Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
“That’s what I was calling to tell you, Mum.” Marianne gritted her teeth. If you’d ever give me a word in edgewise. “We’re coming to visit next week for Denny’s birthday.”
“Next week? You haven’t even checked if I’m available.”
“Are you?”
“Possibly, but that’s not the point. What if I’d been out of the country?”
Her mother liked to spend her money in fine restaurants and spas, but she rarely traveled far from her home county.
“Sorry, I should’ve given you more notice. I thought you’d want to see Denny. Can you believe he’ll be two?” She hoped the promise of reuniting her mum with her grandson would be enough to make the stay bearable. Her mum’s hostility was her own doing. She should’ve pulled herself together and gone to see her sooner. But she’d had such a busy summer.
“What I can’t believe is that you haven’t brought him to see me for over half the year. I’m missing my grandson growing up.”
“I’m really sorry. I was having a difficult time, and I had a lot of things to juggle.”
“Well, what’s done is done. I’ll have a room made up for you.”
“Thank you, but I’m traveling with someone. Would they be welcome to stay, too? If not, we can stay nearby.”
“They? Why are you being cryptic, Marianne? Don’t tell me you’ve finally found a good man?”
Marianne ground the heel of her hand into her forehead. Not this again .
“No, mum, not a man. But Joey’s not a woman, either. They’re non-binary. And they use they and them as their pronouns.”
“What on?—”
“Mum, you don’t need to understand. All I ask is that you respect them and use the right pronouns. If you don’t feel able to do that, I think it would be best if we stayed elsewhere.”
“So now you’re threatening me with not seeing my grandson.”
“I didn’t say that. I’m asking if my…friend can stay at your house, with a request that you behave nicely.” Why had she said friend? Joey was so much more than that, but it was difficult to find the right word. “I know I’ve hurt you staying away these last few months, but I don’t want to bring Joey into the middle of our conflict.”
Her mum’s exaggerated sigh crackled on the line. “We have a lot to talk about, but I would never refuse a guest hospitality. They are welcome to stay.”
“Thanks, Mum. I can’t wait to see you.”
Marianne hung up and wondered if dragging Joey into her mother’s lair was the best thing for anyone. She had three nights away, and both sides of Denny’s family to juggle, as well as reigniting some of her professional relationships. She needed it to work as well as it could, and Joey was the best person to have at her side. She hoped it would all work out.
When she was sure all the urgent jobs had been completed, Marianne left the kitchen staff to lock up and waited by the side door for Joey. It was only a short detour for Connor to drop her home, but when Joey had offered, she hadn’t been able to resist the opportunity to see them.
Lights appeared at the bottom of the lane, and she walked down the car park to meet them. She jumped into the cab and leaned over. Joey gave her a long, slow kiss that deepened until they turned in their seat to thread their fingers through her hair and pull her in even tighter. It was sexy as hell, but Marianne sensed something else—desperation?—in Joey’s manner. She pulled back, slightly breathless.
“Hey.” She ran a hand down Joey’s cheek. “You okay?”
They didn’t raise their eyes from her lips. “Yeah. Just happy to see you.”
“You’re coming home with me. No—” She cut off Joey’s retort as they pulled away from the car park. “Your family’s seen enough of you for now. You’ve given up your house for your brothers. You deserve a night away from that armchair.” She knew Joey’s back would be in knots after a few nights on the small couch at their dad’s house.
“And besides, I need you in my bed. It’s been too long.” She was surprised how much she’d missed Joey. They’d managed another night together before the O’Hara brothers’ arrival, but Denny had been restless and they’d just enjoyed sleeping in each other’s arms. But Marianne’s bed already felt cold, and far too big without Joey in it.
“Okay.” They glanced at her. “I’ve missed you so much, too.”
She had to be stronger when it came to Joey. Did she need to slowly wean herself off their warm, loving presence? She still hadn’t made any decisions about what to do when her contract ended in a few short weeks. Kasia had told her she was welcome to stay into the autumn, but the seasonal staff would begin to leave, visitor numbers would dwindle, and the kitchen work would become more and more mundane. She didn’t want to end up cooking breakfasts for hungover stag parties.
She hoped the trip to Dublin would clarify things for her. If she had more of an idea of her options, she could start to plan.
She looked over at Joey, whose gaze was fixed on the dark, winding lane ahead. For tonight she was going to get every bit of Joey she could, while she could.
They stopped next to the house, and Joey pulled out their phone. “I’ll let Donal know where I am, but I doubt Dad’ll notice. He’ll be in bed by now.”
