Deceived Page 15

  I put my shirt back on, and she cast again, this time managing to actually land the worm and the hook in the water. After a couple of minutes, she shrieked, “I got one! I got one!”

  “Give the line a jerk and reel it in,” I encouraged her.

  She did, jumping and squealing the entire time as she stepped closer to the edge of the rock, so she could see the fish as she reeled it out of the water.

  I grabbed her line, steadying the fish so she could get a closer look. “You caught a small bream.”

  She took the fishing line from me. “I just caught my first fish!” she squealed. “Take my picture.”

  I pulled my phone out of my pocket and took a couple of photos of her as she proudly held up her fish, a smile beaming across her face. “Got it. You want to take it off the hook?”

  “Yeah.” I explained to her how to handle the fish and pull the hook from its mouth. Then, she lowered it toward the water and released it. “That was so much fun!”

  “Good job, Flanagan. You want me to put another worm on your hook?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll just sit here and watch you for a while.”

  I whipped my wrist and released the line. After I caught and released a couple of more bass, I sank down beside her.

  “Did your dad teach you how to fish?” she asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “It was more like he taught Pax, and Pax taught me. That’s kind of the way things went when I was growing up.”

  “Your dad didn’t give you the same amount of time he gave Pax?”

  A humorless laugh escaped me. “Not hardly.”

  “What about Evan?”

  I shrugged. “He was closer with our mother.” Cade picked up a small rock and threw it in the lake. “What about you? What kind of stuff did you do with your dad when you were growing up?”

  “My dad used to read to me. In fact, he still reads a lot. He loves to read about history, wars and rulers and all that boring stuff. I did go camping with Lexi’s parents once, but we didn’t do any fishing.”

  “Real camping, like in a tent?”

  “We were in an RV.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not camping.”

  “Oh, so you’re a guy who likes to rough it?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  She ran her fingers through her hair. “You like bugs and mosquitos and sleeping on the hard ground? No electricity or running water?”

  I scanned the lake, noting the way the water gleamed as the wind rippled across its surface. In the distance, a fish leapt from the depths, arcing before it dove back and disappeared from view.

  “I enjoy nature. I like hearing the birds sing. I like walking through the forest, watching for animals and listening to them call to one another. I like that when I’m out in nature, I can hear myself think without telephones ringing, horns beeping, radios blaring. Nature is a powerful place, raw and beautiful.”

  She scanned the lake, too. “I guess I’ve never thought about it like that. Maybe I just haven’t been out in it enough to really get it.”

  “I saw the appreciation on your face when you were standing on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. I think you get it more than you realize.”

  She smiled, turning her gaze on me. “Admiring the cliffs is a lot easier to do than spending the night in the forest, depending on my own devices. If I ever have to live off the grid, I’m going to bring you with me since you know how to do useful things like hunt and fish.”

  “You don’t think your mad accounting skills will help you out in the wild?”

  “Not unless I’m inventorying acorns for the winter.”

  I grinned at her. “So I could trade you fish for acorns?”

  A smile broke across her face. “You could, although I think I’d be getting the better end of the deal.”

  My amusement faded, and I studied her as her hair glistened in the sunlight, highlighting the hint of red that stemmed from her Irish ancestry. Her dainty features added to her beauty, and I found her alluring. “I think any deal with you would make me the lucky one,” I said softly, meaning it.

  Her eyes slowly drifted up my body until they met mine. A hint of a smile played upon her lips. “So why don’t we make a deal?”

  “A fish for acorns?”

  Her laughter filled the air, mingling with the rustling of leaves and high-pitched birdcalls. “The only fish I had in mind was the two-hundred-pounder, give or take, that I caught today, which by the way, also makes me the winner.”

  I rubbed the back of my neck where her hook had scraped my flesh.

  “No,” she continued, “I’m not offering acorns. I’m offering…me. I think you and I would be good together.”

  “And I don’t disagree.” I frowned, exhaling loudly. “I’m in a tough spot, Flanagan.”

  She reached over and squeezed my hand. It was odd how something as simple as the touch of her hand could move me. That one simple action made me want to take her in my arms and hold on to her forever.

  “I know you are,” she responded, “and I don’t want to add more pressure on you, but I need to know what you want from me.”

  “I told you. I want everything.”

  Her eyes watched my expression, and I could tell she was mulling my words. “If you truly mean that….”

  “I do.”

  She nodded. “Then I’ll try to be patient while you work through it.”

  “You had asked if there was something you could do to help,” I said.

  “All you have to do is ask.”

  I threaded my fingers with hers. “Can you talk some sense into Pax?”

  Chapter 16

  Murder Hole

  Cade

  My phone rang, the screen indicating that it was my father.

  “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

  “Do you already have plans Wednesday night? I thought we’d get the family together for dinner to celebrate your birthday. Pax said he could have someone cover the gym, so all three of you could be off at the same time.”

  “Yeah, that would be fine with me. Mind if I bring someone?”

  “It’s your birthday. I’ll let your mother know you’re bringing a guest. I’ve got another call coming in. We’ll see you Wednesday.”

