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  “I’m not looking to move on. If you think that, you haven’t been paying attention.” He slid his hand up her leg again, this time dragging her dress up to her waist, revealing the skimpy, sexy panties she favored. He’d become obsessed with her wide variety of skimpy panties.

  “I have been paying attention, and I know you think you want more, but until you’re actually divorced, we need to keep things the way they are now.”

  “I’ve filed, and it’s in the works.” He’d told her that, but it didn’t hurt to remind her. “And you know I’m sticking around because I’m opening a practice here after the holidays.” It wouldn't be as lucrative as his practice on the mainland had been, but it didn’t need to be. He’d invested wisely and only needed to make enough to live comfortably.

  “Let’s revisit this when your divorce is final and see where we stand.”

  “I suppose that’s fair enough.” Rising to his knees, he helped her out of her dress and feasted his eyes on the sight of her creamy white skin and the scandalously sexy bra and panty set that she’d bought at Tiffany’s shop. Among other things, he’d gotten her a five-hundred-dollar gift certificate to the shop for Christmas.

  She sat up and started unbuttoning his shirt.

  He reached behind her to release the hooks on her bra and watched her gorgeous breasts spring free of the tight confines of the bra. God, she was so sexy, and always so eager to have sex with him. He had to believe that underneath the insecurities she’d expressed about their current situation, she wanted the same things he did. So he would be patient. He would wait until he was actually divorced and then press her for a real commitment. They’d agreed to be monogamous while they were sleeping together, and that would have to be enough for now.

  In the meantime, he’d talk to Dan Torrington tomorrow about speeding things up with Deb. His ex-wife had been blindsided when he filed for divorce, which led him to wonder if she’d been hoping for a reconciliation that wasn’t going to happen.

  He’d heard from his son Riley that her fling with the younger guy was over, so she might be having some regrets. That wasn’t his problem. He’d meant what he said to Chelsea. Deb had done them both a favor by pulling the trigger to end a marriage that had withered on the vine a long time ago.

  Chelsea wrapped her arms around him and peppered his chest with kisses, working her way down to his abdomen, which rippled under her soft lips.

  Kevin knew where this was leading, and his cock got even harder from the anticipation. The heat of her mouth, the tight squeeze of her lips, the light suction and the swirl of her tongue got him every time. It had become a joke between them that he lost all control when she took him into her mouth, and this time was no exception.

  “Baby, wait.” Craving the closeness, he wanted to be inside her when he came. He withdrew from her mouth and brought her to the edge of the mattress before he removed her panties and feasted his eyes on her gorgeous body. Sexiest woman he’d ever been with, hands down. After worshiping her gorgeous breasts with his lips and tongue, he sank his fingers into her, gliding into her wet heat while pressing his thumb against her clit.

  “Kevin,” she gasped, arching into him, “please.”

  After removing his fingers, he eased into her slowly, giving her time to adjust to and accommodate him before he picked up the pace, giving it to her hard and fast, the way she liked it best. They’d both gotten tested so they could forgo condoms, and what had already been exceptional before was now extraordinary. Since she’d already taken him to the edge with the spectacular blow job, he wouldn’t last long. Wanting to make sure she was with him, he caressed her clit until he felt her clamp down on him as her body trembled with contractions. With her eyes closed, her lips parted and her breasts moving in time with his thrusts, she was like a goddess come to life, and he was determined to have her in his life forever.

  Keeping that thought foremost in his mind, he slid his hands under her to clutch her ass as he came inside her, giving himself over to the incredible bliss he found in her arms every single time they were together.

  Chapter 12

  Slim Jackson left the McCarthys’ party and headed out into the snow, jogging to the truck he kept on the island for days like this one when he couldn’t use his motorcycle. He’d been on pins and needles all night, wanting to spend time with two people he admired greatly as well as their terrific family, but he was extremely eager to see Erin, too.

  It’d been a long three months since he last saw her. While he worked in Florida during the off-season, they kept in touch through regular phone calls and FaceTime chats, getting to know each other better, which had been great. But it was no substitute for being with her in person.

  He’d invited her to visit him in Florida, had gone so far as to offer to buy a plane ticket for her, but she’d declined for reasons she hadn’t shared with him. Erin’s refusal to visit had disappointed him more than he’d admitted to her. They’d formed a connection before he left that had only been strengthened by hours of conversation over the last few months. He couldn’t understand why she didn’t want to come visit him, and he hoped to get to the bottom of that while he was home for Christmas.

  The road to the Southeast Light was long and dark, but Erin had left the gate open because he’d asked if he could stop by after the party. He had no idea what kind of reception to expect. The last time he saw her, the night Alex and Jenny got married, he’d brought her home after the wedding and kissed her good-night—a brief meeting of lips that had left him wanting so much more.

  But he’d been expected in Miami the next day and hadn’t had the time then to linger. He had time now, and he planned to linger—if she’d have him. As he approached the lighthouse, his heart began to beat faster, and a nervous flutter rippled through his stomach. When was the last time he’d been nervous to see a woman? High school?

