Flirt With Me by Kristen Proby

Chapter 2

~Maeve~

Someone is licking my toes.

I turn in the bed and pull off my sleeping mask, open one eye, and stare down into big brown eyes.

“Murphy.” I sigh and squint at the clock. “It’s only nine in the morning, you know.”

Murphy lets out a whine and rests his chin on the bed.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You want breakfast.”

I yawn and sit up, stretching before stepping into my soft slippers.

Murphy is my eldest brother’s big yellow dog. When Kane and his wife, Anastasia, are out of town, one of the siblings keeps the dog.

Kane and Anastasia are in San Francisco this week for a museum opening featuring some of my big brother’s work. I’m damn proud of him.

And, I’m happy to have Murphy around. He’s good company.

“But you get me up too early when I’ve closed down the pub the night before.” I scratch his ears and lead him to the kitchen.

I open the back door so he can run out and do his business while I scoop him some food and get to work on coffee for myself.

I enjoy working evenings at O’Callaghan’s for my brother, Keegan. The pub’s been in our family since I was little—when my parents moved to America from Ireland and opened the bar here on our little island. Keegan bought it from Ma and Da a handful of years ago so the parents could retire and split their time between Washington and our little Irish village near Galway.

Helping out is fun, and I’m happy to do it. Especially when something unexpected happens like last night. I don’t think I’ve ever flirted that much with a customer. I know for a fact that I’ve never given my phone number out to anyone. I kept asking myself all night what in the world I was thinking, but then I’d swing by the stranger, and he’d smile in that ridiculously sexy way, and I had zero regrets.

None.

So, yeah, the pub can be lots of fun.

But, Jesus, it’s hard to have two completely different sets of responsibilities.

I might moonlight as a waitress, but my first love is real estate. I’ve been selling homes on the island for several years. I like showing properties and helping people find the places they want to call home.

And it’s a good thing that Murphy woke me because I have an appointment with a new client at ten-thirty. I’m showing him three homes today, all on the water.

This client must have quite a bit of money. Which doesn’t hurt my feelings because that means the commission will be a good one.

I like my little house, but I’ve been saving up for my dream home. It just came on the market, and this new client could be my ticket to that purchase if I find the house for him, and the commission is high enough.

I open the door for the dog, and as he eats, I sip my coffee and nibble on some toast, then make my way upstairs to get ready for the day.

My real estate clothes are far different from my pub attire. In the evenings, I’m in jeans and T-shirts, my hair tied up, and I usually leave looking disheveled, covered in something, and smelling like beer and French fries.

But during the day, for showings and closings, I’m in a shift dress, heels, and my hair is down around my shoulders, the curls tamed as much as they can be.

I apply my makeup with a light hand, wanting to be cool and professional. When I’m all ready to go, I smile down at Murphy who’s been watching every move I make.

“I think we’re ready to go. You’re going to go hang out with Shawn and Lexi today, okay?”

Murphy’s mouth drops open in a doggie grin.

“Let’s go.”

We make our way out to the car, and I drive over to the house on the cliffs that I sold to Shawn a couple of years ago, not long before he met his wife, Lexi. My brother and Lexi are both writers and work from home, so Murphy can hang out with them while I’m busy.

“Good morning,” Shawn says as he steps outside to meet us. “And hello to you, boy.”

He rubs Murphy’s side and watches me with those steady green eyes.

Out of all of us siblings, Shawn is the quiet one. The most logical.

And, sometimes, he sees too damn much.

“You look tired.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “That’s a nice way of saying I look like shit.”

“If I thought you looked like shit, I’d say so. Didn’t sleep well?”

“Do I ever?” I shrug. “Insomnia is a bitch. I closed the pub last night and sat up doing some research for a new client until about five. Murphy here woke me at nine, but it’s good he did because I’m meeting said client in a few minutes.”

“Do you work tonight?”

I flash a grin. “Of course. It’s the weekend, Shawn. Are you and Lexi going to man the kitchen?”

“Of course,” he echoes. “It’s the weekend. I’ll see you later, then.”

He waves and ushers Murphy into the house.

The pub is a family affair. We all do our part.

I check the time and the address of the first home I’m showing, and realize I’m running just a smidge late.

I hate that.

I need to get there first so I can open the place, turn on all the lights, and make sure it’s ready to show.

I’ve shown this first house to several couples. It’s on a nice piece of property at the tip of the island, but the interior needs a little updating. I encouraged the sellers to do just that, but they’re not interested. They just want to unload it.

