Twenty-eight years old ...

“What’s the face for?”

I looked up from eating my breakfast, and when I realised Dominic was speaking to me, I raised my eyebrows.

“What face?”

“That face.” He chuckled. “You look like you’ve eaten something sour.”

I shrugged my shoulders but didn’t answer.

“He still feels bad over Branna’s friend getting jumped last night.”

I turned my head and scowled at Kane, who shrugged, unbothered.

“You don’t need to feel bad,” Ryder said from the refrigerator as he searched for something to eat. “You can’t control what other people do.”

“I guess.” I sighed. “I just hope she’s okay. She has to be sore today.”

“Branna called her this morning, and she’s okay. Banged up, but okay.”

That didn’t make me feel better.

“How are you this morning?” Kane asked, his lips twitched. “You got beat up last night, too.”

The twins and Ryder’s attention snapped my way.

“Who beat you up?” Dominic demanded. “Tell me.”

Before I could say a word, Kane said, “A little redhead named Keela.”

My brothers shared a looked, relaxed, then laughed.

“She didn’t beat me up.” I rolled my eyes. “She shoved me because she was angry her friend got jumped. She blamed me because she thought it was my girlfriend who was at fault.”

“Doesn’t sound like she beat him up,” Dominic looked at Kane, grinning. “What else happened?”

I shook my head and continued to eat my cereal.

“She knocked his ass to the ground when she shoved him.” Kane chuckled. “And she surpassed Bronagh when she chewed him out as well.”

“No way,” Dominic said, his lips parted with surprise.

“Yup.” Kane bobbed his head. “She insulted him and turned him down multiple times when he hit on her.”

“Well, fuck.” Ryder laughed. “I want to meet this woman.”

Ha, ha, ha.

“You’re all fucking hilarious today.”

They all laughed and continued to rag on me when the doorbell rang. Ryder went to answer it, leaving me with the three youngest who were talking utter shit. I nodded to them, accepting whatever shit they threw my way, but I stopped when Ryder suddenly shouted, “Alec, a woman is here to see you!”

My eyes widened as I looked at my brothers. They each shrugged as I got to my feet, left the kitchen, and crept down the hallway towards the front door. I kept out of view and to my brother, I whispered, “If she has blond hair, a mole on her left cheek, and huge tits, close the door right fucking now.”

I fucked a woman with that description a few weeks ago, and I guess I fucked her a little too well because she swore she’d find me and make me give her babies. She scared the shit out of me, and I was about to piss myself if she was the woman talking to my brother.

“I don’t have blond hair, a mole on me cheek, or big tits, so it’s safe to come out!”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I knew that voice, that voice had been the cause of at least six erections since I last heart it the night before. I straightened to my full height and walked to the doorway to stand next to my brother. My eyes landed on Aideen first, and she wiggled her fingers at me in greeting. She looked much fresher, and apart from her black eyes and slight bruise on her jaw, she looked untouched. I grinned at her, then moved my eyes to the little rocket beside her.

My cock jumped in my shorts at the sight of her.

I watched as Keela’s eyes raked over my body. I glanced down at myself, aware that I was wearing just shorts that hung low on my hips. I flicked my eyes back up to Keela, and I saw her swallow. In my head, I was doing the fucking cha-cha because I saw that she was attracted to me—or at least to my body—and I knew I already had one foot in the door with her.

“Keela?” I said, the shock in my tone not going amiss.

“The Keela who put you on your ass last night?” Ryder murmured to me. “That Keela?”

“Yeah, that Keela.” Aideen answered merrily. “Don’t worry, she is calm and won’t hurt Alec again. I promise.”

Keela bristled and shot her friend a glare, but Aideen paid her no attention. She then turned her attention back to me, took a deep breath, and said, “Can I speak to ye’?”

My eyes dropped to her attire. She had on a cute blue dress that hung just above her knees. It hugged her breasts wonderfully, and even though they weren’t big, the swell of them against the fabric of her outfit made my mouth water. My damn knees nearly buckled when my eyes locked on her legs. She had great fucking legs, and I found myself wanting to run my tongue over them.

“Eyes on me face, buddy—me face.”

Whoops.

I looked up at her face and grinned lazily. “And what a pretty face it is.”

“That was pathetic.”

Ryder blinked at her, and then to me, he said, “Kane was right. She isn’t affected by you. That’s a first.”

“All in good time, bro.” I chuckled.

“I can hear ye’ both talkin’. Ye’ know that, right?”

I bobbed my head, not really caring that she could hear me.

“Are you goin’ to leave two lovely ladies standin’ outside on your porch, or are ye’ goin’ to invite us in?”

