Hot Male

by Lillian Grant

  “Shut up.”

  Maud blinked at him. “What?”

  “Shut the fuck up. I don’t need your help to get an erection.” The thought made him shudder.

  “So tell me, big boy, why is she sniffing around Michael? Seems to me she was never a hornbag until she met you, but maybe you’re not man enough.”

  His hands curled into fists. The woman was a nutcase and how dare she try and say he wasn’t enough for Meg or that any of this mess was his fault. Without him, Meg would still be sitting on the sofa at home and crying into a tub of Chunky Monkey. “I am man enough. Before she met me she had no idea how good sex could be.”

  Maud grinned and Sam’s annoyance melted. He got the distinct feeling he’d been played.

  “So you started out wanting to help her enjoy sex but you got caught up along the way.”

  “I love her.”

  Maud grinned. “I know you do. But the question is can you handle her? Do you really want her to be happy?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then you need to accept her the way she accepts you. I bet you suggested tying her up and she went along with the idea because you wanted it.”

  “What does tying her up have to do with me punching the Irish git?”

  “You need to let her explore her desires. Billy Thornton was a wild man between the sheets, game for anything, but when Gary Blade wanted to join in Billy threatened to cut his dick off. Billy and me never saw each other after that. Sometimes a girl needs more. Can you handle Meg needing more? I can’t say I like her taste, but maybe Michael is something she needs to get out of her system. Better she does that with you than without you.”

  Sam frowned. Would Meg cheat on him? Never. He kept her more than satisfied. “She doesn’t need anyone else. It’s just Michael playing games.”

  “You keep telling yourself that, pal, and one day you’ll come home and find another man’s boxers hanging on the bedpost.”

  He looked at Maud. “Did Billy find you and Gary together? Because Meg is nothing like you.”

  “You mean she wouldn’t go behind your back. You could be right. But that doesn’t mean she’ll be happy, and one day you’ll lose her. You need to ask her what she wants, and if it’s Michael then you are going to have to accept it.”

  Maud was an addle-brained idiot, and he would place no store in anything she said. Meg belonged to him, and he would prove to her she didn’t need anyone else. He was man enough meet her sexual desires. Although, he did wonder how Maud’s story ended. Not that her experience had anything to do with Meg’s apparent interest in Michael.

  “Did Billy lose you because you did the nasty with Gary?”

  “No, I never slept with Gary. The man was an ugly self-centered pig.”

  “Why didn’t you see Billy again then?”

  “He joined the navy.”

  “So how does your story relate to my situation, exactly?”

  “What situation?” Maud shrugged and lifted the plate. “Want another cookie?”

  Chapter 36

  Maggie started to leave the room, but Michael reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist. He wasn’t ready to chuck in the towel, pack up and leave, without at least trying to convince her to change her mind.

  “Brigit. I’ll call you back. I’m right in the middle of something.”

  “No. Michael, don’t hang up. This can’t wait.”

  Maggie tried to tug free.

  “I’ll call you back. Ten minutes.”

  He hung the phone up before Brigit could protest some more. She had lived without him for years so what would a few minutes more matter? He wasn’t in the mood to shoot the breeze or rake over the past with Brigit.

  He turned his attention to Maggie. One stray tear glistened on her cheek and she stood surrounded by broken pottery, water and flowers. She used her free hand to pry his fingers from around her wrist. “Stand still. I’ll clean this up.”

  “Then you can pack. Maybe Brigit can put you up until you fly home.”

  “Maggie. Can’t we talk this through?”

  She shook her head. “Don’t Maggie me.”

  Apparently he was still in the doghouse. He lifted the bin over and collected up the broken pieces of vase. Happy she wouldn’t cut her feet, he lifted the flowers and stood before offering them to her.

  She accepted the crushed blooms, her fingers brushing his. His heart thumped at the physical contact, and he blew out a breath. He didn’t want to walk away. Why should he be bothered if he did? She was just another woman. He’d had plenty before. He would have no trouble finding a lithe young body to warm his bed, but the thought offered him no comfort. He stared into her beautiful face. Large blue eyes stared back.

