by Marie Force
“That must’ve been some breakfast with your aunt.”
Laura tossed her head back and laughed.
He took advantage of the opportunity to rain kisses upon her neck and throat, turning her laughter into a moan.
“Owen.”
“What, honey?”
“I want to. . . I want you.”
His fingers tightened on her hips. “I want you, too. More than you could ever possibly know.”
“Why do I hear a ‘but’ in there?”
Owen took her hand and guided her inside, away from the prying eyes of the town. He closed the door and turned to her, caging her in with his big body. While that same move from another man might make her feel threatened, being surrounded by Owen always made her feel safe. He ran his hands from her shoulders down to her hands. Gripping them, he raised them over her head and went in for the kill again, rendering her helpless against the full-body kiss. It went on for what felt like forever. Every time she thought he might he finished, he started all over again, destroying her with soft lips, an insistent tongue and the hard press of his big body against hers.
Only when the need for air trumped the need for deep kisses, did he tear his lips free and turn his attention to her neck.
“I think,” she said, tipping her head to give him better access, “that at least once in a lifetime, every girl should be pressed up against a wall and kissed stupid by a sexy man.”
His chuckle rumbled from his chest. “You liked that, huh?”
She nodded, unable to take her eyes off him as she drank in every detail, appreciating him even more than she already had after hearing Jenny’s story. How very lucky they were to have this moment in time together, however long it lasted.
“Did I kiss you stupid?”
“That you did.”
“I like you smart, not stupid.”
She wriggled her hands free from his grip and slid her arms around his waist. “In this case, and only this case, stupid is good.”
His grin was so disarming. She wondered if he had any idea how ridiculously sexy he was when he flashed that grin and looked at her with devilish intent in his gray eyes.
“I believe that before you brought me in here and kissed me stupid, you were about to voice an objection to this new arrangement of ours.”
“No objection,” he said, pushing against her gently so she could feel what their kisses had done to him as he continued to leave hot open-mouthed kisses on her neck. “No objection whatsoever. Rather, I have a concern about timing.”
“If you could stop kissing me for a minute, maybe we could talk about this concern of yours.”
“Now that I’ve started, I don’t think I’m ever going to stop kissing you.”
All her female parts stood up and cheered at that news. “While I’d never want to discourage the kissing, especially now that I know how very good at it you are, I’d like to hear your concern.” She gave his shoulders a gentle push then grabbed his hand to lead him into the sitting room where they’d spent so much time together in recent weeks.
Groaning in dismay, he allowed her to pull him along.
“Sit.”
“Will there be more kissing?”
“After we talk.”
“Fine,” he said, falling onto the love seat with a boyish pout on his sexy mouth.
“Now, tell me, what’s on your mind.”
As if he couldn’t keep his hands to himself now that she had changed the rules of their relationship, he buried his fingers in her hair, stroking the long strands with intense purpose. Every time his fingertips brushed up against her scalp, they detonated a reaction that rippled through her entire body. She’d never been more sensitive to a man’s touch.
“I want nothing more than to take you to bed and keep you there for days,” he said. “Weeks. Maybe even months.”
Laura swallowed hard and trembled, as much from his words as the feel of his fingers sifting through her hair. “But?”
“I’d really like the situation with Justin to be resolved before we go any further.”
Laura’s heart sank at that reminder of the standoff with her estranged husband. Justin had made it clear he was uninterested in a divorce and planned to fight her every step of the way.
“You also need to tell him about the baby. I know he hurt you and disappointed you terribly, but it’s not right to keep the baby from him.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that, too.”
“If it was my kid, I’d want to know, no matter what the situation was between myself and the mother. I’d want to know about my child.”
“That’s because you’re upstanding and honorable. I wonder sometimes if he’ll even care.”
“He’ll care. I can’t imagine he’s a total monster if you once loved him.”
“No,” she said, fiddling with a throw pillow. “He’s not. He just has a different idea about what it means to be married than I do.”
“His ideas about what it means to be married are different than most people’s.”
Pleased by his unwavering support, she looked over at him. “Where does this leave us?”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “On hold. Temporarily. Very temporarily.”
“I’ll take care of it. As soon as I can.”
“And I’ll be right here waiting to continue this ‘conversation’ as soon as you’re ready.” He held out his arms to her. “Come here.”
She snuggled into his embrace, feeling relieved to have finally talked about the overwhelming attraction they’d been nursing for weeks, but also twitchy with restless desire. “Is kissing allowed during this temporary stand-down?”
“Absolutely. By all means. Yes.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, making him laugh.
He cupped her face and gazed down at her, his eyes brimming with emotion. “I’m very, very sure.” And then he sealed their deal with another of those amazing kisses.
Chapter 4
Mac held one end of a big sheet of plywood while Luke anchored the other side. Big Mac drove in the nails that would secure the wood over the windows of the marina gift shop. Winterizing the marina took about three weeks after the last boat left on Columbus Day. This year, in addition to the regular routine of boarding up buildings and shutting down the gas tanks, they planned to replace a big portion of the rotting planks on the main dock.
