The Mighty Quinns: Riley (7 page)

“Is that why you brought me here?” Nan asked.

“I'd forgotten about it until now,” he said. “When we read the news article at the pub we were all laughing. How could they have called this pile of rocks romantic? But I see it now. I guess it all has to do with the person you're with.”

When they got to the top of the rise, they stood alone at the overlook. “We've one foot in County Cork and one foot in County Kerry,” he said. Riley pointed
toward the view. “There is the River Kenmare and Glenmore Lake. And just through those mountains, you can see Bantry Bay, not far from Ballykirk.”

“It is romantic,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “But it would be more romantic if you kissed me.”

“Are you giving me orders now, woman?” he teased. “I can't just be kissing you whenever the mood strikes.”

“Well, you don't have to do anything. I'll do all the work.”

“Make it good,” Riley warned. He closed his eyes and puckered his mouth. Nan started laughing and he looked at her, glad to see that he could tease her out of a quiet mood.

“Stop,” she said, grabbing his chin. “Make your mouth go the right way.”

“Like this?” He pulled another face and she patted his lips with her fingers. “How about this?”

“No. Just make your mouth soft. Now, part your lips just a little bit.” She smiled. “There. That's better.”

“Are you ready now? Or maybe you'd like me to stand on my head?”

“I'm ready.” As she moved closer, they both kept their eyes open and at the last moment, a fit of giggles overtook her. “This is not going to work. I can't kiss you if you're acting silly.”

He softly touched his lips to hers. “Yes, you can. You can't resist me.”

“I do like you,” Nan said. “You're a very likeable guy.”

“A sound bloke,” he said.

“A straight-up dude,” she said, putting on a slacker voice.

He smoothed his hand through her hair. “So we're all right? You seemed…preoccupied earlier in the car.”

“I was. But it wasn't about you.”

“You were thinking about your ma.” He gave her a fierce hug. “Don't be sad about that. You'll find her here. At least what she left behind. You have the letters and now the photo. Who knows what other clues we'll find?”

She pulled the photo from her pocket. “Do you recognize anyone in the picture?”

“How would I—” He examined the photo more intently. “It was taken in front of the pub, I can tell you that. See there? That's what the shutters used to look like before my da made new ones.” His brow furrowed. “I don't know. No one looks even vaguely familiar. But this was taken when? When I was a year old? My da might know. Or Jimmy McPhee, his old partner. He still lives in Ballykirk. He owned the pub when this photo was taken, before my da came in as a partner. He's about eighty now, but his mind is still sharp.”

“Would you ask him?”

“We'll both go,” he said. “We can stop by on our way back to the cottage.”

“I'm almost afraid to know for sure,” Nan said. “If he tells me that red-haired woman is Molly Malone from Dublin, I'll probably start crying and I'll make a fool out of myself.”

“Don't worry. I've got a perfectly good sleeve here to wipe your tears away.”

She smiled at him, then pulled out her camera and turned it on. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she pressed a kiss to his cheek and snapped a picture. When it came up on the screen, she showed it to him. “You and me in the most romantic place in Ireland,” she said.

He pulled her into a playful embrace and nuzzled her neck. “Oh, I think we can do much better than that!”

 

W
HEN
N
AN HAD BOOKED
her trip to Ireland, she'd sketched out an entire itinerary, each day planned down to the hour. But now, she realized that all she wanted to do was to let the next nine days unfold in front of her, full of surprises.

Shopping for groceries had been an exercise in silliness, with Riley providing commentary on everything she put in her trolley, as he called it. She'd purchased enough food to last her for a week and mentally planned out a meal for that evening, hoping that Riley would agree to stay for supper if an invitation were offered.

Though they'd both avoided the subject of what hadn't happened the night before, Nan had no doubt they'd be faced with the same choice tonight. Over the course of the day, she'd only confirmed the undeniable attraction between them. At every opportunity, Riley found an excuse to pull her into a kiss or to rest his hand at the small of her back or to run his fingers through her hair.

Though it hadn't gone further than mild displays of public affection, Nan felt the need growing between them. She saw the desire in his eyes, felt it in the way he held her. His desire was like the waves crashing against
the rocks, slowly washing away her inhibitions, threatening to sweep her out to sea.

It was already impossible to control her feelings for him. With every hour that passed, she became more infatuated with him. No amount of self-censure seemed to help. Yes, she knew all the risks, but here, in this strange land, her usual common sense had inexplicably abandoned her.

When they reached the cottage, Riley helped her carry the groceries inside. Nan sorted them, putting some in the small refrigerator and others in the cabinets above the stove. But when she was finished, she realized that she'd neglected to buy anything decent to drink.

