Come Away With Me

  “Okay!” the girls exclaim and follow their mom up the stairs.

  “How are you?” I ask Caleb soberly.

  “Never better,” he responds, and I know he speaks the truth.

  He had a rough time of it a few months ago, afraid to love that sweet woman and her daughters, but with the help of a counselor and my fist to his face, he came around and finally married Brynna.

  “You both look great. Italy must have agreed with you.”

  “Dominic has a helluva place.” Caleb nods. “It’s quiet and beautiful. Perfect if you want to romance a woman.”

  “I’m glad you both enjoyed it.” I chuckle and watch my brother. His cheeks redden, and I tilt my head as my eyes narrow. “What’s going on?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Something’s up. You never blush.”

  “Fuck you, I’m not blushing.”

  “Just say it.”

  He sighs as his eyes turn to the top of the stairs. “We weren’t going to say anything for a while yet because it’s early, but Bryn’s pregnant.”

  “That’s fucking awesome, bro.” I pull him in for a quick hug, truly happy for my younger brother. “How early?”

  “Only a few weeks, but the sticks say she’s pregnant, so she’s going to go see a doctor next week. Don’t mention it to the rest of the family.”

  “That’s your story to tell,” I reply and clap him on the shoulder. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks,” he replies and pulls two beers out of the fridge, pops the tops and hands one to me. “What’s up with you?”

  I shrug and take a long pull on the beer. “Work. Had dinner at Will’s last week.”

  Been sleeping with the woman I’m in love with since you left.

  “I heard. Will said you brought the baker with you.”

  “Will never could keep his damn mouth shut,” I grumble.

  “Ashamed of her?”

  “Fuck no!” I shake my head adamantly. “No, I just would have rather you heard it from me.”

  “So what’s going on with her?”

  I sigh and lean back against the countertop, trying to figure out how to form the right words.

  “I’ve been sleeping with her.” But that doesn’t sound right. I’ve been more than sleeping with her. I’ve been consumed by her, falling in love with her.

  “Is she okay with what you’re into?” he asks softly.

  “Yeah. It’s new to her, so I’ve been honest but taking it slow. Took her to the club last weekend.” I smile as I recall her tied up in my red ropes, pulled up tall, panting and turned on. “She enjoyed herself.”

  “Good. She seems like a really sweet girl.”

  “She’s the best, Caleb.” My eyes find his. “She’s smart, funny, loyal. So fucking sexy.”

  “You’re in love with her.”

  “I am,” I reply without hesitation.

  “It’s fast,” Caleb remarks, rubbing his hand over the light stubble on his square jaw.

  “I know,” I reply honestly. “But it just feels right. I want to be her friend as much as I want to be her lover. She makes me laugh. I’m proud of her. She’s accomplished a lot on her own, and she’s so damn good at it.” I shrug and laugh at my brother’s stunned look. “What is that look for?”

  “You’re really fucking in love with her.”

  “I thought we just came to that conclusion.”

  “I’m just…wow. Okay, well, that’s awesome. I want to spend some more time with her.”

  “You’ll get to. I’m bringing her to Nat’s birthday party tomorrow.” I grin and take another drink of my beer. “Nic’s bringing a new cupcake recipe. She made it up just for Nat.”

  “Cool.” Caleb grins, and then his face sobers as he watches me. “Just be careful, man. You’re the best person I know, and seeing you hurt is the last thing I want.”

  “I don’t relish the thought of that myself.” I chuckle and shake my head. “We’re not throwing the love word around yet. We’re learning each other and enjoying our time together.”

  “Good.”

  “Uncle Matt! Look at our T-shirts!”

  The girls come bouncing down the stairs, their dark brown ponytails flying around their heads in their excitement to show off the souvenirs their parents brought home for them.

  “And backpacks, too! For our coloring books!”

  “This is all very cool,” I reply. “Where is mine?”

  “You don’t want a backpack,” Josie responds with a wrinkled nose.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re a big boy,” Maddie informs me. “But I’ll share.”

  “I’m just teasing, darlin’.” I pick her up and kiss her cheek loudly, then bury my face in her sweet little neck and blow raspberries, making her squeal in delight.

