“Unless I misheard, you owe someone across the other side of the bar an apology,” Kieran said, looking like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
“Well fuck,” Tommy muttered.
“More than one person if you ever want a second date,” Con observed.
“Best first date ever,” Tommy muttered sarcastically, but rising from his seat, he made his way across the bar. I had to give him credit for having the guts to apologise, but as the first, and only date I’d ever been on, it absolutely sucked.
“Tommy, it’s seven o’clock in the mornin’. What’re you doing here? I asked, rubbing the sleep from my bleary eyes and wondering what he was doing on the doorstep to Joe’s flat.
“Apologisin’,” he said, by way of explanation. “I promised Ma we’d be over for dinner tomorrow, so I figured I needed at least the whole of today to get you to forgive me.”
“What are these?” I asked, as he thrust an enormous bunch of flowers in my face.
“Paper roses,” he replied. Sure enough the whole bouquet was made up of intricately shaped roses that had been made from the dyed pages of a book.
“Where on earth did you manage to get these? You only dropped me home seven hours ago?” I asked, in complete bewilderment. I must admit that I’d gone to bed more than a little upset that he’d said goodbye last night without even the slightest apology. I certainly wasn’t prepared to go on a second date, but the sappy part of me adored that he knew enough about my love of reading to get something this romantic.
“I ordered them ready for our dates. I kept it for the second date in case I fucked up the first one, which was pretty handy seeing how everything panned out,” he said. “Look, I know you’re pissed I didn’t apologise last night, but in case you hadn’t noticed, I tend to open my mouth and talk whatever shite is in my head without thinkin’ it through first. I didn’t want to do that to you, so I figured I’d better put a bit of effort into it before I delivered it,” he explained.
“Let’s hear it then,” I said. He already had me with the roses, but I wasn’t letting him off that easy.
“Jesus, you’re gonna be breakin’ my balls my entire life ain’t ya?” he said, chuckling. I didn’t appreciate his humour, and my crossed arms told him so.
“Last night was the first date I’d ever been on, and you ruined it. When nobody else is listening, you can be sweet, and kind, and funny. You make it so easy to like you. But when you do or say something idiotic, I remember why the idea of us together is so terrible. You acted like a petulant boy, and I’m not looking for a boy Tommy, I’m looking for a man,” I explained.
“When I said you were gonna be breakin’ my balls Evie, I didn’t mean it as an insult,” he said, gently. “You keep me in line and on my toes. You call me on my bullshit and remind me that to earn you, I need to be a better person. You’re right. I did behave like a kid last night. I’ve never been jealous before, and honestly, I don’t know how you handled that woman approaching us with so much dignity. ’Cause the minute I saw you standing between those two guys, I lost my shit. It’s no fuckin’ excuse, I know that, but I’ve never wanted anything as much I want you. I saw those preppy little shites lookin’ at you like you were a cold pint of Guinness in the middle of the desert, and I got…scared.”
The Tommy I knew. The one who made my temper flair and my blood boil, exuded cockiness and confidence. He threw away his effortless charm like it was confetti. But there was a vulnerability in the way he laid himself bare. The way he admitted to his own failings, and exposed his own weakness. To be told the truth, so openly, was refreshing.
“You know, fear is a self-fulfilling prophecy,” I replied.
“I have no idea what you just said, but I agree,” he answered.
“How can you agree, if you don’t understand what I meant?” I asked, figuring I’d never work out the mystery that was Tommy Riordon.
“Because you’re smart, and almost always right,” he replied.
“Almost always?” I asked, playfully, secretly pleased at the compliment.
“Well, you’re not convinced yet that we should be together, so there’s a tiny bit of room for improvement,” he said, showing me with the distance between his thumb and forefinger, how far away I was from being a genius.
“What I meant was, that by fearing something you think will happen, you act in a way that makes it happen. You were afraid they’d take me away from you, so you acted like an edjit and nearly pushed me away,” I replied.
“Nearly?” he asked. The questioning tone of his voice lacked conviction, but his small smile was hopeful.
“I’m a sucker for roses,” I replied, shrugging.