“Wine,” she murmured. “I forgot to buy wine. And beer.”

“Don't worry yourself. I'll bring some up from the pub.”

“When you come for dinner tonight?” she asked.

“You're going to be cooking for me now?” Riley grinned.

“Yes. It's the least I can do after you drove me to the supermarket. Can you come or do you have to work?”

“I wouldn't miss it,” he said. “But there is one thing I need to know.”

“What's that?”

“Should I bring a toothbrush?”

Nan felt her cheeks warm and she pressed her face into his chest. Undeterred, Riley hooked his thumb beneath her chin and forced her gaze to meet his. “Am I being too bold then?”

“No,” Nan murmured. “And it might be a good idea to bring other…necessities?” He smoothed his hands over her hips and pulled her against him, the action provocative. A shiver of anticipation skittered up her spine.

“That I can do,” he said, leaning to whisper in her ear. “I'm thinking about kissing you again, and about carrying you into the bedroom and letting you have your way with me. But I think we should leave that until tonight, no?”

“Yes,” she said breathlessly.

“So, we have two options. I can leave you and return tonight. Or, we could take ourselves down to Jimmy McPhee's place and have a chat.”

“I vote for Jimmy McPhee's,” she said.

“All right then, let's go.”

They arrived at a small whitewashed cottage just minutes later, Riley pulling the SUV up to the front gate. “Jimmy is a notorious flirt,” he warned. “He'll probably ask if he can kiss you and he's sure to grab your arse, so keep a watch out.”

“You said he was eighty.”

“Oh, that doesn't stop him. He may have slowed down a bit, but whenever he stops by the pub, he has the ladies buying him drinks all night long.”

They knocked on the door and a few seconds later, it swung open to reveal an elderly man with pure white hair and twinkling blue eyes. His eyes widened when he caught site of Nan and he grabbed her hand. “Oh, Lord, my prayers have been answered. I'll forget about winnin' the lottery if you'll just let me keep the girl.”

“Afternoon, Jimmy,” Riley said, snatching Nan's hand from the old man. “We've come to see you to ask a question. Can we come in for a chat?”

“Only if you'll stay for a cup o' tea,” he said, stepping back to allow them inside. “Come, come. And mind your manners, Riley Quinn. Introduce me to your lovely friend.”

“This is Nan Galvin. She's come all the way to Ballykirk from America.”

“America? I have a cousin in America. He lives in Boston. You wouldn't happen to know him, would you? His name is Bobby McPhee.”

She glanced over at Riley. “I'm afraid not. I live a long way from Boston. In Wisconsin.”

“Sit,” he said. “I just put a pot on. I'll be right back.”

She and Riley took a spot on the sofa. Riley took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Nan reached into her pocket and pulled out the photo and looked down at it. What were the odds he'd remember a girl from twenty-seven summers ago? Yes, her mother had been an American, so she might have stood out as different. But after so many years?

When Jimmy returned, he poured them all a cup of tea, then passed around a plate of cookies. Nan was too nervous to drink or eat and as soon as he settled himself in a comfortable chair, she held the photo out to him.

“I was hoping you'd remember the people in this snapshot,” she said. “It was taped up on the wall of the pub. It was taken about twenty-seven years ago.”

He took the picture and studied it for a long time,
then pulled his glasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on.

“They would have been in their early twenties,” Nan continued.

“This would have been about 1984,” Riley added. “About eight years before my da bought in to the pub.”

Jimmy cocked his head to the side, as if he were trying to retrieve a memory from deep in his mind. He pointed to the photo, tapping at it. “One of these boys looks familiar. What was his name? Oh, he was a chancer, that one. He lived out on that farm the other side of Trafask, just around the big bend on the Glengarriff Road.”

“Where the Donnelys live? The place with the pond?”

“That's it,” he said. “He used to work one of the fishing boats out of Ballykirk. Now what was his—ah, there it is. Tiernan. His name was Tiernan Findley.”

Nan sucked in a sharp breath. “You're sure? Tiernan?”

“Sure I am. And his da was Carey.”

Her pulse quickened and she had to remind herself to breathe. What did this mean? Had her mother named her after this boy? And why would she have done that?

“I remember him and his da hanging about the pub. He was there one summer and then he was gone. I remember something of a drowning.”

“Do they still live on the farm?” Riley asked.

Jimmy shook his head. “As I recall, his da sold the farm maybe fifteen years ago. Don't know where he
went. But you could ask Kenny Craig. He leased his land before Findley sold.”

