Tempted by Love: Jack Jock Steele (The Steeles at Silver Island Book 1)

by Melissa Foster

  He swallowed hard, her words hitting like arrows to his chest.

  “Family is so important, Jock. I know Harvey became your family. But he’s gone, and you still have a family out there. All families go through rough times. But what if, God forbid, someone in your family falls ill and is confined to the hospital? Would you go for an hour because you’re afraid of how difficult it would be with Archer, or would you want to sit vigil?”

  He thought about Jules and knew she was right.

  “What happens when your brothers or sisters get married? Will you go?” she asked with a tortured look in her eyes. She paused, sitting up a little straighter and gathering the sheet in her hand, pulling it up to her chest. “I’m sorry. I’m being way too pushy and nosy.”

  She was being far more assertive than usual. In fact, he realized she was as assertive as she’d been when she’d said she wouldn’t be with a man who couldn’t be around her daughter.

  “I was wrong to think the situation with Archer didn’t affect you and Hadley. This is important to you, isn’t it?” he asked.

  “Yes, because you’re important to me. You’re important to us.”

  Guilt wound through him, and he knew what he had to do. “I need to tell you something. When I was telling Jules about us at lunch, I didn’t tell her about Hadley. I didn’t want to dredge up the past with her, but it’s not because I don’t care about Hadley. I care about her every bit as much as I care for you. It’s just that—”

  “You don’t have to explain. I know how you feel about both of us. I understand why you didn’t want to bring up Hadley, and just because I’m bringing all of this up doesn’t mean I’ll judge you, or feel differently about you, if you decide to only make an appearance at the party or not go at all. You’re doing so much to be good for me and Hadley. I just want to make sure you’re doing just as much to be good for yourself, too. And I want you to know that I’m willing to go, to do this with you. We’re a team, and I’d totally have your back. I might get embarrassed easily, but I have mama-bear claws that come out to protect the people I care about.”

  “I’ve seen those claws.” He pressed his lips to hers and said, “Thanks, babe. Let me think about it.”

  “Okay, you think. I’m going to use the bathroom. Be right back.”

  She walked bare-ass naked to the bathroom, and he loved it. He had no idea how a woman who blushed about being sexy could put him in his place like no other, but damn…

  She came out of the bathroom with a bounce in her step and picked up his T-shirt on the way to the bed. “It’s still early. Care to lose in a game of Scrabble?” she asked as she put on his shirt and grabbed a clean pair of underwear from a drawer.

  “What are the stakes?” he asked, closing the distance between them as she put them on. “And don’t say if I lose we have to go to the party, because I’ve already made up my mind.”

  “You have?”

  The hope in her eyes told him he’d made the right decision. “Yes. We’re going. It’s time for me to get this shit under control. But are you sure your parents won’t mind watching Hadley? I don’t know how Archer will react, so it’ll probably be easier if she’s not with us. But don’t worry, I don’t intend on keeping her a secret. I will tell my family about her while we’re there. I want you with me, and I’m pretty sure if I show up without you, if Archer doesn’t kill me, Jules will. But are you sure you want to go? I don’t want you to feel caught in the middle or like you have to go.”

  “I’m so proud of you!” She threw her arms around him. “I’m sure my parents won’t mind watching Hadley, and I definitely want to go. I will have your back one hundred percent. You can count on me! I’ll even take scowling lessons from Hadley so I can give anyone who looks at you sideways a harsh look of my own.”

  He put his arms around her and said, “You Zablonski girls have got me under your spell. My family has been harping on me for years to try to work things out with Archer, and in one evening, you wrangled me into trying.”

  “Oh, come on,” she said teasingly. “We both know you only decided to go because you can’t wait to get me alone on the island. Look at the woman you bring out in me when Hadley’s right in the next room.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “I hope wherever we stay has soundproof walls, because I have no idea what vixen will come out when we have a whole night to ourselves.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I THINK SHE should go sexier and pull out all the stops.” Chloe held up a glittery silver dress and said, “Let that brother of his see how good Jock has it.”

