Amanda Heartley
© 2018 Cheeky Books Ltd
Copyright and Disclaimer
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination and have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 Cheeky Books Ltd
Copyright © 2018 Amanda Heartley
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of the trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Contents
Copyright and Disclaimer
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Don't Miss Irish Affair!
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
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More from Amanda!
About the Author
Acknowledgements
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More from Amanda!
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Irresistible SEAL - A Military Romance
The overseas tours have taken their toll on Luke Carter and he dreams of life outside the military. Love, romance, his own space—maybe even a family he can call his own.
Fueled Obsession - A Bad Boy Romance
A bad boy with a need for speed... A good girl with a heart of gold.
Together, it’s the ride of a lifetime!
Oceans Apart - A British Billionaire Romance
He’s in London... She’s in L.A.
How do you hold on to love when you’re 5,000 miles apart?
Southern Heat - An Erotic Romance
A wild ride of lust, betrayal, white-hot passion and, ultimately, true love in this sizzling romance set in the Deep South.
Did you read Irish Affair yet?
Although you can read Irish Love as a standalone, your reading experience is going to be a whole lot better if you familiarize yourself with the hot and sexy characters from Book 1 of the trilogy first!
Currently, it’s only available as part of a multi-author, Irish-themed box set titled, Tempting Luck, and you can get it on Amazon. Just tap the link or the image!
Tempting Luck
Chapter One
Ben
So, this is what three million record sales and ten weeks in the top ten gets you.
I walk through the sprawling eight-bedroom mansion overlooking the stunning Los Angeles skyline and let out a low whistle. I have to hand it to him; this house is stunning—light, bright and spacious. I’m amazed every time I come here. I thought my place was a decent size, but it makes my inner-city apartment look tiny in comparison. In fact, I’m sure the whole thing would fit inside his lounge with room to spare. As much as I’d love to say it’s Rory’s music that’s earned him all this, I can’t stop myself from thinking at least part of his success is obviously the result of my awesome management skills since we’ve been working together.
Things are going very well for me, and demand for my services has skyrocketed since I took on Rory’s U.S. commitments. As well as him, I now represent three other international stars, and a handful of young, rising talent. I honestly love my job and I couldn’t even imagine doing anything else.
I spot Rory in front of the BBQ with a pair of tongs in his hand. He looks up and waves me over. I wander through the crowd, chatting randomly to people who I don't really know very well as I make my way over to Rory. I don’t enjoy these kinds of situations very much. Believe it or not, I prefer my own company over the company of strangers every single time. I act like I love this kind of thing because that's what people expect from me. It’s what Rory expects.
My best friend, Rory is my go-to guy for just about everything, which often rubs Amelia the wrong way. Okay, so maybe I get the guy into the odd bit of trouble, like last month when we were stopped by the police for me hanging my ass out of his car window as he drove down the street. How was I to know that the car I mooned had a plain clothes cop driving it? It was only the fact that both the officer and his wife loved Rory’s music that got us out of that mess.
“I was wondering when you were gonna get here,” Rory says when I reach him. “Thanks for helping me set up, by the way.”
“Yeah, about that,” I begin, making a face. “It's a long story.”
I fully intended to help, until something came up—something being identical twin sisters from Norway who ended up in my bed. Let me tell you, that was a marathon. Lucky for me, Rory was understanding. He always was.
“It's always a long story with you.” He shakes his head and laughs. There’s no sign of anger or annoyance at all. It’s almost like he was expecting something like this to happen.
“That may be true,” I murmur. “But twins, man.”
“Do I even want to know?” he grins.
“Yeah, probably not,” I admit with a smirk. “So, how many of these people do you actually know?” I ask, looking around.
“Honestly, about six?” he says with a shrug. “Most of them are Meels’ family and friends.” He makes a face. “You know me. I’d have been just as happy with a few close friends and some good music.”
“Good music being yours,” I tease. He laughs and goes back to flipping his burgers. “So, how does it feel to be in your new place?” I add. “Though it’s a little on the cramped side. Couldn’t you get anything bigger?”
“It's pretty great, huh?” he says with a grin.
He looks around and shakes his head, like he can’t believe it’s his. I don’t blame him for feeling overwhelmed, considering he’d been living in a small apartment he’d rented with Amelia for the last four months. He could easily have afforded to stay in a hotel, but he’s just not that kind of guy, and I admire him for it.
“I suppose you’ll need all those spare rooms to hold your Grammy’s and shit,” I tease.