Nan's mind was spinning, wondering what this boy named Tiernan had meant to her mother. Were they just friends? Or had they been more? And why would she have chosen to name her only child after a boy she met in a pub in Ballykirk, Ireland? A horrible thought occurred to her. What if Tiernan had died in the accident and she'd been named in his memory?

The possibilities began to overwhelm her and she felt the room closing in on her. She quickly stood. “I—I have to go,” she murmured. “It was a pleasure meeting you, but I have to go.” She stumbled over Riley's feet as she squeezed past him and headed for the door.

“I'll be going, too, Jimmy. But thanks.”

“Is the lass all right?” Jimmy asked.

“I think all this talk of her departed mother might be a bit upsetting.”

By the time she got to the front door, Riley was behind her, his hands firm on her waist. She hurried outside, drawing deep breaths of the fresh afternoon air. “He's dead. I know it. My mother named me after that boy because he died. He was her friend and he died. And maybe she loved him.”

“You don't know that. We don't have all the answers yet.”

He drew her toward his car, but Nan stopped short. “I think I'm going to walk home,” she said. “I just want to let this settle for a while.”

“All right,” Riley said. “Are we still on for tonight?”

She nodded. “Yes. Of course. I'll see you at seven?”

“Sounds grand,” he said. He walked with her out the gate, then kissed her cheek. “Don't drive yourself mad over this, Nan. We don't know anything for certain yet. Worry about it when you know for sure.”

He obviously didn't know anything about her, Nan thought to herself. She had always been an expert at turning molehills into mountains. She nodded and started off down the road in the opposite direction.

When she turned back, she saw Riley watching her from beside his car, a look of concern etched on his handsome features. He was right. Wasting energy wondering about things that might not be was silly. Maybe Tiernan was happy and healthy and he'd be able to tell her all about her mother. She'd put her worries aside for now and think about them later.

She gave him a wave and he returned it. Maybe it was fate that she'd rented his cottage. Maybe she was destined to meet him so that he'd be able to help her with her search. But was that all it was supposed to be? Or were they meant to be more to each other?

So many questions. But was she really ready to know all the answers?

“W
ELL, AREN'T YOU
a Dicky Dazzler.”

Riley gave his older brother, Kellan, a pointed glare, then turned to Danny, who stood behind the bar at the pub. “Go find me a good bottle or two of wine,” he said. “Not the cheap stuff. And bring up three or four bottles of that Belgian ale.”

“Red or white, yer royal bog-trotter?” Danny asked.

Kellan slapped his younger brother's hand. “Good one, Danny. Clever and cutting all at once.”

“Funny,” Riley muttered. “And give me a whiskey while I wait.”

His brother poured him two fingers and slid the glass across the bar. “So what's the special occasion? You're wearing a shirt that's been pressed and a jacket you only take out at Christmas. And why is it you always dress like a culchie but you have more money than God?”

Though Kellan made a fine living as an architect and Danny did well as an artisan blacksmith and metal sculptor, Riley had been the most fortunate financially. The royalties from his CDs brought in a third of his
annual income and performing made up the other two-thirds.

Still, both Danny and Kellan had a solid future in front of them. The one thing about fame was that it could be fleeting. Riley never knew when the crowds would move on to someone else, when the offers of work would dry up and he'd become just another washed-up pub singer who'd made a few decent CDs.

It had never really bothered him until now. Riley had always put off the worry until it actually came about. But now, thoughts of his future had been pushed into his head and he couldn't seem to rid himself of them. Was it Nan who had brought on the confusion?

It was far too early to think about a future with her. And who said he couldn't find more profitable and dependable work if he needed to? He could write pop songs or produce other singers. Or he could go to university and study something completely unrelated to music. He was a clever lad. He had plenty of options.

“Well, are you going to tell us, or are you planning to spend the night staring into your glass of whiskey?” Kellan asked.

“I have a date. A dinner date.”

“With the American?” Kellan asked. “When do I get a look at this girl?”

“Oh, she's grand,” Danny assured him. “Though why she's wasting her time with Riley is a question that's been plaguing my mind. It's keeping me up at night.”

Kellan arched his brow. “That so? Well, at least something is keeping you up at night because it sure isn't a woman.”

“I like her,” Riley said. “I'll admit it. And I haven't a clue why. She's pretty enough, but she's not like any other girl I've dated. She's just really…sweet.”

“I've heard American girls are wild as banshees in the bedroom,” Danny said. “What say you, Riley? Is it true?”

“I've known her for a day and a half,” he said. “We haven't had the pleasure yet. Not that I'd be telling you if we had.”

