My Wild Irish Dragon by Ashlyn Chase Page B

her handle the flute, violin, and tin whistles with such reverence and love, he realized he did. As soon as she settled in at the job and relaxed, he was sure she’d lose that brittle edge.
    After their set, Rory brought Amber over to him and introduced them. “Amber’s me luv, and she decides how many she’ll cook for.”
    Amber’s hazel-green eyes twinkled. They weren’t the same green as Chloe’s light jade. “Chloe is coming over tomorrow night, anyway, and we’d love to have you.”
    â€œWell, thank you for the offer…but does Chloe want me to come?” Yikes. I just heard myself.
    Amber smiled. “Chloe doesn’t know what she wants when it comes to guys. I think you’d be good for her—even if you’re just her friend.”
    He took a deep breath. “I can be that to her.” With benefits .
    â€œGood,” Rory said. “We’ll see you at seven. Do you know where we live?”
    â€œAh, no. I’ve offered to drive Chloe home, but she prefers to walk.”
    â€œThat she does,” Rory said. “I worry about her, even knowin’ she can take care of herself.”
    â€œThat seems to be a theme with her.”
    Rory laughed. “You’ve got the right of it.”
    Amber put her hand on Ryan’s arm. “You may be just what she needs. Perhaps you can take her home tonight.”
    â€œI took the subway, but I can certainly walk her home and catch it at Copley.”
    â€œThat would be grand,” Rory said. “I’d feel better if she had an escort.” He winked at Amber. “My lass will see me home as she usually does.”
    * * *
    Chloe couldn’t believe Rory and Amber were playing matchmaker. They knew full well there would be no long-term lover in her future. She avoided heartbreak by avoiding short-term relationships in the present.
    But Ryan said he needed to know where she lived, so she’d take him to her brother’s stoop and never mention she lived next door. At least he wouldn’t show up at paranormal central. It was bad enough that her brother and his intended were supernatural beings, but at least they knew enough to keep that to themselves. Chloe had seen her neighbors assume everyone entering the paranormal club on the second floor had to be supernatural whether they knew it was true or not.
    So far, they hadn’t been wrong, but if they saw Ryan and assumed… Well, a mistake like that would be awkward to say the least.
    When they arrived at Rory and Amber’s Beacon Street brownstone she turned and said, “Well, here it is…”
    He looked up and whistled. “What a beautiful building. I understand why you enjoyed your time renovating it.”
    â€œHow do you know I enjoyed it?”
    He smiled at her. “By the nostalgic look in your eyes when you talk about the work you did, and the sadness in your voice when you say it’s finished.”
    She stared at the sidewalk and nodded. “To be sure.”
    He tipped her chin up. “Your brother and Amber must have been grateful for your help and proud of the work you did.”
    â€œThey are, but heck, I’m proud of meself.”
    He was quiet. Too quiet. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
    â€œNo. I just…” He took a deep breath. “I know we don’t know each other very well—yet.” He smiled. “But I really, really want to kiss you right now.”
    â€œOh.” Chloe wanted to kiss him too. In fact, just how badly she wanted to kiss him surprised her.
    He wrapped his strong arms around her and it felt safe—right. Instead of giving him verbal permission, she leaned in, closed her eyes, and tipped up her face. In less than a second, their lips collided. He pulled her against his chest and she slipped her arms around his neck.
    She had no idea how long they stood there on the sidewalk, kissing. His mouth moved over hers with purpose.