The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

cracked the international market, so we have an office here. And we’ll open one in Dublin within the year.”
    We, thought Darcy, almost never did he say I when speaking of it. She doubted it was modesty, but more a keen sense and appreciation of teamwork. It made her think of the pub again, and she nodded. “What kind of arrangement are you looking for? Business-wise,” she added, pleased when his eyes narrowed.
    “A standard recording contract.”
    “Well, now, I wouldn’t know what that entails, having no experience in the area.” She studied him over the rim of her champagne flute, and went with impulse. “But it seems wise for me to engage an agent to discuss the matter with you if I decide it interests me. To be frank, Trevor, I don’t know as I want to make a living singing, but I’ll listen to your offer.”
    He should have left it at that. Every business instinct ordered him to simply nod and move on to some other topic. But he leaned forward. “I’ll make you rich.”
    “That’s a particular ambition of mine.” She scooped up more dessert, offered it to him. “And it may be, in the end, that I’ll let you help me achieve it.”
    He took her wrist. “You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted. A hell of a lot more than you’ve ever dreamed of.” And felt her pulse scramble.
    “Christ, you know how to make the mouth water. But I’m not one to leap without looking.”
    Relaxed again, he nodded. “No, you’re not. I like that about you. I like damn near everything about you.”
    “Are you speaking to a potential client, or to your lover?”
    He cupped the back of her neck and brought his mouth to hers, lingering long enough to make a few heads turn. “Clear enough?”
    “I’d say that was crystal. Why don’t you take me back and make love with me until neither of us can think about anything at all?”
    “Why don’t I?” he agreed, and signaled for the check.
     
     
    In the morning he rose while she was sleeping. He wanted to clear away the rest of his business as quickly as possible and spend the remainder of the day with her.
    Shopping, he thought as he dressed. She’d enjoy that. He’d turn her loose in one of the boutiques and buy her whatever caught her fancy. Take her to tea at the Ritz, then seduce her into a private dinner at home.
    If it made him a little uncomfortable, even a little ashamed to realize that he was showing off, trying to dazzle her with what he had at his disposal, he’d just have to live with it.
    Damn it, he wanted another day with her. Two. A week. Somewhere they could be alone, without any distractions, any interruptions, any thought of business.
    They’d burn each other out, he supposed, but Jesus, it would be a hell of a ride before they crashed.
    On a whim, he pulled one of the white roses from the vase, scribbled a quick note and laid it on the pillow beside her. Then he found himself sitting on the side of the bed watching her. That perfect face, serene in sleep. All that glorious hair tumbled from his own hand in the night. The bracelet he’d given her flashed and blinked on her wrist, and he knew she wore nothing else.
    But his blood didn’t leap with lust. Rather it ran warm. Affection, he told himself. It was just affection, running alongside the desire he felt for her. He hadn’t been glib when he’d told her he liked almost everything about her. She was a woman who attracted, entertained, challenged, annoyed, and amused. He understood her materialistic streak and didn’t blame her for it.
    But for a moment, just one foolish moment, he wished they’d met and clicked just as they had without her knowing the generosity of his bank balance.
    She’d told him her mind right at the beginning. She wanted money, she wanted luxury. And she was willing to slide into a union with the right man, as long as he was willing and able to provide them.
    He didn’t intend to be taken for his money. Not now, not ever. Even if he was willing to use it to entertain them both in the short-term.
    Shrugging that off, he leaned over to brush a kiss across her cheek, then left her sleeping.
    She didn’t stir for more than an hour after he’d gone, then rolled over lazily. The first thing she saw when she blinked her eyes open was the rose.
    It made her smile, and it made her yearn. She reached for it, stroking its petals as she sat up and read his note.
    I’ll be done by two, and pick you up. I’m hoping you’ll put yourself in my hands for the