Kellan shook his head. “You're movin' too slow, brother.” His smile faded. “She'll go home. They all go home. That's the advantage of snogging a tourist. But don't let yourself fall too hard, boyo. It's not worth it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Riley said. He gulped down his whiskey. “I know.” Setting the glass down, he stared into it for a long moment. “I'm not sure I'm going to be able to stop myself on this one, though. It's feeling different than the rest.”

“Why is that?” Kellan asked.

“I couldn't tell you,” he said, shaking his head. “She's just going through some things now and I feel like I can at least help her out.”

“You're going to rescue her,” Danny said. “Just like Da rescued Ma. You know what that means, don't you?”

“Yes, I'll be getting my own wine and beer,” Riley said, pushing away from the bar.

“Hey, you're still playing here Saturday night, right?”

“Yeah,” Riley said. “The band and me have rehearsal that afternoon at three, so make sure you post that we're
closed. We'll play at nine. Maggie Griffith called and said she'd open for us at seven.”

“And what about Dublin?” Danny asked. “Aren't you supposed to be in the studio next week working on your new CD?”

“I don't need a feckin' social secretary, Danny. I know where I'm supposed to be and when.”

“Just askin',” Danny said.

Riley cursed beneath his breath as he walked back into the kitchen and down the steps to the cellar. He pulled a bottle of red and one of white and put them in an old basket, then added six bottles of beer.

Yes, he was supposed to be in Dublin next week, recording vocals for the band's new CD. And he'd had every intention of going, until Nan showed up in town. Now, he was searching for excuses to make, anything to delay for another week. He settled on a sore throat, brought on by a wicked summer cold. It sounded plausible enough. And though studio time was tricky to schedule, the delay would be worth it.

Riley snuck out the back door of the kitchen, unwilling to suffer any more of his brothers' taunting. They were the ones to talk, he mused. Neither Kellan nor Danny had had a woman in their lives for months. Who was to say that they wouldn't turn their lives upside down for the right one?

As he walked, he passed his car by, choosing to hike the two kilometers up to the cottage. If he did spend the night with Nan, Riley didn't want to give the village gossips something to talk about for the rest of the week. Although, word had probably gotten out already,
after the rather passionate and very public kiss they'd shared in the pub the night before.

Several cars passed by him on the road and honked their horns in greeting. Halfway up to the cottage, he ran into Fergus O'Malley and his six dogs. “Good evening to you, Riley Quinn,” Fergus called.

“Evening, Fergus.”

“Are you up to see your lady then?” he asked, pointing to the cottage.

Riley groaned inwardly. If Fergus O'Malley knew he and Nan were spending time together, then the gossip had spread much more quickly than he'd ever anticipated. “Just delivering some necessities,” Riley said, holding up the crate.

Fergus chuckled. “Oh, is that what they call it nowadays? Deliverin' necessities.” He continued to laugh as he walked past, the dogs trotting dutifully behind him.

Picking up his pace, Riley strode up the hill, determined to avoid any other meetings with curious townsfolk. When he reached the front door of the cottage, he took a moment to catch his breath, then rapped on the door. A few seconds later it opened, to a sight that made his heart skip a beat.

She looked more beautiful that he'd ever imagined her to be. A pale blue dress, cut deep in the front and made of some silky fabric, clung to her slender body. Her arms were exposed and her feet and legs were bare beneath the flowing skirt.

Riley glanced up at her face to find her regarding him quizzically. “Sorry,” he said. “I was gawking. You look absolutely grand.”

This observation brought a beautiful smile to her face. “Thank you. So do you.”

“May I come in?” Riley asked.

She stepped aside. “You may. You do own the place.”

The cottage was filled with lovely smells. He wasn't sure what it was she'd prepared, but Riley knew that even if it was inedible, he'd devour it with a smile. “I brought wine and beer,” he said.

Nan reached for the basket. “I'll put the beer in the fridge.”

“I'll do it. I know where it is.”

The kitchen was tiny, with barely enough room for the sink, the cooker and the refrigerator, never mind two people. Nan watched as he put the bottles in the freezer to chill. “We're having spaghetti,” she said. “I hope you like Italian food.”

“I could eat,” he said. But he didn't want to think about food. All he wanted at the moment was to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Riley followed her out of the kitchen and then, to his surprise, she turned around and threw herself into his arms, kissing him desperately.

With a low groan, Riley furrowed his fingers through her hair and her lips molded to his. A surge of desire washed through him, hot and liquid, a fire in his veins.

Kissing her wasn't enough. He wanted to be closer, his desire consuming her body as well. His hands skimmed over her curves, kneading the soft flesh beneath the fabric of her dress. He fought the urge to tear the garment from her body, impatient with the pace of a proper seduction.

