by Marie Harte
“Me?”
The glare she gave him shut him up.
“That tart you were with last night made me lose my head. I was so jealous. It killed me seeing you with her. I had plans to… Oh hell. Flynn, I was a bitch to you from day one. Not my fault, really, because I was having a really bad day, and there you were, the enemy, looking incredibly handsome, sexy, and in control while I ranted and raved like a crazy woman. The next day, you were so nice.” She drew out the word like a curse. “And so hot in your underwear. You really shouldn’t walk around in those if you don’t want to get jumped.” She glanced at a similar pair lying on the floor next to them.
He couldn’t help grinning.
“I’m a sucker for good abs.” She bit her lip. “And a nice package. You’re that and more. Flynn, you make me laugh. You made me cry too, and I’m not pretty when that happens.”
“I know.”
She scowled, and his heart threatened to burst from his chest. She held up a hand. “Let me finish.”
He nodded.
“I said a lot of things I regret. I’m sorry I flipped out on you.” She took a deep breath and let it out in a rush, but she didn’t break eye contact. “I appreciate you mentioning me to the Weirs. I did call them, and the job sounds perfect.” She blushed, which amused him, considering she’d just been thoroughly fucked and still sat naked in front of him. “I guess she also heard of me through a few friends I still have at Hampton’s. So it wasn’t just your recommendation that got me the job, but my work for them as well.”
“Like I told you. They wouldn’t hire you if you weren’t good.”
“Okay, okay. You told me so. I know. I was wrong. Capital W wrong. It’s just, you don’t know. I haven’t talked a lot about my past because I don’t like thinking about it. I never went into how hard it was growing up, but I think that’s where a lot of my issues stem from. Don’t get me wrong. I always knew my mom loved me, but she worked so hard. I used to feel like she’d have had an easier life if I’d never been born.”
He frowned.
“I know, stupid to feel that way. She loves me to death. But we grew up pretty poor.”
“Maddie, money isn’t important to me—”
“Not to me either, which is weird, right? I should be hunting a rich man.”
He shifted. Truth to tell, between his work and Cam’s investment strategy, he didn’t worry overly about money. Mostly he worked hard because that was what he knew.
“But for me, it’s not about wealth, though I wouldn’t say no to it. It’s about not having to struggle like my mom did. I just wanted to prove I could make something of myself. I put myself through school and interned my ass off for a great job—or what I thought was a great job. You met me on a downswing.” She gave him an apologetic grimace. “Instead of super-confident Maddie, you got the world-is-going-to-end Maddie. I was afraid I’d be back cleaning houses and waiting tables.”
She brushed back a tear. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t want her to stop talking.
“You’re so successful at what you do,” she continued. “It made me feel like I wasn’t. This job is new to me, and I’m making mistakes.”
“Maddie, we all do. Brody and I have been in business together for years and we still make them.”
She nodded. “I know. I’m stupid. It’s just, you’re not like the other guys I’ve dated. Flynn, you matter to me,” she confessed in a whisper. “I started falling for you, and I was afraid.”
Though she tried to resist, he pulled her into his arms but kept a small distance between them so he could see her face. “Oh baby. Why? I’d never hurt you.”
“But you would if you left. In case you can’t tell, I like you a lot.” She sniffed, and her eyes filled. “I didn’t want to give you the man-up or man-out speech. All of my exes always manned out.”
He hugged her tight and kissed her tears away. “I’m not them, Maddie. I’m not going to settle for your ultimatums. It’s not clingy to want to spend time with you.”
She smiled through her tears. “Not when it’s you. You’re so strong. You make me feel safe. I just,” her voice caught on a sob. “I was so scared you’d leave, so I pushed you away first.” She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “I’m so gross right now.”
