Chapter 23
M cKenzie loved kissing him. She loved the way his beard rubbed against her face and how he held her so close. She loved the tenderness, the barely contained desire and the sense of wonder that came over her every single time her lips connected with his. In her former life, she would’ve looked right past the long-haired, bearded man wearing a leather vest that put full-sleeve tattoos on display.
A lot of women went wild for ink on a man. She’d never been one of them, until now. Until him.
Until Duke.
“What’s your real name?” she asked between tongue-twisting kisses.
“Duke.”
“No way.”
“Way.”
“That’s not a nickname?”
“Nope.”
“Who named you that?”
“No idea.”
“You’ve never asked your mother where the name came from?”
“Nope. More kissing, less questions.”
“Not until I finish asking my questions.”
He groaned and dropped his forehead to her shoulder. “What else you want to know?”
“Why haven’t you asked her that?”
“I’ve seen her five times in my whole life. It’s never come up.”
“Duke…”
“Don’t do that pity thing. I’m totally fine with it. She is who she is, and I’m not trying to make her into the mother of my dreams. Already had that with Rosemary.”
“Oh, I love that.”
“Don’t do that eye thing again. Once in a day is all I can take.”
“What eye thing?”
“When you use them as the most powerful weapon in your considerable arsenal.”
“I do that?”
“Yeah, you do, and it works, so cut it out.”
“What does it do to you?”
“I’m not telling you out of self-preservation.”
“Come on! I want to know.”
“No.”
“I could get it out of you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Now you’re just getting full of yourself.”
“I’d rather be full of something else.”
“McKenzie…”
“Yes, Duke?”
“I feel like this is getting way out of control before we’re ready for that.”
“You’re not ready for it?”
“I want to be, but…”
“But what?”
“You’re a lot younger than me.”
“I know.”
“You’re a single mom.”
“I also know that.”
“You’re Rosemary’s granddaughter, and she meant the world to me.”
“She did to me, too. Isn’t that a nice thing to have in common?”
“It is, but…”
“Duke?”
“What?”
“Do you want to have sex with me?”
“Holy hell, woman.”
“Well, do you?”
He pressed his hard cock against her and nearly whimpered from the jolt of pleasure. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Yeah, it is, so why are you trying to come up with a million reasons why we shouldn’t?”
“I don’t want to mess this up.”
“You couldn’t.”
He laughed—hard. “Sweetheart, there are a million bazillion ways I could mess this up.”
“You won’t.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“It’s the weirdest thing…”
“What is?”
“That I feel like I know you better than I’ve ever known anyone, even though we haven’t known each other that long.”
“How is that even possible?”
“It’s all the little things… How you went to the police station to ask about us after the storm. You brought as much of our stuff as you could rescue from the cabin, and then you went back and got Mr. Bear and cleaned him up for Jax. It was how you drove us around and showed Jax the flowers in your garden, and don’t get me started on the cross-stitching.” She fanned her face. “Sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“You gotta be freaking kidding me,” he said, even though he was deeply moved by her recitation of the facts of their story thus far.
“I’m so not kidding. I’ve never been more surprised by anything.”
“Not even Eric’s wife and family?”
“That’s got nothing on you cross-stitching.”
“Something is wrong with you.”
She tossed her head back and laughed as hard as he’d seen her laugh yet.
He took full advantage of the opportunity to nibble on her glorious neck.
She gasped and shuddered, and he was fucking done.
Done.
How had he lived for thirty-six years without craving someone like this?
It was hard to hear any other thought in his head around the drumbeat of desire, but one kept creeping through:
Too much. Too soon.
Too much. Too soon.
He wanted to ignore it, but he’d learned to trust his instincts in all things. That’s what’d allowed him to have a successful life without much help or guidance. With something this important, he couldn’t ignore the voice that had never steered him wrong.
“MK,” he whispered against her lips.
“Hmm?”
“I want what you want.”
“I like when that happens.”
“Me, too. It’s just that… I want to do this right, and knocking one out on the sofa while your baby sleeps in the next room isn’t right.”
“It could be.”
He shook his head. “I want you to take a beat and think this through. We both know everything changes after that happens, and I like this a lot the way it is now. I don’t want it to become something different.”
“It’ll become something better.”
“You’re very certain of that.”
“I am, but I want you to be, too.”
“I’m very certain that you’ve turned my whole life upside down in the best way possible.” He kissed her because he couldn’t resist her plump, swollen lips. “I’m very certain that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
When she would’ve protested that, he kissed her again. “I get to say who that is for me, and it’s you. Three hundred thousand percent you.”
Her little whimper nearly broke the fragile hold he had on his control.
“But I want you to consider the other stuff I said. I want you to be totally sure.”
“I am.”
