The Mighty Quinns: Ronan by Kate Hoffmann Page B

Trowbridge?”
    “The town busybody,” Charlie said. “Everyone is talking about you. Because you’re a Quinn.”
    “Maybe she was just watching out for you and your family. That’s what’s nice about a small town. Everyone takes care of everyone else.”
    “No,” Charlie said, shaking her head. “Everyone is in everyone else’s business. Do you want to know the truth about Lettie’s motives? And the reason that my mother filled your refrigerator? They want you to stay. They want you to marry me so the curse will be broken. They’re going to do everything they can to make me and Sibleyville look like paradise on earth. My mother even cleaned those oysters for you. She never cleans oysters.”
    The words had just tumbled out. He smoothed his fingers along her jaw line. “I’m thinking you might want a backsie on that whole last rant.”
    Charlie grew silent, her brow furrowed, her lips pursed. “Okay. Pretend you didn’t hear that.”
    Ronan leaned over her, teasing at the crease between her lips with his tongue. “They really want me to marry you?”
    “If a Sibley marries a Quinn, it will break the curse. Lettie wants to retire to Florida. Did I tell you that she’s the town matchmaker? If she can’t make a match between the two of us, she’s going to hook you up with some other girl in town. She has a whole list of Sibley descendants just waiting.”
    Ronan pressed his finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t let it bother you. I’m sure I can fight them off. I’ll just tell them there’s only one Sibley I’m interested in.”
    She sighed softly as she curled into his body. Maybe this was paradise on earth, Ronan thought, drawing her closer.
    If it wasn’t, it sure came close.
    * * *
    C HARLIE OPENED HER eyes. The room was dark and for a moment, she didn’t know where she was. When the body beside her moved, she drew in a sharp breath. But then she remembered she was with Ronan. They’d fallen asleep in his bed.
    What time was it? She glanced over her shoulder and squinted at the bedside table. It was just past two in the morning. They’d been asleep for six hours. Charlie sat up and ran her fingers through her hair. She ought to get up and go home, but she had to be up again in about four hours for work.
    She bent over and touched her lips to his shoulder. He was lying on his stomach, sprawled across the bed, his breathing deep and even. “Ronan. Ronan, wake up.” She gave him a shake and he groaned.
    Ronan rolled to his side, then sat up. “We fell asleep. What time is it?”
    “Past two. I have to go.”
    He reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder, his fingers tangling in her hair. “No,” he said.
    Charlie leaned into him and dropped a kiss on his lips. But he pulled her close again and drew her into a deeper, more desperate kiss. A groan slipped from her throat and she felt her resolve waver.
    She’d lost her ability to resist. She’d known this man for two days and she was already in full surrender mode. Even though her instincts told her to be careful, the feelings racing through her body told her otherwise.
    They’d found each other in this crazy, loveless town and he was sweet and sexy and everything she might want in a lover. She didn’t care that he’d be gone in six weeks. She didn’t care that they barely knew each other. Who knew when she’d have another chance like this? She’d been living in Sibleyville for almost a year and handsome, eligible men had been nonexistent.
    Charlie reached for the hem of her camisole and pulled it up, breaking their kiss only to draw it over her head. She’d made her intentions clear, but it was up to Ronan to make the next move. He grabbed her hand and helped her off the bed and when they stood beside it, he cupped her face in his hands and pressed his forehead to hers.
    “I can wait,” he murmured. “This doesn’t have to happen tonight.”
    “No,” Charlie said, her voice wavering. “I can’t wait.” She unzipped her