Page 20 of The Havenport Collection

“Sure, sure, most of the time you just look like a goat. Today, you smell like one too.” Callum took a large gulp of beer, apparently pretty proud of himself.

“Fuck off, pretty boy, some of us have real jobs.”

I chimed in, “Seriously, you smell pretty rank. You could at least shower before you go out in public smelling like fish guts.”

“Sorry, your majesty, I didn’t want to keep you waiting in case you needed to talk about your feelings again.”

Cece shot me a look, and I tried to act cool. She didn’t need to know that I occasionally spilled my guts to these idiots.

“Speaking of shit, Liam, you are not exactly looking your best these days.”

I gave Declan a dirty look. “I’m stressed.”

“Well, you could at least make an effort. You have ladies working here now,” Callum piped in.

Cece stopped packing up her bag and turned around. She looked angry, and I was a bit worried about what she would do next. Usually she was pretty laid-back, but right now she looked furious.

She slowly turned around and pinned Declan with an icy stare. “You know, you should be a lot nicer to your little brother, since he gives you all this free beer.”

Declan paled. He was not used to being called out.

“And,” she continued, walking closer to where they were sitting, “while I’m sure you work very hard, Liam works seven days a week to make this place a success.

” She played with her hair for a minute and then innocently asked, “Didn’t you inherit your business from your daddy?

” She threw him a smile and batted her eyelashes.

I almost spit out my beer. Callum was hysterically laughing. “Oh shit,” he said to Declan. “Do you need some lotion for that burn?”

Cecelia looked at me intensely. Something silent and powerful passed between us. It was as if she was showing me she had my back. Declan glowered into his beer. He really did know when to shut up—it was one of his best qualities.

“You know,” she continued, walking over to where I was standing, “Liam and I have some ambitious plans for this place. What are you doing next week?”

Declan looked panicked. He hated being dragged into things. “Not sure, I have a lot to do.”

“Good, well, why don’t you check your calendar and let me know if Wednesday or Thursday works best for you.” She gave him a dazzling smile. “I’ll wait while you look.”

Callum and I exchanged looks. This was incredible to watch. Declan could barely lift his eyes from his beer. She had him by the balls and he knew it. I never knew quiet, timid Cecelia had this fire inside her.

Declan begrudgingly pulled out his phone and scrolled through. “I can make myself available on Wednesday.”

“Excellent.” She clapped him on the shoulder.

“We’re finishing the patio renovations next week and could really use your help.

Since you’re a real man with a real job and all, you could probably show us a thing or two.

” She batted her eyelashes at him, and I swear she was the most incredible woman in the world at that moment.

Declan took a swig of beer. “Okay. I’ll help.”

“Great! You are a gem. I’ll need you here at seven a.m. sharp.”

“And Callum,” she said, narrowing her eyes as he stared into his beer. “We’re going to need you on Thursday.” It was not a request. It was a demand.

“Um,” he sputtered, clearly trying to come up with an excuse. She completely ignored him and kept going.

“And while I have you both here,”—she whipped out her phone and starting swiping around—“I am volunteering you both for Oktoberfest. We’re really going to need all hands on deck because this is going to be the biggest event this brewery has ever seen.

” She made a few notes in her phone in a very businesslike manner.

“I’ll assign you both jobs soon, but you will be working setup crew on Friday, all day Saturday during the festival, and then cleanup duty the day after.

There will be no pay and no drinking on the job.

” Her voice was clipped, and her tone indicated that she was not taking no for an answer.

My brothers looked at me, helpless and dumbfounded. They had just been steamrolled by this beautiful wild woman and, like me, were powerless to say no to her.

Cece jumped up and down with excitement and smiled. “Thanks so much. You guys are the best.”

She walked over to the barstools and gave each a quick peck on the cheek. I was suddenly irrationally jealous of my brothers. What I wouldn’t give to have those gorgeous lips on any part of my body….

“Have a good evening, gentlemen,” she called, as she slung her bag over her shoulder and sauntered out.

Both my brothers sat in shock as I stared at the closed door, my erection straining my zipper. Cecelia Leary was one hell of a woman, and I was clearly in way over my head.

“Dude, you look like the heart eyes emoji right now,” Declan said, recovering his snark after the door had shut.

“Shut up,” I replied, still daydreaming about that goddess with the curly hair.

“That was scary,” said Declan.

“And really fucking hot,” said Callum.

“Are you in love with her yet?”

I shook my head, not liking where this conversation was going.

“Drink your beers, assholes.”

Oh my God, she totally stood up to my brothers and threw their shit right back at them.

I suspected she was a sexy badass, but having it confirmed had made me lightheaded.

Fuck, that was hot. She not only defended me and put them in their place, but she wrangled some much needed free labor out of them too.

My brain was cloudy with exhaustion, beer, and arousal, but I needed to remember every detail of this day, because it was the day I fell a little bit in love with Cecelia Leary.