So, I’ll keep showing it until someone decides they want a project.

To my relief, I’m the first to arrive and hurry through the house, flipping on lights and opening doors and windows to let in some fresh air. The doorbell rings, and when I reach the front door, I open it to a tall, muscly man with light brown hair, a scruffy chin, and a cocky grin.

“Oh, hi.” I clear my throat and look a little closer, then feel my face flush with embarrassment. “It’s you. From the pub last night.”

“I was about to say the same thing.” He slowly looks me up and down, taking in every inch of me. From the interest in his brown eyes, I’d say he likes everything that he sees, and his gaze sets my pulse to hammering and makes me swallow. Hard.

“You must be Hunter Meyers.”

He raises a brow. “I am.”

“I’m Maeve O’Callaghan, the realtor.” I hold out my hand to shake his, surprised by the strength in his grasp and the little zing that passes between us. “I guess we never got around to exchanging names last night. Come on in.”

He steps in behind me as I walk ahead.

“This is the first house we’ll see today. I have two others lined up.”

“I found another online last night,” he says. When I glance back, I notice that he’s not checking out the house. His eyes are on me. “Is there any way I can see it tomorrow?”

“Sure, I just have to give the seller twenty-four hours’ notice. Which one is it?”

I turn to him and watch as he taps his phone. I’m so close to him, I can feel the heat coming off of him. I touched him a few times last night―just a hand on his shoulder. I laughed and flirted like it was going out of style.

And he’s my freaking client.

I’m horrified.

Hunter turns his phone to me. “This one.”

My stomach sinks when I turn my attention to his screen.

It’s my house.

“I’ll just make a call when we’re finished here.” I try to smile at him and then gesture to the living space we’re currently standing in. “Go ahead and have a look around the house. I’m here if you have any questions.”

“Thanks.”

I give him space to wander around and take in the views, check out the rooms.

“The view is one of the best on the island,” I say as he returns to the living space.

“It’s a good view, but the house isn’t my style.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and watches me with interest.

I want to climb him like a tree.

But I’m working.

“It could be, with some TLC and sweat.”

He smirks. “I’m not handy when it comes to home improvements. I think I’d rather have something more move-in ready.”

I nod, not surprised.

That seems to be everyone’s response to this house.

“Okay, do you want to follow me to the next one?”

“First, I want to address the elephant in the room.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Last night.”

I clear my throat and look down, but he reaches over and taps my chin, making me look him in the face again.

“Why are you embarrassed?” he asks.

“Because I was way too flirty last night. If I’d known you were my client, I wouldn’t have behaved that way. I know it was mostly harmless, but—”

“Have I given you the impression that I thought you were inappropriate last night?”

I bite my lip and frown when his eyes narrow on my mouth. “No. You haven’t.”

“Good. Because I had a good time. And I’m reminded that I was a little rude if I didn’t introduce myself to you and ask for your name.”

“I wrote it on the napkin I gave you,” I reply.

“I haven’t looked at it yet,” he confesses. “I was going to call you later after I looked at houses.”

I tilt my head to the side. “You were?”

“Yes. And I still might. But first thing’s first.” He gestures for me to lead the way. “After you.”

“You go ahead. I have to turn off lights and lock up real quick.”

“I can help with that.”

Before I can decline the offer, Hunter hurries through the house with me, buttoning it up so we can move on to the next property.

I lock the front door and turn to him. “Okay, I think we’re ready to move on.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

I pause when I see the vehicle he’s driving. The gorgeous, flashy car.

“Is that a Rolls Royce?”

He flashes that smile again. “Yeah.”

“May I ask what you do for a living, Mr. Meyers?”

The smile leaves his face, and he stares at me with skepticism. “You don’t know?”

I shake my head. “Should I?”

“The bartender…he knew.”

“Well, given that my brother and I don’t share a brain—and thank God for that little mercy—I can say that I’m not aware of who you are. Aside from Hunter Meyers from Seattle. And you drive a Rolls. Oh, and you like chicken wings. And you flirt with waitresses.”

His lips twitch now. “I don’t always flirt with waitresses. I was a mixed martial arts fighter until recently.”

“That explains the muscles.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, but Hunter doesn’t seem to mind.

He laughs and then nods. “I guess so. Noticed the muscles, did you?”

“I mean, they look like they’re going to bust through that T-shirt.”

His grin widens, and he crosses his arms over his chest, making the muscles even more prominent.

I’m not blind. I’m a red-blooded woman. Hunter is hot with a capital H. The kind of hot that melts panties and makes a girl daydream about things.

