by Marie Force
“Could be anything, but I doubt it’s because he doesn’t want you. He was as into it as you were, right?”
“Ah yeah. You could say that.”
“Do you want me to have Mac talk to him and see if he can gather some intel?”
“God, no! Jesus, don’t breathe a word of this to Mac. I’d never be able to look at him again. Promise me!”
“I promise, but I hate to tell you Mac is aware that you’ve had sex.”
“He doesn’t need to know I had near-sex with his friend.”
“Relax. I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to.”
“I don’t.”
Maddie sipped at her coffee as she studied her sister.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“I’m just wondering why you haven’t sought him out. It’s not like you to hold back when you want something.”
“Because.”
“Oh, okay. I see now.”
“Stop being a smart ass!”
“I can’t help it. It’s in our DNA.”
“I can’t go chasing after him. I just can’t. The whole thing was too. . . intense. I was a disaster for days afterward.”
“Why, honey? Was he rough with you?”
Tiffany blushed again. “Kinda, but I loved it.”
“So then why were you upset?”
“Because! If I’d stayed with Jim, I would’ve lived the whole rest of my life without knowing that is possible. I had no idea. If that’s what you have with Mac, I’m in awe—and envy.”
“Oh, baby, come here.” Maddie gathered her sister into a tight hug. “That’s what I want for you—the kind of all-consuming passion that you forget your own name in the midst of it.”
“Is it like that for you guys?” Tiffany asked, her voice muffled by Maddie’s hair.
“Yeah.”
“Every time?”
“Uh-huh,” Maddie said laughing.
“How do you survive it?”
Maddie released her sister but kept her hands on Tiffany’s shoulders. “I don’t just survive it, I crave it.” She smoothed Tiffany’s hair back from her face. “There’s no chance of anything else happening with Blaine?”
“Not right now. Not with the divorce moving so painfully slow.”
“I thought Dan Torrington was helping you with that.”
“He is, but Jim is fighting every step of the way. It’s draining. Dan suggested arbitration. Apparently, it’s quicker than waiting on the courts, but Jim is fighting that, too.”
“I’m sorry it’s such an ordeal.”
“It’s fine,” Tiffany said with the sweep of her hand. “At the end of it, I’ll be free of him and have primary custody of Ashleigh. That’s all I care about.”
“I hope you’ll also get a boatload of money that you richly deserve for putting his ass through law school while you worked two jobs—and carried his child.”
“Dan is working on that, too. Naturally, Jim is fighting that part the hardest. He cares more about his goddamned money than he does about his own daughter.”
“I know it seems hard to believe now when everything is so chaotic, but someday soon the divorce will be final, and you’ll be free to do anything you want. Including our oh-so-sexy police chief.”
Tiffany stuck her tongue out at her sister. “Very funny.”
“You won’t be laughing when you’re naked and horizontal under him.”
Tiffany shook her head and put her hands over her ears. “I can’t even think of that or I’m apt to spontaneously combust.”
Maddie laughed at the tortured expression on her sister’s face. “Mark my words, your day is coming. The two of you are going to incinerate the entire island when you finally get together.”
“Whatever you say.”
What Maddie was about to say was lost when Linda McCarthy came breezing through the sliding door. “Good morning, ladies. I brought chocolate-covered strawberries!”
“Do I have the best mother-in-law ever?” Maddie asked her sister. Once Linda had found out the chocolate-covered strawberries were one of Maddie’s favorite treats, she’d made them often for her daughter-in-law.
Knowing Linda had been anything but friendly to Maddie when she first started dating Mac, Tiffany rolled her eyes at Maddie when Linda looked away. “The best ever for sure.”
“Did you hear that Sydney had the loveliest visit with Jenny, the lighthouse keeper?” Linda asked Maddie. “She’s coming to the party at Luke and Syd’s tonight.”
“I did hear. Syd said Jenny is terrific.” Maddie offered one of the strawberries to her sister. To Tiffany, she said, “Jenny lost her fiancé on September 11 in the World Trade Center.”
“Oh, God. How awful.”
“I’m so glad we reached out to her,” Linda said. “I can’t wait to get to know her better. Now as for the fundraiser, I was thinking we can open the marina restaurant for the occasion.”
“That’s just what I had in mind,” Maddie said.
“Maybe we could even make it an annual tradition,” Linda said.
Maddie hugged her mother-in-law. “Even better.”
“I only wish I’d thought of it sooner. Of course the folks who support the summer economy struggle in the offseason after the tourists leave. Why didn’t we ever do this before?”
“All that matters is we’re doing it now, and that we do whatever we can to take care of them in the future.”
“You and I need to talk at some point about getting you back to work, young lady,” Linda said.
Maddie had thought long and hard about her position as head of housekeeping at McCarthy’s Gansett Island Inn and had dreaded this conversation with her mother-in-law—and boss. “About that. . .”
Linda raised a brow in inquiry.
“Mac and I have talked about it, and I’ve decided to stay home with the kids while they’re little. Maybe when they’re older, I could come back to the family business?”
