Page 27 of Captive Audience

“I’m so sorry.” With Rook facing away from me, I couldn’t read his expression, but if I had to guess from his tone, I’d say his brother’s death still haunted him. I wanted to ask how his brother had died, but the silence that followed made me think I shouldn’t.

He stirred the eggs. “I was living in Belfast when he passed. Came here to manage his affairs and never left.”

“Were you close with him?”

“Thick as thieves. Niall and I were the two oldest in a family of four kids. The pair of us were a right handful for my ma.” He glanced over his shoulder and aimed a mischievous smile at me. “Da was in the military and not home much, so my brother and I used to raise hell around town.”

“I’ll bet. And is Philly home now?”

“Aye.” He nodded. “I don’t have any family in Belfast anymore. Got cousins here, though.”

I took a sip of water. “I’m glad you decided to stay.”

“Here.” Rook grabbed my purse from the end of the counter. “You should text your friends so they know you’re okay.”

“Thanks. That’s really thoughtful of you.”

“No problem.” He licked his full lips, reminding me of all the places on my body they’d been and how incredible they’d felt.

It was really going to suck when this was over.

I thumbed out a quick message to the girls’ group chat, then turned my phone to silent before the barrage of questions came through. I’d tell Daisy and Beth everything later, when I got home. I wanted to focus on Rook for however long I had left with him.

We ate and drank while sharing small details about our very different childhoods. Rook wanted to know more about growing up in Chicago, where I’d spent my preteen years, and he told me about his and his brother’s shenanigans.

He didn’t seem in a hurry to push me out the door, and truthfully, I didn’t want to leave. But it was time to go. I’d sleep like the dead when I got home.

“I’d better get dressed and get an Uber.”

I yawned and rose from the barstool, but when my knees threatened to give out, I quickly grabbed the counter.

“Careful.” Rook was there in a flash, supporting me around my waist. “You’re exhausted. You should sleep here.”

Stay over at my hookup’s house? I never did that.

But I was so tired that I was glad he’d offered his bed. I couldn’t imagine waiting for an Uber, and the twenty-minute ride home.

And if I was being honest with myself, some foolish part of me wanted to spend more time with Rook.

My brow pinched. “Are you sure? I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“It’s almost six a.m., and you’ve had a long night. Stay. I’ll feel happier knowing you’re safe here.”

“All right.”

He helped me to his room and tucked me into the soft sheets of his bed. “Rest, love. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

As I closed my heavy lids, I memorized the smile on Rook’s face and the feel of his kiss.

I didn’t even have the energy to thank him.

16

ROOK

With Asha fast asleep, I dialed my cousin’s number.

“Yeah?” Aidan answered.