Page 79 of Niall

“Ready to come back to bed? I have this urgent need to make love to my fiancée. Help her relax.”

“Oh,” she murmured, pressing closer and feeling my need. “Oh. Yes.”

I lifted her into my arms and carried her back to bed.

TWO WEEKS LATER

I stood by the bar, the noise and merriment filling the pub endless. Music was being played, the fiddle and drums beating out a lively tune. Tables groaned with food. Mum’s friends, neighbors, and locals blended. Far too much whiskey and liquor were being consumed. The laughter was loud and boisterous.

And I was smiling so widely, my face hurt. I watched my shy, timid Anna dance with one stranger, then another. She was passed around like a box of chocolates on Christmas Day. One hand to the next—and she was fine. More than fine. She was happy, relaxed. Laughing, her head thrown back, her long hair brushing the top of her sweetly curved ass. She wore a dress Mum had bought her—a throwback to medieval days with a long white blouse-thing underneath and a vivid blue front-laced corset-type style over the top. The blouse had long, lacy sleeves, and the front dipped low with another froth of lace. The dress had slits up the front, flashing her legs as she danced, and Anna was beyond sexy in it. Una was beside her, dressed the same, but hers was green. With her red hair, she was the perfect Irish lass, yet nothing could hold a candle to my Anna. Mum was on the other side of the room, clapping and laughing, her eyes full of love for her two new daughters. Even though Anna and I weren’t married yet legally, Mum didn’t care. She adored them both, but she loved Anna with a fierceness only a mother could have, and I was happy to see how well they got along.

Finn came up beside me, leaning on the bar. “Grand,” he murmured. “What a fecking grand day.”

I laughed. “Anna mentioned how strong your brogue is again—she’s right.”

“You should hear yourself.” He chuckled and threw back his whiskey. “Roisin throws quite the party.”

“That she does.”

“Anna looks incredible. So happy.”

“So relaxed,” I added. “No nightmares, no worries, nothing here.” I took a sip of my drink. “I hope it continues.”

“Same for Una. She isn’t afraid of anything here.”

I chuckled. “Maybe because the two of them have charmed the whole population of the town. No one would get near them without being torn to shreds by the locals.”

Finn laughed in agreement. “Especially the males. Look at Tim Driscoll. Eighty years of age and he’s dancing with our women like someone half his age. If someone came at them, he’d fight like a champ.”

“Maybe we should stay here,” I murmured.

Finn blinked. “Really?”

I shrugged. “If Anna were happier here, I’d move in a heartbeat. Luckily, she doesn’t want to.” I eyed him. “You’d do the same for Una.”

“I would.” He winked. “Lucky for me too, she doesn’t want to stay either. But the break has been good for them.” He paused. “Us too.”

I added more whiskey to our glasses. “Did Mum tell you she got the green light to come back with us? She’ll be there for my wedding. And your party.”

“She did. Una and I are thrilled. I hope we can get her to stay for a while.”

“She’s bringing Connie and Maggie with her,” I informed him, referring to her two best friends.

“Jesus. They almost killed us last time.”

I threw back my head in amusement. “This time, Una and Anna can help. And we can beg Roman to let them stay at his hotel for a few days. Gamble and see the sights. Give us a much-needed break.”

Finn shook his head. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I’ll owe the man so much, I’ll never be able to pay him back.”

Then his face softened as he looked back at the dance floor. “But worth it.” I followed his gaze. Mum was on the dance floor now with the girls, teaching them some Irish steps. All three were laughing with their arms around one another as they tried to follow her footwork.

“That is as grand a sight as I ever saw,” I muttered. “Who knew all it took to make Mum happy was to be happy ourselves?”

Finn threw his arm over my shoulder. “Who knew, indeed. Let’s go show these women how it’s done.”

I side-eyed him. “How drunk are you? You haven’t tried an Irish jig since we were kids.”

“No time like the present.”