Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
W eddings Malcolm needs to be more careful.
However, I’m not going to chastise him for it tonight. Malcolm has a lot to learn, but he’s willing. Laughter peals from across the now-growing-empty tent.
“Fuck, even her laugh is beautiful,” I groan to myself.
I’ve kept my distance from Dean to have time to clear my head. I shouldn’t mix business with pleasure and there is a high likelihood I could if I pursue her. Besides, I’ve been busy with business.
Braxton came in for a few days before the wedding to get more information on Ernest Kline and the Albanians. Making sure Cassie’s boy doesn’t get himself into something he can’t get out of has been my priority. Lasalle is working on getting the Albanians to hand Kline over to me.
I’ll green-light Brax as soon as I get Eugene out of there. He’s been working for that asshole and the Albanians long enough. There’s a lot that couldn’t have been done without him in place.
I’m pulled from my thoughts as my ma flags me over to her table. It looks like Dean is trying to make a run for it. I wish I hadn’t had to spend the day running interference. I would have loved to have gotten her on the dance floor.
The way her top crosses over her breasts and reveals her back and midriff has made it hard to ignore her presence. However, I didn’t think today was the optimal day to sort out our shit. There is still a lot to be worked out between us, no matter how we proceed.
I stand and saunter over to where they are. I’m starting to feel that whiskey I downed with Heather. They were right, the lass can drink and handle her liquor.
I shake my head as if to clear it. I’m just on the right side of hammered. I wouldn’t mind taking Dean back to my old bedroom to spend the night fucking this off.
“Aye, here he is. Ya don’t have to head out on yer own. It’s easier to get lost between here and the house than ya think.
“Ronan, will ya please get the lass to her room safely? I’ll see ya both at breakfast, so it is,” Ma says.
I narrow my eyes at Ma as I read between her words. I had no plans to stay the night here. In order to be at breakfast, I would have to.
“Aye, I will walk ya up. Ya can get lost out there pretty easily. I don’t think we have enough sober guests to send out a search party if something should happen to ya.”
I walk around the table to where Dean is and place my hand on the small of her back. “Come, let’s go,” I breathe into her ear.
Her chest begins to heave. Before I can say another word, she starts off, trying to rush ahead of me and out of my reach. Those sexy heels aren’t a match for my long strides.
I don’t mind the view as she tries to get away. I bite my lip and groan. With the amount of whiskey I have coursing through my veins, I can’t think of any of the logical reasons for not making her mine. I want her something fierce.
“Ach, love, yer going the wrong way. Make a right to get up the hill to the house,” I chuckle.
She huffs and changes direction. I jog to finally close the gap between us. Once I catch up to her, I loosen my tie and unbutton the top three buttons of my shirt.
Guiding her in the right direction to the house, I get her up the hill before she tries to leave me behind again. I’m amused as I see her heading in the direction of my bedroom. Ma is definitely up to something.
She passes my door, headed for one of the last two rooms at the back of the hall. Before she can get too far, I reach for her wrist and halt her from moving forward. She doesn’t turn to me, so I move in to crowd her space and bend my head to lean into her ear.
“I’ve been missing ya, love. Why are ya in such a rush to get away from me?”
“You’re drunk, you’ll be over me by morning. Faster if you turn around and find yourself something safe to do,” she bites out.
“This is not drunk. My feelings for you will be the same in the morning. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
“Back off.”
“Ach, is that really what you want?” I say against her neck.
“I want you to release me and take a step back. Now.”
“As you wish, love.”
I release her wrist and take a small step back. I’m not about to force myself on her. No matter how much I want her, I know I fucked up.
“I like the accent better, by the way,” she calls over her shoulder.
A smile comes to my lips. “Aye, do you now, Danika?”
She stumbles to a stop. The air seems to be sucked out of the space around us. She turns to me eerily slow.
My smile grows from the shocked look on her face. Her mouth hangs open as she looks back at me with wide eyes. Then she takes a step back as if she’s about to run.
I’ve got her now. I can see it in her eyes. I lick my lips in anticipation.
“Aye, I said it right, didn’t I? Danika ,” I croon, making sure my accent is extra thick.