Stephanie sat on one of the stools next to the counter. “No, black please.”
Kathleen was chattering about the reason they couldn’t go to the fundraiser, but for the life of her Stephanie didn’t have a clue what the woman said. She was just relieved Sean hadn’t appeared to disclose his discovery to his wife. Kathleen would probably not think very highly of Stephanie if he did.
“Are you okay, Stephanie?” Kathleen placed a cup in front of her and sat on the stool beside her. Kathleen’s blue eyes sparkled when she looked at Stephanie. There was no doubt, Kathleen O’Connor was a truly happy woman.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.” Stephanie picked up her cup to sip her tea.
“That’ll happen when you’re up late.” Kathleen tipped her cup to her lips. Stephanie almost dropped her cup but quickly recovered and managed to lay it safely on the counter.
“Pardon.” Stephanie squeaked.
“Stephanie, I hoped John would see what a beautiful, and intelligent young lady you are. Cora knew you’re the one for him.” Kathleen took Stephanie’s hand. “When Sean told me he saw you this morning. Well you’ve got to know. I was thrilled.” Stephanie was sure she looked like one of those cartoons where the character’s eyes bulge out of their head. “Don’t be embarrassed, my dear, I’m so very happy for you and John.”
“Thank you.… but.... Cora…What do you mean Cora knew I was the one for John?” Was she really having this conversation and how the hell would Cora know something like that? Kathleen sat back, her lips curled up at the corners.
“Cora has a special gift. Since Cora was a little girl, she knew when people were meant to be together.” Was Kathleen being serious? “When Cora meets someone, she knows instantly when they are having love issues. The way Cora explains it is, her heart will race and she becomes really warm. Then a face will flash in front of her or in her mind. That part I’m not really sure about.” Kathleen took another sip of her tea and continued. “Cora’s nickname is Cora the Cupid and she’s never been wrong.”
What does she say to a crazy story like that? There was no way that Kathleen was serious about this. Any minute Kathleen was going to burst out laughing. Stephanie stared at John’s mother. The woman was completely serious.
“I can see you like my son, a lot. So it looks like Cora was right again.”
“John is a wonderful man,” Stephanie said softly.
“It’s hard to resist those O’Connor men. I could tell you stories about Sean that would curl your toes.”
Stephanie burst out laughing. “I’m sure you could.” Talking with Kathleen helped her relax. Maybe because she reminded Stephanie of her own mother. Kathleen O’Connor and Janet Kelly would get along well.
Their conversation turned to stories of John when he was younger. When John was a little boy, he spent one full summer running around with a batman costume. Anytime Kathleen had to wash it, John would sit in front of the dryer until it was done. It was the cutest story Stephanie ever heard. John walked into the kitchen and Stephanie tried to hold back a giggle. She covered her mouth as Kathleen sat up straight.
“I’ll give you that recipe the next time I come over.” Kathleen turned around. “Oh. Hi John, did you get the truck all loaded?”
“Yes, and what stories have you been telling Stephanie, Mom.” He folded his arms across his broad chest and raised an eyebrow at his mother.
“Now what stories would I have to tell about you, John? You were a perfect angel.” Kathleen fluttered her eyes innocently and Stephanie couldn’t hold in the laughter.
“I love when you lie to me, Mom.” John leaned down and gave Kathleen a kiss on the cheek. Why did seeing John be so affectionate with his mother make her melt? Sean walked in behind John and immediately wrapped his arms around Kathleen.
“So are you ready to go home, darling.” Sean kissed her cheek.
“I am, but you’re cooking supper tonight.” Kathleen smiled up at him.
“We’ll stop into Isabelle’s restaurant on the way home.” Sean chuckled.
“You’re such a smart man.”
They were so cute. Even after all the years they’d been together, it was obvious they were still deeply in love.
