by Mari Carr
She frowned, too distracted by how full she felt at that moment to understand. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a chance to reply or ask what the heck he was talking about.
Lochlan withdrew until only the head of his cock remained, then he thrust in again, harder, faster. The rough motion hit every single nerve at the same time and her back arched, her body going into overdrive.
“God. Yes,” she cried out.
Lochlan lost no time finding a rhythm, both of them greedy, clinging, constantly reaching for more. Her nails scraped the skin on his shoulders as he nipped at her neck, her earlobe.
“Harder,” she urged.
He gave her what she wanted and then some, his fingers seeking out her clit, rubbing it until she went over.
May’s body trembled so hard from the climax that her teeth rattled. It was painful bliss, agonizing ecstasy.
Lochlan didn’t join her. Instead, he pulled out and flipped her to her stomach.
Before she could ask what he was doing, he’d tugged her ass up, her knees on the mattress, holding her lower body up as he slid back inside.
Her inner muscles were too sensitive and she felt another orgasm start to form. Lochlan gave her no reprieve, no quarter, as he slammed into her from behind, the new position driving his cock even deeper.
May white-knuckled the sheets and sank her teeth into the pillow, letting it absorb the sounds of her cries. Thank God the girls were on the other side of the condo.
When she went over again, Lochlan joined her, his body going tight, his motions jerkier, less fluid as he came as well.
Once the storm had passed, May’s legs gave out and she fell flat to her stomach. Lochlan rose briefly—she assumed to get rid of the condom—before returning and tugging her back against his chest, spoon-fashion.
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” he prompted.
“That was amazing.”
He chuckled. “Try again.”
She knew what he wanted to hear, knew what was bothering him, so she turned to face him.
“It’s not that big a deal.”
“You were a virgin, May.”
“Yes, but I’m also not some silly, starry-eyed teenaged girl. I know that sex can just be a physical thing. I don’t want you to worry that I’m going to make some big spectacle of this or start declaring my undying love. I’m not.”
She thought her response would ease his mind. It appeared to do the opposite. His scowl darkened.
“Fine. Then I’ll make a big deal of it. I’m glad I was your first. And I’m glad it was amazing.”
She smiled as she cupped his cheek in her hand. “It really was.”
“Go to Caitlyn’s wedding with me.”
May shook her head. It was one thing to make this mistake in private. It was another to parade her bad decision out in public. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Of course it is.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to win this fight, Lochlan.”
He gave her a grin that told her he was pretty sure he would. And the second she saw it, she realized he was right.
“Please,” she said, uncertain what she was even asking for.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. Trust me.”
They kissed over and over as the minutes passed. Both of them content to simply look at each other, touch, kiss.
When her eyelids got too heavy to hold open, Lochlan whispered, “Good night.”
And she fell sound asleep in a bed that felt like a cloud.
8
Lochlan walked into the Grand Ballroom at the Four Seasons with May on his arm, feeling like a million bucks. He was dressed to the nines in a tux and as far as he was concerned, May was, hands down, the most gorgeous woman in the place—after his sister, the bride, of course.
Lucas and Caitlyn’s wedding had been beautiful, and now he was looking forward to dancing the night away with May.
She’d taken his breath a few hours earlier when he’d stopped by her apartment to pick her up. For two weeks, she’d offered him every excuse in the book for not attending the wedding as his date, but he’d persisted, efficiently answering every concern.
Linda and the girls were safely ensconced in a room upstairs in the hotel, his response to her final last-ditch attempt—and most likely the real reason she kept turning him down—about not being comfortable leaving the girls alone with her mom so soon after her surgery.
Chloe and Jenny had been delighted when they’d walked into the balcony room and spotted the harbor. He’d noticed both girls were big fans of the water and made a mental note to follow through on his promise to take them all out on his boat very soon.
Then, in true kid fashion, Chloe had jumped from one bed to the next, giggling and thrilled by the concept of room service.
Lauren had seen Jenny twice so far, and while the young girl still wasn’t speaking, May said she felt as though Lauren was making progress. During their last session, Jenny had drawn pictures of her parents and listened as Lauren told her it was okay to feel sad and scared and lonely, that those things were natural and that she had a lot of people around her who would help her through it all. May commented that Lauren was actually helping her, as well, because she’d been guilty of suppressing her own emotions, trying to protect Jenny by not talking about Jeff and his wife around the girls, afraid it would hurt them.
Lately, May had started telling stories about Jeff when they were kids. She had called Lochlan a few nights earlier to tell him that Jenny had smiled at one of her stories. May had been elated, and he had been thrilled she’d wanted to share the moment with him.
“Maybe I should pop upstairs to check on the girls and Mom.”
Lochlan wrapped his arm firmly around her waist and continued to propel her toward their table. “Linda would call if she needed you. I’m sure they’re fine.”
They sat with his parents and Pop Pop during the meal, talking about the wedding and how beautiful Caitlyn looked. Lochlan liked her new husband, Lucas Whiting, quite a lot, something that hadn’t been the case when the two of them first started dating.
