Time for Love , The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 9 Read online

  He did as she requested, running his fingers lightly over the outer lips of her sex. “Like this?”

  “David!”

  His lips were curved into a smile when he kissed her. “Patience, my sweet.”

  “I’m fresh out of patience at the moment.”

  “The lady is sounding more and more aggravated by the second. I’d better tend to her before she exacts her revenge.”

  “You’re a wise man, Dr. Lawrence.”

  He gave her exactly what she wanted, his fingers focusing on the areas that throbbed for him, sliding into her in a motion that mimicked intercourse, driving her to a powerful full-body orgasm that left her sweating and panting and throbbing under the fingers he continued to press against her.

  “How was that?” he asked after a long period of contented silence.

  “Pretty damned good.”

  “I’m relieved you didn’t say it could’ve been better.”

  Laughing, she said, “It’s never been better. Do I get a turn now?”

  “You need sleep more than I need favors.”

  “Please?”

  “Hmm, I’ve got a hot sexy woman in my bed, begging me to let her have her wicked way with me. What am I to do?”

  “You really think I’m hot and sexy?”

  “This isn’t proof enough?” he asked, placing her hand over his erection. “You’re very hot and very sexy, and I feel very lucky that you’re in my bed.”

  “I feel lucky, too.” She pushed at his shoulders until he was lying flat on his back and went up on her knees to lean over him, peppering his chest and belly with soft, openmouthed kisses that had his muscles quivering in no time. Tugging on the waistband to his boxers, she said, “Take them off.”

  “Daisy…”

  “You’re doing what you’re told, remember?” Despite the brazen words, her hands trembled with nerves. Although she knew this was David and he’d never harm her in any way, the memories of another man and the constant fear of angering him were never far from her mind.

  He removed the shorts and let his hands fall to the mattress, curling them into fists that Daisy fixated on. Tuning in to what had caught her attention, he flattened his hands on his belly. “I’d never, ever, ever hit you, Daisy. Ever.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you? Do you really? Do you know there is nothing you could do or say that would ever make me want to hurt you that way?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, humbled by his intuition and tenderness. “I’m sorry. I know you never would. It’s just…”

  “Touch me. Kiss me. Do anything you want to. I’m all yours, and you’re totally safe with me.”

  His gentle words brought tears to her eyes, but this wasn’t the time for them. Not when he was laid out before her in all his sexy perfection. His erection stretched almost to his belly button. Before her eyes, he got harder and longer. Daisy licked her lips in anticipation and a tiny bit of fear when she thought of taking him into her body. The growing tingle of desire between her legs belied her fears as she took him in hand and ran her tongue over the very tip, which was damp with moisture.

  “Daisy,” he muttered between clenched teeth as his fingers clutched her hair.

  “Mmm.” Her lips vibrated against his shaft as he got even harder. Encouraged by his response, she ran her tongue down the full length of him and then back up to concentrate on the sensitive head.

  “Yes, Daisy… God.”

  She added a tiny bit of suction that had his hips rising from the bed as she stroked him with her hand and tongue.

  “Wait. Daisy, stop.” He tugged gently on her hair, and he popped free from her mouth an instant before he came with a growl and a curse uttered under his breath. He drew in ragged breaths as his hands fell to the mattress in a helpless gesture that made her smile. “You wiped me out, baby.”

  He used his T-shirt to wipe his belly and tossed it aside, turning to embrace her. “You’re so sexy and sweet. It’s an awfully potent combination.”

  “So are you.” She punctuated her words with a hand to his face and a soft kiss. “You make me feel hopeful again.”

  “That’s the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.”

  “That can’t possibly be true. You save people’s lives!”

  “Maybe so, but you, Daisy… I think you might just have the power to save my life.”

  She drew in a sharp, deep breath, astounded and touched by the revealing statement.

  His arms encircled her, his lips brushed over her hair, and her breasts pressed against his chest. Safe and content in his arms, Daisy drifted off to sleep with a smile on her lips.

