Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5)

by McCoy, SJ

  Her eyes narrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line. But then she smiled. That looked forced too. “Like I said, don't let her worry about me. I'll be fine.”

  “You wouldn't consider moving here?” he asked. “Megan would love that, and however much you say don't let her worry, we both know she's going to.”

  Kenzie shook her head. “I was wrong about this place too. I thought it was a dead-end backwater. It's not. It's perfect for Megan.” She stared over his shoulder. “I think she'll be happy here, as long as you don't hurt her. Part of me wishes I was more like her.” She looked back at him now. “But what the hell would I do in a place like this?”

  Michael shrugged. She had a point, he supposed. Though he wished there were something. “I don't plan on hurting her, Kenzie.”

  “Men never do. I don't want to rip your balls off and banish you from ever seeing her again like I thought I would. But I am going to make one very strong recommendation.”

  Blimey! She was a straight talker. He nodded, wondering what was coming.

  “Don't rush her. You know what she's been through. She's just starting to find herself. It would be too easy for you to influence her. Don't shape her into what you want her to be. Let her figure out what she wants.”

  Michael took a deep breath. She was only telling him what he already knew. It raised all those doubts again, about whether she would discover that she wanted the same kind of freedom Kay had. But only for a moment. He knew Meggie. He knew figuring herself out would only mean adjusting details, not changing the sweet, caring, fundamental nature of who she was. “I'll do my best.”

  Kenzie smiled. “That's all any of us can ever do.” The song came to an end and she stepped away from him.

  Michael followed her gaze as she looked back at the table where a guy was sitting to next to Megan who looked flustered and nervous. Kenzie turned back and gave him a grim smile. “Are you going to go rip his balls off, or am I?”

  Michael chuckled. “I'll take care of it.” He jerked his head toward the stage where the band was now taking a break between sets. Chase had been watching Kenzie ever since they'd come out onto the floor. “I think you've got some business of your own to take care of.”

  She smiled at him. “I told you, I always land on my feet.”

  Michael left her to it and went to rescue Megan. It seemed to him, from the looks passing between her and Chase, that Kenzie was more likely to land on her back!

  Megan's face lit up with that huge smile when he got back to the table. He grinned at the guy who was talking to her. “Sorry, mate. I can't blame you for trying, but this little lady is all mine.” He took Megan's hand and pulled her to her feet. He led her out onto the deck and around the corner. It was dark and quiet out here. He backed her against the wall and smiled down at her as he pinned her there with his hips. He loved the little gasp that escaped her lips.

  “And I thought you were coming to the rescue back there! I think I might have been safer with that guy who was asking me out.”

  Michael caught his hand in her hair and drew her head back so she was looking up at him. Her eyes glazed with desire as his other hand closed around her ass. He claimed her mouth in a deep kiss. He was surprised at his own primitive instincts. He'd wanted her all night. Now the thought of some guy asking her out had that possessiveness surging through him again. He wanted to take her right now, here against the wall, claim her as his own. The way her breath was coming slow and shallow, the way she was pressing herself against him as she kissed him back, told him she wanted him too. But no. He finally lifted his head.

  “Don't even joke about it, little one. You know you're safe with me. I'm the safest place in the world for you.” He winked at her. “I can even keep it in my pants a little while longer. But you're coming home with me tonight. I really don't think Kenzie will mind.” He was pretty damned certain Kenzie would neither know nor care where Megan slept tonight. From the looks passing between her and Chase all evening, he had a feeling that even if she did make it back to Megan's place she wouldn't be alone.

  Megan nodded. Her breathing was still shallow. “Is it time to go home now then?”

  He smiled. “Soon, Meggie. Soon.”

  ***

  The band had started up again by the time they went back inside. Megan squeezed Michael's hand when she spotted Kenzie dancing with the girls just in front of the stage. “Would you mind if I go and dance with them?”

  He dropped a kiss on her lips. “You know you need to just tell me that you're going to. You don't have to ask.”

