“You’re afraid of me.” I shifted my focus back to her face, to her parted, glossy red lips. “That’s good. You should be.” I rubbed my palms down my face and started for the panel of buttons again, but her fingers softly perched on my forearm, and I froze.
I stared down at her short pink nails, remembering the way her fingers had bit into my shoulders as she climaxed. Her beautiful, flowery scent had me tucking my finger around the top button of my shirt. I yanked at the material.
It was getting hot. I was suffocating.
“Are you okay?” It was hard to hear the soft whisper of her voice over the alarms sounding around us.
“You shouldn’t have left the hotel,” I answered instead, my voice low and blistery. “We had a deal. If you’re not staying there, then you don’t need to go to the center.”
She folded her arms and stepped closer to me, demanding my attention. “I’d like to keep going to the center. But I’m—well, I’m leaving Dublin next month. I told John already that I’m not cut out for this job. He asked me to stay on until Rick and I finish the project we’re working on.” She sighed. “I don’t know how to tell the kids.”
It took me a minute to process what she’d said. For a moment, it seemed impossible. No, I couldn’t let her go.
But that was what I wanted, wasn’t it? She would be better off.
“Sometimes if a conversation is difficult to have, it’s because it’s the wrong one to be having.” I started for the control panel again, needing to get away from her, cursing myself for having stopped the elevator to begin with.
“I told my parents about Jax.”
I tipped my head forward, closing my eyes briefly as my fingers hovered in front of the control panel.
“My dad was about to take his shotgun to the hospital and finish Jax off, but I managed to stop him.” She faked a laugh as if the whole thing was at all funny. The sound of her laughter was still one of the sweetest noises I’d ever heard.
“He sounds like a good man.” I straightened my spine and exhaled.
“Yeah, well, he understood why you . . . you know—did what you did.” She cleared her throat, and I turned back around and looked at her. Her green eyes became glossy, her lips quivering. “I’m sorry I asked you to leave. I was confused and a little scared.” Her chest rose and fell in soft breaths beneath her creamy silk blouse.
I didn’t know what to say. Was she trying to make up with me? She’d moved out of the hotel, and she was planning to move back home. What did she want from me? I kept my lips shut tight.
“You fought this weekend?”
I looked up at the ceiling toward the sound of the alarm. “This damn noise . . .” Irritated and in need of escape, I jabbed at the button, and we began to descend again.
“Yeah, I fought,” I finally answered as the doors parted. I held them open again, this time to allow her to leave.
But she didn’t move an inch, so I exited.
“I don’t want you to hate me.”
I glanced over my shoulder at her as she bit her lip, her eyes pulling me in.
“I could never hate you, Anna,” I said slowly and then left.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Adam
I curled my fingers into my palms, loosening them up, stretching the thin, black leather gloves.
I cracked my neck and brought my guard up as I locked eyes on my sparring partner.
Jab.
Hook.
Elbow.
Shin kick.
Repeat.
Jab.
Hook.
Elbow.
Shin kick.
Repeat.
After an hour of training, my body was on autopilot. I felt the instructions commanding me in repetition, like the voice on a record where the needle was stuck—skipping and jumping back to the same phrase, over and over again.
I shifted on the balls of my feet, bouncing from side to side. Then in one fast movement, I connected a sidekick to my sparring partner’s stomach.
“Again,” my partner encouraged, pounding his fists together, the leather of his gloves making a bright, snapping noise.
I obliged and caught him off guard with my left hook, my fist striking hard against the side of his helmet. Perhaps I should have worn one, too.
I’d been training nonstop for two weeks. I hadn’t been in the office, taken any calls . . . and I hadn’t seen Anna.
Not since the elevator.
But I couldn’t get her off my damn mind. And the more I tried not to think about her, the more I couldn’t stop.
I couldn’t have her, and I was furious.
My fists snapped tight together, and I rounded back my arm and shot it forward, catching my partner in the head again.
“Damn, man. That one hurt.” He held his palms up and removed his helmet. “I need a minute.” He shook his head, his eyes blinking.
“Sorry, mate.” This guy was the least offensive of Donovan’s crew, and one of the only guys I sparred with whom I didn’t really feel a driving urge to destroy.
“Give me five, okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Adam McGregor.” At the sound of Donovan’s voice, I lowered my head. I’d had to make small talk with him almost every day since I’d decided to come back to his gym, and my anger and disgust hadn’t weakened one bit. Today, he was flanked by two young girls—barely twenty, I guessed—all dolled up in leather boots, short skirts, and tight shirts that made their cleavage pop.
“Since all of Dublin is banking on you to win, and you’ve won over their hearts, like in the good old days, I thought I’d bring you a present in advance.” Donovan flashed me a wicked grin. “They’re all yours.” He glanced at his wrist watch. “Well, for four hours.” He laughed. Sick fuck.
Like I had ever needed to pay for sex. “I’m all set, but thanks.” I shifted away and scratched the back of my neck, checking around for my sparring partner so we could go at it again.
“It’s not very nice to turn down a gift.” Donovan’s voice was like an icy puff of air slapping me in the face. A warning.
