Riled (The Invincibles 4)

“I only had the pleasure of meeting your grandfather one time. However, he did little besides extol your virtues. Whitby Press could only benefit from your direct involvement.”

“As it does my father’s?”

He laughed. “It is with the deepest respect for his talent that we continue to publish your father’s work.”

“Would there ever come a time when you’d refuse to do so?”

He smiled at me with warm brown eyes, and my heart nearly melted. Teagon was right. Mr. Mulrooney was hot as fuck. He would be the perfect model on the covers of the books Whitby published, at least in the romance genre. He would also serve as an outstanding example for any non-fiction book about the world’s most handsome man, or how to work twelve hours a day and maintain a bodybuilder’s physique.

His hair and beard were salt and pepper, belying his age. I couldn’t remember exactly how old he was, other than being surprised when someone quoted it to me.

“I’d give anything to know what you’re thinking right now.”

“You’re ridiculously handsome,” I said without apology. It wasn’t a compliment; it was a statement of fact.

“Thank you, Kensington. I feel that opens things up for me to very unprofessionally tell you, you are the single most-attractive woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Thank you.” After seeing Cortez upstairs, my bruised heart and ego were soothed by Lincoln’s praise.

He cleared his throat. “While having dinner for the sake of enjoying your company would be exceedingly pleasurable, you did have things you wished to discuss.”

“My apologies for—”

He rested his hand on mine. “Please, no apologies, Kensington, about anything.”

“Excuse me, Mr. Mulrooney, Miss Whitby, your table is ready whenever you are,” said Ford when he approached our table.

“Shall we?”

Ford cleared his throat. “Sir, a change in rooms has been necessitated. I hope there is no inconvenience.”

“None at all,” he responded, but I could see faint lines etched in his forehead.

“It was per my request,” I explained.

He nodded and put his hand on the small of my back as we followed Ford up the stairs, past the library, and to the most private of Five Hertford’s dining rooms.

“Allow me,” Lincoln said before Ford could help me with my chair. “I much prefer this room. Thank you,” he leaned forward and whispered.

Once we were alone, I felt it only fair I explain why I’d made the request. “There was someone seated in the library…”

He smiled and rested his hand on mine a second time. “Say no more. I’ll consider it my good fortune.”

28

Rile

The very moment Kensington entered the building, I felt her presence. I would have regardless of whether I had been expecting her or not.

“Is that the woman everyone in the family has been talking about?” asked my cousin Serena.

“Yes. Also the one I told you about earlier.” Serena had asked me to join her for dinner this evening, but after I received word that Kensington would be here, I explained to my cousin why I was changing the venue.

“She’s lovely.”

My cousin and I returned to our discussion about her impending divorce, the reason she’d asked me to dinner, and what she was requesting from me.

“I would do anything for you, Serena. You know this. However, looking deeper into your husband’s infidelity will only serve one purpose, and that will be to hurt you.”