Gansett Island Boxed Set Books 1-16 (Gansett Island Series)

by Marie Force

  Abby trembled at the promise in his softly spoken words. Because she didn’t trust herself to speak, she nodded.

  He kissed her, taking it slowly, running his tongue over the seam of her lips until she opened her mouth to let him in. When he sucked lightly on her tongue, Abby nearly died from the pleasure that coursed through her. He coaxed reactions from her that she’d never known possible. He drew her out of her own thoughts and into the moment in a way that no one else had done before.

  She clung to him, wanting him closer, close enough that his chest hair abraded her tender nipples and his hard penis pressed against the pulsating tension between her legs.

  Desperate to touch and feel all of him, she pushed her hands into the back of his jeans, under the waistband of his boxers, cupping his muscular buttocks as he flexed against her.

  He broke the kiss and shifted his attention to her nipple, tugging and biting lightly, but hard enough to make her moan from the pleasure. The tension grew to nearly unbearable heights as he pressed against her and then backed off, and then did it again, over and over until she was lost in the throes of immeasurable bliss, her fingers digging into his backside to keep him right where she needed him until the storm had subsided.

  “Abby,” he whispered against her breast. “God.” The heat of his release on her belly was among the most sensual things she’d ever experienced. Watching him let go, feeling the tension drain from his body and knowing she’d done that to him made her feel powerful and aware of herself as a woman in ways that were all new to her.

  “I can’t wait to be inside you when that happens,” he whispered, his breath against her neck making her shiver.

  A twinge of anxiety settled in her belly as she hoped she wouldn’t have the problems with him she’d had with past lovers. For some reason, it seemed to matter so much more this time around. Despite her intention to be done forever with men, she was falling hard for Adam McCarthy.

  After the visit with Laura and her family, Frank spent an hour with his son Shane, and then decided to walk the short distance from the Sand & Surf to his brother Mac’s house in North Harbor. The afternoon sun was warm on his face as he walked past Grace’s pharmacy and up the hill that led to Mac and Linda’s “White House.”

  As he walked, he thought of the monumental news Laura and Owen had shared with him. Twins… It was hard to believe that his little girl would soon be the mother of three. But he’d never seen Laura as happy as she’d been since Owen had come into her life. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was his kids who’d lost their poor mother far too young and had known their share of struggles since then.

  He’d done his best to be mother and father to them, and he hurt right along with them when things didn’t go their way. Now that Laura seemed happily settled, Frank hoped Shane would find his way before too much longer. His son was still far too withdrawn and quiet after the disaster with his ex-wife Courtney.

  In his work as a superior court judge, he saw daily examples of the ravages of drug abuse. He’d never expected to see the same ravages in his own family. Shane had been blindsided to discover his wife had hidden a raging prescription drug addiction for most of the time they’d been together.

  It had done Shane good to be here with his sister and cousins as well as his Aunt Linda and Uncle Mac, who’d played such a critical role in the lives of his kids when they were younger. Linda and Mac had opened their doors to Laura and Shane every summer when they were young, and those weeks on Gansett with their cousins had done wonders for his kids.

  The island seemed to be having the same impact this time around. Laura was happily settled, delighted with her job managing the Sand & Surf Hotel for Owen’s grandparents, who owned it. Shane seemed to enjoy working at the hotel and helping Mac and Luke with their construction business. At least he wasn’t sitting in a dark apartment letting life pass him by anymore. That was progress.

  Frank approached his brother and sister-in-law’s home, noting the blooms in Linda’s famous rose garden as he let himself in through the gate of the white picket fence that surrounded the yard. He was almost to the porch when he saw a woman sitting on the top step.

  As he approached, she stood, and he saw she was tall and strikingly pretty with curly dark hair that fell to her shoulders. As he drew closer, he could see that she was older than she’d first appeared.

  “Mr. McCarthy?”

  “I’m one of them, but this is my brother’s home. I’m Frank McCarthy.”

  She shook his outstretched hand. “Betsy Jacobson. I was hoping to see Mr. or Mrs. McCarthy.”

  “I could give them a call for you, if you’d like.”

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  He stepped around her and climbed the stairs. “Come on in.”

  “Are you sure they won’t mind?”

  “I’m positive.” Frank held the screen door for her and gestured for her to go into the house.

  “They don’t lock their doors?” Betsy asked.

  “No one does around here. Gansett is the safest place in the world.”

  “Not always,” Betsy said.

  Frank wasn’t sure what to make of her comment, so he went ahead and placed calls to Mac and Linda, who both said they’d be home in a few minutes.

  “Can I get you something?” Frank asked while they waited in somewhat awkward silence.

  “A glass of water would be great.”

  “Coming right up.” Frank had spent enough time here to know where the glasses were kept and poured ice water for both of them.

  Betsy wandered over to the sliding doors that led the expansive deck. “They have quite a view.”

  “One of the best on the island.” Frank joined her at the doors. “That’s their marina down there and their hotel.” He was surprised to hear a sniffle of what might’ve been tears from her. “Are you all right?” When he looked over at her, she was staring at the marina.

