Imagine With Me: A With Me In Seattle Novel Read online

  “It was way better than I expected.”

  I let out a soft laugh. “Yeah. Me, too.”

  She grins up at me. “But we’re professionals, remember? We work together.”

  Fuck that. I want her in my bed. Now. I want to taste every damn inch of her delectable little body. I want to make her sigh and whimper and pull my hair as I give her the best orgasm she’s ever had.

  But I just nod and do my best to keep a straight face. “Right. Sure.”

  She nudges me with her hip. “Don’t pout.”

  “I don’t pout,” I reply. It’s true. I don’t. “I also usually get what I want.”

  “Oh? And what is that?”

  I look down at her and lean in to press my lips close to her ear so I can whisper, “You. Naked. Beneath me.”

  Her cheeks flush beautifully.

  “Most likely not going to happen, Mr. O’Callaghan.”

  I grin. Challenge accepted.

  It’s busy, even for a Saturday night, so I’m relieved to have Lexi in the kitchen with me. She’s proven that she’s not underfoot at all, but rather a huge help. She knows her way around knives, the stove, and works quickly.

  Efficiently.

  I should have known her work ethic would be impeccable, even when she’s not being paid for her services.

  Lexi Perry doesn’t do anything halfway.

  “I need some Irish nachos and some chili cheese fries,” Maeve, my older sister, announces as she walks into the kitchen. “And two bowls of stew.”

  “We’ll be out of the stew within the hour,” Lexi informs her. “It’s going fast.”

  “There should be another pot in the fridge,” Maeve says and hurries over to the walk-in. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you went through the backup stew already, too?”

  “It’s been the favorite tonight,” I say with a nod. “I’d say we can take about six more orders for it, and then it’s done for the evening.”

  “Wow. Okay, I’ll let Mary Margaret know.” Maeve’s eyes turn to Lexi. “I know we met when you arrived, but we haven’t had a chance to chat yet. I’d like to before the night is out.”

  “I’ll be here all night,” Lexi says with a wink. “I need to grab more fries from the freezer.”

  She wipes her hands on her apron as she hurries away, and Maeve turns her attention to me.

  “I like her.”

  I nod and fill a basket with hot wings. “She’s a likeable woman.”

  “No, I like her. For you.”

  I roll my eyes. “Stop matchmaking and get to work, Maeve.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “Nothing.”

  Lexi comes back into the room before Maeve can keep asking annoying questions.

  “I’ll be back for the nachos,” she says as she bustles out of the kitchen.

  “So, I’ve met Keegan, Maggie, and Maeve.”

  I nod and reach for another basket. “You have, yes. Kane and his wife, Anastasia, are supposed to come in later this evening.”

  “Really?”

  “They usually do on Saturday nights,” I say. “And then you’ll have met all of them.”

  “Did you say your parents live in Ireland?”

  “That’s right. They moved back there about six years ago or so when they retired. Keegan bought the pub, and Ma and Da went home to spend time with their siblings and to enjoy the homeland, as they put it.”

  I grin at her as she sets a basket of fries in the hot grease.

  “You should eat something,” I say.

  “We’re too busy for that,” she replies. “I’ve taken bites here and there, don’t worry about me.”

  But I do worry about her. More than I’ve a right to.

  “Go ahead and dish up the rest of that stew,” Maggie says as she hurries into the kitchen. “And I need nachos, hold the onion. And a meat pie.”

  “Got it,” I reply, already building the nachos. “Is it slowing down out there?”

  “You wish,” she says with a laugh. “And now I know to make three pots of stew on the weekends. Keegan’s grinning like the Cheshire Cat out there as he counts his coins.”

  “I think you just combined Alice in Wonderland and A Christmas Carol.” I finish dishing up the stew and set the bowls on a tray for my sister. “These are hot and heavy.”

  “Everything around here is heavy,” Maggie says as she expertly carries the tray out of the kitchen.

  “I couldn’t carry that,” Lexi says.

  “You could with practice. Not that we’ll ask you to.”