  “I love you, Uncle Matt.”

  “I love you, too, baby girl.”

  Chapter Eleven

  ~Nic~

  Today is the perfect day for a pool party. The warm Seattle sun is high in the cloudless, bright blue sky. Luke Williams’—the Luke Williams of the Nightwalker movies—and his wife Natalie’s home is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a large two-story stone home that sits near the jagged Washington coastline, just north of Seattle.

  We are in the backyard next to a large pool. There’s a large covered outdoor kitchen off the patio, and luxurious chaise lounges next to the pool with individual sun umbrellas to keep the hot rays off of delicate skin.

  I opted to close the umbrella to get some sun on my white body, but suddenly a shadow falls over me.

  I open my eyes to find Matt standing over me, clad only in black swimming trunks, opening the umbrella over me.

  “Hey! You’re blocking my sun.”

  “You’ve been in the sun long enough, little one. I don’t want you to burn.”

  He picks me up, takes my seat on the lounge and settles me on his lap.

  “This is better,” he whispers in my ear as his hand glides down my naked side to my hip.

  “Did you see the new dance instructor dance yesterday afternoon before the girls’ class?” Stacy, Matt’s sister-in-law, asks Brynna, who is sitting next to her.

  “No, we didn’t get there early enough. Is she good?” Brynna sits in Caleb’s lap and wraps her arms around his neck.

  Matt and I are sitting with Brynna, Stacy, Meg, Mark and Caleb. Natalie, Jules and Samantha are sitting on the stone edge of the pool, dangling their feet in the water, while Will, Leo, Luke, Isaac, Nate and Dominic play water volleyball.

  I’m just exceedingly proud that I remember everyone’s names. Matt’s family is large, and friendly.

  Except Jules. She’s been friendly enough, but she keeps eyeing me, and I know she’s dying to ask me questions.

  Maybe I should approach her.

  “Oh my Gosh, good doesn’t begin to describe her!” Stacy replies to Brynna, pulling me out of my own thoughts. “She’s freaking amazing. She used to tour with some of the most famous people out there, dancing for them.”

  “That’s right.” Brynna nods. “Didn’t she tour with Beyoncé for a while?”

  “That’s what I heard,” Stacy confirms.

  “Wait. What is this dancer’s name?” Samantha asks from her seat on the edge of the pool. Her gaze is on her brother, Mark, whose eyes are narrowed on her face.

  “Meredith,” Brynna replies.

  Sam cocks an eyebrow. “Did you know that bitch is back in town?” she asks Mark as he stands and jumps in the pool, joining the guys in their game.

  Everyone exchanges looks of confusion, but Mark just shrugs and tosses the volleyball in the air.

  “Get over it, Sam.” He serves the ball, and the other men begin to splash about, diving for the ball.

  Good God, I’m surrounded by the hottest men in the world.

  Luke Williams is just plain hot. I’ve known that for years. He was once named the Sexiest Man Alive in one of the most popular magazines in the country
. But the other guys are just as beautiful.

  Nate McKenna is as dark as Luke is fair. His long hair is pulled back with a leather strap at the nape of his neck. He has tribal tattoos that swirl down his arm and over one side of his chest. His gray eyes are intense, but when he looks at his Jules, his expression transforms into one of pure love.

  Mark Williams is a mirror image of his older brother, if not even more good-looking, which I didn’t know was possible. He’s tall and fair and has startling blue eyes. He also seems to be carefree and fun.

  The Montgomery brothers are all simply amazing specimens of male. Their hair ranges in shades of light brown to blond, but they all share those Montgomery blue eyes. Even Dominic, who is half-Italian and shares only a father with the other guys, has the ice-blue gaze like his half brothers.

  And, of course, Leo Nash is the rock star of my fantasies.

  And they’re all shirtless, muscled and belong on the pages of a calendar.

  But the women are just as beautiful and fun.

  “I like your tattoos,” Natalie says to me, pointing to my shoulder and side as she joins us, lowering herself onto an umbrella-covered chaise. She tugs at her black tankini with a frown. “I thought this damn thing would cover my belly.”

