The Mystery of the Claddagh Rings Read Free Page B

his father’s death, and it was a lousy environment for a kid growing up.
    While he might empathize with Fin, he wasn’t above seducing her to get what he wanted. Hell, he’d almost convinced himself it would be better for her in the long run. The fact she was his type of woman had nothing to do with it. The end justified the means in this case, even if Thomas wouldn’t approve. But Fin’s father wasn’t here to object, and Ryan would do whatever must be done to clear his father’s name and end the nightmare for everyone.
    He came up behind Fin, placing a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned. Ryan raised his hands in the air. “Easy. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    “Keep your mitts to yourself.” Her blue eyes turned icy, very much like Thomas’s. Chin tilted in the air, she warned him to back off with a glare. “Just because you work here doesn’t mean we’re on friendly terms.”
    “I guess we got off on the wrong foot.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, toed the path with a boot, and tried out a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry I mistook you for a stalker earlier.”
    “No, you’re not. As a matter of fact, I think you enjoyed it.” Fin stared at him, her gaze narrowing. “Maybe you’re the stalker. I wouldn’t be surprised if you pawed through my underwear when you brought my suitcase to the guesthouse.”
    “You’re cutting deep there, sunshine.” Okay, so maybe he had, although he would never admit to it. Fumbling through sexy lingerie and enjoying the hell out of it didn’t make a man feel proud. But it gave him a better understanding of Fin, even if he hadn’t found the rings. Why would someone so tomboyish wear lace and silk under ripped jeans and flannel shirts? And what was with the bubble bath, perfumed lotions, and scented candles? She obviously had a feminine side. He also suspected she had a soft spot, at least where her mother was concerned. Why else would she be here, if not to protect Poppy? He wrapped a hand around her wrist. “Maybe we should start over.”
    “Don’t touch me.” She shook free and pulled back, turning toward the guesthouse, but not before Ryan saw the anxiousness in her gaze. “Just keep your hands to yourself.”
    “Fin, wait.” Suddenly, it made sense, what had stared him in the face from the pages of the file Thomas compiled on her. The boyish clothes, her lack of feminine wiles, pointed to a childhood lived in fear. The reason she hadn’t been back to Nantucket Sound in ten years. He doubted Poppy knew, but he’d bet his eyeteeth at least one of her exes had preyed on Fin as a child. “Look, we need to talk.”
    She wanted no part of him or a conversation, that much was obvious. But if he scratched seduction off his list of ways to get close to her, his arsenal was flat out empty. Which meant he had no choice; he’d have to trust her with the truth. Increasing his stride, he caught up to her as she shot through the guesthouse door. He followed her inside, shutting it behind them.
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Alarm leapt into her pretty blue eyes. Reaching into a jacket pocket, she pulled out a canister. “Get out of here this instant or I’ll spray you blind.”
    “Don’t do it, sunshine.” Yeah, she was going to use the pepper spray. He saw her hit the button half a second before he knocked the can out of her grasp and sent them both to the floor. He kept his weight on his elbows, rubbing his face in her jacket to keep the stuff from burning the skin on his face. It was damn lucky he’d already had his eyes shut before she’d let loose with her trigger finger. It only dawned on him with her next intake of breath that he’d buried his face in her breasts when he’d landed on top of her.
    Shit . He felt her heart pounding beneath his ear. Her wrists strained to get free under his hands. Thank God, she couldn’t get a knee in position to take out his nuts. “Quit struggling. Give me a second and I’ll move