Good Girl Gone Plaid (13 page)

She spotted a blonde female bartender making drinks beside Aleck, but Kenzie was nowhere to be seen.

Overwhelmed by the crowd and growing more self-conscious by the moment, Sarah glanced back at the door and debated fleeing to Gran’s house.

“Sarah!” Someone caught her elbow, and she vaguely heard her name above the music.

She glanced up to find Colin grinning down at her.

“Come join us for a drink, luv.” He gestured to a table in the corner. “I’ve got plenty of room.”

“Great, thanks.” She followed him back to the table and noted only one beer sitting there.

“Who else is here?” she asked, shrugging off her cardigan sweater. The crowd made it hot in here.

“Kenzie’s working the floor, and Aleck is behind the counter.” He paused. “Are you wondering if Ian is joining us?”

Her cheeks flushed and she gave a slight shrug.

“I don’t know, but there’s always a chance.” Colin’s expression turned gentle. “Will you be okay if he does?”

“I’ll be fine.” Probably. Maybe.

“Aye, you will.” He winked and waved down someone behind her. “What can I get you to drink?”

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Kenzie weaving her way through the crowd.

“Oh, um, maybe a glass of red wine?”

“Done. Kenzie, luv, get your friend a glass of—”

“I know what she likes.” Kenzie leaned down to hug Sarah. “So good to see you here. Are you hungry?”

“I ate a little something earlier, thanks though.”

Kenzie glanced at Colin. “Another beer, dear brother?”

“Not quite yet. Thanks, though.”

With a nod, Kenzie disappeared into the crowd again.

Sarah turned her attention to the small stage near the back of the pub.

“‘Whiskey in the Jar’?” She lifted a brow. “Isn’t this an Irish song?”

“Aye, well I suppose it is,” Colin agreed. “But it’s a song about whiskey, so we don’t hesitate to play it.”

“And you shouldn’t. It’s a fantastic song. Do you sing too?”

He grinned. “Only when I’ve had too much to drink, and even then, not all that well. Kenzie and Aleck are the only two who you’ll find on stage.”

“I see. I’m pretty awful myself.”

“I find that hard to believe. Pretty girls can’t have awful singing voices. There’s some kind of universal rule, I believe.”

She laughed, unable to help herself, and tried to ignore the fact that Colin was bordering on flirting now. The McLaughlins flirted. Every last one of them, and they did it well.

“That’s not a rule, and you would know it if you watched more music videos. Half these pop stars have zero talent.”

“Aye, I suppose you’re right. Can’t stand music videos. I’m surprised you do.”

“I don’t actually. My daughter does.” The laughter fled her voice and she knotted her fingers on the tabletop.

Awareness flickered in Colin’s eyes and he nodded. “That’s right, you have a child. Do you enjoy motherhood?”

“I do, but then, it’s been my world for a while now.”

“How long, you say?”

“Umm, almost nine years.” Uncomfortable at the turn of conversation, and aware of the land mines she’d have to navigate, Sarah cleared her throat. “And you? Any children?”

“No. None of us have settled down and started families. Though I suppose we’re all getting up in the age where we ought to consider it.” Colin frowned. “Though Aleck came close. Was engaged for a bit, before that was called off.”

“I find it amazing you’re all still single. I’m sure you’re all hot commodities on the island.”

“Me in particular? Are you hitting on me?” His tone lilted upward, his accent a bit stronger as his grin turned unabashed.

Sarah blushed, hotter than she could remember and sputtered for a response.

“No, of course not, I’m—”

“I’m just taking the piss out of ya, luv.”

She relaxed and joined in his laughter, remembering the slang phrase now.

“I was asked to deliver this?”

They both glanced up at the new voice approaching the table.

Sarah’s laughter died and her mouth went dry.
You were warned he might show.

“Yes, thank you.” She accepted the glass of wine from Ian and watched as he pulled out the chair to sit next to Colin.

“You’re welcome. Enjoying an evening out I see?”

“I am. Kenzie invited me.” She glanced over at Colin and smiled briefly. “Your brother was sweet enough to let me crash his table. This place is packed.”

“I insisted.” Colin winked.

The mood at the table seemed to shift, become heavier and darker. Seconds ticked by where no one said anything.

Sarah took a sip of wine, but really it may as well have been water for all it mattered.

“I’m going to run to the bathroom. Hold my spot?” She knew they would, but it was just extra words to pretend everything was normal.

“Of course,” Colin agreed.

Sarah scooted her chair back and made her escape, grateful for a moment to compose herself.

Ian watched Sarah nearly run to the bathroom. Her hips swished beneath the denim skirt.

She looked sexy. The denim skirt showed off toned legs, and the red tank clung to the curves of her breasts. She’d kept her hair down, and it shone as if she’d spent an hour brushing it.

Oh yes, Sarah was trying tonight to look good. Almost as if she wanted to garner someone’s attention. But who was that someone?

“You and Sarah seem quite cozy,” he remarked in a calm tone he wasn’t so sure he felt.

“Just getting reacquainted. She’s a pretty thing, aye?”

“Aye.” The word about killed him. Hearing his brother say it evoked a dark fury deep inside him. He resented it. Resented more so the fact he could still get jealous over Sarah.

“Why not take her to a movie?” he suggested with a hard shrug. “You’re single.”

Colin laughed and shook his head, before lifting the beer to his mouth and drinking another sip.

Unfortunately, his brother’s reaction only upped his irritation. “You laugh? Why?”

“Because you don’t mean that for a moment. You would saw my head off with a dull spoon if I made a move on Sarah.”

“Bollicks.” Actually, yes, he probably would.

