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CHAPTER TEN

UNA

I woke in the night, disoriented and unsure. I blinked as I took in the dark room, relaxing when I felt the heat and strength of the man behind me.

Finn.

I was in Ireland with Finn.

With a sigh, I snuggled back, smiling as his arm tightened.

“All right, mo chroí ?” he asked, his voice a low rumble in my ear. He kissed the skin on my neck, making me shiver.

“Yes, I’m—” My reply ended with a low gasp as he cupped me, and I realized he had his hand between my legs and what had woken me was his gentle stroking.

“You’re soaked,” he murmured. “You’ve been fidgeting the past ten minutes.” He bit down on my lobe. “Begging me.”

“Oh. Oh ,” I groaned as he touched my clit, strumming it gently. I arched my back as he slid one finger, then two inside me, pumping slowly, drawing out my pleasure. “Finn,” I whimpered.

“You want more?” he asked, a rough edge to his voice.

“Yes.”

“Lift your leg, drape it back over my hip.”

I did as he said, shivering as I felt his cock pressing into me. Solid, hot, and filling me completely. He rocked into me, nothing hurried or rushed. I shut my eyes as pleasure rolled over me, his fingers still working my clit as he pumped into me.

“Give me your mouth,” he demanded, and I turned my head as he rose over me, capturing my lips. His tongue mimicked what his cock and fingers were doing. Stroking, pressing, going deep, then retreating. Driving me crazy with desire.

The darkness of the room and the quiet made it all so intimate. There was only the sound of our skin sliding together, his hushed words, the feel of his strong body moving with mine. The sensation of his hair falling over my face, no doubt tangling with mine. I fisted his thick waves in my hand, feeling my orgasm beginning to build.

“That’s it, Una. Come all over me again. Drench me. My hand and my cock.” He sped up his movements, burying his head into the side of my neck and biting down as he rolled my clit between his fingers. The sting of his teeth in my skin and the pinch of his touch sent me over the edge, and I cried out as my orgasm blossomed like a flower opening for the sun. Full, ecstatic, rich with beauty and color. He gentled his touch, then pulled his hand to my pelvis, pressing down as he climaxed. The feel of his release and the way he touched me brought on another spasm, this one slow and easy, like a wave kissing the sand. I shuddered and gasped, calling out his name. He roared out mine as he pumped into me, filling me completely.

Then we stilled, our harsh breathing filling the room.

“Jesus, Una,” he murmured, his voice ragged. “I mean, fuck. I?—”

I giggled at his breathless statement, unsure if it delighted me more that he was speechless or if he felt the same way I was feeling.

Overcome.

He lay back, pulling me close again. “I’m too tired to get a cloth.”

“I’m good with that.”

“Good. You can sleep full of me.”

“Messy,” I commented, not really caring at this point.

“They’ll change the sheets in the morning.”

“Hmm.”

“God, I missed you,” he said, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “I missed the way you fit me so well and waking up with you.”

“You, ah, didn’t let other women spend the night?” I asked, hating to hear the answer.

He stiffened, reaching over and snapping on the light. He gazed down at me, his fierce gaze pinning me to the sheets.

“There has been no one since you, Una.”

“But it’s been?—”

He cut me off. “I love you. I have loved you this whole time. Do you really think I would disrespect you that way? There has been no one else. There never will be. Ever.”

He furrowed his brow. “Is that what you’ve thought all this time? That I moved on and took lovers?”

“You had every right to,” I whispered, trying to fight the grateful tears. “You moved to the hotel, and I assumed?—”

“I moved to the hotel because I couldn’t bear being in my condo once you left me. You were everywhere. I sold it and moved to the hotel to be close to work. Close to you. I never once thought of bringing a woman there or even thought about being with another one.”

“So many beautiful women were always looking at you. I saw the keycards they slipped you. The way they looked at you. Do you know how many of them tried to bribe me for information on you or give them a room key or even divulge your room number? It made me ill every time.”

He shook his head. “Any keycard I was given was promptly thrown away. I was never even tempted, Una. Not once.”

“I’m sorry. You’re so, um, virile, and I just thought…” I trailed off at the blazing fire in his eyes.

