Page 68 of Taming Irish

A tension-filled silence stretches between us, and she glares up atme.

After a few long moments, she says tightly, “I thought you were better thanthis.”

She’s angry, and I have no fucking ideawhy.

“Better than what? I’m saying we should…see where it goes. I thought ye’d be happy. That’s what ye want, right? Arelationship.”

“No.” She shakes her head, but then her lips purse, and a hundred different emotions flicker in her eyes. “Maybe. Yes. But notwith…”

“Not with me?” I drop my hands and take a step back, crossing my arms over mychest.

“Oh my God, you’re so frustrating. You said yourself that you don’t do relationships. Even if I thought we were compatible, I’d be an idiot to think this will lead to anything more than you stomping all over my heart as you walkaway.”

My teeth clench, because I know in my head that she’s probably right. And maybe I’m being a selfish bastard for pressing her for more. Hell, I know Iam.

But she’s under my skin. In myblood.

“I won’t hurt ye, Makena,” It’s more of a promise than a factual statement. One I’m making to myself as much as to her. Because I know I’d never forgivemyself.

She inhales, then lets out a slow, uneven breath and closes her eyes. When she opens them again, there’s resolve in herexpression.

“I believe you mean it,” she says softly, not really looking at me, but more through me. Which bothers me more than anything else she’s said tonight, because she’s the first person in years who I’ve ever felt really sawme.

“Then trust me.” I take a step towardher.

“I trust youbelievewhat you say. But I also trust that you can’t help but leave a trail of broken hearts in your wake. It’s yournature.”

My eye twitches. “If ye think it’s my nature to cause pain to others, then ye don’t know me atall.”

“You’re right. I don’t know you. And you don’t knowme.”

“Then get to know me. Let me understand ye. I haven’t felt like thisbefore-”

“Shane-”

“This isn’t just aboutsex.”

She gives me a small smile and shakes her head. “Everything with you is aboutsex.”

A chuckle rumbles in my throat. “I’m not saying I don’t want to have sex with ye. It’s the only thing I could think about allnight.”

“Which is why you’ll say anything right now.” Her hands go up when I take another step toward her, and she takes oneback.

We continue the dance until her back is against the door, my body pressed against hers. “Tell me ye don’t want my touch and I’ll walk away. But ye know full well that no other man will ever make ye feel the way Ido.”

“God, you’recocky.”

“Only because I’m right,” I say against the shell of her ear as I brush my knuckles down her slenderneck.

She shivers from mytouch.

“Give me one more night. Let me convince ye that I’m not the asshole ye think I am.” I trace the line of her jaw. “There are still so many things I want to do to ye, things ye need to feel, to experience. Let me come inside,Makena.”

She groans, pulling her keys out. “I know I’m going to regretthis.”

When her fingers tremble, I take the keys from her and unlock the door. And I’m on her the second it’s shut behindus.

A need blazes inside of me, so hot that I swear my insides blister fromit.

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