  “I waited tables in college,” she says, surprising me. “I never could get the hang of balancing plates and stuff. I wasn’t cut out for it.”

  “Well, you’re an excellent sous chef,” I reply. “And I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I brought cake,” Anastasia announces as she walks into the kitchen, my brother right behind her. “Lots of cake. I’m trying out some new flavors, so I need your opinions. Hi, you must be the new cook. I’m Stasia.”

  “Actually, this is the author I’m working with,” I reply. “Lexi Perry, my brother Kane. And his wife, Stasia.”

  “Pleasure to meet you,” Lexi says.

  “Why is Lexi filling orders?” Kane says as he reaches for a chip.

  “I offered,” Lexi says. “Also, I just want to tell you that I’m a fan of your work. The vase in Shawn’s guest room is absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen a few of your exhibits, and I loved being in the museum last weekend. You’re incredibly talented. Of course, you know that.”

  “And I always love hearing it,” my brother says. “Thank you. And I can say the same for you. I’ve read all of your books, and am looking forward to this movie being made.”

  Lexi’s face pales. “You read my books?”

  “I do, yes.”

  “Now, I’m more nervous than before.”

  “No need to be,” Anastasia says as she passes me a piece of pink cake. “He adores your stories. Here, have some strawberry mint cake.”

  “Thanks.”

  “She makes wedding and occasion cakes for a living,” I inform Lexi and stuff the rest of my cake into my mouth. “This one’s a winner.”

  “Delicious,” Lexi agrees.

  “Now try the lemon with blueberry compote filling.”

  Lexi leans against the counter and chews the cake. “Oh my God, so good. I might move in with you just to eat cake all the time.”

  “I’ll bring you whatever you want,” Stasia says with a happy smile. “Okay, I’m going to drink a beer and chat with Keegan. I’ll see you in a few.”

  She hurries out, and Kane hangs back.

  “What’s up?” I ask him.

  He doesn’t say anything for a long moment, just looks back and forth between Lexi and me. Then, with a smirk, he turns and leaves the kitchen.

  Damn matchmaking siblings.

  Chapter 5

  ~Lexi~

  “You did not.” I stare at Shawn in surprise as he smirks and sips his whiskey. “You seriously cut your sister’s hair off?”

  “I mean, I was four years old,” he says with a shrug. “And she was barely two. It’s not like I cut it before school pictures or something.”

  “Ma cried for days,” Maeve says, giggling into her glass. “Mary Margaret had the prettiest curls when she was a wee babe.”

  “I still do,” Maggie points out.

  “Yes, but you were her baby, and the last to have a first haircut. And Shawn went and snipped those baby locks right off your head. I thought Da was going to take a switch to him.”

  The bar closed down thirty minutes ago, but the siblings all stayed to chat and drink. I get the impression that they used to do this often, but that they haven’t enjoyed each other like this in a long while.

  It’s fun to witness.

  “What’s something you did as a child to get into trouble, Lexi?” Keegan asks as he pours more whiskey into my glass.

  “I set the school on fire.”

>   Shawn spits his drink out in surprise. “You what?”

  “It was an accident,” I continue. “I didn’t know the Bunson burner was still hot.”

  “Oh, I like you,” Maeve says, clinking her glass to mine. “We’re already friends.”

  “Because I set the school on fire?”

  “That’s one of the reasons,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve never set anything on fire. That I’m aware of.”

  “Let’s play Never Have I Ever,” Maggie says, clapping her hands.

  “Yes!” Anastasia agrees. “Does everyone know how to play?”

  Keegan’s eyes narrow. “You’re all going to call a rideshare to get home tonight.”

  “Of course,” Stasia says, waving him off before turning to me. “Do you know how to play?”

  “Uh, yeah, I went to college.”

  Granted, college was a long time ago, but I’m pretty sure I remember how this goes. With my drink in hand, I wait for the first question.

  “I’ll go first,” Maggie says. “Never have I ever set the school on fire.”

  I laugh and take a drink, while everyone else looks on.

  “I’m going to have such a hangover tomorrow.”

