Love After Dark (39 page)

“Mac!”

He swerved the truck back into the lane and didn’t say anything more as they drove the rest of the way home. When he took a fast right turn onto Sweet Meadow Farm Road, Maddie began to worry that he might be serious about that spanking. And why did her entire body go hot at the thought of it?

“I can’t believe you let me think there were going to be strippers there when all along it was nothing but a prank.”

“It was a good prank. You have to admit it.”

“I’ll admit no such thing. That’ll just encourage you.”

“Why are you really mad? Because I pulled one over on you, or because you think I’m interested in male strippers?”

Her adorable husband, who had an answer for everything, had nothing to say to that.
 

“Ah-ha! You don’t even know why you’re mad. And PS, you cost us two hundred bucks for being the first alpha beast to roar through the door tonight.”

“Let’s talk about you gambling on top of all your other sins. Here I thought I’d married such a nice girl, and it turns out she’s a mean, prank-perpetrating gambler who drinks, too.”

Maddie hiccupped loudly, which sent her into fits of laughter. “Those cosmos were
gooooood
.”

“I couldn’t even have fun with my friends tonight because I was so worried about strange men touching my wife. I hope you’re happy.”

She began to giggle again and couldn’t stop.

“You’re getting so spanked, it’s not even funny.”

“Oh please. You wouldn’t dare.”

“You don’t think so?”
 

He brought the truck to a skidding stop and was out the driver’s-side door before she could begin to process what he’d said. The passenger door flew open, and he reached for her, unbuckling her seat belt and hauling her over his shoulder.
 

“Mac! Stop it! You’re going to make me puke!”

His hand came down on her ass with a sharp crack, sending heat scorching through her that gathered in a tight knot between her legs.
Whoa
…
 

“You did not just do that.”

He did it again, and she had the same reaction.
Wow, this is going to be hot
. But of course she couldn’t actually let him know she
liked
it when he went alpha on her. He’d be even more unlivable than he already was. He climbed the stairs to the deck, where he unlocked the door, walked inside, locked up and went straight upstairs to their room. The kids were spending the night with her mother and Ned, so they had the house all to themselves. Normally, that was something she looked forward to.

“Mac…” She landed on the bed with a bounce.
 

Easing her skirt up to her waist, he flipped her over and pushed a couple of pillows under her hips. He dragged her panties down to just under her cheeks and laid his hands on her bottom. “Say no.”

“What?”

“If you don’t want this, say no. Tell me not to, and I won’t.”

“I’m not saying no.” She was too hot and bothered—and curious—to say anything other than yes.

His hand came down on her ass, making a loud cracking sound that echoed through the room. Then he rubbed the spot, sending heat from her bottom straight to her clit. Holy moly. He did it again and again and again, striking a different place each time, until she was on the verge of begging him to make her come.
 

“Tell me why you’re getting a spanking,” he said, his voice thick with desire.

“I was very naughty and lied to you about the strippers.”

“That’s right.” Another spank.

Maddie’s back bowed as she thrust her ass upward, hoping he’d take the hint and move things along. But he was in no rush.

His hand came down again, and the heat was nearly unbearable. “Don’t forget how you also laughed at me.”

“That, too.”

“Are you sorry?”

“So,
so
sorry.”

“You are not.”

She began to laugh again, even though she burned for him. When she heard his zipper, she knew relief was on the way. She grasped handfuls of the comforter while she waited in breathless anticipation to see what he would do next.
 

He ran his finger from her backbone down to the crevice between her cheeks, stopping only when he encountered the evidence of her arousal. “Fuck,” he growled. “Someone likes being spanked.”

“Mmmm, I’ll have to be bad more often.”

“Don’t you dare,” he said as he pushed into her from behind, his fingers digging into her hips as he went at her hard and fast and so deep.
 

Maddie was already about to explode when he reached around to caress her clit, sending her screaming into an orgasm for the ages.

“Holy shit,” he muttered, driving into her again before he let himself join her. “Just when I think it can’t get any hotter…”

“It does. It’s crazy. You’re crazy.”

“You make me that way.”

“I can’t believe you spanked me.”

“I can’t believe you liked it so much.”

She grasped his hand, which was flat against her belly. “Only because it was you, and I knew you’d never really hurt me, even if it was the biggest fight ever.”

“I wasn’t really mad at you, Maddie. If I had been, I never would’ve touched you.”

“I know,” she said with a happy sigh. In her wildest dreams, she’d never imagined a love like this would happen to her. “I trust you more than anyone in this entire world.”

“And I trust you, which is why I knew you’d never let strange men touch what’s mine.”

“No, I wouldn’t, but it was fun to torture you a little.”

“It was a good prank,” he said begrudgingly.

Maddie laughed. “Best prank ever.”

“You know what this means, though, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Revenge, my sweet, is a dish best served cold.” He nibbled on her shoulder and made her squirm.

“Will I get to spank you when you prank me?”

“We’ll have to see about that.”

“Ha! I knew it. Double-standard McCarthy strikes again.”

