The Midnight Dwellers

Chapter 4

Although Elora looked away, she could feel Kieran's icy blue eyes on her.

"Welcome everyone," he began. "My name is Kieran Sgail, and I am beyond pleased to be the new CEO of Brookline Journalism and Publishing. I have always believed that access to information is humanity's greatest super-power. I am honored to be a part of a company that does just that."

Elora continued to look down at her pizza.

"Please enjoy the luncheon today. We have salad, sandwiches, and pizza. Though I see some of you have already dug in."

Elora blushed. f**k.

"If you have any questions or would simply like to chat, don't hesitate. I am here to get to know you all."

The next hour was absolute torture, and Elora did everything she could to avoid Kieran. At 1:00 pm exactly, Elora gathered her belongings and stuffed them into her bag. As she made her way towards the double doors, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She didn't have to look up to know it was Kieran.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

"Ms. White, would you do me the great honor of accompanying me on a tour of the office?"

"Oh. I'm sure there are other people way more qualified to show you around." Elora gulped.

"No," Kieran said. "I want you."

Elora looked up at him. He was every bit as good-looking as she remembered. His jawline was sharply chiseled, his hair neatly combed, and his eyes a sultry, captivating shade of blue. His suit was ironed to perfection. When he smiled, the very tips of two sharp canines poked from behind his full lips.

"Very well," Elora said and made her way out of the conference room with Kieran following behind her. The next 10 minutes were spent giving the most basic, underwhelming tour she could manage. Once she was finished, she turned to face Kieran.

"Well, that's about it. Thank you for your time, Mr. Sgail," she said icily. "Do you need someone to show you out."

"I'm certain I can manage," Kieran responded, "When do you get off work?"

What the heck?

"Um, 5:00 pm," Elora said as she fidgeted with the hair tie on her wrist. Under Kieran's penetrating gaze she wished she had worn something nicer-not an argyle sweater and khakis. "Why?"

"My driver will be outside to pick you up. I'd like to take you to dinner."

Elora felt as though someone had dropped her into a bucket of ice water. Her heart raced, and her mouth went dry.

"Why," she whispered, casting her eyes downward.

"Because," Kieran said and grabbed her chin so that her eyes met his, "You interest me, and I'm a man who pursues my interests. I'll see you at 5:00."

With that, Kieran and the two other men walked out the front doors of the office building. Through the window, Elora could see Kieran slide into the back of a very smart-looking black car. As she watched the car pull away, Elora let out a sigh. What on Eath could Kieran Sgail find interesting about her? She glanced down at her outfit. Definitely not fancy dinner material. She whipped out her cell phone and texted Lila.

SOS! Fancy dinner tonight with Mr. Sexy & Mysterious (aka Kieran Sgail). I need something to wear. Can you drop it off?

A few moments later Elora's phone dinged. She smiled as she read the text from Lila, who was never one to drop the ball during a fashion emergency.

OMG! ELORA!! THE Kieran Sgail?! I'm on it.

A few hours later, Elora stepped out of the office. She wore an emerald green sheath dress and black heels. Lila had also provided her a delicate gold necklace, a pair of pear earrings, and a nude lipstick. For someone who had not been planning to go out to dinner, Elora felt relatively good about how she had cleaned up. In fron of the office building was the same black car that she had seen Kieran get into earlier. One of the men who had been with Kieran opened the door for her.

"Ms. White," he acknowledge with a nod.

She slid into the car next to Kieran who looked as devilishly handsome as ever. He wore a navy blue suit and smelled intoxicating-a sensual blend of smoke, pine, and soap. His dark hair was tousled up, as opposed to his usual combed and quaffed style.

"Elora, you look dazzling," he said as his eyes raked over her.

A blush crept up her cheeks and she bit her lip shyly. Elora was not used to compliments from men, especially not ridiculously handsome, disgustingly wealthy ones.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You look...nice as well."

She realized her compliement sounded insincere, but how could one follow up with dazzling? Kieran smirked, likely well aware of just how embarassed Elora was feeling.

"Where are we going?" asked Elora.

"5th Avenue. The new Skyline Restaurant."

Elora balked. That place had a waitlist that was over a year out. Getting reservations was nearly impossible-not that she had tried. Elora had only recently graduated college. She couldn't even begin to dream of being able to afford to go there. As they drove, the sky went from a brilliant blue to the color of freshly picked peaches. Elora stole a glance at her companion who was staring intently at her. He reached over and gentky touched one of the loose tendrils of hair that had slipped from her ponytail.

"Lovely," he remarked, "like fire."

Elora blushed. She knew her hair was unique and although she had detested it as a child, she'd come to appreciate her red locks as an adult.

"Have you been to Ireland?" Kieran asked rather abruptly.

"No," Elora admitted. "My family is from Ireland, but I've never personally gone. I'd like to someday."

"I am sure you will. It's breathtaking. All green rolling green fields. I do miss it sometimes," said Kieran.

"Do you miss it?" asked Elora.

"Yes," breathed Kieran. "More than you could ever know."

A look of deep sadness washed over his face and the car was saturated in the heaviness of an unnamed grief for a moment. Elora reached over and gently touched Kieran's hand. Upon doing so, a jolt of electricity shot up her arm and he pulled away.

"You'll see your homeland again, Kieran. Perhaps I'll join you," Elora joked.

Kieran's eyes darkened as he reached over to grab Elora's chin.

"Don't make promises you can't keep. You don't know what that...what you do to me," he breathed.

Suddenly, the tension in the air was palpable. Elora sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. Then, she looked out the window only ro be agreeted with a sleek, modern skyscraper that seemed to have no end.

"It looks like we are here," Kieran said.