  Erin was different. He’d known that for a while now. She was special, and he wanted to get to know her even better, but she had walls on top of her walls, keeping him constantly striving to break them down and get to the heart of her. He wouldn’t soon forget the night last summer when he’d shared with her that his given name was Tobias, the same name as her twin brother who’d been killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York City.

  She’d been completely overwhelmed by that coincidence, and it had helped to bring them closer. But those damned walls kept getting in the way.

  The glow of the light she’d left on over the back door lit his way from where he parked to the entrance to the lighthouse. He knocked on the door and then opened it to call up to her, banging the snow off his shoes on the welcome mat.

  “Come on up,” she said.

  He took the spiral stairs two at a time, dying to see her gorgeous face and determine whether the things he’d felt for her last summer had grown in the months apart or morphed into something more like friendship than the romance he hoped for.

  She waited for him at the top, wearing flannel pajama pants and a Gansett Island sweatshirt. Her chestnut-brown hair was in a high ponytail, her lovely face devoid of makeup. She took his breath away, especially when she stepped forward to welcome him with a long hug.

  Slim wanted to keep her pressed up against him for as long as he possibly could, but they weren’t “there” yet, so he released her reluctantly. At least one question had been answered to his satisfaction—this was still a potential romance and not just a really nice friendship.

  “Hi, there,” she said with a warm smile. Her brown eyes sparkled with delight as he removed his overcoat and hung it over the railing. “Wow, you look good.”

  He’d worn a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt and no tie to the party.

  “And you’re so tanned! You said you’ve been working nonstop in Florida.”

  “All work and no play makes Slim a dull boy.”

  She snickered. “That’ll be the day. Who doesn’t want your high-flying life?”

  Who didn’t, indeed? His lifestyle had suited him until
lately, when he’d spent months living a thousand miles from a woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  “Drink?”

  “I wouldn’t say no to that.” He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol at the party so he would be clearheaded when he saw her. But now that he was here, he could use a little liquid courage. Intrigued, he watched her make a Ketel One and soda on the rocks with a twist of lemon.

  “Someone has been paying attention,” he said when he took the drink from her with a grateful smile.

  “I’ve watched you make that drink often enough on FaceTime.”

  “Not that often.”

  She raised a brow to challenge him and then further intrigued him when she made the same drink for herself. “I figured I ought to see what the hoopla was about.”

  He took a seat on her sofa, hoping she would join him—and sit close. Very close. “And?”

  Much to his dismay, she sat on the other end of the sofa, facing him and curling her legs under her. “It’s quite refreshing.”

  “I think so, too.”

  “I’ve never been much of a fan of vodka, but I have to say, it’s pretty good.”

  “Vodka and I go way back.” Winking at her, he added, “My mom couldn’t smell it on my breath when I got home in high school.”

  “Ah-ha. I see how it was.”

  “I got in big trouble when I confessed that to her a few years ago.”

  Laughing, Erin said, “Why would you tell her that, ever?”

  “She got me in a weak moment, and then informed me there’s no statute of limitations on punishment for teenage crimes.”

  Still laughing, she said, “I think I’d like your mom.”

  “I know she’d like you.” He swirled the ice around inside his glass and gave her a side-eyed glance. “You’re kind of far away down there.”

  “Am I?”

  “Uh-huh.” He slid closer, leaving about a foot between them. Then he kicked off his dress shoes, put his feet on the coffee table and his head back against the sofa. “There. That’s better.”

  “You look tired.”

  “Long day in the air.”

  “I wondered if you’d be able to get here with the snow.”

  “A little bit of snow wasn’t going to ground me. Not when I had important business here today.”

  “How was the party?”

  “It was great, but that wasn’t my important business.”

  “No? What was?”

  “As you well know, I couldn’t wait to see you again. I’ve been counting the days.”

  “Have you?”

  Nodding, he said, “Was I the only one counting?”

  “No, you weren’t. I was looking forward to today, too.”

  Encouraged by her honest reply, he gave her his most charming smile. He’d been told it could be rather potent. “Is that right?”

  “I’d forgotten how handsome you are in a suit.”

  The unexpected compliment made his blood heat as it zinged through his veins. “And I’d forgotten how adorable you are in pajamas.”

  “You’ve never seen me in pajamas.”

  “Yes, I have. Remember the night I stayed with you after you hurt your ankle?”

  “As I recall, I slept in my clothes.”

  “You did not. I helped you get changed, and believe me, I remember every detail.”

  “Why do I not remember that?”

  “The pain muddled your brain.”

  “I think the vodka is muddling yours, and you’re making stuff up.”

  He chuckled softly at her indignant reply. “Do you know one of the first things I noticed about you when Alex first introduced us is that you’re a rare natural beauty? No enhancements needed.”

  “Oh, um, really?”

  “Uh-huh. You know something else?”

  “What?”

  “I’ve spent the last few months asking myself over and over again why I didn’t keep kissing you the night of his wedding.” Leaning toward her, he said, “Why did I stop with just this?” He touched his lips to hers in imitation of the one fleeting kiss they’d shared in October. Like then, he immediately wanted more. But like then, the feeling that she was more fragile than she appeared kept him from taking what he wanted.

