by Jen Talty
“You know what I want?” she whispered.
He growled. “I don’t know if I will last.”
“Let’s find out.”
“You always liked testing my limits.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “Be my guest.”
She bent over and kissed the center of his chest, licking her way down his taut stomach muscles. She flicked her tongue over the tip before greedily taking as much as she could into her mouth.
He grabbed a handful of her hair. He didn’t tug or push, just lifted it from her face. His chest rose up and down quickly. The room filled with harsh groans. “You’re a wicked girl.”
“You made me that way.”
“I enjoyed every practice session.” He sat up, lifting her right off the bed and bending her over.
“Whoa,” she said, looking over her shoulder, gripping the sheets and spreading her legs. “I wasn’t—”
He slammed into her with a deep thrust.
“Oh, God.” She pushed back, hard, holding herself steady as he repeated the motion.
His powerful body propelled her forward. He reached around and found her hard nub, pinching it gently.
“Yes,” she said with a long breath. “Spencer.”
He swelled inside and exploded with a final thrust, sending her body into a massive convulsion.
She collapsed to the bed, taking in deep breaths and accepting his weight on top of her.
He kissed her neck and laced his fingers through hers. “Do you remember our first time?”
“Of course I do.”
“We’ve come a long way.”
She laughed. “Yeah. I only had one orgasm that time.”
He rolled to his side, scooting to the head of the bed and pulling the covers over their bodies. “Look at the sunrise,” he said. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my morning. I mean, I had my favorite doughnuts. A cup of coffee. And great sex with the woman I…”
She closed her eyes, snuggling into his body and kissing his chest.
“You know I still care about you.”
“I know,” she said. “The feeling is mutual.”
“So, what are we going to do about it?”
“Spencer, I’m not sure the timing is right for us.”
He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Let’s just enjoy our day for now.” He kissed her forehead. “I need to rest my eyes for a bit. It was a crazy night last night.”
Oh boy. She just opened a can of worms she wasn’t sure she could handle. She didn’t want to hurt Spencer again.
And she knew her heart couldn’t take it if they tried and failed.
Spencer blinked his eyes open and stretched. The sun beat through the bedroom windows. Sitting up, he focused his attention on the digital clock.
Just a little after nine.
He glanced at the sleeping beauty sprawled out in his bed. It had been a long time since he woke up with a woman he loved.
Four years to be exact because no woman he’d been with since she walked out of his life did he ever love.
He slipped from the bed, careful not to wake her. He found a pair of shorts and snuck out to make a fresh pot of coffee. He also realized they’d left the doughnuts outside. They were probably full of ants by now, so he’d need to take care of that. He pulled open the door, and his jaw slacked open. “Hi, Dad. What are you doing here?”
“I take it you haven’t checked your phone in the last hour or so.”
“I was sleeping, why?”
“Stanley and Edna called me about an hour ago concerned because they haven’t seen their daughter and she’s not answering her phone.” His father pointed to the sticky mess left on his front stoop. “All your favorites that you never eat anymore.”
As expected, the ants had gone to town. “Let me get a bag so I can take that to the dumpster.” Quickly, he snagged one and then practically shoved his father out of the house.
“So, have you seen Echo?” His father followed one pace behind him with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. “Because those doughnuts have her written all over them.”
“Echo’s fine.” Spencer tossed the bag into the trash and waltzed back to his patio. “She brought over breakfast. We chatted. I’m sure she went for a run or something before she and I go out on the lake for the day.”
“She’s got her parents really worried.” His father made himself comfortable in one of the chaise lounge chairs. “Between not knowing this man she’s marrying and the way she’s been acting since she came home. Actually, they started worrying about her when she left to be a travel nurse.”
“She needed to do that for herself,” Spencer said, wishing he had taken his phone so he could text Echo and tell her not to come outside. Hopefully, she’d look out the window and see his father and stay the hell inside.
“You’ve been spending some time with her; does she seem happy to you? Or do you think something is going on as well?”
“Dad, I’m not having this conversation with you.”
“Why not?”
“Just because I’m her ex-boyfriend doesn’t make me the resident expert. Not to mention, does anyone ever consider how this might make me feel?”
“No. I guess not,” his father said. “But you’re a shitty liar, and Echo doesn’t hide well.”
“What does that mean?”
“I just saw her peek out the kitchen window,” his father said with an arched brow.
Without thinking, Spencer glanced over his shoulder, and sure enough, he saw Echo race from the kitchen, through the family room, disappearing into his bedroom. Worse, all she had on was his T-shirt and boxers.
“I’m going to hope she has her phone and lets her parents know she’s okay,” his father said. “I’m certainly not going to say anything to her family about her being here, and I realize you are a grown man, but she’s engaged to someone else. What the hell are you thinking?” His father waved his finger. “And don’t tell me that nothing happened because you’re out here in shorts and no shirt, and she’s, well, wearing your clothes.”
