by Virna DePaul
He smiled smoothly.
“We’ll see,” he said, then was glad when she was called away to assist a customer.
She’d reminded him of something very important, for which he was grateful. Women were complicated creatures, and often, without even realizing what they were doing, were looking to trap a man when he least expected it. They put on a good show, enticing a sucker into their web before attacking him. Most of the time, the idiot never even saw it coming. He’d think he was the one in charge, while the woman controlled things all along.
It had never happened to him personally. His friends and brothers had been ensnared, though, one after the other. Quinn had fallen for Lilly the day he’d arrived in America last fall. Afterward, Conor and Madlyn had met and, after a whirlwind romance, had moved in together. Brady and Anna were so in love it was ridiculous. Even Sean had fallen for his college English professor. Granted, he hadn’t yet established a personal relationship with her, but Riley knew that would be happening soon if his brother had his way; the guy was only biding his time until his class with Professor Juliana Madison was over.
Riley raised his glass in a salute to his absent brothers. He adored Lilly, Maddie, and Anna, and he’d probably be crazy about Sean’s Juliana. But it wasn’t to be for him. Erica hooking up with Rob while he’d been gone was a wake-up call. Riley had thought there was something special in the works for them but he’d obviously been wrong.
“You doing anything tonight?” Shannon asked, a knowing grin on her face.
He considered it, but in the end he had too much respect for Pete, and too little interest in Shannon, to take things further. Plus, despite the firm talking to he’d had with himself just seconds ago, he couldn’t shake the image of another face firmly implanted in his mind. One with a cloud of honey blonde hair all around it.
“I’m bushed,” he said, quite honestly. “Jet lagged. I’m no use to anyone right now.” He left just enough suggestion in his voice to make clear what he really meant.
“Understood,” she said, shrugging it off. She was a game girl, at least. “Maybe next time.” She hurried off, the crowd getting bigger by the minute.
Yeah. Maybe next time.
He left, then, walking toward The Stylish Irish. The night air was fresh and clean, carrying with it the scent of burning leaves. A fire pit, maybe, in the backyard of one of the homes not far away. They all had things like that in their yards, fire pits and pools and such. Quite a far cry from Dublin, and the difference only seemed greater after his visit.
He glanced at the parking lot as he got to the restaurant, prepared to walk by and head to his cottage about a mile down the road, but the absence of Erica’s car gave him pause. He ducked into the kitchen through the back door.
“Hey, what’s up?” Brady said when he saw him. “I thought you were taking today off before you started again.”
“I am. Spent the day sleeping and unpacking, and then went next door to say hi to Pete,” he explained. “Is Erica around? She mentioned she was having car problems and I noticed her car isn’t in the lot. I’d offered to give her a ride if she needed it.”
“Her car’s still working, as far as I know. She was here earlier, but she went home early. Something about studying for an exam.” Brady shrugged, turning his attention back to his work.
So she’d gone home to study. Would she be alone?
Not for long, if he had anything to say about it. Even though his common sense told him to lay off, that her dating that Rob fellow was a sign for him to back off, he couldn’t resist the temptation to see her.
Chapter Four
Erica rubbed her eyes, reminding herself how much she needed to focus if she wanted to pass her Business Law class. Her brain was too sluggish, her eyes too tired. It wasn’t even midnight yet and she was ready to call it a night.
She hadn’t asked to leave early. Rob had stopped in to see her again, and before she’d known what was happening, he’d asked if she could leave early.
“She has a big exam tomorrow,” he’d explained to Quinn.
She had wanted to die of embarrassment.
“I didn’t ask him to ask,” she’d insisted.
“She didn’t, and she won’t,” Rob had confirmed. “But she needs the time. She’s exhausted.”
Quinn had amiably agreed—he was a good guy. They were all good guys. She couldn’t help but feel a little irritated with Rob, though. She didn’t need him to speak for her. He didn’t own her.
She frowned at the memory, and stretched out on her stomach across the bed.
Rob always wanted to be the hero, looking after her, speaking up for her. In small doses, that was wonderful. Rob wasn’t giving her small doses, though. He insisted on shoving his heroics down her throat, more so than normal.
Did he sense something? Something different about her, maybe? Wasn’t it true of animals that they could sense a rival in the wild? They could smell it, couldn’t they? The presence of an alpha? Was it Riley’s return? She was sure Rob hadn’t been so insufferable before he got back.
In her heart, she’d always felt she should have liked Rob more than she did. She should have felt fluttery when he walked into the room. She should have swooned when he stood up for her, rather than feeling annoyed. She should have.
She didn’t.
She felt fluttery whenever she first saw Riley, though. Like when she’d punched in, walked out of the kitchen and seen him sitting at the bar. After a month of not seeing his face, it had felt like he’d never left. The way he’d smiled at her, as only he could smile, had set her heart on fire. Not to mention her loins, which had immediately leapt to life at the sight of him. No man had ever done that for her.
She rolled onto her back, her head resting on an open text book. She tapped the pen against her stomach in time with the song coming from the laptop. She knew it was time to be concentrating on work, but all she could think about was Riley.
