“Oh no, you don’t. I’ll never get out of here if you keep this up.” She moaned as he kissed the side of her neck.
“Marina...just one more kiss.” She felt his erection against her stomach and looked down at his gloriously naked male form.
“Uh huh, and that looks like you just want one more kiss.” She pointed to his groin.
“Little James got a mind of its own.” James pulled her against him and nibbled her ear lobe, making her shiver.
“What am I gonna do with you?” Marina giggled.
“Come back to bed and I’ll show you.” James backed towards the bed, pulling her with him. She didn’t need him to twist her arm. They didn’t make it to the bed this time and made love on the floor. At the rate they were going, there wouldn’t be much sleep for them, and she couldn’t think of anything better.
Chapter 16
After four nights of Marina leaving his room to sleep in the spare room, James had enough. He wanted to wake up every morning with her in his arms, but she was refusing to stay all night because it might upset the boys. He’d suggested they talk to Mason and Danny about their situation, but Marina seemed apprehensive. Well, enough was enough. He loved her and it was time they told Mason and Danny.
The boys were playing in their bedroom. Mason no longer referred to the room as his, it was his and Danny’s room. It made James feel the conversation would probably go well since the boys loved being together. He wasn’t worried about telling them and hoped he wasn’t being overconfident.
Marina was in the spare room folding clothes when he stomped into the room. He took the shirt she was folding out of her hand and tossed it on the bed as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. She didn’t hesitate when he pulled her into his room and closed the door.
“You do realize Danny and Mason are here, right?” she asked when he grasped her hands and pulled her to the bed. He sat down and she tilted her head.
“I want to talk to Mason and Danny. Tonight,” James blurted out.
“But...” Marina started to reject his plan and he raised his hand to stop her.
“I don’t want you sleeping in the other room anymore. I want to go to sleep with you in my arms and wake up with you every morning. I hate when you go to the other room. I don’t think the boys will have a problem with it and if they do, they’ll learn to adjust. We’ll see a therapist to help them adjust if we have to but Marina, I...”
Marina smiled and put her finger to his lip. “I know you mean business when you start rambling.” Marina laughed, and he pulled her down on his lap.
“I love you, sweetheart, and I want the boys to know.” He met her gaze and for a moment they just stared into each other’s eyes.
“I love you, too, and... okay.” She stood placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I hope you know what to say because I’ve got nothing.” She stood up.
“I think I might have an idea.” James cupped her cheeks and kissed her firm on the lips just before he grasped her hand as they made their way out of the room.
“Wait! I thought you said tonight,” Marina tried to pull him back as he practically dragged her to the kids’ room.
“No time like the present.” James wasn’t letting her back out now.
Mason and Danny were sitting on the floor surrounded by Lego blocks which James would probably be cursing later. It never failed but every damn night he’d step on one of the stupid things. At the moment, he just wanted the boys’ attention.
“Boys, can we talk to you both for a few minutes?” Two tiny heads turned and looked up.
“Are we in trouble?” Mason asked. James chuckled and sat on one of the beds.
“No, buddy, you’re not in trouble, but Marina and I need to talk to both of you. Can you come up here and sit next to us?” Marina sat on the other bed, and Danny quickly climbed on the bed next to her. Mason seemed more apprehensive about the talk, but eventually climbed on the bed next to James.
“Do you guys like sharing a room?” James asked, and Marina raised her eyebrow at him. He gave her a smile that said ‘trust me.’
“Uh huh.” Mason knelt on the bed and started to jump up and down. James quickly calmed him.
“I love this room. It’s bigger than mine.” Danny said quietly.
“Danny, would you rather stay in this room or go back to your own room?” James asked and Danny looked at Marina as if he didn’t want to upset her.
“I want to stay here, but I miss my toys.” Danny looked down at his hands.
“So if we brought your toys here, you’d rather stay here?” Marina asked. Danny nodded and smiled up at her.
“Mason, would you mind if we brought Danny’s toys here?” James asked.
“No, we’d have lots more toys.” Mason squealed.
“There’s something else we need to tell you, and we hope you guys are okay with it.” James held Marina’s hand and the boys didn’t miss the gesture. “Marina and I are in love with each other. Do you know what that means?” He wasn’t sure if they really understood what two people being in love meant.
“Like Unca John and Aunt Stephanie?” Danny tilted his head and stared at Marina. She nodded but his face was unreadable. James couldn’t read Mason’s expression either, and his heart started to sink. It would be hard for them to be together if the boys weren’t okay with it. As much as he loved Marina, he still had to consider Mason’s feelings as well as Danny’s.
“That’s right,” Marina said but the grip on his hand told him she was as unsure of all of this as he was. The boys weren’t giving them any indication of how they were feeling about the news.
The boys stared at each other and when it seemed like they were never going to say anything else they both grinned and gave each other a high-five.
“I told you they were boyfriend and girlfriend,” Mason said as he jumped off the bed and into Marina’s arms. Danny did the same but jumped into James’ arms.
“Can we get my toys today?” Danny peered up into James’ face, and he didn’t know what to say. The kid was more concerned about his toys than the fact his mother had a boyfriend.
