Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
R onan the Cook
Dean
“What are you doing here?”
I step back to allow Ronan to enter the cabin. I’ve been working on some ideas. This place has my creative juices flowing.
I haven’t decided on my next move, but I need to get these thoughts out. If I don’t, I think I’ll bubble over with it all. Since they have a nanny on set, Kaye hasn’t needed my help as much with Dae-Dae.
I think both the kid and I are good with that. He has his little friends, and I have some time to figure my shit out without a four-year-old asking me twenty-one questions.
“I haven’t seen ya in a while. I thought I’d come by and check on ya.”
I turn to go to the table where I left my laptop open. I close the top before he can get a look at what I’m working on. I’ve become so much more guarded over my work.
“Shouldn’t you be researching?”
He walks up behind me and moves my locs from my neck. In the next move, he has me caged in by his strong arms as he buries his face in my neck. There goes that damn pulse.
“I’ve been doing my research. I thought maybe ya had time to change your mind. Put us both out of our misery. What’s yer name, love?”
“I didn’t take you for the type to give up. Or have you forgotten? If I tell you my name, you only get one night. Do you think that’s going to be enough for you?”
“Aye, I remember. I also remembered meself. I won’t need to find out yer name on my own to get ya back in me bed,” he says against my skin, then ghosts his face from my shoulder to my ear.
He inhales deeply. “I’ll have yer nex singing my name and yer kitty purring like an engine every time I walk in a room. My name will be tatted on yer skin after one fuck.
“You will tell me who ya are just to get back in me bed. That I am sure of, I am. I don’t have to play yer game for ya to be mine,” he says in my ear.
I fucking convulse in his arms. I’m playing with fire and know I am. Ronan is giving the novels I write and read a run for their money.
“I … I. Um … I need to get back to work. Did you need something?”
“Nope. I have some time on my hands. I could make ya dinner while ya work. Are ya writing about me?”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “No.”
He takes a step back and I’m more than grateful. I almost melt into my seat as I slide into it.
We have hung out a few times since that night he took me to dinner and we made that agreement. I almost spilled my guts the last time. I had talked to my mom that morning and was feeling vulnerable.
However, I didn’t because to tell one of my secrets is to unravel them all. I lose people when they find out the things I’m hiding. I don’t want to lose Kaye and Ronan has been carving this little space I want to keep him in.
I shake my thoughts off and try to focus. This man fries my brain cells by breathing. I’ve never been so attracted to anyone, not since Geno.
“You cook?” I ask when I can finally think straight.
“Aye, me ma give me more than good looks. I’m single, love. I have to know how to take care of myself. I’m too oul to starve because I’m an eejit in the kitchen.”
Indeed, his mother gave him plenty of good looks. From the red hair to the eyes, his sensual lips and his insane body. As he turns to wash his hands, I can’t help looking down at his tight ass.
Phew. Everything about this man says open up and come . I’m ready to lay my shit bare just looking at him.
I watch him roll up his sleeves before washing his hands. The way his biceps stretch the fabric of his shirt has my mouth watering. As if knowing I’m ogling him, he turns to look over his shoulder, busting me mid-drool.
“See something ya like?”
“What are you planning on making?”
He rolls his gaze over me and chuckles. The sound brushes my skin like a hand. I take a quick glance at the clock. Kaye and Dae-Dae need to get here soon.
“Fair play, love. Yer a master at changing the subject. If Connie did her oul uncle a favor like she promised, there should be everything I need to make a stew for ya.”
My cheeks heat. Connie did drop off some groceries yesterday. I hadn’t thought it was odd, she or one of the nephews stops by at least once a week to make sure the place is fully stocked. Felix doesn’t play about his woman and her child.
“You planned this?”
“I plan to make ya mine. Do ya think that starts when I learn yer name? I don’t know what kind of fellas yer used to, but I’m a big lad about mine.
“When ya get me, ya get the whole shebang, so it is. Get used to it. I will have yer true identity before ya return to the States.”
“You know I’ll only be here for a year. You’ve already lost about a month and a half.”
He fully turns to me and shrugs his shoulders. Six o’ one, half a dozen of the other.”
“Huh? What does that one mean?”
“It’s the same thing either way. No matter when I figure it out, yer mine. Time means nothing to me. I know what I want.”
“How old are you, Ronan?”
“Forty-three. I’ll be forty-four soon.”
“You’re motherfucking lying,” I gasp.
I swallow hard as I look him over. He doesn’t look anywhere near forty-three. Mid-to-late thirties, maybe, but forty-three. Damn.
“Ach, I hope your mouth is that filthy in me bed. Aye, I’m forty-three. Leave it to me sister, she fibs to everyone and tells them I’m five years younger than I am.”
“Why does she do that?”
“Cass is five years older than me. If she says I’m five years younger than I am she can cheat five years from her age. She’s been doing it for years. Has everyone including family confused as shit about how old I am.”
I burst out laughing. I’ve met Cassie Black. I could totally see her doing something like that. I love that woman.
“Your sister is a trip.”
“Aye, yer bang on, that she is. The funniest part about it is that when I was younger, she used to fib and tell people I was older so she could take me to parties as her muscle.”
I give him side-eye. “Now that I have a hard time believing. Cass gives me thug vibes. She can handle her own.”
