by Helen Lacey
They were freaking adorable.
Jonah had discovered he liked freckles. A lot.
“Everything okay?” she asked as he drove around the driveway and pulled up beside Liam’s familiar black Silverado.
“Of course,” he replied.
“I could have driven myself here,” she said, repeating what she’d already said three times since he’d picked her up fifteen minutes earlier. “You know if we turn up together, everyone is going to think we’re...you know...”
“What?” he queried, watching as color leached up her neck and hit her cheeks.
“You know...something.”
Jonah half shrugged. “That’s not exactly a lie, though, right? We are...” His words trailed off and he smiled. “Something.”
“I have no idea what we are,” she said and sighed. “You confuse me.”
“I don’t mean to.”
“I know,” she acknowledged. “Annoying, really. I think I’m definitely starting to like you.”
“Just starting?” he teased.
She shrugged. “Okay... I like you. There... I said it. I like you a lot. Happy?”
He was happy. Being around Connie had a startling effect on his mood. She was like a tonic. When he was around her, everything else seemed way less complicated.
“It’s mutual,” he admitted.
She half laughed, half sighed. “Yeah, but you like me in a get-me-into-bed kind of way. And I...” Her words trailed off and she shrugged again. “We should go inside.”
“Connie,” Jonah said, more seriously. “Whatever you think I’m planning here, I’ll always be up front about my motives. Yes, I think you’re beautiful and sexy and I want you. But let’s not overanalyze this thing. We’re both adults, we’re both single...we’re not treading on anyone’s toes here. And any opinions the O’Sullivans have don’t matter one iota.”
“They do to me,” she said quietly. “Liam is my boss. You’re his brother. That’s got complicated written all over it.”
“Then we’ll say we’re just friends,” he said, irritation swiftly filling his chest. “And anything else is none of their damned business.”
But he knew that wasn’t quite true. She was right. The O’Sullivans would have an opinion. Because they had an opinion about everything. Particularly Liam and J.D.—Connie’s two knights in shining armor. But Jonah didn’t care what they thought. He liked Connie. He wanted to spend time with her. If they disapproved, to hell with them.
“But we’re not just friends,” she reminded him. “Are we? And we’re not lovers, either.”
Jonah reached out and grasped her chin, gently drawing her face to his. “We could remedy that.”
She swallowed hard and he watched, fascinated, as her lips parted fractionally. She was both invitation and rebuttal—an intriguing mix that set his blood on fire. The thing was, Jonah suspected she didn’t actually realize how intoxicating she was. How challenging. How mesmerizing.
She pulled back, and he dropped his hand. “So I can be another notch on your bedpost?”
“My bedpost doesn’t have as many notches as you seem to think.” He pulled the keys from the ignition and looked at her. “Don’t always believe the worst of me, Connie.”
“I don’t,” she admitted. “If I did, I wouldn’t be here with you. In fact, I don’t believe anyone sees who you really are...except perhaps your mom. You make me feel things and want things. But I’m not going to rush into anything, despite how much I might want to,” she said and laughed softly. “I can’t be someone I’m not. I don’t know how to flirt or be sexy and seductive or play games. I’m not used to—”
“I’m glad you don’t play games,” he admitted. “Neither do I.”
Jonah kissed her. Briefly. Soundly. Possessively. Because she was simply too damned beautiful to resist. And because he was tired of hearing her list everything she wasn’t, when she was so much more. When he pulled back, she was panting hard, looking both startled and undeniably turned on. Then she smiled and nodded, as though she knew exactly why he’d kissed her.
“We should probably go inside,” he suggested.
“Probably,” she said on a sigh.
“You know, you might not think you’re seductive or sexy,” he said and touched her cheek. “But believe me, Connie, you are...very much so.”
She smiled, turned in the seat and then gasped slightly. Jonah cranked his neck around and stared directly out the front window, and straight into the glowering and disapproving glare of his eldest brother.
“Looks like we’re well and truly busted,” he said and opened the door.
“Don’t make things worse by getting into an argument,” she demanded. “You promised to be on your best behavior, remember.”
“I remember,” Jonah replied. “But if he says anything out of line, I’ll—”
“He won’t,” she assured him, grabbing her bag and coat before she quickly got out of the car.
Jonah lingered by the door for a moment while Connie walked toward Liam and spoke to him quietly. Jonah could guess what was said, and by the time he reached his half brother, Liam wasn’t scowling quite as hard, but he still looked mad as hell.
“Morning,” Jonah said so agreeably his teeth hurt.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Liam remarked.
Jonah’s back straightened and he was about to return with some acid-laced reply when he caught Connie looking at him questioningly, both brows raised. He managed a light shrug. “I thought I’d help.”
“That’s very...generous of you,” Liam said, looking suspicious. “I’m sure Kieran and Nicola will appreciate the extra hands.”
“Haven’t they heard of this great invention called a moving company?” Jonah shot back.
Liam’s mouth curled at the edges. “Apparently Nicola is too thrifty to waste money on hiring professionals.”
