Chapter 2
ANNE-MARIE
I smooth my hands down my dress, my heart racing as I glance at myself in the mirror.
God, why on earth did I agree to go on a date? I must be losing my damn mind, that's why.
Hayes Gallagher has been someone who caught my eye a while ago. But the man has danger written all over him. He's gorgeous. I mean the man is a walking GQ model for christ sake, he's so damn sexy it makes my head spin, not only that, but he knows it. That smile of his makes my knees weak.
Agreeing to go on a date was stupid. I should never have sat down beside him.
Doing so was foolish, but I couldn't help myself, there's a magnetic pull between us that I can't deny.
I need to keep my head, I have a path that needs to be followed, I can't allow Pretty Boy to derail me.
The cause I have is one that burns deep within me.
I'm determined to become a lawyer, I'm going to finish law school and I'm going to help those that have been wrongly accused get the justice they need.
I have to do it for Darragh. There's no other choice.
A knock at the door sends my pulse skyrocketing. He's here. Fuck. Am I ready for this?
I take a steadying breath and move toward the door, my apartment isn't huge, it's a studio apartment but it fits me perfectly.
I've made it my own, I can't afford anything bigger, not with paying for school.
Opening the door, I swallow hard. God, he really is handsome.
He wears a suit really well, it's tailored to him, his white shirt crisp underneath the black blazer.
"Hey," I say once I'm able to find my voice. "You look handsome."
His gorgeous blue eyes rake up and down my body, heating with lust as they reach my face. "Anna," he says thickly. "You look divine."
"You're a smooth talker," I say with a smile, thanking myself for putting on makeup, it'll hide the fact that my cheeks heat.
"I am, but only for you," he responds quickly. "Are you ready?"
I nod. "Just need to grab my purse. Any hint as to where we're going?"
His grin is one of cockiness and secrecy. "Trust me, Anna, you're going to love the place I have chosen."
Growing up I hated being called Anna, Darragh would do it just to piss me off. No one has called me that since him and hearing Hayes do so was a shock, but I can't lie, I love that he does.
"Okay," I say softly, reaching for my purse.
I really hope we're not going anywhere too flashy, I don't think I'd be comfortable with that.
Growing up we never had money, my dad worked hard to keep a roof over our heads while mam was a stay-at-home mam.
We didn't have much, but what we did have was hard fought for and I've learned to pinch the pennies when things get tough.
Hayes is extravagant, everything about him screams money, it's one of the very many reasons I'm hesitant to let him pursue me.
While I think we have amazing chemistry, I'm not sure if we're truly compatible.
He takes the keys from my hand and locks the door behind us, once done, he pockets my keys and reaches for my hand. I'm utterly shocked by his actions, while I should demand my keys back, I'm actually loving that he does that, it's very chivalrous.
"You had a good day, Anna?" he asks as we walk down the stairs.
"Yeah, it's busy, exams are coming up soon, so I've been studying and working."
"Where are you working?" he asks, not once letting go of my hand.
"Just at a coffee shop, I needed somewhere with flexible hours," I say without giving too much away, I have no doubt if I give him the location of my job he'd show up. "How about you? How was your day?"
He lifts a shoulder. "Same shite, different day," he responds evenly.
I sigh. "I wasn't asking about your work, Hayes, I was merely curious if you did anything good or if something happened to make your day bad. It's a conversation."
He squeezes my fingers. "Shit, I'm sorry, Anna. I'm not used to this and got defensive. Talking about my job is never going to happen."
I nod. "I know, but we can talk about our days without having to delve into our jobs if need be."
His eyes soften and I know I've said the right thing. "Thanks," he says thickly. "Today wasn't the best, I'm tight with my family but fuck can they be annoying at times. There's nothing worse than feeling ganged up on at times. But I've been looking forward to this date."
My stomach flips at his words. "Have you?"
He chuckles as he clicks the button of his key fob and his car unlocks. "Let me guess, you haven't?"