“I’ve sent the rest of the boys home, so you two have the rest of the night to yourselves.” Stephanie didn’t miss the wink Sean gave John when Kathleen hugged her. She didn’t know what to think. Sean and Kathleen were so down to earth. While John followed his parents out, Stephanie put the cups in the sink.
“So, what stories did my wonderful mother tell you?” John returned and wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s a secret.” Stephanie grinned and turned into his embrace. “But I am a little shocked.”
“Why?” He asked
“They didn’t seem the least bit outraged about me coming out of your bedroom this morning, and your mom told me she could curl my toes with stories about your dad.”
“My parents are pretty liberal, but sometimes they share a little too much information about their relationship.” John cringed. “When we were teenagers, lots of times we came home and caught them in….” John stopped to re-evaluate what he was going to say. “Let’s say a compromising position.”
“Oh my God. That sounds so much like my parents.” Stephanie laughed. “It must be something with that generation.”
“Maybe we can take a lesson from that generation.” John nipped her ear. “What are we going to do for the rest of the evening?”
Stephanie shivered. “We could play checkers.”
John sucked her ear lobe into his mouth.
“I’m sure we could come up with something a little more exciting than that.” His hands eased under her shirt.
“Oh yeah, like what?” His warm touch against her skin made her tremble with anticipation.
He brushed his lips against hers.
“Well there’s this!” He placed small kisses across her jaw, trailing up behind her ear. The warmth of his breath against her skin was like an electric surge. John lifted her and placed her on the counter. He stood between her legs and made small circles on her back with his fingers. His lips never moving from her neck.
“I. Can’t. Get. Enough. Of. You.” John kissed across her jaw. One kiss for every word. Stephanie whimpered and closed her eyes. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. His lips pressed against hers and just as his tongue entered her mouth, a loud pounding echoed from the front door startling her.
“Who the fuck is that?” He snapped as he pulled away from her. He stomped out of the kitchen.
Stephanie jumped off the counter and followed behind him. She was really enjoying John’s seduction. Whoever it was better have a damn good excuse for interrupting them. John was opening the door when she met him in the hall.
“Thank God you’re here.” Sandy pushed past John into the house. The woman was distressed over something.
“Sandy what’s wrong?” He closed the door.
“I was coming back from the grocery store, and I saw someone coming out from behind your house dressed all in black and a hood over their head. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman, but when they saw me they ran up the road.” Sandy rambled. Stephanie’s whole body tensed.
“Which way did they go?” John asked as he headed out the door.
“Up toward Main Road,” Sandy said.
John grabbed his keys and ran out through the door.
Sandy turned to Stephanie. “I’m so glad you two are okay.”
“I’m glad you saw whoever it was,” Stephanie admitted. “Who knows what they were up to?” She motioned for Sandy to follow her into the kitchen.
“I heard the band earlier today.” Sandy sat at the counter.
“Yeah, they’re rehearsing for a fundraiser for the Janeway.”
“The one at the Delta?”
“Yeah.” Stephanie leaned on the counter.
“I’m working that event,” Sandy said.
“I guess,
I’ll see you there.” Stephanie glanced down the hallway when she heard John’s voice.
“That you will,” Sandy explained that sometimes she worked as a type of hostess for parties and weddings. It was funny, Stephanie couldn’t remember Sandy ever mentioning her job before. They mostly talked about books and John’s therapy. She knew Sandy had a sister. Her mom passed away a few of years back and her father was not in her life. Stephanie couldn’t imagine not having her parents in her life, but Sandy seemed okay with it. Now that she really thought about it, Sandy didn’t talk about herself very often. She always steered the conversations away from herself. It was weird. Sandy was a nice person, but very private.
“I don’t know who it could be. Sandy said she couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman.” John was on his phone. His jaw clenched. “I’ll let you know, but I don’t think it’s necessary to send anyone over.” John listened again and rolled his eyes. “Uncle Kurt, I may not be back to work, but I still remember how to take a statement.” He listened again. “Fine I’ll get her to stay here until you get here.” He tossed his phone on the counter and slammed his hand down next to it.