  “I know. It's not that I think you will mind really. With you it's not as though I need permission. It's just that I'm wondering how soon you're thinking about leaving.”

  He chuckled. “I reckon you're pretty keen to get me into bed aren't you?”

  She nodded. “I am, and you know it. So I'm going to go and dance while I can.”

  She made her way across the dance floor and joined Kenzie and the girls. She looked for Michael and gave him a little wave when she saw him standing with Pete near the end of the bar.

  Holly grinned at her. “You need to get your sister to move up here.”

  “I wish I could.” She looked at Kenzie. “Is there any chance we can convince you?”

  Laura laughed and looked up at Chase who grinned when they caught him watching Kenzie while he sang. “I think he could convince her of just about anything right now.”

  Kenzie laughed. “I don't know about that, but I can tell you I'll be convincing him of a few things later.” She looked at Megan. “Don't worry about me tonight. You go home with Michael.”

  Megan frowned. It was what she wanted, but she wasn't sure about leaving Kenzie to her own devices.

  Emma smiled at her. “Don't worry, Meggie. Chase is a good guy.”

  Kenzie laughed. “See, Meggie, I'll be just fine.”

  She smiled. Kenzie had already teased her about the way people here called her Meggie and she didn't correct them. She'd said it was a sign she was starting to loosen up. Maybe she needed to. Kenzie was her own person after all. “Okay. If you have anywhere near as much fun as I'm going to, then I know you will have a great night.”

  The others all laughed at that. Missy slapped her arm. “And we know Michael is huge fun.”

  Megan giggled. Then stopped and looked at Missy. “You do?”

  Missy laughed. “Not in the way you do hon, no. But we grew up together, remember. And anyone who has ever seen him out in his cycling shorts can't help but miss it!”

  Emma was laughing now. “Thank God you brought it up, Miss. I didn't like to say anything.”

  “I think it's Meggie who brings it up,” said Laura.

  “I do.” Megan knew she was blushing, but this was fun. “In fact, is it time to go home yet?”

  Kenzie was grinning at her. “I have newfound respect, little sister. If that's the case, you should head off as soon as you're ready.”

  Megan grinned back. “You don't need to tell me twice.” She looked around and waggled her eyebrows at them, just like Michael did. “I reckon I'm ready for bed!”

  The fact that her attempt at an Australian accent was so terrible just made them laugh all the more. Kenzie came and hugged her. “This place is good for you. Now off you go home and let Michael be good to you.”

  Megan nodded. “Please be careful?”

  Kenzie grinned. “Always. And Megan, wait for me to call you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  ***

  Michael watched her with the girls. He loved the way she danced. He'd noticed from the first time he'd brought her here that she wasn't awkward or shy on the dance floor. To say she'd spent so much time hiding her hot little body, she sure as hell knew how to move it.

  Pete punched his arm. “S'up Michael? You look like you want get that little lady home.”

  Michael grinned. “That's because I do.”

  “Is it serious then?”

  He nodded. “Very. We
might have to take it slow for a while, but yeah. It's serious.”

  Pete laughed. “The way she keeps looking at you, I don't think there's any need to take it slow.”

  Michael turned to him and waggled his eyebrows. “Nah, mate, we weren't slow at that. I'm talking about the serious stuff. I can't rush her into it. She needs time.”

  “Serious, like marriage serious?”

  “Yep!”

  Pete laughed. “Wow! Another one bites the dust, huh?”

  “I hope so.” He grinned as he watched her hug Kenzie and make her way over to them with that smile on her face. Finally! It was time to take her home.

  Pete slapped his back as he walked away.

  ***

  Michael unlocked the front door and Megan stepped inside. Ollie came bounding down the hallway to make his usual fuss of her. She bent down to rub his ears and let him lick her face.

  “I missed you, Ollie-bug.”

  He whined and offered her his paw, then rolled on his back. She leaned down to rub his belly. “You love it when I do that, don't you?”