He told May about Lucas trying to strong-arm the family into selling Pat’s Pub by some rather unsavory means.
“That was hardly his worst sin,” Pop Pop said.
“He did something worse than that?” May asked, aghast.
Pop Pop shook his head in true disgust. “Lucas is a Dallas Cowboys fan. Can you believe it? A Baltimore boy rooting for Dallas.”
May laughed, the response clearly not what she’d expected. “My allegiance rests solely with the Ravens and the Orioles. You have my word on that, Pat.”
Pop Pop reached over and patted her hand. “That’s because you were raised right.”
The music started and because his grandfather was a charmer from way back, he was out of his seat and asking May for a dance before Lochlan could issue his own request.
May blushed sweetly as Pop Pop led her to the floor. Keira excused herself to go talk to her sisters. Lochlan suspected it had killed her to wait through the entire meal before finding her beloved sisters so they could all relive how magical and wonderful the wedding was.
“Looks to me like we won’t have too long to wait for another one of these fancy shindigs,” his dad said, leaning closer. “You’re wearing your heart on your sleeve, son.”
Lochlan sighed. “May seems to be the only person who doesn’t notice that fact.”
“There’s a difference between being blind and choosing not to see,” Dad said. “From what your mother has told me, May has a lot of responsibilities for someone so young. Caring for her nieces and her mom.”
Lochlan nodded. “Plus there’s the little issue of me being her boss. She needs the job to support them. She’s bound and determined to put the brakes on this, afraid she’s risking losing everything.”
“And you won’t let her.”
“I can’t, Dad.”
“I’m afraid it’s not as easy as waiting a few months for us.”
“I know I don’t need to issue the warning, but I’m going to anyway. Be careful with her, Lochlan. I don’t have a doubt that your intentions are good, that your feelings are sincere. But I’ve also known you your whole life. May’s reasons for being afraid to open her heart are genuine and reasonable. I know you’re used to setting a goal and plowing headfirst to achieve it, but this is something you’re going to have to let her get to on her own. I tried to force your mom’s hand, and I almost lost her because of it.”
“Really?” Lochlan had never heard that story.
“You and I are birds of a feather. In a lot of ways. I don’t think I have to spell those out for you. I fell hard and fast, and I can see you’ve done the same. It’s going to take May a little longer to catch up because she has more to lose. Remember that, and be patient.”
Lochlan sighed. “Patient,” he spat out in disgust, prompting his father’s chuckle.
“As I recall, you used to utter the words marriage and kids with that same level of disdain.”
“I was a jackass.”
Dad didn’t disagree. “Yeah, you were.”
“Thanks for at least agreeing with the past tense part.”
“I’m an English professor, son. If there’s something we understand, it’s verb tense.”
They laughed and lifted their glasses, clinking them together in a toast.
Then the song ended and Pop Pop and May returned to the table. Caitlyn and Mom came over as well.
“It was a great wedding, sis,” Lochlan said, standing up to kiss her on the cheek.
“It really was, wasn’t it?” Caitlyn’s smile lit up the entire room. She looked at May, her eyes widening. “May, you look amazing! I love that dress. Where did you get it?”
May hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered, “Goodwill.”
Lochlan wasn’t surprised by her admission. He’d actually thought she would offer the “I have nothing to wear” excuse at some point during her never-ending refusal to attend the wedding. It had never come up. Which made sense now that he thought about it. May’s pride was still in full force. She’d never ask for financial help. Ever.
He loved that about her as much as it drove him crazy. He had more money than he would ever need, and he hated seeing the worry lines by her eyes drawn there by an ever-increasing pile of bills. His father’s word flashed through his mind.
Patience.
Caitlyn shook her head. “I’m so jealous of people like you. Aunt Riley and Yvonne are just the same. They walk into Goodwill and come out with Kate Spade bags and brand-new jeans with the tags still on them. I go in and can’t find anything but faded, stained T-shirts and out-of-style blazers. You’ll have to take me with you next time and teach me your tricks.”
May laughed. “Deal. Congratulations, Caitlyn. It really was a wonderful ceremony.”
“I’m glad you came.”
Dad stepped next to Caitlyn. “I want it noted for the record that I was the first to ask the inevitable question. When are you giving me grandkids?”
“Tacky, Will,” Mom murmured as the rest of them laughed.
“It’s okay, Mom. Lucas and I have talked about it and we plan to start right away. With any luck, we’ll make a honeymoon baby.”
Then Caitlyn turned to Lochlan. “So beware, brother dear. Kids are imminent in your life. And I expect you to be a stellar uncle. Endless piggyback rides and epic birthday presents.”
Lochlan rolled his eyes, pretending the request bothered him. “So noted.”
In truth, all he could think about was his kids growing up alongside his sister’s. His cousins meant everything to him, and he wanted his kids to have that same experience.
Caitlyn gave him a sweet wink that told him she knew exactly how he felt and moved on to chat with friends at the next table. A waiter came by with a tray of champagne, and Lochlan grabbed a glass for each of them.
May took a sip, then confessed, “I think I’m already a little tipsy from the two glasses I had at dinner. I don’t drink much.”