  Daphne had taken a real lunch break to shop for a dress at Renee’s boutique with Tegan and Chloe. She could hardly believe two weeks had passed since Jock had made the decision to go to his grandmother’s birthday party. He hadn’t changed his mind, though there were moments when Daphne had seen shadows of doubt in his eyes. But with all he was facing, that was to be expected.

  “That’s gorgeous,” Daphne said. “But I’m less worried about one-upping his brother than I am about being there for Jock this weekend. Do they have it in my size?”

  “You know I always try to have your size on hand, Dee,” Renee said, giving Daphne a sideways look. “Chloe, look on the other side of that rack.”

  “Give her a break, Renee,” Tegan chimed in. “She and Jock are in that playing-house stage. She’s allowed to be in la-la land.”

  It was true. Their lives were falling into sync without any mountains to climb or valleys to contend with. They’d come across a few bumps and potholes, which they were navigating together. Jock was still finding ways around holding Hadley, but the two had become so close, it was hard to remember when he hadn’t been able to spend time with her. Daphne was feeling high on a daily basis, even when they didn’t make love. Just being together made her and Hadley’s life better, and she wasn’t about to deny it. This was her first visit to la-la land, and she never wanted to leave.

  “My sister’s not playing house with anyone until Sean and I put him through the ringer,” Renee insisted.

  “Too late,” Chloe teased.

  “You haven’t met him?” Tegan asked.

  “Not yet. My schedule is crazy,” Renee said. “But Hadley’s birthday is next weekend, after they get back from the island, and I’m going to be ready to interrogate.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” Daphne said. “I’m not intentionally keeping him from our family. We’ve all been busy. I finally finished the book for the book club and the questions for the meeting next week, and Jock is writing every day, sometimes into the evenings.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Tegan said.

  “I know. He’s found his muse!” Daphne exclaimed excitedly. “He’s secretive about what he’s writing, but you should see him when he’s in the zone. I’ve woken up twice in the middle of the night and found him sitting on the chair typing in the dark. He gets so into it, it’s like he has blinders on.”

  “I know you guys are banging like bunnies because of that new-moisturizer glow you’re sporting,” Renee teased. “But do you get much time together other than midnight mattress games?”

  “Of course. We have lunch together most days.” Daphne loved that time alone with Jock. Although saying goodbye after lunch was just as hard as saying goodbye in the wee hours of the morning after lying in each other’s arms. “And we see each other in the evenings with Hadley and all weekend. Last weekend was the best, and we didn’t even do that much. We took walks on the beach with Hadley, collected shells, and spent an afternoon at the Eastham lighthouse. I can’t believe I’d never taken her into one. Hadley had a long discussion with the guy who runs it, and she must have climbed those old narrow steps inside ten times. We brought lunch and had a picnic on the green, and then just ran around playing with Hadley. We cooked hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and watched Frozen with Hadley. I’m sure to you guys our simple lives seem boring. But walks on the beach, homemade lunches and dinners, and nights spent in each other’s arms ar
e just…” She shrugged and said, “Perfect. I can’t imagine being happier.”

  “I think it sounds great,” Tegan said. “Jett and I don’t go out much, and I don’t miss it one bit.”

  “That’s because when it’s right, all you need is each other,” Chloe said. “But you can’t go to the party naked, because that won’t feel right at all. So how about this dress?” She held up the glittery dress again. “Yay or nay?”

  “Do you think it’s too flashy?” Daphne could wear something she already owned. She’d tried on several of her dresses, and Jock had raved about how great she looked in each one. Especially the last one, which she’d let him peel off before taking her to bed last night. But she wanted to look extra special for him and his family. “Jock and Jules both said the dinner was fancy, but I don’t want to overdo it. Tegan, you’ve met his family. What do you think?”

  “Oh, that’s right! Have you met Archer?” Renee said Archer like it was a bad word.

