Logan, on the other hand, didn’t seem to share that idea. With his jacket on, he slid beside me and handed me my hat and coat. Bringing me back to the conversation I’d almost forgotten about, his mouth was at my ear. “That’s not true. I know that first we’re going to eat at a much quieter place I know around the corner. After that, I’m happy to take you wherever it is you work that you considered walking to because you had to get there so badly. And later I’m taking you back to your place.”
There was an edge of expectation in his voice that coming from another man might have caused me to walk away, but from him, it seemed harmlessly flirtatious.
“Lead the way,” I said, needing to escape this orgy-filled place that seemed to be affecting my libido in the strangest of ways.
Leading us through the throng of bodies and out the door, he turned and asked, “Do you know what the Irish say about green eyes?”
“That they’re always smiling?” I guessed.
He shook his head. “That they leave an invisible trail of magic surrounding everything they see.”
I laughed sarcastically. Little did he know, nothing could be farther from the truth.
LOGAN
“What’s so funny?”
She averted her gaze. “Nothing.”
Elle wore a sad smile that told me her laughter was anything but genuine. And for some insane reason, that only made me want to fuck the sadness right out of her—right where we stood.
Aside from the demons I could see in her eyes, she was sexy as hell, and even though I knew better than to be captivated by her, I couldn’t help myself. There was just something about her. And knowing she was unattached . . . That didn’t help things in the least.
With a shake of my head, I opened the door. The sky was dark, but at least the rain had let up. I looked around but didn’t see anyone. Even so, I pulled out my knit cap and tugged it over my head.
If someone spotted me with her, we were both fucked.
Paranoid?
Nope.
I knew something wasn’t right as soon as I saw her tire. Someone had slashed it. And there was no way it was a coincidence. Patrick must have already found out about her and I was pretty sure that mechanic’s shop was on his payroll. “This way.” I directed her to the right, veering down the closest alleyway.
Her big green eyes weren’t just looking at me; they were watching me, much in the same way I had been watching her since she first turned around at O’Shea’s office.
“What?” I asked.
“Where are we going?”
“To an authentic Irish pub.”
Elle eyed me suspiciously.
“What?” I found myself asking again.
“You mean that wasn’t one?”
“Ha, once upon it time it was, until Frank let his daughter take over. Molly rented the abandoned space next to the original structure and ever since has been slowly converting the place into a dance club.”
She whipped her head toward me with an excitement in her eyes that I could have eaten up. “I knew it. I could tell the moment I walked in.”
“Yep, it’s obvious, but Frank refuses to give up the pub even if the club is encroaching on his space.”
She was still facing me, and there was another glimmer in her eye.
“What?” I asked yet again, this time raising a brow.
She bit her lip. “Are you even old enough to drink?”
Surprised, I almost choked. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, I’m not.” She wasn’t about pretense. It was a welcome change. And it was such a turn-on.
Amused, I asked, “Just how old do you think I am?” I walked ahead and turned to face her. I wanted to see her expression when she answered.
She hesitated a moment before answering, “Not quite twenty-one.”
“Ahhh . . . you’re killing me.”
She smiled. “I’m totally serious.”
I kept walking backwards. “You’re a few years off. I’m twenty-seven.”
Her eyes swept over me again and then narrowed in doubt.
The alleys were empty. No one was around, and I felt myself start to loosen up. No one was going to see us. I put my hand on my heart. “I’m wounded. You don’t believe me?”
With a hint of smile she said, “No, I don’t.”
Now I found myself reaching into my back pocket and pulling out my wallet. Opening it, I handed her my driver’s license. “Here you go—definitive proof.”
She bit her lip as she studied it.
I wanted to bite it for her. I wanted to taste her lips on mine. I wanted to feel her skin and touch her hair. It wasn’t only one thing that attracted me to her; it was everything about her. The way she smelled, the sound of her voice, the way she walked, the way she made me laugh. I shouldn’t be admitting it, not even to myself.
Her grin widened. “Yes. It appears you are older than twenty-one.”
“Phew. Now I can sleep tonight knowing you believe me.”
She tried to contain a giggle with a hand over her mouth.
I stopped and she almost ran into me. “And you?” I countered, leaning inches from her lips.
She handed me my wallet and stepped back. “How old do you think I am?” she teased.
I took my time. I knew we should hurry off the street. I knew I was being stupid. But I didn’t want to rush this moment. I was enjoying it too much. “I don’t know. Come here.”