Linda sighed. “As much as I hate to lose you, I completely understand. Of course you want to be with my precious grandbabies while they’re small. I can hardly blame you for that. And there’ll always be a place for you in the family business. Heck, you and Mac and Luke will be running the whole show before too much longer.”
“I’d like you to consider Daisy to replace me.”
Linda seemed startled by the suggestion.
“Before you discount her, she’s very smart and capable.”
“She hides that rather well behind her skittish, deer-in-the-headlights personality.”
“She hasn’t had an easy life. Trust me when I tell you she could more than handle the job. I’d make sure of it.”
“I’ll certainly consider it.”
“Thank you. Now, how about some coffee?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter 16
Other than a quick phone call to assure her father that she was fine after the ugly confrontation with Justin, Laura stayed quiet on the much smoother ride back to Gansett. Though it was dark and rainy and cold, the wind had died down, making for smaller seas. Her thoughts were jumbled and confused as she continued to think through what had transpired on the mainland.
To his credit, Owen didn’t push her to talk when it was obvious she didn’t wish to.
The baby was particularly active today, as if he or she was aware of its mother’s agitated state. It wasn’t good for the baby for her to be upset. She knew that, of course, so she tried to focus her thoughts on the upcoming tasks at the hotel. Mac and his team would begin rebuilding the deck in the coming week, and she had a meeting with Syd on Monday to go over some decorating ideas for the third-floor suites. Also on Monday was the appointment and ultrasound with Victoria, the midwife, at which she’d have the option to learn her baby’s sex. She hadn’t yet decided if she wanted to know or not.
Laura had plenty to do, plenty to keep her mind occupied with productive, proactive thoughts. There was absolutely no need to dwell on the t
hings—and people—she couldn’t change. Determined to proceed with grace and forbearance, she leaned her head on Owen’s shoulder and tried to decide how she should proceed with him.
He’d done so much for her, had been there during some of the darkest days of her life, had been a friend, a confidant and almost-lover. On top of all that, he’d changed his plans to spend the winter with her. What more could she want from any man? What more did he have to do to prove his devotion to her? Absolutely nothing, she decided. He was right—if she let Justin’s bitterness spill into their relationship, she’d be risking her best chance at the kind of love that lasted a lifetime. She could tell she surprised him when she reached for his hand and closed her fingers around his.
He squeezed her hand and cradled it between both of his. “Feeling okay, Princess?”
She nodded. “I’m feeling great, actually.” The closer she got to her beloved island, the more her burden seemed to lift, freeing her to pursue the many things that interested her now, including the handsome man sitting beside her.
“Is that right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“And what brought this on after the twenty-four hours you’ve had?”
“You did.”
He looked down at her, seeming perplexed. “What did I do?”
“Nothing and everything.”
“You’re talking in circles, sweetheart.”
She smiled at him. “Am I?”
“You know you are.”
“It means so much to me that you came with me on this trip, that you held my head—again—when I was sick, drove me to my dad’s, came to the showdown with Justin and put up with my mood last night.”
“I didn’t mind doing any of that.”
“I appreciate it, and I don’t take it for granted.”
He put his arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head when she snuggled into his embrace. “I seem to be a lovesick fool where you’re concerned,” he said. “I’d rather be holding your barf bag than doing anything else with anyone else.”
Her heart literally skipped a beat. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Owen snorted with laughter. “You’re also rather easy to please, which is just another thing to love about you.”
She ventured a glance up at him. “You’re throwing an awfully big word around there, buddy.”
His gaze met hers, steady and true. “I know.” He cupped her face and bent to kiss her.
Reaching up to smooth his perpetually messy hair, she said, “That’s something we should probably talk about at some point.”
“We’ve got all the time in the world to talk about everything.”
She wrapped her arm around him and rested her face on his chest. His heart beat faster than usual, letting her know he wasn’t unaffected by the conversation. “Owen?”
“Hmm?”
“Things are apt to be a bit. . .messy. . .for a while yet, but I want you to know. . .”
“What do you want me to know, honey?”
“That I want to be with you. I want to make this work. I want. . . everything with you.”
The next thing she knew, he had pulled her onto his lap and his strong arms were tight around her. Fortunately, they had their corner of the ferry cabin mostly to themselves as two other nearby passengers slept through the crossing. “I want that, too. More than you know.” He rested a hand on the baby bump. “I can’t wait to meet this little person and have him or her change both our lives forever.”
Overwhelmed by his softly spoken words, Laura nestled into his neck, breathing in the familiar scent of him and nuzzling the warm, soft skin.
A tremble rippled through him, and he tightened his arms around her.
She loved knowing she could make him tremble, make him want. “When we get back to the hotel, do you think maybe we could, you know, pick up where we left off this morning?” she whispered in his ear.
“Your bed or mine?”
Laura laughed, feeling happier than she had in longer than she could remember. The situation with Justin was out of her hands. He knew about the baby and knew she wanted a divorce. She was never going back to him, so there was nothing stopping her from moving forward with Owen. “Yours is closer to the door.”
