Page 4

P resent Day.

I grabbed a glass of champagne off a tray from a passing waiter and grinned at my cousin as she and her husband posed for pictures with their beautiful new baby as everyone gathered to celebrate the christening of Michael Liam O’Doyle.

“Congrats!”

Everyone shouted and clapped, making the baby cry, of course. But no one was bothered, and everyone smiled indulgently as Michaela cuddled her precious bundle close.

It was a wonderful affair. Truly beautiful, but I expected nothing less from Aunt Sofia and Uncle Adrik, who were hosting. My eyes teared up, and I just felt so damn happy for my cousin I could just burst with it.

“Well, looks like they’re sticking it out,” a deep voice said from right next to me.

I looked down at the pristine white handkerchief offered, and took it, wiping my eyes and sniffing in an attempt to stem their flow and settle my nerves.

“Sorry. Allergies,” I mumbled and made to hand it back.

“Why don’t you hold on to that one, Darlin’? I have more.”

I looked up, ready to tell this jerk off. I didn’t need some man’s handkerchief, but when I looked up, I was startled into shutting my mouth.

I’d seen him before, of course. But this was the first time he had ever spoken to me.

“You’re Connor Callahan,” I said, taking him in from his short, high-tapered faux hawk to the red-soled navy blue leather shoes on his feet.

“Are those Cole Haan?” I asked, nodding at the shoes.

“Um, yeah. I think so,” he said with a careless shrug.

I had a thing for men with a certain style, and this man had it. He was definitely older than me. At least ten years, but I appreciate that despite his size, he wore a well-cut suit tailored to underplay his bulk and power.

“They’re fire.”

I licked my lips and raised my eyebrows, maintaining eye contact as I swirled my champagne and took another sip. Slowly.

“Thanks. I like your look too, Darlin’,” he purred, and the deep, rumbling sound was like catnip to my long-starved pussy.

In other words, I felt that teasing murmur all the way to my core.

“You still with ODI?” I asked casually.

“ODI is still my client, if that’s what you mean,” he corrected.

“Your client?”

I wasn’t aware of that, but why would I be? I never even spoke to the man, and my cousin was so caught up in her handsome hubby and being a mother, she knew little more than I did.

“That’s right. I run my own company. Liam is an old friend and a client.”

He dipped his chin, a sexy hum teasing his throat as he looked me over from head to toe seemingly casually.

But I felt the weight of his dark-eyed stare, and it made my blood sizzle.

I sipped my drink.

“I see,” I said, but I wasn’t really interested in business.

With my family all around me, I knew this wasn’t the time or place for what I was really interested in, and that was in maybe spending a little one-on-one time with Mr. Connor Callahan.

“Well, if you’re interested in maybe meeting up for a drink later, you can text me,” I said boldly, shivers of anticipation running through me.

Oh my God!

What was I doing? This was so unlike me. I didn’t just pick up random men at family events.

“I’m hardly a random guy, Darlin’. I’ve worked with your cousin for over a year. But, uh, I don’t have your number,” he said, a wicked grin on his handsome face.

“Well, damn. I guess I said all that out loud and ruined my image for you, didn’t I?” I said.

But Connor was looking at me with nothing less than interested delight, and that was just about all that a girl like me needed to keep an ember of hope alive deep down inside the untried spaces of my heart.

I didn’t know what it was about him, besides the fact he was drop dead gorgeous, but I found myself completely attracted to the man.

“I’m assuming you’re good at your job, Mr. Callahan,” I replied, feeling braver than usual.

I didn’t look at him again as I sauntered away.

And by the time I reached the restroom, I was practically panting.