“You thought wrong. You, Una. Only you. And obviously, I need to prove to you how much I’ve missed you. How often I thought of you as I stroked myself, wishing it were you.”

“I’m sorry,” I repeated.

He bent low and kissed me, no anger behind it, only tenderness. “I plan on proving it to you. Over and over again. Until you believe me.”

He shifted, sliding between my legs, already hard. I inhaled sharply.

“Again?” I whispered.

“Always,” he replied. “Until you feel how much you were missed.” He kissed me. “How loved you are.”

I wound my arms around his neck.

“I’m good with that.”

* * *

Hand in hand, we walked into the hospital room. Roisin was sitting up against the pillows, looking better. Her color was returning and her eyes gleamed. Her hair was freshly washed, and she smiled when she saw us. If you looked, you could see the droop to her eye and mouth, and the way her arm curled into her lap. But she was improving.

“Finn—darling. Tell me that is decent tea.” She made a clucking sound with her tongue. “You would think they could do an acceptable cup here, for heaven’s sake. I’m still in Ireland after all.”

Finn chuckled, pressing a kiss to her head. “Tea, yes. Una picked you out a scone too. She had one yesterday and said it was delicious.”

I sat beside her, opening the tea and breaking off a piece of scone and handing it to her. “You sound better this morning.”

She nodded, chewing the scone and swallowing. “The doctor was pleased when he came in. Surprised.”

“I’m not,” Sully said with a laugh. “It’s Roisin Black. Nothing is going to keep her down for long. And God forbid you take away her speech. She’s not having that shite.”

I grinned, meeting Roisin’s dancing eyes. They looked like Finn’s. Niall’s were dark like his father’s apparently. Sully had inherited the same deep-brown color from his father, who was Niall’s uncle. Finn had explained all the relationship lines to me. Once Finn went to live with Roisin, they hung around together since Sully lived a few doors away. Although older, Sully treated them as equals.

“He was never a jerk,” Finn explained. “We were tight then. Still are now.”

Roisin tried to wink, the flutter not quite right yet, but I saw the affection in her gaze as she looked at the three men in her hospital room. They all adored her, and the feeling was obviously mutual.

She sipped her tea and finished her scone. She sighed, leaning back on the pillows. “Sully, what I told you. Please repeat to my son and nephew. It’s too many words right now.”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure I’m in agreement with Roisin about this, but I will express her wishes. She has a small cottage in Scotland she inherited years ago.”

Niall looked surprised. “Mum, you never said anything. From whom?”

She shrugged. “An old friend. You never met her.”

Sully continued. “I go and check on it from time to time. I’ve stayed there, and so has your second cousin Bonnie from Canada. It’s a small place. Otherwise, we rent it from time to time—only to people we know.”

Finn and Niall exchanged a look but let him finish. “Your mum wants to give it to me. Since I’m there and all. She says neither of you would be interested, but I don’t want to take away your inheritance. It could be worth a good amount to the right buyer.”

Roisin spoke up. “And I said it isn’t for sale. I promised Lenore I would keep it in my family.”

Niall frowned. “If that’s what you want, that’s fine, Mum.” He looked at Sully. “I’m not worried about an inheritance at all. I’m certainly not concerned about a cottage I didn’t even know existed. I’d like to see it someday, though.”

Finn nodded. “Me as well. If Roisin wants you to have it, it’s fine. No objections. She’s right—you’re in Edinburgh. We’re half a world away. If you can use it and enjoy it, you should have it.”

Sully scrubbed his neck. “I appreciate that. I enjoy going at times. It’s on the edge of a small village and right by the water. Rustic. I go to clear my mind on occasion.”

“Then take it with my blessing,” Niall stated. “You’re family. It’s a gift from Mum, and I will respect that.”

Finn nodded in agreement.

“I want to give it to him now, not wait until something, ah, happens,” Roisin stated. “Have it all legal and binding.”

“He’s the right bloke,” Finn said with a smile. “He can sew that up easy, right, Sully? A walk in the park for you.”

“Arse,” Sully said, flipping the finger.

Finn chuckled, reaching for my hand. “Do whatever Roisin wants.” Then he looked at her. “And no more talk about something happening. You’re getting better, and you’re going to be around for a long time, you understand?”

