by Marlee Wray
“My goodness. Look at this room!” his mom said.
“Yeah, it’s clean, right, Grandma? Kate said all castles have servants, and they wouldn’t let it get messy, especially on a day of an important tea party. You want some tea, Grandma?”
“Who cleaned this room? You guys or Kate?” Rory asked.
They looked up guiltily. “We did. We helped!”
“My girl doesn’t like messes,” Rory murmured.
“Good for her. But talk to me when she’s got three or four kids of her own. They’ll wear her down.”
Kate looked a little alarmed at the prospect as she came over.
“No one’s going to wear her down,” Rory said, introducing her to his mom.
“Well, you’re just beautiful. And smart, I hear. And talented.”
Kate blushed and looked down. “Not exactly. I work hard though.”
“Well, then you’re a good match for Rory. I never knew a day when he wasn’t hard at work on something. Of course, he wanted a salary for his trouble.”
“Ma,” he said mildly.
His mom laughed. “What? Don’t you want Kate to know that you accused your dad and me of being right out of Dickens?”
Kate’s brows shot up, and she grinned. “What’s this?”
“He was nine, and we sent him to help cut the grass of some of the old folks on the block. Do you know he asked the local lawn service what they charged and then demanded the same?” She laughed. “‘I deserve a living wage.’ That’s what he said. When I asked him what a living wage was, he had no idea. He’d heard it on some financial channel and knew it meant getting paid more.” She continued, chuckling. “The negotiation went on for days. I tell you so you’ll be careful of this one. He was born relentless.”
“You act like she doesn’t know,” Rory said.
His mom clucked her tongue at him, then turned to Kate. “Well, we’re very glad you’re here. If you need anything, just come and tell me. I know this place is a madhouse. We’re all used to it, but if you don’t have brothers and sisters—?”
Kate shook her head.
“Or close cousins? No. Then it’ll take a little time for it to seem normal to you.”
Kate nodded politely.
The little girls wanted her to return to the tea party. They hadn’t even served the imaginary cakes yet, and she’d promised to have some.
“Should I?” Kate asked.
Rory nodded. “I’ll grab you when the real food’s ready.”
When they left the room, his mom gave him a look. He didn’t ask because he knew he didn’t need to.
“She seems very sweet and very shy.”
Rory said nothing.
“And a little stiff. Comes from money?”
“Not the kind you’re talking about. Her dad’s a university professor. Her mom’s a substitute teacher for elementary schools. Her grandfather’s the one who pays her tuition and that was contingent on her getting into Yale and going there.”
His mom frowned. “So only if she measured up? Nice family.”
“We’ll see,” Rory said evenly.
“You must care a lot about her. You never bring anyone home.”
Rory said nothing.
“Garrett and Cindy were from different backgrounds, but anyone could see how much alike they were in their values and what they were comfortable with. It’s hard to overcome big differences if they’re fundamental ones.”
“Agreed.”
“So you think you have enough in common?”
“I know we do.”
She nodded and smiled. “You always think you’re right, Rory.”
“I don’t have to start out right. I just have to be relentless about getting what I want, so I turn out to be right in the end.”
“My son. The king of the self-fulfilling prophecy.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, let me know what I can do to help her feel comfortable. Maybe Cindy and Stacia can take her out—”
He grinned. “No, thanks.”
“Why not? Are you afraid they’ll encourage her to stand up to you? Don’t be gruff with her, Rory, if you expect to keep her. You know every girl in neighborhood started off crazy about you and then ended up avoiding you because you hurt their feelings.”
“Is that what happened?” Rory asked mildly. “Good to know.”
“You act like it’s a joke, but I know you, my darling boy. You wouldn’t have brought her here if you didn’t have something serious on your mind. Be nice to her to make up for the stuff you’ll say without thinking that’ll hurt her feelings.”
He hugged his mom, tight enough for her to poke his side.
“If you love her, you should tell her,” his mom persisted.
“I wonder where I get my relentless streak from.”
She smirked. “I’m serious.”
“Ma, listen, because I’m only gonna say it once. I don’t need help or advice. Kate knows better than anyone how I feel about her.”
“And she feels the same way about you?”
He smirked. “The skepticism is great, Ma. Appreciate it.”
She gave a long-suffering sigh. “All right, I wash my hands of it.”
“Good idea.”
“Well, will you at least buy her a present for spending the weekend here and putting up with all this noise? Anyone can see she’s not used to it. Buying people gifts is one thing you’re really good at.”
“You think I should bribe her into staying with me?” he asked, amused. “There’s a word for that.”
“That’s not what I meant. You know—never mind, here she comes.”
“I had two imaginary strawberry shortcakes and one imaginary cream puff. I can’t figure out why I’m so hungry,” Kate said.
“Let me see what’s ready,” his mom said, disappearing into the kitchen.
Rory pulled her to him. “Did the Mad Hatter show up?”
“No, but funny you should ask. I told them about him and now they’re looking for him everywhere, convinced he’s in the house. They’re checking the toy box and closets. I’m supposed to check the kitchen. They’re so hilarious,” she said, shaking her head.