She sighed aloud, staring at the ceiling. What was she supposed to do?
She sat up when someone knocked on her door.
“Yeah?” she called out, assuming it was her roommate. Jenna had a tendency to bother her most when she was trying to study. But it wasn’t Jenna’s high-pitched voice Erica heard.
“Erica, it’s Riley. Can I come in?”
She sat up, eyes wide in shock. She would have known Riley’s voice anywhere, even if he hadn’t identified himself.
She glanced down, making sure she looked presentable. She was wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and silly Christmas socks, even though it was early May. Presentable, but not exactly how she wanted Riley to see her the first time she ever got him in her bedroom.
She thought about pulling off her socks or hurriedly trying to change, but decided that would be silly. This was Riley, she told herself. Her friend, no matter how she wished he could be more. She bit her lip before finally saying, “Sure, come on in.”
When he opened the door and she got her first glimpse at him, she shivered.
“What are you doing here?” Shoot, is he here to fire me? She knew she shouldn’t have left early. Quinn had been too nice to say no, and too nice to let her go, so he’d asked his brother to handle it instead. Her heart raced, and she swallowed back the bile in her throat.
“Calm down,” he murmured, holding up his hands. “I’m not here with bad news. Sheesh.”
“Then what are you here for?” She realized how rude that sounded only after it was too late to take it back. “I mean, why did you come here? At this time of night, especially?”
“I apologize for disturbing you.” He looked around the room from his spot in the doorway then stepped inside. Which she’d told him he could do, of course, so why was she suddenly feeling like prey to his predator.
While he turned to shut the door, she peeked over the side of the bed to be sure there was no underwear laying around.
Her heart still raced, though no longer from fear. He was actually in her bedroom! Where she’d had one fant
asy about him after another since the day they’d met.
“Cute socks,” he murmured, pointing at her knee-high Christmas tree socks.
“Whatever. I like Christmas.”
“So I guessed.” He grinned, taking a seat at the desk, beside the bed. “We didn’t get a chance to catch up at the pub yesterday.”
“You left in a hurry.”
“You seemed…busy. Plus, I had things to do. I went there straight from the airport.”
“You didn’t stop at home, first?”
“Nah. I wanted to see my brothers.”
She still loved hearing him talk. His brogue was so thick at times, she thought she could cut it with a knife.
“And you, too, of course.”
She smiled, knowing he was just saying that to be polite. “You don’t have to say that.”
“What do you mean?
“I mean, we’re friends, Riley, but I know I’m not special enough to warrant you seeking me out as soon as you got back.”
“Yeah. I know you think that. Thought that, given you managed to hook up with Rob while I was gone.”
She frowned, even as her insides began to tremble. What was he saying? And why did he suddenly sound jealous? Like he actually cared that she’d “hooked up” with Rob at all? “I don’t understand,” she finally said.
“That’s my fault. I never let you see how much I liked you, Erica. But I’ve thought about you a lot. Both before I left, and while I was gone.”
The trembling in her body was turning into a full-on earthquake. “What are you saying, Riley?”
“I’m saying I wished you weren’t dating Rob. I’m saying I want you to tell me whether you’re serious about him, and if you’d consider going out with me.”
She must have sat there speechless for a long time before he prompted, “Erica?” but her head was spinning. “I’m sorry. I’m just…surprised.”
He nodded. “I understand.” He winked at her. “Take your time answering me.” He looked around, then seemed to notice the music she had playing at low volume. “You’re a Queen fan?”
“Um, yeah. For most of my life.”
“How did I never know that?” He grinned with what looked like genuine pleasure.
“I have no idea. I guess it never came up.” Was this really happening? Had he really told her he wanted to date her, then proceeded to engage her in a conversation about music?
She smiled to herself. It was so Riley, the fucker. She suddenly felt more relaxed than she had since he’d returned. She still didn’t understand what game Riley was playing, but she was more convinced than ever that it was a game. And she wasn’t going to let him win without a fight.
“I didn’t think you Americans liked Queen. Maybe you have some taste, after all.”
“Ha, ha,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“What’s your favorite song?” he asked.
“’39. I’m a big Brian May fan, most especially.” She grinned, putting a hand over her heart. “I saw them three times, and I met him personally once. It was probably the best night of my whole life.”
“Not the same without Freddie, though,” he pointed out.
“You act like you actually saw them with Freddie. You’re a whole year older than me,” she teased. “And I’m sure it’s not such a big deal to you, since you lived across the way. They hardly ever come to America.”
“True.” He looked around her room. “I like your apartment. Very homey.”
“That’s me. Homey. I’m not terribly sophisticated or fashionable.”
“I think you’re amazing, Erica. So, have you given any thought to what I said about going out with me?”
“Truth is, I’m still processing.”
He nodded again, once again seeming to be in no rush. Apparently, his new tactic wasn’t to distract her with small talk, because he simply stared at her, and his smoldering gaze seemed to touch her in all her most vulnerable and private places.
“So…uh…how was Ireland?” She could have kicked herself the moment it came out of her mouth, since she’d already asked him how it was.
