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

by Melissa Foster

  He cradled her face in his hands, gazing deeply into her eyes, and said, “Why don’t I write twenty-four-seven?”

  His voice was so low and gravelly, it took her a second to make sense of what he’d said. She’d forgotten she’d asked the question.

  He lowered his lips so close, his breath became hers as he said, “Because I have people in my life who I want to spend time with, and because sometimes…” He kissed down her neck, and it was all she could do to remain standing. “My sexy muse is busy inspiring me in other ways.”

  He sank his teeth into her neck, giving one long suck, sending rivers of pleasure slicing through her. A moan escaped before she could stop it, and he crashed his mouth over hers, swallowing her sounds. His fingers dove into her hair as he intensified their kisses, demanding and loving at once. She tugged at his towel and felt him smile against her lips as it fell to the floor. He pulled off her nightie, and she shimmied out of her panties. He made a growling sound and hauled her against him, one hand on her ass, the other on her jaw, holding her there as he devoured her. She loved when he took control. It made her feel sexier, even more feminine, and somehow it also made her feel bolder. She clung to that confidence, wanting to take as well as give, and pushed a hand between them, fisting his cock.

  He tore his mouth away, and “Fuuck” fell from his lips.

  The greedy sound spurred her on. She stroked him as she stumbled backward toward the bed and sat down on the edge, guiding his thick cock into her mouth.

  “Christ, baby,” he gritted out as she took him to the back of her throat.

  He tangled his hands in her hair as she worked him with her hands and mouth. She loved pleasuring him, feeling his restraint, hearing the lustful sounds streaming from his lips. “So good…oh yeah…just like that…” Every word made her hotter, needier. Wanting everything he had to give, she put her arms around him, clutching his ass as he thrust fast and deep, then slow, loving her mouth like she knew he’d soon love her body. His thighs flexed, and she felt him withdrawing, but she held him there, urging him on.

  “Baby, I’m going to come. You feel too good.”

  She pulled him in deeper, and he uttered a curse, but he didn’t hold back. Every thrust made her wetter, hotter. His fingers tightened in her hair, and his legs went rigid. Knowing he was close, she moved quicker, sucked harder. His thrusts turned to powerful jerks as his climax claimed him. He chanted her name like a prayer, and she stayed with him, loving every shudder, every groan, as ecstasy ravaged him, leaving him panting and dropping to his knees before her.

  He touched his forehead to hers, running his fingers through her hair, and said, “My God, angel. You do me in.”

  He kissed her lips, her cheek, and then his mouth found hers in a tender kiss. So tender…

  He whispered, “My turn,” and loved his way down her body in a series of openmouthed kisses, tantalizing sucks, and slicks of his tongue. “I love your curves.” He kissed along her belly and teased between her legs. When he spread his hands on her inner thighs, pushing her legs open wider, she lay back, giving herself over to him. His talented mouth drove her out of her mind. She clawed at the blanket, her hips rising to meet his efforts, and then his fingers entered her, and he did something incredible with his tongue, sending an orgasm crashing over her. She clamped her mouth shut to keep from crying out as she shattered into a million little pieces.

  When the world started to filter back in, he kissed his way up her body, every touch of his lips rekindling her desire.

  “Still with me, angel?”

  “Always,” she said.

  He shifted beside her, dragging his fingers through her sex as he circled her nipple with his tongue. She moaned, pleasure radiating from her core. He lowered his mouth over her breast, and his hand circled his cock, giving it a few tight strokes. Holy cow that was hot. She couldn’t look away from his hand moving along his shaft. Her sex clenched greedily. He lifted his face, catching her staring, and she felt her cheeks burn.

  He pressed his smiling lips to hers and said, “I’m going to enjoy discovering everything you like.”

  “Yes, please,” she whispered.

  “God, you’re incredible.” He took her in a slow, sensual kiss as he moved over her, aligning their bodies. He brushed his lips over hers, gazing into her eyes, and said, “I’ll never get enough of you.”

  The raw passion in his voice swamped her. As their bodies came together, her eyes fluttered closed, and she reveled in the feel of him, the piece of herself she’d never known was missing.