Marianne jumped out, keen to get Aisling on her way so she could have Joey all to herself. Aisling met them at the door. “Everything’s fine and Denny’s asleep. My lift’s just on the way. See you tomorrow, Marianne. Oh, hi, Joey. Bye.” She trotted down the path into the darkness, but the trees were immediately floodlit by car headlights. A battered green car pulled up and Aisling jumped in.
“I bet Young Tony doesn’t know about that.” Joey watched the car drive away. “I can’t imagine Mikey Tyrrell would be his first choice of boyfriend for his daughter.”
Marianne took Joey’s hand and pulled them inside. She pushed them back against the closed door and kissed them. The kiss deepened again, until Joey pulled away. “Go and check on Denny. I’ll make tea.”
Denny half woke when she entered his room, and she kissed him and whispered comforting things until he dropped back into sleep. When she got downstairs, Joey was in the lounge, sipping from a steaming mug. She picked up her own cup and sat down close so their legs were touching.
“I’m looking forward to our road trip.”
“Are you? I can’t imagine things are going to be smooth with Amira. Will you have to face her mother, too?”
Joey was right. This wasn’t a pleasure trip. She had to remember this was for Denny, however unpleasant it may get. She leaned into the reassuring solidness of Joey’s chest, and they wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Probably.” She sighed. “I just want us to work out a way for Denny to grow up around both his parents. But I’m still so angry with Amira.”
“Perhaps letting that go would help you move on.”
Joey’s caress turned into a gentle massage of her shoulder, and she groaned and leaned in to increase the pressure.
“You’re so tense.” Joey repositioned on the couch until they had full access to Marianne’s shoulders. Their strong hands worked wonders, and soon she was feeling a lot more relaxed.
She turned her head. “Will you come to bed?”
Joey stood and swept her up. “I thought you’d never ask.”
She led the way to the bedroom, determined to put aside all her uncertainties and worries about the future. Tonight was about them.
She closed the door firmly behind her and turned to Joey. When they leaned in, she captured their lips with her own, savoring the taste and touch that was pure Joey. They pulled back and ran their fingers around the hem of the tank top she’d worn under her chef’s whites. She was suddenly aware she’d been working hard in a hot kitchen all evening.
She stepped back. “Maybe I should get a quick shower first.”
Joey pushed her back against the wall. “I can’t wait. I need you.” Their pupils were wide in the dim light from the lamp in the corner.
She relaxed and raised her arms so Joey could strip the tank top off in one movement. Then they stooped to kiss her neck and moved further down. She’d never found her breasts a particularly erogenous area before, but she couldn’t get enough of Joey’s attention to her nipples. She groaned and ran her hands down Joey’s shoulders, wishing she could get their shirt off from this angle.
“Joey, please. I want you naked.” There was no disguising the desire in her tone.
Joey stood up and she grabbed at their shirt. They grasped her wrists and stilled her hands. She looked up in surprise to see them grinning with an uncharacteristically naughty smile. They pushed her hands back either side of her against the wall. “I’ll get undressed if you stay there and watch.”
She nodded quickly. “Oh, yes.”
Joey started to unbutton their denim shirt slowly and Marianne’s fingers twitched with the need to take over. She pressed her hands against the embossed wallpaper behind her and gave Joey every inch of her attention. They finally undid the buttons and pulled the shirt free of their waistband.
She cleared her throat. “Take it off quicker. Please.”
Joey smiled, dropped the shirt over their shoulders, and shrugged it off.
Marianne groaned in appreciation, and frustration at not being allowed to touch Joey’s soft, smooth skin.
“Sshh.” They put a finger to her lips, reminding her Denny was in the next bedroom. She tried to catch the finger with her teeth, but Joey pulled back and smiled, their eyes dark with lust.
They unbuckled their belt and the buttons of their jeans and Marianne’s eyes dropped to where their smooth skin met the waistband of their boxers.
“Like what you see?” Their sexy grin made Marianne lick her lips in response. No one had ever made her wait like this, half naked and wanting. It was driving her crazy.
Joey kicked off their jeans and boxers quickly, as if they’d run out of patience with their own game. Before Marianne could drink in the sight of them naked, they had pulled her across the room until the back of her legs hit the bed.
“Thank you for your patience.” Joey’s lips crushed Marianne’s mouth, and she drank them in fervently, desperate for the renewed contact.
Joey pulled away. “Now, where were we?” They ducked back down to return attention to Marianne’s breast, and she gasped when their teeth returned with more pressure. She threaded her fingers through their hair and pushed downward ever so gently. She knew where she needed Joey.
Joey must have known, too, because they continued their kisses down to the waistband of the old running shorts she’d pulled on. She hadn’t exactly dressed to seduce, but Joey didn’t seem to care. The elastic stretched as Joey pulled them down over her ass cheeks until they dropped to the floor.