  “No, lass,” Keegan says, “You’re drinking top-shelf whiskey tonight.”

  “Okay, my turn,” Maeve says. “Never have I ever been to Africa.”

  I look on while Shawn is the only one to drink. “You were in Africa?”

  “In college,” he confirms.

  “Never have I ever stolen a car,” Kane says, staring at Keegan while Keegan takes a shot of whiskey, making us all laugh.

  “You stole a car?” I ask.

  “It was our parents’ car, but technically, yes, I stole it.” Keegan refills our glasses. My lips are already tingling, and before long, I know I won’t be able to feel my legs. Keegan asks the next question. “Never have I ever married a jackass.”

  Both Maggie and Stasia drink, making everyone laugh.

  “I do believe I’ll be spankin’ your arse this evening,” Kane says to his wife, who simply laughs and kisses his cheek.

  “I couldn’t help myself. It was too easy.”

  “Oh, he can be a jackarse, that’s the truth,” Maeve says. “Okay, never have I ever been in a threesome.”

  Without thinking, I take a drink, just as Keegan does. I look around to find the rest of them staring at me in shock.

  “Are you telling me that only Keegan and I have not been in a threesome?” I demand. “Jesus, I’m too sheltered. I guess I need to get out more.”

  Maeve bites her lip, and Kane throws his head back and laughs. Shawn shakes his head. “Honey, you drink when you have done it. Remember?”

  I squint at him. “Why are there two of you? And…oh, yeah. Oops. Do I have to throw it back up or something?”

  “Please don’t,” Maggie says, laughing so hard I’d bet her stomach hurts.

  Suddenly, it occurs to me that Keegan also drank. “Wait. You drank.”

  He winks at me and gives me that same charming grin that Shawn has down pat. “That I did, lass.”

  I blink at him. “You know I’m a writer, right? I need details.”

  “Give me a few more shots of the Irish, and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

  “Right on. Is it my turn now?”

  “Go for it,” Kane says.

  “Okay. Let me think.” I bite my lip, trying to come up with a really good one. “Okay. Never have I ever had sex in a cemetery.”

  Maggie is the only one to drink. The room goes quiet as we all stare at her.

  “You don’t want to know,” she says at last, breaking out in laughter again. “You really don’t.”

  “I mean, I kind of do,” I admit.

  “I don’t,” Keegan says, holding up his hand. I notice Shawn and Kane are also shaking their heads.

  “Nope, I’m good,” Shawn says.

  “Don’t say another bloody word,” Kane agrees.

  “I’m going out on a limb here to say that no one at this bar is a virgin,” I say. “Better yet, never have I ever had sex.”

  We all drink.

  “See?”

  “Doesn’t mean we want to hear stories about our baby sister in the biblical sense,” Keegan says.

  I roll my eyes and feel myself getting a little wobbly, but Shawn catches me and sets me straight.

  “You doing okay, Lex?” he asks.

  “I’m great, thank you for asking.” I boop his nose with my finger. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. “You’re adorable, by the way, Shawn O’Callaghan.”

  “Adorable?”

  “Like, super adorable. Okay, maybe you lean more toward hot.” I give him a good once-over. “How do you feel about orgasms?”

  He chokes on his spit but then nods and looks as if he’s going to give me an honest answer.

  Which is good, because that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Always. Every day. I’m all for honesty.

  “I guess I’m fond of them.”

  I grin. “Right? So fun. Okay, who’s next?”

  “I feel like you belong here,” Maeve says to me, and I clutch my chest in joy.

  “You do? That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. For real.”

  “You’re the best,” Maggie agrees. “You served all of those meals tonight, on one of the busiest nights we’ve seen in a long time, and you didn’t so much as flinch. Your feet have to be killing you.”

  “I can’t feel my feet,” I realize and lean over to make sure they’re still there. In doing so, I almost fall off the stool, but Shawn catches me. “Are my feet there?”

  “Yes.” He has laughter in his green eyes. “And we should think about getting you home.”

  “It’s early.”