  He cradled her beneath him, holding her so close they felt like one being, and he whispered in her ear, “One day we’re going to give Hadley brothers and sisters, and I’m going to show you how beautiful you are every step of the way.”

  When he’d first spoken of love so confidently, it had sounded like a fairy tale, but he was as real as the bed they were lying on. She blinked her damp eyes dry, trying to come up with big enough words to convey everything she felt. But as his handsome face came into focus, the emotions in his eyes mirrored the soul-deep love in her heart better than words ever could.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  MONDAY MORNING JOCK stood in his parents’ kitchen talking with his father while Daphne finished getting ready and his mother and Hadley packed snacks for the ferry ride. Hadley’s fever had broken in the middle of the night, and she’d rebounded to her energetic self by morning. There was no better sight than his little princess standing on a chair at the counter chatting happily with his mother.

  His father sipped his coffee and said, “Your mother kept me up half the night talking about getting into the event business.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “When have I ever denied your mother anything?” His father grinned and said, “Besides, with all this renewed excitement, I’m reaping the benefits.”

  “Dad, I don’t want to hear that.”

  His father laughed as he walked around the counter and swatted his mother’s butt. She turned with a big smile and kissed him. His father put an arm around Hadley and said, “I’m going to miss you, peanut.”

  “I miss you, Gwampa. Wanna bluebewwy?” Hadley held up a blueberry, and when his father opened his mouth, she popped it in.

  Jock’s heart thumped a little harder.

  The kitchen door opened, and Archer strolled in. Gone was the tension that had accompanied him like Pig-Pen’s dirt. He lifted his chin in Jock’s direction and said, “Hey, Jockstrap.”

  “How’s it going, butthole?”

  “I’m glad to see things are getting back to normal, but did you two revert to elementary school?” his father teased.

  Archer nudged his father’s arm and nodded toward Hadley. “No cursing.”

  “Ah, right,” his father said.

  Jock swore his parents looked ten years younger than they had when he’d arrived.

  “I’m glad Squirt’s feeling better,” Archer said, stealing a blueberry.

  “Mowah?” Hadley held up a handful of blueberries.

  Archer put out his hand, and Hadley dumped them into it. “Thanks, Squirt.”

  Daphne screamed upstairs, and Jock’s gut seized. He tore out of the kitchen, taking the stairs two at a time, and flew into the bedroom. She was sitting on the floor, her hand on her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks—and she was laughing.

  He fell to his knees beside her. “What happened?”

  She picked up a long rubber snake. “This happened.”

  That’s when he heard Archer’s laughter floating up from downstairs. “I’m going to kill him,” he said, half laughing as he pushed to his feet.

  “No, you’re not.” Daphne stood, looking excruciatingly sexy in a white sleeveless top and jeans, and wrapped her arms around him, smiling sweetly, and said, “It’s a rite of passage. That means he doesn’t hate me.”

  “Nobody could ever hate you.” He kissed her softly and said, “Come on, we’ve got to get going or we’ll
miss the ferry. My mom and Hadley packed twelve days’ worth of snacks.”

  “I love your mom. She knows Hadley will make up for not eating last night by eating everything in sight today.” She looked at the snake and said, “You know this means that we need to come up with an even better prank for our next visit, right?”

  “Absofrickinglutely. He must have done it when he brought those magazines last night.” He gathered their bags, and they headed downstairs. “Did you remember Had’s house flyer and Owly?”

  “Of course,” Daphne said as they walked into the kitchen. “They’re in the outside pocket of her toy bag.”

  Archer was leaning against the counter with a shit-eating grin. “What was all the commotion about?”

  “I ought to tear you apart,” Jock said as he set their bags down.

  Daphne dropped the snake on the counter and said, “You’re in for it, buddy. Just you wait.”

  “Archer, you didn’t?” their mother said incredulously.

  “You’d better watch it,” their father warned. “Daphne’s no wallflower.”

  “I’m counting on that. Liven things up around here.” Archer sipped his coffee, watching Jock as he put a muffin on a plate for Daphne and helped Hadley down from the chair.

