Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
More Than This (20 page)
Quinn shifted next to him and stretched. He must’ve dozed off. Shadows bathed the
room, though not yet night. She rolled away from him onto her back, gripping the sheet
at her chest, and sighed.
room, though not yet night. She rolled away from him onto her back, gripping the sheet
at her chest, and sighed.
It didn’t sound like a contented, happy sigh either. “What?” he asked, propping on
an elbow.
an elbow.
Her arm lay across her face, concealing her eyes. “It was real. I didn’t dream it.”
Ryan ran a hand over her stomach and inched her closer. “So you dream about me. This
was completely real.” He paused and pushed her arm away. “Regretting it?”
was completely real.” He paused and pushed her arm away. “Regretting it?”
“I don’t know. I told you I’m not good at the friends with benefits thing.”
“Trust me. You’re plenty good.”
She sat up, still clutching the sheet. “I’m going to get water. Want some?”
“Sure.” He slid toward the headboard and propped pillows behind him. He watched as
she cautiously slid off the bed and grabbed a T-shirt to wear.
she cautiously slid off the bed and grabbed a T-shirt to wear.
What was he doing? Did he think he’d convince her to abandon her mission to get pregnant
so she could start a relationship with him? Griff would smack him if he heard what
was going on in Ryan’s head.
so she could start a relationship with him? Griff would smack him if he heard what
was going on in Ryan’s head.
Quinn returned, holding two bottles of water. Her short hair was mussed and her skin
glowed. Regardless of her mental turmoil, physically, she looked happy.
glowed. Regardless of her mental turmoil, physically, she looked happy.
He cracked open the bottle she offered and let the icy liquid run down his throat.
“So what’s your plan?”
“So what’s your plan?”
“For what?” she asked, covering herself with the sheet.
He lay uncovered and relaxed. “For the photographer.”
Her face darkened with sadness. Shit. She lifted one shoulder in response and gulped
some water.
some water.
Ryan leaned closer and kissed her shoulder. “Want me to beat him up? Then we can destroy
the pictures.”
the pictures.”
She chuckled. “He didn’t do anything wrong. The pictures aren’t real. It’s all digital.”
“What do you mean?” Suspicion crept into his mind.
“He didn’t print the pictures. I viewed them on his computer.”
She didn’t see it. Not even the possibility yet. But some guy had naked pictures of
her on his computer. He could do whatever he wanted with them. It would destroy her
completely.
her on his computer. He could do whatever he wanted with them. It would destroy her
completely.
Quinn looked fully in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
He forced a smile. “Nothing. I’m starving. I was preoccupied at lunchtime. Let’s order
food. Chinese work for you?”
food. Chinese work for you?”
“Sure.”
“You have a phonebook?”
“In the drawer to the right of the fridge I have menus for different places.”
“What do you want?” he asked, getting off the bed.
“Whatever you order is fine. I’m going to take a shower. Make yourself at home.”
Ryan didn’t bother with clothes and walked downstairs to the kitchen. She didn’t move
from the bed until he left the room. Her reservation and modesty must have returned.
from the bed until he left the room. Her reservation and modesty must have returned.
He pulled a menu from the drawer and used her phone to place an order. When he returned
the flyer, his eyes landed on her list. Number eight—“Have a night of mind-blowing
sex with multiple orgasms.”— had the precise X over the number and a smiley face after
it. He’d earned the descriptor of mind-blowing and a smiley face and he hadn’t even
been trying.
the flyer, his eyes landed on her list. Number eight—“Have a night of mind-blowing
sex with multiple orgasms.”— had the precise X over the number and a smiley face after
it. He’d earned the descriptor of mind-blowing and a smiley face and he hadn’t even
been trying.
Quinn started the water, allowing it to warm up. What was she thinking? She looked
at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. She couldn’t deny the sex had been
fabulous. Her skin tingled at remembering Ryan’s touch.
at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. She couldn’t deny the sex had been
fabulous. Her skin tingled at remembering Ryan’s touch.
