“Since you’re so hungry would you like to eat first? Then we can head to the Empire State Building.”
Adrian nodded. “Good idea. Let’s get a cab over and I’ll see if we can’t get a big table or one of their private rooms. Short notice I know, but it’s a weeknight.”
And he had the juice to make it happen. Damien bet tables opened up for Adrian on short notice all the time.
The doorman grabbed them two cabs and they headed over. Mary ended up between him and his brothers in their cab.
“So, Mary, we hear you’re amazing in the kitchen.” Paddy gave her a Hurley grin and she grinned back.
“I do okay in the kitchen, I’m told.” She paused and then snorted. “That’s bull crap. Yes, I am amazing in the kitchen.”
Paddy laughed and Damien squeezed the hand he was holding.
“I like to cook so I’m lucky I’m good at it and that I can make a living from it.”
Vaughan nodded. “I hear that.”
“What were you all up to today?”
“We went out to the Hamptons to look at a house for my parents. Running a ranch is a huge job and my dad loves it. But he and my mom need some time away from it. We can run it while he’s on vacation. But they’d never go if we didn’t do this.”
“Well, by ‘we can run it,’ what Damien really means is that Ezra, our oldest brother, can run it and tell us what to do and we’ll do it. We can shovel and lift things and put out fencing and that sort of thing. But Ez, well, he’s the brains at the ranch. He’ll take over from our dad when it’s time.”
“What do you all, um, produce? Ranch?”
“Pears, alfalfa and hay. The hay is new. My brother thought it would be good to diversify and when we bought some extra acreage five years ago, he started then.”
“I love pears. What kind?”
“Anjou.”
Her eyes lit and he really, really liked it. “I have a recipe for pear and gorgonzola soup that I make with red Anjous. So good.”
Their mother would adore her.
“Ah, here we are.”
He got out first, helping her from the back, sliding an arm around her shoulders as she leaned into him.
Paddy raised a brow at him but a hint of a smile lived on his mouth.
Cal’s gaze moved over them and Damien read the concern on her brother’s features. But his girlfriend tipped his chin in her direction and kissed him quickly.
They were met and led to a table in a lovely private room.
“Damn, remind me to travel with you more often.” Vaughan tipped his water glass in Adrian’s direction.
“I think Mary should order for us.” Jules looked over the menu in their direction.
“You do just fine without me, Juliet.” Mary blushed and he pulled one of her curls straight only to have it spring back into place quickly.
“You’re blushing, Curly.”
Paddy snorted. “Leave the woman be, Damien. Will you at least tell me what you think would be best right now? You can give me several recommendations maybe?”
“If we all get different things we can share. That’s always my favorite way to do this. Though I don’t usually share dessert. Just so you know in advance. I cannot be relied upon to share sweet things. Ask Jules.”
“That’s a good idea. How about we do a selection of the first and second courses? Does that work?”
They ordered, and wine was brought out along with something nonalcoholic for Miles.
Damien couldn’t seem to stop touching her. Which interested him. Damien wasn’t one for PDA like that. But she smelled really damned good. Her voice seemed to burrow under his skin. It made him truly happy to be there with her.
The chef came out with the first course and Mary’s gaze lit up.
She chatted with him, asking about this and that. For his part, the chef seemed to be excited right back to be talking with someone who knew her stuff and clearly loved the food.
* * *
Mary paused as they all filed outside to head to the Empire State Building.
“So, Gillian.” She put her arm through Gillian’s and her head on Gillian’s’ shoulder. They were alone, the others clustered a few feet away.
“Whatever you need, darlin’, it’s all yours.” Gillian smiled.
“I did notice you didn’t have a glass of wine. Any reason you’re not drinking alcohol?”
Gillian blushed wildly and Mary grinned so hard her face hurt. “Really?” She did a little dance but then everyone looked and she stopped.
“That made me feel so much better.” Gillian hugged her. “I feel old and sort of sick all the time and it’s new so I’m worried and Adrian follows me around offering me things. Miles is over the moon. I’m excited and worried all at once. It’s not like I’m new to the mum business.”
“What are you two on about?” Cal called out.
Jules and Daisy trailed back, bending their heads and giggling.
“I’ve only just told Jules a few hours ago, before you left Seattle. I was going to tell everyone but Jules bet me you’d notice before I told anyone.”
Jules grinned. “Thank God. I was dying. I wanted to announce it over the intercom.”
“We’re not telling anyone for a few more months. It’s early days. I only told you because you’re my family and you’d notice anyway.”
If the news got hold of this they’d splash it all over the place. And Mary knew she and the rest of Delicious would pull together to protect their friend as long as they could.
“Of course. Your secret is safe with us.”
“We’re coming!” Jules waved at Cal. “Lady stuff.”
The men had all stood there on the sidewalk, just staring at the women as they giggled and hugged. Most of them were befuddled and affectionate. Paddy and Vaughan shook their heads.
Miles appeared confused and a little embarrassed. “They always do that sort of stuff, then? Even when they’re old?”
