“Yes. Lying is unacceptable in friendship or anything more,” he affirmed. “It’s unforgivable.” Did she turn pale? Shoot. He hadn’t meant to scare her. “I’m sorry. I know I’m asking you to lie to your father, which contradicts my personal beliefs and no doubt yours. But it’s the only way to prove him innocent.” Which Raider knew wouldn’t happen. There was no way Sean Banaghan was innocent, based on the fact that Jonny P and Josh the Bear had visited him twice in farm country during the last month. “So your motives are pure. Right?” Man, he hated manipulating her like this.

“You’re so full of crap,” she returned, setting down her glass. “You’re lying to me right now.”

Yeah, but it was professional. “Good point. Okay. New promise. We only tell each other the truth, even if it isn’t pretty.” He reached across the table and took her hand. Her skin was smooth and soft, and he gentled his touch. “What do you say?”

She swallowed but left her hand in place.

Sometimes he forgot that not everybody could see bright lines between right and wrong. Also that some people didn’t see that the ends often justified the means, which meant she was a heck of a better person than was he. But they had to get this right. So, keeping his hand on hers, he stood and slid in next to her on her side of the booth. Then he put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Are you ready to start dating?”

* * *

A slow shiver tumbled through Brigid as Raider’s hand settled on her shoulder. The entire left side of her body warmed against him. How could she pretend to date him when she was lying to everyone? Not that she had a choice. “What are you doing?” she croaked.

He turned his head and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Getting you used to my touch.”

Heat flashed down through her body with an intensity that stole her breath. “I’m not a skittish colt,” she returned, wanting to lean into him more as if she had a right to do so.

“Oh, you’re definitely skittish,” he murmured, running his hand down her arm. “I just want to gentle, not break.” He grinned at his own wordplay.

She rolled her eyes, her body humming. “You are such a complete dork.”

“Look there.” He tugged her closer in a half hug. “We’re getting nicknames for each other. I’m sticking with Irish for you. Dork is fine for me.”

He seemed more like a lethal weapon than a dork, but she couldn’t exactly give him that much. The guy had an ego already. A sizable one. “I think I’ll find another nickname for you. Maybe something to do with the fact that you play the guitar.” Which intrigued the heck out of her.