“What’s wrong?” Stephanie asked.
“Uncle Kurt’s coming over to take a statement from Sandy. Apparently, I’m still on medical leave so I can’t take her statement.” He was pissed.
“Maybe Kurt just wants to make sure you’re okay.” It was obvious Sandy was just trying to calm John down.
“I go back to work in two weeks.” John snapped.
“Jesus, John, Calm down. It’s protocol.” James’ voice startled her. He was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Looks like John forgot to get the key from his brother after all.
“What’re you doing here?” John asked.
“Uncle Kurt called. I just wanted to make sure you guys were okay.” James explained. “Hi Sandy.”
“Hi James.” Sandy nodded.
“We’re fine.” John snapped again. He was acting like an ass and Stephanie didn’t like it. When she caught his gaze, she narrowed her eyes at him. He seemed to get the picture and apologized to Sandy and James.
Kurt arrived a few minutes later. John was definitely frustrated with standing on the sidelines while Kurt, questioned Sandy. James stood silently next to the counter and John paced back and forth like a caged animal. She really didn’t understand what the fuss was about. The person was long gone and there was no real description. Sandy was doing her best to give Kurt as much information as she could.
“It might be just some kid looking to find an empty house,” James suggested.
“Maybe, but it makes me nervous to think about someone lurking around looking into windows.” Sandy wasn’t the only one.
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen here. Could be some kids from town coming here thinking it’s an easy mark.” Kurt said. “You should probably give the neighbors a heads up. Just in case.”
“Come on Sandy. I’ll make sure you get to your house safely.” James said.
“Thanks, James.” Sandy hugged Stephanie. John closed the door when they left and let out a ragged breath.
“Are you okay?” The tension in his face hadn’t eased.
“Yeah. I guess I overreacted.” John sighed.
“You don’t know who this person was.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“It’s not that.” He sighed. “I guess; I just miss work.” John wrapped his arms around her waist. His body seemed to relax a little.
“Only twelve days left.” She smiled and pressed her lips against his.
“Yeah, but right now, I wanna pick up where we were so rudely interrupted.” John cupped her ass and pulled her against him. Her hands slid under his shirt. She traced the muscles of his chest with her fingers. Every muscle defined and perfect. Her gaze never broke from his as her hands glided down to his jeans and popped open the button. John seemed to be holding his breath as she took her time lowering the zipper. He was so ready. His eyes fluttered closed as her hand dipped into his boxers. She wrapped it around his erection and squeezed him gently.
“You’re trying to torture me aren’t you?” He gasped.
“You started this.” Before she could say anything else, he swung her into his arms.
“Damn right I did,” He growled as he moved swiftly toward the bedroom and kicked open the door. “Are you complaining?” He lay her on the bed and slid her jeans off her hips. Then he started his own form of torture.
“Oh.… Ah…. no.... never.” Stephanie moaned. “Now who’s torturing who?” She sighed when his fingers glided up her inner thighs. The gentle caress of his knuckles against her skin was making her body hum. Stephanie yanked off her shirt. She hoped his hands would continue the sweet torture up her body. She was disappointed.
He grasped her hands and pulled her to a sitting position. The disappointment faded when his shirt disappeared. Her eyes devoured his body. He was beautiful. His jeans followed his shirt and he stood there in all his beautiful male glory. His erection straining against his boxers. His thumbs slipped into the waistband and slid them down over his hips; her eyes were glued to every sexy inch of him. He knelt on the bed between her legs. John wrapped his hand around his erection. It was unbelievably hot.
“You like watching.” He slowly stroked himself. Stephanie licked her lips and he growled. “God, when you do that, all I can think about is having those lips around my cock.” He must have read her mind. She pushed him back on the bed and knelt between his legs. Her eyes locked with his. She lowered her mouth above his straining erection and flicked her tongue against the swollen head.
