Irish Dreams Read Online Free

wanted to see him or not, Ethan would be there. She lifted a finger to her mouth and smoothed her bottom lip. She could almost imagine the tingle of his lips touching hers.
    Ugh, the man was married. What was her problem? She was no better off than Elsie with her remarks–even worse because she’d kissed him.
    “Hey.” Elsie paused and grabbed her arm. “Everything okay?”
    “Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”
    “Don’t know. You went space cadet on me. Thought you might be thinking about Rick.”
    Just hearing his name made her chest constrict. “No, I wasn’t.”
    “Oh honey, I’m sorry.” Elsie hugged her. “I want you happy. I thought… Never mind. Let’s go down and have fun.” Tugging her hand, Elsie pulled her over to the banister overlooking the large ballroom. “Do you see Bryan?”
    She didn’t, but what she did see was magical. Renaissance era paintings of cherubs and idyllic maidens lined the walls and ornate carvings decorated the seams where they met. Golden chandeliers hung from a domed ceiling.
    “It feels like we stepped back in time, somewhat,” Maggie said. At the foot of a sweeping marble staircase, uniformed wait staff wove through the crowd, effortlessly carrying silver trays lined with hors d’oeurvres and champagne. “Everything is beautiful.” Men were dressed in three-piece suits or black dinner jackets and crisp white shirts, while women wore long evening gowns and large gemstone necklaces, assuaging any fears she had about her own formal dress. “Don’t you think so?”
    “Aye, I’d have to agree with you there.”
    Heat crept up Maggie’s neck. Ethan’s voice. Guests moved aside. He and Bryan stepped through an opening in the crowd.
    Her stomach fluttered like a school girl’s as they stood mere feet away from her and Elsie, each dashingly handsome in a tux. Slightly taller, Bryan was fairer where Ethan was darker–except for his mesmerizing eyes–and broader in the shoulders.
    Ethan neared, and for an instant, Maggie let her eyes flutter closed as she inhaled his scent of fresh mountain air and soap.
    “Ladies,” he said.
    “Ethan.” Elsie kissed him on the cheek. “You made it.”
    “Wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
    “Do you like the decor?”
    “Decor and more.” He rested his gaze on Maggie then it strayed back to Elsie. “I’d say this party is a complete success minus a missing bride.”
    “We were on our way down.” Elsie joined her fiance and gave him a chaste kiss on his cheek. Her devilish expression promised not-so-chaste kisses later.
    “Where is my kiss hello?” Ethan stepped closer.
    Maggie’s breath caught in her throat. “I...”
    “On the cheek.” With a lean in her direction, Ethan lightly brushed his lips along the side of her face.
    “I say we go down. Guests have been waiting awhile.” Bryan took a step back, tugging Elsie with him.
    “What?” Maggie met Elsie’s gaze. “You’re leaving?”
    “We’ll be right back. Ethan won’t bite, right?” She pinned Ethan with her most take-charge stare.
    “Definitely not.” He raised his hands in surrender as his mouth curved upward. “I will behave like the utmost gentleman.”
    “All right.” Turning, Elsie followed her fiance, leaving Maggie standing alone with Ethan.
    “ Married gentlemen don’t kiss or ask for kisses, especially with unknown women,” she said.
    Ethan frowned and adjusted his cuffs. “You’re right.”
    With one look at his contrite expression, sadness and a hollowed out feeling filled her. How could one man affect her this easily? After Rick, how could she ask such a silly question? It appeared learning from mistakes was beyond her capabilities.
    “I’m sorry if I offended you,” Ethan said.
    “No worries. After what you did yesterday, I owe you.”
    “How about a dance?” Hand held out, he nodded toward the floor below. “Friends. Completely platonic dancing.”
    Absolutely nothing with this man could be completely platonic.
    She