Spencer let out a puff of air. For his entire life, his father had been his confidant, his best friend, and in some cases, since he was the fire marshal, his boss. There hadn’t been a time in Spencer’s life where he’d been at odds with his dad, not even when Spencer had gone a little crazy when Echo left on her traveling nurse adventure. “It’s complicated.”
“I don’t see how. She’s getting married in less than a week.”
“There are things going on that I’m sworn to secrecy over.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” his father said.
“You’re just going to have to trust me. And Echo.”
His father stood. “Make sure she calls her parents. Pronto.”
Spencer laughed.
“I don’t see what’s so funny.”
“We’re not in high school, and you’re not catching us making out in the boathouse after curfew. We’re grown-ass adults.”
“Who are sneaking around like horny teenagers.” His father slapped him on the shoulder. “I, for one, would love nothing more than for you and Echo to get back together. You know that. But I don’t want to see you or Echo get hurt in the process.”
“I appreciate that, Dad.”
“Enjoy your day with Echo.” His father stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled down the street toward Spencer’s childhood home.
Spencer pulled open the door. “My dad is gone. It’s safe to come out. Although he saw you.”
Echo came barreling out of the bedroom holding her phone up. “They have a fucking search party out for me.”
“I know, but no reason to freak out.”
“Really? I’ve let this thing get totally out of control. I should have told my parents the second I landed, but no. I thought maybe Andy would change his mind. And then when I realized that wasn’t going to happen, I thought I’d try to get him to pay my father for everything that couldn’t be reimbur
sed. That’s why I’ve been trying to get ahold of Andy again. I was hoping to do that before I told my parents.”
“Echo. Calm down.” Spencer closed the gap between them and placed his hands on her shoulders. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. It is. All your parents want is for you to be happy.”
“Did you know my parents drove to New York City and paid two grand for a wedding dress for me? And they rented the Jesper Tour Boat to take me and the family from my house to the village by water. Do you have any idea how much that costs? People think my dad has some money stashed from his NFL days, but he doesn’t. He spent all that on the house, the boat, and all his kids’ education.”
“I know that.” Spencer kissed her temple, gently pulling her in for a hug, knowing if he came on too strong, she’d push him away both literally and figuratively. “Your father also booked you the Swing Kings.”
“He didn’t.” Echo dropped her head to his chest. “That had to cost him a small fortune along with the country club, which I found out he can’t get his deposit back at this late date.”
“Wait a second. You didn’t tell me you were trying to get money out of Andy.”
“I was thinking I’d get on a plane Tuesday morning and show up at the office and demand it.”
“Not a bad idea,” Spencer said. “I could go with you since I don’t have to work again until Wednesday.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“I could be of help.” Spencer patted her bottom and then headed toward the kitchen for some fresh coffee.
“Holy crow.”
“What?” He glanced over his shoulder.
“We just had wild sex, and I didn’t notice that tattoo.”
“Well, I never had my back to you.” It had taken his family a while to pick out her name etched on the helmet of the firefighter embedded in a flames and an American flag, but she would see it immediately because she was the one who sketched her name once in a drawing of him wearing his fireman gear with her name on his uniform.
Fuck.
“Oh, my God.” She closed the gap, standing behind him, tracing her fingers across his skin.
He held his breath and stood still.
“This is amazing…Spencer, you didn’t.”
“Obviously, I did.”
“When?”
“Last year.”
“Why?” she asked. “Why would you put my name on your body a second time, especially when we weren’t even dating.”
“The same reason you put that cute little fire station number twenty-nine logo on the small of your back.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Since I don’t see it, I forget it’s there.”
“Looking closely at it, I see the initials SNB. That has to stand for Spencer Nash Bryant, and it wasn’t there four years ago.”
“No. It wasn’t.”
“So, when did you get it?”
“Last Christmas when I came home, and I have no valid reason for doing it,” she said.
“I have one.”
“Yeah. What’s that?” She wrapped her arms around his strong frame.
“I more than care about you, Echo. The truth is, I’ve never stopped—”
She covered his mouth with the palm of her hand. “Don’t say it. I can’t handle hearing it right now.”
“Okay.”
“I need to go to my folks and deal with this shitstorm.”
“What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“I think I need to tell them sooner rather than later, so I’ll text you, okay?”
He nodded. “I’ve got no plans. I’ll be here all day. Just let me know.”
She leaned in and kissed his lips briefly. “Thank you. For everything.” And with that, she was out the door.
5
Echo stepped into her parents’ kitchen and let out a long breath.
“Are you feeling better after a hot shower?” Her mother raced around the island and pulled her in for a big hug.
“I am.”
“We were so worried about you this morning.”
“It’s not like I was out all night. All I did was get up early and meet Spencer for breakfast.”
“But you didn’t leave a note, nor did you answer your texts.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I really am. But I’m also an adult, and I’ve been living on my own for years. I didn’t think I needed your permission to go out.”
“Don’t get sassy with me.”
