Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79139 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
After he left, Seamus slumped over with a groan. He couldn’t be alone with Bellamy again. That was painfully obvious.
And he would talk with Gillian tonight if the opportunity presented itself. Ask her for a kiss at the very least. Not because Bellamy had practically dared him to, but because he needed to know. He did know, dammit—he found Gillian very attractive—but he also knew that he hadn’t yet had the kind of physical reaction to her that he’d had to Bellamy from the very first instant their eyes met. He needed to see if he could make it happen.
Then? He was willing to try just about anything to shake off these long-buried and unwelcome feelings that he couldn’t seem to control anymore.
My finger. My cock. Anything.
He had to get Bellamy Demir out of his head.
Chapter Six
“I didn’t know you could dance like that, Seamus.” Gillian’s cheeks were flushed and she was breathless. She hadn’t held anything back on the dance floor.
He was glad she’d agreed to spend some time with him while she wasn’t working, even if it was still at Murphy’s so she could keep an eye on things.
“Neither did I,” he answered honestly. “I can’t remember the last time I did it in front of people. Maybe senior prom?”
“You truly are deprived.” She shook her head reproachfully as they walked toward the bar. “No massaging, no dancing, no holidays. You should enjoy life more, my friend. You only have the one.”
He caught a glimpse of Bellamy brooding on his usual stool. He’d been watching them all night, a knowing expression on his face, and Seamus had an overwhelming urge to escape him. To prove him wrong. “Get some air with me?”
Gill glanced at her father before nodding and taking his hand, letting him pull her out the front door. He walked her over to the far end of the building where the music and noise faded and spun her around as if they were still dancing.
“Seamus,” she laughed. “Stop, you’re making me dizzy.”
He looked down at her and thought of all the plans he’d been making a few days ago. Everything was different now and he didn’t like it. He’d been sure this was what he wanted. She was what he wanted. It would be so easy.
“Gillian Murphy, would you mind if I kissed you?”
She bit her lip, studying him the same way he’d been studying her. “Seamus Finn,” she started, just as formally. “I would be insulted if you didn’t at least try.”
He cupped her cheeks with his hand and pressed his lips gently to hers as she leaned into him with a gentle sigh. Her lips were sweet and soft, opening easily to invite him in. Their tongues explored each other’s mouths with light, almost teasing curiosity. Gill lifted her hands to his shoulders and he tugged her closer, gripping her carefully around her waist.
There’s nothing wrong with this, he told himself. It felt good. Comforting. Familiar, like everything else about her. He could be content kissing her for the rest of his life.
A memory of Bellamy’s hands on his skin made him pull away abruptly.
Gill licked her lips and studied him with a tender smile. “That was very nice.”
“It was.” And I’m an idiot.
“You’re a good man.”
“That doesn’t sound promising,” he said ruefully.
Her expression was incredibly kind. “It is. There aren’t many of those around, you know. Believe me.” She bit her lip. “But I think we both know I’m not really the one you want to be kissing.”
Seamus frowned, but she shook her head before he could deny it. “Even if I hadn’t seen the sparks flying between the two of you all week, or realized that Bellamy only showed up at the bar when you were around… Connor told me about your spa session.”
“Son of a bitch.”
She cupped his hot cheek. “Don’t blame him. He never could keep a secret from me. And there’s no shame in it. You, of all people, should know that. Certainly I’m not the one to judge you. My oldest brother sleeps on both sides of the bed, and our pub was the place to be in Galway to celebrate when we passed marriage equality.”
Her kindness was salt in his wounded pride. “How can you be so understanding? I’ve proposed to you. I kissed you.”
Seamus let her tug his head down and press his forehead against hers.
“We’re friends, aren’t we?” she said. “And I think we both wondered if we could be more because, well, wouldn’t that be perfect? I’d be an idiot not to at least think about it. You’re gorgeous, smart and kind, and you’d do anything for the people you love. And you know your beer. Exactly what I’ve always wanted. But sometimes what we think we want isn’t what we really need, is it?”