“Oh, stop whining, you two,” Connie said and grinned, wrapping her arms into her coat. “It’s not like you have to move a grand piano or anything heavy. Anyway, you both look strong enough to carry a few boxes. Where’s Nicola and Kayla?”
“In the kitchen,” Liam replied and then tapped Jonah on the shoulder. “You can come with me.”
Jonah started to refuse, but Connie had quickly headed up the path and he was left with only his brother for company. “If you’re going to get all alpha male and voice your opinion, I’d rather you do it sooner rather than later.”
Liam didn’t flinch. “If you think I disapprove, you’re right.”
“Thankfully Connie and I don’t need your approval,” Jonah replied. “So, where’s this grand piano you were so concerned about?”
Liam made an impatient sound and pointed to a truck parked around the side of the house. “I care about Connie. We all do. And no one will stand idly by and watch her get hurt.”
“I have no intention of injuring Connie in any way,” he said and began walking.
Liam was beside him in three strides. “If you start something you don’t intend to finish, that will hurt her.”
Irritation coursed through his blood. But he remembered the promise he’d made Connie and took a long and defusing breath. “I know what I’m doing.”
“Leading her on with false promises?” Liam queried. “Using her?”
“I’m not the one who treats her like an errand girl,” Jonah said and kept the lid on his temper. “That’s your department.”
Liam was in his space in two seconds. “What does that mean?”
“Working on a Sunday? Babysitting? Picking up your dry cleaning?” He made a mocking sound. “Spare me the lecture about acceptable behavior. Not when you and J.D. treat her as though she’s your private housemaid. If Connie was sensible, she’d tell you to go to hell and then ask for a huge raise.”
Liam stared at him, frowned for a
moment and then laughed loudly. “Oh, I see. You actually like her.”
Jonah turned hot all over. He didn’t enjoy being laughed at. And Liam was laughing...hard.
“Is that so difficult to believe?” he demanded.
Liam shrugged. “Not at all. Connie is a special woman. Just don’t mess with her or you’ll answer to me.”
Now Jonah laughed. “She’s very capable of taking care of herself. And making her own decisions. Although I am intrigued by your and J.D.’s constant need to protect her from the world.”
“Habit,” Liam said flippantly and pointed to the boxes sitting on the edge of the truck’s rear door and marked with the words dining room. “Let’s start with those.”
Jonah grabbed a box and walked off, circumnavigating the house to get away from his annoying half brother. He headed back up the front path and entered the house, shouldering his way through the front door and walking down the hallway and toward the dining room.
However, the room wasn’t empty. Gwen O’Sullivan sat in a chair by the window, with Liam and Kayla’s baby son cradled in her arms. He stalled in the doorway, aware that he’d been seen but suddenly wanting to make a run for it.
“Hello, Jonah,” she said and beckoned him into the room. “It’s okay, my grandson is fast asleep. I should probably place him in his bassinet,” she said and smiled. “But I adore holding him.”
“Hello, Mrs. O’Sullivan,” he said and shrugged a little. “I’ll just leave this box on the table.”
He looked around the room. A few of the glass cabinets were empty, but other than that, the room appeared as stylish as it always had. Clearly Gwen O’Sullivan wasn’t clearing the house of all her belongings.
“You really need to start calling me Gwen,” she said and got to her feet, then gently placed the baby in the crib.
“I don’t think I can do that.”
She waved a hand. “Nonsense. I’m not your enemy, Jonah.”
“I know,” he replied. “You’ve always been very understanding.”
She smiled. “You’re not to blame for the way things worked out. And you didn’t ask to be born into the middle of such a complicated situation.” She glanced lovingly at the baby in the bassinet. “Children are innocent.”
Jonah’s chest tightened, and his respect for Gwen O’Sullivan grew. She was quite a lady. “I’m not sure I’d be as generous if the situation was reversed.”
“I think you would be,” she replied. “I think you are mostly a rational and compassionate man. But you’re angry with J.D., and those feelings can cloud a person’s judgment. I understand, believe me,” she added with a small and ironic smile.
Yes, he thought, she actually would. “He never deserved you.”
She let out a brittle laugh. “Probably not. But love can also cloud a person’s judgment. And J.D. does have his good qualities. He was, and still is, a caring father. Even to you,” she added when she obviously picked up on Jonah’s scowl. “He didn’t abandon you or Kathleen. And he could have.”
“I wish he had.”
“No, you don’t,” she said quickly but gently. “If he had, you might not be here now. And as hard as this situation is for you...for us all...I believe that with time and effort, everyone’s life will be richer for having you in it.”
It was, he realized, one of the kindest and most sincere things anyone had ever said to him. Jonah’s throat thickened and he swallowed hard, trying to find the words to reply. But Gwen spoke before him.
“I’ve had to learn how to forgive him,” she said and sighed. “Otherwise, I would get bogged down in resentment and bitterness. And that’s not the way for anyone to live their life, is it?”
Jonah’s back straightened. “Is that a question?”
She half shrugged. “Not really. I imagine the last thing you need is another person dishing out advice.”
She was right and he appreciated her voicing the fact. “Thank you.”
