More than this

Chapter 2-3

The bubbly blonde giggled as she caressed Ryan’s biceps. For the life of him he couldn’t focus on a damn thing she said. All his concentration was trained on slowing blood flow to his d**k. Kissing Quinn had done more to him than expected. If she had stopped him, he could’ve walked away. If she had given him a prudish, puckered-up kiss, he would’ve taken the hint. He’d just wanted a brief taste, but once he started, he wanted more. When was the last time a kiss stirred him up like that? Ever?

The woman in front of him—Kristi?—continued to chat. He looked at her bright blue eyes and knew he could walk out with her and get laid. No strings. No effort.

But he didn’t want to.

What the hell was wrong with him? He had a good-looking woman in front of him giving him every go-ahead signal possible, and he wasn’t interested. In fact, the thought caused his d**k to wilt a little.

He stared over Kristi’s shoulder to the front door. Had Quinn come back? She wouldn’t leave Kate and Indy. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t go back to their table. What would he say? Quinn had made her position on dating him clear. At least for now.

“Are you listening?” Kristi asked.

Ryan looked down at Kristi’s narrowed eyes. “Sorry. I got distracted by something at the bar.”

“Well, I guess if it’s work and not some other woman distracting you . . .”

His cell phone rang and he reached into his pocket to retrieve it. Moira. Thank God. “Hey, Kristi, I need to take this in my office. I’ll catch you later.”

She looked stunned. “Oh, okay.”

Ryan turned toward his office, unusually grateful for a familial interruption. “Hi, Moira. What do you need?”

“Who says I need anything?”

“Cut the s**t. You only call while I’m at work when you want something.” She figured he’d be distracted and she’d be able to convince him of anything. He’d been aware of her tactics for years.

“Fine. There’s this huge charity fund-raiser thing next month I want to go to.”

“So?”

“I need an invite.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about, so I’m sure I don’t have an invitation.”

“I bet Griffin does.”

“No.” It was one thing for his family to bug him for favors. He had no intention of using his friend.

“Ryan, this is a huge society event. Anyone who’s anyone will be there. Only select reporters have been invited so they can control the kind of coverage they get. This could be my big break. If I can write an exclusive insider’s view, I might be able to get a byline in the Trib or Times. I’m tired of slugging through with this paper.”

“I can’t help you.” He felt bad. Moira worked hard, but there wasn’t much room for advancement at her current job.

“Please. Just ask Griffin. He probably has an invitation he’s not even using. You know how he hates those things.”

Ryan sighed. “You’re sure this isn’t some pay-five-thousand-for-your-dinner kind of fund-raiser?”

“I’m sure.”

Who was he kidding? Even if it were, Ryan would come up with the money to give to Griffin to cover his sister’s entrance. “I’ll ask him, but I’m not promising anything.”

“Thanks. You’re the best.”

By the time he hung up with Moira, his body had returned to normal. He sat at his desk and thought about Quinn. He didn’t look for relationships. His last attempt taught him that until his family could function without constant mediation by him, a relationship couldn’t work. It couldn’t stand the strain and demands of the O’Learys. They had to come first; they only had each other.

Quinn pulled something from him he didn’t even know existed—a desire for something more.

Shuffling papers on the desk, he realized he had nothing he needed to do tonight. He should go back to his other bar, Twilight, and check on things there. He couldn’t make himself do it, though. It would be like admitting he couldn’t face Quinn. Not that he was rushing back to the bar to kiss her again either.

A knock sounded on the door.

His manager, Mary, didn’t enter but stuck her head around the corner, and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a guy here who says he needs to talk to you.”

“Who is it and what does he want?”

“He wouldn’t say, but—”

“Then he can wait. I’ll be out in a little bit.”

“Will do.” She exited, closing the door behind her.

He leaned back in the leather chair and began to consider Quinn.

Another knock. He didn’t need someone bugging him right now. He crossed the room to the door. He swung it open, expecting to see Mary again.

The face staring back at him, though, was nearly identical to his own. Colin.

Ryan stood, dumbfounded, staring into the dark blue eyes of his older brother. They hadn’t seen each other in years. Not since Dad’s funeral. What the hell is he doing here now?

Colin opened his arms wide. “Is that how you welcome family? Come here.” He pulled Ryan into a bear hug.

Ryan eased back and studied Colin. He’d filled out some, but he looked well. “Have you been to see Mom yet?”

Colin shoved his hands into the pockets of his faded jeans. “No, I hoped you could help with that. I don’t think I can face the wrath of Eileen O’Leary without reinforcements.”

“Ah, s**t. That’s a hell of a thing to lay on me. She’ll be ticked at me now, too, since you came here first.” Ryan blew out a breath. Their mother would be hurt he came to Ryan first, but she’d gush all over Colin for days. Part of her blamed Ryan for Colin running out. Somehow she could never see Colin for who he was. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Colin threw an arm over Ryan’s shoulder. “Thanks. I knew I could count on you. Tell me what’s been going on. Any family gossip I need to catch up on before I walk into the house?”

As they headed out to Ryan’s car, Ryan’s brain scanned everything that had happened to their family since Colin disappeared. He knew Colin called their mother, but he had no idea what she’d told Colin and what she hadn’t. He decided to keep it light and let the rest of the family tell him whatever they wanted.