“Again. Sorry. But do you see my point?” She kissed her mother’s cheek.
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Her mother went back to making her homemade bread, which Echo assumed was for the rehearsal dinner that her parents were planning to have on Friday. “I wish you would talk to me about what’s going on.”
“Where’s Dad?’
“He’s getting dressed. He’ll be out in a minute.”
“Good. I need to talk to both of you.”
“That sounds serious,” her mother said. “It’s after lunch. What happened to your day on the boat with Spencer?”
“Nothing. He’s just waiting for me to text him that I’m ready.”
“Have you heard from Andy today?”
“No,” Echo admitted. “And that’s one of the reasons I need to talk to you and Dad.”
“Is there something wrong?” Her mom stopped stirring whatever it was she had in the mixing bowl and stared at her with wide eyes. “We’ve been concerned that you and Andy have problems.”
“We do, but I don’t want to have this conversation without Dad.”
“All right,” her mother said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Let me go get him.”
Echo pulled out her cell.
Echo: I’m going to tell them now.
Spencer: Shall I come over?
Echo: Would you mind?
Spencer: Nope. I’ll be there in ten.
Echo: I’ll take the conversation lakeside. But give me twenty, okay?
Spencer: Your wish is my command.
Echo: Quoting the Princess Bride won’t get you laid.
Spencer: Can’t blame a guy for trying. See you soon.
Echo sighed. This conversation was going to be rough but good. Her parents would have her back, and they would be supportive. She knew that without reservation. She should have told them from the get-go, but she also needed to help her father with the finances, and she needed him to not be proud, which meant she needed to continue to try to get ahold of Andy.
She tapped her cell and hit his contact information. It went straight to voicemail.
Asshole.
“Hey, kiddo,” her father said as he sauntered into the kitchen. “Your mom says you want to talk.”
“I do.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Why don’t we go sit out by the lake,” Echo said.
“I’ll make us a snack tray.” Her mother bustled about the kitchen. “Your father needs something anyway. Some apples and peanut butter sound perfect.”
“I’m good with that.” Echo snagged the water pitcher from the fridge and poured three glasses. She followed her father outside and onto the sundeck that looked over the water. Sundays on the lake in the spring and summer were always filled with boats, and today was no different. Fisherman, water-skiers, and families just enjoying a lazy day. She’d loved growing up in Lake George and being back she realized just how much she missed it.
Stretching out on the lounge chair, she sipped her water and soaked in the spring rays. “I’m sorry I worried you this morning.”
“We owe you an apology as well,” her father said, pulling up a chair. “We overreacted. But ever since you returned, you haven’t been acting yourself.”
“I know.”
“All we care about is your happiness.”
“Echo,” her mother called. “Look who I found wandering around.”
Echo turned, expecting to see Spencer. “Oh.” She dropped her glass. Thankfu
lly, it was plastic, and it bounced on the wood planks. “Andy?”
“Hey, babe,” he said, opening his arms. “I thought I’d surprise you today for a few hours.” He took her by the hands and helped her to her feet, giving her a peck on the cheek. “You must be Stanley.” Andy shook her father’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“You as well,” her father said, holding his expression serious. “We’re glad you’re finally here.”
“I’m sorry that I won’t be able to stay all week. I do have to take a flight back tonight, so I only have a few hours.”
“That’s really too bad,” her father said with a stern tone. “When will you be coming back?”
“I need to talk to Echo about those plans,” Andy said.
“Dad, can Andy and I have a minute?”
“Sure thing.”
She held Andy’s hand until her parents were safely tucked in the house. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked under her breath, trying to keep her anger in check.
“I came to apologize and grovel, especially with your parents, but I guess you haven’t told them I called off the wedding.”
“I was just about to.”
“May I sit?” He pointed to one of the lounge chairs.
“Of course.” Right now, she wished she’d chosen an alcoholic beverage over water, although it wouldn’t matter because hers was all over the deck. “But I don’t know what makes you think you can say those horrible, hurtful things to me and then show up as if nothing has happened.”
Andy’s dark hair soaked in the sunshine. His naturally bronzed skin sparkled. He had intense milk-chocolate eyes, and when he walked into a room, women noticed. He also had a personality that commanded attention. It was why he was so damn good in a courtroom. Everyone thought he should have gone into criminal law, but instead he did corporate, leaning more toward entertainment these days.
“This thing happened so fast it’s made my head spin.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Once you bought the plane tickets, it became so real that I panicked.”
“You told me that you didn’t love me and that I basically proposed to myself and was living in an alternate universe.”
He reached out and took her left hand and thumbed her diamond ring. “I did bring up getting married. I did suggest eloping. But once you ran off with this small-town wedding stuff, I just couldn’t cope. I never thought I’d want to be with one person, and I’ll be honest, I’m still nervous about the whole thing. Marriage wasn’t something I ever thought I’d want. But maybe, now that I’m a partner, it’s time that I settled down.”