The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,2

which one of these guys was Baylor—and that was a problem. I mean, how was I supposed to offer up my V-card if I couldn’t tell one O’Brien from another? They were all “hot as hell” in their own way.

The first brother I noticed was leaned back against the fireplace, flicking his lighter open then closed, a curl to his lips as he watched me. Or actually, that could’ve been from the scar. As I watched, he flipped that lighter again, the flame highlighting a scar that ran from his temple to the corner of his lower lip, pulling it up just slightly. I knew in my head the imperfection should make him less attractive.

It didn’t.

Hair close-cropped to his scalp, silver earrings and a tattoo peeking out from the collar of his jersey completed the whole bad boy image. He lifted a brow, his grin turning a bit wicked, and I swallowed. Nope. I was so not ready for that. Unable to hold his gaze a second longer, I looked away…

…and immediately caught sight of another O’Brien.

This one was sitting in a recliner off to the side. He wasn’t any less attractive, but he was a whole heck of a lot less intimidating. Maybe it was the clean-cut, all-American look—fresh face and windblown hair—that contrasted so greatly with his brother’s. It could’ve been the small smile he flashed me, as if to say, “Hey, it’s alright. Everyone gets a beer to the chest at some point.” It was probably the book resting in his lap. Yeah, I thought, definitely the book. I returned his smile instantly recognizing a kindred spirit, a fellow bookworm.

God, I hoped this was Baylor.

A flush stained his cheeks, and he quickly lowered his gaze. I frowned. Nothing I’d heard about Baylor “Take-Me-to-the-Bedroom” O’Brien made me think he’d blush at…well anything let alone a little smile. Come to think of it, no one had mentioned a scar either.

A sudden feeling drew my attention to the other side of the room. I couldn’t really explain it. It was hot like electricity, something magnetic. My eyes searched for the source of that strange pull—and clashed with gray.

My breath caught.

It was like looking into the heart of a storm, intense, powerful. I hadn’t gone up in flames for any of the others, but this guy… Well, this O’Brien who was staring at me—devouring me—with those unusual gray eyes, wearing a frown like he never smiled, a stare so focused I thought he might be memorizing every move I made? Or reading my mind?

“Wow,” I said, voice nothing but a shaky exhale.

This guy caused a slow burn inside me. I wanted to run. Either to him or away, I wasn’t sure. But as his eyes traveled the length of my body, all the way down to my shoes, and back up again to meet my gaze, everything inside me turned to wildfire. I licked my lips, thighs clenching together instinctively.

His frown deepened, jaw tight.

And that made him seem even sexier.

Dangerous, my mind whispered, ignoring my tingling girly bits.

This brother could not be the one, I decided, hoped really. Anyone who made me feel this out of control was out of the question. I wanted one wild night. I wanted passion and heat, something to remember. What I didn’t want was someone who would ruin me for all other men.

And this guy could.

I knew it just by looking at him.

That was why I broke the connection, looked away, as a hand landed on his broad shoulder. Following that arm up to its owner, the first thing I saw was a playful grin. I remembered this O’Brien because he’d done a keg stand minutes ago that had everyone cheering. He was a dead ringer for the bookworm. They could’ve been twins, probably were, one good and one devious. Two girls were plastered to his sides, but I couldn’t care less. I was trying too hard not to look at his scowling brother. Shooting me a wink, he leaned down to whisper something—which made the other man stiffen, ripping his eyes off of me.

“Looks like you’re approved.”

Glancing at Charlie, I said, “Approved?”

She smiled. “At this point, you could have your pick of the O’Briens in the house. Told you that dress was a knockout.”

“You did.”

“Well?”

I gulped. “Well what?”

Charlie rolled her eyes as Vayne tried to put an arm around her. “We didn’t come here just to look at the scenery, Honor. You remember the plan?”

I nodded, but my head would not shut up. Was