Kisses After Dark

by Marie Force

  “I know.” Shane followed Ned into a small but tidy space that boasted hardwood floors, the fireplace he wanted, creamy-white crown molding and gorgeous built-in shelves. “This place is beautiful.”

  “’Tis one of my favorites. A hidden gem.”

  The kitchen had been recently renovated with new gray stone countertops, white cabinets and black appliances. It had two bedrooms off a small hallway and a bathroom with a deep claw-foot bathtub. He could picture Katie in that tub, up to her neck in bubbles. “I’ll take it.”

  “Thought ya might say that.”

  “How is this place even available?”

  “The couple that was gonna take it for the year split up and broke the lease. The lady called me crying and all apologies. I gave her the money back cuz I had someone else in mind fer the place.”

  “That’s nice of you.”

  Ned shrugged. “Sounded like she needed the money more than I do.”

  “When can I have it?”

  “Whenever ya want. ’Tis empty and available. Ya gotta order furniture from the mainland, which takes a week or so.”

  “I’ll take it tomorrow. I’ll get you a check in the morning.”

  “Ain’t no rush. I know where ya live, and I know yer good fer it.”

  “Thanks for this, Ned. I really appreciate it.”

  Ned shook his hand. “Yer dad and uncles ain’t the only ones happy to see ya moving on with yer life. Ya got a good girl with Katie. The kinda girl a man makes plans with. The kinda girl a man can count on to do right by him. Ya know what I’m sayin’?”

  “I do, and I appreciate you saying it.”

  “See ya this afternoon. Another weddin’.” He shook his head with what seemed like wonder. “Another of my kids.” Outside, Ned patted Shane on the shoulder. “Maybe I’ll be dancin’ at yer wedding before too long.”

  Shane laughed at that. “You never know.” At the curb, they shook hands again. “Would you mind if I brought Katie over here later to show her the place?”

  “I wouldn’t mind a’tall. There’s a key under the planter on the front porch. Make yerselves at home.”

  “Thanks again for this, Ned. It’s just what I needed and close enough to see Holden and the new babies any time I want to.”

  “Glad yer happy with it. See ya after a bit.” Ned drove off in the woody with a toot of the horn and a wave.

  Shane took another long last look at the cottage that he hoped would be his new home, his fresh start with Katie if she liked it as much as he did. He looked forward to showing it to her.

  Stephanie woke to the sound of giggling from the room across the hall. The low timbre of Charlie’s deep voice was followed by more laughter. Listening to her adored stepfather with his new love made her heart surge with joy. And then she remembered what else would happen on this day, and her heart overflowed.

  During all the long years she’d spent alone, desperately trying to get Charlie out of jail, she had lacked the imagination to picture the life she and Charlie had now. It had all begun with the fortuitous meeting with Linda and Mac McCarthy in the restaurant where she’d bartended in Providence. In the hour they’d spent together, the McCarthys had persuaded her to come to work for them running the restaurant at their marina for the summer.

  Stephanie had been in bad need of a change of scenery by then, so she’d accepted their generous offer. That decision had changed her life more profoundly than any other. She could still recall the first time she’d ever laid eyes on Grant, who’d come home to visit his family and to attend his sister’s wedding.

  Big Mac had brought him into the restaurant, busting his buttons with pleasure as he introduced his second-oldest son, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter, to Stephanie. And, holy smokes, had she been bowled over by how gorgeous he was! Like, movie star good-looking with thick, wavy, dark hair, brilliant blue eyes, a lean, muscular frame, prominent cheekbones and soft, sensual lips that Stephanie couldn’t get enough of.

  She’d fallen deep into crush that day and had stayed there even after she discovered he’d come home for more than his sister’s wedding. He was also out to win back his ex-girlfriend Abby, who’d been engaged then to Cal Maitland. Stephanie had been positively smitten with Grant, even though they fought like banshees almost from the beginning of their association.

