Ready for Love

by Marie Force

“Sydney’s upset with me because I failed to tell her I’m now a part owner of McCarthy’s Marina,” Luke said, his gaze locked on her.

  Well, he was full of surprises tonight.

  “She found out from someone else, which was wrong of me. I should’ve told her myself.”

  “Oh,” Mary Alice said. “Well.”

  “So you’re a partner,” Allan said.

  Luke nodded. “When Mac came into the business, he didn’t want the full responsibility, so Mr. McCarthy made us partners and retained a small share for himself.”

  “Congratulations,” Allan said. “That’s a very successful business.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Watching the exchange, Sydney saw her father looking at Luke with newfound respect. Right in that moment, she got why he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t wanted it to matter to her the same way it clearly mattered to her dad.

  Sydney’s heart ached as she understood how worried he was that she would leave him again—or that she would stay for the wrong reasons. Everything became crystal clear to her as she studied his adorably handsome face across the table. The minute they were alone, she would put his mind at ease. There was nowhere else she wanted to be than with him. Why bother to fight it anymore?

  The phone rang, and her mother got up to answer it, returning a moment later, her face ashen and her eyes large. “Allan, Simone has had a mild heart attack.”

  “Oh God. Is she. . .”

  “She’s at Mass General, but she’s okay.”

  Her father took a deep rattling breath.

  “My aunt,” Sydney said to Luke.

  “I need to go there.” Allan checked his watch. “Oh, we won’t make the last boat.”

  “I’ll call Slim,” Luke said. “The McCarthy’s pilot friend. He’ll fly you over if he can.”

  “Oh, thank you, Luke,” Mary Alice said.

  While Luke went to make the call, Sydney gave her dad a hug. “Simone is still young and strong, Dad. She’ll get through this. I know it.”

  He nodded, but his entire body was rigid with worry over his younger sister.

  Luke hobbled back into the room. “Slim said he’ll meet you at the airport in thirty minutes.”

  “Thank you so much, Luke,” Mary Alice said. “Come on, Allen. Let’s go pack. I’m sorry about dinner.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mom. Go get ready.” Her parents went upstairs, and Sydney turned to Luke. “Thank you.”

  “Happy to help.” Propped on his crutches, he drew her toward him. “I’m sorry about your aunt. If you want to go with them, I’ll take care of Buddy. Grant can help me move him to my house.”

  Sydney rested her head on his chest. “I’ll stay for now and see what tomorrow brings, but thanks for the offer.”

  “What I said before—it came out all wrong.”

  “No, it didn’t. We’ll talk about it after they leave.”

  Her parents departed a few minutes later in a flurry of hugs and promises to call as soon as they knew more about her aunt’s condition.

  From his pillow on the floor, Buddy watched the goings on. He’d been up and around a little more that day and was able to go outside when he needed to but was still weak and easily tired.

  After seeing her parents off, Sydney bent to press a kiss to Buddy’s sweet face and was rewarded with a lick to the cheek. “Aww, you’re feeling better, aren’t you? I’m so glad.” She kissed him again and stood to face Luke.

  “When I came out here earlier this month,” she said, hoping she could get through this without getting too emotional, “I was hoping to make a few decisions about what’s next for me. I’d left my job as a teacher because it was too difficult to be around kids that age without constantly being reminded of the children I’d lost. ”

  Propped on his crutches, Luke watched and listened, but he didn’t say anything.

  “I never could’ve imagined you and I would reconnect the way we have or that being with you again would make me so. . .”

  “What, Syd?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek. “Tell me.”

  “Happy,” she whispered. “I’ve been so happy. I didn’t think that was possible anymore, and you’ve helped me see I still have a whole life in front of me, and it doesn’t have to be filled with sadness and grief.” She ventured a look up at him and found him watching her intently. “Thank you for that.”

  “Believe me, it’s been my pleasure.”

  She smiled. “Mine, too.”

  “But?”

  Sydney shook her head. “No buts. I love you, Luke. I don’t know if I ever stopped loving you or if it was just on hold or what. But I love you, and I want to be with you, whether it’s here or on the mainland or wherever—”

  He took a step to close the distance between them, letting his crutches fall to the floor in a loud clatter that drew a whine of concern from Buddy. Hooking an arm around her waist, he tugged her in tight against him.

  Sydney’s hands landed on his chest. “Luke, your ankle!”

  “It’s fine,” he whispered as he brought his mouth down on hers for a devouring kiss.

  Having surrendered to the overwhelming love she felt for him, Sydney threw herself into the kiss, meeting every stroke of his tongue until she was so breathless spots were dancing before her eyes.

  His lips shifted to her jaw and then to her neck. “I love you so much, Syd. Only you. I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known what love is.”

  Her fingers sank into his hair, anchoring him to her.

