Page 16 of Three Irish Kings

It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been called handsome, but she’s talking to a complete stranger in an elevator. Does she have no sense of danger?

But I remain quiet.

“You’re Dare’s friend, Cillian, right? He pointed you to me before. Said you guys were here to network. Did you get any luck?”

"Fucking Dare,” I mutter, and I’m surprised I said it out loud.

“Cillian?”

There’s something about the way my name rolls off her tongue.

She turns to look at me, her hazel eyes sparkling.

Fuck, she’s pretty.

“Yes?”

“Even if you weren’t Dare’s friend, I’d still think you are handsome.” There’s a teasing edge to her voice.

“Thank you.” It sounds stupid coming out of my mouth, but I can’t help it.

I’m not like Dare who can flirt with a lamppost, or Liam who can do anything to further his career.

Iamflattered, which confuses me.

It’s not like I’m a fucking virgin, for crying out loud, but I’m usually the one taking the lead, not women. I have no idea if it isthe way I look or the vibe I put out, but yeah, I’m usually the one to take that first step.

I wonder if they sense the darkness festering inside me, the cold. If so, that begs the question, doesn’t Maggie have self-preservation skills?

“But maybe you shouldn’t go around complimenting men you don’t know. Never know how they might react.”

“What? Like they could be offended?”

“No. Like they could slam you against a wall and have their way with you, wreck you, own you, and make you beg for more.”

Her mouth opens and closes a couple of times before the elevator doors ping to open again.

It’s time.

Before she even takes her first step, I hold her around the waist, pulling her body against mine.

She gasps, a whimper escaping her.

My cock reacts instantly, both to the sound and to the closeness, but this is not what we are about now.

Or ever.

Clapping my hand over her mouth, I hold her closer to me.

She screams, but the sound comes out muffled, and disgust rushes through me.

Am I really doing this? Am I kidnapping a woman?

I have to trust Ronan and that this is what is right. I can’t fail him or Liam.

I get my lips as close to her ear as I can, struggling not to close that final almost-non-existent gap and taste her. “I’m going to take you to the car, and you’re not going to scream again, got it? Because if you do...”

It’s an empty threat. I’m not going to harm her. I can’t. Maybe Ronan’s code has changed in these last few months or so, but mine hasn’t.