“I’ll live. Barely,” he added, earning a smile from her. He watched her read messages from where he sat at her feet, massaging her calves. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s Mags. Lord, save me,” she sounded more exasperated than upset. “This is embarrassing.”
Doubly curious now, he asked, “What did she say?”
Shaking her head, she told him, “Apparently, my brothers found out I’m staying with you this weekend, well, not with you,” she corrected, “but with a stranger.”
“Are they coming here?” The thought was even embarrassing to him, but it was no less than he deserved for not formally meeting them prior to laying his hands on Bébhinn.
“According to Mags, she sought out Jonathan, who was on a date, and forced him to tell her what Bran and Pat know. He’d been trying to get a date with that chick for months, and Mags knew it.
“Jon was pissed, but he told her that his dad and Bran visited him and Daniel and said that as soon as I got back to town, he wanted them to shadow me until they could figure out who I was seeing.
“Don’t worry, though, I’ll handle the assholes when I get home. Good news. Mom approves and didn’t tell them anything. That’s all I care about.”
When she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, dropping it on the table next to her phone, he suddenly gave zero shits about her brothers.
“I hope that didn’t crush the mood,” she said right before his mouth met hers in a hungry rush.
“I think you can feel that it didn’t,” emphasizing his meaning by pressing his hard shaft between her legs. He lay on top of her with only his thin pants and her shorts separating them. Holding her hands above her head, he kissed his way down her neck and licked between her bare breasts. He sucked above her nipple, wanting to leave his mark before moving lower.
He licked and nipped his way down her stomach, finally letting go of her hands so he could hook his fingers in her shorts and panties. She was already writhing beneath him. He planned on making her scream his name as soon as he got his tongue?—
At the exact moment he heard the door open to his flat, he heard his father’s booming voice. “Son, Christ, but you better be home. I’ve worn my fingers to the bone trying to reach you.”
Bébhinn yelped and tried to scramble out from underneath him. He gripped each of her arms. “Be still. It’s my damn father.” He dragged his t-shirt off the back of the couch and quickly shoved it toward her before standing up and going to the kitchen, where his dad was rummaging through the fridge.
When he noticed his son, he slammed the door and rounded on Dagr. “You are here, you bast—” he stopped mid-curse before saying, “Have you been at the porn? At least put your fucking hard-on away. My poor eyes, boy,” he growled at the same time stifled laughter from the living room could be heard.
His dad’s incredulous look would have been comical if Bébhinn hadn’t heard the asshole discussing his dick. He didn’t blame his dad for assuming he was alone. He knew Dagr had been taking a break from dating.
He felt his whole body flush and heat prickle his face when Bébhinn joined them. She was completely dressed in her clothes and, without batting an eyelash, handed Dagr his t-shirt.
“For your modesty, Dagr,” she grinned before sticking her hand out to his dad. “I’m Bébhinn O’Faolain from Dublin. You must be Mr. Griffiths.”
His dad’s handshake had never looked weaker as he stared at the beautiful, barefoot woman standing before him.
Clearing his throat—twice—his father strengthened his grip. “Ulf. Hugh O’Faolain?” he asked, having no idea of his passing. “I’ve met your father. Well,” he corrected, “not in person, but he and I were on a few conference calls dealing with some land that Trinity owns. The land held numerous minerals and flora that they wished to preserve for their students to use for study. How is Hugh? I appreciated his zero-bullshit way of problem solving.”
The brief, wide-eyed glance she threw Dagr’s way broke his heart. “Dad—” he started.
Bébhinn spoke over him. “He passed at the end of last year.” She cleared her throat. “I’m happy to know you knew him, even briefly. I’ve told Dagr more than once that you two seem to have a few similar qualities.” She smiled, trying to lessen the uncomfortable news.
His dad instantly sobered. “Forgive me. I didn’t know. You’ll never stop missing him if he was half the man I thought he was.”
She blinked several times, her lips twisting briefly as she regulated her emotions. “He was that and more. Thank you, Ulf.” And then she shared, “You know, your son spent the night in a cave with me during a snowstorm on one of Snowdonia’s peaks?”
He gave his son a sharp look. “I didn’t know. It seems my son is full of secrets these days.”
Dagr decided to end the exploration for more information, saying, “I didn’t expect to see you until Monday.”
His dad’s face turned ruddy with anger. “That old bastard Williams is trying to buy the land near the reserve that he bloodywell knows I want. I was only holding off until things were settled with the reserve.”
“Are you kidding me? Williams is a prick. Jesus, that man couldn’t care less about the countryside. He just hates you.”
“I’m aware,” his dad replied. “I want that property to build a family cabin for us. Can you block his offer?”
Dagr looked at Bébhinn, seeing his romantic evening slipping away. She looked back at him and shrugged, smiling. If anyone could understand family, it was her.