“It’s a wedding. You’re supposed to drink too much champagne and sleep with the brother of the bride. It’s tradition.”
May laughed, but someone caught Lochlan’s eye by the entrance to the ballroom. “I don’t believe it,” he murmured.
May turned and followed his gaze. “Who is that?”
Lochlan grinned. “Long-lost cousin.”
“What?”
He grasped her hand and crossed the room quickly.
Fergus smiled, aware Lochlan had been the first to see him. The two of them hugged and, within seconds, the rest of the Collins clan swarmed.
Lochlan stepped aside as Fergus explained his tardiness to the party, something to do with a missed connecting flight and lost paperwork. He was officially out of the Army after two four-year stints, three of those years spent exclusively in the Middle East. The original plan had him home three days ago in plenty of time for the wedding, but Murphy’s Law had been in play. Like a true Collins, Fergus was good at making the story an epic tale, filled with adventure, tragedy and humor.
Lochlan rejoined May as they listened.
“Wow,” she whispered to him.
“He’s the least hard to look at of all of us, but if you say that…I might have to kick his ass. Don’t make me,” he warned.
She made the gesture for locking her lips shut and throwing away the key.
Because it was so adorable, he kissed her.
“Let me guess,” she said, the second his lips left hers. He knew what game she was playing. She’d spent most of the day trying to match each of his cousins with their parents. “Fergus is…Sean’s son?”
Lochlan shook his head. “Killian’s.”
She bit her lip, and he knew what her next question would be before she even asked it. “So he’s definitely Killian’s, or…?”
May had been fascinated by Killian’s marriage to Justin and Lily. Likewise with Sean’s union with Chad and Lauren. He’d worried about her response to their ménage relationships a bit at first. He was very protective of his family, and he would have had a real problem if she’d judged them harshly. Fortunately, she’d been enthralled by the concept, making a joke that Lily and Lauren were probably the luckiest women in the room, teasing him once more about none of the men in his family being hard to look at—Justin and Chad included.
“They’ve never said who the biological father is, though I’m sure the three of them know. It doesn’t matter to any of them—Fergus included. He grew up loving both his dads the same. He looks a lot like Justin, but damn if he doesn’t act exactly like Killian.”
The rest of the evening passed quickly as Lochlan exposed May to the craziness of a Collins celebration. She’d been in awe when she learned he was related to Sky Mitchell, absolutely amazed and thrilled when she learned Sky and Teagan were going to perform a song at the reception.
“I can’t believe this. Do you know how much concert tickets to Sky and Teagan shows are, nowadays? I looked it up once just for shits and giggles. You really are related to everyone,” she’d teased.
They danced and drank, laughed and talked, and then danced some more. His family had absorbed her into their chaotic, madcap group, and it felt to him as if she’d always been there, or at the very least, as if she’d always belonged there. He always had a great time with his family, but with May, the whole night had been amplified, made a thousand times greater.
“I’ve never had this much fun in my entire life,” she admitted as the evening began to draw to an end. “I’m sorry it’s almost over.”
Lochlan grasped her hand, tugging her toward him for a kiss. “It’s nowhere near over.”
He’d intended it to be a quick kiss, but it s
parked a flame in both of them.
“Can we go upstairs?” she asked breathlessly.
“I think we’d better. I’d hate to be arrested for public indecency at my sister’s wedding.”
She giggled as they made a hasty escape. Once they were in the elevator alone together, Lochlan pulled her into his arms and kissed her as if his life depended on it.
They were still locked together when the doors slid open. They parted briefly to make their way to the suite he’d reserved for them. Inside, he pushed her against the wall, tugging down the zipper at the back of her dress as she attempted to push his tuxedo jacket over his shoulders.
They undressed each other with little finesse, working with the shared purpose of total nudity.
“My head is spinning,” she confessed. “You. Music. Champagne.”
“Maybe you should lie down on the bed,” he said with a wink that told her exactly what was going to happen once she got there.
They kissed again as he moved her backwards across the room. Then he pushed her to her back on the mattress, coming over her as her legs parted to welcome him. They hadn’t been together since the night he took her virginity. Her mother had been released from the hospital the following day, and no amount of persuasion on his part could convince her to bring her family to stay at his condo. She also wouldn’t leave them alone at night since Linda was recuperating. And the two of them definitely wouldn’t fit on her couch.
They were quickly coming to a day of reckoning. Lochlan had plans for their future, but convincing May to take the leap wouldn’t be easy.
He’d tried to seduce her a couple of times at work, but May held firm to her resolve that they remain professional at the office. Too many times she’d insisted that they would be smarter to return to their roles as boss and employee, but Lochlan refused to accept that.
“Want you,” she said, her lips pressed to his. “Want you so bad.”
She wrapped her legs around his hips and he let her pull him toward her. He slid inside in one hard thrust. They gasped in unison at the incredible pleasure, then the reins slipped loose. He pounded inside her as she urged him to take her harder. Faster. She came twice in rapid succession. Lochlan managed—just barely—to hang in there, but when her third orgasm struck, he was a goner.
