The Mighty Quinns: Rourke. Kate Hoffmann

PEEL potatoes?” Annie glanced over her shoulder at Rourke. He sat at the kitchen table, watching her move about the kitchen as she prepared dinner. “I think I can manage,” he said. “Unless you’re going to make me do it with a knife.”

      “I do have a vegetable peeler.” She reached into a wicker basket on the shelf above the sink and grabbed it, then placed some potatoes in a bowl.

      “I wasn’t sure you had one of these newfangled things,” he said, holding up the peeler.

      “I’m glad you find my life so amusing.”

      Rourke picked up a potato. “Not amusing. Endlessly fascinating.” His gaze met hers and Annie felt a shiver skitter down her spine. The longer they were cooped up in this cottage, the harder it was to deny the attraction between them. It was like waiting for the storm to hit. She wasn’t sure when it was going to happen, but it would happen. And when it did it would be powerful and impossible to ignore.

      “I like being self-sufficient,” she said. “I like not having to depend on anyone.”

      “Someone brings you wood.”

      “I could get my own wood,” she said. “It would just take so much time out of my day that it wouldn’t be worth it. But I could do it.”

      “I’m sure you could,” Rourke said. “I suspect you could do just about anything you set your mind to.”

      She grabbed a small bunch of carrots she’d brought up from the root cellar and sat down, placing them on the table. Cupping her chin in her hand, she observed him as he peeled the potatoes. Annie was used to doing things her own way, so she fought the urge to give him advice.

      “It’s going to be a long night,” she murmured.

      Rourke glanced up. “Are you worried?”

      She shook her head. Storms usually put her on edge, but Annie felt remarkably calm. Rourke was a wonderful distraction. “I like having you here. I’m glad you stayed.”

      “Is that why you kissed me?” he asked.

      Annie wondered when the subject of their kiss would come up. She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m not sure why I did that.”

      “Oh, come on,” Rourke said. “I know enough about you already to know that you never do anything without a reason. So tell me, Annie. Why did you kiss me?”

      He was right. She was the least impulsive person on all of Cape Breton Island. “I wanted to let you know I was...interested. And what about you? Are you interested?”

      “Interested in kissing you again? The answer to that would be yes. I’m very interested.”

      “I think we should try it again,” Annie said.

      “Now? Because, I think now would be as good a time as any.”

      “All right,” she said. They stared at each other across the table. “Are you going to come to me or am I going to come to you?”

      “I think you should come to me,” Rourke suggested.

      Annie wiped her damp hands on a dish towel, then slowly stood. As she circled the table, her heart began to race and she felt as if her knees would buckle. When she stood in front of him, she reached out to smooth her hand through his thick, dark hair. But he caught her fingers and opened her hand, pressing his lips to the center of her palm.

      She watched as he slipped his hands around her waist and gently drew her closer. Nuzzling his face against her belly, Rourke drew a long, deep breath. When he looked up at her again, Annie could see that they weren’t going to stop at just one kiss.

      Furrowing her fingers through his hair, she tipped his face up. Slowly, she sank down until their mouths were nearly touching. His breath was warm on her lips, but she waited, resisting the urge to surrender. But Rourke wasn’t nearly so determined. With a low moan, he yanked her into a kiss, pulling her into his lap at the same time.

      The depth of his passion startled her at first. It felt as if they’d skipped a few steps along the way. But Annie wasn’t going to fight him. This was exactly what she was hoping would happen. They had the whole night ahead of them and this was a promising beginning to it all.

      His kiss was determined, almost desperate, searching for the perfect melding of their mouths. His fingers twisted through the hair at her nape and when he finally drew back, his breath came in short gasps. He moved to kiss her again, but Kit suddenly jumped up from his spot next to the fire and began to bark at the door.

      A few moments later, a knock sounded. Annie glanced down at him. “Are you expecting company?” he asked.

      “I don’t think so,” she said. She ran her fingers through her hair as she walked to the door. When she pulled it open, a gust of wind nearly tore it from her hands. A tall, slender figure stepped inside and when he pushed his hood away from his face, she recognized Sam Decker. He was still dressed in his uniform from his job as a regional police officer and Annie wasn’t sure if the visit was personal or professional.

      Sam quickly took his cap off and smiled at her. “Hey, it’s getting nasty out there.”

      “Hi, Sam,” she murmured.

      He started to shrug out of his jacket before he noticed Rourke sitting across the room. He frowned, then glanced back and forth between the two of them. “Quinn. I heard you were on your way off the island.” He cleared his throat. “What are you doing here?”

      “I just stopped by to check on Annie,” Rourke said. “What about you?”

      “Same. I just wanted to check...to make sure she had enough wood to get her through the storm.”

      “You brought wood just last week,” Annie interrupted.

      “We’re fine here,” Rourke said. “We have everything we need, right, Annie?”

      “I didn’t realize you two were...friends,” Sam said.

      Annie nodded. “We’ve known each other since we were kids,” she said.

      Sam shrugged. “Is your cell phone charged?”

      Annie nodded and took his arm, leading him back to the door. “If I need any help, I’ll be sure to call.”

      Sam nodded reluctantly. “All right, then. I’m on duty tonight and my advice is to stay inside. If there’s trouble, dial 911.”

      She opened the door and let him out, then closed it behind her, leaning against the scarred wood. Rourke slowly stood and crossed the room. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

      “Are you sure you wanted him to leave?” he murmured, leaning close.

      “Yes,” Annie replied, her pulse quickening. She’d done this before, but it had never felt quite so dangerous. There were feelings here, emotions that she couldn’t quite describe. She felt vulnerable and out of control, but Annie couldn’t seem to stop herself from wanting him.

      “When was the last time you kissed him?” Rourke murmured.

      “Who?”

      “Sam Decker.”

      “I’ve never kissed Sam,” she said.

      “He wants to kiss you,” Rourke said. “It’s written all over his face.”

      “He has too many expectations.”

      “Expectations?”

      “He thinks he wants to take care of me. He wants to marry me. But I’m not looking for anything like that.”

      “You just like having sex with strangers?”

      “Not strangers. I prefer...uncomplicated men.”

      “Is that what I am, Annie?”

      “You were on your way home. And I expect you will be