This was wrong. He didn’t fit her plan. He couldn’t be her summer romance, and he
certainly didn’t want to get her pregnant. They’d had great sex.
certainly didn’t want to get her pregnant. They’d had great sex.
And he’s still here
.
.
That was the crux of her problem. She didn’t know what to do with the friend who continued
to be a friend after sex. There had been guys who were so-so in bed and she couldn’t
wait for them to leave so she could curl up with a good book. Then there was Nick,
who had skills, but would practically hit the door running as soon as they were finished.
to be a friend after sex. There had been guys who were so-so in bed and she couldn’t
wait for them to leave so she could curl up with a good book. Then there was Nick,
who had skills, but would practically hit the door running as soon as they were finished.
Ryan had offered to order food. He planned to stay. To hang out like they usually
did.
did.
She stepped under the hot spray and closed her eyes. The warmth spread over her and
she realized she was creating problems for herself. What was she worried about? Ryan
only wanted this: friendship and great sex. He knew exactly what her plans were.
she realized she was creating problems for herself. What was she worried about? Ryan
only wanted this: friendship and great sex. He knew exactly what her plans were.
Then a new thought entered her head. What if she asked Ryan to be her sperm donor?
Sure, he wasn’t ready to be a dad, but he was the perfect candidate. He was a good
man. That’s exactly what she wanted for her baby. It didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous
too. If they were friends, he could see the kid, but he wouldn’t have to be a dad.
Since she wouldn’t be getting pregnant in the conventional way, he wouldn’t feel like
a dad.
Sure, he wasn’t ready to be a dad, but he was the perfect candidate. He was a good
man. That’s exactly what she wanted for her baby. It didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous
too. If they were friends, he could see the kid, but he wouldn’t have to be a dad.
Since she wouldn’t be getting pregnant in the conventional way, he wouldn’t feel like
a dad.
But what if he didn’t want any part of it? She might lose him as a friend.
She considered how to broach the subject.
When Quinn came down the stairs, Ryan had already opened the white containers of Chinese
food and arranged them on the coffee table in front of the couch. The tantalizing
smell of sweet-and-sour something reached her nose. She closed her eyes and inhaled,
the scent making her mouth water. Ryan had even gotten plates and silverware. She
had him pegged for an eat-out-of-the-carton man.
food and arranged them on the coffee table in front of the couch. The tantalizing
smell of sweet-and-sour something reached her nose. She closed her eyes and inhaled,
the scent making her mouth water. Ryan had even gotten plates and silverware. She
had him pegged for an eat-out-of-the-carton man.
He came from the kitchen carrying two cans of pop. He wore only his jeans, and they
hung low on his hips. Delicious. His hair was unruly and she imagined that was as
styled as it got any day. She felt frumpy in her T-shirt and shorts.
hung low on his hips. Delicious. His hair was unruly and she imagined that was as
styled as it got any day. She felt frumpy in her T-shirt and shorts.
She sat on the couch and picked up a plate. Her stomach growled so loud Ryan looked
up. She felt her cheeks blush.
up. She felt her cheeks blush.
“I’m not the only one starving.” His easy smile relaxed her.
They loaded their plates with generous helpings of sweet-and-sour pork and Moo Goo
Gai Pan, and settled in on the couch. Quinn pulled her feet up and crossed them, balancing
her plate on her knee. Ryan held his plate at his chest and extended his legs to rest
on the table.
Gai Pan, and settled in on the couch. Quinn pulled her feet up and crossed them, balancing
her plate on her knee. Ryan held his plate at his chest and extended his legs to rest
on the table.
“Where does your name come from? Is it a family name or something?”
Quinn groaned with a mouthful of rice. After she swallowed, she answered, “It’s kind
of a long story. I don’t particularly like to tell it. It’s not cute or amusing. It’s
not even interesting.”
of a long story. I don’t particularly like to tell it. It’s not cute or amusing. It’s
not even interesting.”