“I’ll get my brothers to pack up all your stuff at the old house and bring it here,” James said and then realized Marina never agreed to move in with him. He was jumping the gun but when he looked at her, she was smiling. “If Mommy agrees to move in here with me and Mason.”
“Please, please, Mommy.” Danny held his hands together in front of him and Mason followed suit.
“Please, Auntie Marina, you’d have lots of fun livin’ here.” Mason begged her and James almost choked. His son’s idea of fun wasn’t exactly the fun James liked to have with her. She met James’ eyes and he raised his eyebrow.
“I’d love to live here.” Marina smiled.
“You could share Daddy’s room but he’d have to get another bed for his room,” Mason said. Marina pressed her lips together, and James covered his laugh with a cough.
“Maybe we can share my big bed. There’s lots of room.” James was finding it hard not to burst into laughter.
“If ya wanna but Mommy talks when she sleeps,” Danny told him with a serious expression. He couldn’t hold it in and completely lost it. Marina seemed to have the same problem. Danny and Mason seemed completely confused by their laughter and shrugged as they kept glancing between him and Marina.
His life was really looking so much better than it had in a long time. It had been a week since Danny was taken and there’d been no other communication from Marc. The police were still searching for him, and Kurt seemed more pissed about not finding him than anyone. His uncle didn’t like to be made a fool of, and he seemed be taking it personally that Marc was evading them. James was frustrated with the whole thing himself. It pissed him off that Marina’s ex-husband was outsmarting them.
Marina made arrangements to return to work and as much as it bothered him, James knew it was what she wanted. He’d gone back to work too, but there was always someone to stay with her a
nd the boys when he was on shift. Keith had suggested having one of his guys drive her to work and Danny to daycare, but she refused. The only thing she did agree with was having one of them drop Danny off and they would even have Mason go with them.
The boys already knew two of the guys, Trunk and Hulk, so they were driving the boys most of the time. Since all of Keith’s guys drove huge trucks it wouldn’t be an issue to get the boys to go with any of them. Both boys had been also given the stranger talk by James and Keith. Trunk and Hulk would also quiz them on the drive to daycare. They weren’t taking any chances again.
Another matter that had been cleared up was her house. Ian had agreed to buy it from her, because he said he was tired of living in town. There was also something going on with his attitude over the last few weeks. It was as if he was pissed at the world. James figured it was because Sandy had been gone out of town for quite a while. Although, when James mentioned her, Ian said he and Sandy were not on speaking terms. It was why he was surprised when Ian bought Marina’s house.
Marina had mentioned a conversation with Stephanie in which the subject of Sandy had come up. Stephanie said Sandy was hurt over something Ian did but she wouldn’t say what it was. Again when Ian was asked about it he brushed it off and said he didn’t know what she was talking about.
Sunday was always his favorite day of the week, but he’d made this Sunday the day they’d get the rest of Danny’s things from her old house. Of course, he used his brothers to make the lugging a whole lot easier. One advantage of having six heathy, strong, brothers was they were good for lifting and moving things.
Marina was loading the dishwasher when James brought in one of the last boxes. He placed it on the counter and pulled her into his arms, making her giggle as he buried his face in her hair and kissed it.
“The guys are bringing in the last of it now.” He placed soft kisses across her jaw until he found her lips.
“Ewwww...they’re kissing.” Mason and Danny ran into the kitchen just as James pulled his lips from hers and turned to see the boys with their noses wrinkled.
“We’re in love—that’s why we’re kissing.” James told them. They still weren’t big on girls and boys kissing.
“It’s yucky, Daddy. You’re gonna get girl germs,” Mason said.
“Yeah, Daddy, girl germs are gross.” Aaron crouched behind Danny and Mason as he wrinkled his nose. “Girls are yucky.”
“Says the man that’s kissed most of the single girls in Hopedale and probably some of the married ones.” Mike sauntered in behind Aaron and put the box he was carrying on the floor next to the table. He ruffled the boy’s hair as they ran out of the kitchen.
“Hey, I draw the line on married women.” Aaron pointed his finger at Mike. “Only one was married and I didn’t know until ... well afterward.”
James shook his head. That was the youngest of the O’Connor brothers, the biggest Casanova in the province or at least one of the biggest because from what James knew Nick and Mike were not far behind him.
“You’re one to talk.” James grabbed a case of beer out of the fridge and put it on the table motioning for his brothers to help themselves. They didn’t need to be asked twice.
“I’m not nearly as bad as A.J. or Nick.” Mike chuckled and plopped down on one of the kitchen chairs.
“Why am I being compared to A.J.?” Nick entered the kitchen followed by John, Ian and Keith all carrying the last of the boxes from the back of James’ truck. Without needing to be asked each one grabbed a beer.
“Being a whoremaster.” Mike chuckled and ducked when John swiped at the back of his head.
“Watch your mouth. There are kids in the house.” John warned, ever the big brother, even though he and James were the oldest and twins, John had taken on the oldest brother role.
“You guys are all terrible.” Marina laughed as she tucked herself under James’ arm and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I’m wounded that you would think that about me.” Aaron pressed his hand against his chest in mock hurt. “I think you’re just jealous you missed out on all this.” James narrowed his eyes at Aaron.