The work was a good distraction, Mac thought, as he waited to hear from Maddie. He’d been counting down to this day for weeks, since their adorable daughter arrived in the midst of Tropical Storm Hailey. Longer than that, actually. The weeks Maddie had spent on bed rest had also been torturous.
It’d been so long since he’d had sex—full-on, real-deal sex—with his wife that Mac couldn’t remember the last time. Their daughter was absolutely worth the sacrifice, but he was ready, more than ready, to get back to normal. Maddie was ready, too, if the fooling around they’d engaged in recently was any indication. In fact, if they were any more ready, one of them might implode.
He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to keep his mind on his work and not on his plans for later.
“So listen,” Luke said. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this winter.”
Grateful for the diversion, Mac said, “What about it?”
“You know how the International Yacht Restoration School people came over from Newport to look at some of my work this summer?”
“Sure do,” Big Mac said, tugging the last of the nails from between his teeth.
Mac kept waiting for him to swallow one of them, but he’d learned to keep his thoughts about such things to himself.
“They want me to teach a class in January. I’d have to spend the whole month over there, but I could come back on weekends to help out on the hotel project. If I do it, that is. Nothing’s been decided.”
Mac tried to hide his surprise from his friend and business partner. Their construction business had a lot on its plate for t
he off-season, including the renovations to the Sand & Surf, a couple of kitchen upgrades and the possibility of the houses Maddie had suggested for the parcel of land left to the town by one of its most affluent residents. Losing Luke for a month would make it nearly impossible to get it all done before the spring.
“I know we’ve got a lot lined up for the winter,” Luke said, seeming to read Mac’s mind. “So I can take a pass, if need be.”
“Don’t be crazy,” Mac said. “It’s an amazing opportunity. You have to do it. We’ll get by without you.” Somehow.
“I could help out,” Big Mac said.
“If you feel up to it, Dad.”
Big Mac’s scowl answered for him. “I’m back to normal after the accident, so you can quit your mollycoddling.”
“Who’s mollycoddling?” Mac asked, glancing at Luke who shrugged. “Looks to me like you’re pulling your weight just fine.”
“Luke, for what it’s worth,” Big Mac said, “I think you should take this offer from IRYS. It’s great to see you recognized for your amazing talent. I, for one, am very proud of you.”
“Thank you,” Luke said, seeming embarrassed by Big Mac’s effusiveness.
Mac knew how he felt, having been on the receiving end of his father’s effusiveness often enough. Still, it pleased him to know that his father had not only raised five children of his own, but had been a huge influence in the lives of Luke and Joe, both of whom had grown up without their fathers.
“What does Syd have to say about it?” Mac asked.
“I haven’t told her yet. I heard from them this morning, and I wanted to talk to you guys first. I’ll tell her tonight.”
“Do you think she’d go with you?”
“I suppose it’ll depend on whether she’ll be able to continue to work on the hotel project with Laura. She’s really enjoying that.”
“Whatever you decide,” Big Mac said, “we’re proud of you.”
“Absolutely,” Mac agreed.
“Thanks,” Luke said. “That means a lot to me.”
“Excuse me,” a female voice behind them said.
Mac turned to find a young woman with light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. The hairstyle made her look younger than she was. He guessed mid- to late-twenties. She wore faded jeans and a rag wool sweater. “Hi there. How can we help you?”
“I’m looking for Mac McCarthy?”
“That’d be me,” he and his father said in stereo.
“Junior,” Mac said, extending a hand.
“Senior,” Big Mac said, following suit.
“This is our partner, Luke Harris.”
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Kara Ballard, from Bar Harbor, Maine.”
“Any relation to Ballard’s Boat Builders?” Big Mac asked.
She grimaced slightly, but Mac saw it. “My family.”
“Ah,” Big Mac said. “I love your picnic boats. Gorgeous.”
“Seriously,” Luke said. “Beautiful lines.”
Kara seemed embarrassed by their praise. “Thank you. They’ve done well for us.” She cleared her throat. “The reason I’m here is I’d like to discuss a business opportunity with you.”
“Sure,” Big Mac said. “Let’s get in out of this wind.” He gestured for her to lead the way to the main building that housed the offices as well as the restaurant, which was now closed for the season.
Mac and Luke followed, and the four of them settled at one of the tables in the dining area.
She withdrew a brochure from her bag and opened it on the table. “You may be aware that Ballard’s runs launch services in some of the bigger harbors in New England. We’re in Bar Harbor, of course, Newport, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Hyannis. We use a smaller version of the picnic boats to transport passengers from the anchorages into shore.”
“We sure could use something like that around here,” Luke said.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Kara said, smiling at him. “Each of my brothers oversees one of the other harbors. I’ve been tasked with setting up a launch service here on Gansett.”
Big Mac was counting on his fingers. “You have six brothers?”
Mac laughed at his father’s question. It was just like him to hone in on a detail like that.
