“I didn’t think you were even close to wanting a serious relationship, Pat.” James wasn’t joking. Their schoolmate honestly looked surprised.
“I’m not,” Patrick answered quickly, perhaps too fast. “I admit I like River. Hell, I think all the sisters are great, but I have no intention of dating a woman who would expect... commitment.” He managed to make commitment sound like a dirty word.
Bran and their dad didn’t say anything. Patrick might be telling the truth. As he believed it anyway. Pat wasn’t wrong either. A man would have to be an idiot to think any of the Byrne sisters were casual dates. Bran knew this. He didn’t care. There was no stopping now. He didn’t want to stop it. Waiting untilWednesday would be a trial. Thankfully, Eufaula was close to Muskogee and Tulsa.
Dermot Kennedy’sWhat Have I Donestarted playing. Bran didn’t need to ask himself that question. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Ravenand her sisters had already showered and put their pajamas on. Old, oversized t-shirts and boyshort panties, lingerie was staying tightly packed away for this trip. Raven was marginally embarrassed at herself for packing it in the first place. Did she think she might traipse around the O’Faolain property in silk and high heels? Not even on a dare.
They were busy going over the day, the amazing food, the drinks, the men... when a knock sounded.
All three sisters froze, staring at one another. River shoved her off the edge of the bed. “Geez, Rave. Answer it.”
“Why me?!”
“Chances are high it’s for you, dumbass.” Rowan’s smile got her moving.
Cracking the door open, the glow of the hallway lights highlighted the white hair of the eldest O’Faolain brother. “Bran.” Did that sound as ridiculous to him as it did to her?
He took in her damp hair trailing down her front and said, “Sorry to bother you. I can see you’re ready for bed and getting up early. I... would you mind stepping out here for a minute?”
Glancing back at the bed hidden by the half-opened door to see her sisters up on their knees, making shooing motions to get out, Raven answered, “Of course.” Of course... worse andworser. She slipped into the hall, cringing at her getup, and faced Bran.
“I won’t see you until Wednesday.”
“Yes,” Raven breathed out. Bran ran his hand through his hair. Was he nervous? Annoyed? When he suddenly moved toward her, Raven took a step back, her back now plastered to the wall next to the closed door. He stepped closer still, his hands very slowly, very gently, coming to rest on the sides of her arms. He looked... like he was on a mission. As long as it included... her.
“Today was one of the best days I can remember having.”
“We thought so too. Thank you so much again for including us.” Raven internally cringed at including her sisters. Shethought so too. Thank you for includingme.Is what she should have said.
“Will you call me tomorrow once you’re home?”
“Yes.” Internal wince. Think before speaking. Recall a smidge of IQ.
Books made flirting seem so damn easy!
“Would you let me kiss you goodnight?”
Unexpected. Thrilling.Exactlywhat she wanted. Anything to keep her from speaking out loud.
“Yes.” 911.
He started to slowly bend to her level.
“You’re short.”
“Yes.” Fucking kill me. “I meant to say... I am.” She might need medication. Or a brain transplant. Instead of trying more conversational gambits, thank you, little, tiny baby Jesus, he solved the height differential by sweeping his arms around her back, palming her ass, and lifting her up. Her legs automatically wrapped around his waist, and between his arms and the wall’s support, Raven was precisely where they both wanted her.
Bran groaned as his hands flexed for a moment on her panty-clad behind before pressing her more firmly against the wall. Hisbroad palms swept her sides to her neck, cupping one side of her face and bringing his mouth just shy of touching her own.
Bran feathered kisses over her jaw, her surprisingly sensitive ears, her eyes. Finally, the side of her mouth.
They were both panting at this point, sharing each other’s warm breath. His smelled of smoke and peat, whiskey. Hers smelled of toothpaste— cringe, but once his lips were finally pressed to hers, all thoughts of Crest were forgotten.
“Raven... you are driving me insane. I feel like we’ve known each other forever. Like I don’t want to let you leave.”
Do not say it, Raven. Do not. “Yes, exactly.” Cyanide in her tea, perhaps?
