Page 24 of Wild Rush Of Love
He let her go and stepped back, but not before he made certain he secured her hand in his. “Come on. I want to see this Pat’s you’ve told me so much about.”
“It’s great. Pat Collins and his wife Sunday opened it when they moved here from Ireland. They had seven kids, who have all worked in either the pub or the restaurant at some point. Some still do. It’s a family business, and no one who comes through the doors is a stranger. Everyone is treated like family.”
Rush could hear the affection in her voice. Would be able to tell even if she hadn’t talked about the Collins family during their time together, Reena considered themherfamily. If what she’d told him was true, and why would she lie, then theywereher family. The one her great-aunt had introduced her to.
He hated to think of Reena having no one, and while the Collins clan weren’t blood related, he had no doubt they took care of her. He was looking forward to meeting them. Expected to get the third degree from some of the male members. Probably the female ones too.
Smiling, he relished the thought of proving himself worthy of her.
He’d come close to proving he was a douchebag at her house. He couldn’t go more than two steps inside because if he had, he’d have pushed her against the wall and ravaged her. She’d been so sexy in her nervousness.
She’d babbled and trembled and her gaze kept darting away from his.
There was no denying her pleasure at seeing him though. Her skin had gotten a rosy flush, her nipples had hardened beneath her shirt, and her eyes, whenever they caught his, were dilated, her breathing shallow.
She was such an open book with her emotions. Rush had watched them flicker across her face, in her eyes, and known she’d been as flustered and aroused as she’d been the night they’d been in bed together.
He didn’t doubt he could have had her on her back beneath him within seconds of closing the door, which was why hehadn’tclosed it.
He didn’t want to move fast. This thing between them had definitely lived up to his name, and he wanted—needed—to take a step back. Slow things down and build on what they’d already formed.
Fuck.
He’d buried his head in the sand.
The woman beside him wasn’t like any other he’d been with because she wasn’t the fuck-and-leave type.
She was the forever kind.
And he’d followed her home.
Chapter Twelve
Reena waved at Padraig,busy behind the bar, as she led Rush through the pub. Every bar stool and booth were taken; however there were a few empty tables at the back of the room. Weaving her way through, she reached the first empty one and slid into a seat. Rush took the chair next to her instead of across and shuffled it close before leaning toward her.
“You’re right. This place is great. I feel like I’m in an authentic Irish pub.”
She smiled, glad he liked Pat’s. She was even happier he sat so close their legs and arms brushed together. “Mr. Collins is proud of his Irish heritage. He and Sunday wanted the place to have all the characteristics of a true Irish pub. They both worked in one before they came to America.”
“I’ve been in a few Irish pubs over the years, and other than the couple I visited during my one trip to Ireland, this is the best one I’ve come across.”
Pride flooded her. She might not be a Collins and this might not be her place but she felt a connection to it and she was delighted Pat’s impressed Rush.
“Hey. I thought you’d gone home.” Caitlyn materialized beside her, a huge smile on her face. “And who’s this?”
“I thoughtyouwent home too,” Reena said.
“Nope. Mom needed a hand next door and she volunteered me.”
“Oh. It’s still busy? Do they need me to work?” Reena tried to look through the opening into Sunday’s but from this table, the angle wasn’t right, and she couldn’t see more than a couple of tables. All of them full. “I could do another shift if necessary.”
“Nah. It was just some prep work. They’ve got it under control.” Caitlyn nudged her with an elbow. “And don’t think I didn’t notice you avoided my question.” Her friend held out her hand and leaned across the table. “Hi. I’m Caitlyn Wallace.”
“Rush.” He pushed to his feet and shook Caitlyn’s hand. “Rush Whelan.”
“Well, well, Mr. Whelan, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Caitlyn’s smile and knowing glance had Reena stumbling to divert what would certainly be an inquisition. “We’re here for dinner. Any chance we’ll get a table next door?”