Kara smiled indulgently. “Eight, actually, and two sisters.”
“Wow,” Luke said. “Eleven kids?”
“Those Maine winters are long and cold,” Kara said with a spark of humor in her hazel eyes.
The comment drew a laugh from all three men.
“Are you oldest?” Big Mac asked. “Youngest?”
“Right in the middle. Number six. Anyway, we’re in need of a landing place on the island. McCarthy’s was our first choice.” She handed them each another piece of paper that included projections of how many people would come through the marina as a result of the launch service. “You have the restaurant, laundry facilities, a well-stocked gift shop, showers and easy access to cab service into town.”
“With the exception of the restaurant and gift shop, our facilities are for customers of our marina,” Mac said, as he studied the detailed projections. “We’d need bigger restrooms and more laundry facilities if we’d be serving the full anchorage.”
His father nodded in agreement.
“We’ve been talking about making better use of the second floor space above the restaurant,” Luke said. “Maybe we can build some additional bathrooms and put in some more washers and dryers up there.”
“Before next season?” Mac asked his friend and partner.
“We could do it,” Luke said.
“What about IRYS?”
“It’ll still be there next year.”
“Luke—” One again Mac and his dad spoke in stereo.
Luke held up a hand. “We can talk about it later.” To Kara, he said, “Proceed. Please.”
“We’d like to rent a forty-foot slip, preferably on the outside row, where we would keep two launches for the season, which would run from May 1 to October 31.”
Mac did some fast math in his head. “A forty-foot slip, at three bucks a foot is one-twenty a day times a hundred and eighty days is—”
“Twenty-one thousand, six hundred,” Kara finished for him.
“You’ve done your research,” Big Mac said, impressed.
“Like I said, your marina is our first choice. It has everything we’re looking for—and then some. We also like that it’s a family-owned and run business like ours.”
“It’d cost us time and money to adapt our facilities to the increased traffic,” Mac reminded her.
“Which is why we’re willing to pay more than the dockage fees the first year. We’d revisit the fee structure after the initial season.”
“How much more?” Mac asked.
“Forty thousand total?”
Mac exchanged glances with his father and Luke. “Forty-five,” he said.
“Forty-two-five.”
His father and Luke nodded.
“Done,” Mac said, reaching out to shake on it.
Kara stared at him as she shook his hand. “That’s it?”
Laughing, Mac sat back in his chair. “Were we too easy?”
“No, no. I just figured it would take a few days to hammer out the details.”
“One thing you’ll learn pretty quick about my boys and me,” Big Mac said, “is we don’t dither over details. We know a good deal when we see one.”
“He definitely doesn’t dither over details,” Mac said, dryly. “That’s my job.”
“No shit,” Luke muttered.
“I heard that,” Big Mac said, playfully scowling at Mac and Luke.
Mac’s phone chimed with a text from Maddie that said, “Green light.” He got up so fast his chair fell over backwards. “I gotta go.”
“Where?” his father asked.
“Home.”
“Now? Why? Is everything okay?”
“Oh yeah. Everything is just fine. Kara, great to meet you. If
you want to come back tomorrow we can hammer out any additional details.”
“Sure. I’m here for a week to get a feel for the island.”
“Later,” Mac said, running for the door. No doubt he’d catch flack from his dad and Luke for the way he’d run out of there when his wife summoned him, but so what? He’d been waiting months for this moment, and nothing would stop him from going to her. Right now.
Laura had known this phone call wouldn’t be easy, but it had to be done. Never before had the idea of calling her dad filled her with such anxiety. Even telling him what had happened with Justin had been easier than asking for his help in getting rid of her scumbag husband.
It had always been important that she maintain her independence and not let her prominent father’s connections make life easier for her. But this was no time for foolish pride. She needed to be free of Justin, and her dad could help.
Swallowing the knot of emotion that formed in her throat, Laura pressed send on the first number on her list of favorites.
“Hi, honey,” he said. “I was just thinking about you.”
Laura smiled, and her nerves melted away. Here was the one man who’d never let her down. She had no reason to ever be nervous about asking him for anything. He’d give her the world on a silver platter if he could. She heard the worry in his voice and hated being the cause of it. “Is that right?”
“I think about you all the time. After what Justin did. . .”
“I know, Daddy. I’m sorry you’re worried about me.”
“My brother tells me you’re working hard and enjoying the hotel project.”
“I love what I’m doing here. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had.” Of course Owen was a big part of why it was so fun, not that she was ready to tell her dad that part.
“Mac says you’ve made a new friend, too. The grandson of the hotel owners?”
Laura laughed. Leave it to her Uncle Big Mac to zero in on her burgeoning relationship with Owen. “Yes, his name is Owen Lawry.”
“Do you need me to run a check on him? I can get one of my state police friends to—”
“No, Dad!” she said, laughing again. “Uncle Big Mac and Aunt Linda have known him since he was a kid. He’s Evan’s best friend.”