Pushing his hips into her, he reminded her he was still embedded deep inside her, as if she needed the reminder. “You liked it.”

“I loved it.”

After a long, quiet moment, he said, “I’ve been thinking…”

“About?”

“The custody situation.”

She nudged him. “Let me up so I can see you if we’re going to talk serious stuff.”

He withdrew from her, removed the pillows and helped her turn over.
 

Stretched out next to him on top of the bed, she slid her leg between his and put her arm around him. “What’re you thinking?”

“They should go to Tiffany. Other than you and me and the grandparents, they spend the most time with her, and they’re most comfortable with her.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “As long as we stipulate that my family gets full access, I’d be okay with them going to Tiffany and Blaine.”

“They would be my first choice, too. Thank you for understanding.”

“This isn’t about me getting my way or picking my family over yours. It’s about doing what’s best for Thomas and Hailey. And this is what’s best if the worst thing should happen.”

“I hate to say this in light of very recent events, but I think you might be growing up, Mac.”

“Shut up,” he said, laughing. “That’ll never happen.”

She pushed herself up on an elbow and leaned in to kiss him. “Are we still in the biggest fight ever?”

“
Ever
. It’s so big, it’s epic.” He shook his head. “Male strippers… And from what I hear, it was
your
idea to wind us up like puppets all week.”

Maddie caressed his face, loving the scrape of his whiskers under her palm. “You’re so easily wounded.”

“The thought of you so much as looking at another guy makes me insane. I’m almost ashamed to admit how jealous I was.”

“From the day you pushed me off my bike, I haven’t so much as looked at anyone else. How could I when all I see is you?”

“Awww, that’s very sweet.” He cupped her tingling ass and pulled her over until she was on top of him. “But you’re still in big trouble.”

“Good,” she said, smiling down at him. “I love your kind of trouble.”

“And I love you, even when you’re mean to me.”

She was still laughing when he kissed her.
 

Chapter 25

As one of Jenny’s bridesmaids, Erin insisted on helping Sydney clean up after the party.
 

“Luke will give you a ride home,” Sydney said when they were finished.

“No need. I already called a cab.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Luke said. “I would’ve taken you.”

“None of us should be driving tonight, so stay here with your lovely pregnant wife and enjoy the rest of your evening. It was a great party, Syd. Jenny loved it.”

Sydney hugged her. “Thanks again for all your help.”

A toot sounded outside as Erin gathered up her sweater, purse and the platter she’d brought. “My pleasure. I’ll see you at the wedding, if not before.”

“See you then.”

Erin gave Sydney’s dog, Buddy, a pat on the head as she went out the door to the waiting cab in the driveway. She smiled when she realized it was Ned Saunders, whom she’d met several times at gatherings with the McCarthy family.

“Hi, Ned,” she said as she got into the backseat of the old woody station wagon. “You’re working late tonight.”

“Wanted to make sure everyone got home from the parties okay,” he said. “Heard you gals pulled one over on the fellas.”

“It was pretty funny. They were a hot mess.”

Ned chuckled. “I can only imagine. Heard Mac was the worst.”

“He was the first one through the door, so Maddie had to pay two hundred bucks to the pot.”

“What pot?”

“Um, we might’ve bet on what time they’d crash.”

Ned’s laughter echoed through the small space. “That’s downright mean a y’all.”

“I know,” Erin said with a sigh. “But it was so damned funny.”

“Bet it was. Been thinkin’ bout’cha last coupla days.”

“You have? Why?”

“Happened to hear a little rumor ’bout a weddin’ the other day. Thought it might be hittin’ ya kinda hard, in light of everythin’.”

“It’s very kind of you to think of me,” Erin said softly, touched by his thoughtfulness.
 

“Tough thing you and Jenny went through. Can’t even imagine. Our Adam was in the city that day. Longest day a my life. Probably gonna be a tough week till the weddin’. Maybe a case of the blues after, but yer gonna be okay.”

“That’s good to know.” She closed her eyes against the burn of tears. She’d about had it with the tears at this point.

“This island is known for its healin’ powers.” Ned smiled at her in the mirror. “Worked its wonders on Jenny. Bet it will fer you, too.”

“It’s already been very good for me. The people here are just the best people I’ve ever met. Yourself included.”

“Aww, thanks, honey. Nice a ya ta say so.” He pulled into the long driveway that led to the lighthouse.
 

Erin had left the gate unlocked so she could get back in, and he wouldn’t let her get it for him. So she stayed put while he took care of the gate and then bounded back to the car.

“Looks like ya got a visitor,” Ned said, driving slowly.

Erin’s heart did a backflip when she realized Slim must’ve come by and had waited for her. “I think I might know who it is.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Bartenders and cab drivers,” Ned said, making her laugh when she remembered Slim saying the same thing about pilots and bartenders. “We’re vaults.”

“It’s Slim Jackson. We’ve become friends, I guess you could say.”

“Good guy. Ya couldn’t ask fer better.”