January Girl (Wilder Irish Book 1) Page 4

  A wolf whistle sounded from the doorway, and she turned to see Ailis grinning at her.

  “You look hot. You sure you want to go that route?”

  Caitlyn shook her head. “If I was smart, I’d pin my hair up in a bun, wipe off all the makeup, and dress like a nun.”

  “Given the way Lucas was looking at you last night, I’m pretty sure none of that would drive him away. It doesn’t matter now, anyway. We’re running out of time. I’ve been sent to fetch you for your intervention.”

  Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

  Interventions were not uncommon in her family. If the Collins cousins felt one of their own was making a mistake, they formed a united front to confront the offender head-on. Hell, Caitlyn had just organized an intervention for Colm several months earlier when the jackass had decided he looked good with a goatee. They’d nipped that in the bud quickly and convinced him to shave.

  Ailis gave her a guilty one-shoulder shrug. “Sorry. You sort of sealed your fate when you held hands with the man trying to steal the pub from us.”

  “He’s not stealing it. He made an offer to buy—legitimately—and we said no. Game over.”

  “You don’t really think that’s the end of it, do you? He’s Lucas Whiting.” Ailis stressed his last name, solidifying even more why Caitlyn should be wearing the biggest granny panties she could find.

  Rather than allowing her to respond, Ailis turned and headed toward the living room. Caitlyn took a deep breath and followed. She’d escaped to her office at the crack of dawn this morning in an attempt to dodge this confrontation, and she had only returned home an hour earlier, hopping in the shower and then hiding in her bedroom while waging the great panty debate.

  Glancing around the crowded living room, she groaned. “Oh my God. It’s one flipping date.”

  The room was packed with too many relatives. In addition to Ailis, there were the twins, Padraig and Colm, as well as Sunnie, Yvonne, Finn, and Caitlyn’s brother Lochlan. And while most of them lived in the dorm, it was rare for all of them to be home at the same time.

  Lochlan stood and gestured for her to take his seat. “We know that, but Lucas Whiting isn’t the kind of man you want dating your sister.”

  She sank down on the couch next to Finn, who said, “We’ve been digging around for information on the guy ever since he made his offer to buy the pub. Dad has heard plenty of rumors over the years about the Whitings.” Finn’s dad, Aaron, was married to her aunt Riley. He was also a Baltimore cop, so it stood to reason that Uncle Aaron would know quite a bit about the Whiting family.

  “What sort of rumors?” Caitlyn asked, realizing she’d be smart to arm herself with more information. Maybe some of the finer details would help her resist this sexual pull she felt toward Lucas.

  “God, where should we start?” Yvonne said. “For one thing, his brother overdosed on heroin a year ago.”

  Well, that didn’t help. Caitlyn shrugged. “So we’re assuming the whole family are addicts now?”

  Yvonne shook her head. “No, of course not. That’s just one of the things we know for sure. Along with the fact his parents are alive, though divorced, and Lucas plays a big role in the family businesses. That stuff is all truth. The rest…”

  “Is just conjecture,” Colm continued. “But there are enough stories flying around that we think you should proceed with caution.”

  “Okay. Lay it on me,” Caitlyn said, not certain why she suddenly felt the need to defend Lucas to her cousins.

  Lochlan started the list. “He employs cutthroat, take-no-prisoners business tactics. I know some people who’ve gone head-to-head with Lucas Whiting. Apparently he’s got the mayor, half of the city council, not to mention a couple of senators in his back pocket. He makes healthy donations to political campaigns…with the expectation that his generosity will be repaid in favors.”

  Sunnie leaned forward in her chair. “Mom said there have been rumors flying around Baltimore for years that the Whitings are connected to the mob.”

  “Aunt Riley probably heard that from Bubbles,” Caitlyn said. “She thinks everyone works for the mob.”

  Sunnie grinned and didn’t disagree.