He chuckled. “Funny, I was thinking I’ve never seen you more beautiful. Those watery eyes, that pouty mouth. Maddie, you’re intelligent, you don’t take any crap from anyone, and you’re sexy as hell. But I’ve met plenty of women who fit that description. It’s you, what’s inside you, that’s what I miss when we’re apart. Look, I’m not the most sensitive guy. I make mistakes. I love your body, so yeah, sometimes when you’re talking, I’m imagining my dick between your lips, or my mouth on those beautiful breasts of yours.” He loved seeing her flush. “But when I’m inside you, it’s different. It’s like I’m giving you something more.”
The silence between them made him feel stupid. Could he be any more of a pussy? Maybe he should start his own Hallmark line—
“Oh Flynn.” She hugged him to her, holding him so close he could feel her every curve and breath. “I’ve never loved anyone before, not a man, I mean. My dad didn’t exist, and my mom made sure to warn me about the dangers of falling in love with the wrong person.” She pulled back. “But you’re not the wrong person. I panicked that I’d finally found the right one and you wouldn’t want me.”
“Maddie,” he chided and kissed her. “Why wouldn’t I want you?”
“I have a temper. I’m too emotional. I need to lose ten pounds, and I’m a mess at work right now. I’m under-billing your aunt, and I can’t—”
He chuckled. “No, wait. One, your temper gets me hard.” He pulled her back and forth over his growing erection. “You’re a natural redhead. And you’re so my type it’s not even funny. I like that you’re emotional. It’s when you hide how you feel that I’m not that happy with you. You’re perfect the way you are. I’m not seeing the extra ten pounds anywhere, but if you decide to lose them, take them from anywhere but your ass, tits, or stomach. I love passing that belly when I’m about to go down on you.”
Her eyes darkened.
“About my aunt… talk to Cam. He’s a wonder when it comes to billing people. Seriously. Or talk to Brody.”
“He doesn’t like me.” She sounded pitiful.
“Yes he does. He’s just worried for me. He saw how hard I fell for you. Like Abby and Vanessa with you, he and my brothers always have my back.” He held her in his arms, content to stay this way for the rest of his life. “We’re lucky people, Maddie. I love you. I want to marry you, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes to prove to you I’m not going anywhere. You’re it for me. Mike tells me it’s a McCauley thing.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
It couldn’t be that easy. “That’s it? Just okay?”
She squirmed and rubbed against his cock again, filling the damn thing out. “The first time was hard for me to say, but now I can’t stop myself. I love you. I love everything about you, Flynn. Except maybe your taste in dinner partners.”
Should he tell her the truth about Tara now or later? “Um…”
“I’ll be honest. The thought of the future scares me. But I know I don’t want to be with anyone else but you.” She swallowed loudly. “I’ve been so scared of making my mom’s mistakes, of getting pregnant before I was ready. That’s why I’ve been on the Pill and why I made my partners wear condoms.” Her eyes shimmered. “You’re the only one who’s ever come inside me. I love you so much, Flynn. When we were at Mike’s, and I was holding Colin and sitting with you, I imagined what it would be like… to hold our baby.”
She bit her lip, watching him for a reaction. Did she expect panic? Worry?
Elation filled him. “Oh honey, me too. But hell, you’d barely let me hold your hand, let alone refer to you as anything closer than a casual friend.” He rubbed her belly. “Someday, when you’re ready, when we’re ready, we’ll make that h
appen.”
“Really? Even though I broke your poor heart?” She didn’t sound very sorry about that. He thought her conceit could use a knock or two. But the pleasure, the love in her eyes captivated him.
“Broke it into tiny pieces.” He had to clear his throat not to cry like a goddamn girl. If he shed a tear and the guys found out, he’d never hear the end of it. Then she smiled, and he couldn’t contain his joy. One spilled over. “Shit.”
She laughed and cried with him. “I won’t tell. I promise.”
He rubbed the offensive tear away with the heel of his hand. “I’ll give you all the time you need, Maddie. I promise I’ll be right here waiting. But breaking my heart the way you did, that’s going to take one hell of an apology to forget. Maybe some groveling, on your knees, your mouth open, waiting for me. That might help speed my forgiveness.”