  Until the night of Janey’s wedding, when he’d blatantly used her to try to make Abby jealous and they’d ended up in bed at Janey’s house. That’d been the beginning of their relationship, which started out as a one-night stand and turned into a life together during the four memorable days that Tropical Storm Hailey had held Gansett Island hostage.

  Lying in her bed in Charlie’s tiny guest room, she thought about the two nights she’d spent here last summer when she’d been convinced that things between her and Grant weren’t going to work out. He’d come to find her here, and proposed to her, promising the “love story of a lifetime.” She would never forget that day or all the days that followed.

  She would also never forget the mind-numbing fear of the day she’d spent wondering if he was dead or alive after the tragic sailboat accident in the spring. That had been the single longest day of her life, and the relief at seeing him—battered but alive—had been the greatest relief she’d ever experienced. To know she got to spend the rest of her life with him was the most amazing gift she’d ever been given.

  Hoping it was safe to leave her room with the lovebirds in residence, she ducked into the bathroom and took a shower. For once, she actually put some effort into drying and styling her hair. She’d worry about makeup later. Looking in the mirror, she stuck out her tongue and eyed the stud that sat in the middle, giggling to herself when she imagined Grant’s reaction to the return of the stud she’d stopped wearing several months ago. He had a particular fondness for a certain act that involved the stud, and she looked forward to surprising him with that later.

  She emerged from the bathroom to Charlie and Sarah making breakfast in the kitchen, working in harmony as if they’d been together for years. Stephanie noticed the subtle touching and the blush that invaded Sarah’s cheeks when he whispered something in her ear.

  “Morning, kids,” Stephanie said when she joined them in the kitchen.

  “Morning, honey.” Charlie came over to kiss her. He’d insisted she come “home” the night before her wedding, and while Stephanie could never be accused of being traditional, she’d bowed to his wishes. “How’s the bride this fine day?”

  “She’s ready to get the show on the road. How many hours until I get to say ‘I do’?”

  Charlie consulted his watch. “About five.”

  “I’ll never make it.”

  “We’ll get you through it,” Sarah assured her.

  They took breakfast outside to the table, where they ate scrambled eggs, pancakes and bacon and lingered over second cups of coffee.

  “You got a beautiful day for it,” Sarah said, gazing up at the clear blue early September sky. “Not an ounce of humidity.”

  “I wouldn’t have cared if it rained and stormed. That would’ve almost been fitting for us since we got together during a storm.”

  “You survived the storm,” Charlie said. “I’m so proud of my little girl today.”

  Stephanie got up and went over to hug him, hanging on for a long moment to the one person who’d been her constant, her family, since she was eleven years old. Even during the long years of his imprisonment, he’d been her touchstone.

  A beep of a horn interrupted their embrace, and Stephanie pulled back, brushing at her eyes as Charlie did the same. Good thing she hadn’t bothered with makeup yet.

  Two cars containing all her closest girlfriends pulled into the driveway. Out came Grace, who was her only attendant, followed by her “honorary” bridesmaids, Laura, Tiffany, Janey, Maddie and Abby. With the girls around to keep her entertained, the hours flew by, and before she knew it, they were helping her into her dress. She’d gone with a sexy ivory silk dres
s that hugged her small breasts and fitted tightly to the few curves she had. Grant liked when she wore clothes that showed off her trim, sexy body—his words, not hers—so she knew he’d love the dress, and that had been the only thing that mattered to her when she chose it.

  “You’re stunning,” Sarah said as the others nodded in agreement. “That dress is perfect on you.”

  “The smoky eyes are incredible, too,” Maddie added. “Well done, Abby.”

  “Why, thank you.”

  Stephanie never looked at the voluptuous dark-haired woman and thought of her as Grant’s ex. No, when she looked at Abby Callahan, she only saw a friend and future sister-in-law.