Adrian laughed, putting an arm around his son’s shoulders. “Don’t let them hear you say that. They’re nowhere near old. But yes, they do. Wait till Elise gets in and she and Erin are part of the group.”
“Aunt Erin doesn’t really count. She’s sort of . . . well, a thing unto herself.”
Adrian snorted. “That, kid, is what you call an understatement. Your aunt Erin defies definition.”
“It’s cool. I want to be like that.”
Damien saw Adrian’s face soften, washed by pride and love.
“You already are, Miles. There’s no one else on Earth like you.”
“Let’s go to the Empire State Building.” Mary joined them, taking the hand Damien held out.
“Clear night. We’ll see everything from up there.”
He headed right when everyone else headed left once they got out onto the observation deck. In the dark, with the world lit up and spread out in all directions he spun her and pulled her tight to his body.
“Alone at last. For two minutes anyway.” He bent his knees to kiss her and she tiptoed up to meet him halfway. Need, which had been simmering all day long, exploded through him, pushing at his control.
Her taste settled in and he savored it. Savored the soft, lush lips, the feel of her curves against his body.
She hummed as he ended the kiss, licking her lips.
“I’m coming to your room tonight.”
“Bring clothes so you won’t have to do the walk of shame tomorrow.”
He laughed, turning her to walk so they could catch up to everyone. “Thanks for protecting my honor.”
“Least I can do. Because I plan to ride you like a pony when we get alone. I hope you took your vitamins.” She murmured this last as she waved at everyone.
That Curly was trouble. He grinned. The best kind.
6
There were photographers on the sidewalk outside the hotel. Adrian cursed and looked to Gillian. “English, you’re going to have to run the gauntlet. I’m sorry.”
She sighed.
“Comes with the territory now.”
Mary watched, worried, though sure he’d protect her. Damien had ended up in the other cab with his brothers and they’d been a light ahead so they’d most likely gone through the mess already.
Admittedly she was glad. The last thing she wanted was to be photographed with him going into a hotel.
Levi and Daisy got out first and he glared at them, holding Daisy to his side. Mary took Miles and dared anyone to do anything. They pushed, taking pictures, but she held her bag in front of his face so they couldn’t get any good shots.
But it was nothing compared to the furor when Adrian got out with Gillian.
They shouted his name, shouted questions at them. Shouted Gillian’s name. The doorman held the door open for them and hotel security made sure no one got in, though the flashes kept on even after they got inside.
“You okay?” she asked Miles.
“Mum’s going to be upset. I hate that.”
Mary kissed his cheek. “You’re such a sweet boy. Your dad made sure no one got near her. She knows his life comes with this. She chose it to be with him. It’s okay.”
They headed to the elevators and Mary overheard Adrian speaking with Gillian about bodyguards. “English, you know I have to. Erin is arriving soon with the guys and Alexander. That scene out there . . . well, she won’t handle it well. And I don’t want you to get hurt or jostled.”
The baby. Mary knew he was thinking of Gillian’s pregnancy. Knew he was worried about her emotional and physical state. Erin, his sister and the bass player in his band for these shows, had been involved in a horrific stalking and kidnapping years before that had ended with her daughter murdered and her life shattered. Crowds and paparazzi were one of the reasons she didn’t tour with him and had semiretired from music. She still wrote with him and did his studio work, but aside from special shows like this short tour she didn’t go on the road.
“I know. Stop worrying. I’ll get used to bodyguards someday, I suppose.”
He kissed the top of her head and looked to Miles. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I don’t like seeing Mum upset though.”
“Me either. We’ll make it better for her. Maybe with ice cream.”
Gillian snorted but smiled. “Oh, my men.”
“This is my floor. I’ll see you in the morning. Call me when you wake up.”
She hugged Adrian quickly and Gillian, kissing her cheeks. “Love you.”
“Love you too. I’m so glad you’re here, Mary. Makes everything better.”
Mary whispered in Gillian’s ear. “You’re having a baby.”
Gillian squeezed her tight. “I’m so glad I could share that with you. See you in the morning.”
She headed to her room. She figured Damien would call her or show up at some point. He knew the number.
* * *
It was Daisy waiting at her door though, with Levi. “Are you all right?”
“Um? What do you mean?” She slid the card into the slot and invited them inside.
“The crazy media outside. You were with Adrian and Damien too right?”
“Ah. Not with Damien. They got into a different cab. But with Adrian, Gillian and Miles, yes. She wasn’t pleased. But she’s all right. This is her life.”
“Could be yours too.”
Daisy was her friend and so she understood the concern. But she didn’t want to discuss this yet again and she sure didn’t want to discuss this in front of Levi.
“Thanks for coming by.” She went to the door. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
“Oh. You’re mad.” Daisy looked back over her shoulder to Levi. “This rarely happens.”
“I really can’t tell the difference. She’s still smiling.”
“She’s right here.”
Daisy paused to hug her. “I’m sorry. I worry.”
“I left you alone. For the most part. When this one was making you crazy.” She gave the eye to Levi, who had the good sense to cringe a little. “I already said all I want to say this trip about Damien.”
Daisy grinned. “All right. Fair enough.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too. I was just worried.”
