The Right Reason to Marry

by Christine Rimmer

  “We’re starving,” moaned Coco.

  Karin was still staring at Liam as he stared right back at her. She suggested, “Why don’t you all come on back to the house, have a quick dinner and then you can finish Liam’s tree?”

  “Good idea,” said Otto. He turned for the pile of coats tossed on one of the chairs and handed the top one to Ben. Coco ran over there and grabbed hers.

  Liam didn’t move.

  “I hope you’ll come, too.” Karin’s stomach was all twisted in knots. Riley, picking up her anxiety, had begun to squirm in her arms. “Please.”

  Liam didn’t smile. But his mouth got...softer. And his eyes got deeper somehow. “How could I say no?”

  * * *

  Dinner lasted maybe twenty minutes, max. They shoveled down the stew she’d made and everybody pitched in to make short work of cleaning up.

  They were all pulling on their coats again as Karin finished wiping the kitchen counters.

  “You coming?” asked Liam. She glanced up from the sponge in her hand as he pulled on his jacket. His eyes were ocean blue, beckoning her down to drowning. “Please.” He said it so softly. Just for her.

  And she felt...hope, like a bright pulse of sheer happiness, lighting her up inside.

  “Yeah,” she said. “I’ll grab some cookies and the baby and be right over.”

  Three hours later, Liam’s tree was fully decorated. They all agreed that it looked fantastic. Karin plated the cookies she and Coco had baked and Liam made hot chocolate—with marshmallows—after which he produced a deck of cards and challenged them all to a game of slapjack.

  They played for an hour or so. By then, both kids were yawning.

  Otto said, “Come on, you two. Time to go home and get ready for bed.”

  Coco whined, “Not yet...”

  Ben tried bargaining. “Just one more game.”

  Karin shook her head. “Your grandpa’s right. It’s getting late.”

  The kids gave it up and grabbed their coats.

  Trying for offhand and not really succeeding, Karin said, “I was thinking I would just hang around here with Liam until Riley wakes up.” She’d fed him an hour ago and put him in his crib there at the cottage.

  “Great idea.” Liam gave her a look that sent a sweet shiver up the backs of her knees.

  Her dad tried really hard not to smirk. “Come on, Ben. Coco. Kiss your mom good night and let’s go.”

  As soon as her dad and the kids were gone, Karin sat on the sofa and tried to figure out what to say first. Liam, who’d carried the last of the empty cocoa mugs over to the sink, returned and sat beside her.

  She felt the cushion shift, but couldn’t quite bring herself to look directly at him. Not yet. The great room was suddenly very quiet. Because, sheesh. Where to even begin?

  She stared at the tree and considered remarking on the beauty of it. But they’d pretty much covered that subject before the kids left.

  Cautiously, she turned her head toward the man beside her.

  He was looking right at her, a knowing grin tugging at the corners of that mouth she might actually get to kiss again, after all—maybe even tonight. “You got something to say to me?”

  The butterflies in her stomach went wild, bouncing around in there, fluttering madly. “So much for my dad not figuring out what’s going on between us.”

  “Not much gets by your dad. I like that about Otto.” He continued to gaze at her, his eyes low and lazy, like a big, golden timber wolf contemplating his next easy meal. “And did you just admit that there is something going on between us, after all?”

  She wished he would just grab her and kiss her and they could skip the part where she confessed her own stark terror of this dangerous magic that sizzled between them. “I freaked out, okay? I freaked out and then when you said I was freaking out, I lied and denied it. I’m sorry, Liam. I’m such a coward. I don’t want to get hurt again. I don’t want my children hurt again. I want to protect myself. But I want to be with you, too. I want it so much.”

  “Hey.” He said it gently and her heart just melted. “I understand. It’s okay. And Karin, I would never hurt you.”

  “I know you wouldn’t, not on purpose. And you’ve been amazing, you really have, with me, with my kids and my dad. And our son is so lucky to have you, Liam. A lucky, lucky little boy.”

  He reached for her then, slowly, giving her plenty of opportunity to duck away. She didn’t. He framed her face between his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you, Karin. I mean that. I just want to be with you.”

  “Me, too. I do want to be with you.” Gladness pulsed through her, simply to feel his touch again. “But I still...” Her chest felt so tight, bursting with emotions that terrified her at the same time as they filled her with hope and yearning. “Just you and me, huh? Nobody else has to know until we see how it goes.”

  He shook his head. “Didn’t you just say that your dad’s already on to us?”

  “He’ll leave it alone if we make it clear we want it that way.”

  “Fair enough. Not a word to anyone, Otto included.”

  “Not even in the morning when he comes over here under cover of darkness and you two drink coffee and talk about...whatever you talk about.”

  “Manly things.”

  “Oh, I’ll just bet.”

  “I won’t talk about you with him, Karin, not even then. Not until you’re ready.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered. He smelled so good, of soap and evergreen and the wind off the ocean at night.

  Slowly, he brushed his lips across her mouth, back and forth, setting off sparks, making her ache in the best kind of way. The light caress sent a hot pulse of desire straight to her core.

