This Love (Cowboys & Angels 6)

Tammy pulled a book down and shoved it in my face.

“Look! Romance books!”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, joy.”

I glanced at the cover. It was one of the titles Amelia had bought for me to read last year. I wanted to chuckle but decided against letting Tammy in on the little secret of my reading habits.

A few people approached, and I made small talk. Everything from how the weather was and how good the fish were biting, right up to it was about time an elegant bar came to town. That was when I lost interest in the conversation. Almost became combative. My bar was nice, not fancy like the one upstairs, but it was nice.

Assholes.

My eyes scanned the room, and they locked on the most breathtaking green eyes I’d ever seen.

Maebh.

Holy shit. She looked beautiful. More than beautiful. She took my breath away in that dress. My mind instantly went back a few days ago when those legs were wrapped around me and my cock was pressed into her hot core.

Fucking hell.

Maebh’s gaze jerked to Tammy next to me. She was going on and on about another book she’d found. Every now and then, she punched me in the arm.

Maebh looked back to the person she was talking to. She said something and headed up the steps to the reception area, otherwise known as: the bar with the whiskey. Just what I needed.

Tammy was buried elbows deep in books, allowing me to slip away.

The second I got up there, I found my family. Well, most of them. Mitchell and Corina were absent since Corina had just given birth to Merit a few weeks back.

Then I saw her.

My mother.

The huge smile she wore said she was on a mission.

Fucking great.

“Cord!” My mother exclaimed. “You made it.”

Leaning down, I kissed her on the cheek. “Of course I did.”

She pulled me close and put her mouth next to my ear. “Thank you for showing up.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Her brow lifted like she knew something I didn’t.

What the hell is my mom up to now?

“Mom, can I ask you a question?”

She tilted her head and tried to look innocent. “Of course.”

“Why did you put the Irish butter in my refrigerator?”

She wanted to laugh; I could see it all over her face. She did a damn good job holding it in. “Well, I read that it’s much better for you. Just ask Maebh.”

And there it was.

“Ma, don’t be butting into my business.”

“Cord Parker, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I balled my fists at my side. “I’m telling Dad!”

She glared at me before tossing her head back and laughing. She patted my chest and shook her head. “Good luck with that, son. Ask your siblings how well it’s worked for them in the past. I need to go say hello to someone.”

Groaning, I made a mental note to stop by my folks’ place sooner rather than later. I needed my mother to keep her nose out of this.

I glanced around the room, searching for her. Maebh was standing behind the bar, laughing alongside some good-looking bastard whom I was hoping was just the bartender.

“Maebh!” Waylynn called out. “Show everyone the proper way to take a shot.”

My dick strained against my pants when I saw her cheeks flush. The things I wanted to whisper in her ear to make those cheeks turn pink like that… I’d done it the other day when I kissed her and had my cock pressed against her body. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I shook my head, clearing my wayward thoughts while I studied her.

Maebh poured a generous shot. Right before she brought the glass to her mouth, her eyes met mine. I smirked and shook my head slightly. No fucking way she was going to down all that.

She winked, tilted her head back, and took the shot in one fucking gulp. My knees actually trembled, and my stomach felt like I’d jumped a hill going a hundred miles-an-hour in my truck.

What in the fuck? I’d had plenty of women wink at me, but Maebh O’Sullivan winking and then downing a shot? Sexiest thing I’d ever seen. But what the hell did it mean? It made me both anxious and horny at the same time.

“A round for everyone!” she called out. Shots were poured and handed to everyone in the reception area. Maebh’s father stood next to his daughter and lifted the glass.

“To Aisling!” he cried out, and everyone followed his lead.

I swallowed hard as Maebh took another shot with ease. She was soon walking around the room, mingling with everyone. I needed to find an escape before she got to me. I couldn’t talk to her. Not after the dick move I’d pulled last week, but damn, I certainly couldn’t control the way my body reacted to her.