I came to the edge of the ring and rested my elbows on the rope, looking down at Donovan and the two women.
“Or is it because of the girl?” Donovan’s eyes became thin slits as he studied me. “It’s been a while since you’ve seen her.”
Was he keeping tabs on her or me? Or both?
I took a step back from the rope, trying to rein in my temper. I was seven days from the fight with Frankie. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted when it was over. But if I did want out, it would be a very bad idea to mix it up with Donovan right now.
“Fine. Thanks for the gift,” I said through gritted teeth.
“That’s what I thought.” Donovan touched the back of his hand to one of the girls’ cheeks and leaned forward, whispering something in her ear. It took all my energy to restrain myself from decking the motherfucker.
I watched Donovan leave, then I climbed over the rope and hopped down. “I actually have somewhere I need to be soon,” I told the women.
“We can be as quick as you want.” The one girl rolled her tongue over her teeth as her hand slipped up to my naked chest, her long red nails pricking against my skin.
I gently grabbed hold of her wrist and removed her hand. “Well, this will be the quickest job of your life.” I snatched the wallet from my sweats, which hung on a chair outside of the ring. I grabbed a few hundred euros. “Here.” I held the money out. “Consider this your tip. Have a good night, ladies.”
The two women exchanged looks with each other before their eyes landed back on mine. I could see their hesitation. Perhaps they were afraid of Donovan, but what could I do about that? There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d be going anywhere with them.
One of them finally reached for the money and nodded at me. Moments later, they were strutting out of the gym, garnering looks from the few men who were here training on a Saturday night.
I checked the clo
ck that was positioned on the wall opposite me near the speed bags. Ma’s pleading voicemail shot to my mind. I had about thirty minutes . . . if I decided to go.
Despite the guilt that plunged deep inside me, I hollered out to my sparring partner. “You ready to go again?”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Anna
“I can’t believe it—you’re the perfect Belle.”
I took a sip of Chardonnay and looked around. The lobby of the McGregor office had been converted for the company’s annual Halloween party, which also doubled as a fundraiser for the foundation. For every dollar employees contributed, the McGregors paid another three. A few of their rich friends were in attendance, as well, to fatten up the pot.
“Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie.”
When I’d seen the blue and white dress and brown wig, I couldn’t resist buying it. It had reminded me of going to the library with Adam.
I probably shouldn’t have bought an outfit that would remind me of him, considering how awful the past two weeks had been. I was still emotionally raw from losing Java, and maybe that was why I’d been crying so much about losing Adam. It didn’t help that I had to work in his building, where I wondered each and every day if I’d see him. The worry had become like a knife in my chest. There was an abysmal hole there.
And then at night, I was at the center, where there were plenty more memories of him. Every time the kids at the center had asked about where he had been, I was forced to come up with lame excuses. He hadn’t even gone to see Abby at rehab.
Of course, I was leaving in two weeks, and I hadn’t told the kids. In a couple of weeks, maybe Adam would be the one making up the shitty excuses.
“Earth to Anna.” Kate waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked a few times, adjusting to the flashing orange neon lights that bounced around the room. “Huh?”
“Sean just got here.”
Adam’s twin. “I thought you two only hooked up the one time.”
I’d learned a lot about Kate in the few weeks I’d been living with her. As much as she enjoyed hooking up with Sean—so she said—she didn’t want to get attached since she was going back to New York in December. Apparently, unlike me, she hadn’t been worried what people would think if they saw Sean and her together.
“I was kind of hoping for one more fun night with him, but it looks like he brought a date.”
“Aw.” I looked at the pretty blonde at his side who was dressed in an angel costume. “Sorry.”
Kate shrugged. “His loss.”
“True.” I smiled.
“Come on. I need a refill.” She grabbed my arm, almost knocking me off my heels as we made our way to the bar that had been set up at the back of the lobby along the wall.
Narisa and Rick were already there, tossing back shots.
“Care to join us?” Rick asked Kate and me.
“Another one?” Narisa groaned and touched her stomach. She was dressed in a vampire costume similar to Kate’s, and Rick was Dracula. Apparently, I had missed the memo that we were all supposed to be sporting fangs at this costume party.
“I’ll have one.” Although the last and only time I had done shots, I’d spent the following day hugging the porcelain crown.
Rick raised his glass a few moments later, and I joined in with the salute.
The liquid burned my throat, and I winced, not sure what I’d swallowed. It was strong and definitely did not blend well with the Chardonnay.
“You feel like dancing?” Kate asked Narisa and me, tilting her head slightly toward the space where a DJ had set up.
“No one else is dancing,” I hedged.
And we were at work.
“Come on, who cares? You’re leaving soon, anyway. Live a little!”
I wasn’t sure if Kate was making me feel better or worse about the situation. Maybe another shot would help me decide . . .
“Ladies, ladies.” Rick pulled at the red lapels of his costume and winked. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
Narisa was shaking her head, her cheeks blushing as Rick sauntered out before the DJ. We all started to laugh as he began moving his arms like a herky-jerky robot that had no relation to the rhythm of the music.