  “No, but I’ve met everyone else,” Tegan explained. “When I lived in Maryland, I visited my uncle every summer. That’s how Jock and I became friends. I met his family when they’d come to see him, but Archer was never with any of them. As for how to dress, I think anything goes with them. His sisters are pretty fashionable. In fact, Sutton was a fashion magazine editor before becoming a reporter, so you know she’ll be dressed in something trendy. Jules is like an uncorked bottle of bubbly, so she’ll probably be dressed young and flirty, and I would not put sequins past her. She could totally pull that off, and so could you, Daph. And Leni is more of a chardonnay; she is easygoing, not as flashy as Jules, and super cute.”

  “I guess that makes Daph a wine cooler,” Chloe teased. “She’s sweet, bubbly, and hard to resist.”

  They all laughed.

  “While I agree with that assessment, and I’m all for showing off my gorgeous sister, I’m not sure full-on sexy is the way to go when you meet a guy’s parents for the first time.” Renee held up a short pale-green dress that had a crossover bodice, a pretty sweetheart neckline, and a chiffon skirt. “What about something like this? A little low-key, a little fancy, and classy. You could pair it with gold heels and dangling earrings. I have the perfect heels in the back. Teg, can you grab them?”

  “Sure!” Tegan hurried off.

  Daphne ran her hand along the skirt. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Are you nervous about going?” Renee asked.

  “Wouldn’t I be crazy not to be? I’m meeting his family and I want to make a good impression, and then there’s the whole Archer thing. We have no idea what to expect with him. I’m so proud of Jock for taking this step, you guys. I want so much for their relationship to heal because of how heavily the rift weighs on Jock. But I’m in this with him for the long haul, regardless of how this turns out.”

  “Listen to you,” Renee teased.

  “I know I sound all swoony. I can’t even begin to describe how much I like him. I get all shivery just thinking about how happy we are. Hadley is bonkers over him. She smiles a lot more these days, and I know that’s because of him and because I’m a lot happier, too. He always makes us feel special, and I want him to know how special he is to us. I want him to know that I see beyond the trouble between him and Archer. I see the wonderful man he is.” She looked at her sister’s and her friends’ supportive faces and said, “Aaand I’m rambling again.”

  “Your rambling is very informative. Jock is a lucky man,” Renee said with a wink.

  “Thank you.” Daphne reveled in her sister’s praise. “As for the dress, I want something sexy, yes, bring it on—but not slutty. I want to be Jock’s rock, his safe harbor, someone he can count on and be proud of. Honestly, I want to be whatever he needs this weekend.”

  “Honey, you’re clearly what Jock needs regardless of what you wear. He’s like a whole different man these days,” Tegan said, holding the pretty gold heels in one hand and a gorgeous cream cocktail dress with gold flecks on the bodice in the other. “He stopped by on his way home from the gym yesterday morning, and he went on and on about you and Hadley. I asked about his writing, and he gushed for another fifteen minutes about how you had opened a vein to his creativity. So whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

  “I don’t think she’s having any trouble keeping it up,” Chloe said with a chuckle. “And in case I haven’t said it enough yet, Daph, you deserve this—being with a man who sees how fabulous you and Hadley are.”

  “Me too,” Renee said. “It’s about time a good man recognized my badass sister.”

  Daphne laughed. “Badass? I’m about as far from badass as a girl can get. You’re the badass one.”

  Renee gave her a deadpan look. “Daph, I’d give anything to be like you. I’m tough, but trust me, tough is not an easy way to be. You’re the total package. You always have your shit together, you’re a kickass mother, and you’re gorgeous.” She hugged Daphne and said, “Get that mushy look off your face and get going before you have to get back to work. These dresses are not going to try themselves on.”

  The girls ushered her into a dressing room with their selections, and Renee said, “What other outfits do you need? We can grab some choices while you’re trying those on.”

  “I don’t need anything else. We’re taking the ferry to the island Saturday morning, and if all goes well, we’ll stay at his parents’ house and then come home Sunday. If it doesn’t go well, we’ll be home Saturday night.”