  “How are you feeling, little mama?” Matt asks softly and rests his hand on Nat’s growing belly.

  “I’m good,” she confirms. “I’ve been having a little back pain, but I think it’s just because this little guy is growing.”

  “She’s being stubborn,” Luke calls from the pool after volleying the ball over the net. “I keep telling her to go to the hospital, but she says no. I’m going to pick her up and take her, whether she wants to go or not.”

  “Maybe you should go,” Matt agrees and frowns at her. His hand is still resting on her belly, and his blue eyes are soft.

  He’d be an excellent daddy.

  Panic takes hold of my heart and makes my mouth go dry. I can’t give him this.

  Good job, I fell in love with him and I can’t give him everything he deserves to have in a woman.

  “I’m fine,” Nat insists. “It’s growing pains, that’s all. Trust me, I’ve done this before.”

  “Hey, ace, how about I jump in there and show you how it’s done?” Jules calls out to Nate when he misses the ball.

  “You’re not playing, Julianne, and that’s that,” he replies.

  “I can swim while pregnant,” she reminds him with a pout. “We have a long road ahead of us, ace. Don’t start putting limits on me now.”

  “You can swim,” Isaac agrees. “But you can’t play contact sports, brat.”

  “You could get hit with an elbow,” Matt agrees. “We don’t want you to get hurt, bean.”

  “Now you’re all ganging up on me?” Jules asks incredulously. “C’mon, girls, help me out here.”

  “Sorry,” Meg responds with a smile. “I agree.”

  “You all suck.”

  We all laugh at her, and I feel the panic from earlier start to recede. I just need to keep my eye on the ball. This is fun, nothing more.

  Yeah, right.

  “Back to your tats,” Nat begins and takes a sip of water. “I like them.”

  “Thanks.” I grin.

  “You’re pierced and tatted. You fit in well around here.” Meg laughs. “I think it might be a prerequisite to be a part of this group.”

  “What are you talking about?” I ask with a laugh.

  “Well, most of us have tats,” Jules replies. “Meg’s clit is pierced…”

  “Hey!” Leo calls from the pool. “I thought we decided we weren’t going to discuss my sister’s privates anymore!”

  “Yes, let’s discuss all the girls’ privates,” Mark interrupts with a mischievous grin. “Except Sam.”

  “And Nate has a very interesting piercing,” Sam adds, ignoring her brother and pointing to Nate’s dick.

  “Seriously.” Nate scowls. “You all need to stop talking about the piercings.”

  “Dude.” Dominic stares at Nate in shock. “Seriously?”

  Nate shakes his head and sighs. “Just serve the ball, man.”

  “Well, my navel is as adventurous as I’ve been in the piercing arena.” I eye Meg speculatively. “Does the clit piercing do fun things for you?”

  “Oh, it’s really the clitoral hood, and yes.” She grins widely.

  “It’s fucking awesome,” Will agrees and gets slapped on the back of the head by Leo. “What the fuck?”

  “Stop talking about Meg’s junk,” Leo demands.

  “You’re not piercing your clit,” Matt whispers in my ear.

  “Why?” I ask and look up into his eyes.

  “Because then I wouldn’t be able to touch it, and I can’t go even one day without it,” he whispers for only me to hear, making me blush. “And speaking of touching you”—his voice drops even lower—“do you know what I want to do with this string bikini you’re wearing? I could have you tied up and be inside you in roughly thirty seconds.”

  Holy fucking hell, this man is hot.

  “God, get a room.” Jules smirks and sips on a bottle of water.

  “I want another cupcake,” Stacy announces and bounces out of her seat. “Can I get one for anyone else?”

  “All the pregnant chicks need cupcakes,” Jules confirms and sits in a chaise next to Natalie.

  “I’ll bring the whole box,” Stacy decides and runs inside to fetch them.

  “Will you please design and bake the wedding cake for my wedding?” Meg asks me with a wide smile.

  My eyes widen in surprise. “Have you set a date?”

  “No,” she responds with a laugh. “But no matter when it is, we’ll want you to do the cake. Seriously, you’re the best.”