“McKenzie…”
“Duke.” She leaned in and took his earlobe between her teeth and nearly made him come in his pants when she bit down on it. “Maybe I’m a bit younger than you, but I’m a fully grown woman who knows the difference between a guy who’d make for a fun one-night stand and one who could go the distance. I’d never have let you anywhere near my son if I wasn’t one hundred percent sure you’re in the latter category.”
“I never should’ve let you catch me cross-stitching.”
Her husky laughter was the best thing he’d ever heard. “That was an error of epic proportions.”
“I’m beginning to see that.”
“I want to be with you. I want to end the best day I’ve ever had with you.”
What in the world could he say to that? “Can we bring Jax over to my place?”
“Uh-huh.”
“He won’t wake up?”
“If he does, he’ll go right back to sleep.”
“Okay, then…”
“Should I get him?”
Duke felt good about having tried to do the right thing, but the time for talking was over. “Yeah, I think you should.”
Jack Downing found Billy Weyland floating in about six feet of water in the southern corner of the Great Salt Pond.
“Son of a bitch,” he whispered upon realizing what he was looking at. He’d met Billy a few times at the gym and had liked talking to him while he worked out.
He reached for the handheld radio to call in the grim discovery. “Downing to base. Come in.”
“This is base. Go.”
“I’ve found Weyland in the southeast corner of the pond.”
After a long pause, the dispatcher said, “We’re sending additional resources. Please stand by.”
“Copy.”
While he waited, Jack never took his eyes off the body. Other people would be in charge of retrieval, thank goodness. After his brother was notified, word would ricochet through the island community that the second missing man had been found dead. He hurt for Morgan, who’d held out hope even in the face of grim odds.
Billy and Jim had taken a foolish risk and had paid for it with their lives.
In a contest of man versus Mother Nature, she almost always won. After growing up on an island, Billy and Jim should’ve known that.
Blaine and Deacon Taylor were in the first boat to pull up next to Jack’s.
He pointed.
“Damn it,” Blaine said. “I was so hoping.”
“I know,” Jack said. “Me, too, but at least Morgan and Billy’s friends will get closure.” He surprised himself with the statement as he rarely used that word and seriously doubted such a thing even existed. He knew all too well how elusive a concept closure was after having lost his wife to breast cancer when she was only thirty-five.
The fire department boat joined them next and took command of the scene.
Blaine transferred to Jack’s boat since Deacon would be assisting in the recovery. “Give me a lift back to the dock?”
“Sure.”
Jack turned the boat toward McCarthys’, thankful to be leaving the scene before he had to see more of Billy.
“Are you all right?” Blaine asked.
“Yeah, I’m glad we found him even if it wasn’t the outcome we wanted.”
“Agreed.”
“How’s Deacon doing after finding Sturgil?”
“He seems okay.”
“Keep an eye on him. After his own ordeal, that’ll hit close to home.”
“I hear you, and I agree.”
“I’ve been thinking nonstop about Tiffany and sweet Ashleigh.”
“Thank you for that,” Blaine said. “They appreciate the outpouring of love and support.”
“They deserve it.”
“For sure.”
“How’re you dealing with it?”
Blaine looked over at him. “Me? Doesn’t involve me, except for supporting them, of course.”
“It involves you.”
“How do you figure?”
“You just became that little girl’s only father.”
“Yes, I guess I did.”
“That’s kind of a big deal, no?”
“It only makes official how I already felt about her. I’ve always loved her like she was mine. How can you not?”
“Right? She’s adorable and sweet. I love the way she takes care of Addie.” Jack had spent a memorable evening with the Taylors recently and had fallen in love with Blaine’s little girls.
“She’s her second mommy. Cutest thing ever.”
“She’s a doll.”
“I hated that son of a bitch Sturgil and what he put them through,” Blaine said fiercely. “I fucking hated his guts.”
“That’s understandable.”
“So why do I feel so bad that he ended up dead in the pond?”
“Because you’re a decent kind of guy who wouldn’t want that for anyone, even someone you hated.”
“My mom used to tell us not to hate anyone, and I swear to God, I’ve tried not to. But that guy…”
“Yeah, I think your mom would give you a pass after some of the shit he pulled.”
“She knew all about it and probably has her own opinions. Then again, she thought I should steer clear of Tiffany when we were first together.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. You weren’t around when Tiff first opened her store and was advertising her wares outside on the sidewalk, causing at least one accident a day.”
“Come on,” Jack said, laughing. “She did not.”
“She absolutely did!”
“That must’ve been quite something.”
“Stop imagining it, or I’ll punch your lights out.”
Jack howled with laughter. He laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes that made it difficult to drive the boat.
Blaine glowered at him.
Gasping for breath, Jack waved a hand in front of his face. “The best part is imagining you dealing with her when she was causing accidents in front of the store.”
“We put on quite a shit show.”
“Oh my God, this is the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.”