“Are we discussing A.J.’s over-inflated ego again?” Stephanie glided into the kitchen and as usual walked right up next to John.
“See, that’s another jealous woman because she lost out.” Aaron chuckled. “I think I should drop by Sandy’s house on the way home and give her a chance to ...” Before he could finish the statement, Ian put Aaron in a head lock and growled.
“You stay the fuck away from Sandy.” Ian’s voice could only be described as a deep, menacing growl.
“Why it’s not like you’re giving her what she needs?” Aaron choked and James was starting to worry Ian may really hurt the youngest of the brothers.
“Just leave her alone, asshole.” Ian shoved him and stomped out of the kitchen.
“What the fuck is his issue?” Nick shook his head.
“Nanny’s gonna put pepper on your tongue for sayin’ bad words, Unca Nick.” Mason stood in the kitchen doorway with his hands on his hips. James chuckled and Marina covered her mouth to hide her giggle.
“Sorry, buddy, I won’t say it again.” Nick did his best not to laugh.
“Okay, I won’t tell her. This time.” Mason pointed his finger at Nick. “Daddy can me and Danny watch a movie?”
“Sure.” James started to follow, but Marina stopped him.
“I’ll do it.” She kissed his cheek before following Mason out of the kitchen.
“You know your kid is a rat, right?” Nick laughed.
“Shut up or I’ll tell him to spill the beans to Nan.” James grabbed a bottle of beer out of the box as he left the kitchen. Chances were Ian was on the front step trying to cool down. He opened the front door and sure enough, Ian was sitting on the step his head in his hands.
“So you want to get it off your chest, or do you want to keep being a dick to everyone?” James sat next to him and handed him the beer. Ian lifted his head and stared down the driveway. He didn’t look at James and for a moment it didn’t seem as if he was going to speak.
“I fucked up, big time, bro.” Ian sighed.
“What did you do?” the distress on his brother’s face was obvious. “Is it something with work?” Ian shook his head.
“No it’s nothing with work. It’s ... fuck it... I screwed things up with Sandy because when it comes to my past I don’t know how to let it go.” Ian lifted the bottle to his lips and James watched him swallow half of its contents.
“What are you talking about?” He didn’t know of anything in Ian’s past that would screw things up with the one woman who turned his brother into a clumsy idiot. The only other girl James could remember Ian being interested in was Colleen Morgan.
She was Ian’s best friend from the time she moved across the street from his parents. Ian was about seven and Colleen was the same age. The two were always joined at the hip. When they were in high school, they dated. Everybody assumed they’d eventually get married until Ian came home one night with a huge chip on his shoulder. Nick joked about there being trouble in paradise and Ian slugged him. It took John, Keith and James to separate them. Ian finally admitted Colleen ended things and was moving to Manitoba with her brother. To this day, that was all the family knew. Ian never talked about her after that, and nobody ever asked anything else.
James never knew what happened to her after that, but he did hear one of her brothers had killed himself after their mother passed away. That had been a couple of years ago but as far as he knew, Colleen had never come home.
“Do you remember the night I called and said I wouldn’t be coming back to your house?” Ian still wouldn’t meet his eyes.
“The night Marina’s house was trashed.” James remember that night vividly.
“I spent the night in town with Colleen.” Ian finished the bottle of beer and rolled it between his hands.
“She’s back?”
“She was, but w
e spent the night together at a hotel downtown and when I got up she was gone. She left a note saying she’d made a mistake and she was sorry,” Ian said.
“She just left with no other explanation.” It pissed James off to know that Colleen had done this to Ian once before, but to come back and do it again when he was finally starting to move on was just cruel.
“Apparently she ran into Jess at the flower shop and asked her to get me to call her because she had something important to tell me.” Ian shook his head. “The only thing she told me was I looked hot and the next thing I knew we were naked in a hotel room.”
“I guess Sandy found out?” James asked.
“No, she doesn’t know, but I haven’t talked to her.” Ian turned and stared at James. “I know we aren’t really dating, but I care about her and things were heading that way. We were supposed to go out on our first date the day I met with Colleen. I ended up standing her up, but I didn’t mean to.” Ian stood up and pressed his fists into his eyes. “I’m a fucking idiot.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You and Colleen have history, but you really need to talk to Sandy.” James cupped his brother’s shoulder and it was filled with tension. “The first thing you have to do is apologize to her.”
“She’s still out of town, and Keith won’t tell me how to get in touch with her,” Ian grumbled.
“She’ll be back. Just make sure you make things right.” James was about to turn and go into the house, when he caught something move out of the corner of his eye. Ian must have noticed it, too, because he took off in a sprint into the woods across the street. James ran after him but he didn’t know exactly what they’d seen.
James scanned up and down the road while he waited for Ian to come out of the woods. He started to walk into the woods where Ian had disappeared. He was about two feet into the trees when he heard Ian yelling.
“Get back here, you little fucker.” He listened to see the direction Ian’s voice was coming from but with the trees it was hard to tell.
Dangerous Abduction (O'Connor Brothers Book 2) Page 16