“I know. Don’t give me puppy eyes, they don’t work on me.”
Daisy laughed as they left the room. “Yes, they do, you big softie.”
She managed to get back inside and lock up before her phone started buzzing again.
“You amenable to a visit?”
She grinned. “Is this how you open all your phone calls?”
“Only to hot brunettes with curls for miles and a mouth made for sin.”
“You’re so good at this.”
“Does that mean I’m invited?”
“Are you a vampire then? I need to invite you in?”
There was a tap at her door and she looked through the peephole to find him standing out there in a hoodie with a baseball cap on.
She opened up. “You look like the Unabomber.”
“Paps out front.” He shut the door after putting out the DO NOT DISTURB sign. “Don’t want that headline tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I saw. I don’t know how you deal with it, to be honest.”
He tossed the hoodie and cap aside before drawing the drapes. “You deal with it.” He shrugged. “It’s part of the gig. I don’t like it, but over time you adjust your life around it. Learn ways to cope. Let’s speak of it no more because I’m here to fuck you.”
“Well, I certainly approve of that topic change.”
“I’m a little dirty.” He waggled his brows.
“You’re a lot dirty. It’s one of your best qualities.”
He laughed, prowling her way, pulling his T-shirt off as he did. “That was my not-very-subtle way to suggest a shower. I like you wet.”
“You don’t need a shower for that.”
Damn, she made him laugh.
“However.” She turned and walked toward the bathroom, tossing her shirt and bra in a nearby chair. “I think shower sex is pretty nice, so I won’t argue.”
He loved to look at her naked body. He hadn’t realized it so much while he had it to look on three weeks ago after Adrian and Gillian’s wedding. But in the time since he’d thought about it a lot.
She stepped into the huge shower enclosure and he followed, tossing his clothes to the side when he did.
“I wish my shower was this big,” she murmured as she stepped under one of the many showerheads.
“Mine is. You can come use it after the tour ends.” Even if he didn’t have a huge bathroom at his home, that she wanted one would have him making calls back home to have one put in.
She smiled, her eyes closed, head tipped back. Water rushed over her curves as her nipples tightened, darkening.
“You have freckles.” He stepped to her, banding an arm around her waist to haul her closer. He kissed her shoulder, over the freckles he’d just noticed.
“I do. I used to worry about it. Of course Cal has nothing like a single freckle. So much pretty on a man seems unfair.”
“Oh, Curly, your freckles make my mouth water.”
“Mmm. Thank you.” She reached around his body, grabbing two handfuls of his ass, and pulled him even closer.
“I’ve thought of pretty much nothing but seeing you naked for the last three weeks. Now that you’re here, naked and slippery, I’m so stunned I’m not sure where to start.”
Her eyes opened as a smile curved her lips. “I’m sure I have a few suggestions if you’re really at a loss.” She let go and squeezed some soap into her palm and the scent of oranges hit his nose.
“That’s what I’ve been smelling!” He copied her, sliding his palms over her breasts and down her belly as she found his cock, wrapping her fist around it, sliding up and down until he made a sound he hadn’t intended to make.
“There’s a bench in here. Handy. I think you should fuck me.”
“I plan to. But I want to taste you first. Make you com
e a few times. Then.”
She frowned a moment and he laughed.
“Turn around. Hands on the tile. Stick your ass out.”
She did and he looked his fill at the bounty of her back and that ass of hers. Mmm.
He slid soap-slick hands all over her until she’d relaxed. She was greedy. Wanted it all and right then. But he liked long, slow fucks. So he’d tire her a little with some orgasms and then they’d get to the fucking portion of the program.
Her breasts fit in his palms perfectly and she arched into him when he rolled and tugged her nipples.
“Sensitive nipples.” He kissed her shoulder, sliding his teeth over that sensitive skin until gooseflesh broke over her. He wanted to learn her. Their coupling back in Washington had been fast and furious. Intense. Now he had the time and he planned to take it. Every last moment he could.
He sent his free hand down her belly, between her legs. All while he crowded her from behind. It was enough to slide his cock against the lush flesh of her ass, slick from soap as he found her clit hard and ready.
He teased her until she thought she would lose her damned mind. Slowly ramping her up and then backing off a few beats. And then starting over. She lost track of time as the water beat at them, as he slowly stroked her clit, brushing his cock against her butt. One hand still pinching her nipple.
He was so very good at this.
And finally, he pinched her clit between his thumb and middle finger and there was no holding back. She leapt into climax as it swallowed her up, holding her under. She hadn’t even noticed that he’d rinsed her off and turned her.
“Now then. I need you in that bed in there so I can eat your cunt.”
Whoo.
Funny how easy she went from discomfort at the word to the sound of it from his mouth sending a wildfire of heat through her system. Like Pavlov’s dog. Only for sex.
She dried off, tossing the towel over the rack, and headed to the bedroom. She’d been sort of shocked at the size of the bed. It dominated the room, which wasn’t overly large. But it worked, gave the bedroom a very cozy feel.
The bedding was soft and very fluffy, which was good because he bent to pick her up and toss her on it.
“You like to do that.”