Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-16

by Force, Marie

  He took the steps to the back porch and went in through the screen door, stopping short at the sight of Alex, nude, standing in front of the open refrigerator, guzzling a bottle of seltzer water.

  “What the hell?” Paul muttered, averting his gaze from his brother’s naked rear end.

  Alex closed the fridge, killing the light. “Sorry. Where you been?” When the light over the stove came on, Alex was, thankfully, leaning against the counter.

  “Outside.”

  “In your underwear?”

  “At least I’m wearing underwear.”

  “I thought you were asleep.”

  “It was a little too noisy around here to sleep.”

  “Oh, um…” Alex flashed a big dopey grin. “Sorry again?”

  “Hate to say I’m getting used to it, but…”

  “We’re moving out next week.”

  “Thank God,” Paul muttered.

  “So you’re just walking around the backyard in your underwear?”

  Paul debated for a second before he said, “Not exactly. I was over at Hope’s.”

  “Again I say in your underwear?”

  “We… She and I…”

  “Oh my God, Paul. Seriously? Since when?”

  “I don’t know yet if it’s serious. It’s new.”

  “You have to know I’d never begrudge you the chance to be happy, but if she quits, we’ll be screwed.”

  “Why would she quit?”

  “If it goes bad between you guys? Hello?”

  “I’ve already told her that whatever happens between us will never affect her job.”

  “Paul… Dad would flip out.”

  “Dad’s not here! You said that yourself just the other day. Or is the gospel according to Dad selectively applied?”

  “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry. I’m just surprised by this news. I hadn’t noticed…”

  “You’ve been a little preoccupied lately.”

  “I don’t want you to think I don’t approve, because that’s not the case. I like Hope and Ethan. They’re great, and she’s incredible with Mom. I’m only concerned about somehow messing that up when we need her so badly.”

  “I’m not going to mess it up. I won’t let that happen.” As he said the words, he hoped they were true.

  “Good enough, then.”

  “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?”

  “If you were thinking I was going to be a dick about it, you’ll be disappointed. You know what you’re doing, and you know what’s at stake for everyone. What else do you want me to say?”

  “Nothing, I guess.”

  “I hope it works out. You deserve to be happy, Paul. I’d never stand in the way of that.”

  “You’re right about one thing. Dad would flip out.”

  “Like you said, Dad’s not here, and I can’t believe he’d feel any differently than I do, especially after all you’ve sacrificed for this family over the last few years.”

  Alex’s kind words left a lump in Paul’s throat. “Thanks,” he said gruffly. “I’m going to take a couple of hours in the morning to go to Lisa’s funeral with Hope. Daisy is off tomorrow and coming to stay with Mom while Hope is gone.”

  “And you guys are still heading for the mainland on Tuesday?”

  “That’s the plan, but don’t worry, I’ll be back in plenty of time for the festivities on Saturday.”

  “Great,” Alex said with a laugh. “Just remember—what goes around comes around. Someday it’ll be your turn, and revenge is a bitch.”

  “I’ll take my chances. I’m covering my eyes to give you a chance to get out of here without leaving me with images that can’t be unseen.”

  “I’m gone. See you in the morning.”

  Paul kept his eyes covered until he heard Alex’s bedroom door close. Then he dropped his hands, shut off the light and headed for bed, hoping the progress he’d made with Hope tonight wouldn’t disappear in the morning.

  Chapter 11

  Still reeling from what he’d learned in the kitchen, Alex got back into bed with Jenny.

  She slid into his arms. “What took so long?”

  “Paul came in from the yard wearing only underwear. I had to get the scoop.”

  “Is there scoop?”

  “Oh yeah. He was at Hope’s.”

  “Wearing only underwear?”

  “Yep.”

  “So does that mean… Paul and Hope?”

  “Apparently.”

  “Wow, how did we miss that?”

  Alex squeezed her sexy ass. “We’ve been a little busy.”

  She crawled on top of him and used his chest as a pillow.

  Alex loved the way she fit so perfectly in his arms, as if she’d been made just for him.

  “How do you feel about that? With her being an employee and all?”

  “You’re an employee,” he said with a chuckle.

  “I was your girlfriend before I was an employee.”

  “My dad had a thing about us dating employees.”

  “I remember you saying that before.”

  “I made the mistake of reminding Paul of that just now. I shouldn’t have done that. I could tell he’s already been wrestling with it himself.”

  “Your dad would be so proud of both of you. I feel like I’ve gotten to know him through you and Paul and your mom, so I can say that fairly confidently.”

  “God, I hope so. We loved him so much. We were scared of him, too, which I now know was part of his master plan to raise decent men.”

  “He did a great job at that.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “Everyone thinks so. What you guys have done for your mom while keeping the business afloat is nothing short of heroic.”

  “I don’t know about that. We did what anyone would do for their mother.”

  “That’s not true, Alex. Lots of people would’ve put her in a home on the mainland and gone on with their lives. That would’ve been the easy thing to do.”