  “I have a proposition for you,” he said.

  Sydney tilted her hips into his erection. “So I see.”

  “Not that kind of proposition,” he said, laughing. “Although that one is definitely on the agenda.” As if he couldn’t resist, he kissed her again.

  “I want to hear your proposition,” she said against his lips.

  He drew back an inch or two so he could look her in the eye. “I’d like to hire you to redecorate my house.”

  Sydney started to reply, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips.

  “Hear me out. It needs everything, so you’d be committing to a project that could take a year or two.”

  “That’s a long time,” she said gravely, playing along.

  “Hopefully long enough for you to try island life on for size, and while you’re at it, you can try me on for size, too.”

  Sydney reached down to cup his erection, squeezing in the places that made him crazy. “I like your size just fine.”

  “Syd,” he gasped, “quit that. I’m trying to talk to you.”

  “I’m listening.” She smiled up at him, enjoying the tortured look on his face.

  He closed his hand around hers to stop her from stroking him. “After you finish the house, you can decide if you want to stay for good. If you don’t, we’ll go somewhere else.”

  “And you’d be okay with that?”

  “As long as you’re with me, I’d be okay anywhere.”

  Touched by what he’d said, she flattened her hands on his chest and kissed him. “I’ll accept your proposition on one condition—you don’t have to hire me. I was hoping to use before and after pictures of your place in my portfolio to help start my business.”

  “I suppose I can live with that.”

  “Then I suppose I can live with you.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve had in years.”

  “I have some things to deal with at home after Labor Day.” Her euphoria faded a bit at the reminder. “But then I’ll be back.”

  Luke traced a finger over the furrow between her brows. “Every time you refer to the things you need to take care of at home, you lose your sparkle. What do you have to do?”

  “The guy who hit us is being sentenced on September fifth.” She looked up at him. “I have to be there.”

  “Maybe so, but you don’t have to go alone.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t expect you—”

  He silenced her with an
other kiss. “I’m going with you. What else?”

  “Well, if I’m moving out here, there’s no reason to keep my house in Wellesley. I’ll need to pack up my stuff, the kids’ things I want to keep, Seth’s stuff.” Just the thought of it was enough to make her want to run and hide, but she knew it had to be done eventually.

  “Hey,” he said, compelling her to meet his gaze. “We’ll do it together. Whatever you need to do, I’ll be right there with you, okay?”

  Sydney hugged him, relieved to know she wouldn’t be alone when she closed the last door to her former life and stepped forward into a new life with Luke. “Thank you.”

  “Whatever comes our way, we’ll deal with it together, okay?”

  Closing her eyes against the rush of emotion, she nodded.

  His hands slid down her back to bring her in tighter against his erection. “Now, about that other proposition you mentioned. . .”

  Sydney laughed and drew him into another heated kiss. “You need to get off your ankle,” she said when they resurfaced many minutes later.

  With his arms around her waist, he fell backward onto the sofa, bringing her down on top of him. “There. Happy now?”

  Nodding, she brushed the hair off his forehead and leaned in to kiss him, hungry for more of the way he made her feel.

  He combed his fingers through her hair and down her back as his lips moved over hers. “I used to think about this all the time,” he said. “The way your hair would drape down over me when we made love.” Squeezing her bottom, he held her still and pressed his erection into the V of her legs.

  “It’s not as long as it used to be,” she said, breathless with wanting him.

  “It’s every bit as beautiful as it always was, and so is the rest of you.”

  Sydney sat up to pull the top over her head and release her bra.

  Luke cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over the tight buds. “Come closer.” He closed his hot mouth over her nipple, sucking and licking her until Syd was half out of her mind with wanting him. She extricated herself to get rid of the rest of their clothes.

  As his erection sprang free from his shorts, Sydney bent to take him into her mouth, loving the way his legs trembled and his fingers tightened in her hair.

  “Syd, baby, wait.” He urged her back up and over him. “I need to be inside you. Now.”

  She’d never heard such urgency in his voice, which made her want him even more.

  He arranged her on top of him and surged into her. As her head fell back, her mouth opened in a silent cry of completion. The sliding of his hands from her hips to her breasts brought her back to reality.

  “Down here,” he whispered. “I want your hair.”

  Sydney leaned forward and took his mouth, sending her tongue surging.

  He shocked her by sucking hard on her tongue as he pinched her nipples.

  An orgasm rocketed through her, catching her off guard and unprepared for the swell of emotion that came with it. She glanced down to find Luke watching her with love and desire and infinite tenderness etched into his expression.

  “Ride me, Syd. The way you used to on the beach. Remember?”

  She nodded and sat up, reaching for his hands to anchor her. Pivoting her hips, she gave him what he wanted and was astonished to feel a second orgasm building.