“I’m fascinated by whatever is going through your head right now,” he says, clearly enjoying himself.

If I don’t move us along, I’ll drag him inside and have my way with him.

“Let’s just go look at the other houses.”

I turn my back on him and get into my car, starting it up. When he’s done the same, I pull out of the driveway and head toward house number two.

On the way there, I call the realtor representing my dream house and set up a showing for tomorrow. Then, I quickly Google my client, just so I’m not completely blind, and continue to make a fool of myself.

Well, of course, Keegan knew who he was. Keegan watches all of those fights. Even plays them in the pub. But I don’t really pay attention. Still, Keegan should have said something. He saw me flirt with the man. Aren’t brothers supposed to say something?

We pull up to the next house, and I get out of my car, trying not to fidget when I feel Hunter stand close behind me as I unlock the front door.

“All of the homes you’re interested in have great views of the water,” I inform him as we walk inside. “This one also has a pool, which is heated and in a pool house because of the cold weather here.”

I tell him all about the many great things the property has to offer and then let him explore. Out of all of the homes I’ll be showing him, this is the largest.

It’s a lot of house for one person.

Especially when it’s a vacation house.

But, I learned a long time ago not to judge.

“Okay, this isn’t bad,” he says when he returns to the kitchen a few minutes later. “I like the pool, but I’m not crazy about where the master suite is. No water view.”

“You could change it,” I suggest. “Convert the two bedrooms that face the water into a master suite. Or, you could add a brand-new addition onto the main level down here with great views.”

“True.” He nods thoughtfully, looking around the space. “Okay, this stays on the list.”

“Great.” Hope takes root in my chest that he won’t choose the house that I want. I’m so close to buying it, I can taste it. “We have one more on our list for today.”

“And then you should have dinner with me tonight,” he says smoothly.

“I don’t usually date clients.” I cringe and shake my head. “I really should have asked for your name last night.”

“I didn’t ask you on a date,” he counters and walks out of the house ahead of me. “It’s just dinner. We can discuss house buying and call it a business meeting. See? Not a date at all.”

I raise a brow and lock the door behind us. “What a clever offer. Unfortunately, I can’t have dinner with you. Or a meeting. I’m busy tonight.”

His eyes narrow. “Are you already taken?”

“I beg your pardon?”

That cocky grin flashes again and makes my stomach clench.

Damn it, he’s sexy. Potent. Dangerous.

“You can beg all you want,” he murmurs, and then seems to shake himself out of his thoughts. “Are you attached to someone?”

I tilt my head. “You know, that’s a rather archaic way of asking me if I have someone in my life, Mr. Meyers.”

“Hunter.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend, no. Not married. I definitely wouldn’t have flirted with you the way I did last night if I were in a relationship. That’s just…gross.”

“Agreed.” He leans over and brushes his fingertip over my cheek, then comes away with an eyelash. “Blow.”

“Blow?”

“Yeah, you blow it away and make a wish.”

I pucker my lips and blow, and then laugh a little. “This is crazy.”

“Which part?”

“The whole situation. I’m not afraid to admit that I’m so far out of my comfort zone, I’m not sure where it went.”

“Comfort zones are overrated.” He winks. “I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t poaching on someone else’s territory. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not that. We haven’t known each other very long, but I like flirting with you, Maeve.”

Yeah, well, the feeling is entirely mutual.

“Let’s move on to the other house,” I suggest, and climb into my car.

Good God, he’s potent. I’ve never had a client who had such an impact on my hormones. It’s unsettling. And ridiculous.

But it’s also kind of fun.

What’s the harm in a few mild flirtations? It spices up the day. He’s charming, sexy, and I haven’t had anyone in my life to flirt with in longer than I care to remember.

I just have to remember that he is a client, and I have to maintain my professionalism.

After that brief pep talk, we pull into the driveway of the last house for the day. I can’t help but admire the sleek lines of his fancy car or the way he looks when he steps out of it—tousled hair and dark aviators on his face, highlighting his square jaw.

And those muscles…

I’ve read about men who just pick up women and have their way with them, moving them about to suit their needs and desires. I can’t say I’ve ever had that life experience.

But it’s something to daydream about.

“Keep looking at me like that,” he says softly, “and I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself.”

“Yes, you will.” I unlock the door and walk inside, willing my hormones to calm the hell down. “This home sits on about two acres and only has partial views of the water.”

I describe the pros and cons of the building and then step through the sliding glass doors to breathe in the salty sea air as Hunter has a look around.