  He eased his fingers back into her hair, combing them through it. “I’m so glad you’re here. I hope RG sleeps for hours.” He fisted her hair, pulling it a little the way he’d said he’d always wanted to do back when they were kids.

  She teased, “Good luck with Riley sleeping for hours...”

  “You’re right.” Liam caught her lower lip between his teeth and bit down with a growl. “We need to get moving here. He could wake up at any time.” Slowly, cradling her face in his hands, pulling her with him, kissing her all the way, he stood. Once they were both upright, he pulled her even closer.

  They shared another kiss. A deep one that went on forever, until her whole body quivered in eagerness and a pleading groan rose in her throat.

  “Time for bed.” He took her by the waist and flung her over his shoulder, like a fireman saving her from a burning building.

  She would have cried out in mock protest, but the last thing she wanted to do was take a chance of waking the baby, so she settled for playfully kicking and pounding his broad back as he carried her off down the hall.

  In the master bedroom, he shut the door, took her to the king-size bed and let her down to the rug—but he didn’t let her go. He ran both hands down her arms and then back up over her shoulders. His touch felt so right. He cradled her face again and kissed her some more.

  When he lifted his head that time, she gave the room a quick once-over. “The bedroom looks great.” It was in grays and tans, with black-and-white prints on the walls.

  “Thanks. Let’s get naked.”

  She laughed. “Eager, much?”

  “How did you guess?” He plucked at the sleeve of her sweater. “This is in my way.”

  She grinned up at him. “I got my checkup.”

  “Yeah?” Oh, those eyes of his. He could make her come with just a look.

  “I officially have the all clear to do naughty things with you.” She sounded breathless. He made her that way.

  “Good.” He took the sweater by the hem. “Arms up.” She obeyed his command and he swept it up and away.

  She frowned at him. “Wait a minute
. You shut the door. We won’t be able to hear—”

  “Yeah, we will—stay right there.” He went to the dresser and grabbed the baby monitor she hadn’t noticed until then. “I have two receivers, one for out in the living area and this one.” He flipped it on. The small screen showed the crib and Riley asleep in it. “Infrared, so I can see him even when the light’s off. Cool, huh?” He set it on the nightstand.

  “Very cool—but do you have condoms?”

  He pulled open the drawer and took out a chain of them, dropping them next to the monitor. “Any more questions?” He didn’t wait for her answer, but instantly commanded, “Take off the jeans.”

  He hooked his fingers into her waistband. She moaned just at the feel of his fingers pressing her belly as he undid the button right below her navel.

  “Need some help?” She toed off her Uggs, ripped her fly wide and wiggled the jeans down over her hips.

  “God. Karin.” He looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world, a look that sent pleasure zipping all through her, a look that banished any leftover nerves about how unsexy her poufy belly and plain white nursing bra must be. He whipped off his thermal shirt. “Finally.”

  He had one of those universal gyms down in a corner of the garage and he ran on the beach just about every day. Keeping fit really paid off. He was so beautiful, everything sculpted and hard, with that wonderful trail of golden hair leading down to the happy place. And she was so glad—to be here with him, the two of them. Alone in his bedroom.

  If they got right on it, they might even manage to have actual sex before Riley woke up.

  “Hurry,” she begged.

  They quickly got rid of the rest of their clothes and he took her by the shoulders and pulled her down across the bed on top of him.

  She laughed as she kissed him, bracing her knees to either side of him, rubbing herself shamelessly against his hard belly, reaching back to wrap her fingers around his thick, hard length.

  He groaned when she did that, his hands stroking down her back, grabbing the twin globes of her bottom, holding on tight. He felt so good, so solid and strong. The manly scent of him tempted her, promising all the pleasures she remembered so well. She’d missed this, the two of them, naked, together. Missed it so much.

  She wanted him all over her, covering every inch of her. “I want you on top of me.”

  “Done.” He rolled them, taking the top position. She wrapped herself around him like a vine.

  He kept on kissing her, a kiss so hot it could burn the house down, a kiss that went on forever, his tongue claiming her mouth, his body covering hers.

  This. Right now. With him. It just didn’t get any better.

  He scattered more kisses, across her cheek, down the side of her throat, stopping to nip at her collarbone, sucking her skin against his teeth. She’d have marks there in the morning.

  But so what? She had turtlenecks. And every kiss thrilled her. It all felt just perfect. Exactly right.

  “I missed you,” she cried. It was a confession, one she couldn’t hold back.

  He caught her face in his hands again. “I’m here. Here to stay.”

  “Oh, Liam.” Better not to talk about it. Better just to grab this moment and squeeze every drop of joy from it.

  His palmed her breasts. She moaned at the pleasurable ache. “Fuller,” he said, his voice rich with approval.

  She winced. “I’m leaking.”

  He pulled back enough to grin down at her. “Shut up. You’re beautiful.” And he took her mouth yet again, spearing his tongue in, sweeping along the edges of her teeth, drinking her down.

  When he broke that kiss, it was only to press his lips to her chin, her neck, the hollow of her throat. He dropped a chain of kisses between her breasts. Moving lower, he kissed her belly and the soft points of her hip bones.

