“Let’s see: Kavanagh Senior owns Legends, the famous mixed martial arts club where all his giant, extra-Y-chromosome sons have trained and where the famous Rory Kavanagh, once ranked top-ten fighter in the country, learned everything he knows.” She began putting up fingers on one hand as if she was starting a list, and doing her best to ignore his smug grin.

“I know your dad used to be a boxer and everyone is intimidated by him, maybe because he was Irish Mafia. And I know you like to drink, probably a little too much, since you reek of alcohol right now—which is coming from a bartender, by the way. Which means you were probably waiting for me and not just walking Ace in the middle of the night. So yeah, that’s what I know.” She realized that her rambling made her nerves more evident, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed.

“Irish Mafia and extra Y chromosomes? Wow, we must keep the Internet buzzing.” The amusement on his face was unmistakable.

“That’s what it says online.”

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to believe everything you read on the Internet, Clare?” He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him as they strolled.

She enjoyed this new level of lightheartedness between them, especially the warmth of feeling him against her again. He was grinning as she glanced sideways at him, but it wasn’t smug like it had been a few moments ago. It was easygoing and amused, a good look on him.

“But you are right,” he said a few moments later, his voice softer this time.

“About which thing? I’m right so often, you really need to narrow it down.” She smiled playfully, detaching herself and reaching down to pet Ace, who had glued himself to her side for most of the journey.

“That’s what I love about you, Clare.” He smiled. “You’re feisty. You have yet to let me have the last word.”

Clare said nothing in response, but inside her head was racing. He had just said love. She knew he wasn’t saying he was in love with her, but just hearing the word fall out of his mouth so easily sent shock waves through her.

She had stopped breathing, holding her breath as if waiting for him to say more. Silently chiding herself, she slowly exhaled. The unexpected excitement she felt was really not helping her resolve not to get involved romantically with anyone.

She had never had such a physical reaction to anyone before, especially a man, and never to anyone using that word. In fact, since her parents passed away when she was in high school, she hadn’t heard anyone say they loved her. She had dated Travis for years, but he had never said it once.

“I was trying to tell you, Clare, that you’re right about me wanting to walk you home. I wanted to see you again, and not with all my family around.”

She heard the smile in his voice as his tone turned slightly more alluring.

“I, uh, well…that’s, um…” Clare started her sentence a few times before giving up and going silent. All she could think was that he wanted to see her again.

And how she knew that she felt the same way.

“You really have a way with words.” He pulled her into a quick squeeze before releasing her.

She was instantly embarrassed that not only was she sure she sounded like an idiot, but also that she was wishing he would keep holding her.

“I can take care of myself, you know. I’m not looking to meet anyone right now.” She wanted to snatch the words back into her mouth the moment they left. While it was true, she didn’t actually want him to stop trying. She hoped he couldn’t tell what a mess of contradictions she was inside.

“I’m sure you can, since you’re taking Casey’s class. Who do you think taught her everything she knows?” He was ignoring the last part of her statement, thankfully. She peeked over at him to see if he was being serious, and quickly determined that he was.

“I guess that makes sense, since you’re like her older brother. What’s up with that, anyway? Cousins and siblings? Don’t tell me the Kavanaghs like to inbreed.” Clare teased him, but she really was curious as to why Casey so often called him both her brother and her cousin.

“No, Clare, we are all quite capable of mating outside of the family.”

Her mouth dried up as he said that. Damn it, Clare, pull yourself together. Repeat, I do not want to date Rory Kavanagh. I do not want to kiss Rory Kavanagh. I do not want to jump Rory Kavanagh.

Dammit, I at least want to jump Rory Kavanagh.

“I can see that, but there has to be some sort of story there.” Clare looked at Rory, hoping he would explain and say something that didn’t make her insides battle. Mostly, she hoped he couldn’t see her weakened resolve, as she was sure she was looking at him like he was dinner.

“Casey is my cousin, but she moved in with my family when she was very young. My aunt and uncle, along with her two older brothers, were killed in a house fire back in the early nineties. She was the only survivor, so my parents adopted her.”

“I had no idea—I’m so sorry.” Clare frowned, hurting for the spunky redhead she realized had a lot hidden below her bubbly surface.

She felt herself warming up to the mysterious family, proud of them for stepping up to take care of a young girl when she was left alone. She only wished someone had been there to do that for her. Maybe she wouldn’t have fallen into Travis’s unrelenting grip if she’d had some family member to rely on.

“It was a long time ago; we don’t talk about it much,” he confided, and she just nodded, getting the hint that she should drop the topic.

“This is my building,” Clare said after a moment, having come to a stop in front of a three-story brick apartment building. She felt strangely guilty that they had already arrived at her destination, as if she had just interrupted a moment between them.

His eyes softened and settled on her. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do now; it felt as if she was coming home from a date, even though she was sure that she was probably the only one thinking that.

And she didn’t even want to be thinking that.

“Keys,” he said, his tone firm but not commanding.

She tilted her head to the side in confusion. Rory reached out and motioned for her keys. Surprising herself, she slowly pulled them out of a pocket and dropped them into his waiting palm. He moved around where she stood fixated on him and opened the front door, motioning her inside.

“What are you doing?” She stood still on the sidewalk, refusing to budge as she put her hands on her hips.

She had just met this man a few days ago; the fact that he would dare invite himself into her home so easily was offensive. A knot grew in her stomach as her ex-boyfriend’s face came to mind. She was baffled as to what had possessed her to hand him her keys in the first place. She had never let her guard down so much around anyone before, not after all she had been through to teach her otherwise.

So why was she letting it down for Rory?

“Relax, Clare,” he said before her doubts got the better of her. “I’m just holding the door open for a beautiful woman. Always the gentleman, remember?”

Her stance relaxed and a flush crept up her cheeks. She felt a comfort that she wasn’t used to. Rory made her feel safe, something she barely remembered. There wasn’t a specific reason that could explain why, but rather something about him just felt different. She felt different.

“Oh. Okay, then. Well, good night.” As she awkwardly passed him, entering the apartment building, he handed her back her set of keys.

“Hey, Clare?” he called after her retreating figure.

She paused, turning to him, one eyebrow raised as she waited for him to say something. He let a moment of silence pass as he licked his bottom lip, watching her intensely. She felt a flutter in her stomach at the motion.

“I like that you’re not scared of me, mhuirnín.” Then he smiled and closed the door between them.