“And when we go home?”
I nuzzled her thigh and felt her shiver. “You forget, I am home. And you know, I’m kind of considering not letting you go now.”
“I have to go back,” she said past a sigh.
“Yeah, I know. And I’ll be going with you. And when we get there, we can enjoy each other some more. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll feed you some more sausage, because we both know how much you like that.”
Her lips twitched as she said, “You know, it doesn’t always have to be sausage….”
Her sassy response caused an unexpected burst of laughter as I lifted myself up off the bed and went to the breakfast trolley. All this talk of food was making me hungry. Everything was either greasy and fried or loaded with refined sugars.
“Ah, fuck it,” I said and picked up a Danish, taking a big bite.
Annie’s eyes glittered as she watched me. “So good, right?”
“Too good,” I replied then pointed the Danish at her. “Not as good as you, though.”
She blushed. “Ronan.”
“Annie,” I said, mimicking her scandalized tone. “I’ve just had my mouth on your vagina. All embarrassment is no longer allowed.”
She glanced at me from beneath her lashes. “Okay.”
“Good. Now, on to the next item on today’s agenda. Bath or shower?”
“Um….”
“I’m thinking a shower,” I teased. “Sure I’ve already seen you in the bath—which, by the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you about. What in the world were you doing in there with all those bubbles and nothing but your hand?” My chuckle was devious. And then, if I ever had any doubts that I loved this woman, her next words blew them all to shards.
“Thinking of you,” she whispered bravely. I almost dropped the Danish. She glanced to the side and continued talking. “I’m kind of obsessed with your body. I mean, it’s easy for most women to be sexy. They were born with boobs and bottoms, and that’s what men like. But men have to work for what women like. That ‘V’ thing and the six-pack and, man, those thighs. You have to kill yourself with exercise and eating right to look like you do. I respect the hell out of that. And well, the least I can do is pay you the compliment of looking after all your hard work.”
She gave me a wicked little smile, and I was done for. She was literally holding my heart in her hands, warming it with her honesty and her openness. I strode toward the bed, and she squealed when I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder.
“For that little speech, love, you get a bonus orgasm.”
Chapter Eighteen
@Pixiefacecarla: Saw @RonanFitz out and about today. He looked at me for a second and now I think I’m pregnant. #swoon #sexybastard #icandiehappy
@RonanFitz: @Pixiefacecarla Fairly sure that was @Tomsouthernchef. He’s a notorious eye impregnator. Bet you a tenner the baby comes out ginger.
@Tomsouthernchef: @RonanFitz Jealous of my superpower?
Ronan
“You, me, and a couple of the lads for a game down at Old Wesley, what you do say, Fitzy?” Bryan asked through the phone. I’d put him on loudspeaker. “My brother and his mates play there. They’d sell their grannies for a chance to meet you. Come on. It’ll be fun.”
I’d just finished up in the shower with Annie and hadn’t wanted to leave the hotel suite for the rest of the day. Now Bryan was nagging me to go and play a match with a bunch of pimply teenagers. I knew which option was more appealing, but I felt bad saying no. I glanced at Annie, who was standing by the window toweling her hair dry. She gave me an enthusiastic smile and a thumbs-up to show she thought it was a good idea.
“Is Cassidy going to be there?” I asked.
“Ah, shit, probably. He’s not an intentional fuckwit. He was just raised that way. You know what his family’s like. Just ignore him if he shows up.”
“It’s difficult to ignore a cock when there’s a cock in your face, Bryan.”
“Can we leave the cocks out of it? I’ve just eaten breakfast,” he said, chuckling, and I gave in. In all honesty, I missed the boys. It’d be nice to play a game, get back to what I enjoyed for a while.
“Fine. I’ll be there. See you later.”
“Later,” said Bryan before hanging up.
“So, it looks like I’m playing a match today,” I said, looking to Annie. She was all wrapped up in a bathrobe, and the sight was a serious test to my willpower. “You don’t have to come. You could stay here and enjoy some more spa treatments if you like.”
“No, no,” she said fervently. “I’d seriously love to come see you play.”
I smiled. “That’s what I like to hear. Listen, I have a few things to take care of first. I’ll be back in an hour, and then we’ll head out.” She nodded and continued toweling her hair. I loved how she looked right then, so fresh and clean and pretty. Walking over to her, I took her chin in my hand and tilted her head so that I could kiss her. “You are distractingly beautiful, do you know that?”
Her only reply was a sweet little smile.
“Okay,” I said, backing away. “I’m going to go now. Otherwise, I’ll never leave.”
She laughed, and I threw on some clothes before heading out. I was in between living arrangements, so I didn’t actually have a permanent address. Brona and I had been renting an apartment together, but after things blew up with her, I had all my stuff moved to Ma’s. Well, technically it was my house since I’d bought the place for her. Anyway, it was where I was keeping my cars, and I wanted to go pick one up. Being such an avid driver, it killed me to have to take taxis everywhere.
I knew Ma and Lucy were back from New York because I’d gotten a text from Lucy last night. Ma was still licking her wounds; and I didn’t have time for a confrontation, so I hoped she’d be out. I didn’t get my wish, and as soon as I slotted my key in the door, I heard her footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Ronan,” she said as she took me in. “You look good. How was the ceremony last night?” There was a hesitancy in her voice.
“It went well. Annie and I both had a great time.”
She frowned and pursed her lips when I said Annie’s name, and I let out a long, irritable sigh. I really wasn’t in the mood for this.
“Yes, well, that’s good to hear. Though I can’t understand why you’re staying in a hotel. You’re my son, and I have more than enough room to put you up here.”
I arched a brow. “Oh, yeah, because that would be a barrel of fun. I’m sure Annie would just love having to deal with your digging into her every chance you got.”
“I told you I wanted to apologize!” she exclaimed.
I was cynical. “Do you, though? Do you really want to apologize, or is it simply a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?”
Her voice grew heavy with emotion. “Is that how you think of me? You think I’m some sour, calculating bitch? Sometimes parents have to make hard decisions when it comes to their children, and believe me, I have always had your best interests at heart. I just don’t want to see you being taken advantage of by another cheating, money-hungry gold-digger. It broke my heart to see how you were after Brona.”
My entire body sagged as I went to sit down on a step. After a moment she came and sat beside me, and I could tell from the silent way she was wiping at her eyes that she was crying. I didn’t think these were stage tears, either. She was genuinely upset. And she genuinely thought I was going to get taken for a fool again. I had to explain to her that Annie was a million miles away from Brona.
“Remember how you used to tell me about the Fitzpatricks and how after Dad died they tried to take me and Lucy from you? They wanted to pay you off to disappear and never see us again, and if you didn’t take the money, they’d completely disown us and never acknowledge either of us as their grandchildren.”
I looked down to see her face etched in sadness at the memory. “Yes.”