“I’m Cormack Delaney. I own this pub, Gloria.”
“Hello, Cormack. Still, I’m not going to just let you take me to my hotel. I don’t know you, and businessmen in suits definitely don’t make you saints.” She’s got me on that one because I’d never be forgiven for the souls I’ve taken.
“Do you really know anyone in Dublin?” She scowls, giving me a huff and crossing her arms.
“No, but that doesn’t mean…” I press my hand to her lips, stopping whatever useless reply she was going to toss my way.
“It means you need protection. Before you even dare argue with me, I’m extremely familiar with this area and you’ve already been pickpocketed. Now come sit with me and I’ll order us some dinner, so I can convince you to marry me.” A few gasps can be heard around us since I’m certain all eyes are on us and the fact that I’m actually pursuing a woman.
She hops off the stool with an attitude. “Fine, but I’m not going to sleep with you.”
“Not tonight,” I breathe against the shell of her ear.
“Are you always this insistent?” She loses a bit of that fire as a shiver of pleasure passes through her body.
“Only when I want something enough.” And I’ve never wanted anything more in the world than I want Gloria.
“Okay.” I take her hand in mine, pretending to be leading her to the seat like a gentleman, but I’m selfishly stealing my first touch while letting everyone around see that she’s taken. By tomorrow morning not a soul in Dublin would have missed the news that Cormack Delaney is off the market. A bit of dread fills me as I consider the threat she could face with that information.
“So what are you doing in Dublin, Gloria?”
“It was supposed to be a weekend trip with the girls I was staying with, but they played me, ditching me here before heading right back to London.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Luckily, my father made sure I had everything I needed, although he won’t be pleased when he finds out I ditched my security.” Security? So her daddy has money.
“Baby, how much have you had to drink?”
“About two drinks. I think.” She hiccups, and I’m guessing she’s a lightweight when it comes to drinking.
“Well, you need some food in you. Are you sure they ditched you?”
“They sent me a message from London Underground an hour ago, giggling about how I need to stop being so trusting. I thought people overseas were nicer than us Americans, but everyone here’s been straight up assholes.” She blushes when she realizes that she’s just called me that. “Well, I don’t mean you. You’re bossy, but you haven’t been mean to me.”
“And I never will,” I promise, bringing her hand to my lips, kissing the back of her soft, small palm.
“You want to get into my panties, don’t you?”
“Eventually. For now, I want you to tell me why your father let you go so far. I’d never let our daughters travel halfway across the world without me.”
“Well, I’m already eighteen and well, I’m supposed to take time off before going to college.”
“College? And where did you plan on doing that?” Online is the best answer, but I have a chance to coax her onto that path. The thought of her around a bunch of young college pricks would send me into a fucking daily killing spree until she was only left with female classmates and teachers. It’s a bit overdramatic but that’s the image that floods my brain.
“I hadn’t planned on anything at this point. It’s kind of why I asked to come abroad because I haven’t the faintest idea of what I want to be.”
“Well, you have time to be anything you want, except for being my wife. I’ll give you a day to come to that realization.”
“I’m supposed to just accept that?” My impulse is to bite that tongue and bottom lip of hers, tasting all that damn attitude before I fuck it out of her, but I hold back.
“Yes, my sweet Gloria. I’m not a man who changes his mind or makes rash decisions, but the second I spotted you across the room, I knew you’d be mine.”
“So what else do you own, Mr. Delaney? From the Ravazzolo tailor made suit with a Rolex that isn’t a knockoff, I’m guessing the bar business isn’t your only capital gain.” She must not be as drunk as she’s playing at.
“A smart woman, am I being played here?”
“Hardly. My father’s wealthy, and my mom picks out all his suits. I can tell a Ravazzolo easily. It’s my favorite even though my father prefers Hugo Boss.” That’s great to know she’ll prefer my suits.
“I don’t pretend to understand women’s fashion, but you look sexy in those jeans and loose top that lazily hangs over your shoulder.”