First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

He wasn’t sure what came over him, but he impulsively placed a kiss upon the top of her head before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The light fragrance of citrus and vanilla clung to the thin cotton hood, making him dream of pushing it back and burying his face in her hair, but there was no time.

Pulling back just as quickly, he feigned sleep again so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed when she woke up and realized she had wrapped herself around his arm. Sure enough, she awoke within seconds and jerked away. Ian felt the sudden chill that accompanied the lack of her body against his.

Ian stretched, seeing it as the perfect excuse to deliberately brush against her again. He was delighted when she didn’t try to avoid the contact. Even more delighted when he realized she was getting off at this stop as well.

She stood and reached for the overhead compartment, stretching on her tiptoes and extending her reach. Ian grinned. Since he had only seen her sitting down, he hadn’t realized she was quite so petite. It gave him an excellent chance to play the chivalrous male.

“Here,” he said, rising in a fluid movement. “Let me.”

In the limited space of the bus, he was aware of her lips just a hair’s breadth away from his chest. The top of her head barely reached his chin. He shook off the unexpectedly powerful urge to lower his arms and wrap them around her, tucking her close against him.

“Uh-oh,” he said, so quietly that only she could hear him.

His little seat mate turned her attention away from his chest (had she just discreetly inhaled?) and looked toward the older blonde waiting to catch him on the way out. He heard her take a deep breath, then straighten her shoulders and look up into his face.

“I would love to have dinner with you,” she said rather loudly, surprising him.

Ian froze for a second until he realized what she was doing. Then he leaned down and whispered, “I think I love you.”





Chapter Three




If only he knew how cruel those words were.

Lexi forced a smile, forced herself to remember that Ian had no idea who she was. He was just being charming. And she was no kid anymore, either. She was a grown, independent woman, fully capable of making her own way in the world. So why did she suddenly feel like that crushing girl, so helpless and out of control?

Ian carried both of their bags off the bus, sticking close enough to Lexi that she remained painfully aware of him. As her soft-sided suitcase came from the cargo bay beneath, she reached for it. Ian immediately took it from her hands.

“So where shall we eat?” he asked.

Lexi tugged at the suitcase, but Ian held on stubbornly. “We don’t,” she answered.

Ian frowned, looking confused. “Didn’t you just say –“

“Look,” Lexi said, waving her hand toward the retreating blonde figure. “She’s gone. You’re safe now.”

“But I really would like to have dinner with you.”

Lexi almost believed him. Almost. She shook her head. Three days tops and she would be out of there. She couldn’t afford to open old wounds that would take a lot longer than that to heal. “Sorry. After two days on that thing, all I can think about is a hot shower and a bed I can actually lie down in.” She reached again for the suitcase and her pack, but he held tight.

“My lady,” he said, breaking out that sexy grin again. “You have saved me from the evil witch. I must repay the favor. Dine with me. Please.”

No woman was immune to that grin, including (especially) her. She couldn’t help it, she grinned back, but inside, her heart ached. She had long ago accepted the fact that Ian Callaghan was nothing more than a fantasy, an impossible standard to which no other man could ever measure up. To actually have dinner with him would make him seem too attainable, putting cracks in the carefully constructed walls she’d erected over the years. And afterward, when he left, it would hurt that much more. Even his lighthearted flirting was painful, a series of stinging reminders of what a playboy he was, had always been.

“Thanks, really, but no thanks.”

This time when she reached for her luggage, he placed his hand over hers. That little contact sent electric pulses right through her. Her lips parted, but somehow she managed to hold back the sigh that threatened to escape. If a simple touch of his hand could do this to her, what would it be like to be held in his arms? To be kissed by him? To lay naked beneath him?

That last thought nearly sent her over the edge, and she fought valiantly to regain some measure of self-control before she embarrassed both of them. She wasn’t fourteen anymore, for God’s sake. Her entire body stiffened and she pulled her hand away.

“Alright,” he said slowly, clearly not pleased with her response. “But at least allow me to get this for you.” He looked around expectantly. “Is someone picking you up?”