I shake my head. "I guess getting involved with someone like you isn't the smartest move. I'm not sure if it's even the right thing to do."
"I get that, but now you've taken this plunge, let's see where it gets us. We'll have dinner and go from there. No pressure whatsoever."
I narrow my eyes at his seemingly innocent tone. "Now why don't I believe that?"
He chuckles. "Smart lady," he says as he climbs into the car.
* * *
"So?" he questions as we leave the restaurant.
Tonight has been without a doubt the best night of my life. I didn't expect it to be anywhere near as good as it was. He is the perfect gentleman and talking to him was easy and I feel so comfortable around him. It's making my decision about him a hell of a lot harder.
"Better than you thought?" he asks with a grin.
I laugh. "Definitely. I'm not going to lie, I had thought you'd take me to a pretentious restaurant, one that I'd feel uncomfortable in. But bringing me here was amazing."
It's been a very long time since I had home cooked Irish food, I think the last time was when I lived at home. It was such a comfort to eat and it brought back a lot of happy memories.
"Thank you, tonight has been amazing," I duck my head as once again my cheeks heat. Something that's happened a lot this evening.
"If you're not ready to call it a night, how about we go to my place and continue talking?"
I raise my head, my heart pounding. "Talking, is that what we're calling it?"
His laughter is rich and deep. "Sure, why not." He slides his arm around my shoulder. "Anna, baby, I'm not trying to have sex with you. If that's what you'd like, fuck, I'd be more than happy, but I'd like to get to you know you, is that so hard to believe?"
Had he said it to me last night I'd have said yes, but this evening has been magical, better than I could have ever dreamt. I saw a side to him that I hadn't expected. A side that was filled with happiness and ease. He wasn't the Mafia man, but just Hayes and I really liked what I saw.
"No, it's not. Yes, I'd love to come home with you."
He hauls me close to him and smiles, once again my knees go weak from it. Holy hell this man is lethal, especially when he pulls out the big guns.
"You have a big family?" I ask. "I don't know much about it, just what I've read in the newspapers and magazines. You and your brother are a hot commodity."
He shakes his head. "Those rags are shite, they write whatever the fuck they want, half the time it's not even true, the other half, it's exaggerated.
" He gives me a wink and I swear I fall so hard for him right here.
"But I have one brother and one sister, I think I have a couple dozen cousins at this stage. The fuckers breed like rabbits."
I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing. "Really?" I say with a raised brow. "Not just pushing the whole Irish stereotype?"
He shakes his head, his lips twitching. "Trust me, it's a real thing." He glances down at me. "What about you? Hmm, what's your family like?"
"Ah, the usual. You know the overprotective family that wants the best for their kids so move to America in hopes of getting it."
It never works out that way though, especially for those families that aren't flush with money, we end up even poorer than when we left Ireland.
He stops up by the car, his strong hands slide into my hair, sending shivers down my spine. His deep, smooth voice fills my ears. "You're setting out to change that though, aren't you honey?" His gorgeous blue eyes lock onto mine, their intensity making it feel like he can see right through me.
"Hopefully," I say softly. "I want to give my children all the things I never had."
His gaze heats up and I can feel his desire emanating from him.
My eyes dart down to his lips, slightly parted and oh so tempting.
They seem closer than before and I can't tear my gaze away.
My feet are rooted to the ground, anticipation building in my belly.
I know what's about to happen and I want it with every fiber of my being. God, I want him to kiss me.
As if reading my thoughts, he leans in slowly, giving me a chance to pull away if I wanted to.
But I don't, his lips crash onto mine with a hunger that should scare me. It’s as though everything around us fades and time stands still.
I lose myself in him, in the taste of his lips and the feel of his touch.
As we finally break apart, gasping for air, I realize nothing will ever be the same again.
This man has got me hooked and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to walk away.
Glancing up at him, my chest heaving, I see his eyes they’re wild and untamed.
He’s looking at me with such hunger in his eyes.
I swallow hard, knowing that this is only the beginning for us.
I just pray it’s not the end of me.