Page 60 of Naughty Irish Liar

“Your roommate told me you weren’t feeling well all day. I didn’t like hearing it from someone else, Catherine.”

The heaviness in my chest was a sensation I didn’t know I could experience. Not because he was angry. He was hurt. And now all I wanted to do was soothe my man. I wanted to run my fingers over the pucker in his forehead and straighten it out until he was smiling his cheeky boy smile again and talking in his thick brogue hot enough to soak me.

I didn’t know how to proceed because he’d changed the rules on me. I get a stomach virus and now he’s turned into a brooding monster.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or jump his bones. If my belly was feeling better I’d already be on my knees unzipping his pants. That was a fact.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s hot as all creation seeing him this passionate over not knowing something about me, I definitely liked it so when I approached him I didn’t allow his thunder stare to put me off.

“I might fuck you nasty on the floor, Catherine, but I still need to know if something is wrong with you.”

“Even though we’rejust sex? You’re burning me out of your system, remember.”

The truth was, all I’d wanted yesterday was Ronan. From the moment I caught an uber home from class when my head began to throb, and my belly felt queasy he was the first person I thought of. Being in Ronan’s arms would fix me.

And I’d been too apprehensive to call him.

“Just sex …” he grated through his clenched teeth and suddenly the steam in the bathroom turned to ice cubes, the temperature dropping by a million degrees as his mood plummeted before my eyes.

“Ronan,” I tried reaching for him, to connect our hands. He stopped me. “I’m sorry—”

“You told me you loved me in your sleep, Catherine.” Blink. Heart stutter. Oh, my god, I did? “When you were shaking with fever, your legs twisted around mine and your face buried in my neck, trying to warm your ice-cold hands and feet on me, you whispered my name over and over and you told me you loved me.”

Every part of my body flamed. Not through embarrassment. I think it was always obvious how I felt about Ronan, we just hadn’t said so much in words. I couldn’t keep my adoration from my face, especially when we made love.

“I see…”

“You are beautiful and smart, but you don’t see a thing,acushla. Rest, I’ll be back later,” he said laying a kiss to my forehead in the gentlest way we’ve probably ever kissed before, turning on his heel he headed for the door. I trailed after him like a rabbit unable to process what had just happened.

What did it all mean if he knew I was in love with him now?

“Ronan?” My poor heart clattered as he turned at the door. Eyes so blue looked on like he knew all my secrets. He was still unreadable. “When I was saying … I love you, what did you say back to me?”

Silence between us felt so heavy that I couldn’t even swallow.

“I’ll be back later,acushla.”

It was his pet name that kept me calm for the fact he’d walked out without giving me a true answer. Confusion stung my nose, but I believed him when he said I’d see him later.

I was in the middle of brushing my teeth with my mind in ten different directions when there was a knock at the door.

“Room service.” A young boy smiled on the other side.

“I haven’t ordered anything.” I never did.

The young man dressed in the hotel’s red and black uniform smiled and handed me a note.

Eat the food, acushla. You’ll need your strength for later. – R.

Damn. I melted inside.

“Did you read this note?”

The boy grinned letting me know he knew I was going to be having…from the sounds of it, really strenuous sex later.

Ronan had sent up poached eggs, lightly toasted bread and a fruit bowl. His tender gesture poured warm water through my chest and with every forkful I smiled and thought about seeing him later.

Catie:Thanks for breakfast. And I meant what I said,I do love you. The ball is in your court now, batman.

---