“Now you have to tell me. You and your sister have unusual names. I don’t even know
what Indy is short for.” He paused to take a drink. “I assume she’s not named after
Indiana Jones.”
what Indy is short for.” He paused to take a drink. “I assume she’s not named after
Indiana Jones.”
“No, though she might prefer it.” Quinn ate another big bite of chicken before beginning
her explanation. She washed it down with a swig of Diet Coke.
her explanation. She washed it down with a swig of Diet Coke.
She blew out a slow breath, tired of the story. “First, you need to understand our
father is very, uh, patriotic. He planned on having two sons. He really counted on
it. The first would be named John, the second Quincy.” She paused, waiting for it
to sink in.
father is very, uh, patriotic. He planned on having two sons. He really counted on
it. The first would be named John, the second Quincy.” She paused, waiting for it
to sink in.
Ryan eyed her and the smile broke across his face. “John and Quincy Adams. You said
it wasn’t funny. That’s pretty funny.”
it wasn’t funny. That’s pretty funny.”
She resisted sticking her tongue out at him. “When Indy was born, he realized he couldn’t
name her John. So he named her Independence.”
name her John. So he named her Independence.”
Ryan’s mouth dropped open. “Where was your mother in this?”
“Stopping him from naming her Freedom. Mom figured Independence would give her more
choices for nicknames.”
choices for nicknames.”
He nodded understanding. “Your name isn’t Quincy, is it?”
She chuckled. “No, I was his next disappointment. Had I been a boy, I would’ve been
John Quincy. Instead, he shortened it to Quinn. Even with the occasional gender mix-up,
I think I got the better name.” She picked up her plate and continued eating.
John Quincy. Instead, he shortened it to Quinn. Even with the occasional gender mix-up,
I think I got the better name.” She picked up her plate and continued eating.
“Kind of crappy to know you were a disappointment just by being born.”
She shook her head. “It wasn’t like that. I mean, my dad loves us. He always wanted
a son.” She lifted a shoulder. “Don’t all men?”
a son.” She lifted a shoulder. “Don’t all men?”
Ryan slid his back against the arm of the couch to face her. His long legs extended
under her crossed legs and touched the other end. “I guess so. Every guy has an image
of fishing or playing catch or wrestling in the yard with his son.”
under her crossed legs and touched the other end. “I guess so. Every guy has an image
of fishing or playing catch or wrestling in the yard with his son.”
Quinn had a quick mental flash of shirtless Ryan tussling on the living room floor
with a young boy. He would be a fun dad. “Your turn.”
with a young boy. He would be a fun dad. “Your turn.”
“For what?”
“Tell me about your siblings. You have a boatload, but you haven’t told me much.”
“You thought your story was long? It was nothing.” He put his empty plate on the table.
“Colin is the oldest. We’re Irish twins.”
“Colin is the oldest. We’re Irish twins.”
“Huh?”
“We’re only a year apart. Basically, Mom got pregnant with me right after having Colin.
Because we’re so close in age, people would see us together and think we were twins.”
Because we’re so close in age, people would see us together and think we were twins.”
“Oh.” There was another one of him?
“Colin dropped out of the picture for the last few years, but he just blew back in.
You’ll see him around. He’s working at the bar.”
You’ll see him around. He’s working at the bar.”
“Which one?”
“Both. Wherever I schedule him. Michael is next in line behind me. He’s the fireman.
You’ve seen him at O’Leary’s. Liam comes next. He’s a chef at Porter’s downtown. He’s
making a name for himself and wants to open his own restaurant.”
You’ve seen him at O’Leary’s. Liam comes next. He’s a chef at Porter’s downtown. He’s
making a name for himself and wants to open his own restaurant.”
“Are all of you single? You haven’t mentioned any wives or kids.”
He smiled crookedly. “Much to my mother’s dismay, we’re all single. Michael has been
with the same girl for three years now. I think they might be the first.”
with the same girl for three years now. I think they might be the first.”
“Four boys in a row. You’re all close in age?”
Ryan nodded. “The biggest span is four years between Michael and Liam.”
