Sam moaned and slapped her thigh. “Let go, baby.”
Michael felt the power of her orgasm as he pressed his tongue against her clit. Her whole body vibrated under him. She tugged hard on his dick, nipping at him with her teeth and he pulled away as his orgasm blew through him. His yell of “Jaysus, Maggie,” joined Sam’s yelps of “Yee haw.”
Chapter 48
Michael glanced at Maggie who was sound asleep curled up with Sam. She’d been magnificent. He’d lost count of how many times they’d had her. The afternoon had rolled into evening. They’d all sat in the kitchen butt naked eating soup and drinking Aunt Rosalie’s best whiskey before heading back to bed. Finally exhausted, Maggie had drifted off to sleep with her arms wrapped around his middle. He thought she had whispered something but he could have imagined it. Sam had been too tipsy to care where Michael was. He’d spent the night in bed with the both of them. Now he had to go. The thought of never seeing her again broke his heart. She was a wonderful lover who had accepted him not only into their bed but into her life if only for a short time. She’d even tried to step in front of him to save him from a bullet. No matter now. His time was up. He’d had the one night of pleasure Sam had promised.
He’d showered and dressed in the dark, and thankfully neither of them had stirred. His suitcase was by the front door waiting for him. He leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. She snuggled into the pillow. A glance at Sam showed he was sound asleep. Michael pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “I love you, Maggie Riley.”
Carefully, he crossed the room, crept down the stairs and walked out the front door, tugging it shut behind him.
The headlights from Shamus’s car lit up the roadway ahead. Michael fought to keep his balance as he skated across the ice and snow to the waiting vehicle.
Shamus gave him a hug, and then opened the trunk. Michael stowed his case.
“Where to?”
“I need to see Brigit and then get to the airport if I’m to make my flight to London.”
They both climbed inside the car and slammed the doors. Michael glanced back as they pulled away. Shamus was unusually quiet, which suited Michael. He wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
He checked the dashboard clock. It was just after seven. Shamus pulled up outside Brigit’s. “I’ll wait here then, shall I?”
“Aye, I won’t be long.”
Michael got out of the car and shoved his hands in his coat pockets as he made his way up the driveway. He hadn’t even reached the front door before it swung open. Brigit was wearing a cream bathrobe that came almost to her feet. “Michael?”
“Sorry to call so early. Did we wake you?”
She shook her head. “Not at all.” She looked over his shoulder. “Do you and Shamus want to come in?”
He shook his head. “No. I just came to say goodbye.”
“Why?”
“There’s nothing more for me to do here.”
“What about Sam and Maggie?”
“What about them?” His stomach roiled, and he fought back choking emotion.
“Oh, Michael.” Brigit reached up and cupped his cheek. “I knew things would end in tears.”
He placed his hand over hers and turned his face to plant a kiss in the middle of her palm. “No tears, just memories.”
“Happy ones?”
He nodded and smiled. “Aye. Anyway, I wanted to apologize for Brett getting caught up with Clara. Is he all right?”
“Fine, fine, and even more determined to join the garda.”
“He’ll make a fine man. You’re a wonderful mother. I have to go. Take care of yourself.”
“So, where is life taking you now?”
“There’s something I need to take care of in London.”
“Will you be seeing Manny?”
Michael nodded. “Sure, you want me to pass on a message?”
Brigit’s cheeks flushed. “No. Not at all.”
“Are you carrying a torch for him, Brigit Donnelly?”
She slapped at him. “Get away with you.”
He pulled her into a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek before making his way to the car. Suddenly exhausted, he laid back and closed his eyes as Shamus pulled away.
Michael checked his watch as he strode into the café. Shannon had agreed to meet him for lunch. He’d been back in London a week and was no further ahead with deciding what he wanted to do with his life. Manny had graciously let him sleep on the sofa, but he was wearing out his welcome fast.
He took a seat at an empty table and ordered a coffee while he waited. He wasn’t in the least bit hungry. His drink had barely arrived when the door was pushed open and Shannon appeared, and she wasn’t alone. Michael stood and his breath hitched as he stared at the pretty little thing toddling alongside her mother.
When they got close, he squatted and smiled at the child. She chewed her pudgy finger and observed him with her dark brown eyes. Her heart-shaped face was framed by masses of dark curls, and she reminded him of his little sister Grace.
Shannon tugged the child’s hand. “Tabitha, say hello to Michael.”
He smiled. “Hi, Tabitha. Lovely to meet you.”
Tabitha let go of her mother’s hand and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tears threatened to choke him as he hugged the tiny creature to his chest. Tabitha let go and he got to his feet. Shannon tugged off Tabitha’s coat and sat her up before sliding in opposite Michael.
The waitress arrived and while Shannon ordered he watched Tabitha. She smiled at him, and he stroked a finger down her soft cheek. Once they were alone, Shannon folded her arms and stared at him. “So, what do you want?”
“I’m not sure this is something to discuss in front of your daughter.”
Shannon grinned. “Really? I’m intrigued.”
Michael ran his tongue over the inside of his cheek where he had just scraped away a sample of cells. He was in no mood to play games. Shannon owed him some answers.
