She didn’t think Jackie knew but each maternal touch brought tears to her eyes and made her wonder what she’d be like had her mother lived. How different would she be? Her heart ached. She’d avoided families like these from years, a painful reminder of what she had lost and still not found. Not that she’d been looking. Years later, and she was still afraid to take that risk.
Her emotions were all over the place. First with someone fixated on her to Nick’s seemingly cold demeanour only to be at odds with his hot stare. She had no idea what to do about him.
She wanted Nick. She couldn’t get a read on him which was unusual but given he was a cop used to hiding his emotions it was expected. He treated her so oddly. He was protective and caring yet romantically distant. It was as though he saw her as a sister. Except for what she’d felt against her the night before. But, she was worldly enough to know it didn’t necessarily mean anything. A biological response. Wasn’t that depressing? The one man who caused her heart to thump, and her stomach flip like an acrobat and he saw her as nothing but a friend. Or worse, Dean’s friend. A woman in need of protecting. She well knew of Nick’s classes at the LAC. She could take care of herself. She didn’t want him seeing her as a helpless female. No, she wanted him to see her a woman. A desirable woman who needed him. Not to protect her. She could do that herself. Mostly.
What did he see in her that turned him off? She couldn’t believe he hadn’t been attracted. The sparks between them had practically burned with its intensity. But something had. Was she too bossy? Too independent? She couldn’t change those things. They were who she was.
Skipping away from the crowd looming around the cleared table, Riley locked herself in the bathroom, the loud click satisfying to her ears. As one of two, lunchtime was not a feast of epic proportions. She and Declan usually just made themselves a ham and cheese sandwich. She had not been prepared for the three-course meal she had just eaten. It was a good thing she’d been hungry but she doubted if she’ll ever be hungry again.
Riley took a deep breath, savouring the much-needed silence. She wasn’t used to never having a moment to herself. The whole time they’d been eating the Doyle family had started up a round of twenty questions followed by another round and then another one all centred on Riley.
It hadn’t taken her long to realise they’d all descended on the family home because of her. She was going to kill Nick.
Riley wasn’t at all used to being surrounded by such love and people. Her own upbringing—despite Declan’s unfailing attempts—had been cold in comparison. She had no idea what family dinners were about until she’d spent time with the Doyles.
She found Jackie in the kitchen, busy ironing. Something smelling suspiciously like pork roast emanated from the hot oven and though lunch had barely finished, Riley began salivating. Jackie could cook. Which made Riley happy because she loved to eat. Looking around, Riley guessed Jackie probably spent most of her time in this room, though the woman practically danced along to the tunes playing via the small radio on the windowsill, the volume barely above a whisper but enough so the beat could be heard. Her wide hips wiggled with the beat.
Riley smiled and her heart warmed. It was a sight she’d forgotten from her childhood. Her grandmother, too, would dance around the kitchen when preparing dinner or cleaning. They were her favourite times.
Clearing her throat, she stepped across the threshold. “Thank you so much for today, Jackie.”
Jackie smiled and moved around the ironing board to stand before her, taking her hand and squeezing. “Honey, you are most welcome. I have a feeling about you.”
She shook her head. Riley didn’t want the wonderful getting any wrong ideas about her and Nick.
“Yes.” She squeezed Riley’s hand. “If anyone can knock my stubborn son down it’ll be you. Even those short few minutes today told me there is something there. Are you sure it’s only Nick whose holding you both back?”
“Yes.” Wasn’t he?
She’d given plenty of cues despite vowing to forget about him. Something she’d never done before. But incapable of that she’d tried.
Knowing about Vanessa and the trust she destroyed helped soothe her wounded ego from the night of the engagement party. But still, he was happy to date other women. What was so bad about her?
“You’re wrong about us.”
She winked. “No. I’m just holding out hope.”
Eager for the conversation to be over, she indicated to the ironing board.
“How can I help?”
Jackie smiled, half in appreciation and half in knowing Riley had offered simply to change the topic. “Those need folding.”
Two baskets overflowing with clean laundry sat on the kitchen counter. Folding. She could manage that. Nodding, she pulled a shirt, still warm from the top of the basket. She breathed the scent of freshly sun-dried fabric into her lungs. To her, no fancy perfume could replace the sun.
After folding a pair of jeans and a peach shirt she spoke again.
“We have nothing in common.” She wasn’t sure why she was bothering to prove her point. Perhaps to drive it home to herself so her silly heart wouldn’t run away with itself. “He runs. I hate exercise.” She sucked in a deep breath. “He doesn’t like me like that. In fact, I think I annoy him.”
Jackie studied her, her head cocked to the left. “Donald used to annoy me. Didn’t mean I hated him. He’s into sports. I love cooking. Besides our children, we don’t have much in common. Still, we make it work.”
If only she could figure out how he felt. She hated not knowing if there was a chance and she was simply too scared to try.
To her horror, tears welled in her eyes and her throat burned from the force she reined to keep them from falling.
Arms circled her shoulders and pulled her into a soft chest. She rested her head against Jackie’s shoulder and tried to hold onto this moment.
