Page 27 of Rory: His to Discipline

“A fair amount I would say. Don’t worry about it. Molly knew what she was doing.”

“I cannot help but feel responsible. If it were not for me …” she trailed off, looking at the rafters as if she could see what was going on up there.

“Tess, babe, stop it,” Rory scolded. “It’s all over and done with now and you know how much Patrick loves Molly. It will be fine. Why don’t you go check on that table in the corner and see if they need another drink?” Rory suggested as he moved down the bar to take care of a couple of customers.

For the next hour or so Tess served drinks and a few specials while Rory tended and stocked the bar. Patrick and Molly came back downstairs holding hands.

“Sorry we took so long,” Patrick told them gruffly, taking Rory’s place behind the bar. Molly avoided looking at them, her hair covering the side of her face.

Tess was twisting her hands. “I am so sorry I put you in an uncomfortable position, Molly,” she offered. “I hope you did not have a hard time dealing with .…”

Molly swung her hair back and grinned. Winking at Rory, who had actually begun to feel somewhat sorry for her, she wrapped her arm around her husband, pulled him close and gently bit his ear.

“No, not too hard of a time,” Molly purred as Patrick’s face became almost as red as his hair.

Rory snorted and took Tess’s hand. “No, I can see that. Patrick, you are such a wuss,” he laughed. “Come on, babe, let’s go home.” Rory picked up Tess’s bag and slung it over his shoulder.

“You worry about your woman and let me worry about mine,” Patrick shot back. “At least I can find mine.”

“True,” Rory admitted, shooting a look at Tess as he steered her towards the door. “Night you guys.”

“Goodnight.”

Chapter Ten

Tess sighed as she sank into the passenger seat and closed her eyes. “Tired?” Rory asked, reaching over and squeezing her hand.

“Yes. Last night was very long and I did not sleep well. Someone was following me,” she told him with a glare, “and I was scared.”

“Good.”

“No, it was not good, Rory,” she told him pulling her hand away and slapping his arm. “You frightened me.”

“You’re lucky that’s all I did. Do you think I liked having one of my men tail you, having him know I can’t keep track of my own woman?”

“Am I your woman, Rory?” Tess whispered.

“Abso-fuckin’-lutely, and after tonight there won’t be any question,” Rory growled, his foot pushing a little harder on the gas.

“Why after tonight? I thought you were taking me home?”

“I am taking you home, to my home.”

Tess bolted up, her seatbelt the only thing holding her in the seat. “I thought you were taking me to your madre’s,” Tess asked anxiously.

“No, we’re going home. I thought this was settled. This morning you agreed to give us a chance, and I’m taking you at your word.”

“But Rory … I’m not sure this is .…”

“I am. Look, babe, there is something between us, something powerful. I refuse to let you hide from it any longer. I need you, honey, and I know you need me too. I want to touch you, love you in ways too intimate to describe right now, without pulling this damn car over,” he told her roughly, his hands gripping the steering wheel. “Please don’t fight me on this, you won’t win and it will only make you more anxious than you already are.”

Slumping against her seat in defeat, Tess kept quiet. The darkness was a blessing. It hid her shaking hands and red face. He was right about one thing, she did need him. His strength was like a magnet, drawing her in. For him it was about sex, at least it seemed to be. For her it was something else entirely. Although she was disappointed they were not returning to his family home, in reality, it did not matter. Home for her was wherever Rory was.

The sheer size of him comforted her. Instead of being intimidated by it, she adored it. He could consume her and it would not matter. Shy by nature, if it had been up to her to make the decision, it might be weeks, or months before she would come to him. Rory was everything she was not. Incredibly strong, brave, and resourceful, he made things happen. He took from life exactly what he wanted, and it seemed tonight, he wanted her. He acted like he would want her forever, but Tess had heard that before. It was what men said to gain your trust, break down your defenses and acquire your body.

Most of her life Tess had been like a leaf on the wind, praying for a soft landing that never came. She made the best of her circumstances over and over again, thankful for what little she had. A roof over her head, food to eat, a job and family, were all things she had lost and struggled to find again. Living with the O’Malleys made her crave more, much more.

There was a bond, a permanence in their family that fascinated her. People were not disposable to the O’Malley’s. If you carved out a place for yourself, in their lives, in their hearts, there was a better than good chance it would always be there. She hoped her place would still be there when Rory tired of her. And he would, she was pretty sure of that. Everyone did eventually, even her sister.