Ryder quickly nodded. “Right, sorry, come on in. Branna shouldn’t be too long, so you can hang with me and my brothers while Alec and Keela ... talk.”

Aideen was happy with that response and headed into the house with Ryder hot on her heels. Keela looked like she wanted to follow her friend but thought better of it and remained in front of me. She looked nervous then, and that amused me.

“You’re the last person I expected to see today, kitten,” I admitted. “How did you know where I lived?”

“Branna told Aideen, and Aideen told me.”

Now that Aideen wasn’t beside her, she wouldn’t look at me when she spoke. In fact, she wouldn’t even look in my general direction. I didn’t like that, so I reached out, tucked my finger under her chin, and gently turned my head until she was looking up at me.

“Why won’t you look at me?”

“Because.”

I smiled and dropped my hand. “Because?”

She swallowed. Twice.

“Just because.”

“Okay, I’ll go along with this,” I mused and folded my arms across my chest. “To what do I owe this unannounced pleasure, Miss ...?”

Keela cleared her throat, and said, “Daley.”

Keela Daley.

“Miss Daley.” I bowed my head, teasing her.

When I straightened, she wasted no time, and blurted, “I need to ask ye’ somethin’.”

“Okay”—I blinked—”but look at me when you do it.”

She shifted from foot to foot.

“Look,” she began, “it’s hard enough to swallow me pride and ask a stranger this question, a stranger who I had an argument with less than twelve hours ago.”

She was wound up tighter than a clock, and I decided to tease her to help her relax a little.

I regarded her. “You physically assaulted me less than twelve hours ago as well.”

Annoyed, she clipped, “Are ye’ tryin’ to start an argument, sir?”

I scratched my chin. “You aren’t shy when you’re frustrated. I’m helping you relax.”

She leaned back. “I’m not shy at all.”

“Then ask the question you came here to ask me.”

She glanced at her surroundings, and said, “Can we not do this inside?”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I was more than happy to get her inside my house. I wasn’t about to make things easy for her though, so I turned to the side and gestured her in with my hand. She was hesitant for a moment, then turned to her side so she could slide past me. While she carefully shimmied by me, I watched as her eyes locked on my pecs. Her mouth was even height with them, and I could just about feel her breath roll over my skin. She looked up at me, her eyes doe like.

“Hi.” I smiled.

For a moment, she stared at my mouth, or more so my cheeks, and I knew she just realised that I had dimples. She was so into me. Her behaviour was textbook, though I was sure she had no clue how obvious she was being.

She licked her lower lip, and said, “Hey.”

She amused the hell out of me. One minute, she was a boss bitch, and the next, she was a timid kitten who couldn’t look me in the eye. She had no problem raking her eyes over my body, though. Once I closed the front door, she visually assessed me, and I didn’t interrupt her.

“We can talk here or in my bedroom,” I said after a few moments of lingering silence. “Which do you prefer?”

“Right here,” she answered in a rushed breath. “Right ‘ere is fine, thank you.”

She was nervous now. Or more nervous that before.

“I need help with somethin’,” she said nonchalantly, “and Aideen told me that you are more than qualified to help me with it.”

That made me pause, but I tried not to show any reaction to what she said.

“Clarify ‘it’.”

A tinge of redness flared on her cheeks, and Keela tried to cover them with her hands in an attempt to identify it, but it was futile.

“God.” She exhaled. “This is so bloody embarrassin’.”

I was patiently for her to get the courage to say whatever it was that she came here to say.

“She told me that you’re an escort.”

Well, fuck.

“I’m retired,” I said after a few moments. “Sorry.”

Keela lowered her hands from her face and gnawed on her lower lip.

“Oh,” she said. “So ye’ can’t help me then?”

I wanted to help her. I wanted to do a lot of things to her, but anything that involved me being an escort was off the table.

“No, I can’t. I don’t deal in that business anymore. You will have to find another guy.”

I watched her face fall, and I’d be damned if I didn’t feel sorry for her at that moment.

“But I don’t want your, um, regular services. Ye’ don’t have to do anythin’ sexual or anythin’ like that, I promise. I just need ... you.”

I felt my entire body tense.

“Sexual?” I repeated. “I was an escort, Keela, not a prostitute.”

She blinked. “Are they not the same thing?”

Anger rolled through me, but it quickly evaporated when I saw confusion in Keela’s eyes, not judgment.

“I’m s-sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to offend ye’. I just don’t know the difference. I thought escorts—”

“You thought escorts were paid money to fuck people, right?”