  Luke held her hips in place, pushed hard into her one last time and sent them both spiraling into a powerful release. Slumped on his chest with his heart pounding under her ear and his cock still throbbing inside her, she couldn’t have moved if she had to.

  “Wow,” Luke said, his lips pressed to her forehead. “Are you still with me?”

  “Barely.”

  From his pillow on the floor, Buddy began to whimper.

  “Poor guy,” Luke said, chuckling.

  “We’ve scarred him for life.”

  “He’d better get used to it, because once I have you in my bed every night, he can expect a regular show.”

  “Every night?”

  “Maybe every morning, too.”

  Laughing, Sydney said, “Thanks for the warning.”

  “It’s going to be so great, Syd. I promise.”

  “If it’s this great every night, I may not survive.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you.” With his hand in her hair, he urged her into another sweet kiss. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

  Looking at his handsome, sincere face, she smiled and ran a finger over his lower lip.

  He drew her finger into his mouth and ran his tongue back and forth over the sensitive tip.

  That was all it took to start her motor running again.

  “I wouldn’t have been ready for anyone but you.”

  “That works out rather well, because you’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.” Brushing the hair back from her forehead, he said, “Tell me again.”

  “I love you, Luke. I can’t wait to live here with you.”

  He gathered her to him, his arms tight around her. “I love you, too. I can’t wait for everything with you.”

  Sydney was filled with bittersweet relief. She’d never imagined her life turning out the way it had, but after the haze of tragedy and heartbreak had cleared, she’d ended up exactly where she belonged.

  Epilogue

  Luke held Sydney’s hand between both of his as they watched Mac carry Maddie to the chaise that had been set to the left of the altar so she could carry out her matron-of-honor duties for Janey and still follow her doctor’s orders to stay off her feet. She wore a gorgeous sage gown and positively glowed with happiness as her husband kissed her and went to stand next to Joe.

  Across the aisle from Luke and Syd, Grant sat with his brothers, Adam and Evan, as well as Stephanie, who’d dyed her hair a rich red for the occasion. She’d softened her makeup and had worn a formfitting dress that was rather surprisingly sexy. Sydney noticed Stephanie taking furtive glances at Grant, but his eyes were riveted to Abby, who was Janey’s bridesmaid. Very interesting.

  Behind them, Ned and Francine sat close to each other, hand in hand, out of the closet and a couple again. Ned had shaved off his beard and cut his hair short, making him look twenty years younger in Syd’s opinion. She wondered if they’d be the next to tie the knot.

  Everyone turned to the back of the church as Janey and her father appeared in the doorway.

  “Wow,” Luke whispered. “Look at her.”

  “Gorgeous,” Sydney agreed.

  Even though he was noticeably thinner and still recovering from his injuries, Big Mac was handsome in his tuxedo and steady as he walked his baby girl down the aisle. Since his left arm was still in a sling, Janey held tight to his right arm, both of them clearly fighting their way through the emotion of the moment.

  With Mac by his side, Joe never shifted his gaze from Janey as she came toward him.

  Big Mac hugged his daughter and then Joe before joining his wife in the front row.

  Listening to Janey and Joe recite their vows, Luke tightened his hold on Sydney’s hand.

  She smiled at him, dazzled by how handsome he was in a smart dark suit, and once again she was so grateful to have him back in her life and by her side for the difficult days she had to endure before they could move forward.

  Syd had no doubt they’d get through it. Together.

  About the Author

  Marie Force is the author of the Fatal Series: FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE and FATAL CONSEQUENCES. FATAL DESTINY, the Fatal Wedding Novella, is free to readers on September 5, 2011, and Book 4, FATAL FLAW, is out in February 2012. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough.” (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.”

  Marie is the author of MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE, and READY FOR LOVE, the first three books in her McCarthys of Gansett Island series. Marie is also the author of TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK, available as e-books via A
mazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Smashwords.com and iBooks.

  Her earlier contemporaries include EVERYONE LOVES A HERO, LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!”

  Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to RWA. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.

  While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two kids and a feisty dog named Brandy.

  Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, where she runs the popular weekly Romance & Oreos Book Club, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909, and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

  What others are saying about Marie Force’s books:

  “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Booklist on Line of Scrimmage.

  “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” Wild on Books

  “This novel is The O.C. does D.C., and you just can’t get enough.” RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars for Fatal Affair

  “This book starts out strong and keeps getting better. Marie Force is one of those authors that will be on my must read list in the future.” The Romance Studio on Fatal Affair

  “As Cole encourages Olivia’s incredible talent for drawing and her love of adventure through a series of carefully planned dates, the two embark on the emotional roller-coaster ride of their lives in Force’s steamy contemporary romance, a heartwarming Cinderella story set mostly in and around Washington, D.C.” Booklist on Everyone Loves a Hero