Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 139789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139789 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Kane frowned at me. "Why not tell them to shove their wedding up their asses?"
I chuckled a little. "Because me ma would be on me case about it. Goin' to the weddin' and keepin' out of the way is much better than dealin' with my mother if I don't go. She is the Devil."
"Amen," Aideen said and made the sign of the cross, which Kane found funny.
I sighed, but kept a bright smile on my face. "Yeah... Well it was nice seein' you again Kane and Alec, and lovely meetin' you two lads. Have a nice day."
I nodded for Aideen to walk out with me, but when I turned to leave a large body blocked my way.
"Turn around and walk into the kitchen," Alec said, staring down at me, his gaze hard.
I swallowed. "What? Why?"
He kept eye contact. "Because I need to iron out some details with you if I'm going to be your escort to your cousin's wedding."
I stared at Alec and felt like I swallowed my tongue. A few seconds passed by until I found my voice and said, "But you said that you aren't in that business anymore and that you are retired-"
"Do you want my help or not?" Alec cut me off, his tone clipped.
I bit the inside of my cheek, and nodded my head because I really did want his help. No scratch that, if I wanted to show Jason and Micah that life after Jason was better than ever, I needed his help.
"Then turn around and walk into the kitchen, I want to talk to you in private. Just the two of us."
I have no idea why I didn't backtalk him for giving me an order. His tone left no room for argument though, so I kept my mouth shut turned and walked by Nico, Kane, Ryder, and Aideen on my way into the kitchen. I heard the kitchen door close after me, and knowing I was in a room all on my own with him made me nervous.
Very nervous.
"Do you want a cup of tea?" Alec asked from behind me.
I raised my eyebrows and turned to him.
Out of everything I expected him to say, that sentence was not it.
Alec shrugged his shoulders at my shocked facial expression. "Bronagh and Branna always tell me to 'put the kettle on' when they need to have a serious conversation, I figured you might want one before we talk."
Were we about to have a serious conversation?
Uh-oh.
"Um, sure. I'd love a builder's cuppa, please."
It was Alec's turn to raise his eyebrows then.
"What the hell is that?"
I chewed on my bottom lip for a moment, released it and said, "You know, a cup of tea with loads of sugar?"
Alec looked at me like I was stupid before he shook his head and turned to the counter where he picked up the kettle and filled it up with water from the tap. He placed the kettle back on the holder when it was full and flipped the switch on. He turned to face me then as he leaned back against the counter with his arms folded across his chest and looked at me, his eyes fixed on mine.
I shifted my stance a few times then dropped my gaze to Alec's nose instead of his eyes because I was a little unnerved that he wasn't blinking as he looked at me. I lowered my gaze to his mouth just as a smirk curved it and his dimples dented his cheeks.
I cleared my throat and said, "I'm just goin' to sit down."
I turned and moved to the kitchen table and made a huge deal of looking at my surroundings as I sat down just so I wouldn't have to look at Alec or his sexy dimples.
I didn't like him - he was hot all right, but he seemed to have the personality of a goat, and I didn't like goats.
Whether I liked him physically or not, it didn't calm my nerves when he looked at me. His gaze was intense and even though I wasn't looking at him, I could feel it piercing me. I waited a solid minute before I spoke.
"So what 'details' do we have to go over in order for you escort me to me cousin's weddin'?" I asked as I looked directly in front of me.
Across from me was a sliding glass backdoor. I could see out into a large back garden that was neat and tidy with a beautiful bed of flowers down the back that was topped off with a stunning deck that looked only half varnished.
"In order for me to escort you to your cousin's wedding, I need to draw up a contract-"
"Hold up, buddy. A contract? Is this conversation about to get Fifty Shades of Grey?"
Alec frowned at me. "That kinky porn book women love?"
I nodded my head and watched as his face changed from expressionless to beatific as he laughed and moved over to the kettle when it whistled letting us know the water was boiled.
"No, it's not about to get fifty shades of anything, Keela. Contracts with my clients are routine."
"Alec, I'm not your client. What I am askin' of you is a favour, not a business deal."
Alec looked over his shoulder and gazed at me with a look of confusion across his face. "Why don't you tell me what you want from this 'favour' so I get a better understanding of things then."
That seemed fair.
I nodded my head as he turned back around and began to make me a cup of tea.
"Well, much wouldn't be required of you. I just want you to pretend to be me boyfriend... That's it."
Alec turned back in my direction with a black mug in his hand. He carried it over to me, and placed it on top of the coaster that was already placed on the table in front of me. He took a seat across from me, clasped his hands together and placed them on the table in front of him. My eyes lingered on the light blue bulge of veins running down his arms; the veins were noticeable, but could be easily overlooked thanks to the stunning dragon tattoo that covered Alec's left arm, half of his chest, and part of his neck.