“Jesus, Stephanie.” He gasped.
Stephanie wrapped her hand around him and licked down his length. When she took him into her mouth, he cursed and cupped the back of her head. Her lips moved down the hard length of him. Then up again. His body tensed. It made her feel so powerful to make this sexy man tremble.
“Baby, I’m gonna come. So if you don’t want to….” He didn’t finish the sentence because she had taken him completely into her mouth. The warm salty liquid slid down her throat as he cried out. She did that to him. This sexy man was crying out her name.
“You taste so good,” Stephanie whispered as she slid up his body.
“Let’s see if you still taste as good as you did last night.” He flipped her onto her back and hovered over her. His hot wet tongue glided down her body. Stopping between her breasts just long enough for him to cover them with his hands. His tongue continued to slide down her body. Her hips raised up trying to get his mouth on her. She wanted his tongue between her wet folds.
His tongue finally slid between her wet heat. He was relentless with his tongue and it wasn’t going to be long before she fell over the edge. Her hips lifted off the bed to give him better access to her throbbing sex. John’s tongue assaulted her sensitive clit, as a finger sank deep inside her and she arched off the bed.
“Ahh.…Yes.” She gasped. A second finger invaded her body. His fingers were massaging against the front wall of her opening. It was a strange but amazing sensation. Between the stimulation inside and her clit, her body was shaking. It hit her so fast that her hips lurched off the bed. Pleasure shot through her and her body convulsed. He didn’t stop the amazing pressure inside her, and within seconds another wave crashed over her.
“Ah…. John.” She screamed and fisted the sheets in her hands. It seemed like it was never going to stop
“Mmm…. The sounds you make drive me insane.” He moved over her, bent down and kissed her lips. His hips pressed against hers. He was hard again. Was he a robot?
“I feel something is awake, again.” She sighed when his lips traveled across her collar bone.
“It was just taking a cat nap.” John flicked his tongue against each of her hard nipples. She didn’t know where the condom came from, but like a magician he pulled one from above her head. “I need to be inside you.”
She giggled as John tore open the condom and rolled i
t on. She closed her eyes when he slowly filled her. Thrusts slow and deep. There was something different this time. Something that was so intense. So amazing. She could hardly catch her breath. He devoured her lips as his thrusts grew faster.
“I can’t hold it anymore,” John grunted as he buried his face into her neck. His body stiffened. “Stephanie! Fuck. Yes.”
She curled up against his side and rested her head on his chest. The gentle beat of his heart relaxed her. No talking. Just holding each other. Nothing ever felt this wonderful.
“You’re amazing, Stephanie Kelly.” His voice rumbled through his chest.
“You’re pretty amazing yourself, John O’Connor.” His thumb lifted her chin up. He wasn’t smiling.
“I mean it, sweetheart.” His gaze was intense. “Nobody has ever made me feel like this.”
“Feel like what?” She blurted out the words.
“I know this sounds crazy. We haven’t known each other long but…” John stopped and swallowed hard. “Stephanie, I’m in love with you.”
The words swirled around her head. Did she actually hear him correctly? Was she dreaming? Her eyes were actually becoming painful because they were open so wide. Okay, her heart was going to jump right out of her chest. John ‘the hunky cop’ O’Connor loved her. No way. This had to be a dream.
“You look like a deer in the headlights, Love.” He touched her cheek. “The last thing I want to do is scare you, but I’ve always been taught to say what’s in my heart.”
“You love me?” The lump in her throat was making it really hard to speak.
“I love you.” He caressed the side of her face with his finger Almost as if he was trying to memorize every contour of her face. The first time John kissed her, Stephanie knew she’d fallen in love with him.
“I didn’t think I could fall in love so fast. I thought I was imagining it.” She cupped his cheek. “Are we crazy? This is crazy.”
Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) Page 17
