Kate Hoffmann - Riley

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.