Page 56 of Fifth Avenue Fling

“See?” She blows out a breath. “You can’t blame me for that. In fact, I’m the victim in all of this.” The glass comes to her lips again, and the sip is much larger this time.

Her robe is falling loose. Under it, she’s still wearing the flimsy top. In another life, I would have stepped closer to her,gentlypushingthe robe off hershouldersto reveal hersmoothskin.I’dstartather neck,slowlytravelingdown to her breasts where my tongue would caresseach one until shebeggedme to fuck her. Dammit. I’m gettinghardjust thinking about it.

“Are you trying to tug on my heartstrings?” I ask, my voice full of gravel.

“Yes.” Her eyes hold mine as I take a long gulp from my glass. “Is it working?”

“No.” But I can’t helpthehintof asmirk. “Resilient little thing, aren’t you? Youreallygave it to him with those flowers. I almost didn’thave tostep in.”

She laughs, the tension leavingher shoulders. “I’vehadalotofpracticegrowing up withthree crazy brothers. I get that you’re concerned about Teagan, but Liam won’t be setting foot near here again. I swear I’ll kill him myself if I have to.”

“One,” I begin slowly, my fingers curling around the tumbler. “I know your friend won’t be back, I guarantee it. Two, he is zero threat to my daughter’s welfare. And three, tonight, you gave me reason to be concerned aboutyourwelfare.”

She looks surprised. “You don’t have to be, but that’s very kind.”

“It’s not kind. I have a duty as an employer. When my staff is kidnapped from my house, it’s my business.”

Her face falls. “Okay. Well… thank you anyway for coming to my rescue. You didn’t have to.”

“It shouldn’t have been me.” I sigh. “Aninquirywill belaunchedto determine why the team was so slow to respond.”

“What?” Her eyes grow wide in horror. “Don’t fire anyone because of me!”

“It won’t be over you. They know their scope.”

“Well, I think they were quick. I swear they just appeared out of thin air.”

Mymouthtwitchesslightly in amusement. “The security systemdetected unusual activity and alerted them.”

“I guess a drunken Irish man howling is a bit unusual on Fifth Avenue.” Sheshiftsuncomfortably, looking contrite. “I almost feel sorry for Liam. He wasn’t expecting an army of bodyguards.”

“Then he’s a fool. I’m the thirteenth wealthiestman in the States. Of course I have security.”

“But it seems so safe in this part of New York.” Her brow furrows in confusion. “I didn’t think you’d need such heavy security.”

“Nowhere is safe. New York isn’t a fairy tale.” Harlow was like Clodagh—she believed the world was full of good people and didn’t understand why anyone would need protection. My chest tightens at the thought of something happening to Clodagh under my watch.

Not like that Irish idiot. Arealthreat.

I swallow another sip of the whisky, studying her. “So that’s the type of guy you’re interested in?”

She looks affronted. “Now I feel the need to defend my taste in men. He’s not always such a dumbass.” She pauses, rimming her fingers over the glass. “He was sweet in the beginning. He just turned a bit territorial after we…”

My brows rise. “I just stopped a guy from kidnapping you and carrying you down the street like a sack of potatoes in the middle of the night. I don’t think you’re in a position to defend your taste in men.”

She scowls. “I’d prefer not to be compared to a sack of potatoes, thanks very much. Was that supposed to be a racist joke? Believe me, I’ve heard all the potato jokes out there about the Irish.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “The Irish aren’t a race, Clodagh.”

“I do fit the stereotype, though,” she says, grinning. “I love potatoes. They should be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s nothing better than butter flowing over all that creamy, fluffy heaven melting into your mouth. Everything else on the plate is just a side accessory.” She actually licks her lips.

Jesus Christ, she makeseatingpotatoessound erotic.

“There’s not enough potatoes in your menu options.”

“You can add some.”

She gasps, feigning shock. “I’m allowed to makeamendmentsto the manual?”

---