Page 26 of Tangled Control
“I’m working for the UN, so wherever we’re needed. At the moment I’m based in the Middle East, but I’m on two weeks’ leave. It’s nice to have a chance to catch up with Cat and the rest of the family.”
“Are you staying with Catriona while you’re here?” Gemma asks.
“No, I’m staying with my brother, Daniel.”
“Your brother,” Mona says and flashes her lashes. “Does he by any chance look like you?”
We all laugh, even Rian. A low rumbling laugh that shakes me like a small earthquake from the top of my head all the way to my toes.
“My brother’s a great guy, but he’s not into dating.” Eric raises his eyebrows at Mona’s puzzled expression. “He has special needs, and girls – or boys – have never been on his agenda.”
An awkwardness settles over the table, all too familiar for Eric and me, no one knowing the right thing to say. Rian is the one who saves the situation.
“Friends of mine have a four-year-old with special needs. He’s a great character, but his parents say it can be hard work.”
“It can be, no doubt about that.”
“It must be hard for him when you’re away for such long periods at a time.” Gemma blinks up at Eric with so much compassion, it almost makes me uncomfortable.
“I’m sure it is, but to be honest with you, I think it’s worse for me. I’m constantly worrying about him being safe.” Eric soaks up the emotions that Gemma projects.
“I guess you’re fully booked catching up with your brother, friends and family the next two weeks, then?” She bites her lower lip.
“That wasn’t very subtle,” Mona pretends to whisper to Gemma, and I can’t help my snicker.
Eric grins and winks to my red-haired colleague. “It’s pretty busy, I have to admit. But I might have a free spot or two…”
Gemma leans to Mona and speaks through the side of her mouth. “Subtle or not, it worked!”
Rian chuckles next to me and his arm brushes mine, only his thin shirt separating our skin. My stomach clenches and I’m torn between wanting to pull away and wanting to press firmer against him. As the banter continues around us, I’m acutely aware of his every move, how his muscles shift under his shirt, the grip of his strong fingers around his pint, the timbre of his voice.
“Hey, Cat,” Eric says, and I force my focus to him. “I ran into Damien yesterday when I was out for drinks with the fellas from school. He asked about you.”
I sense Rian’s eyes on me just as clearly as I feel his body tense, yet again.
“That’s nice. How’s he keeping?”
“He’s doing well. He’s working for a small accounting firm in Phibsborough.” There’s a pregnant pause where I desperately try to come up with something to ask other than the obvious question. I hide it by sipping my gin. Eric takes it upon himself to fill me in, his eyebrows dancing. “He’s not seeing anyone at the moment. Seemed to beverycurious whether you are, too.”
My cheeks warm and I trace a drop of condensation down the slope of my glass.
“Oh, is there some history here? Do you have a secret admirer?” Gemma’s face glows in excitement.
“Well, he would have to be admiring her from afar not to get frostbite from the ice queen,” Rian snaps. He clears his throat and adds in a softer tone, although with a challenging edge to his words, “Isn’t that right, Miss Taylor?”
That press of his arm.
“You should know, Mr Kearney. Your behaviour puts you on the receiving end of my frost every day,” I bite back.
“So, what’s the story here?” Eric interrupts, raising an eyebrow. “Why do you call him ‘Mr Kearney’? You can’t call him Rian like everyone else when you’re out for a drink?”
“Mr Kearney has never bestowed the honour upon me to address him in such an informal way,” I say in a pretend snooty accent while lifting my chin.
“I would only bestow that honour on people I trust with my life,” Rian counters.
“In other words, you trusted me the second you laid eyes on me?” Eric presses his hand to his chest. “I am indeed honoured.”
“You’re one of the protectors of this world, of course I trust you.” The corners of Rian’s mouth lift.