  “I started asking around about him at the pub after his last visit. No one can recall the guy ever dating anyone for any amount of time. He attends plenty of social events with dates, but he’s never been seen with the same woman more than once. Don’t you think that’s kind of weird?” Padraig worked beside his dad, Tris, tending bar in the pub. As such, he knew more than he probably cared to know about Baltimore’s social scene.

  “So the guy’s a commitment-phobe.” Caitlyn didn’t think that was much of an argument. Actually, none of their attempts had been very convincing.

  “Or…after every date, he takes the woman home and tosses her in a dungeon as part of some secret harem. Or he’s killing them and chopping them up as part of some sick experiment,” Sunnie added with wide eyes.

  “You gotta lay off the horror flicks, Sun,” Padraig teased. Sunnie was far too enamored of that movie genre and they all knew it. She was only a couple more twisted comments away from an intervention of her own.

  Caitlyn really—really—wanted to laugh at that exchange, but she’d fixated on the word dungeon a little too hard.

  She cleared her throat and shook it off. “I’m not planning to do more than go out to dinner with him, figure out what his plans are in regards to the pub and then come home to fill you all in. The fact that he doesn’t date a woman more than once should set your mind at ease.”

  “So you’re just going out with him to spy?” Ailis asked.

  “Why else?” Caitlyn asked.

  Ailis shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought you both looked pretty into each other last night.”

  Caitlyn didn’t know how to reply. Mainly because she had been attracted to Lucas. Like off-the-charts attracted. She’d been hoping perhaps some of that had worn off and tonight she’d be better able to deal with him. Of course, given the fact she wasn’t wearing panties, it was probably a safe bet that hadn’t happened.

  The intervention was cut short by a knock on the door. No one moved to answer it.

  “I don’t suppose I can convince you guys to scatter, so it doesn’t look like he’s walking into the Spanish Inquisition.”

  Lochlan crossed his arms. “Go open the door, Caitlyn. We’re not budging.”

  She blew out an exasperated breath. “You’re all insane.” She rose and opened the door. And knew in an instant it wasn’t her family who was crazy.

  It was her.

  Lucas wore black dress pants and a deep blue designer button-down shirt that looked imported and probably cost more than her monthly car payment. His thick dark hair was neatly combed—which made her fingers itch to mess it up—and he appeared to have trimmed his beard.

  His gaze drifted down as he took in her dress, clearly approving. The corners of his mouth tipped up in a barely there smile that set her heart racing. He oozed sex appeal, confidence, power, and wealth.

  She was in over her head.

  “You look beautiful, Caitlyn.”

  A male throat cleared behind her, and she closed her eyes briefly. “I’m sorry about this,” she muttered as she took a step back to let him get a clear view of the crowded living room. “This is my family.”

  Lucas grinned, seemingly unperturbed by their audience. “Nice to meet you,” he said to the room in general.

  Lochlan walked over. “I’m Caitlyn’s brother.”

  “Lochlan. Yes, I know.”

  Caitlyn wished Lucas had kept that tidbit to himself. Her brother’s expression darkened. He clearly didn’t appreciate the idea that Lucas had done his homework on their family. It proved that the threat they were all feeling was very real.

  She wasn’t about to launch into any more introductions. God only knew what else Lucas would reveal. Caitlyn didn’t relish the thought of having to bail one of her cousins or her brother out of jail fo
r assault. “Should we go?” She reached for the clutch she’d put on a side table near the door.

  “Of course.” Lucas placed his hand at the base of her back possessively, intent on guiding her out. Lochlan didn’t miss the touch, or the challenge behind it, and his scowl grew more pronounced.

  “Have a good night,” Lucas said to her brother smoothly, adding fuel to the fire. Caitlyn had the strong desire to throat punch her date. And then her brother.

  Fucking men.

  Fucking testosterone.

  She refused to be the prize in a pissing match.