I didn’t mean to sound so annoyed, but I couldn’t help it.

“Um, well, yes, I did.”

I shook my head. “Escorts provide companionship to a person. Sex is optional but not the baseline. Prostitutes are paid for sex and only sex; that is the baseline.”

Her cheeks flared with colour once more.

“I apologise for bein’ naive.”

I shrugged, uncaring. “It’s okay, but I still can’t help you. I’m not in that business anymore.”

She was sad with my response. I saw it in her eyes.

“I understand,” she said, lifting her chin. “Sorry again for offendin’ ye’. I didn’t mean to pass judgment. I know I probably came off as a bitch last night, but I am a nice person, and I wouldn’t purposely try to hurt your feelin’s. I’m not like that. I’m very sorry.”

And just like that, she broke my damn heart.

“Damn, kitten, don’t get upset.” She chomped down on her lower lip, and the sight was arousing. “Stop biting your lip; otherwise, I’m going to bite it.”

She released her lip on a gasped breath. I scrubbed my face with my hands, feeling irritated with myself because I was considering helping this woman even though I swore to God, and myself, my escorting days were done with. Something about this woman made me want to help her, and not because she was hot. There was a vulnerability in her eyes, and it made me feel protective of her.

“I’ll go and get Aideen so we can leave—”

“Out of curiosity,” I cut her off. “What did you want an escort for?”

She cringed. “I’d rather not say; it’s embarrassin’.”

My heart stopped when a thought entered my mind. “You didn’t want me to take your virginity, did you?”

Her eyes widened dramatically, and I knew that I had it completely wrong.

“What? No, that is not what I came ‘ere for!” she stated, her entire face turning crimson. “First, your brother thinks I am pregnant by you, and now ye’ think I am virgin? I’m not pregnant, and I’m not a virgin!”

Ryder thought she looked fucking pregnant?

She didn’t wait for a response from me. Instead, she hollered, “Aideen! Move it, we’re leavin’!”

She turned away from me and made for the front door. I wasn’t sure when I moved, but I was at her back in an instant. I slipped my arms around her waist and brought her to a halt. “Now, wait just a second, kitten. I jumped to conclusions, but so did you. Give me a break here. I’m not being a dick. I’m just trying to understand why you would need an escort.”

I felt her relax against me, but she tensed again when muffled voices and noises came from the gym to our right. Without a word, Keela stepped out of my hold, walked to the double doors, and opened them. It happened like the snap of my fingers. One second, Keela was standing upright, and the next, she was under three of my fat ass brothers.

“Can’t breathe,” I heard her wheeze.

I just about had a stroke thinking she might be seriously hurt.

“Get off her!” I snapped, shoving at my brothers. “Now!”

Choruses of the word, “Sorry,” were shouted as they rolled off her. I lifted her to her feet and scanned my eyes over her looking for an injury, relaxing when I saw she was okay.

“That hurt,” she groaned as she rubbed her hand over her chest. “Jesus.”

“Do you think something might be broken?” I asked as I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Does everything feel okay?”

“I’m fine.” She nodded. “I just couldn’t breathe for a second, and it burned.”

Without looking away from her, I said, “You almost smothered a woman.”

“Sorry,” they said in unison.

I looked at them and scowled. The three bitches must have snuck into the gym while I was speaking to Keela at the front door so they could hear what we were talking about.

“Which brother are you?” Keela asked Dominic.

“Nico,” he replied at the same time me and my brothers said, “Dominic.”

“What am I callin’ ye’?” Keela asked him. “Nico or Dominic?”

His lips twitched. “You can call me whatever you want, gorgeous.”

I rolled my eyes as Keela giggled at my soon-to-be dead little brother.

“I’ll call you Nico,” she replied with a nod.

Dominic was happy with that. He preferred when people called him Nico; he hated his given name because of our father, but myself and my brothers constantly assured him that the man had no influence on him, and his name was his own. That was why we only ever called him it and not a nickname.

“And you are?” Dominic asked, not looking away from her.

“Keela.”

He was pissing me off with how he was looking at her, and I couldn’t explain why.

“Kee-lah,” he purred. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

I gritted my teeth as I tugged Keela’s body behind mine and locked eyes on my baby brother.

“Boy,” I said, my tone threatening, “cut that shit out, or I’m knocking you on your ass.”

I didn’t look at my other brothers, only Dominic, but when his jaw dropped with shock, I imagined theirs did too. I looked down at Keela when she looked around me and to my brother and said, “Are you okay?”.

“We’re fine,” Ryder assured her.

She moved back to my side and curtly nodded to Ryder, which he frowned at.

