The Mighty Quinns: Brian. Kate Hoffmann

“Oh, sweetie, you’re going to burn a question on that? No, I’m not involved. And I won’t ask you that one, because I don’t care if you are involved. You’re here with me now, and that’s all that matters.”

      “One more question,” she said. “What’s your name?”

      “Brian,” he said. “Brian Quinn.” He paused, waiting for her to offer her own name, then realized she was going to force him to ask. “And what about you?”

      “It’s Lily Gallagher. That’s three for me, and two for you. Don’t you want to ask me another question?”

      “Are you from Boston?” he asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

      “For the time being. But I live in Chicago.”

      So she really didn’t know who he was. They were essentially strangers. “It’s nice to meet you, Lily,” he murmured. “Lily. I like that name. It suits you.”

      “And why is that?” She winced. “And that wasn’t one of my five questions. Just curiosity.”

      “Oh, now here’s the test for me. I’m going to have to come up with something very poetic to say about your name or you’ll realize that I’m not as smooth as I’m pretending to be.”

      “I’m a big fan of poetry, Brian Quinn.”

      He cleared his throat. “Well, unless it’s a dirty limerick, I think you’re out of luck with me.”

      “Hey, I’ll take a limerick.”

      Brian groaned softly. “I guess I stepped in that one.” He thought for a moment, all the off-color limericks he’d ever heard racing though his mind. “I’m Irish, so this could come naturally. There once was a girl dressed in gold, who I approached in a way very bold. We danced through the night, held each other so tight, and left all our sad stories untold.”

      Lily laughed. “That wasn’t bad. But it didn’t answer the question.”

      “That’s because the only words that rhyme with Lily are filly, frilly and dilly.” He paused, studying her until she was forced to avert her gaze. “Lily suits you because I like the sound of it when I say it. And I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone named Lily, so whenever I hear that name, I’ll think of you first.”

      A tiny sigh slipped from her lips. “That’s very poetic.”

      He stared down at her, his gaze skimming over her pretty features. He didn’t have to think before he kissed her. He simply leaned forward and she was there, waiting, her upturned mouth soft and damp and sweet. There was no hesitation and no doubt that it was the best use of that particular moment. And then he drew away and they continued dancing.

      She felt good in his arms, as if she fit. His hand rested on her back in just the right spot and her fingers nestled perfectly in his palm. And their bodies brushed against each other as he pulled her near, hips against hips, her breasts pressed to his chest.

      Brian couldn’t remember the first time he’d been attracted to the opposite sex. It had happened so long ago and there had been so many girls and women since then. But there was something different about Lily, something that he couldn’t put his finger on. Maybe it was the little game they were playing, two strangers in the night exchanging more than glances.

      With each new tune the orchestra played, he learned more about her, about the way she moved and the sound of her voice, the shape of her body beneath her dress and the smell of her perfume in the curve of her neck. They talked, but not about anything important, yet each word seemed to draw him in, to make him want her more. He didn’t know what she did for a living, he didn’t know her favorite food or even if she had any hobbies.

      But he did know where the evening might end and for the first time in his adult life, Brian wasn’t sure that he wanted it to end there. He pushed the thoughts from his head, focusing on the music and scent of her hair, determined to enjoy each little moment, without regard to where it was leading.

      He drew in a slow breath. Hell, that was a revelation. Maybe spending time with a woman didn’t always have to be about sex. Maybe seduction could end in just a simple kiss good-night.

      The music stopped and the lights in the ballroom gradually came up. Lily lifted her head from his shoulder and glanced around, her brow furrowed. “What time is it?”

      “Time to go,” he said. “We’re the last people on the dance floor.”

      A faint blush crept up her cheeks. Even in the harsh light, she looked beautiful. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

      Brian slipped his arm around her waist and steered her toward the table where she’d left her shoes and her purse. “Let’s get out of here.” He picked up her shoes and bent down, helping her slip them on, then fumbling with the straps.

      They started toward the lobby, but halfway there, Brian pulled her into a small alcove and kissed her, her damp lips just too tempting to resist. His hands smoothed over her face as his tongue invaded her mouth. A tiny sigh slipped from her throat and when he finally drew away, she didn’t open her eyes for a long time.

      “Where are we going?” she murmured.

      “I don’t know. Anywhere. As long as it’s with you.”

      “I—I have a car outside,” she offered.

      “Let’s go.”

      When they got to the street, Lily handed the parking attendant a card. He made a quick phone call and a few seconds later a limo pulled up to the curb.

      Brian ignored the car until Lily started toward it. The parking attendant held open the door and she slipped inside, then looked back out at Brian.

      “When you said car, I figured you meant Toyota or Ford,” he said.

      “It’s a limo,” she called, leaning out the door.

      “I can see that,” he said, getting inside.

      “Do you want to take your car?”

      Brian thought about the beat-up Chevy parked in a public lot a few blocks away and compared it to the luxurious leather interior. “No, this will do just fine.”

      “Where to?” the chauffeur asked, watching them in the rearview mirror.

      Brian looked at Lily, deciding to leave it up to her. “Where would you like to go?” he asked softly, his gaze fixed on her lips.

      “Just drive,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Take us to see the sights.”

      The privacy screen whirred as it rose, but all Brian could really hear was the thud of his heart as he pulled Lily into his arms.