“Don’t give up hope, honey. The fact my son told me all about you tells me everything I need to know.”
Her mouth curled into a smile. As quickly as it appeared it disappeared.
If that were so what was holding Nick back? It’s not like she’d object to him. Okay, maybe when he really annoyed her but surely, he’d easily kiss her into submission.
“He’s scared. Of what I don’t know but don’t give up on him. I’m only slightly biased when I say he’s a good man. I know there’s something going on with my baby. He’s just not the same. He tries to hide it but I know.”
She wasn’t about to enlighten Jackie. Nick told her in confidence and wouldn’t appreciate her breaking it.
“I wish I could tell you.”
Jackie’s eyes glittered. “So long as he’s told you and unburdened himself. That’s all I care about.”
“He’s lucky to have you. All of you. You all care so deeply.”
The older woman pierced her with a look. “That extends to you too, Riley. I know you weren’t the most comfortable being left here with strangers and I can guess as to why but I see you’ve changed a lot since this morning. You’re a sweet girl.”
She snorted then immediately covered her nose and mouth in embarrassment. No one had ever accused Riley O’Neill of being sweet.
“You are.” Jackie hugged her again and she leaned into the embrace. This was the second time the woman had wrapped her motherly arms and around her and her heart tripped, skipped a beat then sped up. Nick was extremely lucky to have such a wonderful family. Which only served to make her heartache at knowing her only family was a state away.
Chapter 20
Nick finished up the last of his interviews for the day and yawned. What a waste of the day. He had gone over the evidence in the Brittany Hudson and Olivia Charles cases and had begun interviewing the people involved—however indirectly—in Mallory Duncan’s life. Now it was eleven o’clock and he was tired and about to pass out any second.
He scooped up his new keyring. Cade Watson had assured him he’d done a thorough searc
h of his apartment when he’d collected the keys from the locksmith. There’d be no surprises when he returned home. His fist curled around them, the ragged edges cutting into his palms. Riley’s safety was his number one concern.
“Heading home?” Darryl asked as he stood and stretched, bones creaked and cracked and he winced. “Jesus, I’m getting old.”
“We all are. But at least you have a wife and kid to keep you young.”
Darryl laughed. “Trust me they do anything but keep you young. At least I have a boy, that right there is less worrying for me. Just think what Matt must be going through with Hallie and in time little miss dynamite. She is going to be a handful. I see a lot of sleepless nights and worry lines for Murphy in the future.”
Hallie was Murphy’s twenty-one-year-old adopted daughter.
Nick chuckled and picked up his pace as they exited the building. He wanted nothing more than to go home, take a hot shower and climb into bed. Not going to happen. Riley was still at his parents’ house and would no doubt be pissed. Aw hell, he didn’t care, he could take anything she threw at him, so long as she was near and whatever it was didn’t clobber him in the head.
He smiled, wondering how she coped spending time with his family. They were all pushy, wanting their own way, it had made for some interesting arguments and he knew with a temper like Riley’s she would fit right in and be one of the family.
One of the family.
He needed to stop kidding himself. It’ll never happen. Even if he had the guts to broach the subject with Riley and for her to feel the same way, he couldn’t forget it may end badly. Hell, it will end period. At thirty-three, he’d never had a relationship that lasted more than two years. How the hell did he think he’d been able to hold on to Riley any longer?
Because Riley is different. She’s the one.
Nick cursed, calling himself every kind of fool and soon found himself pulling into his parent’s driveway. He had no idea his internal debate had lasted so long, the drive from the LAC almost instantaneous. He turned off the ignition and headlights and sat back in the driver’s seat, staring at his parent’s house, the exterior illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlight across the road. He wanted this, the beautiful home, the gorgeous wife and household of screaming kids. He wanted what his parents had, always had from the moment he was old enough to know how special his family was.
That was why none of his previous relationships had ever worked. He had a picture of how his life will be and none of his exes had ever fit into the world he wanted. No one had—until now.
Why did it have to her?
He opened the front door to the house and stepped in, immediately feeling the difference of temperature and discarded his jacket.
A low rumble and flicking light from the family room told him his father was still up. Most likely waiting for him. Whenever one of his kids had gone out and was due home Donald Doyle had always waited up no matter how late until his child had returned. He smiled as he entered the family room, the local news was playing highlighting the Harbour Bay Seagulls—the local basketball team’s—win over their opponents.
“Hey, Dad.” He announced his presence so as not to give his father a fright and sank down in the chair beside his dad.
“How was your day?”
Nick shrugged, his gaze glued to the TV. “About that.”
His father, unlike his mother, left it at that. “She wanted to stay up and wait for you but right around the last quarter, she conked out on me. Damn Swan’s supporter. You’ll have to do something about that.”
Nick froze, his father’s words sinking in and he looked around his father to the couch beneath the long window which overlooked the main street. There nestled beneath one his nieces’ pink blanket lay Riley, dead to the world, ten red toenails peeking out from under the fabric. She looked so sweet and innocent, her hand curled beside her as she lay on her side, her face towards them. Looks can be deceiving. He knew all too well and come morning he was going to hear about it. But until then he could enjoy Riley just as she was, quiet and kissable.