“Last time I was in London, Manny gave the impression I might be the father of your child.”
“What of it?”
“I’m ready to make a go of things.”
“What?”
“If she’s mine I want to be a part of her life. I want to be a real father to her.”
“And what about what I want?”
“What do you want?”
“I want a husband to support me and I don’t think you’re up to the job.”
“Why? Because I don’t love you?”
“No, because taking your clothes off in public will never buy the lifestyle Tabitha and I deserve.”
Michael curled his hands into fists as he waited for the waitress to place the food on the table. Once she was gone, he leaned forward. “So are you saying I can’t be part of her life?”
“I’m saying you need to get a real job and pay for your mistakes, and you can start by giving me some cash to cover costs to date. Babies are expensive.”
“And you’ll stop working at the club?”
Shannon shrugged.
Michael glanced at Tabitha who was busy shoving hot chips in her mouth. Was he really going to do this? Walk away from his life in Australia. Leave Maggie behind and take responsibility for once in his life. Maggie wasn’t his but Tabitha could be. The pretty little thing would have a hell of a life with Shannon. He could soften the edges and make sure she got the love and care she needed, but he wasn’t completely stupid.
“I’ll need some proof.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and slid it across the table.
Shannon chewed a mouthful of salad and then shoved her fork at the note. “What’s that?”
“The phone number for my doctor. Call and make an appointment.”
“I’m not sick.”
“Not for you. I’ve already given them a sample of my DNA but they need a sample from Tabitha.”
“What for?”
“I need to know she’s mine.”
Shannon slammed her for
k onto her plate and glared at him. “My word not good enough?” Heads turned as her voice got shrill. “You think I would lie?”
Michael couldn’t keep the smile from his face. “You really want me to answer that? Shannon, I know you. Not only would you say anything to get what you want, but I doubt I was the only one warming your bed when this wee mite was conceived.” He shoved the paper closer to her. “Get the test and we’ll talk some more.”
Without a word he got to his feet. He dropped cash on the table to cover lunch and ruffled Tabitha’s hair before he left the café.
Chapter 49
Michael threw the newspaper down and changed TV channels. He needed something to entertain him and with Manny at work he was lost for company. Shannon had promised to take Tabitha to the doctor a week ago, but so far, nothing. She had used every excuse in the book. Meanwhile, Michael had been drawn further and further into the little girl’s life. He’d even babysat while Shannon went to work. Tabitha had curled up on his lap in her little pink pajamas and listened as he read to her. He was sure he was being played. He needed to call things to a head before the little mite got attached to him. It was already too late for him not to suffer a broken heart if she belonged to someone else.
He tugged his phone from his pocket and punched in Shannon’s number. It rang a half a dozen times before she answered.
“Shannon?”
Loud music played in the background and anger boiled through him. “Why aren’t you at home with Tabitha?”
“I’m working.”
“What about the five hundred quid I gave you two days ago?”
“Kids are expensive. Now what do you want? It’s nearly time for my set.”
“Did you get the test?”
“Why? Why should I?”
“Because I bleedin’ well need to know she’s mine.”
“My word not good enough?”
“Don’t treat me like a fool, Shannon. Have some respect for my intelligence and your daughter and get the damn test.”
“No need.”
“Then I’ll pick her up tomorrow and take her myself. I won’t be believing a word that comes out of your fucking mouth without some proof.”
“I don’t need fucking proof. Have it your own way. I thought you wanted a kid. You looked like you needed something to love, you sad fuck. Well, news flash, shithead. She’s not yours. Your sad little dick couldn’t impregnate anything.”
Michael flopped back on the sofa. “Are you sure?”
“Fucking A. I had my period after you left me, and before you ask, no, I don’t know who her father is, but I guess you don’t want the job. Why don’t you fuck off back to where you came from and leave me the fuck alone.”
She ended the call before he could say a word. His anger burned away, leaving despair. Tabitha had been the one good thing he had left. He could have just accepted her no matter what. Shannon was a coldhearted bitch. Even if he had gone along with the idea the child was his, eventually Shannon would have told him the truth to hurt him. Better he be heartbroken now than to drag the little thing through the torment of finding out the man she thought of as her da was just a stranger who used to fuck her ma.
Michael got to his feet and headed to the kitchen. He needed a drink. In fact, there wasn’t enough booze in the house to kill the pain. Maybe he should go out and get blind drunk and deal with life another day. Now he had no purpose and no reason to be in London and nothing to go home to except the prospect of seeing Maggie Riley every day and never being able to touch her again.
Once he had his coat on, he shoved his phone in his pocket and left, slamming the door behind him.
Meg sighed. They had been back for over two weeks and life had gone back to normal, or what passed for normal in their case. She only had a week left to work at Male Review before she started a contract position with a new marketing company. Maud had been given the all clear by the doctor, and her mother was currently overlooking the fact Meg and Sam were shacked up in sin because she was relieved they hadn’t all been killed. Everyone had arrived back safe and sound from Ireland, well, everyone except Michael. He’d disappeared without a word to anyone.
