AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The question pulls my lingering gaze off Saoirse, directing my attention toward Beibhinn. My eyes drag over her body from head to toe. She’s nothing like the girl I crave. Tall, slender, white-blonde hair that freely flows down her back in thick waves. Finally, my aggravated glare focuses on her silvery eyes. “I don’t dance.”
“That may be so.” She shrugs. “But she” — she tips her head towards my fixation — “does.”
She holds her hand out, waiting for me to take it. Sliding my thumb along my bottom lip, I mull the decision over, before finally taking her hand in mine and leading her out onto the dancefloor. The band begins to play a cover of “Heart of Darkness”bySam Tinnesz and Tommee Profitt as I draw Beibhinn closer to my chest. Placing one hand on her back, between her shoulder blades, while the other takes her hand, I step forward, forcing her back as we waltz around the dancefloor alongside the other members.
Tilting her head slightly, she hits me with a sly smile. “I thought Rohan King doesn’t dance.”
Effortlessly guiding her around the polished floor, I counter, “I said I don’t dance. Not that I couldn’t.”
Her eyes roll at my reply, but she remains silent, scanning my face as I glare over her shoulder, keeping my eyes trained on Saoirse as Liam leads her around the floor with his hand settled on her bare back.
“It’s not like you to let someone take something you want.”
“Who said I wanted anybody?”
A small laugh bubbles past her lips. “A dress worth twenty grand screams everything, Rohan. Sure, money has never been an issue for any of us, but a man would never drop that kinda money for a taste of anobody’spussy.”
From the corner of my eye, I catch her gaze. “So eloquent, as always.”
“Cut the crap, King. You want her, admit it.”
“I’m just doing what my father asked us to, Beibhinn.”
“Is that why your eyes haven’t left her since she stepped foot into this place?” Trust Beibhinn to call me out on my bullshit. It’s the type of girl she is. She and her cousin, Aodhán, are more alike than either of them would care to admit.
Taking my eyes off Saoirse, I glance down at Beibhinn, surprised by the teasing quip of her lips. “Believe what you will, B. The only thing I want is the keys to this kingdom.”
“So, you do want her.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“Semantics.”
Not liking how close to my truth she’s getting, I steer our conversation in a different direction. “One would think you wanted your brother to lose, Beibhinn.”
“Has it ever occurred to you…maybe I wantherto win?”
Feeling the heat of an onlooker’s eyes boring a hole in the side of my face, I sidestep, spinning us both in place, and peer over Beibhinn’s shoulder.
Suddenly, Saoirse’s wide pools of honey hold every ounce of my attention. We’re locked on each other. Not so much as a blink could interfere. With every step I take, her eyes follow. The intensity of our stare-off claws through my exterior, pumping the blood in my veins, making my palms itch to reach for her.
With Beibhinn still in my arms, I follow Liam’s footsteps, never freeing Saoirse from my potent glare. Each step quickens the thumping thud in my chest. When I can’t stand it any longer, I drop my hands from Beibhinn’s grasp and stalk towards Saoirse with intent. “Fuck it.”
I’m done watching from the sidelines.
Making my way over, I cut in. “How about that dance you owe me, love?”
Her chest rises as she draws in a breath, but once again, those eyes linger on mine as she nods. Liam clamps down on his jaw, unimpressed by my intrusion.
“Are you sure, free bird?” His little term of endearment pisses me off, but I am wise enough to know that picking a fight with him won’t get me what I want.
With one last flick of her eyes, she tosses a concerned look at Liam. Then, placing her hand on his chest, she assures him. “One dance. Why don’t you go get some drinks and I’ll meet you at the bar in a few minutes.”
I’d be lying if I said her words didn’t sting, but I don’t protest them either, unwilling to forfeit the dance she’s granting me. So, instead, I graciously bow, holding my hand out to Saoirse, the picture of the perfect gentleman.
Finally, she places her palm in mine, and Liam bites down on his lip as I draw her into my chest, not leaving a sliver of space between us.
As I shoot him anI winlook over Saoirse’s shoulder Liam grinds down on his teeth before striding off.