  “We never considered that.”

  “Which makes you two extraordinary, especially with a booming business to run, too.”

  “I’ve never felt it was extraordinary. It’s what family does for family.”

  Jenny sighed and kissed his chest. “I can’t wait to officially join the Martinez family.”

  “Are you starting to believe it’s actually going to happen?”

  “I’m getting there.”

  “I want you to relax and enjoy the next couple of weeks. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Intellectually, I know that. Emotionally, however…”

  “I know, baby. I can’t wait to see you coming toward me on the arm of your dad so I can say, ‘Told ya so. It’s all good.’”

  “I can’t wait for you to say that.”

  “I want you to talk to me whenever you’re worried or upset about anything. I never want you to struggle with something by yourself. You’re not alone anymore. You’ll never be alone again.”

  Jenny pushed herself up so she could reach his lips and kissed him. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said.”

  He scowled at her. “I am not sweet.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “You’re turning me into a regular pussy.”

  She slapped his chest. “Don’t say that word! I hate it.”

  “What word? Regular?”

  “You know what word.”

  He knew exactly what word and said it and others she hated regularly because she was so damned cute when she got pissed with him. “You’re going to have to tell me, because I’m not sure which word you’re talking about.”

  “Knock it off. Quit trying to get me to say things I never say.”

  “You can do it. Come on… Just say it.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I can make you.”

  “I’d like to see you try.”

  He shuddered dramatically. “I get so hot when you go all Southern belle on
me.”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “Whatever. As far as I can tell, you’re hot all the time.”

  “I’m hot for you all the time.”

  “Even now?” she asked, moving on top of him with deliberate purpose.

  “Mmm, especially now.” His hands moved from her hips to her breasts. After so many months together, he knew just what it took to turn her on, and he loved knowing her secrets.

  She had a few tricks of her own, however, and when she took him inside her, he forgot all about his tricks to focus on hers. And hers were something to behold as her hips swiveled and her breasts bounced. He freaking loved the way she looked on top of him, uninhibited, focused on her pleasure, which always led to his, too. At times like this, when he had her all to himself, he wondered how he’d managed to get so lucky. Alex sat up and drew her nipple into his mouth, making her gasp as her back arched in response to him.

  At the same time, he reached between them, pressing his fingers to her clit and then immediately removing them, which made her moan. “Say the word I want to hear, and I’ll make you come.”

  “I’m not saying it.”

  He continued to tease her with light touches of his fingers over her clit, backing off each time.

  “That’s so mean.”

  “Talk dirty to me, baby. You can do it. Tell me what word you hate.”

  She put her lips against his ear and in a husky whisper, she said, “Pussy.”

  “Ahh, fuck, that’s so hot.” He returned his fingers to her clit, bit down on her nipple and felt her detonate, which finished him off, too. “Jenny, God…”

  She mumbled something, and if he heard her correctly, she’d said he was the devil. He liked that.

  Keeping his arms around her, he reclined against the pillows, still embedded deep within her as she pulsed with aftershocks. This, right here, was the closest thing to heaven he’d ever experienced, and he couldn’t wait to be married to her.

  “Love you so much, Alex, even when you’re making me say terrible words I’ve never said in my life. I wish you knew how much I love you.”

  “I do know, and I love you just as much, especially when you talk dirty to me. I bet I love you more than you love me.”

  “No way.”

  “Mmm, yes way.” He smiled in the darkness, content and looking forward to everything they had ahead of them. Every time they made love, he hoped she would conceive. Fatherhood was another thing he couldn’t wait for. When he’d been forced by circumstances to come home to Gansett Island, he’d never expected to find the love of his life here. Now that he had her, warm and soft in his arms, he planned to spend every day of the rest of his life making sure she knew how much she meant to him.

  A light knock on the door had Seamus rushing from the living room where he’d been watching late-night TV. He threw open the door to his friend Slim Jackson, who held up a bag.

  “I’ve got the goods, my friend.”

  “Come in.” Seamus stepped aside to admit Slim and then went to the fridge to grab a beer for the pilot. “How’d you make out?”

  “It was easy enough.”

  “Caro and I really appreciate this.”

  “I’m happy to help. No way you’re going to find suits for little boys on this island.”

  Seamus opened the bag to find two identical tiny navy blue suits, white dress shirts, clip-on ties and shoes. He was appalled when tears filled his eyes. The clothes were a reminder of what those little boys would have to endure in the morning.

  “You okay, bud?” Slim asked, clasping his shoulder.

  “It’s just…” Seamus blew out a deep breath. “You even got belts for them. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “A man can’t wear a suit without a belt.”

  Seamus appreciated his friend’s efforts to bring some levity to the grim situation. “It’s tough, you know? I hope I’m doing the right things, but I’ve got no fecking clue what the right things are in this situation.”

  “You’re providing them with love and support and comfort. That’s what they need right now.”

  Seamus ran a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I suppose. But what if they need other things that I don’t know about? What if I miss something important?”