But Nan didn't have the same concerns about the
speed they were moving. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt and when they were all undone, she yanked his shirttail out of his jeans. In one deft motion, she shoved the jacket and shirt off his shoulders, never once breaking the kiss they shared.

Riley struggled with the buttons on the cuffs before he was able to rid himself of the clothes. His hands immediately returned to her body in an unchecked exploration. He bunched her skirt in his fists and when it was up around her thighs, slid his hands beneath to cup her backside.

Through it all, they moved inexorably toward the bedroom, a step at a time. Dinner had been forgotten, life had been forgotten. All Riley could think about was the feel of her body beneath his hands. Anticipation built inside of him and he wondered if he'd even be able to stop now that they'd begun.

When Nan began to work on the button on his jeans, he decided it was time to dispose of her dress. He reached down and grabbed the hem, then pulled it off over her head, leaving her in just her lacy underwear.

Everywhere he touched was a new experience, each delicious curve and limb a revelation. Riley had always loved the female body and its ability to spark his desire, but there had never been such a deep need before. Though they'd only known each other two days, he was keenly aware of the connection growing between them.

When she'd finished with the zipper of his jeans, he kicked off his shoes. Without a pause, Nan slipped her
palms beneath the waistband and skimmed the faded denim down over his hips. Finally, she broke the desperate kiss between them and smiled up at him.

“Better?” he asked, unable to keep from grinning himself.

“Much better.”

“If I'd have known this was appropriate dinner attire, I wouldn't have bothered getting dressed at all. I could have walked up here starkers.”

“You'll have to try that next time,” she teased. Nan ran her hand down his chest, letting a finger hook the elastic of his boxers. She gave it a snap. “We're all undressed and no place to go.”

“Oh, I think I know where we can go,” he said.

She laughed. “I'll race you.” With that, she turned and ran toward the bedroom. It took him two quick steps to catch her around the waist. Riley picked her up off her feet and carried her into the bedroom, then tumbled onto the bed with her. Then he remembered the condoms he'd put in his jacket pocket.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered. “I'll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“For some necessities,” he said. When he returned, she was stretched out on the bed, her elbows braced behind her. He held up the string of five condoms. “Wouldn't want to be without these,” he said.

She arched her eyebrow. “Only five? Stingy boy.”

“Cheeky bird,” he countered. Riley jumped onto the bed and stretched out above her, pinning her hands on either side of her head.

He'd been hard since he'd pulled off her dress and
now, his shaft pressed against her hips, fully aroused and ready. Leaning in, he softly touched his mouth to hers, then tasted more deeply. Slowly, he thought to himself. They'd already raced through the first part of foreplay and he wanted the anticipation to last as long as possible.

But Nan had other ideas. She twisted beneath him as he kissed her, trying to free her hands and creating an irresistible friction between their bodies. He moaned as her hand finally slid beneath his boxers.

Riley wanted her fingers wrapped around him if only to experience the sensations her touch created. He grabbed her waist and rolled her on top of him, giving her complete freedom to do what she wanted.

“No more clothes,” she whispered, reaching back to unhook her bra. Taking her cue, he tugged her panties down, but they got tangled between them. She stood up on the bed, then slowly drew them down, watching him with a teasing smile.

“You are very naughty,” he said.

Nan pointed to his boxers. Chuckling, he pulled them off, then tossed them to her. “Better?”

She let her gaze slowly drift down the length of his body, then back again. “Yes. Much better.” As she dropped back down, straddling his hips, Riley couldn't help but wonder if she were deliberately tormenting him. Everything she did seemed designed to push him closer and closer to the edge.

He spanned her waist with his hands, holding her still as she leaned down to kiss him again. She had the perfect body, made for his touch. Everything fit, ev
erything worked. She shifted above him and he nearly slipped inside of her.

Groaning, Riley reached out for the condoms, but she took them out of his hand and tore one of the packages open. With deft fingers, she smoothed the latex over his shaft. And then, she was above him, wet and ready.

Riley wanted to slow down, but Nan would have none of it. Slowly, she took him inside her, inch by inch, until he was completely buried. A sigh slipped from her lips and she closed her eyes. Riley watched her and waited for her to move again, but she seemed content to revel in the quiet power of their joined bodies.

When she began to move, Riley groaned, drawing her into a long, deep kiss. But the taste of her mouth was not enough to distract from the feel of her body surrounding him. Nan seemed to follow her instincts, moving with him and then against him, as they both moved toward their release.

And then, she was there, tensing above him, her head thrown back, her eyes closed. Her body stiffened before she dissolved into soft shudders of pleasure. Riley held back, watching and waiting until she was nearly spent. He drove into her, holding tight to her hips.