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Yup, this one is dangerous. I guess I don’t have to open up to have a good lay. I grin as the thought enters my head.

However, I shake it off just as quickly. I don’t have time for a fling. I need to take this time to figure out what’s next for me.

Is publishing over for me? Is it time I focus on my other business? Do I allow Dean Foxx to fade to black once and for all?

“Oh, um … I don’t know. I just arrived. I should probably unpack and help Kaye get this place in shape.”

“This place has been ready for Kaye before she arrived. Ya’ll have plenty of time to get settled yerself. Connie plans to help out for the next few days. Ma and Da will lend a hand as much as they can as well. I promise ya a good time.”

“Go on, there really isn’t much to do here tonight. Go have a good time and we can catch up tomorrow,” Kaye says.

I narrow my eyes and glare at her. From the smirk on her lips, she knows I’m going to kick her ass later. Ronan moves closer and his cologne surrounds me.

Good Lord, does fine have its own scent? This man smells good enough to eat. I slide my hands between my thighs and squeeze them together.

If I weren’t sitting on this stool, I’m sure my knees would have given up on me. I go to try to protest one more time, but Connie and Dae-Dae rush into the kitchen.

Ronan turns and scoops the boy up into his arms. The smile he gives the kid as he looks at him is enough to make me second-guess my stance on having kids and I don’t even like the little crumb snatchers all that much.

“Uncle Ronan, can you watch a movie with me?”

“I be heading out.”

“Aw man.” Dae-Dae pouts.

“If you watch the movie with the kid for the time it takes me to get ready, I’ll come out,” I say, not knowing what has gotten into me.

“Oh, awesome. Ya’re going to have so much fun. The McGowans are a blast,” Connie sings.

“Aye, we are,” Ronan croons. “Come, Dae-Dae, we have a movie to watch.”

“Yes,” Dae-Dae cheers.

“Fine, I’m going to get ready,” I grumble under my breath and head to my room.

I’m going to regret this. I can feel it.

* * *

Ronan

I hadn’t plannedto invite the lass along, but when I overheard her saying she needs to heal, I couldn’t help myself. My family is the right lot to bring a smile to her face and healing starts with joy. My family is certainly where I return when I need fixing.

It’s been years since I’ve needed to run back home for patching up, but I remember how my brothers got me right as they could after my world fell apart. We spent a lot of time in this very pub. They allowed me to drink my sorrows away as they took the piss out of me once I could handle the teasing.

“Ya haven’t taken yer eyes off her since ya arrived. Why are ya over here and not over there doing what ya do best?” My nephew Carrick asks.

I’m a flirt; it is what I do best. Flirting takes away the expectations. I’m good for a grand time in my bed.

I’m not going to stick around for the commitment. My past has made sure of that. It wouldn’t be right for me to pull that shit with Felix’s girl’s friend.

I pat the lad on his cheek. “Yer too young for me to have to explain myself to ya. Go on, find yerself something else to do.”

“Does that include her? She’s a fit one. Have ya seen that arse? What a ride.”

“Ya want to keep breathing through that bake?”

“Aye, I do.”