But then I reminded myself I didn’t want him to affect me, and I tried to bury my attraction where it couldn’t see the light of day. Mostly, though, I failed. Every time my brain would say, “No, he’s off limits,” my cock would say, “But we like him, and we want to play.”
“I didn’t ask before,” he said, pulling my thoughts back to the conversation and away from what I wanted to do with him. “Did you move here with anyone, or is it just you?”
Why do you want to know? I almost blurted, but then caught myself. “Nope, just me.”
“No girlfriend back in Dublin then?”
I laughed and rubbed my palm over my jaw. “I’m not exactly the relationship type,” I told him truthfully.
In ten years, I’d had two girlfriends—one that had lasted three months before she wanted a ring, and another who I’d been with for nearly six months when I found out she was fucking a soccer player I’d known for a several years. I’d spent the last four years a free man, fucking anyone I wanted, anytime I wanted. The only exception being last year when I’d come dangerously close to dating a friend of one of my teammates’ wives. Thankfully, we’d realized we were too much alike, and had decided to remain friends instead. Which reminded me, I needed to give Brienne a call and invite her out to Edinburgh now that I’d settled into my apartment.
Lachlan hoisted his apron over his head and hung it up on a peg to his right. “A real love ‘em and leave ‘em type then?”
“Yeah, something like that.” I searched his face for some clue that he wanted me to say more, to tell him there’d been a man too, but I saw nothing that indicated he cared one way or the other. “You know how it is with professional athletes.”
He shook his head. “Nope, but if it’s anything like what goes on in a professional kitchen, I can guess.”
Just then, a stunning hostess with long black hair cascading down her back in thick, luscious waves approached, and three of the men working in the kitchen turned to eye her sinful curves with longing. I got the impression each one had already fucked her but would have happily gone back for seconds.
I dragged my eyes back to Lachlan’s with a knowing smirk. “Yeah, that seems about right.”
He came around the bar, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m done for the night.”
“Already?” I looked around and noticed the dining room was empty, save for the people who worked there. “Fuck. What time is it?”
“Eleven,” a red-haired waitress said pointedly as she sailed past with a scathing look.
“Shit, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you kick me out?”
He shrugged, and when he moved toward the front of the restaurant I followed behind like a moth to his flame.
“I like talking with you, I guess,” he said, grabbing a set of keys from behind the podium. “Helps the night go quicker.”
I felt my cheeks turn pink at his praise, and hoped the dim overhead lights masked my reaction. “If you say so. But next time, tell me to get the fuck out.”
He scanned me briefly, a slight flare of heat in his eyes. “I doubt anyone’s ever kicked you out of anywhere.” He shrugged into his coat, and when he looked back to me, I had to wonder if I’d imagined the attraction I’d seen a couple of seconds before.“So, this might seem strange, but do you need to be up early tomorrow?”
My cock stirred to life and thickened in my jeans. He’s going to ask me back to his place. But then I reminded myself I’d have to find a way to turn him down—even though I wanted nothing more than to let him have his wicked way with me.
I shook my head slowly. “Nope, no plans. Why?”
Please tell me it’s because you want to take me home and fuck my brains out.
He glanced out the window. “I’m heading to a friend’s party, and I wondered if you wanted to tag along. Since you don’t know anyone here, I thought you might like to meet some new people.” He dragged his eyes back to mine, and his normally warm, open gaze had shuttered. His body was strung tight, and his whole demeanor had become more reserved than I’d ever seen it.
And just like that, my dick went soft. Lachlan hadn’t been flirting with me; he’d been being friendly—and I’d completely misread his intent.
Shit.
For as good as I was at reading people on the pitch, apparently, I sucked at it out in the real world. No wonder the only people I ever hooked up with were the ones who walked right up to me and told me they wanted to suck my cock. I couldn’t be trusted to figure it out otherwise.
Shoving my disappointment down, I smiled tightly. “Yeah, that’d be great.” I gestured toward the door and followed him outside, my collar popped and my head bowed against the rain.
** Click Here To Keep Reading **
Other Books by Rebecca Norinne
The Rocky Cove Series
Not Quite Perfect
The Professor Problem
Making Her Bloom
The Roommate Situation
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The River Hill Series
(Co-Written with Jamaila Brinkley)
The Vintner’s Vixen
The Distiller’s Darling
The Baker’s Beauty
The Barista’s Beloved
The Chef’s Cutie
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The Dublin Rugby Romance Series
Try Me
Ruck Me
Hook Me
Test Me
Bind Me
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The Billionaire Series
The Deal (M/M/F)
The Hunt
The Boss
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Steamy Standalones
Lucky Star
Ashes to Ashes
About The Author
USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Norinne writes sexy romance from the heart. When not banging away at the keyboard, she is watching rugby, playing board games, or drinking a pint (or two!) of craft beer.
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Originally from California, she now resides in New England with her husband and two cats. Together, they are renovating a home built in the mid-1700s and trying valiantly not to be eaten alive by mosquitos.
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For more information, please visit http://www.rebeccanorinne.com. Or, for the latest book news, release dates, contests, and other exclusive content, sign up for Rebecca’s newsletter at http://www.rebeccanorinne.com/newsletter.
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You can also join her reader group, Rebecca’s Romantics, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rebecca.Romantics/.