Read In Like Flynn for Free Online Page B

restore both of us to sobriety.”
    “I've never been known to turn down ice cream,” I said.
    The ice cream was delicious but it didn't do much to counteract the champagne. I still felt only vaguely tethered to earth as I floated out on Daniel’s arm. I spied the flower girl, standing in the shadows beside the potted palm as Daniel hailed a cab. She was still staring at us and I wondered if she was recalling better times in her own life.
    “A very satisfactory evening, Molly,” Daniel said as he climbed into the cab beside me and slipped his arm around my shoulders.
    “I really don't think that’s proper, Captain Sullivan.” I attempted to move away.
    “Just to make sure you're not swung around too violently, Miss Murphy. I'll wager the dreary, earnest Mr. Singer doesn't take you out to dine at places like this.”
    “Let’s not discuss my relationship with Mr. Singer,” I said. “My personal life can be of no interest to you while you are engaged to someone else. We've been through this a thousand times, Daniel.”
    “It is of concern to me and you know how I feel about you,” he said. “Dash it, Molly, you said yourself that you can't just shut off feelings for another person. You must still have feelings for me.”
    Without warning he took me in his arms and was kissing me with abandon. I knew I should tell him to stop, but the champagne had numbed my limbs. It had also dulled my willpower and I had always liked Daniel Sullivan’s kisses.
    “See, I knew it,” he whispered as we broke apart at last. “You do still have feelings for me.”
    “What do you expect if you ply a girl with champagne.” I at-tempted to recover the last of my dignity. 'You don't play fair, Daniel. Stop the carriage. I'll get out and walk the rest of the way home.”
    He grabbed my hand as I reached up to attract the cabby’s attention.
    “You'll do no such thing. Allright.I promise 111 behave myself for the rest of the journey. It’s just too tempting, sitting here in the dark beside you. It’s been too long since we've been alone together.”
    “And it won't be repeated in the near future. Next time you invite me for a business meal, 111 come in my own cab and 111 drink water.”
    Think of tonight as good practice for Barney Flynn,” Daniel said. “I understand he’s something of a ladies' man himself.”
    “Surely not, with his wife present?”
    Daniel just grunted.
    “And you have no qualms about sending me into such a lion’s den then?”
    “If anyone can handle Barney Flynn, you can. And you are a cousin, after all.”
    The cab slowed and came to a halt. “I'd rather not take the horse up the alleyway, if you don't mind, sir,” the cabby called down to us. “He don't like backing up.”
    That’sfine.I can easily walk the rest of the way,” I said.
    Daniel helped me down. “Allow me to escort you to your house.”
    “Probably better if you don't,” I said. “You have a history of not taking noforan answer.”
    Daniel laughed. “Are you sure you're steady enough to walk on your own?”
    “Quite steady. Not intoxicated at all. I'll look forward to your next instructions then, Captain Sullivan.”
    I started out and heard Daniel’s laugh behind me as I teetered.
    “It’s these narrow heels on the cobbles,” I said with cool dignity and made it safely down the rest of Patchin Place. He stood there watching me as I successfully negotiated my door key into the keyhole and let myself in.
    “Good night, Daniel. Thank you for a lovely dinner,” I called. Thank heavens I hadn't let him accompany me. The way I was feeling ?t this moment I might well have weakened and let him come inside…
    I put my purse down on the kitchen table. The lamp was still burning in the parlor and I saw the back of a head in our one arm-chair.
    “You didn't have to wait up for me, Seamus,” I began and then stared as the man rose to his feet.
    “Jacob,” I stammered. “What are you doing here?”
    He came toward me. “I