“I really am sorry for what I said to you earlier, Keela,” he stressed. “It was a dick move just to assume something like that. Forgive me?”

I assumed that apologise that was about him assuming she was pregnant—which I still had no idea why he’d think that, let alone say it—but Keela smiled at him and gave him hearty nod, forgiving him.

“Were ye’ all listenin’ to the conversation I had with Alec?”

One by one, the nosy bitches hung their heads in shame and nodded. I found the sight hilarious, but I didn’t laugh ... I would later on, though.

“Great,” she muttered. “Now I’m even more embarrassed.”

“What do you need an escort for?” Kane quizzed. “Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

At the reminder of the infamous Storm she spoke about last night, I grinned.

“Yeah,” I said, folding my arms over my chest “What was his name again? Thunder?”

“Storm,” she answered. “His name is Storm.”

“Ah yes, Storm.” I chuckled. “Why can’t Storm escort you?”

She scowled up at me

“Because I don’t have a boyfriend,” she admitted. “I only said that Storm was me boyfriend last night to stop ye’ from chattin’ me up because I didn’t want to have sex with ye’. I still don’t want to have sex with ye’. I just need your help, but ye’ said ye’ couldn’t help me so I’ll be goin’ now. Aideen!”

Aideen walked out of the kitchen. “What’s up?”

“We’re leavin’. Alec won’t help me.”

Aideen frowned, and her shoulders slumped. “Crap, who the hell can we get to be your date to that weddin’ now?”

“Whose wedding?” Dominic asked Aideen.

Keela gave Aideen what I guessed was supposed to be a stern look, but Aideen ignored her, and the look, and answered Dominic’s question.

“Keela’s cousin.” She clicked her tongue in distaste. “Micah is gettin’ married to ‘er dickhead of a fella next week. Jason, Micah’s fiancé, fucked Keela over a few months ago. Since she has to attend the weddin’, we wanted someone to go with ‘er who would show Jason she can do miles better than ‘im. I thought Alec was the man for the job, but apparently, I was wrong.”

Keela was embarrassed—one glance at her told me so—and it was getting harder and harder to keep from helping her.

“Wait,” Dominic said to Keela. “You’re related to Micah Daley?”

“Yeah, Micah is me cousin. D‘ye know ‘er?”

“Unfortunately, I do. She was in my homeroom in high school.”

My brother leaned forward and really looked at Keela’s face. “She was a brunette in school, but I’ve seen her around town, and she has red hair now. You look similar to her.”

“Her hair is dyed red. Mine is naturally this colour. I’m not like ‘er at all; she is a bitch of epic proportions.”

Dominic grinned. “You don’t need to convince me that she’s a bitch, I believe you.”

Keela’s lip twitched.

“What did Jason do to fuck you over?” Ryder questioned her.

She rubbed her neck awkwardly.

“He pretended to like me, took me out on dates and so on in an effort to make me think we were a real couple, but really, he was only usin’ me to get back at Micah for cheatin’ on ‘im. It’s all really fucked up. They worked shite out and are gettin’ married, and because we’re family, I have to go their weddin’.”

“Why not tell them to shove their wedding up their asses?”

This came from Kane.

“Because me ma would be on me case about it. Goin’ to the weddin’ and keepin’ out of the way is much better than dealin’ with me mother if I don’t go. She is the devil.”

“Amen,” Aideen said and made the sign of the cross.

I could feel Keela’s disappointment at how the situation had turned out, but she kept a smile on her beautiful face to keep it hidden.

“It was nice seein’ ye’s again, Kane and Alec, and lovely meetin’ you two lads.” She nodded at Dominic and Ryder. “Have a nice day.”

I moved before she finished speaking. She turned to head for the door, but I was standing in her way. In that split second, I decided to help her. I wasn’t sure why I even considered it, but I saw it in Keela’s eyes that she needed my help, and I wanted to give it to her.

“Turn around and walk into the kitchen.”

“What?” Keela blinked. “Why?”

“Because,” I grunted. “I need to iron out some details with you if I’m going to be your escort to your cousin’s wedding.”

Keela stared up at me with a deer in the headlight look on her face. A few seconds passed by until she found her voice, and said, “But ye’ said that ye’ aren’t in that business anymore, that you’re retired and—”

“Do you want my help or not, Keela?”

She sucked her lower lip into her mouth and nodded.

“Then turn around and walk into the kitchen,” I requested. “I want to talk to you in private. Just the two of us.”