“I’ll remember that for all the times I fuck up in the future. I’m sure there’ll be lots,” he said, his smile becoming a grin.
“Well, try not to be too pleased with yourself. The flowers bought you a second date, but that’s all,” I warned him.
I lied.
He had embarrassed me. And I hadn’t intended on a second date, that much is true. But the woman in me that wanted to be swept off her feet and romanced, was rejoicing in the effort he put into chasing me. I wanted more dates. More romance. More time. I could only hope he didn’t lose interest if he ever finally caught me.
“Give me another chance Evie. A real chance. I promise I won’t waste it,” he implored, earnestly.
“Promise?” I asked him, desperate for the reassurance that this wasn’t all some game to him.
“Promise,” he whispered, and crossed his heart. I answered by holding the door wide open for him. Looking relieved, he walked through, kissing me briefly on the cheek as he passed. My skin tingled and butterflies danced in my stomach. A simple kiss. A throw away moment, and I was little more than jelly.
Closing the door, I followed after him, only to find him stood in the middle of the lounge, waiting for me.
“Where’s your brother, darlin’?” he asked, that thick, deep Irish brogue scrambling my sleep-addled brain.
“He didn’t come home last night, but he texted me to let me know he’d hooked up with some girl and that he’d be back later,” I explained, suddenly nervous that we were unchaperoned.
“I told Joe I wouldn’t come round unless he was here, but as far as I’m concerned he’s neglectin’ his brotherly responsibilities by stoppin’ out all night and not takin’ care of ya. So it’s perfectly reasonable for me to be over here now, takin’ over his duties,” he said.
“Your taking over as my brother?” I replied, slightly horrified.
“Not a morning person are ya, baby? I’m takin’ over takin’ care of ya,” he answered.
“Oh,” I replied, not quite sure of what to say. “Um, how exactly?”
“Well, considerin’ the apologisin’ took a lot less time than I thought, and given that neither of us had much sleep last night, how about I make us a cuppa, and we can veg out on the sofa and watch a movie,” he suggested, and I melted. The idea of doing something so simple, yet so intimate, was perfect.
He made tea while I put on a movie, and when he returned I was snuggled on the sofa under a fleecy throw blanket. Placing the tea on the side table, he lifted me up, blanket and all, and sat down with me on his lap, before reaching over to hand me my tea. I yelped, but stayed where I was for fear of spilling my drink. After a few minutes, the tension that stiffened my body, seeped slowly out of me. When he took my empty mug, and placed it next to his on the table, I relaxed into the warmth of his chest and somehow I found myself being cuddled. It was nothing short of glorious.
“Is this okay?” I asked, nodding toward the television. I couldn’t imagine Crocodile Dundee being top of his favourite movie list, but it had been playing, and I was too nervous to flick through movies trying to guess what would be to his taste.
“Perfect,” he answered, staring at me as he said it, in a way that made my heart beat faster.
“Is this okay?” he asked of the way he held me. My mother would be screamin
g at the impropriety, but I didn’t care.
“Perfect,” I replied, meeting his gaze as I mirrored his answer. With a little squeeze, he settled me against his body and we spent the next hour watching the cheesy film.
At some point we must have drifted off. When I woke, Tommy was spooning behind me, his huge, tattooed arm holding me protectively against him. His breathing deep and even in sleep. It felt like the safest place in the world and I closed my eyes, wishing I could hold onto the moment forever.
Chapter Eleven
TOMMY
“Evelyn, darlin’. What a lovely surprise! What are you doing here?” Ma said, her joy at seeing Evie with me as she ushered us through her front door as obvious as her confusion.
“Um, Tommy invited me,” Evie replied. Ma looked at me and then back at Evie, before the penny dropped.
“You’re his date!” Ma exclaimed, her jaw droppin’ in absolute amazement.
“Tommy Riordon, you promise me right now that you’re not pulling my leg, and that you really are courtin’ Evelyn!” Ma demanded, her face going from shock to suspicion, and for good reason.