  *

  After a long day of appointments in the clinic, David was updating patient charts late the next afternoon when Blaine Taylor appeared at his door.

  “Hey, Blaine. What’s up?”

  “Am I getting you at a bad time?”

  “Not at all. Come on in.”

  “Thanks.” Blaine took a seat in one of David’s visitor chairs. “The receptionist said you weren’t with patients so it was okay to come back.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I heard from the assistant attorney general who’s prosecuting Daisy’s case.”

  David’s stomach clenched at the reminder of the assault and attempted sexual assault case pending against Daisy’s ex-boyfriend. “What about it?”

  “He had a couple of questions about your statement, and he was unable to reach you, so he asked me to come over to talk to you.”

  “I haven’t gotten to my voice mail yet. What questions does he have?”

  “The rape kit came back inconclusive. Nothing to tie Truck to the attempted sexual assault.”

  The sexual assault count was the more serious charge and had kept Truck in jail without bond while he awaited trial. Without it, he might be released on personal recognizance, a thought David could barely stand to entertain. “Other than the fact that you caught him assaulting her and the trauma to her genital region was indicative of repeated attempts at penetration. Only because he was high as a kite did he fail to actually rape her. We all know that.”

  “Apparently, Truck’s defense attorney, our own local hero Jim Sturgil, is claiming that those bruises could’ve been caused by any number of unrelated injuries. He’s submitted a number of possible scenarios to the court that include…” Blaine pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “Bicycling injuries, consensual sex, surfing accident, work-related accident, etc. He’s creating reasonable doubt and questioning whether that charge will hold up in court. If you can think of anything at all that you might’ve overlooked, this would be the time to let me know.”

  David fought back a growing sense of panic. “He’s out of his mind if he thinks any of those things caused her injuries. Truck Henry’s penis and his rage caused them.”

  “You and I both know that, but without any forensic evidence that an attempted rape occurred, it’s her word against his in court.”

  David desperately wished he’d found more forensic evidence to keep Truck locked up where he belonged. “So those charges are going to be dropped?”

  “They could be. Nothing has happened yet, but Jim is fighting hard to get them thrown out.”

  “I’ve always despised that son of a bitch, but now I freaking hate him. How can he do that to Daisy?”

  “You know Jim. It’s all about the almighty buck with him—that and showing everyone how powerful he is.” This was said with a heavy dose of bitterness. “He’s actually threatening to sue Tiffany for full custody of Ashleigh if I move in with them.”

  “Come on… For real?”

  “Yep. He dumped her after she worked two jobs to put him through law school, and now he’s not going to stand idly by and watch her be happy with someone else.”

  “Damn, man, that sucks. Is there anything you can do?”

  “I can marry her, which I’d love to do, but she said she isn’t ready for that after getting divorced so recently. Now he’s fo
rcing us to consider that step before she’s ready. It’s a mess, and the worst part is how he’s using poor Ashleigh as a pawn in all of this. Hell, I spend more time with her than he does. He’s got no right to use an innocent kid that way.”

  “I’m sorry you’re dealing with all that. If you want to talk about it, you’re welcome to air it out with me. I’m no fan of his either. Never have been, but especially now that he’s helping Truck to hurt Daisy all over again.”

  “I heard you two have been hanging out.”

  “Yeah. She’s… She’s amazingly strong and resilient after everything she’s been through. I don’t know what she’ll do if they let Truck out of jail, though.” He didn't even want to think about that possibility.

  “If they let him out, it’ll be with a big fat restraining order that keeps him far, far away from Daisy.”

  “A piece of paper won’t keep her safe if he’s high.”

  “Maybe not, but we will. We’ll keep her safe.”

  “Yes, we will.” He thought of how sweet she’d been in bed the night before and felt a rather inappropriate surge of lust that had him clearing his throat and his mind of salacious thoughts. “She’s strong, but she’s also fragile in some ways. Last night, we were, kissing and stuff…”

  “And stuff?” Blaine asked with a knowing smirk.