  “Are we ready?” Charlie asked when he emerged from his bedroom wearing a navy blue suit with a crisp white shirt open at the collar. He stopped short at the sight of her in the dress. Placing his hand on his heart, he shook his head as tears filled his eyes. “Breathtaking,” he finally said.

  Stephanie smiled at him, and it occurred to her right then that if he hadn’t been available to give her away, she probably never would’ve gotten married. She held out her left hand to him, her diamond engagement ring sparkling in the afternoon sunshine streaming in from outside. “Let’s go, Dad.”

  Chapter 36

  Grant tugged at the collar of his white dress shirt, hoping he hadn’t bled on it when he cut himself shaving earlier. How many years had he been shaving, and today of all days, he had to practically open a vein?

  “Is there blood?” he asked Dan, who stood next to him calmly checking his phone while Grant felt like he was going to expire in the late-afternoon heat.

  Dan spared him a brief glance. “No blood, but that’s one hell of a gash. First day with the razor?”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  Dan laughed hard. “Is that any way to speak to your best man?”

  “It’s the only way to speak to my best man. Don’t forget I can replace you rather easily. I’ve got three brothers waiting in the wings.”

  Grant expected the usual snappy comeback, but Dan surprised him with a small, sentimental smile. “It’s not our way to get sappy with each other, but I have to tell you how much it meant to me that you asked me to stand up for you when you had so many other far more suitable candidates. Since you’re the only brother I’ve got left, I’m hoping you’ll return the favor next summer.”

  “Dan… Christ, you’re going to make me bawl. Of course I will. And I’m sorry for the joke about my brothers. That was insensitive.”

  “No, it was funny. I love your brothers. You know I do. The four of you have helped to fill the void a little, and I want you to know I’m hugely honored to be your best man.” Dan had lost his only brother in Afghanistan.

  Grant hugged him. “Thank you for doing this today and for telling me last summer that I needed to go after her. Best thing I ever did.”

  “She’s a great girl. You couldn’t have done any better.”

  “I know, believe me.”

  “Looks like show time.” From their vantage point on the deck behind the Surf, Dan gestured to the flurry of activity happening inside Stephanie’s Bistro. Dan put his phone away, and both men buttoned the jackets of their navy blue suits.

  They’d hoped to get married on the beach, but it was just windy enough that fears of blowing sand had compelled them to move the ceremony to the deck where the reception would also be held.

  Grant caught the barest glimpse of the woman in white, but forced himself to look away so he wouldn’t ruin anything for her. They’d invited only their closest friends and family, who began to come out to the deck in groups and couples, giving his siblings, their spouses and children and Grant’s parents the front row. The plan was for them to stand around Grant and Stephanie while his Uncle Frank married them—quick and simple so they could get to the party as fast as possible.

  Frank came over to join Grant and Dan, hugging them both.

  “All ready?” Frank asked his nephew.

  “Never been more ready.”

  Frank signaled Grant’s brother Evan, who, along with Owen, provided guitar music as the rest of the guests found their way to the deck, separating down the middle.

  Grace preceded Stephanie, wearing a gorgeous navy dress and carrying a bouquet of light blue and purple hydrangeas. She smiled at Grant as she took her place across from him, leaving a spot that would soon belong to Stephanie. This was really happening.

  “You aren’t going to pass out or anything, are you?” Dan muttered.

  “I don’t think so, but keep your eyes open.”

  “You got it.”

  A reassuring smile from his mother gave Grant something else to focus on beside the butterflies storming around in his belly. And then Charlie and Stephanie appeared, and the sight of her chased away the butterflies and ramped up the excitement. There she was, and dear God, she was beautiful in that sexy dress as she came toward him on the arm of her adored father. The two of them were smiling so brightly. Grant didn’t think he’d ever seen either of them smile quite like they were now.

  “Take good care of my little girl,” Charlie said gruffly when he placed her hand in Grant’s.

  “Always.”

  After she hugged Charlie, Stephanie handed her bouquet of white and blue hydrangeas to Grace and joined hands with Grant, smiling up at him.