She didn’t say word as she turned and walked by everyone on her way into the kitchen. I followed her, keeping my eyes on her body as she walked. I saw her jump when I closed the kitchen door. She turned to face me, and it was obvious she was unsure about what was happening. I wanted to calm her clearly spiked nerves.

“Do you want a cup of tea?”

She stared at me, her eyes unblinking.

“Why do you look like I just asked you to show me your tits?”

Laughter bubbled up her throat. “Because I’d expect a request like that from you, not an offer for tea.”

I shrugged. “Bronagh and Branna always tell me to ‘put the kettle on’ when they need to have a serious conversation, so I figured you might want one before we talk.”

“Um, sure.” She swallowed. “I’d love a builder’s cuppa, please.”

“What the hell is that?”

“Ye’ know,” she said. “A cup of tea with loads of sugar?”

Too much sugar was gross, but if it was the way she liked it, then that was that. I got a cup, popped a teabag inside it, and turned the kettle on. I turned and leaned my ass back against the counter and folded my arms across my chest. My eyes found Keela’s, and she appeared not to know what to do with herself.

She shifted her stance a few times, and though she was looking at me, she looked everywhere on my body except at my eyes. I knew I made her nervous, which was the whole reason I was making her a cup of tea. I watched as her eyes moved to my mouth, and I felt my lips quirk upwards into a grin when she licked her lower lip as she stared at me.

“I’m just goin’ to sit down.”

She moved to the kitchen table and made a huge deal of looking at her surroundings as she sat down just so she wouldn’t have to look at me.

“So,” she began, clasping her hands in front of her. “What details do we have to go over in order for ye’ to escort me to me cousin’s weddin’?”

She was looking out to the backyard as she spoke, and it gave me a moment to look at her. She was an enigma to me. Last night, she was hard as nails, and right now, she seemed as fragile as a feather. I wasn’t sure how to approach her, and that was new for me, because I normally knew how to approach everyone.

“In order for me to escort you to your cousin’s wedding, I need to draw up a contract—”

“Hold up, buddy. A contract? Is this conversation about to get Fifty Shades of Grey?”

I raised a brow. “That kinky porn book women love?”

When she nodded, I laughed. I had heard of that book, everyone had heard of it, and the fact that she associated it to our current situation amused me. I turned to the kettle when it made a beeping noise, letting me know the water was boiling, and began making her tea.

“This conversation isn’t about to get fifty shades of anything, Keela. Contracts with my clients are routine.”

“Alec, I’m not your client. What I am askin’ of you is a favour, not a business deal.”

That was true.

“Why don’t you tell me what you want from this favour, so I get a better understanding of things because this is clearly going to be something I’m not used to either.”

“Well”—she cleared her throat—”much wouldn’t be required of ye’. I just want ye’ to pretend to be me boyfriend ... that’s it.”

With her tea made, I turned and carried it over the table. I placed it on top of the coaster in front of Keela, then I took a seat across from her. Her eyes focused on my forearms, then they locked on my tattoo. Her eyes rolled over me, and a shivered raced up my spine as if I could feel their touch.

“Can ye’ put some clothes on?”

And deny her eye fuck? Not a chance.

“Does my being shirtless make you uncomfortable?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Tough shit. It’s hot out, so I’m skins for the day.”

Keela frowned. “I don’t even know what that means.”

I teasingly clicked my tongue. “Irish people.”

“American people.”

“So.” I snorted. “You just want me to be your boyfriend?”

She played with her fingers. “Yes, ye’ just have to make it believable that we are a real couple.”

I settled back into the chair. “How would you like me to make it believable?”

She shifted. “Please stop tryin’ to embarrass me.”

“I’m asking a legit question.”

“Just act like a lovin’ boyfriend; hold me hand, kiss me cheek—”

“Open a door for you, then smack your ass when you walk by me?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m bein’ serious.”

“So am I. Deadass serious.”

“I just want me family to think we’re a real, happy couple. That’s it.”

And I thought this job might be somewhat hard.

I chortled. “Trust me, kitten, this will be the easiest job I’ve ever done.”

“It will?”

I nodded. “Yep.”

“So ... so does that mean ye’ll escort me to the weddin’?”

She looked like she would scream in delight if I said yes.

“If you abide by my conditions, then yes, I will.”

Uncertainty washed over her face. “What are your conditions?”

I held up my index finger. “Number one, absolutely no falling in love with me.”

When she laughed, it caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure what she found funny. If she knew how many people had gotten attached to me in the past, she wouldn’t utter a sound.

“I’m being serious, Keela,” I said. “No falling in love with me.”

The little witch laughed harder. “I know. That’s why ... I’m laughin’ ... oh God. Your face!”