  “My hands, they rolled into fists, and she noticed. It wasn’t because of anger.”

  “Of course it wasn’t.”

  “But still… She zeroed in on those fists until I realized what I was doing. I hate that it even crossed her mind that I might hurt her the way he did.”

  “She knows you’d never do what he did, David. The reflex is instinct by now. It’ll take some time, but she’ll get past it. Until then, you have to move slowly so you don’t spook her.”

  “I’m trying, but she’s not making it easy.”

  Blaine tipped his head back and laughed. “Ready to move on, is she?”

  “You could say that.”

  “You’re doing the right thing taking it slow. She’s been through a nightmare that would’ve left a lesser person curled up in the fetal position rather than starting over with someone new.”

  “The timing stinks. I know that, but it just sort of… happened.”

  “The best things in life often happen when you least expect it. At least that’s been my experience.”

  “You mean Tiffany.”

  He nodded. “And Ashleigh. I love them both and would do anything for them, including wage war with her ex-husband to get him to leave us alone.”

  “You know,” David said, “there’re ways you could make his life miserable around here, all within the confines of the law, of course.”

  Blaine’s small smile indicated he’d had similar thoughts. “Of course.” He stood to leave and reached out to shake David’s hand. “If you ever want to grab a beer sometime, let me know.”

  “I’ll do that.” After years of feeling like a social pariah on the island, it was nice to know he had a few new friends. “You’ll keep me posted on the situation with Truck?”

  “Sure. I’m on my way to talk to Daisy now, too.”

  “I could save you a trip and update her for you.”

  “As much as I’d appreciate that, I promised her I’d keep her in the loop. I don’t want to disappoint her.”

  “I understand.” Since disappointing her was the last thing he wanted to do either, David could totally relate. “Tell her I’ll be there shortly.” David would cut short the paperwork he’d planned to do to make sure he was there for her when she needed him.

  “Will do. Take it easy.”

  “You, too. Good luck with the Sturgil situation. Call me if you need a partner in crime.”

  “You got it,” Blaine said, laughing as he left with a wave.

  For several minutes after Blaine left, David stared into space, his pen seesawing between his fingers as he contemplated whether or not he should go to her now or wait until after Blaine had a chance to talk to her.

  Imagining her expressive face as she heard that Truck might be released from jail, David dropped the pen, grabbed his jacket and ran out of there, anxious to get to her before she heard the news.

  *

  On the way home from the hotel that afternoon, Daisy decided to take a detour into town to check out a store that she’d heard lots about but had never actually visited. After last night’s encounter in David’s bed, Daisy had decided it was up to her to show him that she was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

  And to do that, she needed help. What kind of help she wasn’t entirely sure, but from what she’d heard, Naughty & Nice was the place to find out. The bells on the door jingled cheerfully when she stepped inside a room filled with sensual decadence. There was no other word for it.

  Maddie’s sister Tiffany waved to her, but she was on the phone, so Daisy decided to look around on her own. In the small store, she couldn’t help but overhear Tiffany’s call, especially when her voice was raised.

  “He cannot do this, Dan. We have to stop him. I won’t be forced into getting married sooner than I want to because Jim is being a bully.” She paused, listened. “I don’t care. He can take me to court. Blaine is moving in whether Jim likes it or not. I have a hundred people on this island who will testify to the fact that I put him through law school and then got dumped when he started making money and lost interest in me.” After another pause, she said, “That’s fine. If he wants a fight, he’s got one. Thanks, Dan. I appreciate it.”

  Tiffany ended the call and came over to greet Daisy with a hug. “I’m so sorry about that. My damned ex-husband is acting up again.”

  “Because Blaine is moving in?”

  “Yes! Can you believe his gall? He dumps me and then has the nerve to protest when I fall in love with someone else and want to live with him?”