For years she’d been at me to find a nice girl, and settle down. She’d even taken it on herself to try and match make with no success. I’d fucked my way through most of her friend’s daughters, and half the women in London. Not that I’d ever tell Ma, but I’d even fucked a few of her friends in my younger years, when my dick was an out-of-control locomotive looking for any available station. Each man had a talent, and mine was women whispering. A look, a dance, a few magic words in their ear, and bob’s your uncle. It was a gift that I never took for granted. Of course, it pissed me off no end that the one woman I’d fallen for, hook, line and sinker, was completely immune to skills I’d been perfectin’ since I was fourteen.
I wondered sometimes if cupid was real. Some invisible punk arse angel who got his kicks from firing arrows at what could never be. The man whore and the virgin. The sinner and the saint. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was mine. It was an imprint. A knowing, deep down in my soul. Of course I’d fought against it. Everyone fights against fate at some point, no matter how futile the struggle. But in my bleakest hour, when I’d been stuck in that hospital bed, in more pain than I knew it was possible to consciously bear, it was the red hair that kept me going. The memory of her scent, and the wonder of how soft her pale peachy skin would feel beneath my calloused fingertips. The fire inside her had kept me warm. In the darkness, she’d been my prayer, and in the light, God had answered. As far as I was concerned, my pluckin’ her out of that fire had been nothin’ short of divine intervention. The big man upstairs had given me a sign, and I’d listened. Now I just needed to convince Evie and the rest of the world, what I already knew.
I steered Ma into the kitchen for a quick word, while Ma’s new dog jumped all over Evie, demanding attention.
“Ma,” I said, holding her by her shoulders and lookin’ her dead in the eyes so she’d know I was serious. “I know you’ve met Evie before, but this is me bringin’ her to meet you and Da as my date. I’m tryin’ to court her properly, I just need a little help convincin’ Evie that I’m worth dating.”
Evelyn was the first, and only girl, I’d ever brought home to my parents. That alone spoke volumes about what she meant to me. We both turned to look at her, wrapped up in her coat, gloves and hat, and stood in the middle of my mother’s hallway looking like some deer caught in the headlights. Realisin’ that I’d found the girl I wanted and that I’d need all the help I could get keepin’ her, galvanized Ma into action.
“Where are my manners?” Ma said, practically pushing me away to get to Evie like some general at the charge. In seconds she had Evie stripped of her outdoor clothes and boots and had ushered her into the kitchen. She disappeared briefly to put everything away, and it wouldn’t surprise me to learn she’d hidden it all upstairs, holdin’ Evie’s stuff hostage to make sure she didn’t leave.
“You okay, darlin’?” I asked, seeing her there, lookin’ a little lost.
“Your Ma is lovely. Truly lovely. But this is all a bit overwhelming,” she admitted.
Our mornin’ together on the sofa had broken down an invisible barrier between the two of us. I didn’t think she’d ever be a big fan of PDA, but she didn’t fight against my touch anymore. I constantly pushed Evie’s boundaries, and I knew that I probably always would, but those moments when she voluntarily showed me affection, meant the whole world to me.
She looked like she needed a hug, and I wanted to give her one. But I wanted her to want it too. So instead of wrapping my arms around her, I held them open. Like some useless dickhead, I stood there, and wondered how shite I’d feel if she didn’t come to me. I didn’t need to wonder. She wrapped her arms around my back and rested her cheek next to my heart. As I bent my head into her neck and held on tight, I didn’t think there was anything in the world that could feel more right.
A movement at the door caught our attention, and we turned to see Ma watchin’ us, her fingers pressed against her lips and tears in her eyes.
“John!” she screamed suddenly, making Evie jump. Braced for Ma’s reaction, I just gave her an amused look as she wavered between ecstatic and emotional.
“John!” she shouted, even louder, like she did when Da wasn’t moving quick enough.
“What in God’s name are you screamin’ about woman?” Da replied, as he walked in behind Ma.
“Hey son. Hello Evelyn, love,” Da said, shaking my hand and giving Evie a quick kiss to the cheek.
