“I would’ve won.”
He leaned in, his grin still wide. “You’re dangerously good at everything.”
Paddy arrived with more drinks. Ronan excused himself to the restroom, and Paddy took the seat across from her like he had something serious to say.
“You’re glowing,” he said.
“It’s the whiskey.”
“It’shim.Look, I know you’re an O’Byrne and he’s a Gallagher. And I know your grandmother and Séamus tried to fix this feud by betrothing you two. But Séamus Gallagher is a mean, old greedy man who would own the whole county if he could wrangle it away from people.”
“I thought he was dead,” she said surprised.
“Nope, he’s living in a nursing home, but he still runs the family coffers from his bedside. Even Ronan’s.”
That was surprising because everyone talked like he had been gone a while. But why was Paddy telling her this now?
Aisling blinked. “What’s your point, Paddy?”
“My point is, don’t lose your head. The Gallaghers have wanted your land for decades. Just because he kisses like a dream doesn’t mean he won’t turn into a nightmare.”
She opened her mouth to defend Ronan…and paused. Paddy wasn’t wrong to worry. Shehadforgotten about the family drama, the feud, the betrothal, the legacy. Ronan had slipped past her guard on charm alone.
But still…
“I’m not giving him the house, Paddy,” she said. “And I’m not marrying him.”
“Make certain of that,” he said. “Now enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The man got up and walked away.
Ronan returned, freshly smug. “What’d I miss?”
“Paddy’s worried I’m going to marry you and hand over the family estate in a love-struck stupor.”
Ronan sat. “And what did you say?”
“I said that even drunk, I don’t make stupid decisions.”
He chuckled. “I beg to differ. You agreed to this date, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but it’s a date, not a land sale or even an engagement. This is just a fun evening minus all the stress.”
“Good.”
Just then, a slow song slid into the speakers—soft, sweet, laced with yearning.
Ronan stood and held out a hand. “Dance with me, Aisling.”
Her heart tripped. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? Because I’ll say something stupid or because you’ll feel something real?”
Damn him. He always went for the jugular.
Reluctantly, she took his hand. The world softened around them as he pulled her close. His arms settled around her waist. Her palms flattened against his chest, and her body remembered every kiss, every touch.
“You fit against me like you were made to,” he murmured.