  And then, easing her thighs over his shoulders and settling between them, he kissed her in the most intimate way. He made her crazy with his lips and little nips of his teeth, with his talented tongue, while his clever fingers played her so perfectly.

  It felt so good. She tossed her head against the pillow, whispering his name, moaning it out loud more than once, threading her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, urging him on.

  He eased her legs wider, kissed her more deeply, continuing to stroke her with those skilled strong fingers of his, driving her toward the peak until she gave it up to him, gave herself over completely.

  She cried his name as she came.

  * * *

  Had she passed out from sheer ecstasy?

  It was just possible.

  He moved away. She forced her heavy eyes open and saw he was up on his knees between her wide-open thighs, rolling on one of the condoms.

  She reached for him. “Liam. Come here.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. With care, he lowered himself to her, gathering her into him, taking her mouth again. She tasted her own musky arousal on his lips.

  And she was lost again in the glory of it, kissing him hungrily, reaching down between them, taking him—carefully, so as not to rip the condom—in her hand, guiding him to her.

  He surged in hard. She rose up to meet him with a deep, needful groan, lifting her legs and wrapping them good and tight around his lean waist.

  After that, he took over, hard and fast at first, so that she could only hold on and let it happen, let him sweep her away into a world of pure, perfect sensation. But then he slowed. He rocked her in a steady, thrilling glide, going deep and then pulling back—only to return to her, over and over again, stoking the heat within her, fanning the fire.

  She hit the crest so suddenly, chanting his name, pulling him closer, tighter, as another finish rocked her.

  There was a lull. She closed her eyes with a sigh.

  But then he started moving again and it felt so good, so right. Her body responded instantly. Another fulfillment spun into being from the embers of the last.

  Liam stayed with her, whispering encouragements, urging her to take what she needed from him. Sweet bolts of pleasure unfurled within her, spreading out from her core, flowing down her arms, along her legs, bringing hot shivers to the backs of her knees and the soles of her feet. Until every part of her had been swept up, spun around, carried away into complete satisfaction.

  And then it was his turn. He thrust in hard and so deep—and stilled. She felt his finish claiming him. Wrapping her arms around him, she cradled him close as his climax rolled through him.

  There was stillness. She shut her eyes and sank into the lovely, floating feeling of ease. Of peace.

  A few minutes later, he got up to take care of the condom. Returning with a cool, wet cloth, he gently bathed her breasts and down her belly. It felt wonderful, that cloth, cooling and soothing, too.

  Her eyes were so heavy. She hadn’t realized how tired she was. He left her again. She shook herself awake and started to get up.

  But then he was there. He came down to the bed with her and pulled the covers over them, gathering her into him.

  “I should get Riley, go home.” She kissed the side of his throat.

  “Not yet.” His lips brushed her ear.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, listened to his heart beat deep and steady. So soothing, that sound. “If I don’t go, I may never move from this spot.”

  He stroked her hair, smoothing it away from her cheek. “Stay. Just for a minute or two...”

  * * *

  When she opened her eyes, her baby was crying. She tried to push back the covers.

  But the hard, warm arms wrapped around her held her even tighter. He nuzzled a kiss in her hair. “I’ll get him, bring him to you.”

  “I have to go, Liam. What time is it, anyway?”

  “A little after one...”

  She pushed at his chest. “
Gotta go.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “He’s going to be hungry. You can feed him. And then you can go.”

  She looked up to meet his eyes. His white teeth flashed with his grin. “Well, go on, then,” she said. “Go get him.”

  He kissed her nose a second time, slid out from under the covers and turned on the lamp. She squinted against the sudden light and brought up a hand to shield her eyes.

  “We’ll be right back.” Stark naked, he headed for the door.

  She shoved the covers away and lowered her bare feet to the rug. Shivering a little, she darted around, snatching up her clothes from the floor, from the chair and from the foot of the bed.

  Riley kept crying—in stereo—on the monitor and from the room next-door. “Whoa, buddy.” She heard Liam groan. “That’s quite a load.” She paused after pulling on her sweater to watch the monitor as he carried the yowling infant away from the crib and out of sight.

  But she could hear him clearly as he continued to murmur reassurances and promises that everything was going to be fine. Riley wasn’t going for it. Every time she thought he might settle down a little, he’d suck in a big breath and start bawling again.

  Once she’d thrown on her clothes, she crossed the hall and stood in the doorway of the baby’s room. “Thanks for taking on the hazardous waste.”

  He turned to her with the still-crying Riley cradled against his broad, bare chest. “Hey. It’s in the job description.”

  She held out her arms. “My turn.” He passed her the squirming baby and she carried him to the easy chair in the corner. Once she was settled, she put Riley to her breast.

  A hearty eater, he latched right on.

  She glanced up at the naked man standing over her. “Hear that?”

  “Silence,” he replied with a nod. “It really is golden.” Showing no inclination to go put some clothes on, he studied her face, his gaze moving from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes again. “I want to lock you in this house and never let you go.”

  Did she feel a little thrill at that hungry look he wore, at the low roughness of his voice? Absolutely.