“Stop trying to picture it. That’s my fucking wife!”
Jack started laughing again and couldn’t stop. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d laughed like that. It’d been a long time. Since before Ruby died. “Feels wrong to be laughing my ass off shortly after finding Billy’s body.”
“It’s okay. We’re not being disrespectful. If we don’t laugh, we might never stop crying with some of the stuff we see on the job.”
“That’s true.” Jack brought the boat in for a smooth landing at a floating dock next to McCarthys’ Marina. While Blaine secured the bow line, Jack took care of the stern. They went up the ramp to the main pier, where Mr. McCarthy was holding court with the usual cast of characters.
“How’s it goin’ out there?” Ned Saunders asked.
“We found Billy,” Blaine said. “Heading into town now to find his brother to let him know, so keep it between us for now.”
“Will do,” Big Mac said. “Sorry to hear, but glad he’s been found.”
“Yeah, same.”
“How’s Tiffany and Ashleigh?” Frank McCarthy asked. “Been thinking about them.”
“They’re hanging in there. Tough thing to explain to a six-year-old.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Dr. Kevin McCarthy said. “If they need to talk it out, you know where to find me.”
Big Mac and his brothers, including their honorary brother Ned, were some of the finest men Blaine had ever known. “We do. Tiff and I were thinking about making an appointment with you for Ashleigh.”
“Can’t hurt,” Kevin said. “I’d be happy to help in any way that I can.”
“Thanks, Doc. Well, we’d better go get this done.”
“Don’t envy you that,” Big Mac said.
“Part of the job,” Blaine replied. “We’ll see you later.”
“Thanks fer what ya do, guys,” Ned said. “It’s appreciated.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Jack said. “Thanks.”
They walked to Blaine’s SUV and drove into town to find Billy’s brother, Morgan.
“I guess we should start at the gym,” Blaine said. “From what I’ve heard, he’s been hanging there and taking care of things in Billy’s absence.”
“Yeah, I heard that, too. Billy’s pals have been rallying around him.”
“Linc Mercer told me Billy and Morgan lost their parents and sister in quick succession a few years back. Was just the two of them left.”
“Ah, crap. I hate to hear that.”
“I know. I can’t imagine being the last one left in my original family.”
“Me either.”
“The close call with Deacon, and now this thing with Jim, has me feeling extra thankful lately.”
“I’m sure. Deacon got so freaking lucky.”
“I know. Far too close for comfort. I wake up in a cold sweat thinking about what would’ve happened if Joe and Seamus hadn’t taken the ferries out to sea to ride out the storm.”
“Thank God they did,” Jack said.
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“How does Deacon seem after nearly being lost at sea?”
“Fine, which is a bit worrisome. I mean, how can he just pick right up and go back to work like it never happened?”
“Maybe the return to normalcy is what he needs more than anything.”
“Yeah, I guess. And then he had to be the one to find Jim. It’s been a lot for him.”
“I’m sure his big brother is keeping a watchful eye on him.”
“You know it.”
Blaine pulled into the parking lot at the gym, across the parking lot from the ferry landing, about a block from the tattoo and massage studios. “Let’s get this over with.”
Jack followed Blaine inside, where the blast of rock music and metal connecting with metal greeted them.
Morgan Weyland, who was about thirty-five, with dark hair tinged with gray on the edges, was folding towels behind the registration desk. His expression went blank when he saw them coming. “You found him.”
“We did,” Blaine said. “Please accept our condolences on the loss of your brother.”
Morgan’s dark eyes were rimmed with red from a week of sleepless nights and unbearable stress. “Goddamn it, Billy.”
“We’re so sorry,” Jack said.
“Thanks for all you guys and the others did to find him. That stupid son of a bitch.” Morgan’s eyes filled with tears. “How could he go and leave me here all alone?”
“Is there anyone we could call to come over and be with you?” Blaine asked.
Morgan shook his head. “It’s just me—and him. Or it was.”
“How about a friend?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, I’ll reach out. Thanks for letting me know. Where are they taking him?”
“The coroner will be over from Providence,” Blaine said. “They’ll perform an autopsy and then release him to the funeral home of your choice on the mainland. We can give you some suggestions.”
“Sure, that’d help. Thanks.”
“When they’re done, they can send him back over on the ferry if you want to bury him here on the island.”
“There’s nowhere else he’d rather be.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Blaine said.
Jack handed Morgan his card. “Call if there’s anything at all I can do for you.”
Morgan shook hands with both of them. “Thanks again, you guys, and to everyone who was part of the search. Please tell them…” His voice broke. “Tell them I appreciate it.”
“We will.”
As they left the gym, Jack said, “I feel bad leaving him.”
“I do, too, but we’ve done what we can for him.”
“I wonder if he’ll stick around and take over the gym?”
“I guess we’ll see.”