  “Your sandals are by the door, princess,” Jock said. “Why don’t you go get them on?”

  “You’re quite the caretaker,” Archer said.

  “I’m not caretaking. I’m being nice.” Jock hoped his brother wasn’t going to turn into a dick.

  “You’ve always been nice. This is different.” Archer took another sip of his coffee and said, “Whatever it is, it looks good on you.”

  “It’s called being a thoughtful boyfriend.” Daphne leaned closer to Archer and said, “Pay attention. Your grandmother’s trying to find you a woman.”

  Archer scoffed. “I have plenty of women. Where is Grandma? I figured she’d be all over saying goodbye to the golden boy.”

  Jock gave him a sideways look. “She said goodbye last night.”

  “Grandma went to watch the sunrise with her Bra Brigaders, and then they’re going down to Chaffee to go shopping.” Their mother handed Daphne the bag of snacks and said, “Hadley and I put together extra juice boxes, fruit, a sandwich, a granola bar, and a few other little things, just in case.”

  “Thank you, Shelley.” Daphne hugged her. “We had such a good time. I appreciate you including Hadley in the birthday celebration and for letting us stay here and taking such good care of us.”

  “Darlin’, I’d give my left arm for you to move right in upstairs,” Shelley said. “You have got my mind going a hundred miles an hour about hosting events. Steve and I talked at length about it last night. It would take an investment of time and money, but we think it would pay off and even help the island economy. But we can’t make any decisions until we see how this event goes. Are you sure you can find time to answer my questions and help me along once you’re back at work?”

  “Yes. I’m excited to help. Last night I made a list of local shops and restaurants and categorized them under food, gifts, decorations, and a few other things. It’s on your laptop in a folder called Winery Events. There are two lists. One is for you, labeled as the Master, and the other is for you to give to clients. On the client copy, I included a brief description of what’s offered at each place, type of food if it’s a restaurant, type of gifts or clothing. You get the idea. I found a master directory of each town on the island and pulled the local shops from those, too. But please be sure to look them over carefully. I’d hate to include someplace that isn’t reputable. I tried to be specific in the descriptions to save you from answering dozens of customer questions. If you like it and think it’s useful, I can help you put together whatever else you need. And if it isn’t something you want to use, that’s totally fine. My feelings won’t be hurt or anything.”

  “You’re a godsend.” Shelley hugged her again. “I’m sure it will be exactly what we need.” They continued talking as Daphne finished eating.

  “Dad, if you’re driving us to the ferry, we’d better get moving,” Jock said.

  “I’ll take you over,” Archer offered. “I’m heading to Seaport anyway.”

  Jock was filled with so many emotions, he had to work hard to tamp them down as he said, “Great. I’ll grab Hadley’s car seat out of Mom’s car.”

  He moved the car seat and put their bags in Archer’s truck, and then they said goodbye to his parents, who hugged them forever, thanked them profusely, and loved up Hadley like she truly was their grandchild. For the first time since the accident, Jock didn’t want to leave. He was so happy, it felt surreal. A month ago, he was trying to make it from one day to the next. Now he was planning a future he’d never expected, rebuilding a relationship with his brother, and he had the two most beautiful girls in the world by his side.

  As they drove away from the house, Hadley clung to Owly, waving and shouting out the window, “Love you! Bye! See soon!”

  He reached over the seat for Daphne’s hand. She smiled, but it was a bittersweet smile, not her bright-eyed heading-for-a-home-run smile he was used to. “I know,” he said softly.

  “You don’t know shit,” Archer said. “Squat! Sorry. You don’t know squat.”

  That earned a brighter smile, and she said, “You’re wrong, Archer. Jock definitely knows.”

  They bantered all the way to the ferry. The parking lot wasn’t as busy as it was on the weekends, but there was a fair amount of people milling about. Daphne held Hadley’s hand as Jock grabbed their bags and the car seat and set them on the pavement.

  Archer crouched in front of Hadley and said, “Are you going to make me pancakes when you come back?”

  She nodded and said, “A snake.”

  Archer cocked his head, looking at Jock. “Yeah, a snake works. Think you can give Uncle Archer a hug?”

