Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,13

the sofa. It’s like we’re trying to figure out next steps. Are we really friends? If so, we could hang out tomorrow too. I don’t know if I should mention it.

He hitches a thumb toward the door. “You want me to walk you back to your room?”

“I’m just down the hall. I think I can make it.”

He laughs.

He’s so good natured. Some people are put off by my dry humor. “Goodnight, Brendan. Thanks for the movie.”

“No problem.” One corner of his mouth tilts up and a dimple appears in his scruffy cheek. It’s immensely appealing. I tell myself it’s just a dent and it’s not like he can help it. “Thanks for showing me your secret passageway.” He closes his eyes for a moment. “And I didn’t mean that as dirty as it sounded. Think you’ll watch more of the Fast and the Furious movies?”

“No.”

His brows lift over eyes sparkling with good humor. “I’ll have to report you to the Vin Diesel fan club.”

I giggle and then immediately smother it. So not like me to giggle. I leave with a wiggle of my fingers over my shoulder at him.

By the time I reach my room again, I’m smiling, which just goes to show I do know how to have fun.

4

Brendan

Today’s my last day on Villroy, and I’m making the most of it, playing poker at the casino with my brothers and cousins in a private room. Does it get any better than this? Free drinks, good company, and I’m up by a couple of hundred euros. There’s two games going on right now, mixing it up between Villroy and Brooklyn folk. Adrian is the one to watch at my table, a true card shark. He doesn’t need the money. He owns this place and it’s immensely successful, but he plays each hand like his life depends on winning it.

I have the feeling Adrian’s going to surprise us with a full house. He’s surprised us twice already. I just got lucky with my last hand, and I know it. My mind keeps drifting back to Chloe. I guess some part of me was hoping for more fun with her. I’m leaving tomorrow morning. She avoided family meals and didn’t join us at the casino either. Adrian told me earlier that she’s staying on Villroy for three weeks before returning to college. It’s not like she’d want to see me back home once school is back in session, so now is the time for fun. I don’t know why I keep thinking of her. It’s just—

Her smile.

It felt like such a victory to see her smile, especially once I realized what a serious person she is, so focused on her studies. I did that.

Beast elbows me in the ribs. “Your redhead is here.”

My head jerks up. She just walked in with her sister. She looks like a young college student, wearing a green cardigan over a matching tank top with jeans and short black suede boots. Duh, she is a young college student. She’s not for me. She’s too serious, too driven, too…doctor-y.

Family connection. Fallout. Awkwardness.

Psycho assassin ex. Death.

And then she bites her lower lip and gives me a tentative wave. It hits me like a gut punch.

I stand and throw my cards on the table facedown. “I fold.”

A chorus of protests erupts.

“What?” I ask, my eyes glued to Chloe. She’s checking out the room while talking to her sister.

“Seriously?” Beast asks.

“Lame, man!” one of my brothers barks. I can’t bother to see who it is.

I’m already crossing the room, forcing myself to keep to a slow, even stride, so I don’t look as eager as I feel. I catch her eye and smile. She smiles back and warmth spreads through me.

“Hey, Chloe,” I say when I finally reach her. “Taking a break?”

“No, I’m studying anatomy as we speak,” she deadpans.

“Anyone’s in particular?” I look around and find a bald man circulating with drinks. I speak out of the side of my mouth. “The baldie, right?”

She giggles and slaps a hand over her mouth.

I grin. “Vin Diesel would be so jealous.”

“I’m joining a game,” Sara says to Chloe.

I realize I was rude. Her sister has been standing here the whole time. “Hi, Sara, good to see ya again.”

“Sure, sure,” she says with a smile in her voice before joining Adrian. She’ll probably take my place in the game.

Chloe shakes her head. “She says you’re my new boy toy.”

“Ridiculous. I’m all man.”

“Man toy doesn’t rhyme.”

“Hmm, how about Bam Man?”

She quirks a brow. “Really?