  “Why do you hate Sam so much?”

  He shrugged. The flame of anger in her eyes had been replaced by tears that threatened to spill over onto her cheeks. His heart ached. He’d never meant to hurt her. He’d never meant to let things get so out of hand. “I don’t hate him.”

  “Then why do you keep making him angry?”

  He tried a smile but his heart wasn’t in it. “Because it’s so easy.” She didn’t respond and he took a step closer. “I’m truly sorry.” Another tear trickled down her cheek, and he fisted his hands to check the desire to pull her into a hug.

  “For what?”

  “For coming between the two of you. I should have left well alone. I made a mistake bringing you to Ireland.”

  “Why did you? Did you think I would come without Sam and fall into bed with you?”

  “No chance. The man doesn’t trust me and perhaps with good reason. I’m bad news best avoided.”

  “He hates you and now he probably hates me too for throwing him out. He deserves better. I should tell him to find someone else.” She sniffed, and his resolve to keep his distance melted.

  “Darlin’.” He wrapped his arms around her. She stiffened and then relaxed as she wept into the front of his shirt. He rubbed her back and made soothing noises until she cried herself out.

  He’d been such a bastard. Maggie was right. He should pack and leave them be. As much as the thought pained him, she loved Sam, and he had no business getting between them. Once he left they would soon make up and forget he ever existed. “Sam will forgive you. He loves you. It’s me he’s pissed off at. I should go and pack.”

  She stepped back, and he lifted her chin with his finger. He stared at her. What was going on in that pretty little head? Emotion played across her face. He read sadness and unease but he wasn’t seeing hatred or even disgust. Maybe he could steal one for the road?

  He brushed his lips softly against hers and whispered, “Thank you for everything, darlin’. Time for me to go.”

  She clutched onto his shirt. “Go where? Will you be moving in with Brigit?”

  “I’m no longer any of your concern.”

  “Michael?”

  “Yes?”

  Her fingers toyed with one of his buttons, and he imagined her warm hands caressing his chest. His cock stirred to life. He needed to pull away before he made another mistake.

  “This morning was just about sex, wasn’t it?”

  A fist squeezed his heart but he managed a smile. He needed to let her go. “Sure. Just about sex.”

  She dropped her hands, and he strode from the room, determined to put some distance between them and get some perspective on the whole sorry situation.

  *

  Meg fiddled with the flowers that had been crushed in their embrace and watched him leave the room. Her stomach churned. Why had she asked him if his interest was just about sex? Michael was a womanizer who screwed for sport. She doubted he even had a heart, and if he did she had no business laying claim to it. Besides, she didn’t want his love, or anything else on offer. He planned to leave, and she had Sam, provided he came home.

  She should go and find him. Hopefully, by the time they got back, all evidence of Michael would be gone. She would have to quit her job when they got ho
me. Working in close proximity with Michael every day would be impossible even if he didn’t take his clothes off for a living. The animosity between Sam and Michael would never dim, and working with him would make the hatred slowly fester and kill her relationship with Sam. Just because she had the family hornyitus didn’t mean she had to act on it. Her mother had managed to live like a nun for years. Well, until her dad had recently rekindled the flame. Sam didn’t want a nun, but what did he want?

  He’d wanted to show her how good sex could be, and he had. So why the games with Michael? Why did watching him jack off excite her as much as watching Sam doing the same thing? Maybe that was it. Forbidden fruits. If Michael offered himself naked on a platter she would probably barely even notice. She needed to move on and focus on the man she loved.

  The phone rang and she glanced at it. No doubt the caller was Brigit again. She lifted the handset. “Hello.”

  “Maggie. Thank God. We’ve got a problem. I wasn’t going to say anything. She told me not to but she’s mad.”

  “Brigit? Did you want to speak to Michael?”

  “No. No. Too late for that. She’s gone.”