She smiled, blowing him a kiss. “I understand.”

Later as she napped, Sully showed the guys a few pictures of the cottage. It was small, with an open living area and kitchen at the front, and one bedroom at the back. Weathered and worn, it was still charming, the little front porch overlooking the water.

“Only a ten-minute walk into the village,” Sully explained. “I take the train, stop at the local store for some food, and walk to the cottage.” He chuckled. “But there is no one around. It’s quiet and peaceful.”

“Do you know anything about this Lenore?”

Sully lowered his voice. “Your mum helped her escape a bad marriage. Assisted her in finding the little cottage and a job. Even after her husband died and she was safe, she stayed there. Never remarried, had no kids, but what I have heard, she was a favorite in the village and lived a happy life. She was older than your mum and, when she passed a few years ago, left it to Roisin. She’s been there a few times but says it’s too isolated for her.”

“I’m glad you like it and can use it.”

Sully nodded. “It is a bit of a sanctuary for me, I admit. I had planned on offering to buy it from her estate when the time came. And I’m happy to do so?—”

Niall cut him off. “No. She wants you to have it, and that’s that. I’m not upset at all.” He chuckled. “Frankly, it’s a bit too, ah, cottagey for me.”

Finn laughed. “I wouldn’t mind seeing it, but I agree with Niall. I’m more a Ritz kind of man myself.”

I snorted. “Spoiled babies. No room service, no big-screen TVs. I think it’s charming.”

Finn grasped me around the waist, pulling me close, his voice a low promise in my ear. “I’ll take you to see it. Stay for a few days. With nothing to interrupt us, I might enjoy that.”

I turned my head and kissed him. “I’ll hold you to that.”

* * *

The doctor came in and sat with Niall and Finn, explaining the next steps.

“Rehab,” he said. “Speech and body. We can do outpatient or refer her to a rehab hospital. I discussed it with her earlier and she insists on going home, but I explained she can’t live alone right now.”

“I hired two full-time caregivers. Both experienced. She’ll have good care at home. Can we arrange for the rehab at home?”

“It’s, ah, expensive,” the doctor said, sounding nervous.

Niall laughed. “Whatever it is, I’ll cover it. Only the best for my mum. But I want regular updates. And visits from her medical team.” He paused. “I will happily arrange a very generous donation to the hospital to ensure it happens.” He leaned forward. “I already spoke with the hospital administrators. My mum gets the best care. Whatever you need to provide that, you let me know, you understand?”

Roisin was napping, and I was sitting beside her, letting them talk to the doctor. I had never heard Niall speak that way. Commanding, in control, slightly threatening. Finn was always the one who did the talking. Now I saw why they made such a good team. How he sat next to Niall, simply nodding, looking intense and silent.

They were quite the sight.

“Of course, Mr. Black.” He cleared his throat. “I would rather she be in the rehab hospital, but I understand her desire to be at home. Patients do tend to do better when in their own environment.”

“And she will. I will make sure the caregivers follow the guidelines and she does the work needed while in the comfort of her own home.”

“Right. Excellent. Then we will be keeping her a few more days and I will discharge her. I’ll make sure everything is in place.”

“Thank you.”

He left, looking happy to do so, and Finn chuckled. “You were pretty intense.”

“It’s my mum.”

Finn clapped him on the shoulder. “I know.”

Niall sat back, furrowing his brow. “You should head back, Finn. I need to be here a few more days, but I know you have an empire to run.”

“Nothing is more important than Roisin,” Finn said, his voice firm.

“And I’ll look after her. If you head back to Canada and plan on coming back for a visit soon. We need to be more aware of time.” He rubbed his face, and his voice caught. “She’s not always going to bounce back.”

I slipped from the room, wanting to give them their privacy. Niall had been a pillar of strength, but I had a feeling right now he needed Finn to be the strong one for him.

A few moments later, solid arms came around me as I stood looking out the window.

“Is he okay?” I asked.

“Yes. Relieved and needed an outlet for a moment.”

“His big brother.”

Finn laughed quietly. “I suppose. I am a few weeks older.”

