Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Plus, I wasn’t into relationships. After three failed ones, I wasn’t willing to try again, and I had sworn off them. I was barely into one-night stands. They left me feeling empty. Yet, I had no desire for the things Finn wanted. A wife. Kids. Forever.
Of the two of us, Finn was far more emotional, although he hid it well from the world. He had attachments he valued greatly. Once he’d met Una, he’d carried a quiet torch for her for years. He’d rarely looked at other women, and when he had tried, his heart wasn’t in it. One dinner with a girl ten years prior and his heart was taken. Even when they finally got together and she walked away, he never wavered. He waited, patient and understanding, until she realized her own feelings.
I was far more dispassionate. Aside from my mum and Finn, I had never felt any sort of attachment to anyone. I had a great relationship with our cousin, Sully, but I felt a disconnect with the rest of the world. I had never looked at a woman and thought of a future. Wondered what our kids would look like. Wanted to look after her. When I pushed myself to try, I failed. Every time.
But somehow, with her trusting eyes and quiet need, Anna seemed to be getting under my skin. And for the first time in my life, I wondered.
I wasn’t sure I liked it.
Or what to do about it.
The touch of a finger on my face brought me out of my musings. Anna stared up at me, her large eyes peaceful for the first time ever.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, Polly,” I said to tease her.
That worked. She smiled, bringing out the dimple high on her cheek. She slapped my chest, laughing. “Stop it.”
I chuckled. “If the name fits…”
“I’m not that small.”
“I disagree. I could tuck you in my pocket or sling you over my shoulder, not a problem.”
“I doubt that.”
I tickled her under her chin. “One day when your ribs heal, I’ll show you.”
The smile left her face. “Hey,” I encouraged her, wanting her smile back. “Soon.”
She nodded. “I slept.”
“You did. You only woke once.”
She furrowed her brow, as if thinking. “I sort of recall waking up. You were still holding me.”
“You sleep better when I do.”
“What about you? Did you get some sleep?”
“Yeah, I did.” I offered her a smile. “I sleep well beside you too.”
“Oh.” She looked pleased. “That’s good, right?”
“Sure.”
“Hmm,” she hummed, laying her head back to my chest. Without thought, I pulled her close, nuzzling into her hair. She sighed, lifting her hand and stroking my head. It was intimate and sweet, a warm bubble wrapping around us in the silence.
I shifted, suddenly acutely awkward as I realized my cock was pressed into her hip. And my hand had drifted to the curve of her ass. She knew I was hard.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Nature.”
She lifted her head, amused. “I’m from the north, Niall. Not a nunnery. I know about nature.”
I blinked then began to laugh. She sat up. “I know about sex and all that.”
“All that?” I asked, trying to hide my amusement.
“Your…penis or cock—whatever you want to call it—and everything. We had books and the internet at school. Plus, girls talk. Just because I wasn’t kissed doesn’t mean I’m not, ah, aware.”
I sat up too, so we were nose to nose. Her cheeks were flushed and warm, her breathing fast. My heart hammered in my chest. I stared at her mouth, remembering how soft those lips were. Unable to resist, I nuzzled them, loving the low whimper she made.
“When you’re healed, we’ll explore your knowledge, mo mhuirnín. I’ll show you all about my cock—” I emphasized the word “—and you can tell me all about your books. And how aware you are.”
I slid from the bed before I did something I shouldn’t. Something she wasn’t ready for, even though she thought she was.
“I’m going for a shower. I’ll take care of nature there.” I winked. “And I’ll think of you while I do.”
I left her open-mouthed in my bed.
Then I stood under the ice-cold shower, trying to ignore the voice screaming at me to return to her.
The truth was, I wasn’t ready either.
CHAPTER FIVE
ANNA
The next couple of days had the same pattern. I saw Una, visiting with her. I read the books Niall brought me. Ate with him. Felt anxious when he would leave the suite and tried not to show it. He knew, though, staying away as little as possible.
He was honest with me and told me about Juan.
“He’s still out there?” I asked, terror beginning to build.
He held my hands and met my eyes. “Highly doubtful. He was shot. We think he crawled away but was probably caught up in the explosion. Or if he managed to get out, he died shortly after. We have people looking for him.”