I didn’t find her funny.

“Okay,” she said, forcing herself to calm down. “So I’m not to fall in love with you. Got it. What’s number two?”

I grunted. “Number two, you treat me as a person and not as the hired help.”

All traces of amusement fled from Keela’s face. “I will always treat ye’ as a person. I can’t treat ye’ like hired help even if I wanted because I’m not payin’ ye’.”

I waggled my eyebrows. “You could pay me in sexual favours.”

Keela tilted her head to the side. “Ye’ll get paid with nice manners.”

Ouch.

“The rest of my conditions might make you a little uneasy then.”

She sat up straighter. “What are they?”

I lifted my hand and rubbed the back of my neck. “You sure you want an honest answer to that question, kitten?” At her nod, I said, “I want to fuck you.”

She watched me as if she was waiting for me to laugh and tell her I was joking, but when I didn’t, fire ignited in her eyes.

“Why aren’t ye’ laughin’?”

“Because I’m not joking.”

“Ye’ better be jokin’!”

I raised my hands. “I don’t joke about conditions for a contract.”

She flattened her palms on the table. “This is not a contract. This is a favour. Ye’ don’t get paid for it with anythin’ other than a verbal thank you.”

I clicked my tongue. “So I’m supposed to be your boyfriend without receiving the privileges or benefits of having a girlfriend?”

“Yes!” she replied, shaking her head. “This is all only pretend!”

“Nah, that’s a no-go for me. We’re going to work that out right now. If you want me to be your boyfriend, then I want some privileges at least. I’m a man—I have needs.”

I was milking this, and I knew I was, but I wanted to fuck this woman so bad, I was willing to chance my arm to see if she’d accept it as a condition to me helping her. She probably thought I’d want sex on demand but little did she know that I would make her crave me before I fucked her.

Keela looked defeated. “What exactly d’ye want from me, Alec?”

“I like physical intimacy.” I shrugged. “No feelings or emotional bullshit, just the physical stuff. I like holding hands, kissing, cuddling, hugging, and fucking. If I’m going to be your pretend boyfriend, then this is what I want. It’s not asking for much.”

The woman looked like she was going to kick the shit out of me.

“Shaggin’ is not on the table at all, so ye’ can get it out of your head right now.”

My cock jumped at the challenge.

“We’ll see, kitten.”

“What d’ye mean ‘we’ll see’?”

“I mean ... we will see.”

“We won’t see anythin’!” She fumed. “I’ve changed me mind. I don’t need your help.”

She just about reached the door when my arms wrapped around her. Her gasp told me she hadn’t heard me move. “You came to me for help, not the other way around, kitten,” I said into her ear. “You don’t have anyone else who can help you, or you wouldn’t be here ... like it or not, you do need my help. You need me.”

She moved out of my hold and spun to face me.

“I’m not shaggin’ you. If that is a deal breaker for ye’, then so be it. I won’t sleep with ye’ in order for ye’ to escort me to the weddin’ as me boyfriend. I don’t care how good lookin’ ye’ are. I’m not that kind of girl!”

Hearing her admit her attraction to me made my ego swell.

“You think I’m good looking?”

She glared up at me, and I was sure she thought she looked intimidating, but she really didn’t. I liked how she stuck to her guns about not wanting to fuck me, though, and that gave me an idea.

“I want to fuck you, no doubt about it, kitten, but it doesn’t have to be a condition since you’re so against it. In fact, since you’re so dead set against it, I’m going to make you a bet instead.”

She eyed me. “What kind of bet?”

“A sexual kind of bet.”

“What?”

I reached up at twirled a curl of her thick, soft red hair around my finger.

“I bet that before anyone says ‘I do,’ I’ll have you on your back with your legs spread wide as I pound away between your thighs.”

Keela’s jaw dropped.

“And you will be the one begging me to suck and fuck you.”

Her eyes dramatically widened. “Are ye’ serious?”

At my nod, she laughed.

“Ye’ have yourself a bet, laddie.”

Her confidence made me smile, but what really amused me was how much she really believed she couldn’t be seduced by me.

“My updated conditions are that we sleep in the same bed and that I can kiss you, touch you, and cuddle with you whenever I want.”

Keela paused. “Ye’ think by doin’ all that, I will willingly lose our bet and have sex with ye’, don’t ye’?”

My lips twitched as I shrugged.

“Fine.” She snorted. “We can sleep in the same bed, but ye’ have to wear pyjama bottoms.”

Come again?

“I sleep naked,” I said. “I always have and always will.”

