Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Ciarán

W hat a fucking night.

I stumble into the house and catch the corner of my hip on the round entryway table on which Ma keeps fresh flowers. The lilies in the vase tip slightly, and I rush to grab the expanse of crystal before it falls and shatters to the ground.

The alcohol I decided would be my dinner makes my movements clumsy, but I get my hands around the bloody thing and right it. I shake off my hands, which are now soaked with the water that splashed out, and then check my appearance in the mirror hanging on the wall.

Dark hair tussled and darker sunglasses were firmly in place to hide my bloodshot eyes, flushed cheeks, and perfect white teeth. I slowly undid my tie and opened the top three buttons of my pristine white dress shirt.

Good enough.

I sigh and turn to walk towards the laughter and conversation coming from the dining room. It’s a happy sound, and it makes me grin as I push through the door .

“There he is!” Da clasps his hands together.

“Evening all,” I lean in to kiss Ma, and out of the corner of my eye, I see the familiar flame-red hair, and I pause.

It’s straight.

Not one bouncy curl in sight. I narrow my eyes at the tilt of her chin that hides her face from my view. I glance at Da, but he’s back to talking and cutting into his food.

“Ma,” I place my lips on her forehead and take my seat right next to my sister.

“Jade,” I call her name, and she lifts a hand, keeping her face turned away.

“Lass, is everything alright? Did you two have a row?” Ma’s questioning glance runs back and forth between us, full of suspicion.

“Aye, Ma. She left before I could even see her earlier. Took a taxi and bolted into the night. Alone.” I stress the final word.

She flips her hair over her shoulder and stares at me.

Green orbs reflect the fire I feel in my soul. Perfectly arched brows over narrowed eyes, a button nose, and dark pink lips that would look fantastic around my cock.

Wooo.

Where the fuck did that thought come from? I shake my head and grab the bridge of my nose. How has the best night of my life become such a shit show?

“Oh love, is it another headache?” Ma fusses as she does, but I shake my head.

“No, it’s work. We had a little trouble with the models today.” I lift my head and lower my glasses so Jade can see my eyes.

“Luckily, we found a last-minute replacement.” I ground out the words through clenched teeth.

“Well, then, it sounds like you’re tired. We should all get a good night’s sleep.” Da stands, taking Ma’s hand.

“I know Jade is exhausted after traveling all day.” Ma pats her head and then mine .

“Night all,” Da calls over his shoulder.

A few minutes pass as we both sit at the table in silence. I start to tap my fingers on the table to fill the room with all the words we should be saying to each other. I sigh when I come to realize that if I want answers I’m going to have to ask them.

“Why?” I hiss, and she jumps slightly, giving me pause.

“Why? Why what?” She crosses her arms over her chest, which only serves to make her perfect round breast look even more mouthwatering.

I close my eyes and shake my head again.

“Jade, why did you lie and sneak onto the set today?” I try to be patient, but my voice comes out raspy and demanding.

“You are a bloody fool.” She pushes away from the table and stands.

“I didn’t do shit! I arrived, and you had one of your lackeys shove me into your office. I was tired and hungry. All I wanted was to come home. I went looking for you only to have you not recognize me but mistake me for the fucking help!” She slams her palms on the table and leans in closer to me.

“Then I’m turned into some sex symbol and turned out to be recorded. The worse part is it’s gone fucking viral! I’ve had to shut my phone off because my bloody face is all over.” She straightens and starts to walk around the table, but I shoot my hand out, grabbing her wrist.

“My turn,” I stand slowly, so I’m looking down at her.

She gasps, and I barely keep myself from doing the same.

The room is charged with tension, and it is one hundred percent sexual. She bites her lip and tries to pull away making my anger turn up to rage.

Is she scared of me?

No, the way she’s staring at my lips as she slowly pants tells me she’s trying to run away before we do something incredibly foolish. So why am I not letting her ?

FUCK.

“Ciarán,” her voice comes out in a whisper with the sweetest begging undertone that my mind snaps.

I pull her to me and close my mouth over hers, sealing our fate. The hell with the consequences, we’ll deal with that tomorrow.

Tonight, I want Jade in my bed.