I turned in his arms. “So, we’re going back?”

He nodded. “I’ll arrange the flight. Niall thinks he’ll follow next week. I know he wants some time alone with Roisin, and he’ll make sure she is settled back at home before he leaves.”

“That’ll be a hard goodbye.” I cupped his face. “For both of you.”

I felt the way his jaw tightened. “I have to believe she will come back from this. That with rehab, proper meds, and caregivers, she’ll be around a long time. But yes, this will be a difficult goodbye.”

I wrapped my arms around him, and he lifted me, burying his face in my neck. I held him as tight as I could, grateful I could be the strong one for him for a change.

* * *

Finn was quiet in the car as we left the hospital. He held my hand, staring out the window. I frowned as we drove along, turning to him after a while.

“Aren’t we going to the airport?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Then where are we going?”

He smiled. “I wanted a few hours with you in Dublin and a night alone in a hotel.”

“We’ve been alone.”

He shrugged. “And on call. The rest of today and tonight belong to us. I’m being selfish.”

I cupped his face. “I would hardly call that selfish.”

He shook his head. “But it is. I want you all to myself. Once we get back, the reality there is going to set in, and life will be all too busy. The next few hours, I’m claiming.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

I left Finn alone to sort out his thoughts, knowing he needed the time. I rested my head on his shoulder, startling awake when he kissed my head, amusement lacing his voice. “We’re here, mo chroí .”

He stepped from the car, offering me his hand. I peered at the small hotel in wonder. It was pretty, with ivy-covered walls, the stonework peeking out smooth and old. Finn guided me inside, where a beaming man greeted him. They shook hands and Finn introduced me.

“Una, this is my general manager, Seamus O’Malley. Seamus has been with me since I bought this place.”

“Welcome, Una. Enjoy your stay. Your suite is ready, Finn.”

“And my other request?”

“Handled. Everything you asked.”

“Good work.” He accepted an envelope, and we headed to the elevator.

“This is your hotel?”

“One of them,” he said with a smile. “I wanted you to see it.”

He swiped the keycard and pressed the button for the top floor. The doors opened to an opulent hallway, and he guided me to one of two doors, swiping the key. Inside, I gasped as I took in the space. Large and open, it was luxurious yet warm. Comfortable-looking furniture, a fireplace, and thick rugs welcomed us. A small kitchen set in an alcove was state-of-the-art. The bedroom boasted a four-poster bed hung with beautiful material that swept the floor and a sitting area with another fireplace. The bathroom was sumptuous, with a sunken tub and a multiheaded shower. The colors were a rich blend of blues and greens, with creams and burgundy. The fabrics were heavy and a feast for the eyes and the woods detailed and intricate.

It was exquisite.

“Finn,” I breathed out. “I can’t even?—”

He wrapped his arms around me. “Awesome, isn’t it? It’s my favorite room of any hotel I own. It is rented to very few people.” He pressed a kiss to my head. “Sully borrows it if he wants to impress someone.”

“A woman someone?”

“I don’t ask.” His grip tightened. “Is my woman impressed?”

I turned in his arms. “Very much so. Overwhelmed, if I’m being honest. I’m not used to this level of, ah…”

“…wealth?” he finished for me.

“Yes.”

He leaned against a plush chair. “I know it’s not something you’re used to or even comfortable with, Una, but for today—” he inhaled and gazed at me seriously “—for today, can you let me spoil you? Accept what I want to give you. Just for today. I need that.”

“You need that?”

“Yes. I feel ten feet tall when I give you something you like. I want to feel that the rest of the day.”

“Nothing over the top.”

“As in?”

“Jewelry I’ll never wear. Diamonds. Cars. A hotel of my own. Overly extravagant.”

His eyes glinted. “Anything else?”

I sighed. “What did you have in mind?”

“A little clothes shopping. Maybe a handbag or shoes.” He leaned down and nipped my neck. “Something lacy and silky that only I get to see?”

I looked up at him, smiling. “I’d love to see you in something lacy and silky. What color are you going for? Green to set off your hair?”

He threw back his head in laughter. “Funny girl. That cheek gets me one extravagant thing. Now, let’s go. The car is waiting.”