“So,” I say softly, and she shivers, “ye like it when I talk to ye like this, d’ye, lass?”
“I married the Irish Reaper for a reason.”
She smirks back at me, waggling her eyebrows and gasps, biting down on her lip, and moaning when I harden, still buried deep inside her, flexing my hips.
Chapter Thirty
Mellie
I’m a little nervous, waiting for Arthur, fiddling with my wedding ring. Niall notices and slides his hand along the bar, tangling his fingers with mine, lifting my hand, and pressing my fingers against his mouth.
Once he kisses them and lets them go, he strokes the nape of my neck in a comforting gesture.
“I was thinking, lass.” He gazes across the bar, tapping the fingernails of his spare hand on the wooden top. “I’d like to take ye to Ireland. Show ye where I’m from.”
“I’d like that.” I smile softly at him. “I want to see where baby Niall ran around.”
He chuckles, tipping his head to the side, rubbing his fingernail along the grain in the bar top.
“I thought maybe we’d go in May.” His eyes flicker up to mine, and I freeze, swallowing hard. “Ireland’s very pretty in May.”
Breathing deeply, I tap on the bar with my fingertips.
“Is it pretty other times of the year?” I ask quietly, knowing exactly why he’s suggesting we go in May and loving him for it.
“Sure, and it is,amhuirnín,” he replies easily, smiling over at me. “But it’s prettiest in May.”
“I think it’s a grand idea.”
I smirk at him as he laughs. I’ve decided laughing Niall is my favorite Niall. His laugh is rich and gravelly and lovely, and I’ve heard it about a handful of times.
Arthur walks in, noticing Niall’s hand on the nape of my neck and our wedding rings.
“Congratulations.” He smiles at me, sliding into the barstool next to me uneasily.
“Thanks,” I beam at him. Niall nods silently, and Arthur swallows roughly.
“Ye’re not being fired,” Niall smirks at him. Arthur sags with relief.
“Oh, thank God,” he mutters.
Seamus chooses this moment to stride in, moving behind the bar to fetch himself a drink.
“Good, you’re all here.” He nods to us, his eyes dropping to my ring.
“Congratulations.” He drops a kiss on my cheek while I blink in surprise. “You and Arthur will need to hire another bartender.” He drains his whiskey. “As Niall’s wife, you can’t work the bar anymore.”
I bristle, but Niall squeezes the nape of my neck in warning.
“We have associates here, and it’s not a good look Mellie,” Seamus continues. “Niall insisted you keep your job if that’s what you want, so we’ll be moving you to more of an administration role. You’ll be in charge of both bars, staffing, inventory, and all that. You’ll work with Arthur as your head bartender.”
He strolls off before either Arthur or I can ask any questions. Since he’s the only Irishman left, I turn to Niall accusingly, narrowing my eyes.
“Did you know about this?”
Arthur awkwardly clears his throat. “Congratulations, again. I can arrange some interviews for your replacement if you like?”
I nod. I’ll need his help with all this. I have never been in charge of abarbefore. Arthur pats my back and hurries away. I think he doesn’t want to get caught up in a possible fight between Niall and me. It’s probably smart of him.