  “You stopped again.”

  “So I did.”

  “How come?”

  “I’m having a hard time getting a read on what you want.”

  “All those hours on the phone didn’t tell you what I want?”

  He took hold of her hand, aligning their palms and linking their fingers. “Not entirely.”

  “How long can you stay?”

  “I’m here until after the New Year and then back to Florida through the end of March. Were you planning to go home to Pennsylvania for Christmas?”

  “Well, I was until I heard this pilot friend of mine might be coming to town for the holidays.”

  “And what did your mom have to say about your change in plans?”

  “To quote her directly, ‘If I had a choice between here or there with that sexy pilot, I’d pick the pilot.’”

  Slim tipped his head back and laughed. “I love your mom.” He leaned in for another kiss, taking the time to linger now that he knew he was welcome to. “Twelve whole days together,” he whispered. “I bet a lot can happen in that much time.”

  She curled her hand around his neck, drawing him into another kiss. “I can’t wait to find out.”

  Snuggled up to her husband in comfy pajamas and her favorite robe with her children and grandchildren close by, a new ring on her finger and a glorious trip to look forward to, Linda decided this had been one of the very best days of her life. The time alone with Mac, the party and now this after-party in the salon of the Surf with Evan and Owen playing while the kids danced for them.

  Hailey slept in her mother’s arms. P.J. was out cold in Joe’s arms, and Laura’s son, Holden, snoozed on Owen’s shoulder.

  Betsy was curled up in Frank’s lap with his arms around her while they chatted with Ned and Francine. Frankie had been so happy since he met Betsy, and Linda was thrilled for them both. Frank hadn’t been seriously involved with anyone since he lost Jo, so it was particularly poignant to see him finding new love later in life.

  Evan and Grace were beaming, back together after three long weeks apart. During the party, she’d noticed they were constantly touching each other and were obviously thrilled to be together again. She loved that and loved them together. She couldn't wait for their wedding in a few weeks.

  Her mother radar had picked up something with Janey. She’d been quiet and withdrawn during the party and was listless now. Linda wondered if her daughter was coming down with something, which would be unfortunate timing for P.J.’s first Christmas. Tomorrow, she’d have a talk with her daughter to see what was going on.

  Maddie hadn’t confirmed her pregnancy, but after seeing her daughter-in-law pregnant twice before, Linda recognized the signs. She had a good feeling about this one. She remembered the terrible heartache of losing a baby followed by the cautious joy of learning they were expecting Mac. For nine long months, she’d practically held her breath waiting for something to go wrong until her son had arrived to make her a mother.

  He’d been a joy to her every day of his life, never more so than in the years since he brought Maddie, Thomas and Hailey into their lives.

  Linda’s gaze landed on Abby, who was most definitely not herself. Something was wrong, but Abby and Adam had pretended otherwise for their sake tonight. The two of them were so in love that she couldn’t imagine them having relationship issues. Tomorrow she would also see if she could find out what was troubling them.

  She’d admit to having been skeptical of that pairing at first. After all, Abby had dated Grant for more than ten years, during which time there’d been no sign of the slightest spark between her and Adam—because there hadn’t been one, according to both of them. She was grateful that both her sons had ended up with the women they loved and
at no expense to their close relationship.

  Speaking of Grant, he and his new wife, Stephanie, were so adorable together. She wondered if they were thinking of starting a family anytime soon. Grant wasn’t getting any younger, so there was no time like the present, or so thought his future child’s grandmother.

  Her gaze shifted to Mallory. Though she was new to their family, sometimes it felt like she’d always been there. That was how seamlessly she’d fit in with her siblings and cousins. Linda hoped that she would spend more time with them after the New Year.

  “You’re quiet, my love,” Mac said, rubbing her arm with his hand.

  “Just taking it all in.”

  “It’s a lot to take in.”

  “To think it began with you and me and led to this.”

  “It began with you and me forty years ago today.”

  She smiled at him and raised her glass to touch it to his. “You were right, you know.”

  He raised a rakish eyebrow. “About?”

  “Everything. Us, the marina, the hotel, buying the house, raising the kids here. All of it. I don’t know if I ever actually told you that. Everyone thought you were crazy for staking your claim here, but you knew exactly what you were doing.”

  “Hell, sweetheart,” he said with a laugh, “I didn’t know a damned thing other than I wanted you and I wanted Gansett. The rest was pure, dumb luck.”

  “It was a lot more than that, and you know it.”

  “None of it would’ve happened without you.”

  “Yes, it would have. You were on fire with ambition and determination.”

  “I was, but I wonder if I wouldn’t have burned out here long before the marina took off if I hadn’t had you to keep me company on all those cold winter nights.”

  “Cold winter nights are my favorite kind of nights,” she said.

  “Are you saying you’re ready for bed?”

  “Not quite yet, but soon.”

  “Say the word, and we’re outta here.”