Page 95 of Three Irish Kings

So, how is she able to twist me into this mess? Why does it feel like she matters?

She doesn’t. She can’t. No one, except Cillian, Dare, and my da, can matter.

I’mintriguedby her. With as much as I push her away, I want her closer. Want to know everything about her.

And maybe I should. Maybe learning about her will be what breaks this spell she seems to have us all under.

And fuck that.

I want to stay in control, and there is no way I’ll let her, or anyone else, have control over my feelings. Over me.

My gaze locks onto her. “Tell me about yourself.”

Isla pauses, the somewhat gritty but otherwise edible mashed potatoes on a fork, suspended mid-lift on its way to her pouty lips and that sinful mouth.

She blinks. “You want to know about me?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes, it is.”

“And why is that?” I lean closer to her, and she doesn’t move away, finally lifting the fork all the way and taking the bite, her lips caressing the fork, and I have never been more jealous of anything than I am of that fork right now.

“You don’t even like me. Why would you care? I mean, all you do is order me around. You either ignore me, fuck me, or are mean to me.”

Guilt burns hot at the back of my neck. “It’s not like I try to be cruel on purpose.”

“You’re not cruel, not exactly, just... cold. Detached. You want to keep me at arms’ length, and that shows in the way you act with me.”

I nod. “Maybe you’re right. Still, are you ever going to tell me about yourself?”

“Uh… I like to write.”

I tilt my head, smiling slightly. “What do you like to write?"

“Just... little essays. Short stories, things like that.” She looks proud rather than embarrassed.

“Make any money at it?”

“Some.”

“Is that a career or a hobby?”

She seems to hesitate. “More of a hobby, for now.”

I nod. “Then maybe you should consider turning it into a career, if you love it so much and if you are able to make money from it.”

She smiles. “I don’t know why, but I didn’t think you’d have that viewpoint.”

I snort. “Why, because I’m a CEO? I’ll have you know I followed my passion. My passion just happens to be corporate business. Ma always said the universe provides, so if you’re having fun and making money, I say do it.”

“I didn't know anyone’s passion was corporate business.”

“Well, now you do.”

Da would box my ears for it. He’d want me to say the life, running the clan, is my passion. It isn’t. It never was, even if I’d never admit it to him. But here, with Isla, I feel like I can just allow myself to be truthful.

I have no idea why I feel so comfortable telling her this, but I tell myself it is because of our unique situation. After all, who is she going to tell? It’s not like I’ll let her leave here.