“I like how you think.” His hand tunneled under jacket and sweater, seeking skin.
Laura wriggled on his lap, encouraging his touch.
“You might want to sit still or you’ll damage my most important parts—and we’ll be needing them later.”
Her laugh died on her lips when his hand moved from back to front, sliding over the baby to cup her breast. When he tweaked her nipple, she let out a ragged moan.
“Shhh,” he whispered, his lips close to her ear, reminding her of where they were.
“How much longer?”
He twisted his head around to look out the window. “Just passing the bluffs. A few more minutes.”
“Good,” she said, feeling a sudden sense of urgency after months of significant moments leading to this one.
“Feeling anxious?” He played with her nipple relentlessly, making Laura hot and tingly and needy.
“Very.” She ran her hand over his chest, shivering when she remembered how his rough chest hair felt against her extra-sensitive breasts. “Pregnancy is known for ramping up the sex drive, so I’ve got five months of bottled up frustration I need to expend. If you’re up for it, that is.”
Using her hair to muffle his groan, he pushed his straining erection against her bottom. “I’m definitely up for it.”
Laura giggled at the tortured sound he made.
“Has this damned boat ever taken longer?”
She kissed the scowl off his face. What she’d intended to be a quick tide-me-over kiss quickly became a heated, sensual dual, each of them straining to get closer until he finally pulled away.
“Gotta stop before I forget where we are.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed him in during the endless minutes before the ferry crew called car owners to the lower deck to prepare for landing.
Owen was on his feet in a flash, giving her a second to land, before he grabbed her hand and tugged her along behind him to the stairs. Once in the car, while they waited for the signal from the crew to drive off the boat, Owen tapped his fingers impatiently on the wheel.
Watching him out of the corner of her eye, she linked and unlinked her own fingers, over and over and over again until she thought the tension would literally burst from her chest.
“Do we need condoms?” he asked after a long, charged moment of silence.
“You tell me.”
“I’ve never had sex without one. I have a physical every year, and I’m healthy.”
“In that case, since pregnancy isn’t a worry, I don’t see why we’d need one.”
“And you’re sure it’s safe? For the baby?”
“Perfectly safe.”
He blew out a choppy-sounding breath. “I think it’s very possible I might be having a heart attack.”
Laura smiled and reached over to cover his hand, hoping to calm him.
He turned their hands and pressed hers palm-down to his throbbing cock, drawing a tortured groan from both of them. “What the hell is taking so goddamned long?”
“There were a couple of trucks that came on last.” Laura had a better view of the action from the passenger seat. “They’re unloading them.”
After what seemed like an endless wait, one of the crewmembers waved at them to proceed off the boat. Five minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot behind the Surf.
“I’ll come back for the bags later,” he said as they got out and met in front of the car. He took her hand and propelled her up the back stairs to the hotel, fumbling with the key and swearing under his breath when the lock fought back.
“It’s all in the wrist,” she said, pushing his hand out of the way.
“Very funny.”
Whe
n the door swung open, he half-dragged her in behind him, slamming the door shut and pushing her up against it. He devoured her mouth in deep, searching kisses that made her legs weak and her heart race.
“Laura, Laura, Laura, my sweet Laura,” he whispered, turning his attention to her neck, kissing and licking and nibbling. “God, I want you. I’ve wanted you for so damned long.”
She clutched his shoulders, needing him more than she’d ever known it was possible to need anything. “I’ve wanted you, too, for just as long and just as much.”
And then he scooped her up and carried her through the kitchen, across the lobby and into his suite.
In what had become their pattern when he was picking her up off the bathroom floor after a bout of morning sickness, she looped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
He put her down next to his bed and started pulling at clothes with barely restrained urgency.
With their clothes in a pile at their feet, he yanked at the bed covers and urged her in ahead of him. He was right behind her, reaching for her.
Laura decided that the heat of his skin against hers was about the best thing she’d ever felt.
“I’ve dreamed about this moment.” His hand slid down her back to her bottom, tugging her in tight against him. “And it’s better than anything I could’ve imagined.”
“Mmm, so much better.”
She couldn’t stop touching him—his chest and belly, caressing him until he groaned in frustration. Curling her hand around his cock, she stroked him the way he liked, hard and quick.
His eyes closed, and his hips pushed against her hand, urging her on.
Empowered by his reaction, she kissed her way down the front of him. Since his eyes were still closed, he didn’t realize her intention until she had taken him into the heat of her mouth.
His eyes flew open and his fingers gripped her hair so tightly it was almost painful. “Laura,” he said in a choked tone. “I can’t take that right now.”
“Yes, you can.” She ran her tongue down the length of him, and below, paying homage to his most sensitive parts. “What did you say last night? You take care of me and I take care of you?” As she spoke she kept her lips close to his shaft. “I’ve got a lot of taking care of to do if I’m going to even things up between us.”