“I have?”
She nodded, and in the moonlight, I could see the truth in her eyes. “I love you. Maybe I always have.”
“I know.” I kissed her softly, but deeply.
Despite saying I was too tired for sex, my body craved hers. She responded to my kiss and guided me to her. Facing each other on our sides, we found a slow rhythm, allowing us to keep kissing while I rocked inside of her. Each movement brought us closer, our breaths slowed and synched. My heart raced, and holding my hand against her chest, I felt hers keeping the same rhythm. I reached between us to stroke her, bringing her closer to a place of pleasure where her mouth would open and a low moan would gather in her throat before being exhaled. I loved that sound, and the feeling of her tightening around me as I moved. When she got there, I followed, not crashing or raging, but with a quiet explosion.
As I drifted into sleep, I listened to the wind tapping branches against the windows. Moonlight spilled over the bed, casting the rest of the room in shadow. Her breathing deepened and slowed as she fell asleep. Peace enveloped me. This was now my life.
THE LAST TIME I wore a suit had been Pops’ funeral. I tugged at my shirt cuffs under my jacket and stared at Hailey’s reflection through the mirror. She wore a pale blue, short strapless dress and her curled hair skimmed her shoulders.
“You’re beautiful.”
“I know.” She grinned and twirled for my benefit, revealing a peek of lace under her full skirt.
The small glimpse of lace turned me on more than it probably should have. “I feel like we’re going to prom.” I attempted to adjust my tie, a Douglas tartan in honor of John’s mom.
“I know what you mean by that, and no, I’m not having sex with you at the reception.” She stood in front of me and loosened my tie so she could retie it properly.
“How about after? I know what weddings do to you women. Turns you into hellcats.” I smirked and tried to kiss her.
She dodged my pursed lips and patted my now straight tie. “Hellcat?”
I held her in front of me by her hips. “Completely wild and out of control. I can’t wait.”
“You’re ridiculous.” She gave me a quick peck to the lips and then ducked under my arms to escape.
“I know.” Those two words had become our code for saying I love you as often as possible. We still said those three words, but in public or at work, “I know” worked better. Every time she said it, I smiled, knowing without a doubt, she meant it.
I’d marry this girl someday, but not today.
Today, I played the role of best man to my wingman, my best friend and brother. Two years ago we catted around, acting like boys who would always be boys, and having what we thought were the best years of our lives. This last year proved how very wrong we’d been about the last part. I’d envied him and chided him in equal measure until Hailey crashed into my world . . . again. I finally understood what Pops had been telling me.
“Ready?” I asked.
Her eyes met mine, searching and seeing straight to my soul. Answering my yet to be asked question, she replied, “Yes.”
I couldn’t prove we were set-up, but the odds of Hailey catching the bouquet in a crowd of thirty, with only two other single women, were ridiculously high. I had offered to take Diane’s garter and save John the trouble of throwing it to me. He’d scowled. Diane laughed when she told me she didn’t have one.
I loved Diane like a fourth sister and said as much in my toast.
“So despite my best efforts to charm Diane with offers to hunt geoducks, she fell for John. I suspect it was love at first sight, despite taking them months to figure out the obvious.” I let my eyes wander to Hailey. “To my best friend, the second luckiest man in the world, and the woman who loves him.” I raised my glass to complete the toast.
When I sat down, Hailey leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Second luckiest?”
“A very distant second.” I circled my arm around her, resting my fingers on the hidden words curving around her ribs. “A chuisle mo chroí.”
There you go. A year in the life of Tom Cat Donnely. A birth, a death, a bar fight, and a wedding. I can’t wait to see what life brings me next. Marriage? Definitely. Kids? Thinking about it. Spending the rest of my life loving a girl named Idaho? I’m the luckiest guy in the world.
A big thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this book and leave a review. I know your time is precious and there are so many good books being published these days that it’s impossible to keep up with TBRs and new releases. The fact that you made time to read my book means the world to me.
Readers bring my stories to life. Without you, these books would just be words on a page or computer. Thank you.
Unending gratitude to my husband and family for continuing to support this crazy writing life.
Special thanks to the Lost Girls, who are the best friends a person could have. We may not see each other often enough, but our daily chats remind me that true friendships withstand distance and timezones.
A big thank you to Heather Maven for giving CoaRTC a thorough (and often tear-inducing funny) read-through. Thank you to Ashley, Dianne, Traci, and Kelly for reading early and very messy drafts—your feedback is always invaluable. Penny Reid, thank you for being brutal. The book is better for it. Thank you to all the authors who support each other in the Indie world. The list of names is too long to include here, and for that I’m truly blessed.
Thank you to Melissa Ringsted for correcting my sins against grammar and Marla Esposito for her eagle-eye proofing. (Any remaining errors are my own.) Thank you to Sarah Hansen for a gorgeous cover, and to Christine Borgford at Perfectly Publishable for making the inside of the book beautiful.
Many thanks to early readers and bloggers, who shared their enthusiasm and love for Tom Cat, including: Amanda, Mandy, MJ, Tara, Laurie, Lisa, Tiffany, Beth, Lynsey, Kiersten, Debbie, Charleen, Lori, Daiana, Margie, Margaret, Charlene, Erika, Teresa, Jiff and Stacy.
Special thank you to my agents, Flavia Viotti Siqueria and Meire Dias at Bookcase Literary Agency, for believing in my work and wanting to bring it to the rest of the world.
Thanks in advance for writing a review, telling a friend about Tom Cat, or reaching out to let me know you enjoyed this or any of my other books. Hearing from readers is the best part of publishing.
Modern Love Stories:
Geoducks Are for Lovers
Purchase from Amazon
Ready to Fall
Purchase from Amazon
Missionary Position
Purchase from Amazon
Confessions of a Reformed Tom Cat
Purchaset from Amazon
Modern Love Story Shorts:
Take Two (Available in LOL Vol. 1)
Purchase from Amazon
Take the Cake (Available in LOL Vol. 2)
Purchase from Amazon
Take for Granted (Available in LOL Vol. 3)
Purchase from Amazon
Wingmen (Modern Love Story #2, 4, & bonus) Page 49