“Still just lovely,” he said, grinning. “Part of me will always be there, you know. It’s in my soul, plain and simple. I’d imagine you’d feel the same way if you moved elsewhere.”
“I imagine I would,” she agreed.
“I missed you, though.”
Her stomach did a slow flip flop.
“I thought about you the whole time I was away.”
Inside, she screamed and jumped around. On the outside, however, she wasn’t so easily swayed. “So you said,” she said lightly.
“You don’t believe me?”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just… you never paid me a bit of attention before today.” What had changed? The only thing she could think of was…Rob.
Ah. Understanding filled her with bitterness.
“Maybe absence made the heart grow fonder,” he said.
Right, or maybe he saw her with Rob and decided nobody else could play with his toys. Erica wished she could wholeheartedly accept his flirtation, but she’d spent months working closely with Riley, and not once had he given her any hint that he was attracted to her. He’d flirted with her sure, but he’d done it in the same way he’d flirted with every other woman he’d met. Flirting was as natural as breathing to the O’Neill brothers.
“The thing is, Riley… I had a crush on you for a long time. But you were too busy flirting with the girls who came in. So I got over you.” She shrugged, trying to appear casual and confident in what she was saying. Meanwhile, her heart pounded so loud she wondered if he heard it. She had never lied so blatantly in her life. She was anything but over him—she might have thought she was before he walked back into her life, but he’d proven otherwise.
“Over me, huh?” He leaned toward her, until their faces were only inches apart. “We’ll see about that, love.” Then he brought his mouth down over hers.
Erica gasped, freezing in place for the slightest of seconds, then sighed and relaxed as he kissed her slowly, surely. He didn’t touch her, yet her entire body leaped to respond to the pressure of his lips, the way they moved against hers, the slight flick of his tongue that left her whimpering for more.
When he pulled away, she leaned forward a bit. Chasing him, wanting to prolong the moment. She opened her eyes, breathless, to find him grinning smugly.
“I didn’t think so,” he murmured.
Was it her imagination, though, or was he just as breathless as she?
“I’d better let you study,” he said, standing.
Erica was speechless, undone. She didn’t trust herself to speak. Her back was to him when he reached the door.
“I hope you don’t think that changes anything,” she managed to say, her voice shaky.
“Oh, I don’t think that, Erica. I know it changed things,” he replied, seeing himself out.
She fell back onto the bed, hands over her chest, heart still racing like mad. It was everything she’d dreamed about since the minute she’d laid eyes on him. More, since she never could have imagined a kiss like that.
Chapter Five
If Erica could have seen the look on her face after he kissed her, she would have blushed until her body burst into flames. She hadn’t known what to do with herself at first, but her body betrayed her. He’d always known she wanted him. He just hadn’t imaged she’d be so quick to arouse. It had thrilled him when she’d leaned into their kiss, wanting more. If he were a weaker man, he’d have lowered her onto the bed and done any number of unmentionable things to her. He’d wanted more, too. It hadn’t been easy ignoring the raging hard-on in his shorts.
She was beautiful, even more so in her Christmas socks, with her hair in a messy bun on top of her head. All that golden hair. He’d wanted to plunge his hands into it, hadn’t he? Yes, and so many more things. He patted himself on the back for being a good boy, though. Good boys deserved a reward.
His reward would be th
e ultimate prize—Erica.
The cottage he shared with Sean was quiet, but he could tell his brother was home from the light shining under his door. Instead of seeking him out, he went to his room, stripped naked and collapsed onto the bed, worn out body and soul. Jet lag had to be the worst aspect of travel; his brain thought it was nine in the morning instead of the middle of the night.
There was no sleeping. He could close his eyes, will himself to fall asleep, but nothing would come of it. He was overtired, and frustrated as hell.
He got up, scrubbing his hands over his face, and turned on the shower in his bathroom. A hot shower usually helped with relaxation—and it did. But it still didn’t make him sleepy. He ran a towel over himself, then fell into bed again. Nothing doing. He was still wide awake.
His thoughts wandered and he envisioned the look on Lucy’s face when he’d told her not only did he not want to get back together, but he was cutting off all contact with her completely. She would always be the girl from back home, his first lover, but bottom line, the reasons they’d gotten back together time and again was two-fold: habit and immaturity.
He hadn’t loved her. He’d never love her.
And he’d gotten to the point that, while he wasn’t exactly looking for love, he was looking for something more meaningful than hot sex, which he could get from plenty of women.
Still, he’d hated the thought of hurting Lucy, and even though she’d been plenty angry, and even though he truly believed she’d be fine without him, he hadn’t missed the hurt in her eyes. That had in turn hurt him. But it was better they both finally move on, unhindered by lingering ties from the past.
No sense in beating myself up over it, not while I’m trying to get some rest. He decided to think about Erica instead.
Just thinking about her, the way she kissed him back in her room, got him stirring below the waist. He shifted in bed, reaching over to the nightstand where he kept the bottle of lotion for such times. He wondered why he hadn’t thought earlier about having a good wank—it was the surefire way to fall asleep.