She crawled out of his lap and knelt before him. She licked her lips. “I should make it up to you, shouldn’t I?” A glance at his cock had her smiling. “What was that you said before? Something about sucking you deep and begging.”
“Why don’t you show me how sorry you are, you little witch?” His abs contracted as she ran her fingernails up his legs to his belly. “You owe me.”
“I do. I love you, Flynn. Please, let me show you how much.”
He stood and spread his legs, braced for her touch. Yet the hot friction of her lips around his cock still made him tremble. “Maddie, baby. I love you so much.”
She moaned and sucked. Cupping his balls, she scraped those fuck-me nails over his scrotum and down his thighs, not hard enough to break the skin but just enough to drive him insane.
He panted, whispered her name, and prayed to last. But she gave him no respite. She breathed through her nose as she worked him, owning him with little more than the sweep of her lashes, the glance of her bright eyes.
“You’re mine,” he stated, unable to look away. “And I’m yours. Always, baby.”
She sucked hard, licking and stroking with her tongue. Her breasts heaved as she blew him, and then she sucked him deeper and took him to the back of her throat in a move that shocked the hell out of him.
The added stimulation against his cockhead became unbearably good. He rocked into her mouth, though he’d done his best not to do anything to make her more uncomfortable than she had to be.
Yet she looked so eager, so into pleasuring him he couldn’t think, only react.
Her hand again cupped his sac. His balls were rock hard, and he couldn’t stop himself from thrusting deeper. Agony and ecstasy gathered at the base of his spine and pushed throughout his body as he released.
“Baby, yes. I’m coming… so hard…”
He groaned her name as he jetted down her throat, unaware of when he’d gripped her shoulders as he pushed deeper still.
When he could again function, he withdrew and heard her suck in a huge breath.
“Oh shit. I’m sorry.” He sounded drunk and had trouble keeping his balance.
She shook her head and evened her breathing. “No, I’m sorry. I was wrong before. But I’m here now. And I’m not leaving.” Was she convincing herself or him? Either way, he didn’t intend to let her go again.
“Good. Because one good turn deserves another.” In control of himself once more, he pulled her to her feet and lifted her over his shoulder. As he started for his bedroom, he slapped her on the ass. “Be a good girl and spread those legs for me once we’re on the bed. Time for an early dessert, lover.”
Epilogue
A month later, standing outside the back door to Mike’s kitchen, Maddie glared at her hottie by the grill. Flynn had been driving her nuts lately and seemed to revel in pissing her off. He claimed seeing her angry aroused him, but she thought he was just getting her back because she’d given him such a hard time at the start of their relationship.
Almost five months together and they still had hot sex all the time. They laughed and played. She looked forward to the end of her work day to spend time with him and their interlocking families. His clan had fully embraced her and her roommates. They spent time together, all of them, and the warmth of acceptance had yet to fade.
“Hey, Red, stop dreaming and grab the plate for the burgers.” Brody treated her like an extension of Flynn, but without all the cursing and roughhousing, thank God. They truly acted like brothers in every sense of the word.
She grabbed the plate off a nearby table and shivered at the wind that whipped through the open door, wishing she’d brought more than her fleece jacket. As they neared Halloween, the weather had become downright nippy.
“I’ll give it to Flynn.” Vanessa took the plate and sneered at Maddie’s jacket. “Do you need me to dress you, too? I got you a great rental rate on the house you now barely live in, I still take care of your books, and I landed you a hot boyfriend.”
Flynn must have overheard, because he turned around and saluted Vanessa by lifting a bottle in her direction. Brody muttered under his breath as he took the plate and darted back to Flynn’s side.
Once he’d gone, Maddie said, “You didn’t land me anything. If I remember right, you thought he was a user.”