His warning had been a complete lie. He’d follow Riley anywhere but he’d needed her to see he didn’t do the things he did for the hell of it. She was in danger.
Sure, he’d gone a little overboard with his protection. Michelle cared greatly for Riley. She also had a good head on those shoulders. She understood the dangers and would be careful about letting loose anything that may harm Riley. He just couldn’t get over that irrational fear lingering in the back of his mind that something would happen to her. Something out of his control.
How could he let her out of sight wondering if he’d see her again? She meant so much to him. Not that she knew that. For the umpteenth time, he imagined a future with a Riley. Did he have the balls to risk everything for a chance at happiness? Did he even have the right to potentially screw up four lives? There was so much to consider and without knowing it’d be a sure thing he knew he would never take the leap. Never hold Riley in his arms for any other reason than friendship.
Nick stood and patted his father’s shoulder before making his way over to Riley. He looked down at her and chuckled lightly. Her hair stuck out to the side, obviously courtesy of the budding salon stylists otherwise known as his nieces.
Bending down, he lifted her into his arms, an easy feat considering how petite she was and soaked in her warmth. She made a small sound of contentment, her body curling in toward him and his blood rushed south.
“You picked a fine one, son. She’ll fit in well.”
Nick didn’t have the heart to tell his father that nothing would come from it. That he couldn’t let it. As each day passed by those reasons were becoming less and less clear and that’s when mistakes are made.
“I know Dad. Get some sleep. We’ll see you in the morning.”
With that, he made his way to the bedroom he’d had for over fifteen years. Still, the way he left it. His mother was a stickler for preserving memories. He twisted the knob gently and pushed it open with his foot, entering the dark room. He didn’t bother turning on the light, his eyes adjusting to the darkness as he closed the door behind them and made his way confidently across the room, laying Riley down on the bed. He swept a ringlet off her cheek. A jolt hit his stomach hard like a punch at the feel of her soft creamy skin under his fingertips. How would he get through the night?
Chapter 21
Riley stretched out her legs, readjusting her position. Her eyes popped open when she encountered a body beside her. Her heart began to pound in her ears and she stopped breathing. Her body tingled with anticipation.
The warm, hard body beside her shifted closer. An arm reached around her waist, dragging her into his chest at the same time she felt something poking her bottom. She shivered. It was no finger. For a second, she allowed herself the sensation of being in Nick’s arms, and she knew it was Nick, his unique scent surrounding her…enveloping her. She would know him anywhere. Her memory caught up. She was in the Doyle house. Possibly Nick’s old bedroom by the looks of things, laying beside said man with no doubt a ‘come and get it’ look on her face.
For goodness sakes, Riley O’Neill get a grip on yourself and rein in your hormones.
A woman of almost thirty should not be acting like some silly teenager with her first crush. She winced, imagining a teenage Riley meeting an adult Nick. Oh yeah, she would’ve been in trouble before she knew it. She still could be in trouble.
As the last remains of sleep left her and clarity sunk in, she jerked away, turning in his arms to face him. Nick’s gaze met hers; a slow, sexy smile spread across his face.
His hand caressed her back. “Good morning.”
Riley glared at him. “You said you’d come back for me.”
A dark eyebrow rose. “And I did. It just happened to be later than I thought and I didn’t want to wake you.” He used his free hand to prop up his head so he could look down at her.
“Well, I can’t believe you slept in
the same bed as me. You could have at least slept on the couch or something. What must your parents think?”
“That I’m a lucky guy.”
Riley snorted. “Not that lucky.”
She was thankful when he didn’t say anything about trying to change that state.
Nick leaned closer, his breath warm on her skin. His hand slid up her body and tugged gently on one knotted side-braid. “I like your hair by the way.”
Riley’s heart seized, embarrassment heating her cheeks as she recalled Nick’s twin nieces playing hairdresser. She began finger combing her hair. Nick chuckled, stilling her busy hand.
“It’s fine really. Kind of cute.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“I’m still mad at you for abandoning me.”
Nick let out a heavy sigh. “Couldn’t be helped.”
“I should have your arse. I still may, it’s a very fine arse.” Her teasing words slipped from her lips before she could censor them.
Nick stared at her. She stared right back. “Well aren’t you a bad girl?”
She shook her head, then put on her best impression of Kathleen Turner’s smoky voice. “I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way.”
***
Nick blinked a couple times, her words sinking into his head and bounced around, playing over and over again. He groaned. “They told you, didn’t they?”
“Told me what?”
He wasn’t deceived by her innocent act.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Nick, most men were fantasying about Lara Croft long before Angelina Jolie.”
“And they should be ashamed of themselves. The world is filled with lots of beautiful women just waiting for the right man to come along.”
Riley snorted. “Not everyone is as good looking and charming as you. You may have women lining up at your revolving front door but the rest of us mere mortals—”
Fatal Fiction (Harbour Bay Book 5) Page 13