Page 36 of Shamrocked
Glaring at me, he stepped closer and clamped his hand over mine. The other guys quieted a bit, automatically stepping back so Doran saw him beside me.
Tugging a black T-shirt down over his chest, Doran looked first at me, an eyebrow arched. “What do you think, love? Am I acceptable?”
My eyes blurred with tears, but I quirked my lips and gave him a hopefully sultry look. “You were perfectly acceptable as the gargoyle, but honestly…” I paused, and deliberately let my gaze trail down his body. He’d settled on tight, black jeans and the plain T-shirt, which hugged every muscle and bulge to perfection. “I much preferred you naked.”
The other three guys roared with laughter, but Aidan didn’t even crack a smile as Doran stepped closer. He cupped my chin and bent down to murmur against my lips. “That can be arranged, love. As soon as we’re somewhere safe.” Then he straightened and leveled a dark look on Aidan. “I told her I was going to kill you.”
Aidan’s eyes flared and he swallowed hard, but to his credit, he didn’t step away or back down. In fact, he nodded and took a deep breath. “Aye, I figured as much.”
Doran took a step closer to him and dropped a heavy hand on his shoulder, sliding his big palm up to the back of Aidan’s neck. While Aidan stood there, grim-faced and braced for a killing blow.
Squeezing him hard enough that Aidan bared his teeth, Doran leaned down with an equally fierce glare. “Ye bleedin’ shite.” Then he dragged him tight in a vicious hug. “The next time she fucking asks you to do something, I don’t care what it is, I expect you to help so she’s not forced to steal your wheels to get you to act.”
Aidan pounded him on the back, his voice muffled and hoarse. “I’m sorry.”
Those two words echoed between them. Aidan meant it a thousand times over, for everything from the curse, his betrayal, the pain and torture of their deaths since, and finally, his refusal to help me when I’d asked. And Doran knew it, without demanding a complete explanation. That was enough. For him, and for me.
He scooped me up and gave me a toss in the air, making me let out an embarrassing gasp. I told myself it was a gasp, not a screech. Or worse, a squeal.
“Pointy Ears, take us home.”
20
Home to Warwick meantShamrocked. I sat at the bar once more, in my seat, but the bar was crowded with my men.
The bikers had stayed behind to make a more leisurely trip home, and I wasn’t surprised at all when Vivi stayed with Hammer. The way he went roaring off into the sunset with her arms clutched around his waist, her red hair whipping behind them, told me I might not see my best friend for quite some time. I hoped she had a grand time, and I couldn’t wait to be her bridesmaid.
Warwick set a frosty pint in front of me and then bent down, elbow on the bar, chin in hand, a smile flickering on his lips as I drained the whole thing. “I swear, you have the best Guinness in the world.”
Doran sat on my left, his right hand jammed into the waistband of my jeans against my lower back. Enough to be possessive—but not crude. At least not yet. He slammed back a shot of whiskey with the other three guys and roared, “Another round, Pointy Ears.”
Warwick arched a brow at him, but grabbed the bottle of amber liquid and poured each of them another round. “Considering I was the one who made it possible for you to connect with Riann through the statue, I suggest you remember my proper name.”
“Or…?”
Warwick winked at me and gave a casual toss of his head that sent his black hair shimmering down his back. His hair reached his buttocks now. Every time I looked at him, I swore his hair was longer. “Or the next time you ask for clothes, maybe I’ll tie a bright red bow around your dick and forget the rest.”
“Speaking of dicks—” Keane began.
“Shut your fucking mouth,” Aidan broke in.
But Keane refused to drop it. “She’s grabbed Aidan’s twice now, but she made me and Warwick come already.”
“Is that so?” Doran turned enough to give me a heavy-lidded look that made me stammer.
“Only kissing, as I promised. Except I did grab Aidan’s junk. He was being… difficult.”
“Was he now,” Doran said in that low grumble that made my insides quiver. “I hope you gave him a good hard squeeze then.”
I gulped and Aidan laughed. “Aye, she did. Though somehow, I never did learn whatever lesson she was trying to give me. I guess I’m too hard-headed. She’ll likely have to grab me again, many times.”
Doran seized the waistband of my jeans and lifted me up onto the bar in front of him. This time, I did squawk. I couldn’t help it.
“I’m going to need this lesson, too, but first, I feel the need to show you how much we treasure you. All of us. Aye, lads?”
“Aye,” the rest of them said in unison.
I had no idea what that meant, but the fire burning in Doran’s eyes told me it was going to be good. Very good indeed.