  “You’re going away alone with a man for the first time in three years, Mama,” Chloe said. “If there is ever a time for new clothes, it’s now. You need clothes for the ferry ride—”

  “No, I don’t.” Daphne shook her head. “Besides, I think the rest of Saturday is casual. His family plays touch football before the party, and they help get the winery ready for the event, which I’m looking forward to.”

  “Those Steeles better watch out,” Tegan said. “Do they know you’re having withdrawals from event planning?”

  “It’s not like I’ll take over or anything.” Although even the idea of helping to set up for the event had her a little giddy.

  “No, you’re far too proper for that.” Renee closed the dressing room curtain and said, “We want to see each of those dresses on your body. Come on, girls; let’s find a cute touch-football outfit.”

  Forty minutes later, Daphne had more new clothes than she could wear in a week, much less a weekend. Renee handed her the last shopping bag and said, “Look at my baby sister, all grown up and ready to take on the world to help her man find his way.”

  Daphne hugged her and said, “Thank you for everything.”

  “Don’t be nervous. From what you’ve said, you guys are really good together. There’s nothing you can’t handle.” Renee wagged her finger and said, “But you better bring his ass over to meet me when you get back.”

  “I promise,” Daphne said. “We’re just always so busy.”

  “That’s code for not willing to give up a second of their time together for anyone outside their little family,” Chloe said.

  As they left the store, Tegan said, “You and Jock have both been through so much, it’s like you two were made for each other.”

  “He’s been through so much.” Daphne hoped this weekend wouldn’t be overwhelming for him.

  “But he’s strong,” Tegan said.

  “Sometimes the hardest things in life lead us to the best things,” Chloe added.

  “And the best things are sometimes the hardest,” Daphne said.

  Chloe and Tegan laughed.

  Daphne realized how they’d taken what she’d said and exclaimed, “Ohmygod, you guys! I didn’t mean that!”

  Chloe and Tegan looked at each other and said, “Peach!” in unison, then burst into hysterics.

  Chapter Seventeen

  JOCK LAY IN Daphne’s bed Saturday morning watching the dawn of a new day through the crack in the curtains. Hadley had slept at Daphne’s parents’ house last night, and he and D
aphne had joined their friends for a bonfire on the beach. Daphne hadn’t been kidding about not knowing what wildness might appear when Hadley wasn’t in the other room. They’d barely made it in the front door after the bonfire before ripping off each other’s clothes and christening the foyer, the couch, and the kitchen counter before finally falling into bed too spent to move. He’d slept fitfully, nervous about what the day would hold, but also looking forward to introducing Daphne to his family and showing her the island. His mother had been ecstatic when he’d called the other day to say he was bringing Daphne home with him. Home. The island hadn’t felt like home in a long time, but Daphne, his hopeful realist, refused to let him forget that it wasn’t just Archer’s home; it had once been his home, too.

  In the past, when Harvey or Jock’s family had encouraged him to confront Archer, their well-intentioned nudges had never given much weight to how badly things could go. Daphne didn’t gloss over how difficult it might be. She agreed with his concerns, and over the past two and a half weeks since he’d decided to go, she’d even said it might be worse than he imagined. But she’d urged him to do it anyway.

  He glanced at her, sleeping naked on her belly beside him, a lock of hair lying across her cheek, one arm beneath the pillow, the other dangling off the bed. One of her feet was tucked under the blanket at the bottom of the bed. He would do anything for her. She was his beautiful, hopeful girl, and she believed things would work out between him and Archer because she believed in the strength of family, and she believed in him. She’d helped him to rediscover the man he’d once been, and because of her, he was becoming an even better man. A man he could be proud of. The man she and Hadley deserved. It was her steadfast belief and contagious hope that were driving him to finally take action to get out of this self-imposed exile and start enjoying his family again. That was why he knew that no matter how hard things got, he would get through this.