“Not so. I just think good-looking men can be a little too sure of themselves sometimes. Helps to take them down a peg or two.” She lowered her voice. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but something’s going on between Abby and Brody. She won’t talk to me about it yet, but I’m wearing her down.”
Maddie was ashamed she hadn’t noticed. Ever since she and Flynn had opened up to each other, her entire world seemed right. She didn’t flinch when he talked about love or marriage anymore, and she fantasized about kids and a life with him all the time—except when working. There she’d become more than good at compartmentalizing.
Cam took that moment to nudge Vanessa and Maddie into the house, like herding sheep.
“Watch it, you jerk,” Vanessa snapped then flushed when Cam pointedly looked at the small boy by his side.
Colin gaped. “Oh man. She called you a jerk.”
“Now, Colin.” Cam shot Vanessa a smug look. “You know we’re not supposed to say bad words in the house.”
Vanessa wasn’t having it. “I was standing outside, spongebrain.”
“Spongebrain!” Colin laughed and raced past his grandmother in the kitchen, no doubt to share this newest insult with the family.
No longer amused, Cam turned his back on Vanessa, who deliberately left the door open when she exited the house. “She’s letting all the heat out,” Cam complained and shut the door again before turning to frown at Maddie too. Through the window, she saw Vanessa stick her tongue out at the back of his head.
She grinned at Cam. “You sure the heat’s out? Because you look pretty hot under the collar.”
“You’re not that funny.” He nodded at his mother, working in the kitchen, then left Maddie when his father called to him from the living room.
Next to Beth, Abby stood eating a carrot and tapping her foot to some rock music playing softly in the background.
Maddie shook her head. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping?”
Abby grinned and swallowed a mouthful of food. “I’m the taste tester. Try Beth’s killer dip. I told her it’s fine, but she keeps wanting to add more dill.”
Beth chuckled. “I need more than your opinion. You like everything I cook.”
“But isn’t it flattering? I think I’ve gained an extra ten pounds from your dinners alone.”
Beth preened. “Well, it is nice to know I’m appreciated. Some people,” she raised her voice and glared in the direction of the living room, “don’t know how good they have it.”
Maddie exchanged a glance with Abby but took her friend’s headshake to heart and let it pass.
Beth smiled, and Maddie saw Flynn in the expression. Though the woman had to be in her mid- to late fifties, she had the energy and looks of a woman a decade younger. The McCauleys had good genes.
Flynn would make such p
retty babies.
She frowned, wishing she could stop thinking about procreating for more than two seconds at a time.
“Everything okay, Maddie?” Beth frowned.
She smiled. “Fine. I was just wondering how to—”
“Grandma!” Colin’s shrill voice sounded from outside the kitchen. “I need you.” Somehow he stretched the word need into four syllables.
Beth wiped her hands on a towel and rolled her eyes. “Boy is just like his father. Needy and not shy about telling you.”
They snickered at the description of big tough Mike, who walked through the kitchen looking annoyed.
“Colin’s that way,” Maddie pointed. When they were alone, she turned to Abby, “So Abby, what’s this about you and Brody?”
Abby’s eyes widened. “What?”
The squeak gave her away. Before Maddie could press for details, the back door opened and Brody came in. Abby froze. Brody stopped in his tracks. The look Brody gave her best friend made Maddie blush for her.
Then a freight train bore down on both of them.
Abby bumped into her to avoid a monstrous canine barking up a storm. Flynn raced by them, swearing as he tried to catch the thing. Brody joined him after a moment, but he tripped over Abby’s shoe and knocked her into Maddie. The three of them went sprawling to the floor in an ugly, painful heap.
“Ow. How is it I’m on the bottom of this?” Maddie winced and tried to scoot out from under Abby and Brody, who felt like he weighed more than her car.
“How do you think I feel?” Abby’s muffled words mixed with Brody’s laughter. “I’m the lean turkey in this sandwich.”
“Lean turkey?” He laughed harder and moved off them. Then he picked Abby up as if she weighed nothing.