  “It’s three,” Stasia announces. “We should go, too. I have to work in the kitchen all day tomorrow.”

  Shawn taps on his phone and then looks up at me. “Our ride will be here in three minutes. Let’s go wait outside, and get you some fresh air.”

  “Why don’t you seem drunk?” I ask after we say goodbye to everyone and make our way out to the sidewalk in front of the pub.

  “Oh, I’m pretty wasted,” he says. “Definitely had too much to drive safely.”

  “You’re not even slurring your words.”

  “I’m a mellow drunk,” he says. “And I’m not quite as sloshed as you.”

  “It’s the whiskey. I’m not used to it.”

  He smiles and kisses my temple. It feels so damn good every time his lips touch me. I could quickly become addicted to having him near, to feeling his touch. And I’m not usually one to enjoy a handsy man, but Shawn has a special gift for touch.

  Our car arrives, and we jump into the back. The driver is quiet, and we follow suit, sitting silently in the dark backseat. I lean my head on Shawn’s shoulder, and his fingertips drift up and down my thigh.

  I may look relaxed, but my body is on high alert. I want Shawn O’Callaghan—in the biblical sense, as Keegan put it. But I’ll be damned if I say so. Because we’re working together, and I do not, under any circumstances, want to make it weird.

  The ride to Shawn’s is fairly fast. Once we’re parked, Shawn thanks the driver and leads me to the front door, which he quickly unlocks. He gestures for me to walk in ahead of him, and I drop my bag on the table inside the door and slip out of my shoes. When I turn to face Shawn, I find him staring at me with intense green eyes, his hands fisted at his sides.

  He looks like a wolf on the prowl for prey.

  Moving around and getting the fresh air helped to clear some of the whiskey from my brain. I’m clearheaded enough to know exactly what I’m doing.

  “I don’t know,” he begins, his words slow and measured, “if I’ll be able to keep my hands off you tonight, Lex.”

  I feel the grin spread over my face. “Well, that’s a relief.”

  He doesn’t smile in return. He also makes no move toward me.
/>   “I’ve wanted you naked since the moment I saw you at that party, when I buggered everything up.”

  “You were kind of a jerk. If that’s how you come on to women, you have a lot to learn. I could probably teach you some tricks, give you pointers, that sort of thing.”

  Yes, I’m babbling. I babble when I’m nervous.

  He slowly walks toward me, moving as if his feet are stuck in molasses. Or am I just still drunk enough that everything seems in slow motion?

  “We need to set some ground rules,” he says as he reaches out and does his signature move, the whole slipping my hair behind my ear bit.

  My earlobe tingles where his skin made contact.

  “Ground rules.” I swallow hard as I stare at his supple mouth. I’m going to bite him. I just decided.

  “First and foremost,” he begins, tugging my shirt out of the waistband of my jeans, “I’m not going to marry you.”

  I giggle. “Thank God. Because as hot as you are, Shawn, you’re a massive pain in my ass. I’m absolutely not marrying you either.”

  His lips twitch. “Excellent. I think.” He slips the shirt over my head and tosses it to the floor. I fist his soft gray cotton tee in my hands and pull it up, exposing rock-hard and tanned abs.

  “Holy hell.” I swallow hard. “Are we still setting ground rules, or can I go ahead and lick your stomach?”

  He growls. “Still talking, so keep your tongue to yourself. Because once we get started, there’s no going back.”

  I take a deep breath and finish tugging the shirt over his head and throw it on the floor with mine. Next, my finger dives into the waistband of his jeans, and I bite my lower lip when the tip of my finger meets the head of his cock.

  “Wow.”

  He closes his eyes and clenches his jaw. “Fuck.”

  “Oh, I hope we will, yes.”

  He laughs and urges my hand away from his pants, then kisses my palm and presses it against his chest. With his eyes on mine, he keeps talking.

  “I just want to make sure we’re on the same page here. We’re going to have some of the best sex of our lives, work on this project, and then go our separate ways when it’s over.”

  I’m already nodding my head. “Coworkers with benefits. I’m on board with that.”