“It’s also a respect thing. Sarah’s sweet, and yes, damn pretty.” Colin sobered, his gaze locking on Ian’s. “If she were just some girl you’d dallied with in high school, and had no real feelings for, then that would be one thing. But I’m not going to move in on a girl you’re still half in love with.”

Fury and disbelief erupted inside him. “Like hell—”

“Don’t ‘like hell’ me. You can lie all you want. And, truly, I think you’ve even convinced yourself she means nothing to you. But you’re wrong.” Colin sighed. “And when you realize that, it’s going to be quite a wake up call.”

“Do you have no recollection of our history? She hates me. I admit I hate her a bit after what she said that day—”

“Don’t let pride stand in your way. You both were stupid and made bad choices that day.”

“Mine a little worse,” he muttered after a heavy sigh. “She won’t forgive me. I hardly forgive myself.”

“But if she did, would you want her back?”

That question weighed heavy on his heart, and he wasn’t sure of the answer. How could he ever want to be with someone who thought so little of him? And yet his heart and body seemed to argue otherwise anytime she came within feet of him.

He settled for an answer his brother would expect. “I might want her for a few nights, but I’m not the sort for permanence.”

Colin grunted. “You would with the right girl. Go ahead and throw crude words my way all you want. But I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.”

Sometimes Ian didn’t doubt it.

He played with the idea in his head. Could he ever be serious about Sarah again? Could he even gain her trust once more?

Do you deserve her trust
? The question had always haunted him.

Their history was messy. Complicated. He’d be smarter off just letting go. So much easier said than done, though.

“I see I’ve at least got you thinking. That there is a novelty.”

“Fuck off,” Ian murmured lightly, knowing his brother was just taking the piss out of him.

“Aye, maybe later. If I find someone who sparks the urge.” Colin’s gaze slid beyond him. “But your girl is coming back. You should pull yourself together a bit.”

Your girl
. As irritating as hearing it was, he did feel a bit territorial over Sarah. And apparently was acting it as well.

Shite. He’d have to be more careful.

He couldn’t help but watch when she sat down. Her focus was on the band, while she took occasional sips of wine. But she had to sense he watched her—there was a stillness to her body, even as her gaze seemed deliberately glued to the stage.

Her lips tightened at one point, the plump curves almost pouting with unhappiness. And then those little lines appeared between her eyes in a tiny scowl.

Oh yeah. She was aware of him.

It just fascinated him. Made him want to get deeper into her head. Was she thinking about him? Thinking about that moment in the garage?

His fingers curled into fists and he drew in a slow, steadying breath.

She was so damn unattainable. Like a rare, exotically beautiful butterfly one could observe, but shouldn’t touch.

And he wanted to touch. Wanted to taste. The need to possess her raged through him again. Just as fierce as it had the other day in his garage.

The band began to play an upbeat song and half the crowd got up to dance again. When a flicker of wistfulness entered her gaze it was all he needed.

“Come.” He set down his drink and caught her hand. “You’ll have to join me for a dance.”

Panic replaced the wistfulness, and she tugged at her hand. “I can’t—”

“Say yes. It’s just a dance, doll.” He tugged her onto the floor to join the crowd of people.

It wasn’t a slow song, but a fast-moving one that had people hopping around in a somewhat chaotic jig fashion.

Though hesitant at first, it didn’t take long before Sarah joined in. She kept space between them, but clearly enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd. Seemed to relax enough in his presence to have fun.

With her body moving to the beat, and her hair swinging wild, he had to fight the temptation to wrap the silky black strands around his fist and pull her closer. To press his mouth to the delighted smile on her lips.

Her cheeks were pink by the time the song ended and her smile was wide.

“Thank you. That wasn’t bad exercise.”

“My pleasure.” And it had been. It wasn’t enough, though. It would never be enough until she was lying beneath him and he was claiming her once more.

They rejoined Colin at the table and discovered Kenzie there as well.

Ian could feel the curious gazes of his siblings on him and Sarah—knew what they were thinking—but he refused to acknowledge them.

“When do you sing, Kenzie?” he asked instead.

“I’m up next song. Care to join me?”

“Not at all. I have no wish to burst eardrums.”

Everyone laughed, seeming to appreciate the humor.

Aleck approached the table, increasing the crowd of McLaughlins.

“Ian. Sarah. I must say it’s great to see you both getting along so well.”

Really
? Ian was tempted to smash his beer bottle over Aleck’s head, but instead just kept a lazy smile on his face.

“Well, now, it seemed the adult thing to do,” Ian murmured.

“Aye. It is.” Kenzie stood. “Time to sing. Try not to fall asleep on me now, all right?”

“As if I could. I can’t wait to hear this.” Sarah turned her chair a bit more and faced the stage.

Watching her, Ian could see she truly enjoyed hearing Kenzie sing, even clapped along with the melody as the tempo grew fast again. There was no denying Kenzie had the musical talent in the family.

The evening progressed, and his siblings came and went from the table, but he and Sarah stayed put for the most part. There was no more dancing, no intimate discussions, but they were deeply aware of each other. There was no denying he was, and he could still sense the tension running through her body.

Finally, with the night growing later, she finally stood. “I should probably head out.”

When she dug into her purse for money, he waved her hand away.

“I’ve got you.”

Alarm flashed in her eyes. Maybe he’d chosen the wrong words.

“It’s a glass of wine. I insist.”

“Besides,” Aleck added as he passed the table again to pick up empty glasses from another one. “Haven’t you realized your money is no good here?”

Her eyes widened with disbelief. “You guys…”

“Look, if you ran up a hundred dollar tab, I might have to come down on you and charge half.” Aleck shrugged. “But I’m afraid arguing at this point is useless.”