  “My son Steve was killed—”

  “Oh God.” Frank hadn’t made the connection to her last name and the young man who’d been killed in the accident that had nearly claimed three of his nephews. “Your son was the captain.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

  She wiped away tears. “Thank you. Seeing the marina where he stayed…”

  Frank wasn’t sure if it was appropriate, but he reached out to pat her shoulder.

  “I wanted to meet the McCarthys and to maybe hear more about what happened from their sons, since they were there.”

  “I’m sure they’ll do anything they can for you.”

  “You’re very kind. Thank you.”

  Linda came rushing in a few minutes later and came right over to Betsy. The two women embraced as if they’d always known each other. Watching them, tears filled Frank’s eyes. He didn’t even want to imagine what Betsy had been through losing her son so suddenly and tragically.

  “I’m so glad you came,” Linda said, patting Betsy’s back. “I’ve thought of you constantly.”

  “I got your message. Thank you so much for your kindness and the invitation to visit.” Betsy drew back from her, wiping her face with the graceful pass of fingertips over her cheeks. She moved with the elegance of a dancer. “I’m sorry to come without calling first. I woke up this morning, and before I knew what I was about, I was at the ferry on the way here.”

  “You didn’t need to call,” Linda said. “You’re welcome here any time.”

  “That’s so kind of you. I was hoping to see your sons, to hear more about what happened. If they’re willing, of course.”

  “I’ll call them and ask them to come.”

  “I’ll do it,” Frank said.

  Linda handed him her phone. “Send a text. Tell them I’d like them to come to the house as soon as possible. That way it comes from their mother.”

  Frank shared a smile with her. She was the best mother he’d ever known. If she told her kids to come, even her thirty-something kids, they’d c
ome. Frank sent the text to Mac, Grant and Evan on their mother’s behalf.

  He’d no sooner sent the message when his brother Big Mac came in. His gray hair stood on end, his face was windblown and tanned, and he wore a faded T-shirt and battered shorts with paint-splattered boat shoes. In some ways, the brothers were as different as two men could be. But they shared more similarities than differences. Frank embraced his younger brother, delighted as always to see him.

  “That’s Steve’s mother?” Big Mac asked, his gaze fixed on Betsy.

  “Yes.”

  Big Mac watched his wife speak softly to the other woman, who seemed overwhelmed with emotion.

  Frank studied his brother with growing concern. “Are you okay, Mac?”

  “It’s been really hard, Frankie. I keep thinking about what could’ve happened to my boys… I can’t begin to understand what she’s going through.”

  Frank hadn’t heard his childhood nickname in decades. It told him how undone his brother was by what had nearly happened.

  “I don’t know what to say to her,” Big Mac continued. “My boys made it, but hers didn’t.”

  “All you can do is express your condolences and support. That’s what she needs. That’s why she’s here.”

  Big Mac squeezed Frank’s arm. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “So am I.”

  Chapter 17

  An intense ache in her lower leg woke Abby. The tattoo was killing her. Even the light brush of the sheet against her skin was painful. Adam was sleeping next to her, his arm around her in a protective pose that filled her with warmth and pleasure that almost made her forget the pain in her leg.

  Watching him sleep, she took in the details of his handsome face. His dark hair was wavy rather than curly, his cheekbones pronounced and his jaw sprinkled with whiskers. He was beautiful to look at and easy to talk to—almost too easy to talk to in light of some of the things she’d shared with him.

  To say she hadn’t expected this was putting it mildly. She couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and run her fingertips over his face.

  His eyes opened slowly to find her watching him. A smile tugged at his lips.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost six.”

  Adam raised his hand from her belly and stretched.

  Fascinated, Abby watched the flex of muscles.

  “Best nap ever,” Adam said.

  “Except for the pain in my leg that woke me up.”

  “Is it bad?”

  “Pretty bad.”

  “Let me see.”

  Abby worked her right leg out from under the sheet and held it up so he could see the angry red outline of the flower and vine.

  “Ouch. Would you trust me to put some ointment on it for you?”

  “Do you have some?”

  “I bought it earlier along with ibuprofen.”

  “So yours hurts, too?”

  “Like a bastard.”

  Abby dissolved into laughter. “You were so stoic.”

  “It hurt worse than anything I’ve ever felt.”

  “Awww, I’m sorry I talked you into it.”

  “I’m not. It was fun to share your moment of rebellion. How about that ointment? I’ll be gentle.”

  “Okay,” Abby said, filled with trepidation at the thought of anyone touching her sore skin.

  Adam got out of bed, which was when Abby realized that he’d shed his jeans and underwear at some point. As she watched him move around the room, her mouth watered with desire for more of him. She feasted her eyes on his muscular backside until he turned around and gave her an even better view.

  When he realized she was staring at him, he stopped and seemed to pose for her. “You like?”

  Abby bit her lip and nodded.

  Smiling at her, he returned to the bed with a tube of ointment in hand. “Ready?”

  “I guess.”

  His touch was exceedingly gentle, so much so she barely felt it as he treated the entire area. “Is that okay?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  He bent to kiss the inside of her knee. “Remind me I want to spend more time right here later, will you?”

