First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

Despite the slight hint of dark shadows beneath her eyes, Lexi looked radiant in a pair of simple slacks and a soft tan blouse that made her eyes sparkle. Part of her hair was secured behind her with a clip, allowing some of the many-colored streaks to show through, like ribbons of silken flames. Even casually dressed as she was, she threatened to take his breath away.

“Good morning,” Ian said quietly as he sat at the massive, scarred table feet propped up on a chair, the morning newspaper spread out in front of him. If asked, he wouldn’t have been able to recall a single story or column, though he’d been staring at the same page for hours.

Kieran’s arm went protectively around Lexi as he narrowed his eyes Ian’s way. Ian could understand his suspicion; he was not typically an early riser. Then Kieran’s expression eased a little, and Ian guessed that Kieran was putting the pieces together (incorrectly). Kieran probably assumed that after escorting Kayla from the bar, Ian had spent the night with her and had only just returned to the Pub himself.

The thought that Lexi might be coming to the same conclusion clawed at his gut, but it was neither the time nor the place to set them straight.

“Good morning,” Lexi responded, her voice calm and polite, which chafed. There was nothing to indicate that it was anything more than a pleasant, mannerly greeting. The natural musical lilt of her voice might just as well have been directed toward the man at the counter in Dunkin Donuts or the woman vacuuming the hallways at her hotel. Her facial expression was devoid of anything more than mild interest. Other than looking a bit tired, she was as beautiful and fresh and distant as ever.

“Would you like some coffee?” Ian asked, waving his hand toward the fresh pot he’d just brewed. His question might have been directed at both of them, but his eyes didn’t stray from Lexi.

“Had some,” Kieran answered brusquely.

“Actually,” said Lexi, turning to Kieran, “I think I could use another cup.” Her head inclined toward Ian, though her hand rested lightly on Kieran’s arm. Ian recognized it for what it was – a comforting gesture intended to calm his over-protective little brother (since Kieran was approximately the size of a rather large bear, the term “little” referred only to the fact that he was the youngest of the brothers).

“It’s full octane, right?”

Ian grinned. “It is.”

Kieran scowled at Ian over Lexi’s head as she moved toward the machine, a warning, clear and simple. Mess with her, it said, and there will be consequences.

Ian kept his face carefully neutral; raising Kieran’s hackles would only complicate things at this point, and things were already quite complicated enough.

“I’ll stay with you till Dad comes down.” Kieran spoke quietly, but loud enough for Ian to hear.

Lexi smiled at Kieran. It was filled with so much affection that Ian felt a pang of jealousy. He wanted her to look at him like that. When she wasn’t screaming his name in climax, that was.

“It’s alright, Kier. I’ll be fine. “I’ve already made you late.”

Kieran clearly had his doubts about leaving her alone with him, but with a few more soothing words from Lexi, he reluctantly headed upstairs. Ian didn’t miss the second warning look – this one even more pronounced - that Kieran flashed his way.

“Care to sit down?” Ian asked casually, keeping a tight lid on the turbulence he felt within. Damn, it was hard to sit there, pretending to be polite strangers, when all he wanted to do was crush her in his arms, carry her upstairs, and spend the rest of the day picking up where they had left off in her hotel room.

“Thanks.”

Ian made room for her and she sat down across from him. She sipped at her coffee, both hands clutching the mug. Her eyes were focused on the coffee, but Ian’s were on her. It was awhile before either of them spoke.

“You knew, didn’t you?” Ian asked, his voice so quiet someone a few feet away wouldn’t have heard, even in the silence of the closed pub.

Lexi exhaled without looking up, her shoulders slumped slightly as if she had been expecting the question. “Who you were? Of course I did.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

She didn’t answer right away, taking a sip of her coffee and swirling the liquid inside the mug, looking into it as if it was a crystal ball that held all of the answers. “If I had told you who I was, would you have come back to my room?”

“Hell, no!” he said emphatically, running his hand through his hair.

She smiled into her mug, a sad smile. “Exactly.”

He hadn’t expected that. “Why, Lexi?” His voice had reduced to a whisper.

Her finger wiped slowly at the little drip of coffee running just below the rim. “I guess I needed to know.”

“Needed to know what?”