust, and who loves me. And I want the rest of the world to mind their own damn business and leave me alone so maybe one day I’ll actually findhim.”

“Him?” My gut twists thinking about her with someone else. I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her hard against me. I chuckle darkly, the sound filled with frustration, and worse, jealousy. “And where do ye think ye’ll find this perfectman?”

“You’re making fun of me.” She tries to push away, her hands going to my chest, but I don’t let hergo.

“I’m not.” I dip my head closer, knowing she feels the same electricity that courses between us, making her body melt into mine, even if only subconsciously. “I just doubt ye’re going to findhimwhile ye’re holed up in thatcottage.”

“I found you,” she saysflatly.

I grunt. “Well, maybe yer Prince Charming came driving a Ferrari and slinging a Fenderguitar.”

She frowns. “Don’t dothat.”

“What?”

“Say things like that. We both know this isn’t goinganywhere.”

I know she’s right, but it doesn’t stop me from blurting out, “Well, maybe we should see if itwill.”

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