  “I do.” Michael took hold of her hips and pulled her ass back against him. He was so big, so hard, as he pressed himself against her. It felt sooo good. She pressed back into him as the heat rushed through her.

  He was pushing her dress up. “Jesus! Meggie!”

  She smiled. She had hoped tonight would be the night he would get to see her new underwear. Holly had brought her all kinds of things—lacy, strappy, silky, bright colors, blacks and whites. Tonight she had chosen a silky white thong with a matching bra. It sounded like he approved of her choice.

  She moaned as he slid his hand between her legs, his fingers seeking and finding a way inside the silk. “I think we'd better take this upstairs, little one.”

  She pressed herself against his fingers. “Couldn't we start right here?” She was completely aroused. She wanted him now. Like this. Only half undressed. Right here in the hallway.

  “Stand up, Meggie.”

  She did, disappointed that it wasn't going to happen. He wrapped his arms around her middle and walked her a little way down the long hall. He stopped in front of the large mirror.

  Without a word he pulled off his shirt. He smiled as he unzipped her dress and took in the silky underwear. Meeting her eye in the mirror he closed one hand around her breast and slid the other down, over her stomach and inside the thong. “Do you want to watch?”

  Her cheeks flushed, but she nodded. She did. She wanted to watch him take her. She ached when his hands left her. She ached even more when she realized he was unzipping himself, putting on a condom from his pocket. Once he had, his hands returned to their work. He grinned when he realized this new bra had a front fastener. He unhooked it and pushed the cups to the sides.

  Megan couldn't take her eyes off the mirror. The sight of her own body with his hands moving over her turned her on so much.

  He slid a finger inside her and smiled when she moaned. “Please, Michael?”

  She didn't need to ask him twice. “Put your hands on the shelf, Meggie.”

  She obeyed and gasped when he grasped her hip with one hand and pushed the thong aside with the other. His hot, hard head was pushing at her wetness now. She was trembling, but it was with need not fear.

  He grasped both her hips and slowly opened her up. He could only go slowly to start with. He was so big, she needed time to stretch around him. She clung to the little shelf, panting as he filled her. Her scream matched his roar when he finally lost it and thrust deep. She was vaguely aware of Ollie trotting off to the kitchen. She couldn't focus on anything but the feel of Michael moving inside her, stretching her, filling her, hanging on to her hips as he set up a desperate pounding rhythm. Seeing her breasts bounce in the mirror took her to the edge. When his big hand came around and started to stroke her nub she knew she wasn't going to last. She braced herself as she felt him tense. He growled her name as she felt him explode deep inside her. His orgasm became hers, sending waves of pleasure through her whole being, as if they would never end. He was still thrusting, still straining inside her. All she could do was ride the waves.

  When they finally stilled, he pulled out slowly and turned her around to face him. “I love you, Meggie.”

  She knew it was true as she reached up around his neck and smiled. “I love you too, Michael. Though I really may have to leave again.” She continued quickly when his dimple disappeared and his eyes filled with sadness. “I only mean so that I can get another welcome home like that.”

  He smiled. “You can have that any time you want. But can we stop talking about you leaving?”

  “We can. I don't think it's going to be an issue now. It turns out Kenzie doesn't need me. She was trying to get me to Nashville for my sake, not hers. Anyway, half-dressed in the hallway was wonderful! I think I'd like to try undressed in the bedroom next. Can we?”

  She loved his smile as he nodded and took her hand to lead her up the stairs. “We can try anything you like. We've got all night, darl'.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Megan picked up her phone and put it down again. It was ten thirty now. She had agreed to wait for Kenzie to call her, but still. She watched Ollie snuffling through the leaves down by the water. He was happy at her little house, but he seemed to love being here at Michael's place just as much as she did. She knew he was as keen as she was for Ethan to come home too. He kept going up to the boy's room and whining.

