Shattered Hearts (Irish Kings #1)

35. Finn

A week later, I have a new lease on life.

Sure, I have multiple stab wounds, a fucked-up right arm, and months of physical therapy ahead of me, but so far, I’ve gotten to spend several glorious, wonderful days alone with the woman of my dreams pampering me.

Every time she comes near she kisses me, whether she’s delivering pain meds or passing by on her way to the kitchen. My suite looks amazing with Riley in it.

With my arm bulky, stiff, and sore since the medical team patched me up, I still can’t even sit up without getting dizzy. What a cruel prank. As soon as I begin to feel lust again for the first time in years , as soon as I fall in love, I’m benched with all these injuries.

So far, I’ve tempted Riley into more sexual interactions than are probably good for a man in my condition.

By Friday afternoon, Riley is wise to my tricks. She’s more careful around me, expecting mischief.

My uninjured arm curves around her waist as she replaces bandages on my cheek and forehead. “Cigarette, please.”

“No cigarettes for the patient.”

“Suck my cock, then.”

Her eyes slide to mine, churning and conflicted.

I’ve resulted to open dirty talk in order to get a rise out of her. Shocking Riley always entertains. Her forehead crinkles when she’s surprised. But since getting discharged from the medical center, my verbal advances generate the opposite effect.

All my suggestions twist the mood into something grave and gloomy, and Riley’s expression goes blank…blunt. She leans in to kiss me, and without a word, she does whatever I’ve said. Like a robot.

Today, her gaze lowers to my mouth before she presses her lips to mine. Riley’s kisses are all so bittersweet these days…

After that, she goes for my cock.

If her strange behavior didn’t turn me on so much, I’d be more concerned. Riley’s anything but a pushover…

But I also know she’s on the edge, her nerves amped by her fear for Harper. When she sleeps, her sister’s name slips from her mouth as she tosses. She doesn’t want me to see the weight of her fear. That’s obvious in the way she keeps herself as busy as possible, running errands, catering to my sweet tooth, delivering updates to my friends, and bringing messages from them to me.

Also seems like her attraction to me is at an all-time high. Maybe it’s her relief that Enzo didn’t do me in, or maybe it’s because we’ve been holed up in here together with nothing to do, nowhere to be, and no one to answer to, twenty-four seven, all week. I know I’m enjoying it, circumstances being what they are.

But there’s something eating away at Riley, more than her worry for her sister. Her concern for Harper wouldn’t infuse her kisses with bitterness. There’s desperation in the way she cherishes me. She steals kisses from my lips as though she’d yearned for each and every one.

Maybe she’s asking herself the same question I’ve been asking me.

How long can this temporary heaven last?

A few days before they moved me back to my suite, Shane came to see me and took the liberty of embarrassing the fuck out of me.

“So, you fell for her.” His expression was entirely too pleased. “What’s next? Are you going to make this thing between you the real deal?”

The real deal…

My eyes drift over to Riley, who’s sorting my medications.

What if my life was like this all the time?

If when I looked over, Riley was always there?

The prospect makes a gooey, giddy feeling drip through my chest before anxiety pinches my gut.

What if she still doesn’t want this life?

Then I’ll make her want it , the greediest part of me snarls.

I can no longer imagine a life without Riley.

I know how she feels about the Kings. On multiple occasions, she’s been nearly killed because of this mob. How can I ask her stay with me, knowing I’m asking her to rejoin a world she despises?

Shit.

But I… need her .

Everything inside me wants to claim her as my own, mark her as mine .

Forever.

That night, after Riley changes into her pajamas and slides into bed with me, I grab her right hand with my left and bring her fingers to my lips.

“Riley.” She always blushes a little when I say her name. “Pick me.”

Her brow furrows. “What?”

My hand tightens on her fingers. “Pick me. I know my dad gave you a choice, and I know I’m a selfish asshole for asking, but I want you to return to the Family and pick me. Now that I’ve gotten a taste of you, I can’t ever let you go.”

Silence stretches between us. My pulse accelerates, driven by fear.

Finally, she strokes my cheek. “I already made my choice when I forced myself into your rescue mission. I’ll follow you anywhere, Finn Gallagher.”

A clog forms in my throat. I don’t deserve her, but I’ll keep her anyway. She’s perfect for me. The strongest woman I know. Where Brianne fled, Riley attacked. To save my unworthy hide.

Though I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of her.

“What about you?” She sniffles. “Everyone wants you to be with Harper. She’s the perfect one. I’m…a weak substitute for her, at best.”

Frustrated confusion fizzes through me like carbonation. What bullshit is this gorgeous woman trying to spin me right now? She’s worried my dad and my friends won’t approve of her because she’s not her sister? Because of bad blood with Red Hill?

Fuck that.

“Don’t ever spout that kind of bullshit to me again.” I use my good hand to cup her chin. “You’re perfect for me, and after what you did for me, you’re crazy if you think my friends and dad disagree. And even if they did, screw them. It’s you and me from here on out.”

Riley searches my face with wide, damp eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” My heart clenches as I gaze into her eyes. “A few weeks ago, I didn’t even know I was still capable of love, and now I’m overflowing with it. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Me either.” She toys with a strand of my hair. “What if I’d said life when you asked me to pick you? Would you really have let me go?”

“Hell no. I’d have done everything in my power to convince you to change your mind, and if that failed, I would have kidnapped you and tied you to my bed until you chose me.”

She smirks. “Is it too late to change my mind?”

My eyes narrow. “Just you wait until I’m better. I’ll put you over me knee and spank you for that.”

“Promises, promises.” She climbs on top of me and presses her mouth to my neck.

My good hand crawls up the back of her t-shirt. “I’ve got something for you. Nightstand. Second drawer.”

She opens the drawer and retrieves the velvet drawstring bag.

When she offers it to me, I shake my head. “It’s for you.”

Unsure, she opens the pouch and gasps.

Her face lights up as she pulls out my mother’s engagement ring, a shining silver band with a rare violet sapphire set into the face.

Her hands shake as she twirls the ring between her fingers, like it’s the universal cure for cancer or a priceless ancient treasure.

“My dad gave it to me a while back. Said it’d impress Harper, but I couldn’t bring myself to give it to her… Now I know why.” Against her lips, I tell her, “That ring was meant for you. Riley Brennan, will you marry me? For real this time?”

Moisture forms in her eyes. “Yes. For real this time.”

After sliding the ring on her finger, she cups my cheeks and brushes her lips against mine. “I love you, Finn. For real, and for always.”

Joy blooms inside me. A month ago, I believed I’d never experience this type of bliss again. And then Riley came along and blew up my world in the best way possible.

“I love you too, Riley. For real, and for always.”

To Be Continued…