Irish Promises

Chapter Nineteen

Instead of the palm of my hand connecting with his face, Irvin's quick reflexes intercept me. His fingers wrapping around my wrist in a tight almost painful hold.

Before I know it I'm tugged against him, a gasp escaping me as my body hitting his and the suddenness of it causes me to drop everything I brought with me to the floor.

Our bodies are flush together, the hard muscles of his chest pressing against mine. I can feel the warmth of him seeping through the layers of both of our clothing. Smell his cologne and the minty toothpaste.

I'm way too fucking close.

I attempt to pull myself back but his free arm loops around me and holds me against him.

"Now if I release you are you going to try and slap me again?" he asks.

"Yes" I admit with no hesitation at all.

The corners of his lips tug up as he peers down at me clearly amused by this whole thing, which I definitely am not.

"Why am I here? Why are you here?" I ask my tone laced with the evident frustration coursing through me.

"We have a charity ball to discuss don't we?" he replies as if that's clear but I know that's the reason I'm here not him.

Then it all clicks into place.

"You're the client" I breathe feeling like a complete idiot.

"I am" he replies with a smile. "Why don't you ask me what the charitable fund is Anastasia"

"What is it?" I breathe.

He chuckles finally releasing me and steps back the cold air hitting me and causing me to shiver.

"Well you said you wanted to work in musical theatre" he starts to explain as he crouches down and starts to collect up my things.

I come down to his level and start to gather up my things as well our faces level as he continues

"What better way is there for you to be introduced to the top names in the industry than a charity ball" he then goes on to say.

"What?" I ask even more confused now despite his vague explanation.

"Drama clubs, music lesson you name it, they're all expensive there's many children that come from families that can't afford to pay the fee's" he says handing me the things he's collected together. Our fingers brushing against each other slightly and I have no idea why I suck in a breath but I do. I don't particularly know if he notices but he continues anyways "So this is a way to provide them with the opportunity and provide you with a helping step up"

For a moment I just stare at him completely dumbfounded. This is way too much.

"I don't know what to say" I admit.

Leaning his face close to mine he smirks. "Thank you would suffice"

"You had Zara set this all up, having me working it" I say pulling myself away and standing.

Rising to his feet he stares blankly at me for a moment then his brows pinch together and he's the one that seems confused now.

"You're angry?" he asks as if he couldn't possibly understand why I would be.

"Of course I'm angry" I snap back and that seems to phase him even more. "You tricked me into coming here"

"I didn't trick you" He sighs.

"Yes you did" I snap and actually stamp my foot. "You got me here under false pretenses"

At that he laughs like actually laughs at me.

Stepping away he goes over to the table and sits himself back down again with a pretty smug expression. When he gestures for me to take the seat opposite him but I intentionally stay rooted to where I'm standing.

"I didn't trick you Anastasia, you're here to discuss the ball, as am I" he says his expression serious now. "Yes you weren't aware I was behind it all but that's why I'm here right now, it didn't feel right you not knowing"

At this my brows do pinch together because although he seems sincere something also doesn't feel right.

"I could have kept this to myself Anastasia, held off until the actual ball but I wanted to meet with you today" he then explains, his eyes holding mine as he speaks and I feel myself deflate which he seems to recognise.

He gestures towards the seat again and this time I decide to take it.

"So let's see what you've got so far" he then says.