  Meg wasn’t in the mood for riddles. “Just tell me what you want. We’re busy.”

  “It’s Clara. She’s feckin’ crazy. She wanted to speak to Michael, but she wouldn’t wait. She’s got Brett. He’s showing her the way to the other cottage. She’s looking for Declan.”

  “I’ll tell Michael. I’m sure we can all sit down and talk about her issues like rational people.” Rational, huh. With Michael’s crazy Aunt Clara and Maud in the mix the conversation would be lively and far from rational, but as long as they discussed things she felt sure they would reach a compromise. Clara needed to understand that Declan was no longer her husband.

  “They’ll be no talking to her. She’s determined to find her own justice with a gun. Either Declan goes home with her or she’s going to blow his nuts off.”

  Meg’s stomach twisted. Clara wasn’t on probation for stealing Girl Scout cookies. God only knew how she had gotten out of Australia, she must have gotten hold of a false passport, but her vengeance might not stop with Declan. If Clara showed up at the cottage and Declan didn’t agree to go with her, Maud would be in danger but the old bat was too stubborn and too stupid to give in without a fight. Clara was twenty years younger and twice Maud’s size. Any scrap would be a blood bath. The thought of Maud dying chilled her to the bone and she fought back a sob. She might be batty, but she was Meg’s. She loved the crazy old lady.

  Her problems with Michael and Sam were no longer important. She needed to find Maud before Clara did. Without a word, she placed the phone down and ran to the front door, only stopping long enough to grab her coat. She slammed out of the house and ran, slipping and sliding down the front path.

  Chapter 37

  Sam glanced at his watch. He’d been gone nearly half an hour. Surely Meg would have cooled off by now. What was she doing back there alone with Michael? He didn’t even want to think about it or he’d be tempted to punch the git again. Although, if Meg did want him he would have to resist the temptation and deal with the situation in a more rational fashion.

  “You can’t hide here forever.”

  He glanced at Maud who grinned at him, flashing a set of diamond-studded dentures.

  “I’m not hiding.”

  “Much. She’s got her mother’s temper, but she was always quick to anger and quicker to forgive. Borrow one of Declan’s jackets and get yourself home. She might be naked in bed waiting for you. Maybe she’s trussed up like a turkey needing to be stuffed.”

  Sam shoved his chair back. “Do you ever think of anything other than sex?”

  Maud chuckled. “Do you?”

  He grinned. “Thanks.”

  “What for?”

  Sam leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “For a sex-crazed old bat you can be quite sensitive when you want.”

  “Get on with you before I decide I want more than a peck on the cheek for payment. Declan left a coat behind the front door.”

  “Where is Declan?”

  “He went to Dublin with Rosalie. Said he had some shopping to do.”

  “Will you be all right by yourself?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She got to her feet and pushed him. “Go on home.”

  Sam wasn’t so sure leaving her alone was such a good idea. She’d almost burnt her own house down more than once, which is why she had moved into a residential home. He hesitated for a moment. He really needed to get back to Meg before she decided to give up on him altogether. He had some apologizing to do. They really needed to talk things through and deal with her feelings for Michael one way or another.

  The sound of the front door opening made Sam sigh with relief. Declan was back and Maud was no longer his concern.

  Maud skirted around Sam and positively shimmied through the door to the hallway. She was revved up. He hoped to God Meg would be as excited to see him when he got back.

  He started to cross the room but came to a sudden halt when he heard raised voices in the hallway. Maud was arguing with a woman and the stranger sounded positively livid. She was yelling something about wanting to see Declan. Apparently Sam’s departure was going to be delayed somewhat. He stepped into the hallway and came to a halt at the sight of Maud and a woman tussling. The stranger had her back to him and he wondered what the hell she thought she was doing. Maud was old and frail and no one had a right to manhandle her no matter how much of a pain in the behind she was. Although, from where he was standing, Maud appeared to be more than holding her own.

  “Problem, ladies?”

