Page 19
My brows rise. “Jealous of being mauled by a Harrington? Hardly.”
He releases Eilish and slips his hand into his pocket. His posture remains relaxed, his expression contained, yet every inch of him seems aimed at me.
I hold my glass like I might smash it and go for his jugular, because the intrusive thought has merit.
“Your brother seems to like Harringtons,” Fionn sets a hand on his sister's shoulder. “Maybe he’s evolved.”
“Keira’s basically a Tallon now, Fionn,” I counter. “You’re a betting man, aren’t ya? How about we put a wager on my brother asking her to marry him and making it official?”
Keira’s expression changes beside him, surface level shock, with an undertone of pure delight.
Fionn takes a confident step toward me and holds out his hand. “If my sister becomes a Tallon, you’ll have to become a Harrington to balance the scales.”
His open palm waits between us.
I look at it and laugh. “I wouldn’t wish that fate on any woman.”
“And I wouldn’t choose a Tallon as my bride.” He laughs. “My future’s already arranged.”
Something tightens beneath my ribs.
Not jealousy. I’d have to want him before I could be jealous, and Fionn Harrington is not a man I would choose.
He’s an enemy with an expensive tailor and an inflated ego.
The fact that I can still feel his mouth on my skin is an unfortunate failure on my part, but it doesn't mean a single thing.
“I have zero interest in your life plans.” I hold my ground, even as he darkens the space in front of me. “I’m only humoring ya out of respect for Keira.”
Fionn lifts the whiskey to his mouth and makes me wait while he drinks.
“Trying to win my approval, little wild thing?”
I make a face at him. “Little wild thing? I bite harder than I flirt, Harrington.”
His smile stays in place.
“I remember.” Fionn takes a mouthful of liquor, swallowing before he adds, “The Tallons will respect my sister while she decides where she wants to stand. If anyone struggles with that, I’ll make it very simple for them.”
Keira bumps Fionn with her shoulder. “Stop it. This conversation is over.”
Fionn glances at her. “You’re right. This isn’t the time or place. Come home soon, Keira. There are things we need to talk about.”
“That’s it,” I say. “Be a good dog and behave yourself.”
His gaze drops to my mouth. “Say dog one more time, and I’ll start thinking you want me to chase you.”
The fire snaps behind me, and my blood burns red-hot. For a fleeting second, the room smells of wet earth instead of perfume and cigar smoke.
My calves remember the drag of long grass. My clit remembers him dragging me over the length of his full, hard dick.
Eilish touches my wrist and pulls my mind back into the room. I chew the inside of my cheek and decide it’s better to just let him leave without getting into it.
“Nice meeting you, Eilish.” Fionn winks. “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
“I hope not,” I mutter, unable to help myself.
Fionn puts a safe measure of distance between us, one hand still in his pocket, the other carrying his drink.
