In Too Deep

“Good to see you, too.”

Then Declan bounded up behind Nessa. “Hey, Chloe.” He bumped Nessa out of the way and wrapped Chloe in a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Chloe chuckled. Declan was feeling good because he’d had a few to drink. “Good to see you again, Declan. How’s the kitchen coming?”

He pulled back from the hug but stayed in her personal space. “We haven’t started work yet, but I’ve given Ronan all my plans. Do you have any ideas? I could add to what I have.”

“Uh, no. I’m pretty sure Ronan should decide what to do in his kitchen.”

“I figured you might be here more often and...you know.”

She smiled. “Even if I do come by more often, I don’t cook.”

“You have really pretty eyes, you know that?” Declan said, pressing closer to her. Then he winked at Ronan. Such a trouble maker.

“Go feed people,” Ronan said to his sister, shoving the platter at her. “And make sure he’s the first to get food.”

Nessa poked Declan with her elbow. “Come on.”

He followed her without another word to Chloe.

“Your brother is cute.”

“Uh-huh.” Then Ronan took Chloe’s hand and pulled her across the grass and up the stairs to his house. He pushed through the kitchen door and closed it behind them.

“What?” she asked.

“I didn’t invite you at first because I am worried about you. I don’t want Cahill to cause trouble for you because of me. I also don’t want my siblings to gossip about what we’re doing and get you in trouble with your family.”

“Oh.”

“But know this. I wanted you here. I like spending time with you.”

Her heart raced. She forced her brain not to read too much into it. “Okay,” she said on a shaky breath.

He caged her against his refrigerator. “And I won’t stand by while you flirt with my brother—any of them—to piss me off. I’m not playing games.”

“Hey. He hugged me.”

“Then you told me he was cute.”

“Well, he is.” She ran a hand down his T-shirt-clad chest. “I’m a little old for cute, though. I like what we have going on here.”

“Me, too.” He lowered his lips to hers in a hungry kiss.

She didn’t let him get carried away, though. “You have guests. And a job to do.”

“You’re distracting.”

She smiled. “I’ll try hard not to be. What can I do to help?”

“Grab the salads from the fridge and put them on the table outside. I need to cool off.” He stepped away from her, adjusted his crotch, and moved toward the bathroom.

Chloe swallowed her giggle and opened the fridge. They did have a good thing going. But unlike with other guys she had fun with, Ronan wasn’t the bad boy he had been. She froze in front of the refrigerator. It had been easy to want Ronan when she believed he was like every other player she’d ever been with. But he just admitted he cared. It mattered to him that he might cause trouble for her. He wanted her safe.

Pulling the salads from the fridge, she let that thought settle over her. She’d spent a long time counting on only herself to feel safe and secure. She didn’t know what to do with Ronan.

Keeping her heart out of it might be harder than she thought.