  She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Love you, Unca Awcher.”

  Daphne leaned against Jock’s side and said, “Why does that make me want to cry?”

  “Because you care.” He put his arm around her.

  “I hate leaving. You and Archer are finally talking again, and we’ve had such a good time.” She sighed. “Have you ever felt like everything you could ever want was right there in front of you and wished you had the courage to throw caution to the wind and capture it all?”

  Yes, at the park, but I thought you needed more time.

  Before he could decide if he should reveal that, she reached for Hadley’s hand, and Archer said, “Guess this is it. Sorry about the rubber snake, Daphne. You were a good sport.” He hugged her and said, “Take care of Jockstrap for me.”

  “I will,” she said, gazing affectionately at Jock.

  “We’ll see you in two weeks,” Jock said, embracing Archer. He closed his eyes, soaking in the feel of the brother he needed to relearn by heart.

  “Puppy!” Hadley yelled.

  “Hadley!” Daphne screamed.

  Jock broke away from Archer and saw Daphne sprinting after Hadley across the parking lot, and a car heading directly for Hadley. He bolted past Daphne and scooped Hadley into his arms as tires screeched behind him. Daphne’s blood curdling scream tore through him, exploding like a bomb in his chest as he spun around, clinging to Hadley, and saw Daphne lying on the ground. Hadley wailed as he sprinted to Daphne and fell to his knees. Her hair was bloody, and she wasn’t moving. “Oh, baby, no, no, no.” God, please no. Don’t take her from us.

  Archer ripped a screaming Hadley from his arms, saying something about an ambulance.

  “Daphne, wake up,” Jock pleaded, tears pouring from his eyes. He leaned over her, listening to see if she was breathing, and held his breath—Breathe. Please breathe. He heard Daphne’s shallow breaths, and the air rushed from his lungs. Thank God. He clung to her shoulders, wanted to lift her into his arms, but he knew he shouldn’t, so he stayed there, hunkered over her, listening to her breathe and trying to g
et a response. “I’m here baby. Please wake up. Come on, baby. We need you. Don’t leave us. Keep breathing, angel. Come back, baby. Wake up.” Hadley screaming “Mommy! Dock!” cut through the murmurs of the crowd gathering around them. “Archer!” he hollered without looking up. “Get Hadley out of here.”

  “I’m not leaving you,” Archer snapped.

  “Hang in there, Daphne. Help is on the way.” Jock looked at Archer through the blur of tears and pleaded, “She can’t see…” Sobs stole his voice as sirens rang out. Thank God. He leaned over Daphne, choking out, “I love you, baby. I need you. You’re my girl. My heart. Don’t leave us,” and everything else faded away except his beautiful angel, lying lifeless in his arms.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  JOCK PACED THE waiting room of the hospital, swamped with fear, silently making deals with the universe in exchange for Daphne’s well-being and struggling to keep his horrific past from slaying him anew. He stared at the double doors keeping him from getting to Daphne as if they were villains. If only he could switch places with her, turn this fucking nightmare around. Her eyes had fluttered open briefly and disoriented in the ambulance. The paramedics had rattled off concerns about brain injuries and internal bleeding. He’d wanted to make them take it back. His head was spinning. The second they’d arrived at the hospital, they’d taken her for tests to determine the severity of her injuries. That was more than an hour ago. The waiting felt ominous. He could barely breathe, as memories of being in the hospital after his and Kayla’s accident pummeled him—the look on the doctor’s face when they’d told him she was gone and that Liam wasn’t going to make it. The all-consuming horror of his words sinking in and sucking the life out of him. Was he fucking cursed? How could this be happening again? Not to his Daphne, his love. Not to Hadley’s mommy. He put his hand on Hadley’s back, feeling every breath as if it were his own. She was fast asleep on his shoulder, and still he needed to remind himself she was safe. Hadley needed her mommy to be okay even more than he did. Archer had told him Hadley had cried her little heart out when Jock had gone with Daphne in the ambulance, and she hadn’t stopped until they’d found him at the hospital and she was safely in his arms once again.