  “That certainly does take nerve.”

  “One thing Jim has an overabundance of. Anyway, you’re not here to talk about my troubles, and I’m sorry again you overheard that. Very unprofessional of me to be venting at work.”

  “It’s just me. Don’t worry, and besides, I’m no fan of his after he took Truck’s case.”

  “I’m glad it was a friend.” Tiffany stood back and took a closer look at Daisy.

  “What?” Daisy asked, feeling self-conscious as she often did around Maddie’s stunning younger sister. With her silky dark hair and drop-dead-gorgeous body, Tiffany was the kind of woman Daisy wanted to be—fun, fearless, sexy, confident.

  “You look…different. Your cheeks are rosy and your lips are sort of swollen.” She zeroed in for a closer look. “And is that whisker burn on your neck? Girl! Are you keeping secrets?”

  Daisy raised her hand to her neck, wondering how she’d failed to notice razor burn on her own neck. “It’s not really a secret.”

  “Who is he?”

  “David Lawrence.”

  Tiffany’s eyes got very big, and her lips pursed with what might’ve been concern.

  “Don’t worry. I already know about his litany of sins.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “He told me.”

  “Did he now? Well, props to him for coming clean.”

  “He deeply regrets the way he hurt Janey.”

  “That matters.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “So what can I help you with?”

  “Well, ever since the incident with Truck, David has been very kind and very sweet to me. We started out as friends, but now we’ve sort of started kind of dating and making out and stuff like that.”

  “Mmm,” Tiffany said with a knowing smile. “I love stuff like that.”

  Daisy couldn’t contain the laugh that escaped her lips. Tiffany was always incorrigible. “Anyway,” Daisy said, forcing herself to continue despite feeling somewhat embarrassed that she needed this kind of help. “He’s been very gentle with me and is moving very, very slowly. Too slowly, if you know what I me
an.”

  “Ah.” A light of understanding bloomed in Tiffany’s eyes. “You need a little help…moving things along. Am I right?”

  “Yes,” Daisy said, relieved that Tiffany understood the problem. “I want him to know I’m not as fragile as he thinks I am.”

  Tiffany bounced a fingertip on her lips. “Let me think.” She eyed Daisy shrewdly. “We need to get him so hot he can’t think. He can only act.”

  “I’m a tiny bit afraid of you right now.”

  Tiffany laughed and took Daisy by the hand. “Stick with me, kid. We’ll have that man on his knees begging you.”

  While Daisy wasn’t at all sure she wanted him to beg, she put her trust in Tiffany and let her lead her into a changing room.

  She left the store thirty minutes later wearing a sexy new dress over positively scandalous underwear. As she walked home, the thong Tiffany had talked her into abraded her most sensitive region, forcing her to walk slowly or risk making a scene on the sidewalk.

  The trip to the store had taken longer than planned, and David was due anytime. Her shopping outing had also cost more than she could comfortably afford to spend, but she’d yet to do anything to celebrate her new job, and the new clothes were a worthwhile investment toward a good cause.

  She wanted so badly for David to think of her as healthy and whole rather than fragile and timid. She wanted him to see strength when he looked at her and not fear. Those days were over. The time she’d spent with him had shown her what a healthy relationship should be like, and now that she’d found him, she wanted to move forward the way any other woman would when she met a man she couldn’t resist.

  Thus the underwear that had her on the verge of orgasmic meltdown just from thinking about him as she walked. If they had that effect on her, she couldn’t wait to find out what they did for him. She turned the corner to her street and stopped short when she saw Blaine’s SUV parked at the curb. He leaned against it and talked to David, who was sitting on her top step.

  Since David wasn’t due for another twenty minutes, she concluded that something had happened. Daisy wanted to turn and run from whatever they’d come to tell her. But because she’d left fear behind, she forced herself to walk slowly down the sidewalk so they wouldn’t know how fast her heart was beating or how tightly the anxiety gripped her.