He laughs. “No, but I am already thinking about installing a recording studio. I’m sure Meels won’t mind since I won’t have to travel so much.” He shakes his head and laughs. “Man, this is so much more than I ever dreamed of,” he admits. “Me, just a country boy from Ireland. I never thought I’d get to the point in my life where I could afford something like this.”
“And, you can thank your tour manager for all of it,” I say, smiling and patting him on the back. He looks at me and raises his eyebrows. I shrug. “I’m just saying, keep i
n the back of your mind that whatever great thing happens in your life, it’s probably because of me,” I say. “You owe me. I made you. It's that simple really.” I look over by the pool at two girls dangling their feet in the water while Rory chuckles at my ballsy banter. “And you can start paying me back by introducing me to those two beauties over there.”
“You do realize, Mr. High and Mighty, that technically my manager is still back in Ireland?” he points out, ignoring my request.
“Minor detail,” I say to him. “Speaking of minor, how’s your sister?”
“My sister is twenty-one,” he says with a growl. “And out of bounds.”
I smirk. “Even better.”
He shakes his head, amazed. “Do you ever stop?”
“For your sake, you better hope I get it out of my system before tomorrow. What time does your sister’s flight get in again?” I joke, winking at him.
His smile disappears, and he narrows his eyes at me.
“No, don't even joke about that,” he says.
“What?” I say, protesting my innocence. “I merely pointed out that I'm going to be on my best behavior. Isn’t that what you want? I mean, if you don't want me to behave, I can definitely manage that too.” He shakes his head and releases a loud sigh, just as Amelia wanders over to us.
He wraps his arm around her and kisses her softly on the forehead, while she glances at us curiously. I smile, because although I'm not the mushy type, watching those two together does always manage to bring out the sap in me.
“So,” I say, glancing back at the oversized house. “Eight rooms, huh? Shall we discuss when I’m moving in and who I have to sleep with to get the master bedroom?”
“Yeah, unlikely on both counts,” Rory winces. “I'm not sure Amelia actually likes you that much.” He laughs as she whacks him on the arm, her eyes widening.
“Excuse me,” she gasps, shooting Rory daggers. “I love Ben.”
Rory glances at her, amused. “Really? Because that’s not what you were saying last night.”
Amelia’s face goes bright red. “All I said was keep him away from my friends,” she says, shrugging. “Come on. Even he knows he’s a manwhore. And if we’re on the subject, shall we talk about Siobhan?” she asks sweetly.
“Let’s not,” Rory growls.
“So, they’re your friends?” I ask, glancing back over to the girls sitting by the pool. “Because I'm more than happy to assist if they need entertaining.”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t even bother. You’ve met—and hit on—my sister and Mischa already.”
I squint back at them and then grin, nodding slowly.
“Oh yeah. For a second there, I didn't recognize them without their clothes on.” Amelia narrows her eyes at me and crosses her arms over her chest. “Kidding,” I say, shaking my head. “I promise I'll be on my best behavior.”
“Sure,” she mutters. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
She shakes her head at me and then walks over to the pool, leaving Rory and I alone.
“You've done well,” I say, glancing after her. “Not just with this house, or your music, but with Amelia. I’m happy you found someone who loves you as much as she does, and I’m glad I helped in some small way.”
“I think that was a compliment,” Rory says, thinking about what I said. I think about it in my head too and realize I could’ve phrased it better. “Can I tell you something?” he asks. He glances around to make sure no one is listening.
“Sure,” I say.
“I'm planning on proposing to her,” he mumbles. He glances over at her as she sits by the edge of the pool with her sister and friend.
“Really? That's great news,” I say. I smile at him then pat him on the back. He has no idea how happy I am to hear that. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he says. “But I wanted to ask you something else, too,” he says. He eyes me nervously, looking a little green. “Would you be my best man?” I stare at him, both shocked and honored that he’d consider me for that role.
“You know I will,” I say, giving him a hug. He glances around to make sure no one is suspicious, especially Amelia. “Sorry,” I say with a chuckle. “I got a bit carried away. Any idea how you’re going to propose?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I’m going to do it at the concert next weekend. Amelia’s already coming to it, so she won’t be suspicious. I’m even writing a song just for her and proposing in the middle of it.”
“She'll love it,” I say honestly, rapt with the news.
“Yeah hopefully,” he says, releasing a nervous laugh. “Siobhan arrives tomorrow. I really wanted her there when I did it. And I figured she’d be a good distraction throughout the week, so I can get things organized.”
I nod. “Yeah, I’m sure she’ll be a great distraction.”
“No,” Rory says, narrowing his eyes at me. “No. Don’t do that.”
“What?” I say, doing my best to look innocent.