  “I’ll see if I can remember that.”

  “I hate to say that I’ve got to go. I want to run home to change before I go to Luke’s.”

  “I need to get moving, too. I’m meeting the girls across the street in an hour.” Abby held out her arms to him, and he crawled up the bed to her, like a big sexy cat on the prowl.

  “See you back here later?”

  “Yes, you will.”

  “Text me when you get back.”

  “I will.”

  He kissed her slowly, lingering on a thorough exploration of her bottom lip that had her heart pounding in no time at all. “Mmm, so sweet. It’s going to be a long night looking forward to later.”

  “For me, too.” She reluctantly released him and he seemed to be equally reluctant to leave her. As she still wore only the thin scrap of underwear, Abby couldn’t bring herself to leave the protection of the sheet. The whole new her wasn’t quite ready to walk around naked in front of him.

  Before he left, he leaned over the bed once more to kiss her. “See you soon.”

  “Have fun tonight.”

  “You, too.” He was to the door before he turned back to her. “It occurs to me that we need an official date with wine and candles and good food. Tomorrow night. That's what we’ll do. All right?”

  “All right.”

  Abby’s smile lingered for a long time after he left.

  Annoyed by the summons from his mother, Grant almost ignored it.

  “What’s wrong?” Dan asked.

  Grant had come to visit his injured friend and had been enjoying the relaxing time with Dan when the text had arrived.

  “My mom has summoned us to the White House for some unknown reason.”

  “Are you going?”

  “I’d love to pretend like I didn't get the message, but somehow Voodoo Mama would know.”

  “You’re too funny, man. Still worried about getting in trouble with your mommy. How old are you anyway?”

  “Thirty-six last time I checked.”

  Dan grinned and shook his head.

  “Until you’ve encountered Linda McCarthy’s wrath, you can’t judge me.”

  “Whatever you say. Mind if I come along? I’m getting sick of looking at my own four walls.”

  “Isn’t Kara coming over?”

  “She’s working late, covering for one of her people. She’ll be here later.”

  Grant helped Dan up from the sofa, moving carefully so as not to jar Dan’s injured ribs. “Things with her are going well?”

  “She’s amazing. I think I might be in love.”

  “I never thought I’d hear you say that again.” For years after Dan caught his ex-fiancée in bed with his best man the day before his wedding, he’d stayed far, far away from anything that smacked of commitment.

  “I never thought I’d say it either. But there’s something about Kara that makes me want to take chances again.”

  Grant helped Dan into a light jacket, which was complicated by the bulky cast on his arm. “I’m glad for you. She seems really great.”

  “She’s been amazing since the accident. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her.”

  “So get this… My brother Adam is seeing Abby.”

  “Abby as in your ex-Abby?”

  “One and the same.”

  “I thought she was engaged to that doctor. What was his name?”

  Grant closed the door to Dan’s house. Outside, he watched Dan cast longing glances at his Porsche, which he’d be unable to drive for quite some time yet. “Cal Maitland. Apparently, that’s over. Life in Texas didn’t agree with her.”

  “Is that right?”

  Grant held the door to his car for Dan and waited while his friend moved slowly and painfully into the passenger seat
. “That’s what I heard.”

  When they were on their way, Dan said, “So what do you think of Adam being with her?”

  “It’s been over between us for a long time, but it’s still kind of weird to think of my own brother dating her, you know?”

  “My brother and I dated the same girl once.”

  Since Dan rarely talked about the brother he’d lost in Afghanistan, Grant was instantly curious. “How did that happen?”

  “She was his high school girlfriend. They broke up senior year, and I worked with her a couple of summers later. We went out a few times, but it was making things weird with Dylan, so I broke it off with her. I figured it wasn’t going anywhere with her, so why put strain between me and him, you know?”

  “Sounds like a good call.”

  “Will this put strain between you and Adam?”

  “If it does, it’ll also put strain between me and Steph, because she’ll think I’m jealous, which I’m not.”

  “True,” Dan said with a chuckle that came out more like a grimace thanks to his injuries. “Puts you between a rock and a hard place, huh?”

  “Seriously.”

  “So it’s just you and me here. How do you really feel about it?”

  “I don’t know exactly. I guess if I were being completely honest, I’d say I wish he were ‘hanging out’ with someone else.”

  “That’s fair enough. I can certainly understand why you’d prefer that.”

  “But the fact is, he’s seeing her, and I have to keep my mouth shut about it or cause trouble I don’t need with Steph. She’s had so many disappointments and catastrophes in her life. I refuse to be one of them, and I don’t want to trigger all her insecurities. She’s worked so hard to overcome them and to have faith in me—and in us. I can’t screw that up. She means too damned much to me to let that happen.”

  “Aaah, Grant. Look at us. All grown up at last.”

  “I know, right? Sucks, doesn’t it?”

  “Don’t make me laugh. I beg of you.”

  “Sorry.”

  Grant parked outside his parents’ home just as Mac arrived in one of the marina trucks and Evan pulled up on Mac’s old motorcycle. Another bike pulled into the driveway, which turned out to be Adam.