“Ye’ll wear pyjamas if you’re to sleep in a bed with me. I’m not backin’ down on this, playboy.”

“Playboy,” I repeated. “Really, kitten?”

“Stop callin’ me that.”

“Nah, I like it. You’re small and vulnerable like a cute little kitten.”

“If kitten is staying, then so is playboy.”

I could handle it. “I’ve been called worse, kitten.”

She huffed. “I want to make it clear that I don’t like ye’ very much.”

She only thought that because I didn’t bend to her will.

“Give it time and you’ll like me plenty.”

She ignored me, and said, “Ye’ must wear pyjamas when you’re in the same bed as me. D’ye understand me?”

I licked my lower lip. “I like you giving me orders.”

“Does that mean you’ll follow them?”

I laughed. “Let’s not get too hasty, kitten.”

Keela’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not backin’ down on this. Wearin’ pyjamas is a condition of mine.”

I regarded her. “Is that so?”

“Yes, it is so.”

Her chin lifted in the air, and I liked how fierce she seemed at that moment.

“Fine, pyjama pants in bed.”

Keela beamed in triumph. “And as for the kissin’ and touchin’ parts of your conditions—we will have to build up to that. I don’t know ye’, and I refuse to get intimate on any level with a stranger even if it is fake.”

I could deal with that. “Okay, that sounds fair.”

“So, you’ll be me pretend boyfriend and escort me to Micah and Jason’s weddin’?

I guffawed at her obvious excitement. “Yeah, kitten. You’ve got yourself a fake man.”

She clapped her hands together. “I can’t wait to see Jason’s face. This is gonna be so feckin’ good!”

She returned to her sit at the table, lifted her cup of tea to her lips, blew on it, took a sip, and groaned as she swallowed the hot liquid. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and that was all it took for my erection to spring to life.

“You make the perfect cuppa tea.”

“All that sugar will rot your teeth.”

“I need this. This is how I stay sane.”

I sat back down, and discreetly adjusted my cock in my shorts, but my attention turned to the doorway when I heard a thumping sound. Keela heard it too, and she stood and walked towards the door and pulled it open without a word. She leaped backwards when Dominic fell forward and crashed onto the ground. I cracked up with laughter as he hit the ground with a resounding thud.

What a dumbass.

“I told ye’ she had super hearin’!” Aideen’s voice shouted from down the hallway.

Dominic cursed under his breath as he pushed himself to his feet.

“Are ye’ okay?” Keela asked him. “Ye’ hit the ground hard.”

“He’s fine. Don’t worry about him. It serves him right for eavesdropping.”

Dominic’s eyes found mine. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was coming in to get some water—”

“Explain why you were pressed up against the door and fell when she opened it then?”

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it a second later and settled on glaring at me instead.

“Get your water and leave, little brother. I have things to discuss with my girlfriend.”

Dominic’s eyebrows shot up so high they got lost in his hairline.

“Girlfriend?” he spluttered.

Keela glared at me. “He means fake girlfriend.”

I blew her a kiss. “I’m getting into character, baby.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Fine,” I mused. “Just kitten then.”

She placed her hands on her hips.

“How about callin’ me Keela since that’s me name?”

Dominic chuckled, and said, “Just call her Keela. I never hear the end of it if I don’t call Bronagh by her name.”

“What do you call her if not ‘er name?” Keela asked.

Dominic gently clocked her chin with his knuckles, and said, “I call her my pretty girl.”

Keela looked like she just about melted into a damn puddle.

“That is the cutest thing I have ever heard in me entire life.”

“Besides Bronagh and her sister, you’re the cutest woman I have ever seen in my entire life.”

I gritted my teeth together and flexed my fingers before I balled my hands into fists. I got up, crossed the room, and put my body in front of Keela’s. Dominic looked at me with bemused eyes.

“Five-second warning to back off or I’m putting you on your ass, little brother.”

“Bro, what the hell has gotten into you? Since when do you threaten me?” he asked me. “Since when do you threaten anybody?”

“Stop flirting with her,” I growled. “I don’t like it.”

“Jesus, Alec, calm down,” Keela said. “He was only messin’ with me, ye’ weirdo.”

Dominic blissfully laughed, and said, “I like her.”

“I like her more and more each time she insults him,” Kane’s deep voice suddenly spoke as he entered the room and headed straight for the fridge.

“Fucking hell ... déjà vu,” Dominic muttered.

I was about to tell both of them to get there asses out of the room when I felt nails gently rake over my back. A shudder rain through my body, and blood rushed to my cock. The erection that fell when Dominic entered the room was back and throbbed. I turned to Keela, pulled her body against mine, and bent down, placing my mouth at her ear. “If you touch my back again, be prepared for a hard fucking, kitten.”