“My mom tried to give me advice. She said I should be nice to you.”
Kate glanced down and smiled. “She meant well.”
“She also said I should buy you presents. Guess I’ll tell her about the nipple clamps and the collars.”
Kate laughed.
“Here she comes,” he said in a low voice, then louder, “Thanks for making me a plate, Ma. Appreciate it.”
“Very funny. Come and sit down, Kate sweetheart, and tell me what you’re studying in school while you eat.”
“Finally someone who knows how I deserve to be treated,” Kate teased.
He smirked and swatted her ass as she walked away.
His mother gave him a stern look. “I saw that. You better behave, Rory.”
“Uh huh,” Rory said, the corners of his mouth curving up.
His mom shook her head. “Go away. Leave Kate and me in peace.”
* * *
After his nephew opened his gifts, the party thinned out, and Rory told her that they’d put in their appearance and could head to the hotel anytime she was ready. She could see he was having a good time though, so said she’d like to stay a little longer.
She spent more time with his adorable nieces and then found an unexpected opening with the nephews. They came to Rory for advice on a video game.
“Why ask me? I’m no gamer,” Rory said.
“Your friend. The one you texted at Christmas.”
“Oh,” Rory said with a smile. “Shay,” he said to Kate. “He’s not just a gamer, he’s the game master. Worked remotely for Mackerel Entertainment on expansions for Blitz Battalion when he was fifteen. Used his dad’s name and social security number to get hired.”
“He’s cool! He knows all the game hacks. So can you ask him if he’ll answer a Halo 5 question?”
&
nbsp; “Naw, if the game’s too much for you, play something easier.”
“I might be able to help them,” Kate whispered to Rory.
“Go ahead.” To his nephew, he said, “Take her.”
The boy looked skeptical, but waved her to join them.
Once they were settled in, they very quickly changed their assessment of her. Gaming had been a big part of her life once… until she’d found the grownup games she wanted to play.
When Rory stood in the doorway with a drink in his hand, his nephews razzed him.
“She’s good, Uncle Rory. Better than you.”
He ignored them, focusing on Kate instead. “You don’t have to stay in here. If you get bored come out.”
“Do you want me?” she asked, setting the controller down.
“Always.”
The boys exchanged looks. They were old enough to sense what that ‘always’ meant.
“But you can play a little a longer if you feel like it. I’ll have a last drink with my brothers.”
“Okay,” she said, picking the controller up again.
Rory left and she played for another forty minutes.
She bumped into Rory next when she was coming out of the bathroom. “I stole some Motrin from the medicine cabinet,” she confessed in a whisper. “This bra is too tight.”
“Want me to take it off you, kitten?”
“Did you call her a kitten?” one of the four-year-olds demanded, causing Kate to jump in surprise.
Rory was unfazed. “Go play,” he said, pointing.
“Kate, come with me,” she said, holding out a small hand.
“No,” Rory said. “She’s gonna stay with me for a while. Go on.”
The little girl pouted, but eventually wandered off.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked.
“Never better,” Rory said.
“She wasn’t happy. She’ll probably tell everyone we were mean to her.”
“No one would buy it. I spoil all of them. And you’re the sweetest thing in this house, bar nothing.”
“You seem a little—” She put a hand on his face.
“Drunk?”
“A little,” she whispered.
He winked. “We’ve had our fair share of Scotch the past couple of hours. The McLeod brothers and brothers-in-law are big into toasts, especially when I bring a couple of hundred-dollar bottles of Lagavulin with me.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun.”
He yawned. “What I’m having is the urge to lie down with you.”
“Are you sober enough to navigate? I can drive.”
“Yeah, I guess you could. I was gonna call for a car.”
“Oh, there you are!” a group of women crowded into the small hall. “We decided that we’ll put the boys on air mattresses in the basement and Kate can stay in Stacia’s room with her.”
“No.”
“Rory, there’s no reason for you to stay in a hotel. You’ll stay here, you can drink as much as you want with the guys, and we’ll get to know Kate. In the morning, Cookie will make breakfast and while you’re sleeping in, we’ll show Kate Baltimore.”
“That’s so nice of you,” Kate said gently.
“But no,” Rory said.
“Rory, why do you have to be difficult?”
“Born that way.”
“Kate, tell him you’d like to go shopping and get a pedicure and have fun with the girls tomorrow.”
Kate bit her lip.
Rory smirked.
“I’ll go if you really want me to and if Rory says it’s okay,” she offered, unsure of how to proceed without making someone upset.
“Right,” Rory said, shaking his head.
“Don’t be a jerk, Rory. Mom wants us to take her, and we want to take her. Let us. She’s been entertaining the kids all day while you’ve been drinking with the guys. Maybe Kate would like a day to have fun.”
It was then that she realized that the women had been drinking cocktails and were a little drunk, too.
“You say that like you have any idea what’s fun for Kate. Don’t assume you know what she wants. You don’t.”
“Why? Because you haven’t told her yet? You can be such an overbearing jerk, Rory.”