  Michael had gone to collect Ethan. She'd thought it best to let him go by himself. She couldn't wait to see him, but from what Michael had said, he was likely to make a big fuss of her when he saw her. She'd rather that happened here than in front of Michael's mom. She liked 'Lizzie' a lot, though she still wanted to call her Mrs. Morgan. She was a little uncomfortable, though about the way she kept dropping big hints about them getting married. Megan loved the idea, but she didn't know how Michael felt about it. He'd changed the subject whenever his mom brought it up. She didn't know if that was because he hadn't known if she was going to be leaving the lake, or because it wasn't what he wanted. She supposed she'd be able to get a better understanding of what he wanted now they knew she was going to stay.

  She smiled, wondering if everything might turn out as wonderfully as she was starting to hope. Her smile faded when she remembered, she didn't know if he wanted more kids. What if he wanted her, but didn't want babies? What would she do then? She took a deep breath. She thought she knew. She loved Ethan, she loved Michael, but she had always wanted to have babies of her own. She might never meet anyone again who she wanted to have babies with, but she couldn't give up on that hope. She was meant to be a mother, she knew it. She would love to become a mother to Ethan, but not if it meant giving up the chance to ever be a mother to anyone else.

  Her phone buzzed and she snatched it up off the table.

  “Kenzie! Are you okay?”

  “Of course I am. How about you, did you have huge fun?”

  Megan blushed. It was strange to talk about that with Kenzie. She couldn't help smiling though. “Yes, thank you. I did. I'm still at Michael's. I don't want to leave yet, because Ethan is on his way home. I want to see him first, but I could meet you at the house, or at the restaurant in a little while?”

  Kenzie laughed. “Too late, little sister. I left already.”

  “You what? Why? What happened”

  “Nothing bad, don't worry. Chase and I had an amazing night. We didn't get any sleep at all. Well, he fell asleep at six. I checked the schedule and there was an early bus. I decided it was time to go.”

  “Oh, but Kenz. I wanted more time with you. When will I see you again?”

  “Soon enough. You're starting out on your own little life, with your ready-made family. You don't need me hanging around.”

  “But I want you here. I wish you'd think about coming to live here.” Megan was disappointed.

  “We can't always have what we want. You know that. I'll come visit again some
time. In the meantime, you focus on being happy. You've found it. You deserve it. Make the most of it. Let that man love you. He does love you, Megan. Even I can see that.”

  “I will. I love him.”

  Kenzie laughed. “I can see that too. You need to talk to him about babies soon. I was so pleased he's such a great guy, I forgot to ask him about that. All that fun you're having could be producing some.”

  “I know. I will.”

  “Well listen. I've got to get back on the bus. I'll call you soon, okay.”

  “Make sure you do. And answer me when I call, will you?”

  “When I can. Gotta go.”

  “Bye Kenzie. I love you.”

  “Love you too, Meggie.”

  After she hung up Megan stared out at the lake wondering why Kenzie had left like that.

  ***

  Michael grinned as Ethan tightened his arms around his neck. He was maybe getting too big to be giving him a piggy back everywhere, but it was what they did. As soon as he'd said goodbye to his Grandma and Grandad, he'd climbed on his dad's back. Gabe had walked them out to the car where they were standing now.

  “Can we just go, Dad? I want to see Meggie and Ollie.”

  Gabe laughed. “She'll still be there when you get home. I won't be around though. I'm leaving this afternoon. Are you going to give your Uncle Gabe a hug?”

  Ethan grinned and reached his arms out. Gabe plucked him off Michael's back.

  “Why do you have to go? Can't you stay too?”

  Michael raised an eyebrow at his brother. He'd made the same suggestion earlier.

  “I have to go back to work.”

  “Can't you come and work here?”

  Gabe laughed. “No. My work is in New York.”

  “Dad's work was in Melbourne, but he works here now.”

  “Yeah, he's lucky. There isn't any of my kind of work here though.”

  “There are lawyers here. I know, because Taylor's dad is one. Maybe her dad would give you a job?”

  Michael laughed. He could hardly see Gabe leaving his super successful group of trial attorneys in New York to come to work in a tiny family law practice here.