She gasped, but from the way her pupils dilated, I knew she liked the sound of that.

“If ye’ say anythin’ like that to me again, I’ll ... I’ll ...”

“You’ll what, kitten?”

She didn’t answer me. She just glared up at me.

“She’ll kick your ass from the looks of things,” Kane commented, then left the room with the food he’d gathered from the fridge.

I swallowed at I stared down at her. She was stunning. Big green eyes, pink lips, a juicy fuller lower lip, and snow white skin that had light brown freckles sprinkled across it. Her hair looked the colour of a summer’s sunset, and the contrast of it against her fair skin was beautiful.

“You’re a real man, ye’ know that?”

“I’m all man, baby.”

“No,” Keela said with a shake of my head. “I mean you’re a man. Like a caveman.”

I had never been called that before.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Yes and no.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Is it bad or is it good? Be straight with me.”

Dominic laughed, and said, “Wrong thing to ask a woman, big bro.”

I spared him a glance. “What the hell do you know about women?”

“More than you.”

I had more notches on my bedpost that this little shit times two.

I smiled. “Be serious, Dominic.”

“I’m the one who has an actual girlfriend out of the pair of us. You have just fucked your way through an endless line of pussy since you were fifteen. You’ve never had to deal with a woman when it hasn’t come to sex ... not when you weren’t working anyway.”

Well, he had me there.

I regarded him. “Fine. Since you know so much, enlighten me, Yoda.”

Dominic rubbed his hands together. “I’m giving you a crash course in what I like to call The Man Bible. It contains all the secret meanings to what women actually mean when they speak. So listen to me very carefully,” he stressed. “It is almost impossible for men to understand it, but a lucky handful of us know the true meanings of words women use as weapons, and I am about to impart this wisdom to you, bro.”

Well, he had my complete and utter attention now.

“The first word is ‘Fine.’ When a woman says this during an argument, she knows she is right and that you are very wrong. She is not fine —you’re not fine, nothing is fine.”

I frowned. “But what about if she is wrong—”

“No,” Dominic interrupted. “Do not talk back when she says something is fine; wait until she is calm to mention that she might be wrong. I usually wait a week before I mention things about past fights.”

“Okay, fine doesn’t really mean fine. Got it.” I waved my hand. “What else, love doctor?”

“Second word is ‘Nothing.’ By the might of God, when a woman says nothing is wrong, something is definitely fucking wrong.”

I looked at Keela. “I’m starting to believe that one.”

“The third word is ‘Whatever.’ This is another way for ladies to say fuck you.”

Keela giggled, making my brother grin as he popped up an extra finger. “The fourth is a sentence. When a woman says ‘It’s okay, don’t worry about it,’ you do worry about it. You worry a lot because she is thinking of a way to make you pay for whatever you did wrong.”

I was perplexed. “Why would they say that if they don’t mean it?”

“I think it’s some sort of mind trick.” Dominic shrugged. “They use that sentence as an illusion that things between you are okay, but when you least expect it, they strike like a viper and wound your soul.”

This was fucking confusing.

“Why can’t they just say what they mean instead of giving words a double meaning?”

Dominic shrugged again. “I know the real meaning of certain things women say, but I don’t understand why they give them a double meaning. That is beyond my area of expertise, bro.”

I looked down at Keela, eyeing her. “I don’t like this.”

She looked innocent, but I had no doubt she could mind fuck me should she choose to do so.

“Okay, listen very carefully to this two-word sentence. I’m serious, Alec. If you’re going to remember any of what I just said remember this—it might just save your life.”

I leaned forward, suddenly desperate to know this piece of information.

“When a woman tells you to ‘Go ahead,’ you do not under any circumstances go ahead. You’re retreat to a safe distance and observe the situation very carefully. She is daring you to do something, not giving you permission.”

Keela cracked up laughing, and it made me chuckle, and say, “I guess you laughing means all of that was bullshit?”

“No, the opposite.” She wiped under her eyes. “It was spot-on, and that’s why it’s so funny.”

I stared down at her, and it struck me at that moment just how little experience I had with women when it came to everything but sex. Dominic was right; if sex wasn’t on the table, I never had any kind of relationship with a woman. Now that I had a fake girlfriend, I needed to be on my A game. I didn’t want to fuck things up for Keela when she was showing this asshole Jason up. I wanted to be the best fake boyfriend she ever had. With my mind made up, I focused on Dominic, and said, “We need to have a serious conversation, little brother.”