Irish Dreams Read Online Free Page A

quickly quashed the thought and slipped her hand in his.
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    Maggie Christy was the last woman Ethan needed right now and the only woman he wanted. Tomorrow night, freedom struck. This was a time for planning a proclamation of bachelorhood, not thinking how Maggie would look outside her beautiful gown. Part of him yearned for both, but the wariness in her gorgeous hazel eyes warned him off. Not a woman one trifled with.
    “Do you mind a slow one?” he asked but didn’t give her a chance to answer before pulling her onto the dance floor. Her body shivered beneath his touch along the small of her back. “You cold?”
    “No.” She cleared her throat. “You took me by surprise.”
    “Forgive me. I react a bit quickly at times. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll back away.”
    She nodded. “How do you know Bryan?”
    “We’ve been friends since the beginning of time, or at least as long as I can remember.”
    She broke into a big smile. Full rosy lips, white teeth–stunning. Her expression took his breath away.
    “Elsie and I too,” she said. “Sometimes it does feel like it’s been forever. Other times, I feel my life has passed on fast forward.”
    His tongue seemed stuck as she glanced at her hands. Her fingers were long, graceful. Her skin appeared soft. He cleared his throat. “I know what you mean.” His voice sounded gruff. “Either way, she’s been talking about you non-stop. If my mind hadn’t been elsewhere yesterday, I might have realized you were Maggie. We have quite a few tourists show up around these parts due mainly to nearby Powerscourt Estate.”
    “I’ve heard about Powerscourt. Is it nice?”
    “Beautiful.”
    “Maybe I’ll check it out,” she said, biting her lip.
    “I’d be happy to show you.”
    “A guide would be nice here. Phoenix is a sprawling city but it’s definitely more crowded and built up than this part of Ireland.”
    “Do you like city life or do you prefer the open Irish countryside?” He slowed their dancing, suddenly very interested in hearing her answer.
    “I’m not sure. I’ve been a bit tired of it lately. When I come on trips like this, it’s like a dream. I wish I could stay here forever.”
    “And why can’t you?”
    Her cheeks grew flushed and she laughed. Her lashes shaded her eyes as she looked away. “I just couldn’t.” She bit down on her plump bottom lip as if considering her words.
    “Why not?” What reason did she have to be so timid? He itched to peel away her unruly ringlets and turn her face toward him.
    “I don’t know. What about you? Do you go where you want?”
    “Aye. I buy and build hotels. Where I like land is where I stay. Ireland is always home. But don’t change the subject. I want to know why you can’t stay.” Was there someone else in her life?
    “We’re talking about two different situations. Your job requires you to move around. Most people don’t just get up and rearrange their entire lives.”
    “They might for the right reason or if perhaps their lives needed a bit of rearranging.”
    She turned and met his gaze. A spark of heat lit her eyes. “Maybe.”
    “Maybe I’m right?”
    As if to answer, she opened her perfect, glossy lips, and for an instant, an urge to kiss her overpowered him. She studied him openly, her gaze combing his features to rest on his lips. The thud of his heartbeat vibrated in his ear and the air between them seemed charged with an energy so intense, she had to feel it too.
    Her lids grew heavy and she blinked. “Ethan.”
    His stomach clenched in anticipation as he leaned closer to her.
    “What a surprise, already meeting fine Irish folk,” a man said beside them.
    Ethan didn’t recognize the voice. Neither did he like how Maggie tensed in his arms.
    “Rick.” She took a step back. “What are you doing here?”
    “We need to talk,” Rick said.
    Based on the accent, the other man must be a Yank. A spoiled, pretty boy dressed in a