She’d assumed he would be back in Sydney when they got home but he was nowhere to be found. Did he regret joining in their sexfest? She hoped not. As much as it pained her to admit it, she missed him. She loved Sam. She adored Sam, but the threesome had been exquisite. Michael had gotten under her skin. Her feelings for him had gone from hatred to something more positive, something she was now too afraid to put a name to. Tipsy and drunk on sex, she had whispered the word before she fell asleep wrapped around him. How stupid was she? Maybe he’d heard her and that was what made him sneak out of the cottage under cover of darkness. She let out a loud sigh at the thought of never seeing him again. Never wanting to slap his smug face or flip him the bird. Never to taste his forbidden kisses. She needed to put him aside. He had been a holiday fling for her and Sam, and now they needed to get on with their lives. They had a whole world of BDSM to investigate together. Sam had even tentatively suggested they try out a local club when she was ready to take it beyond the bedroom.
Meg pushed her food around her plate and sighed again. She dropped her fork. “Do you think I disgusted Michael?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“He called Chad yesterday.”
“And?”
“He wants to find someone to lease his apartment and has resigned his job. Do you think he’s staying away because of me?”
Sam grabbed Meg’s arm and dragged her into his lap. “If he is staying away it’s not because you disgust him.”
“Why then?”
“Maybe he thinks it’s best to leave things this way, or maybe he has something else he needs to do.”
Meg snuggled into Sam. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“Talking about Michael. I know you hate him.”
“Wrong.”
“You don’t hate him?”
Sam chuckled. “I miss having the annoying git around. He had a way of keeping me on my toes. But don’t you ever tell him I said that.”
“I miss him too.”
Sam hugged her close and rested his cheek on top of her head. “I know you do, baby. Do you want me to come to work with you?”
“No. I’ll be fine.”
“Well, how about I come down later for a drink? I was just going to mooch around and watch TV.”
“You don’t mind being in a male strip bar with a bunch of sex-crazed women?”
Sam chuckled. “Not so long as you promise to save me.”
Chapter 50
Sam leaned against the bar and sipped his beer. He watched as Meg placed some drinks on a tray and handed it over to Steve. The man rolled his eyes and set off through the room to the sound of hands slapping bare flesh. Sam was glad he had a job where he got to keep his clothes on. Women might lech at him but at least they kept their hands to themselves.
Meg stopped long enough to kiss him before someone else called for service. Sam watched her as she worked. Her spark was missing. This had been brewing since they came home and he knew it would eventually come to a head. He hadn’t walked into inviting Michael to have sex with Meg without some thought. She didn’t do casual sex. When he’d first slept with her she had run a mile afterward, horrified at herself until she accepted their relationship was more than just physical. He’d heard what she whispered to Michael and he’d been awake when Michael left.
Chad appeared from the back and wandered behind the bar, helping himself to a glass of whiskey. His set had finished half an hour ago and he’d escaped the clutches of his fans and got dressed. Sam finished his drink and lifted his glass toward Chad. The big man wandered over.
“Hi, Sam. Another?”
“Please.”
Chad pulled a glass of beer and handed it across, refusing the money Sam offered.
Sam lifted the glass. “Cheers.”
Chad
smiled at him, leaning on the bar. “So, what else can I help you with?”
“What makes you think I want something?”
“I never had you down as a fan of male strippers, and your lady is too busy working to be the reason for your visit.”
“Meg tells me Michael’s quit his job and is trying to rent out his apartment.”
“And?”
“So, he’s not coming back, then?”
“He didn’t say. Why? Are you worried that he might?”
“I don’t suppose you’ve got his phone number?”
Chad drummed his fingers on the timber bar top. “Michael’s going through a rough time. I’m not sure a call from you would help. Whatever you think he did to upset you, can’t you just let it go?”
“I don’t want to upset him, I want to help. Please.”
After swallowing the last of his whiskey, Chad tugged his phone from his pocket. He scrolled through his contacts, and then handed it over to Sam. “If you want him to answer, you might have more luck if he thinks the call is from me.”
Sam took the phone. “Thanks. I’ll be back.”
Chad grabbed his arm. “I’m trusting you. Michael’s my best mate and I don’t want him upset.”
Sam nodded and headed for the exit. He couldn’t talk to anyone with the music, screaming and yelling going on in the background.
Sam pushed the door open and stepped into the parking lot. A busload of women at a bachelorette party grabbed at his arse, and he growled and escaped their clutches. He had a great deal of admiration for men who could work with women like that night after night.
Once he was alone, he hit the call button and leaned back against the wall, wondering what trouble Michael was in and what kind of reaction he would get once he realized it wasn’t Chad calling.
The trill of his phone brought Michael back to consciousness. He was naked and lying face down on Manny’s living room floor. The room was bathed with sunlight but there was no sign of his cousin. A dull throb filled his head and the noise wasn’t helping. He pushed to his hands and knees, immediately coming to the realization that all the grog he had consumed the night before was now desperate to exit his bladder. Phone in hand, he checked caller id as he fumbled his way to the bathroom. He accepted the call. “Chad. Give me a minute. I’ll call you back.”
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