Gwen smiled. “Can you watch over the baby for a moment? I need to speak with my daughter-in-law.”
Jonah glanced at the crib and shrugged. “Yeah...sure.”
She nodded and left the room. Once she was gone, Jonah walked toward the window and stared out. He watched as Liam and Kieran stood together, laughing at something one of them said. He wondered if he’d ever have that with them. Camaraderie. Caring. A relationship that came from sharing DNA and genuine affection.
The baby stirred, making a soft but unhappy sound, and Jonah headed for the crib. Jack’s eyes were closed, but tears were plumped at the corners, and before Jonah could make a soothing sound, the baby let out an unholy wail and waved his tiny arms. He gently touched the baby’s head, and when that made no difference, he lifted the infant from the crib. The wailing stopped instantly.
Right. He was holding a baby. Jonah settled the child into the crook of his arm and stared at him. He was cute. It was the first time he’d looked at Jack and made the connection that the baby was his nephew. His blood. Being an only child, Jonah had never imagined he’d be an uncle. But as he stared into Jack’s now peaceful face, he liked the idea.
“You know, that look really suits you.”
Connie.
Jonah turned and spotted her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression soft.
He glanced at the baby. “Do you think?”
She smiled and walked into the room. “Gwen said she’d left you with babysitting duty, and I thought I’d come and help. But,” she said and came up beside him, “you don’t look like you need any help.”
“Until there’s a diaper change,” he said with a mock grimace. “Then he’s all yours.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure you’d manage,” she said and stroked the baby’s cheek. “God, he’s so precious. I envy them,” she said on a sigh. “Your brother and Kayla. They worked through a lot of stuff to get to this point. But I reckon this little guy was worth every moment.”
“Is that your clock I can hear ticking?” he teased.
She shrugged. “Maybe. I think I would like children someday. If I can find someone who’d be able to put up with me. I mean, you did say I was high-maintenance.”
He laughed. “I did. You are. But not in a bad way. Incidentally, Liam gave me a lecture outside.”
“I figured he would.”
“He said it was habit that put him into protective mode around you,” Jonah remarked. “What does he mean by that?”
She looked at the baby. “You’d have to ask him.”
“I’m asking you.”
She shrugged. “Just Liam being Liam. You know how he gets.”
“Protective and overbearing?” He nodded. “Yeah, I get it. I just don’t understand why he feels the need to be that way toward you.”
She looked up. “You shouldn’t let it bug you.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t,” he quipped. “But it does. They all act like they have some claim on your affections and your life. I’m just trying to figure out why.”
She stepped back. “There’s nothing to figure out. They’ve known me since I was a teenager.”
Jonah wasn’t convinced it was something that simple. “Have you ever been romantically involved with any of my half brothers?”
* * *
Connie’s patience was wearing thin. The man was relentless. She propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Of course not.”
“So you’re like a little sister to them all?”
“Exactly,” she replied and sighed loudly. “Let up on this, will you?”
His mouth lifted at the edges. “You’re angry because I’m curious. And yet, you don’t hold back when telling me how I should behave. It goes both ways, Connie. Or at least, it should, don’t you think?”
He had a point. A good one. But she wasn’t about to start answering questions about her rela
tionship with his family. Jonah didn’t need to know about her past. They were in the present. And in the present, she thought he was the most attractive man she’d ever met. End of story. Of course, he was also the most infuriating.
“I’m an open book,” she said, fibbing more than she liked.
“No,” he said quietly and rocked the baby. “You’re not.”
Watching him with the infant made her heart ache with a longing she’d never imagined. Of course she’d often thought about having children. But the idea usually got overshadowed by memories of the past and her fear that she’d never trust anyone enough to make that kind of life-changing commitment. But seeing Jonah hold Jack made her toes curl, and somehow her lingering resistance began to fade away.
“Do you want kids?” she asked bluntly.
He looked at her. “I’m not sure. If I met the right person, maybe. I’m not exactly the poster child for the average kind of family.”
“Who is?” she shot back. “My folks didn’t want to be parents because it interrupted their careers, so they literally dumped me with my grandparents. You had a devoted mom and a father who didn’t abandon you... Let’s see...who had the better deal?”
His mouth curled at the edges. “You make a valid point. I have been lucky. My mother is amazing.”
“And J.D.? Doesn’t he get any credit for supporting you and your mom?”
“Money was never what I wanted.”
“Do you think he should have left his wife and family to be with you and your mom?”
He inhaled sharply. “No. I wanted him out of our lives. I still do.”
“And yet, you agreed to come here with me today,” she reminded him. “The world hasn’t ended. Maybe things haven’t turned out so bad, after all. By the way, your dad’s outside. Remember that you promised you wouldn’t make a scene today.”
He stared at her. “Are you enjoying telling me what to do?”
“Yes,” she shot back. “Very much. I think you’ve been allowed to say whatever you want and get your own way far too much for most of your life.”
“Is this the part when you call me a spoiled brat?”
She shrugged. “If the shoe fits. Be nice to your father, Jonah...he’s the only one you have. Life is too short to be unforgiving.”
