I couldn’t remember Shannon saying much of anything once Ireland had arrived. “What did she say?”
“She came into the ladies’ room when I was in there and said you guys had dated for six months, not just gone out a few times.”
“I honestly have no idea how long it lasted… Maybe we went out six times over four months, at the most. It sounds like she was trying to make it out to be something more than it was.”
“She also said it took her almost a year to get over you.”
I frowned. “I had no idea she followed you into the ladies’ room. I’m sorry if she felt that way. But like I told you, I was honest with women I had any type of arrangement with from the start.”
“I know. And she said that, too. But…” She shook her head.
This was all my fault. I was fucking things up. Ireland was afraid to be with me because I’d given her no reason to feel secure. The best I’d offered was that I wasn’t sure what I was capable of. If it wasn’t me pulling back, it was her. The two of us were playing a game of perpetual chicken, and it was time for me to either get the hell off the road or say fuck it and crash into her and hang on.
I leaned forward. “I’m crazy about you, Ireland. The only other woman I told that to, I married. I’m sorry for giving you doubt. I know I’ve done that. But…” I made sure to look directly into her eyes. “I want to make it work with you. For the last seven years, I didn’t want to make anything work. I think about you at eleven a.m. when I’m busy in a meeting. The last seven years, I only thought about women at eleven p.m. when I was lonely. There’s a big fucking difference.”
Ireland’s eyes started to water. “I want it to work, too.”
I smiled. “So let’s do that, sweetheart. Let’s just let it work.”
She took a minute, maybe to digest everything I’d said, I wasn’t sure.
But then she smiled. “Okay.”
I let out a breath. “Do you want to get some lunch or what?”
She nodded. “I need about twenty minutes to finish up.”
I stood. “I’ll order us something. Meet me over in my office when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
I turned around to open the door, but I stopped with my hand on the handle. “Take off your underwear before you come. Because when we’re done with lunch, I’m going to eat you on my desk.”
***
The bride is supposed to be the center of attention at a wedding, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the woman in royal blue. The sexy spaghetti-strap dress hugged every one of Ireland’s luscious curves, and her pinned-up hair showcased a long, delicate neck and that collarbone I loved so much. Her skin was creamy and smooth, perfectly unblemished, and I sat in my seat salivating at the thought of sinking my teeth into it tonight while I tore that pretty dress from her body. She squinted and smirked as she walked toward where I sat watching her from across the room.
“You look devious right now,” she said, arriving at the table.
I took her hand and tugged her to sit on my lap. “That’s because I’m thinking devious thoughts.”
She giggled. “Oh yeah? Tell me about them on the dance floor. I think I’m done with wedding party duties, so I’m all yours for the rest of the night.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Out on the dance floor, I pulled her close and rested my cheek against hers. I used the opportunity to whisper in her ear. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“You did. But that’s okay. I don’t mind hearing it again.”
“Women don’t usually wear dresses from a wedding party a second time, right?”
“Usually, no. But I think I might get use out of this one. It’s so pretty and simple. It doesn’t look like a typical maid-of-honor dress.”
I spun us around. “I’ll buy you a new one.”
Ireland’s cute little nose wrinkled. “Oh my God, did I get something on it?”
“No, but by morning it’s going to be shredded.”
Her eyes widened. “It’s ripped? Where?”
“Relax. It’s not ripped…yet. But I’m literally going to tear it from your body later.”
She smiled. “Is that what you were thinking when I walked over? You had such a devilish face.”
“It’s the only thing I’ve been able to think about since I picked you up tonight.”
She