“She said that Alan bought the election. One of the Nolans ran his campaign, but Alan had a hand in everything. Nothing was being done behind his back. Whatever happened, he knew about it.”
“Anything about my dad?”
“I didn’t ask about him specifically. I thought that would be too suspicious. I came at it from the politics. I can reach out to the Nolans. My parents know at least one of them.”
“I don’t know if it would matter. Jimmy O’Malley has come across similar information. Cahill is dirty, but no one can prove it. We’re still not sure how it ties to my dad.” He drank his beer and sank into silence for a bit.
Chloe wished she knew what to say or do, but she had nothing, so she just drank her beer and watched as Ronan’s darts partner picked up another guy to drink with. She felt Ronan staring at her. Returning her attention to him, she asked, “What?”
“I’m wondering what exactly we’re doing. We got into this being casual, but it’s not feeling that way anymore. You’re over there watching Tiffany as if she might crook a finger and I’ll go running.”
Chloe swallowed hard and lifted a shoulder. “I’m just interested in seeing what your type is.”
“My type?” He leaned close to her across the table and spoke with narrowed eyes. “You’re my fucking type, Chloe. You’re in my head and I can’t get you out of my system.”
His words shouldn’t have made her happy and she definitely shouldn’t get turned on, but she was. “If I’m your type, why bother with her? You could’ve sat and had a beer by yourself. You made sure I saw you with her. What were you hoping for?”
He slid back in his chair. “Not a damn thing. I understand what I am to you.”
At least he didn’t deny he’d been flirting with the woman. He didn’t feign innocence or make her feel like she was imagining things. But she didn’t like the way his comment sounded like an accusation. “And what exactly is that?”
“I’m your fuck buddy that you keep as a dirty little secret.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. But you can’t get jealous that some other woman has my attention. I’ve been playing by your rules. I know my place.”
Her heart sank. She opened her mouth to refute everything. To explain that the problem was with her. That she was afraid to have a relationship even though he made her want to, but the words didn’t come.
He rose, polished off his beer, and said, “Thanks for the info. I’ll let Brendan know about the Nolans and see what he thinks.”
She wrapped her fingers around his forearm. “You’re just gonna leave?”
“I’m not really in the mood tonight.”
“That’s not what I meant. We can have another drink, talk...”
“I don’t have anything else to say.”
He walked away and she sat stunned for a minute. They’d been having a good time. And she really did like him. She pushed her fear down and ran after him. Outside on the street, she looked to where his truck was parked.
“Ronan!”
He paused and turned. She jogged across the street.
“Wait. Just give me a minute.” She hated the weakness in her voice. She took a deep breath. “I like what we have. I like you. More than like you, and that sucks because I wasn’t looking to fall in love.”
She sucked in a shaky breath afraid of how he’d interpret those words. She wasn’t even totally sure what she’d meant by them.
He crossed his arms over his broad chest. She wanted those arms around her.
“What do you want me to say, Chloe? I wasn’t looking to get involved with you. You pushed into my life. You got us here, and it’s like I don’t have a right to want more.”
She licked her lips. Her heart thundered and as scary as it was to admit, she pushed forward. “I want to be able to give you more. Give us more.”
He didn’t look convinced. She stepped closer and touched his cheek, loving the feel of his beard on her palm. “This started out as fun. I thought you were the perfect guy to keep things simple with. The bad boy of the neighborhood surely wouldn’t want a relationship.”
“I’m not that guy anymore.”
“I know. I like this guy even more.”
He grabbed her wrist. “Where do we go from here?”
“I don’t know.”
Pulling away, he said, “Let me know when you figure it out.”
“You’re still just going to walk away?”
“I don’t know what you want from me, Chloe. I can’t do this. I’ve got too much on my mind to play games.”
“I don’t want this to end. This matters to me. I know you’re dealing with a lot. So let me help you take your mind off your troubles.” She smiled. She might not be able to commit to giving him everything he wanted, but she could give him this. “Let me ease some of your frustrations.”