She shivered in anticipation.
Joey’s head popped up. “Are you cold?”
“Oh, God, please get on with it.”
Joey laughed and dropped to their knees as they pushed her back onto the bed. One strong hand grasped each thigh and they pushed her legs wide. She complied enthusiastically, desperate to feel Joey’s mouth on her.
When Joey’s tongue swept across her, she let out an involuntary groan. As the movement built up a rhythm, she groped around the bed for a pillow and pulled it over her face, smothering the noises she couldn’t hold back. Joey’s tongue was magical.
Safe in the knowledge the pillow would save her waking Denny, Marianne sank into the sensations and the emotion that filled her. In Joey’s hands she was safe and able to allow herself to surrender completely. When Joey’s fingers entered her as they sucked hard on her clit, she moaned into the pillow and her hips rose to meet the thrusts until she froze in ecstasy.
As she came down from her climax, Joey was still inside her. Catching her breath, she pushed the pillow away and ran her fingers through their hair, pulling slightly so they would join her on the bed. They pulled out slowly and kissed her over sensitized skin. She pulled more insistently, wanting Joey close as she basked in the last tendrils of her orgasm.
Joey climbed on the bed next to her, and she pulled them in, tasting herself on their lips and sucking on their tongue. As she deepened the kiss, she reached down and took a firm grasp of Joey’s ass to pulled them on top of her. When she slid a hand into their slick folds, Joey groaned into her mouth and shifted their weight onto their knees to give her more room to maneuver. Marianne loved their hunger for her. She moved up and down, teasing their clit, and then moved away when their movements got too frantic.
Joey gasped and pulled away from their kiss. “You’re killing me.” They sunk their head to her neck and groaned into her shoulder as she continued her attack, getting almost as much out of what she was doing as Joey clearly did.
“Do you want to come now?” she whispered into their ear.
“Oh, God, please.” Joey’s muffled voice was thick with need and the sound made Marianne wet all over again.
When she ran a fingertip over Joey’s clit, they froze and let out a long moan. The door handle rattled and Marianne froze.
Joey, in a feat of superhuman effort, went from mid orgasm to locate the duvet, and flipped it over them both just before Denny’s tousled little head appeared in the doorway.
“Hey, sweatpea, what’s up?” Marianne got up and grabbed Joey’s shirt from the floor. He’d come into the bedroom when Joey was there before, but never at such an exposed moment.
“Mama? Denny dreamed.” He wandered into the bedroom, rubbing his eyes.
She lifted him onto her hip, and he snuggled in. “You had a bad dream? Let’s go and get you some milk and settle you back into bed.”
She mouthed “sorry” to Joey, who lay with the covers pulled up to their neck, still flushed and breathing heavily.
She warmed some milk for Denny, and he drank it down and wrapped his arms around her neck. She tiptoed back to his room, but as they passed her own bedroom he wriggled and shouted for Joey. She was too tired for this. She stuck her head around her bedroom door.
“Sorry, he wants you.”
Joey looked a little more composed. They’d pulled on their boxers and one of Marianne’s larger T-shirts. They nodded enthusiastically and held out their arms to take Denny. He sank down between their legs and leaned into them.
Marianne watched him settle into Joey’s strong, soft chest, a reassuring arm wrapped around him, and she couldn’t blame him for choosing Joey over his own bed.
She leaned in. “Sorry about the abrupt change of mood,” she whispered, her lips close to Joey’s ear.
“It’s all good.” They turned and kissed her gently. Denny was already dozing, his breath coming in little purrs. Joey’s eyelids drooped, and Marianne watched as they closed, and Joey relaxed into sleep.
Marianne went to the bathroom and poured herself a glass of water.
Back in the bedroom, she stood at the foot of the bed and watched Denny wrapped in Joey’s arms. Denny was in a safe place; she trusted Joey beyond doubt. But was it a good idea for Denny to get so close to them? Whatever the future held, she couldn’t see a version of it where she and Joey were together forever, no matter how desirable that concept might be. Even if she convinced Joey to give up their island life, she couldn’t imagine them following her around wherever her career took her. If she ended up back in the city, which was highly likely, she couldn’t picture Joey wandering the city streets in their woolen knits and hi-viz waterproofs. Joey was a child of nature. She could never expect to cage them in an urban life. So what did that mean for their future?
She shook her head wearily and got back into bed, tucking herself into Joey’s side. Joey murmured and moved their arm around her, as if even in their sleep they knew where they belonged.
But where did Marianne belong? Was this perfect island life just her way of avoiding reality? She wanted this to work, for all of them. But how could she make it happen? She hoped she’d find a way forward on her trip to Dublin.