Clodagh
“I’ll need you around this evening,” Killian informs me as he saunters into the kitchen shirtless. “I hope you haven’t forgotten.”
“Nope. I haven’t.”
Have you forgotten how you kissed me last night? my eyes scream at him. Can you tell me what’s happening between us?
My body still throbs with the memory of his kiss last night. After we left the restaurant, he went to the concert, so I haven’t seen him since. Now he’s standing in the kitchen displaying his broad shoulders and bare chest and those abs that make my vagina flutter.
My gaze follows the treasure trail of dark hair disappearing into his running shorts. Treasure I’m unlikely to see again.
This isn’t playing fair at all.
I hand him his smoothie. “Did you have fun at the concert?”
He scowls at me. There’s a pattern here. After every scorching-hot spell with Killian, temperatures plunge to sub-zero and arctic conditions.
“Sixty thousand screaming teenage girls and their horny moms aren’t my thing, so no.”
I smile for both of us. “Did Teagan have a good time? What did she think of Cayden?”
He sighs, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “Teagan was the worst of the screaming teenagers. My ears are still ringing.” He takes a large gulp of the smoothie as if he’s dehydrated. “Apparently, meeting the little pop star runt was the highlight of her life. I’m sure she’ll tell you about it, so I won’t spoil the surprise.”
“I can’t wait.” I groan. “Your mum is fun. She’s down to earth for having birthed billionaires.”
“She liked you a lot, too.”
Oh. This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I clock the dark circles under his eyes. “You look exhausted. Just one day, I expect you to sleep in. I’ll get the coffee ready.”
He slides onto a barstool. “My body won’t let me. I’m programmed to wake up at five.”
“And the manual can’t be overridden.”
Silence.
My little joke bombs.
He ignores me. “After breakfast, take the day off. Don’t worry about any tasks since you’re working tonight.”
“Thanks.” I beam. “Awesome.”
“Why are you so cheery?” he asks gruffly, as if it’s a crime.
Our gazes connect, and his eyebrows furrow as he realizes the truth as to why I’m so chirpy this morning.
“No reason,” I say as I flick the switch to start the coffee machine.
“Catering will arrive at seven with the food. I need you to be around to let them in. They’ve been here before, so they know their way around the kitchen. Be around the kitchen if they need anything. At dinner, I need you to keep people’s drinks topped off. Oh, and Teagan’s staying with Mom.”
“Sure,” I say as I set his coffee in front of him.
I get a once-over from him before he opens up his laptop. “The mayor will be here, along with a few important council members and my business partners. The mayor’s an old-fashioned kind of guy. Can you dress accordingly, please?”
My jaw drops open at the arrogance of it. “Do I not usually dress accordingly?”
“Not in that T-shirt, no.”
“I do have some knowledge of social etiquette, you know,” I huff, folding my arms across the bunny. “I didn’t wear my bunny T-shirt to dinner last night, did I?”
“You didn’t wear any underwear either.”
“I had it on,” I grumble. “I just took it off because… never mind, alright. I’ll wear something appropriate for the mayor. So what’s dinner for? Why isn’t it taking place in one of your hotels?”
“I didn’t realize I needed permission to have dinner in my own house,” he mutters, eyes glued to the laptop. “It’s business. We’re having some technical issues with the new casino build in Brooklyn. It’s best that we discuss them in private.” He glances up. “Remember your NDA. Anything you overhear tonight is confidential.”
“Don’t you trust me yet, Killian? Killy?” I add playfully, because this morning, I can’t help myself.
The expression on his face is almost one of disappointment. “We’ve known each other for a few weeks, Clodagh. You shouldn’t trust someone in that space of time. And I told you if I heard that ridiculous nickname again, you’d be out of a job.”
“Fine.” My eyes narrow. But you know me well enough to stick your cock in me. “I remember my NDA, sir.”
He drains his cup of coffee and slams his laptop shut with a frustrated sigh. “And stop running at the automatic doors to test them.”
Shit. I cringe. Okay, so maybe I’ve done that once or twice.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.” I bristle. “Are you spying on me?”
“No,” he says as he stands up. “The security system detected unusual activity in the lounge area.”
“Did they detect any other unusual activity over the past few weeks?” I ask with a hint of sarcasm.
His eyes meet mine in a warning. So it’s okay for him to talk about what happened between us, but not me.
Without another word, he strides out.
***
“Want to grab a coffee?” Sam asks as we stroll lazily through Central Park. After a sun-soaked yoga session, I’m in a very chilled-out mood. Maybe it’s because Sam is the opposite of Killian; he’s friendly, charming, and allows my pulse to remain at a healthy rate.
“I can’t,” I moan. “I have to go shopping. Killian wants me to look presentable tonight to serve drinks at his fancy dinner.” I roll my eyes in disgust. “The way he looked at me this morning, you’d think I walked around with butt cleavage or something.”
“Butt what?”