“That look. Come on, man, she’s my sister,” he moans, covering his face with his hands.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” I assure him with a chuckle, patting him on the back.
“Who’s got nothing to worry about?”
I turn around to see Amelia staring curiously at us. I glance at Rory, who is fumbling through an answer, and smirk.
“I was just suggesting I help welcome Siobhan to the States when she gets here,” I grin. “But poor Rory took my comment a little too literally,” I joke.
Rory narrows his eyes. “Don’t you make this out to be a cultural thing. You suggested you want to bang my sister. Straight out, promise me you’re not going to try it on with her,” Rory growls.
Laughing, I put my hands on his shoulders and look him in the eyes.
“I promise you, I will not do anything with your sister that your grandma wouldn’t approve of,” I assure him.
Rory frowns. “See, if you’d met my gran, you’d understand why that scares the fuck outta me,” he mutters, his green eyes sparkling. “Okay. Then the best thing to do is keep you the hell away from her.”
“Your Grandma or your sister?” I joke. He glares at me. “Jesus, hard crowd tonight. Look, if that’s what you want, then consider it done,” I chuckle. “I won’t go anywhere near her.”
“Good,” he nods and pats me on the back. “That’s one less thing for me to worry about this week. Now let me finish cooking these burgers before I burn the fuck out of them.”
The rest of the night continues much the same, with me still joking about Siobhan, and Rory threatening to castrate me. Eventually, everyone has gone, but me. I’m always the last to leave, to the point where Rory usually has to usher me out of the house.
I intend on going home, but instead, I find myself sitting in the bar just down from my apartment, where I drink the same drink until I drag myself home at three in the morning. For the first night in a long time, I’m alone, which only serves to remind me just how much I hate it. It’s why I pick up so many women. It’s not even about the sex half the time, it’s just having someone there with me, someone to listen to as I lay awake at night.
A psychiatrist would have a field day, working through my issues.
***
The noise pounds into my head like a sledgehammer, relentless and constant. I curse and lift my head off the pillow to look around. It takes me a moment to realize that it’s just my phone ringing. I fumble on the ground next to my bed, looking for it, finally grasping it and lifting it to my ear.
“Hello,” I mutter.
“Are you awake? Thank God. Ben, get up. I need your help,” Rory orders me.
“Sure, what is it?” I mutter, yawning as I sit up and rub the back of my neck. “Dude, it’s not even seven o’clock, Sunday morning,” I growl.
“I know, but I need a favor. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t really fucking stuck, but can you pick Siobhan up from the airport?” he asks, sounding pained.
“Really,” I say with a ch
uckle. “I mean, are you kidding me? This is the same Siobhan that you made me swear I’d stay away from last night?”
“Not the time, Ben,” Rory growls. “I’m on the way to the hospital with Meels.”
“Shit, is everything okay?” I ask, instantly concerned.
“I don’t know,” he says, sounding panicked. “Look, can you help me, or not? You’ll need to swing past my place and get my phone if you can help, because Siobhan is going to call that when she buys a local sim for her phone. I’ve got no way of contacting her until she gives me her number…” He lets out a string of what I assume are curse words in Gaelic. “It’s a fucking mess. I can’t even put her in a cab because I can’t reach her.”
“Rory, it’s fine,” I say, trying to calm him down. “I’ll handle it. You just take care of Amelia, okay?”
“Thanks, man, I owe you one,” he says, sounding relieved. “Oh, and Ben?”
“Yeah?” I say.
“Touch her and I’ll fucking kill you,” he growls.
Chuckling, I toss my phone on the bed as I get up and then wander into the bathroom to get ready. I’ve got to look good if I’m going to impress Siobhan.
***
I stop by Rory's house to grab his phone, which, as promised, is sitting on the kitchen counter. I shove it in my pocket and then walk back outside, passing the pool along the way. I glance at that sparkling blue water and check my phone, weighing up whether I have enough time for a swim. What harm can a little swim do?
No one is around, so I just strip off then dive into the water, naked. I do a few laps, savoring the peace and quiet before I climb out, quickly drying myself off. I get dressed again, patting my pocket to check for the phone, then I take off for the airport, feeling refreshed. Yeah, I could get used to living here.
I arrive at the airport five minutes later than I should’ve, but there's no messages from Siobhan yet, so I assume her flight is running late too. I walk inside and check the arrivals board, but then frown when I realize I know nothing other than where she’s coming from. Why didn’t I get her flight details off Rory? Sighing, I sit down and resign myself to waiting.
Irish Love (The Claddagh Trilogy Book 2) Page 1