Jenny talked easily about her life and learned in return that his father was a doctor and had hoped his elder son would follow him into the profession. But Roan wasn’t keen and instead, his younger brother hadtaken up the mantle and was studying medicine at Trinity College. While his mother stayed home and made her own career out of looking after the three men in her life.
“She wants me to move home,” he confided, “so that she can keep a closer eye on me, probably get me married off even.”
Jenny laughed. “Part of the reason I went to Oz was because my mother was so set against it. Sometimes we argue so much I can’t believe that we’re actually from the same gene pool. My dad though, he’s a different story.” She smiled fondly at the thought of Jim. “He’d let me get away with murder – even help me commit it. And speaking of which,” she added, glancing at the dessert menu. “I’d do time for a slice of that tiramisu.”
Roan duly signalled to the waiter and she exhaled, relieved that he was the kind of guy who didn’t begrudge every morsel she put into her mouth. Paul, her ex, used to make her feel like The Cookie Monster every time they went out.
“Split this one?” he suggested easily when the bill arrived. “After all, you ate nearly twice as much as I did.”
Jenny didn’t quite know how to take this. Wasn’t he the one supposed to be takingherout? Then again hadn’t he been chivalrous enough already? And had surely spent a fortune on those roses…
“Of course,” she said, taking out her purse.
In the taxi, she smiled when his hand rested on her thigh.
“Fancy heading back to mine?” Roan mumbled, hisbreath warm as he nuzzled her neck, making her body tingle from the tips of her toes upwards to the top of her head.
They reached his place and Jenny practically threw the fare at the driver; she was so eager to be alone with him.
But was somewhat taken aback when she saw inside his home. Dirty dishes piled high, coffee mugs and empty food cartons strewn all over would put a teenager’s bedroom to shame.
“Sorry about the mess,” he grimaced. “It’s not normally like this, but one of my flatmates has his brother staying at the moment. He sleeps on the couch and there’s not much room for his gear. We usually take it in turns to clean up but …”
Then Roan flashed that devastating, deep-dimpled smile and took Jenny in his arms, pulling her close and kissing her – gently at first, but becoming more and more intense as his passion deepened. Her breath caught in her throat as he began planting tiny kisses on her neck, right on the sensitive spot just below her ear.
And everything else faded into insignificance.
7
The following weekend, Jenny struggled to figure out the dynamic between the rag-tag group of Karen’s friends gathered in the local pub.
She’d immediately warmed to former roommates Gerry and Tessa and had previously met Karen’s boyfriend Shane, who was tonight accompanied by his mate Aidan, and a sour-faced girl introduced as his sister.
“Lydia and Shane had a bit of a fling once,” Tessa confided with a mischievous whisper, which immediately explained Karen’s glower when the latest arrivals appeared.
Jenny gulped. It wasnevera good idea to make an enemy out of Karen. She smiled then as Roan returned with a fresh round of drinks, took the vacant stool beside her and rested a proprietary hand on her knee.
“Roan?” Lydia gasped in surprise. “What areyoudoing here?”
He looked up sharply, and Jenny thought she saw a faint blush appear on his face as he spied the newcomer.
“Where’s Siobhan?” the other girl asked, looking over his shoulder. “You two set a date yet?”
Jenny felt her heart thump loudly in her chest.Set a date?
“Um, we’re not together any more,” he muttered uncomfortably.
Lydia’s eyes widened with disbelief. “What? The last time I met you guys you’d just proposed.”
“Ah, that’s it,” her brother declared. “IknewI had seen you someplace before.” Aidan looked at his sibling for assistance but then remembered. “Your ex, Mark – that was it. He was the bloke going out with his sister?”
Jenny tried her best to look nonchalant, but her insides were churning.
“We broke up shortly after that,” Roan said quietly. “We’re still friends though, no hard feelings.”
“After eight years together?” Lydia was incredulous.
“Yep.” Roan drained his pint in a single mouthful and stood up. “Anyone for another?” He was obviously keen to change the subject.