  Of course, simply walking out of the apartment didn’t get her out of the lion’s den. Caitlyn felt Uncle Tris’s eyes follow her as she and Lucas left the pub together. Mercifully, he didn’t stop them or try to engage in conversation. Chances were good he knew about the intervention upstairs and figured she’d already been told everything she needed to know.

  Sadly, her cousins’ rumors and warnings had started to take root. She clutched her purse more tightly, hoping to hide her shaking hands as Lucas opened the passenger door to his Jaguar for her. She climbed in and closed her eyes as he shut the door and walked to the driver’s side.

  What was she doing here?

  Once Lucas was behind the wheel, he turned to look at her. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded once, then shook her head. “No.”

  “Been doing research on me?”

  The man was too clever, but she didn’t bother to lie. “Yes, I have.”

  He didn’t start the car. Instead, he held her gaze. “Let’s have it. What did you find out?”

  Caitlyn didn’t hold back. Part of her hoped he’d confess everything her cousins told her was true. Maybe then she’d find the strength to get out of this car and walk away.

  “Mob connections?”

  He grinned. “Do you think I’d admit that if it were true?”

  She narrowed her eyes, waiting for a better answer.

  “No. My family doesn’t work with mobsters. We operate within the boundaries of the law. Most of the time.”

  He’d added the last as a joke, but Caitlyn suspected there was a vein of truth to it.

  “Sounds like it’s easy to be on the up-and-up when you’re able to convince the mayor to do your bidding.”

  “My family has been very generous to his campaign.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “You didn’t ask a question.”

  Asshole.

  “Do you use your connections to the mayor and city council to your advantage? Are you able to convince those people to do your bidding in order to get your way?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely.”

  “Could you use your sway with them to find a way to force my family to sell you the pub?”

  Lucas hesitated, which was answer enough in her mind. Even so, she let the question stand, interested in hearing his reply. If he lied to her, she was getting out of this car and going back inside.

  “I could,” he admitted.

  “Will you?”

  “We agreed we weren’t going to talk about business tonight.”

  “That’s not an answer.” She wasn’t going to back down.

  Unfortunately, Lucas wasn’t the type of man who was easily cowed. “You and I both know the answer to that question, Caitlyn.”

  She glanced out the passenger window at the pub. “You’re an asshole,” she muttered. She needed to get out of this car. The man had just admitted he’d stop at nothing to take the pub away from her family. Yet she still didn’t reach for the door handle.

  “You aren’t the first to inform me of that. And I doubt you’ll be the last. I’ve been completely honest with you. I’m not hiding anything.”

  “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

  “Me, either. This would all be a hell of a lot easier if I weren’t so intrigued by you. You’re intelligent, beautiful and funny, and I really want to take you out tonight. But I won’t blame you if you get out of the car.”

  She hesitated. Intrigued was an excellent word. And the main thing that had her acting so selfishly.

  “Tell you what. You can order the most expensive thing on the menu just to run up the tab. That way you’ll be able to justify going out with such a bastard.”

  She laughed, wishing for the millionth time that she weren’t so attracted to him. Her life would be so much simpler if the guy repulsed her.

  “A free meal is pretty tempting. Where are we going?”

  “The Carleson.”

  Her eyes widened. “Wow. I’ve always wanted to go there, but reservations are booked out for months. I’ve heard the food is incredible.”

  He smiled. “So we’re doing the date?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. We’re doing it.”

  “Good.” Lucas started the car, weaving them through the weekend traffic with skill as they made small talk about the weather, where they went to school, and their favorite Baltimore bars.

  When they pulled up in front of the restaurant, Lucas handed the keys to the valet, and then took her hand as they entered.

  The maître d’ led them to what he called the wine library. Caitlyn was surprised to discover there was only one table in the large room. It was tucked in an intimate corner and surrounded on two sides by massive shelves containing hundreds of bottles of wine.