Get yourself together, Maeve.

He’s just a man.

He’ll buy a house, come here once or twice a year, and I’ll likely hardly ever see him again. I mean, sure, I can flirt with him, but there’s no need to behave like a randy teenager.

“That view is a no-go,” he says as he joins me on the deck. “It’s nice, but for the price, I want more water view.”

“I understand. Well, we have an appointment to see the one you pointed out to me tomorrow. And I can show you others, as well. There are plenty of options.”

His gaze falls to my mouth. “I’ll see anything that you want to show me.”

I lick my lips. “I’m sure we’ll find you the perfect home.”

His lips twitch. “The house. Right.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

He helps me lock up the house once more, and when we’re outside, I hold out my hand for him to shake. It seems silly, but I’m not exactly ready to jump in his arms and kiss him silly.

I don’t want the man to take out a restraining order or anything.

“See you tomorrow,” I say politely.

His hand is warm and firm in mine. Those eyes hold humor and interest. “See you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”I demand and unload clean glasses from the dishwasher behind the bar. Keegan’s stocking liquor and making googly eyes at Izzy, his very pregnant wife. Not that I blame him. She’s beautiful and simply glows with her pregnancy.

“Tell you what?”

“That we had a famous person in the pub yesterday. One who, by the way, I flirted with all night last night and ended up being my client today. If you’d have told me last night, I wouldn’t have been blindsided today. Hell, I probably wouldn’t have flirted with him so much either.”

“Jesus, Maeve, I can’t be responsible for giving you the lowdown on every single bleeding customer who walks through my doors, can I?”

“Famous ones, yes.” I set the last clean glass on the shelf and get to work washing the dirty ones. “You could have said: ‘By the way, that man down the bar is a famous fighter.’”

“That’s just ridiculous.”

I turn to Izzy for backup. “Tell him it’s not ridiculous.”

“I’m not getting in the middle of this. Oh, and look at that, it’s time for my nap.” She kisses Keegan, waves at me, and escapes up the back stairs to the apartment above.

“How’s she feeling?” I ask my brother.

“Ready to have a wee babe,” he says with a proud smile. “And I’m ready right with her. It feels like this pregnancy has taken forever.”

“You haven’t even known her a year.” I laugh and wipe down the bar. “Crazy to think about, isn’t it? A year ago, you didn’t even know her. And now, you’re married and about to have a baby. Things can change so fast.”

“For the better,” he adds. “Because I wasn’t truly alive until she walked through that door.”

I stop and stare at him, feeling my heart shifting in my chest. “That might be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“We O’Callaghan men are a sappy bunch,” he says with that Irish brogue and winks at me.

“I have to go check on my customers.”

We haven’t been open for the dinner crowd long, so only a few of my tables are full right now. In a couple of hours, we’ll have a waiting line out the door, and I’ll be busting my ass to keep up.

I check in with my tables, refill water, take fresh drink orders, and when I return to the bar, I stop short.

Sitting right there, at the end of the counter, is Hunter.

His eyes meet mine. They’re full of humor and heat, and my freaking nipples tighten.

By the way his eyes fall to breast level and darken before returning to mine, I’d say he noticed.

“I need a pint of Guinness, a Coke, and two shots of whiskey,” I say to Keegan as I set my tray on the bar for him to fill. “Hello, Mr. Meyers.”

“Hunter,” he says and reaches over to tuck a loose piece of my hair behind my ear. My entire body comes alive when he touches me. “You look beautiful this evening, Maeve.”

I smirk, but his words make me want to preen.

I’m in my usual uniform of an O’Callaghan’s Pub T-shirt, denim shorts, and sneakers. I tied up my hair and even scrubbed my face free of makeup because it just makes me feel grimy while I’m working.

But I’ll take the compliment all the same.

“Can I put in a food order for you?” I ask him.

“What do you suggest?”

“Like I said last night, my mother’s stew is wonderful. The best on the continent.”

He blinks in surprise. “Then I guess I’d better try it.”

“I’ll go fetch it for you.”

I swing through the doors leading to the kitchen and have to stop to catch my breath.

“Why do you look like that?” Shawn asks.

“Like what?” I do my best to keep my face bland, blinking innocently.

He waves his hand in my direction. “Like you’re…”

“Turned on,” Lexi finishes for him and grins at me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to act nonchalant as I place the order for the stew. “I’ll be right back for that.”

I swing back through the doors, hurry into the restroom, and lean on the counter to catch my breath.

“Get it together, Maeve.”