  “H-O-T,” he whispered.

  Her smile got even wider, and was that… Oh God, she’d worn the stud. It took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to get a hard-on in front of everyone he knew when he thought about why she might’ve worn the stud today of all days.

  Frank led them through the ceremony and the reciting of traditional vows. They’d gone traditional because Stephanie said she would never be able to match her Academy Award-winning screenwriter fiancé in the vows department, and she wasn’t about to try.

  It was just as well, Grant decided, since he could barely remember his own name looking at her in that sexy dress. Grant never took his eyes off her as he said the words, listened to her do the same, pushed the ring on her finger and held out his hand for her to place his ring, the platinum band reminding him of his never-ending commitment to her. As if he’d need the reminder.

  Then Frank was pronouncing them husband and wife, and Grant was kissing his wife and the love of his life. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slipped him the tongue, letting the stud rub up against his tongue, and there was no stopping his reaction to that maneuver.

  Of course she knew what she’d done to him and laughed at his befuddled reaction. He lifted her into his arms and held her close until he had calmed enough to face their friends and family as husband and wife without embarrassing himself.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Frank said, “I give you Grant and Stephanie McCarthy.”

  Stephanie McCarthy… She was finally his to keep forever, and nothing had ever made him happier.

  Hours later, the wedding was winding down and people had begun to leave, but Shane continued to dance with Katie, loving the feel of her in his arms and reluctant to let her go even though he was excited to show her the house. He’d had a few uneasy moments, wondering if she’d resent him making such a big decision for both of them without her input.

  But then again, she hadn’t yet agreed to move in with him, and he did need a more permanent place to live. Hell, if she didn’t like it, Ned would find them something else. Whatever she wanted was fine with him as long as he got to keep her in his life.

  Evan had taken a break to dance with Grace while Owen sang a sultry version of “Adore You.”

  “Is this that Miley Cyrus song?” Katie asked as she watched her brother sing the song to his new wife, who sat nearby with Holden on her lap.

  “Only so much better coming from Owen.” Shane sang the refrain in her ear and then used the lyrics to his advantage. “I need you more.”

  “No, I need you more,” Katie said, playing along.

  “No way. Not possible.” He nuzzled her che
ek when he really wanted to devour her mouth. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Where’re we going?”

  “Come with me, and I’ll show you.” Shane never released her hand as they said their good-byes to family and friends as well as the euphoric bride and groom.

  Katie hugged and kissed her mother, who then turned to Shane and gave him the same loving farewell. It had been a long time since Shane had been mothered, and Sarah’s affection went a long way toward soothing that particular wound on his soul.

  “I love your mom,” he said to Katie as they walked through the lobby toward the front doors.

  “She loves you, too.”

  Sarah’s approval made it that much easier to make his case to Katie.

  “You still haven’t said where you’re taking me.”

  “No, I haven’t, have I?”

  “You’re in a funny mood.”

  “Am I?”

  “Stop answering everything I say with a question!”

  Amused by her exasperation, he said, “Is that what I’m doing?”

  “You know what you’re doing.” She elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re driving me crazy.”

  He dropped her hand and put his arm around her, loving the silky feel of her shoulder under his palm. “That’s how I like you.”

  “So where’re we going?”

  “Just down here and around the corner.”

  “At least that wasn’t a question. What’s down here and around the corner?

  “I’ll show you when we get there.”

  “Ugh. Are you looking to start our first fight?”

  “Most definitely not. Roll with me for a minute, honey.”

  “Well, when you ask so nicely…”

  An odd sensation trickled through him, something not easily identified. He was still chewing on what it was when they reached the cottage. “Here we are.”

  “What’s this place?”

  He didn’t answer her but bent to retrieve the key that was under the planter where Ned had said it would be. Shane opened the door and held out a hand to Katie, who stood back, watching him with vexation and curiosity in her expression. “Come see.”