One King's Way (On Dublin Street #6.5)(29)

And I was falling for Craig. I was. I couldn’t help myself.

Which meant that I could think of him with forever in mind, knowing we’d face problems and that I’d fight for him. I’d fight to get through it.

I could promise him forever.

But he couldn’t promise me forever.

He said he was a realist . . . but what if he just didn’t feel the same way as I did?

“What is going on in that head of yours?” He braced his hands at either side of my head again and leaned down so our noses were only inches away from each other.

Melancholy was sweeping quickly over me. “I’m thinking our tea and coffee will be getting cold.”

“Liar,” he whispered against my lips. “What are you really thinking?”

I turned my head away from his. “I’m thinking you don’t get to know what I’m thinking all of the time.”

He grasped my chin and gently turned my head back so our eyes met. I saw a mingling of anger and frustration in his gaze.

“You don’t like that,” I whispered.

“No,” he said back. “I don’t like it.”

I did. I liked it. It meant that I was still in control of what I was allowing myself to give him. I was being smart because this man would hurt me worse than any who had come before him. I may have been falling in love with him, but that love was mine to give how I saw fit. And as far as I was concerned he wasn’t a safe bet. I was not putting any of my cards on the table just yet.

“I don’t like it,” he repeated, a stubborn set to his jaw.

I tilted my chin out of his hold. “Tough shit.”

Craig was so surprised by my words he didn’t make a move while I rolled out from under him to sit up and grab my tea. I felt the heat of his stare on the back of my head.

“Did I do something?”

I felt a little ache in my chest at his confused, sad question. Looking over my shoulder I found him still sitting where I’d left him, but this time his expression was troubled. It was like he was wounded but trying to hide that he was.

That ache in my chest worsened. I gave him a soft reassuring smile. “No. I’m just tired.” I reached for him, trailing the back of my fingers down his arm. “I’m being a cranky bitch.”

He sighed and then moved across the bed toward me. He wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling my back against his chest. His warm lips touched my cheek. “Liar,” he breathed, his teeth nipping at my earlobe. “But I’ll let you keep your secrets. For now.”

Before I could respond his phone started ringing. Closest to it, I grabbed it from the table and handed it to him. Still holding on to me, he read the screen and smiled. “Maggie,” he said.

His sister. The one at university.

“Hiya, darlin’,” he answered. I could hear the faint murmuring of her answer. “Why did you not tell me you were coming?” Then more murmuring. “Aye, of course. I’m bringing Rain though.” I raised an eyebrow, wondering what I was being brought to. Craig laughed. “Well it had to happen some time.” More murmuring. “You’ll find out today . . . Okay. See you then.” He hung up and edged around the bed to face me, grinning. “That was Maggie.”

I smiled. “So I gathered.”

“She’s home with Mum for a few days. Wants to catch up. I thought you might like to come meet her.”

“Today?” I frowned. “I’d like to . . . but I can’t stay for long. I have work to do.”

“Just for lunch, then?” He slid an arm around me, hauling me up against his chest. “You’re two of my favorite people. I really want you to meet each other.”

That was nice. More than nice actually. I found myself melting. Damn willpower. “Okay. I can do lunch.”

*

“Jesus Christ, how did you score her?” were the first words I heard out of Maggie Lanaghan’s mouth. She slapped her brother on the chest and grinned. “She’s way out of your league.”

Craig gave a long-suffering sigh as we stood in front of the Italian restaurant, D’Alessandro’s. “Rain, this is my annoying wee sister, Maggie. Maggie, this is Rain, my girlfriend.”

Like always, a little thrill ran through me at those words. “Nice to meet you.” I stuck my hand out to her.

“Och none of that.” She stepped into my space, wrapping her arms around me for a hug. I could do nothing but laugh and hug her back. “We’re practically sisters now.” She winked mischievously and then laughed when she saw Craig scowling.

“You trying to scare her off?”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Actually I was teasing you, but it looks like . . .” She shook her head in amazement and turned back to me. She raised her hands and bowed liked I was some kind of deity.

I laughed.

“Maggie, for fuc—”

“Seriously. Miracle maker.” Maggie cut Craig off. “Finally a woman has done the impossible and snared my whorish big brother. I don’t know which one of you I’m most proud of.”

Craig wrapped his arm around her neck, drawing her into his side and scrubbing the top of her hair in irritated affection. “Nice to see you, Mags. Now do you want to shut the f*ck up?”

I laughed as he led her inside the restaurant in a headlock.