  “See you then.” I hung up the phone and headed to Whiskey Nights.

  I couldn’t hide the smile on my face when I saw Flanagan sitting at the bar, talking to Lexi while she sipped on her drink. I took the empty seat beside her as a spinning coaster landed on the bar in front of me. Glancing down the bar, I saw Mason, beaming as he headed in my direction with a bottled beer, which he planted on the coaster.

  “Hey, man, what’s going on?” he asked.

  “Not much. You seen Hawk today?”

  “You just missed him. He and Amber stopped by for a drink on their way to dinner.”

  “I didn’t see him at the gym this morning. Or you, for that matter.”

  Mason leaned against the counter, stretching. “We’ve been covered up. I couldn’t get my sorry ass out of bed this morning.”

  “Maybe I need to get Lexi a cattle prod. Nothing like a little electrical shock to get you going.” I made the motion of poking Mason.

  “Damn, dude, don’t give her any ideas.”

  “Cattle prod,” Lexi announced. “I’m writing that down.”

  “Whoa, now, Lex,” Mason teased, “the only prodding that’s going on between the two of us has nothing to do with cattle.”

  A bright shade of red crept up Lexi’s face while I barked out a laugh. I caught Flanagan watching me, and she quickly averted her eyes while I envisioned her back in Ireland confessing that she had wanted to kiss me on the Cliffs of Moher. The thought was enough for me to want to do a little prodding of my own.

  “Watch it, Mason,” Lexi warned playfully as she attempted to recover from her momentary embarrassment. “I’m going to get a cattle prod, and you might not like where I stick it.”

  He chuckled. “I’s just messing with
you, love.” He reached across the bar and tugged her hair. “I can’t help it if I find you sexy, rendering me unable to get my mind out of the gutter.”

  She considered his words. “Then I guess I better get back to the office, so you can concentrate on what you’re doing.”

  “You do that.” Making himself comfortable, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m just going to stand here and watch you walk back.” He motioned for her to go.

  “Mason!” she shrieked.

  He laughed. “All right. All right. I’ve got to run to the kitchen for a minute, but if you’re still here when I get back, I won’t apologize for noticing your…asstributes.”

  Lexi cocked her head, a small smile on her lips. “Asstributes? I’m pretty sure that’s not a word.”

  “Want me to define it for you? Your smokin’ hot ass, accompanied by the rest of your attributes.” His eyes fell to her breasts, and becoming self-conscious, she crossed her arms over her chest. Mason laughed as he walked away. “Consider yourself warned, love,” he called as he peered at her over his shoulder.

  “Call me later,” Lexi told Flanagan as she stood.

  Flanagan nodded, and Lexi headed back to the office, leaving the two of us alone.

  I bumped my elbow against hers. “So am I the only one who feels a little like puking right now?”

  A wide smile beamed across Flanagan’s face. “I think they’re cute.”

  “Spoken like a girl.”

  She smacked my arm. “Every girl wants a guy who’s crazy about her.”

  “Do they?” I asked, smiling at her explanation.

  Her deep blue eyes studied my face, and I couldn’t help myself as I reached out and covered her hand with mine. I caressed her pinkie with my thumb, noticing how slender her fingers were compared to mine, how cold her hand was beneath my warmth. I wished we were back in Ireland, so I could savor the taste of her skin.

  “They do.”

  “And if you had a guy who was crazy about you, what would you do?” I asked, pinning her in her chair with my gaze.

  Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and I could tell she was affected by our close proximity. “I would take care of him. I’d be there for him when he needed me, and I would lean on him when I needed him. I’d laugh with him, share my dreams with him, love him.”

  “And what are your dreams?”

  “When I find a guy who’s crazy about me, I’ll let him know.”

  “And if I tell you that you have found a guy who’s crazy about you?” I needed her to know it was true, even though my current situation did nothing to prove it to her.

  “Then I would want to believe you.”

  I took a sip of my beer. “I’m going to talk to Pax today.”

  “You are?” Her voice rose, and I could hear the hope in her words.

  “I want you to come with me.”

  She frowned. “I’m not sure I can help you convince Pax of anything.”

  Looking away, I took a long swig of my beer and then slowly rotated it in my palms. “I’m not asking because I want you to convince him. I’m asking because I want you there with me.”

  She placed her hand on my arm. “I’ll go with you, Cade.”

  I turned to look at her then. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders in soft waves as it contrasted against her dark gray shirt. She watched me with eyes as vibrant as sapphires in the sun. Leaning against me, she squeezed my arm, the sweet smell of her perfume in the air. Damn, I wanted her to be mine. I wanted to have the familiarity of her clinging to my arm on a daily basis, to know that she supported me, to know that she loved me and only me.

  I liked the feel of her against me, and it stirred emotions deep within me. I felt protective of her, and unable to hold back, I leaned over and kissed her temple. A pang of guilt vibrated through my chest at the knowledge that I wasn’t giving Flanagan my undivided attention. “Are you ready now?”

  Her eyes widened, and I could tell that she was surprised by my urgency. “Yes.”