“I can’t believe your parents kept going. Your house must’ve been insane. Did your
mom want a girl?”
mom want a girl?”
“Actually, it was Dad who wanted a girl. But we’re also Irish Catholic. No birth control.
Moira came after Liam. She’s a reporter for the
Herald
in the ’burbs. Maggie is the baby. She’s still in school working on some creative
writing degree. No one knows what she’ll do with it.”
Moira came after Liam. She’s a reporter for the
Herald
in the ’burbs. Maggie is the baby. She’s still in school working on some creative
writing degree. No one knows what she’ll do with it.”
“Quite a household. Are you all close?”
“Pretty much. We don’t talk all the time. We have our own lives, but we get together
for Sunday dinner with Mom after church at least once a month. They all pitch in if
I need extra help at the bar. Everyone works Saint Patty’s Day. It’s tradition.”
for Sunday dinner with Mom after church at least once a month. They all pitch in if
I need extra help at the bar. Everyone works Saint Patty’s Day. It’s tradition.”
“I think I’m jealous. It must be cool to have a big family.”
“It has its moments, but there are pitfalls too.”
“Like what? I can see the fighting and stuff as kids, but as adults, it must be like
having your own crew of friends.”
having your own crew of friends.”
“Sometimes.”
He got quiet and Quinn knew something was bothering him about his family. “Why did
your brother drop out of the picture?”
your brother drop out of the picture?”
His eyes darkened a fraction and she knew she hit the right nerve. “When my father
died, he left O’Leary’s to me. Well, my mom is still part owner, but it’s mine.”
died, he left O’Leary’s to me. Well, my mom is still part owner, but it’s mine.”
“Colin wanted it?”
“It should’ve been his. He’s oldest and Dad counted on him to take over. But Colin’s
a fuck-up. Always has been. Lucky for us, my dad saw it before he died, or O’Leary’s
would be history.”
a fuck-up. Always has been. Lucky for us, my dad saw it before he died, or O’Leary’s
would be history.”
She stood and began closing containers. Ryan followed her lead and took their plates
to the kitchen. “Are you mad he’s back? Didn’t you miss him?”
to the kitchen. “Are you mad he’s back? Didn’t you miss him?”
“I missed my brother, not the trouble he brings.”
There was more to it than some trouble. A deep, simmering anger rose beneath the surface,
but he tried to conceal it. The sun had begun its descent, so Quinn turned on the
light over the counter. Ryan eyed the clock on the microwave.
but he tried to conceal it. The sun had begun its descent, so Quinn turned on the
light over the counter. Ryan eyed the clock on the microwave.
“Need to go?” she asked.
He leaned against the counter. “Not yet. But Mary has a lot to set up for tomorrow.
I didn’t plan on being gone this long.”
I didn’t plan on being gone this long.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean you didn’t plan on coming over here to seduce me and screw
my brains out?”
my brains out?”
“It wasn’t on my agenda for today. I thought maybe we’d have lunch.”
She leaned into the refrigerator and placed cartons on the shelf. “We certainly had
more than that.”
more than that.”
When she stood and closed the door, Ryan pressed against her and kissed her full on
the mouth. He pulled away and they were both slightly breathless. Quinn knew it was
now or never. She wouldn’t find the guts again to ask him. “I have a serious proposition
for you.”
the mouth. He pulled away and they were both slightly breathless. Quinn knew it was
now or never. She wouldn’t find the guts again to ask him. “I have a serious proposition
for you.”
His hands roamed her body. She knew she didn’t have his attention, so she grasped
the sides of his face and brought it close to hers. “Will you consider being my sperm
donor?”
the sides of his face and brought it close to hers. “Will you consider being my sperm
donor?”
In an instant, his face went from aroused to confused. “Huh?”
“I’ve told you that I plan to get pregnant in the fall. I’ve looked at a bunch of
options. It’s important for me to know the sperm donor is a good person. Like you
said, anyone can lie on a piece of paper.”
options. It’s important for me to know the sperm donor is a good person. Like you
said, anyone can lie on a piece of paper.”
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