“Not sure that was in the rulebook.”
“Tell me what’s happening here. What does he mean to you?”
“Oh, Finn. It’s complicated, but the short story is, I offered him no-strings-attached sex, but now I think I’ve fallen for him. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“So you really think he could be the one for you?”
“Yes. Yes, I do, but he doesn’t do commitment any more than I do.”
“He looks annoyed, so maybe he likes you more than he thinks.” Finn met her gaze for a moment. “Why not give him a taste of his own medicine? Really make him see what he’s missing out on, if that’s what you reckon he needs.”
“Do you think it would work?”
“No harm in trying, love. It is not like it’ll be hardship having you in my arms. Might make some of the ladies around here take notice too.”
Sassie leaned in to give him a quick peck on the cheek, but he turned his head and their lips met. Finn brought up his hand to hold the back of her head, keeping them locked together. When they parted, Finn’s pupils were large and his face flushed. What an idiot you are, Sassie. Using Finn like this is only going to come back and bite you in the butt.
Chapter 17
Riley stood at the bar, his gaze on the table where his sister-in-law sat with the woman who set off alarm bells in his heart and the Irishman who seemed to be having trouble keeping his hands off her.
Finally, the newcomer stood, a hand-rolled cigarette in his hand, and Riley followed him outside. He found the stranger leaning on an old wooden fence still used to tie up horses. The few smokers in town mainly used it as their rightful area away from other patrons.
“Name’s Finn. You’d be Riley, I’m guessing, Sassie’s friend.” Finn stared from under hooded lashes as he approached.
“That’s right. Who are you and why’re you here?”
“Well now, not that it’s any of your business, you understand, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m a friend of Sassie’s. A very good friend, if you get my drift. We go way back. I came to find her, and it just so happens I picked up a job, which made it all the easier to come here.” He sucked on his cigarette and looked away. A line of smoke blew into the evening air before he glared at Riley again.
The nerve of this prick to come in here and insinuate a romantic link between them!
“I hear that you and her have a relationship of sorts. That will have to stop now that I’m here. Sassie’s my girl, always has been.”
A burning sensation hit Riley in the chest. This guy was laying claim to his Sassie? Not on my watch, pal. I don’t care how slick you are or how well you think you know her, she is mine.
Kissing this guy would be like kissing an ashtray. He could hardly imagine Sassie enjoying that. She always tasted clean and fresh, and the thought of this guy tangling tongues with her made him sick in the stomach.
Finn threw his cigarette butt on the grass, not bothering to stamp it out.
“I guess that’s up to her, not you.” Riley squinted, his hands clenched by his side, ready to knock the guy on the chin with the least provocation.
“Go ask her then. Find out the truth.” Finn laughed, a bitter sound to Riley’s ears. “You’re the one who wanted no-strings sex, from what I understand. You have no claim on my girl, none at all. Sure, she’d be a bit toey not having me around for so long, and I understand she has needs, even if I don’t like it.” He stood tall and met Riley’s gaze, a smirk on his face. “But now I’m back, boyo, and she is mine to keep, so go and find someone else to pass the time with.”
Without giving thought to what he was doing, Riley slammed his fist against Finn’s chin. The crunch of bone under his knuckles was the best thing he’d heard in hours. Before Finn could lift his hands to defend himself, Riley brought up his other fist and boxed him on the ear as he fell to the ground.
“You slime ball. How dare you talk to her as if she’s a floozy to share around, going from one man to the next?” Trembling, he stood over Finn, who was spitting blood into the grass.
“Fecking stupid fool!” The words came out muffled but clear enough for Riley to get the picture. “You can’t even see what’s in front of your face, can you?”
“I can see fine enough, thanks. If she meant anything to you, you never would’ve let her go.”
“My mistake, but the last one I’ll make where she’s concerned, I’ll be telling you.”
The sound of footsteps filtered through his rage. “What the hell’s going on here?” The bar manager stood at the door.
“He hit me for no reason. I want to press charges.” Finn climbed to his feet, holding onto his jaw. Blood was trickling down his chin. “I think he broke my jaw.”
“Finn.” Sassie hurried to his side. “What happened?”
“Your friend here decided to have a go at me, and here I was minding me own business, having a fag. You mix with the wrong kind of people, my girl.”
“Riley, why?” She turned in his direction while trying to hold her friend up. Damned little shit. He leaned on her with a sad expression on his face, no doubt garnering more sympathy from the developing crowd. From the corner of his eye, Riley saw Grady approach.
His brother looked between the two of them, his hands on his hips and disappointment on his face. “Is there something you two want to tell me, or am I running the pair of you in for disorderly conduct in a public place?”
“I was having a quiet smoke and he went nuts. I