  Maud’s assailant tugged herself from Maud and turned. Sam took a step closer and his stomach plummeted when the light caught the gleaming barrel of a gun rising to point at his head. He lifted his hands as sweat pooled in his armpits, and his whole body quaked with a sudden bone-shattering chill.

  “Fuck. Fuck.” He closed his eyes and grimaced, waiting for the explosion and the searing pain as a bullet ripped through his flesh. “Don’t shoot.”

  He gasped for air. His eyes snapping open as footsteps approached. Gun in hand, the crazy bitch kept coming. A momentary flash of regret that he hadn’t taken those self-defense classes was replaced by gut-wrenching guilt that the last memory Meg would have would be of him brawling with another man and slamming out the house in temper. He’d told her to fuck herself and that she and Michael deserved each other. Would she wait until his body was cold before taking the Irishman to her bed? Or would she go into permanent mourning never to take another lover as long as she lived? Neither of the options offered him any comfort. Whatever it took, he had to get out of this situation alive.

  “Well, what do we have here? My Declan not good enough you have to be stealing another man for yourself?”

  Sam swallowed and made eye contact with her. “I’m not … are you Clara Monaghan, by any chance?”

  “What if I am?” She shoved Maud. “Get the feck inside, both of you.”

  Maud looked set to argue but Sam interrupted. “Do as she says. Let’s all just stay calm and talk things through.”

  Clara waved the gun and they retreated to the kitchen. Weapon trained on them, she started to hunt through the drawers and cupboards. “Sit.”

  They both did as she said. Sam reached under the table and took Maud’s hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Maud might be strange but she was Meg’s aunt, and he wasn’t going to let Clara harm her if he could stop it. He just hoped Maud wouldn’t antagonize the woman. She wasn’t known for her common sense or ability to behave appropriately in any given situation.

  Clara tugged at the cords that held the curtains back and threw them on the table. “Tie him to the chair.”

  Maud lifted the twisted red silk and stared at Clara. “You into the kinky stuff as well? Jeez, Sam, it seems there are more like you out there. And I thought I was strange. He usually prefers to be the one doing the tying. How about he tie
s me to the chair instead? He can even whip me if you like.”

  Clara growled. “Tie him the feck up already and shut your stupid mouth.”

  Maud shuffled behind Sam’s chair and wrapped the ropes around his wrists. If she had any sense she would leave some slack so he could break free. As the cord bit into his skin, he sighed. He’d forgotten Maud had no sense. With him incapacitated and unable to overpower Clara, talking her down was their only hope, and that would only work if Maud shut the fuck up.

  The old lady stepped back and grinned at him. “Not so bad for a first attempt.” She turned her attention to Clara. “Would have been more fun if we tied him to the bed. We could have taken it in turns. He’s got a magnificent set of cojones. My niece loves to bounce up and down on him all the time. She’s like that tiger in Winnie the Pooh … umm … what’s his name?” Maud shrugged. “Never mind. Not important.” She flashed her pearly whites at Clara. “So you got any other kinky ideas you want to try out?”

  Clara spat on the floor and pointed the gun at Maud. “You disgust me. What the feck does Declan see in an old slut like you? The man must be off his head.”

  Maud spluttered, folding her arms and looking indignant. Sam knew if she opened her mouth one more time all hell would break loose. Clara was here to kill someone and Maud must be high on the list. He, however, had done nothing wrong and didn’t intend to get caught in the crossfire. If Maud wanted to play Russian roulette with a psycho, she could fucking well wait until after he’d left the premises in one piece. “She’s a little eccentric but completely harmless.”

  “She’ll be feckin’ harmless when I’m done with her. Now where the feck is Declan hiding.” Clara raised her gun and shot a bullet into the ceiling. The boom rattled the room and made Sam’s ears ring. Maud blinked madly as plaster dust filled the air and settled on her like icing sugar. “Get your feckless arse down here now, you useless piece of shite or your new whore gets it between the eyes.”