  Stacy makes a circle with the box, and most everyone takes one of the salted caramel treats with little cameras on top.

  “These are the best gift ever,” Natalie announces with a smile. “Thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Right. Not that cupcakes aren’t fantastic, but your husband got you a car for your birthday. A freaking Porsche.”

  Nat smirks and gazes lovingly at her handsome husband. “He is good to me.”

  “I’d love to do your cake, Meg. We’ll talk about the details later.”

  “Yes!” she exclaims. “Hey, babe, Nic’s gonna make our wedding cake!” she calls to Will in the pool.

  “Awesome! Do we need to do some taste testing?”

  “Ignore him and his bottomless stomach.” Meg shakes her head and bites into her cake.

  “How do you stay so thin?” Jules asks me. “I swear, if I was around these every day, I’d be as big as a house.”

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Brynna replies with a roll of her eyes. “You have the best genes on the planet.”

  “I don’t eat them,” I reply with a shrug.

  Everyone stops what they’re doing and looks at me in surprise.

  “Why not?” Dominic asks as he pulls himself out of the pool.

  “It’s a lot of sugar,” I reply.

  Meg tilts her head, watching me closely, but I shrug. “I just sample the ones that are new to make sure they’re okay.”

  Matt’s lips are planted on my temple. He pulls in a deep breath, kisses my cheek and then my shoulder.

  God, I love it when his lips are on me.

  “That’s some fantastic willpower,” Isaac murmurs as he also joins his wife from the pool.

  “We’re taking a break,” Leo announces and sits next to Sam as Nate pulls Jules into his arms and kisses her sweetly.

  “I’d better keep you with me,” he murmurs to her. “Keep you out of trouble.”

  “You’re all wet, ace.”

  “So?”

  “So this is a new suit.” She pouts prettily.

  “Uh, swimsuits are designed to get wet, Julianne.” Nate laughs and plants his lips on her shoulder.

  “Speaking of willpower.” Meg snicke
rs at Will. “You guys should see this coworker of mine, Marla.”

  “Meg works at the Children’s Hospital,” Matt informs me.

  “Yes, and Marla is a new nurse.” Will scowls as he takes a bite of cupcake, making Meg laugh harder. “And, boy, does she have a thing for our Will.”

  “Most women do,” Stacy responds, patting her own husband’s back. “It’s a Montgomery curse.”

  “Well, let’s just say that Marla isn’t coy about it.”

  “She’s fucking embarrassing,” Will agrees.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen Will embarrassed before,” Luke adds and sits behind his wife, then pulls her back against him and rests his hands on her belly. “This is fun.”

  “She hits on him in front of everyone,” Meg continues. “And if she wasn’t such a…hmm…” She scrunches up her nose trying to come up with the right word.

  “Persistent?” Jules offers.

  “Well, let me put it this way. I wouldn’t say she’s a slut, but her favorite shade of lipstick is penis.”

  “Oh my God!” Brynna cries, busting up laughing with the rest of us.

  These people are freaking hilarious!

  “What’s her number?” Mark asks with a wide, charming grin. “I’ll take her off your hands, man.”

  “Trust me”—Meg shakes her head while laughing—“she’s kind of psycho. Once she sinks her claws in, shaking her off is nearly impossible.”

  “Oh, yeah, you can keep her.” Mark laughs and sips on a beer. “I don’t want anyone permanent.”

  “You’re disgusting.” Sam scowls at her brother.

  “Just honest.”

  “So what are you going to do about her?” Caleb asks. His hand is planted on Brynna’s belly.

  I glance up at Matt to find him watching his brother with happy eyes.

  Could she be?

  “Ignore her,” Will mumbles. “And take security with me every time I go to the hospital.”

  “Are you okay?” Caleb asks Brynna.

  “I’m fine, sailor. Stop worrying.”

  “What’s going on with you two?” Dominic asks.

  “Yeah, you’ve been doting on her all day,” Natalie agrees. Luke leans in and whispers in Nat’s ear then nibbles on her neck, and her eyes go wide. “No way.”