“We’d better save him,” Kate suggested. She joined Rick and began moving around the floor, drawing attention from the rest of the room. She was so confident and fun.
As for me, I was shriveling back into my comfortable shell of insecurity.
I can do this, I told myself as I watched Narisa skip out to meet Kate and Rick on the dance floor.
I’m Belle, tonight. Not Anna.
Of course, Belle was also the shy girl with her nose stuck in a book.
Screw it, I decided.
I joined my friends as the music shifted to something sultrier and more seductive. The tempo slowed, the bass was a low vibration surrounding me, and the sweet sound of a female voice poured through the speakers.
I began to sway my hips and allow my arms to move with freedom out in front of me. Maybe it was the alcohol, but for once I didn’t care what anyone thought.
People joined in on the fun, dancing all around us, including Sean and his blonde bombshell. Kate didn’t seem to care.
Good for her.
I couldn’t imagine if Adam had shown up with—
Oh God. He came. A slow, blustery feeling of desire swept through me as my eyes locked with his.
I stopped dancing—I could hardly hear the music. My heart raced, twisting in my chest as I stared at him. He remained standing in front of the doors to the main entrance.
He was in black slacks and a blazer, with a dark dress shirt beneath.
He looked like sin.
He’d come in costume. The billionaire businessman. But I could see the fighter beneath. He was virile—powerful. His flesh rippled beneath his suit like steel. He could crush someone with his fists.
But that wasn’t why he was dangerous.
No. He was dangerous because he could turn my heart to dust.
But maybe being with him was worth the risk of a broken heart.
Or maybe it would be a horrible mistake.
His eyes broke from mine, and he turned to walk toward a group of people in the corner of the room. My heart shriveled in my chest.
“Dance!” Kate hollered to me.
I tried to move, but my body would no longer obey. All of my mental faculties seemed to have gone out the window. Adam was talking to a man in a suit—someone unfamiliar to me. Maybe he was one of the wealthy donors to the McGregor Foundation. Adam laughed at something the man said, and then his mother was at his side.
I only knew it was his mom because Adam’s parents had introduced themselves at the start of the party. I remembered what Adam had said about being a disappointment to his mom, but I was sure nothing could be further from the truth.
I moved to the edge of the dance area, trying to get a better view of the McGregor family. His mom rested her hand on Adam’s shoulder. Even in the spotty lighting, I could see her eyes glittering with pride.
Adam glanced over his shoulder, catching my eyes, and my cheeks flamed with embarrassment. I turned away.
I should leave.
I couldn’t bring myself to leave, though.
I forced myself to dance again, but my arms barely moved and my feet just stepped side to side.
But a few minutes later I stiffened as a hand found my hip.
“If you’re Beauty, does that mean I’m the Beast?” Adam whispered into my ear.
I closed my eyes as chills raced across my skin. My nipples tightened with want. I’d never met a man who could steal my breath with the sound of his voice. It wasn’t just that his accent was deliciously sexy—it was the way he spoke. The rich satin of his voice slid over me, warming me in all the right places.
“As much as I like the Belle costume, I prefer your natural hair color.” His fingers slipped up to my brown, ponytail wig and I opened my eye
s.
“Why are you here?” I faced him, not caring that we were standing within a dancing crowd, standing close in front of everyone at work.
He rested a hand at my elbow as he narrowed his eyes on me and a smile tugged at his lips. “Last time I checked it was my name on the building.”
“Good point.” I wanted to break the hold he had on my eyes, but I couldn’t drag my gaze away. The simple touch of his hand on my elbow had me realizing how much I’d missed him.
“Can we talk?” He looked over my shoulder, probably taking note of the people all around us. Had anybody noticed? Did anybody care?
I hadn’t a clue. Adam McGregor was standing in front of me, and that was all I knew.
Being so close to him.
Breathing him in.
It was like I’d come home.
I think I nodded yes because he guided me by the elbow and led me out of the lobby, away from the people and into a hall. There were doors to offices on either side.
I pressed my back to one of the office doors behind me and gasped as his palm pressed against the wall over my shoulder. “I didn’t think you wanted to talk to me anymore,” I said after a few long moments, noting the way his tan throat moved in small swallows as if he were trying to digest his emotions.
My eyes settled on his chest as it expanded.
“Of course I’d want to talk to you, which is exactly why I shouldn’t have come here tonight.”
“You’re confusing,” I mumbled, and he pushed away from the door, offering a little space between us. But the greedy, lusty part of me wanted him back, and closer. I wanted to inhale his scent until I grew dizzy. I wanted to grab hold of his rough hands—they were nothing like a businessman’s hands—and I wanted them to cover my body. Every inch of it.
“I don’t mean to be confusing,” he answered, dragging a hand over the top of his head. “Ma begged me to come tonight, but I knew what would happen if I saw you.”
“And what’s that?”
He stood still in front of me, his blue eyes mesmerizing. My lips parted, so dry and in need of his mouth on mine.
Dublin Nights Series Box Set: On the Edge & On the Line Page 24