“Don’t you woman me! And why are ya acting so calm? Tommy’s brought Evelyn for dinner, as his date!” she said, over exaggeratingly whispering the last part as though this was unbelievable, breaking news. Though I supposed to her, it was.
“Yes, I know love. He told me this mornin’ he was bringin’ her to dinner. It’s why we’re havin’ roast beef isn’t it? I hope it’s ready soon. It smells bloody gorgeous,” he replied, tryin’ to peer through the oven door to see if it was ready.
“You told your father! And you didn’t think to tell me?” Ma accused.
“I told you I was bringin’ someone home for dinner,” I replied, defendin’ myself. But she could tell from the big grin I was wearin’ that I’d purposefully kept it from her.
“Yes! Someone! I thought you meant Liam or one of the boys. If I’d known it was a girl! If I’d known it was Evelyn!” Ma said.
“Ma, if I told you I was bringin’ Evie home, you’d have Father Pat join us in case there was a chance he could marry us over dessert. I’m tryin’ to talk Evie into a third date, not scare the ever lovin’ shite outta her,” I replied, which earned me a swift smack to the back of the head from me Ma.
“No swearin’!” Ma said, and I smiled. When Evie went home, Ma would be swearin’ up a storm when she laid into me for not preparing her. Still, I knew if I made any vague hint about a wedding in the future, all would be forgiven. I wasn’t being flippant either. Maybe teasing Ma was fun, but I was serious about making Evie mine before God. Of course, if I had to put this much effort into getting her to date me, I had no idea what I’d need to do to get her to marry me.
The dinner went better than I’d hoped. Once Ma’s roast beef was on the table, Evie relaxed and the conversation flowed. It was almost like she forgot I was there, until I slipped my hand under the table and placed it on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. She threw me an evil glare, but the slight tremble as she squeezed her legs together, gave her away. Leaving my hand where it was, I turned it over so my palm was facing upwards, hoping she’d get the hint. Just as I was about to take it away, she slid her fingers softly between mine, and damn if that one touch didn’t light a fire in my dick. Her slow, soft, tentative touch gave me a high like nothin’ else.
Closing my hand around hers, I felt a rush of possessiveness wash over me. Her touch was for me, and me alone. She was mine, just as every part of me needed to be hers. Her first. Her last. Her every-fuckin’-thing. I wan
ted her as messed up and crazy as she’d made me, until she craved the insanity as badly as I did.
“You okay?” I whispered, quietly, as Ma and Da bickered between themselves about something.
She turned her face towards me as she nodded, and our gaze held. I stared, tryin’ to pin point what it was about her that struck me dumb, every fuckin’ time. The slight smile that wasn’t coy or artificial but shy, and real and pure. Big eyes that cut straight through my bullshit, right to the heart of me. Rings of blue surrounding a green too piercing and beautiful to be real. Pale skin with a smattering of freckles I wanted to kiss. Individually. Slowly. While she arched and moaned beneath me. A figure so slight and delicate, she looked almost fragile. But I knew she was anything but. My Irish girl had steel in her bones and fire in her belly.
We realised together that the room had gone quiet. Ma, was watching us with a goofy look on her face and Da smiled as he scraped the last morsel of food from his plate so vigorously, I was afraid he’d take the pattern off the china.
“Why don’t I give you a hand to clean up Ma,” I said, pullin’ my chair out and stacking the empty plates.
“Oh, I can help,” Evie added, moving to stand up.
“Don’t worry love, I’ve got this,” I assured her.
I walked to the kitchen with Ma on my heels.
“Go on then. I know you want to,” I told her, smiling big at what I knew would come next. With that she let out a squeal of pure joy and did her happy dance around the room.
“I don’t know how you did it, but you hold onto that girl, and you hold on tight. She’s something special,” Ma said, her voice turning serious.
“Trust me, Ma, I know. It’s not like I’ve ever brought a girl home before is it? I’m doing everything I can to get her to give us a chance, but she’s only agreed to two dates and this is the second. Even then I had to promise something to get her here. I’m fucked if I know how to get a third with her,” I replied.
The Fire (Hurricane Book 4) Page 10