  Their table was round and covered with a long white cloth. A single candlestick served as the simple yet elegant centerpiece. The lighting in the room was dim, and soft music played. It was breathtakingly romantic.

  The maître d’ pushed in her chair for her as Lucas claimed the other. Rather than sitting across from each other, the seats were placed side-by-side, close enough that Lucas’s knee brushed hers as he sat.

  The maître d’ gestured to the bottle of wine already chilling on the table. “Shall I pour?”

  Lucas nodded, and they sat quietly as the man filled their glasses. Then he promised to send the waiter in to check on them.

  When they were alone, she looked around once more. “You reserved the entire room?”

  “I wanted to ensure we had privacy.”

  “Why?”

  Lucas chuckled. “Don’t look at me as if I’m about to make you my main course. People tend to gawk when they figure out who I am. I don’t enjoy being under a microscope when I’m out on a date.”

  “Ah. Well, that sort of explains one of the other rumors flying around about you.”

  Lucas tilted his head curiously. “What rumor?”

  “Your personal life seems to be devoid of long-term relationships. No one ever sees you out with a girlfriend. Probably because you hide them in the cozy corners of exclusive restaurants. Is this your usual spot when you’re trying to impress a woman?”

  “No. It’s not.”

  Lucas reached over and took her hand in his. She wasn’t used to a man holding her hand. She wished it didn’t feel so good.

  “If you want to know more about my past relationships, Caitlyn, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Fine. What was your longest relationship?”

  “Three months.”

  Caitlyn choked on the sip of wine she’d just taken. “Three months?”

  “I was in Paris for five weeks of that, so I’ll let you decide if those weeks should be included in the tally.”

  She bit her lower lip, debating whether she should ask her next question. She didn’t want to seem rude.

  Lucas noticed. “You clearly want to know more. Ask.”

  “Is there a reason why you avoid committed relationships?”

  “I don’t purposely keep my affairs short. In truth, I’m incredibly busy. I work very long hours and I travel quite a lot. Because of that, it’s difficult to start a relationship. I may go out with a woman whose company I enjoy, but because of work commitments, it could be a week or a month before I’m able to see her again. I don’t seem able to make it over the hump between casual dating and long-term relationship.”


  “Oh.” Caitlyn thought that sounded like a pretty lonely way to live, but she kept that thought to herself.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  She nodded.

  “How long were you with Sammy?”

  Caitlyn crinkled her nose, embarrassed to admit the truth. “Three years.”

  “That’s a long time. Especially considering there was no hint of a marriage proposal. Why did you stay with him?”

  That was definitely something she was too embarrassed to say, so she just shrugged.

  “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the sex was good. At least, he seemed to think so.”

  She laughed despite herself. “I realize that makes me sound shallow as hell, but I had two longish relationships prior to Sammy and the sex was strictly vanilla. It bored me to tears. At least with him it was…” She paused, wishing she could erase everything she’d just revealed.

  “It was?” he prodded.

  “Better,” she supplied, suddenly mortified by what she’d revealed. Had she seriously just bitched about vanilla sex?

  “Did you engage in D/s play with Sammy?”

  She felt her cheeks heat. She hated Lucas’s ability to make her blush. She was usually impossible to fluster. “I…don’t think…you and I should talk about—”

  “It’s a simple question, Cait. Yes or no?”

  Her body responded to his deep voice, and she noticed he shortened her name anytime he took on that tone that made her want to kneel in front of him.

  “Sort of.”

  Lucas frowned. “Sort of?”

  “Sammy was more open-minded about my desires than my previous boyfriends. He was willing to experiment with me. To try some of the things I wanted.”

  “I see.”

  She was afraid he saw all too well. Probably because she was drawing him a freaking road map. “I can’t believe I told you all that. We just met.”

  “I’m glad you told me.”

  She tugged her hand free of his and took another sip of wine, her mind frantically racing on some different topic of conversation. They’d gotten way too personal, too fast.