“Can I say something?” Kate whispered.
“Yeah, what do you want to say, kitten?”
His calling her kitten sent the women into another spiral of fury. Their raised voices brought a bunch of the men up the rear into the small space.
“Too many people,” she whispered, retreating behind him into the bathroom and trying to draw him with her.
Rory, however, did not move an inch.
The group seemed to have some idea of following her, but Rory put an arm out and blocked their way.
“You’re not going to crowd her,” Rory said.
One of the women tried to pass, but he caught her arm and held her. This infuriated her, but he didn’t move or let her go. Kate winced when she saw that some of the kids were peeking out of doorways.
“Back up, and I’ll let you go,” Rory told his sister.
She screamed at him and actually raised a hand. Kate froze. But several people pulled the woman back before her palm connected. The hall cleared instantly.
Kate emerged again, stiff with nervousness. “I wish everyone wasn’t so upset.”
“Everyone’s fine,” Rory said.
Rory’s brother Garrett appeared at the end of the hall.
“What the hell, Rory?”
“Enough already,” Rory barked. “Kate doesn’t want to go. If she really wanted to, I’d let her go, but she doesn’t.”
“You’d let her go? What’s up with that? You say stuff offhandedly like that, and it makes us wonder—”
“What?” Rory challenged.
“I don’t know.”
“May I say something?” Kate asked again.
“Of course, Kate. Christ! You don’t have to ask permission,” Garrett snapped impatiently.
Kate winced. Rory caught it, and his expression hardened.
“Fuck off,” Rory said, suddenly very serious. He put his body between Kate’s and Garrett’s. “Seriously, Garrett. Take yourself somewhere else.”
Garrett glared. “Let her say what she wanted to say, and I will.”
“Do not square off with me, Garrett. You’re not Stacia. You, I will knock on your ass.”
“Please,” Kate whispered, sliding an arm around Rory’s chest.
“No, Kate. No one’s gonna bark at you. If he wasn’t my brother, he’d already be on the goddamned floor.”
“He didn’t mean it. He’s just worried that maybe I’m a girl in over my head. You’re very intimidating, Rory. Even to your family.”
A little of the tension eased.
“Garrett, I can see why Rory loves you all so much.”
“C’mon, Kate,” Rory said with a scowl, but Garrett actually smiled a little.
“It’s true, Rory. I think your family would do what they thought was right even if it meant getting in a battle with you, which no one sane could ever want to do. It’s honorable, even if they’re wrong.” She gave Garrett a sheepish expression. “I don’t care about shopping or getting my nails done. I don’t drink Cosmos or listen to Taylor Swift. Basically, the only thing I really like is being with your brother.”
Garrett looked startled.
Rory laughed.
“It’s so sweet of the girls to offer to spend the day with me, but if it’s really about me having the best time, they should leave me with Rory.”
After a moment, Garrett said, “I guess that answers that.”
Rory was silent.
“Now the big question is, if you’re going to a hotel, who gets custody of the Lagavulin?”
“Asshole,” Rory said.
“Oh, good, me,” Garrett said with a wink. Then he disappeared and the hall was quiet and empty, except for the two of them.
“Was that okay? I know you could’ve handled it… I
just thought it would be good if they understood.”
Rory pulled her in front of him. “Was that true? You don’t like shopping and all that?”
“Well, it was true that I like it less than spending time with you.”
He raised a brow. “So you admit you lied. You’re a really bad girl, kitten.”
She stared into his eyes. “When I’m less sore, I guess you’ll have to teach me a lesson.”
He kissed her, then ran his tongue over her neck to her ear. He bit her earlobe gently and whispered, “The blood in my veins, baby. I swear it.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kate and Rory had slept late and then spent another hour in bed. They were soaking in a tub of warm water full of bath salts when Rory’s phone blew up.
“For fuck’s sake,” he grumbled, hauling himself out of the tub and tracking water across the floor. She heard him sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“You were right, kitten, when you said we should be hermits.”
She laughed. “Your family?”
“They’re going to have lunch in the restaurant downstairs. We should come if we’re up. If not, they’ll hang out in the bar after until we’re ready to meet up with them.”
“You could text them that we drove back to Connecticut.”
“No, Stash wants a chance to apologize. If I don’t let her, it’ll turn into a thing.”
“I can’t believe she tried to slap you.”
“She thinks she’s still the baby sister who can get away with anything. Part of that comes from me. I taught her to be strong, so she could stand up for herself when I wasn’t around to protect her.”
“But to actually—what are you doing?” she asked.
“Put your legs up on the ledges,” he said, stroking himself as he stepped back into the tub.
“With them waiting?”
“Yeah, I didn’t invite them over. Let them wait.”
She smiled. “Would we be having sex in the tub if they weren’t waiting?”
“Legs up. I want you open.”
“That salt water stings,” she murmured, but leaned back against the sloped end of the tub and put each foot on a ledge. He slid between her legs and entered her. She was swollen from earlier and felt uncomfortably stretched by his thick cock.