“Aye, she can, but me da would kick our arses if he ever found out she had to defend herself. I was her equalizer, I was.”
“I love how close your family is.”
“Are ya not close with yer family?”
I narrow my eyes at him, not sure if I want to answer this one. My family life is complicated. We’re nothing like his family.
I shake my head. “I’m really close with my mom. She’s everything to me.”
“Ya have siblings?”
“If that’s what you want to call the bitch,” I bite out.
“Ach, so ya have a sister.”
“I share a mother with a heifer I no longer wish to speak about. At this point, I’m closer to your family than mine.”
Anika is better off with me here in Ireland. She can remain breathing as long as I’m here. I don’t want to think about her because I might let my crazy take over and change my mind to hunt her ass down.
“We’ll take ya. Ya’d fit right in. Me brothers already love ya. If yer here with Kaye, Cass must like ya as well. We’ll take good care of ya.”
“You say that like I’ll be a permanent fixture. I think you better get to cooking before you say something you regret, love,” I tease.
“I never regret a word I say. I told ya I plan to find out who ya are and when I do, yer mine for keeps.”
It’s the confidence he says the words with that makes me squirm in my seat. Forty-three? This man is damn near fifty and putting all the guys I’ve dated in the last fifteen years to shame.
Shit, I might give his old ass a heart attack. Good thing he’s not going to find out who I am. I snicker at my crazy thoughts and get back to work.
* * *
Ronan
“I still can’t get over the fact that you’re twelve years older than me. I want to see your ID,” Dean says as we finish dinner.
Kaye and Dae-Dae are having dinner with Ma and Da at the house. I worked a little magic to make sure they went over there after Kaye finished her day on set. I wanted this time with Dean.
She’s been on my mind a lot lately. I haven’t found out a thing about her real identity yet. Which has made me curious.
It should have taken me a day, max. I haven’t given up, but my curiosity is piqued. It’s not often I can’t find a trace of someone.
As an author, what does she have to hide? I get wanting privacy from fans, but this is something else. I don’t believe she means Felix or Kaye any harm, but she shouldn’t be around if we know nothing about her.
Asking Felix for help to track down what I need will be my last resort. I came here hoping to get her langered to loosen her tongue. From her flushed cheeks and glassy eyes, I might have her where I want her.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” I say with a grin.
“You’re trying to pull a fast one. I already offered to show you my ID.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re a smart man. You have to know I have credentials for Dean Foxx. I’m her more than I’m … well, you figure that out.”
I sit back and roar with laughter. I had considered this after I found plenty of information on Dean Foxx. Nothing helpful, but enough to cause me to believe that’s her real name.
“Dinner was delicious. Thank you.”
“Yer very welcome.”
“Where’d you learn to cook like that?”
I open my mouth and quickly close it. I’m not ready to share about my past. I keep a tight lid on my thoughts of Sasha.
That’s not a place I’m able to go. I’ve closed the door so tight on my past, it’s probably sealed shut with rust. I don’t want to relive that pain.
Sasha was the one I learned to make that stew from. She taught Cass how to cook the things Joe liked and I watched. I had been there to flirt with the gorgeous vixen, but I picked up a thing or two.
“Tell me about what ya were working on. Those looked like computer designs. Not words in a novel.”
“Noted, cooking isn’t something you want to share about. You know, we’re doomed to fail. I’m not going to tell you anything about me and you seem to have as many secrets as I do.”
“I knew a guy once who refused to talk about his past, but we became good friends nonetheless.”
She gives me a warm smile. “I had an uncle like that. He said you should always deal with the present. Tomorrow isn’t promised and there’s nothing you can do with yesterday.”
“Aye, that’s the way he used to put it. If we live by his rules, you and I will be just fine.”
“There you go hiding your accent.”
“Why are you frowning? Is my American accent trash?”
“I don’t think anything you say could be trash, but I do like your accent better.”
I stand from my seat and round the table to stand beside her. She looks up at me as she bites her lip. I reach to run my finger along her hairline.
Reaching for her hand, I then link our fingers together and pull her up from her seat. I place her hand against my chest and wrap my arms around her, holding her close.
“What else do you like, love?”
“I … I …”
I dip my head to take her lips. I’m a hairbreadth away from pressing my lips to hers when the front door opens and Kaye and Dae-Dae walk in. I must have lost track of time.
“Uncle Ronan,” Dae-Dae sings.
“Aye, my little buddy. Bout ye?”
“Grand,” he says with a broad smile.
“That’s me, boy,” I croon and hold up a hand for him to give me five.
He rushes over and slaps his hand to mine, then looks between me and Dean with a beaming smile. Cute kid.
“Come on, I’ll get you in the tub and ready for bed,” Dean says.
“Aw, I wanted to play with Uncle Ro.” He pouts.
“Next time, lad. We’ll make a day of it.”
“Oh, okay,” he says and begins to mope after Dean, who has rushed off.
“Good to see you, Uncle Ronan,” Kaye says with a smile in her voice.
I turn to narrow my eyes at the lass. She’s a pretty one. I can see why Felix has a glad eye for her.
“Aye, it’s good to see ya too. There are some leftovers for ya and the wee lad.”
“Thanks. It smells good in here.”
“Yer welcome. Have a good night.”