  She sipped the last bit of her drink, and I stood, leaving a half-full bottle of beer behind. My current situation was really starting to screw with my head, and I was eager to set things right. I just hoped Pax would cooperate and that he wouldn’t go apeshit when he found out that I had been helping Jessica for months.

  Flanagan climbed in the passenger side of my truck, and while I really wanted her to ride in the middle beside me, I said nothing. I had no right to ask that of her until I resolved my issue with Jessica and put her front and center where she belonged.

  An uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest. Pax and I were notorious for arguing, and part of me feared that he would shoot down my proposition just because I was the one suggesting it, that he wouldn’t be able to hear the merits.

  I had never wanted Pax to agree to something so badly in my entire life.

  We were quiet as we drove to Pax’s apartment. Thoughts and words eddied in my head while I tried to work out what I would say to him.

  As we walked to his front door, Flanagan slipped her hand in mine as if she understood my inner turmoil and knew that simple act would calm me.

  I squeezed her hand, grateful that she had agreed to come with me.

  After knocking, I blew out a breath, hoping against hope that things would go better than I had imagined.

  Pax pulled the door open, wearing only a pair of shorts, and by the look of shock on his face, I knew that I was the last person he expected. My brother was a good-looking guy, his muscular build always attracting attention from women. A sliver of jealousy slid down my spine as Flanagan caught sight of him.

  “What the hell do you want?” he asked, his eyes raking down my body in distaste before they cut over to Flanagan.

  Pax was as charming as ever. As I stood at the threshold of his apartment, I thought about the murder hole in Blarney Castle. It was a damn good thing Pax didn’t have one because from the scalding look on his face, it was a pretty safe bet he’d be raining hot oil down on me about now.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” I said.

  He grunted, his hand still on the doorknob as he blocked the path into his living room.

  “Shit, Pax, don’t be a prick.”

  He opened the door wider and moved to the side, saying nothing.

  I walked into his apartment, pulling Flanagan along behind me. We sank down on the couch while he grabbed a nearby chair.

  Rubbing his palms together, he spoke, “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Dad told me that you were going to clear our schedules at the gym Wednesday night, so we could get together for my birthday.”

  “Wednesday’s your birthday?” Flanagan asked me.

  I nodded. “Yeah, and I want you to come with me. You can meet my parents.”

  “I’d love to,” she quickly agreed.

  “Is your baby’s momma coming, too?” Pax asked, clearly trying to cause me grief.

  “About that,” I said, ready to tell him the truth of the situation.

  “Oh, Pax, I didn’t know we had company,” a soft voice called from the hallway.

  Flanagan and I both looked up to see a beautiful blonde sashaying into the living room. She wore a sexy black minidress, and her feet were bare. She walked up to him, and he spread his arms out while she sat in his lap, his hand resting possessively around her waist.

  He motioned to us. “Cade, Seren, I think y’all both know Rachel, don’t you?”

  Hellfire. I didn’t know what shocked me most: the fact that he obviously had a relationship with Mason’s ex-wife or the fact that he had now blown my plans up in my face.

  “Yes, we do,” Flanagan answered. “It’s good to see you again, Rachel.”

  “Yeah,” I quickly added, “how are you, Rachel?”

  “I’m good. Thanks.” She scooted farther back, snuggling against Pax’s shoulder. He caressed her knee in response.

  I glanced at Flanagan and frowned. As much as I appreciated her support, there would b
e no conversation with Pax tonight.

  “So, what did you need?” Pax asked.

  I quickly stood. “Sorry, Pax, I didn’t realize you had company. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by for a minute.”

  “You don’t have to leave on my account,” Rachel said.

  “No, really, it’s okay. I’ll catch Pax later,” I said, turning my attention to my brother. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

  “I can’t wait,” Pax said sarcastically.

  Flanagan and I quickly made our exit.

  “Talking about going to hell in a handbasket,” I muttered under my breath as we strode to the truck.

  “Maybe you’ll get the opportunity to talk to him on Wednesday,” Flanagan suggested.

  “Yeah, that’ll make for good dinner conversation.”

  “Obviously, I didn’t mean at the dinner table.”

  I squeezed the nape of my neck. “I’m sorry. I just had a lot riding on that conversation.”

  “Everything will work itself out,” she assured me.

  While I appreciated her trying to soothe me, I had serious doubts about things working out the way I’d intended.

  Somebody was bound to get hurt, and it would be my fault.

  Chapter 17

  Leprechaun

  Seren

  I shouldn’t have been surprised things in my love life weren’t going quite as planned. They never did. I kept thinking back to Ireland. It had been an unusual trip for sure, touring the countryside with two hunky Mayfield brothers, but it was my time alone with Cade that I treasured the most.

  I knew Irish culture took fairies seriously, and for some strange reason, I kept picturing a leprechaun and wishing I’d actually caught one, so he would trade me three wishes for his freedom.

  My first wish would be that Cade would fall hopelessly in love with me, no obstacles coming between us.

  Not even Jessica.

  A knock sounded on the outside door of my basement apartment. I quickly crossed my room and swung it open to find Lexi. “About time,” I muttered.