  “You remind me of my brother when his first kid was born. The poor guy was beside himself. He was afraid to hold the little princess out of fear he might break her or something.”

  “I felt that way the first time I held PJ.”

  “You’re going through what all new dads experience. It’s perfectly normal. And the plus side is if the little guys need something, they’re old enough to tell you.”

  “That’s true.”

  “I know it seems overwhelming right now, but it’s going to be fine. They’re damned lucky to have you and Carolina to look out for them.”

  “We’re the lucky ones, mate,” Seamus said softly. “My heart breaks for what they’ve endured, losing their mum the way they did, but on the other side, I’m so damned thankful to have them in my life. Makes me feel selfish to even say that.”

  “You’re not selfish, Seamus. You’re the opposite of selfish. Look at what you’re doing for those kids. I heard you’re even adding on to the house for them.”

  “That has to be done. They’re squeezed into that little room.”

  “That’s about as selfless as it gets, my friend.”

  “Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve been all over the place today.”

  “Today was a tough day. Tomorrow will be a tough day. The next couple of weeks are apt to be rough. But one day, not too far off from now, they’ll begin to act like little boys again, and you and Carolina will be there to show them the way through it.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  Slim downed the last of his beer and put the bottle on the counter. “I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Seamus withdrew two one-hundred-dollar bills from his pocket and handed them to Slim. “You don’t have to go to the funeral. I know how busy you are.”

  “I’ll be there.” He hugged Seamus and then put the money back in his hand. “The suits are on me because I want to do something to help them—and you. Hang in there.”

  Once again, Seamus found himself swallowing a lump in his throat. He was a disaster today. “Thanks, man.” He saw his friend out the door, and after Slim drove off in his pickup truck, Seamus locked up for the night.

  Carolina came into the kitchen, tying her robe around her waist. “Did I hear voices?”

  “Slim was here to drop off the suits he bought on the mainland for the boys.” Seamus pointed to the bag on the table.

  Caro peered into the bag. “He even got belts.”

  “I said that, too, and he insisted on paying for everything because he wants to do something for them. We’re lucky to have such great friends.”

  “Indeed we are. The boys are also lucky to have you to think of things such as suits at such a difficult time.”

  “They needed the right clothes to say good-bye to their mum.”

  Caro crossed the room and put her arms around him, laying her head on his chest. “I can tell you’re all wound up.”

  “Can’t help it.”

  “Come to bed. There’s nothing more you can do for them tonight, and they’re going to need us both tomorrow.”

  He let her lead him from the kitchen, shutting lights off as they went. In the bedroom, she pulled his T-shirt over his head and helped him out of his shorts. Despite the emotional day, her tender care had a predictable effect on him, and by the time he crawled into bed next to her, he was hard as concrete. Upon encountering the evidence of his arousal, his lovely wife giggled like a girl.

  “Honestly,” she said, “you are too much.”

  “I’m just enough. You say so all the time.”

  “Here I think I’m offering comfort because you’re upset, and this is the thanks I get?” she asked, wrapping her soft hand around his hard cock.

&n
bsp; “Can’t help it, love. Even in the worst of times, if you strip me naked, that’s going to happen.” He stopped her hand from moving. “Doesn’t mean we have to do anything about it.”

  “Who are you and what’ve you done with my husband who says a good boner is a terrible thing to waste?”

  He snorted out a laugh. “I’ve corrupted you terribly, haven’t I?”

  “No, you’ve loved me perfectly. Now get over here and do some more of that.”

  Never one to say no to his gorgeous wife, Seamus happily obliged, settling on top of her.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, which soothed and comforted him. “It’s all going to be okay. I promise.”

  “Since you’re always right, love, I suppose I need to listen to you.”

  She hooted with laughter. “Can I have that first part in writing?”

  “Aye, you can,” he said, kissing her softly. “You can have any damned thing you want from me, as you well know.”

  “All I want is for you to be happy.”

  “I’m so happy, love. That I get to sleep with you every night…” As he spoke, he slid into her, loving that she was always so ready for him. “I want to get the boys through this so they can be happy again, too.”

  “You will. We will.”

  Because she was, in fact, usually right, Seamus took comfort in her assurances, pushing away his worries to focus entirely on her. And there was nothing better than losing himself in her. He pushed her leg to her chest, opening her to his fierce possession. For a while, he’d worried about hurting her when he took her this way, but she loved it as much as he did. The bed creaked and the headboard struck the wall, but he paid no mind to anything other than the sweet relief that overtook him when he let himself go, surging into her as they climaxed, her fingernails scoring his back.

  “We’re going to have to be more quiet,” he whispered, releasing her leg, which she curled around his hip.

  “That’ll be a challenge.”

  “Mmm, indeed.” He nibbled on her earlobe.

  “You have to stop trying to make me scream.”

  “Or I’ll have to ask Mac about soundproof walls for the boys’ new room. I like that idea better.”