Tender Kisses (20 page)

In the end, Justin signed his name on a business contract that would keep him busy for the foreseeable future. He had worked hard over the past decade, and a deep sense of accomplishment washed over him. But nothing compared to the fulfillment he found in Siobhan's arms. Hopefully, he'd be lucky enough to negotiate the deal of a lifetime.

The older man stood, and Justin followed suit. “I think that covers everything. Is there anything else you need from me?”

A broad smile spread across Justin's mouth. “I'm glad you asked, sir. As a matter of fact, there is.”

Fifteen minutes later, Justin emerged from the office richer, in more ways than one.

* * *

Later that evening, loud banging on his front door interrupted Justin's phone call to his parents. “Mom, Dad, let me call you back. Somebody's at my door.”

“Okay, honey,” his mother said. “Congratulations, again.”

“We'll see you soon,” his dad added.

“Thanks. I'll talk to you both later.”

He disconnected and went out to the front, wondering who the hell was banging on his door as if they'd lost their minds. Justin snatched the door open and was prepared to give a set down to the person, but chuckled when he saw the three men standing there, all wearing scowls. “So, I'm assuming this is the part where you warn me about hurting your sister. Gentlemen, please come in.” He escorted the trio to his family room. “You guys want a beer?”

“No,” Brandon answered.

Justin smiled inwardly at their “big, bad brother” personas. It didn't faze him one bit. He'd been playing that role a long time and wasn't intimidated easily, though all three eclipsed his height by a few inches, with Brandon being the tallest.

“I've already met Brandon. You must be Khalil,” he said to the one who resembled a professional bodybuilder.

Khalil nodded.

“And you must be Malcolm—daredevil extraordinaire and running back for the Los Angeles Cobras football team.”

Malcolm smiled.

“Obviously you're here because your father let you in on my plans. Should I even ask how you got my address?” he said, looking directly at Brandon. “You all really need to do something about the lax security at your company. Now that we've got the introductions out of the way, you have questions and I have answers. So, fire away.” Justin leaned back in his chair, folded his arms and smiled at their baffled expressions.

Malcolm said, “We just want to know if you truly love Siobhan. The last guy who claimed to love her ripped her heart out, and if it happens again, I'll rip
your
heart out.”

Justin leaned forward and said with lethal calmness, “I know all about what that lowlife did to her, but I'm not him. Make no mistake, I will not allow
anybody
to hurt her again, including you.” He let his gaze linger on each of them long enough for them to get his message. “Better yet, why don't you ask Brandon whether I love Siobhan. He knows
exactly
what I was willing to give up to have her.”

A slow smile started on Khalil's face. “I think I'll take that beer now.”

“Make that two,” Brandon added.

Justin brought back beers for all of them. They laughed and told stories, and by the time the men left, he had a free membership to Khalil's fitness center and season tickets to the Cobras home football games. Not a bad haul for an interrogation.

There was only one thing he needed now.

Chapter 20

S
iobhan opened the door to Justin on Sunday afternoon and greeted him with a passionate kiss. “Come on in. You're early. I thought you were going to be here around three thirty.”

“I can't spend a little private time with my baby?” Justin asked, following her back to the family room and sitting next to her on the sofa. “I've been so busy these last couple of days that we haven't had a chance to talk.”

“I know, but I understand. Daddy said you'd be coming into the office to work with the software-development team.”

“Yep. I'll probably start with fifteen to twenty hours a week initially, then decrease as things progress.”

“Maybe we can find you an office close to mine,” she said, batting her eyes.

“No,” he said firmly. “There is no way I'm having an office next to yours. I wouldn't get one ounce of work done. No way, not happening.”

She scooted closer and let her lips brush his earlobe. He shivered in response. “Not even if I promise to give you the ride of your life?”

Justin hopped up from his seat. “This was a bad idea. If you keep talking like that, we aren't going to make it to your parents' on time.”

Siobhan was eye level with the solid bulge pressing tightly against his trousers. She reached out and caressed him. “We don't have to be there for another hour. That's more than enough time for a quickie.”

Before she finished her sentence, Justin had her on her feet and nearly sprinted down the hall to her bedroom.

They made it to her parents' house at four thirty-five. Her body was still humming, and she hoped her mother wouldn't try to keep them all night because that little interlude had only whetted her appetite.

“You know, it's not good to be late the first time I meet your parents.”

“You already met my dad, so technically, it's just my mom.”

“I met your father as a
business partner
, not as the man dating his daughter. There's a difference. And stop looking at me like that.”

“I don't know what you mean,” she said with a coy smile.

Justin got out of the car and came around to her side. “Behave yourself.”

She laughed. “Hey, it's your fault.
You're
the one who said I need to let go.”

He shook his head.

“Go ahead—admit it. You like it.”

“Correction—I
love
it.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Now come on. Making me late,” he muttered.

Siobhan smiled. “I didn't hear you complaining thirty minutes ago.” She passed her siblings' cars in the driveway and saw two unfamiliar ones parked in front of the house. “I wonder if my parents invited some other guests to dinner. I don't recognize those cars.” She used her key to open the door and followed boisterous laughter to the back of the house.

“There you are,” her mother said, rushing across the room. “We've been waiting for you two.”

Siobhan kissed her mom's cheek. “We're only five minutes late. Mom, this is Justin Cartwright. Justin, my mom, DeAnna Gray.”

“I'm so happy to finally meet you, Justin,” she said, reaching out to hug him.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Mrs. Gray,” Justin said.

“Well, come on in and get comfortable. We have some friends visiting from out of town here, as well. Dinner will be ready shortly.” She leaned over and whispered to Siobhan, “He's a good-looking young man.”

“Thanks, Mom. Do you need some help in the kitchen?”

“No, baby. You go entertain Justin.”

Siobhan made another round of introductions to her siblings. Morgan responded pleasantly, but Siobhan wanted to shoot her brothers. All three of them were barely cordial, reminding her of how they had behaved as teenagers. She was curious about the older couple conversing with her father and the two young women with them. Before she could ask, her mother called everyone to the table. Siobhan and Morgan helped bring out the food, and afterward, her father recited the blessing.

Lively conversation began again as dishes were passed around.

“Justin, I understand congratulations are in order,” her mother said halfway through the meal.

“Thank you. I'm looking forward to working with the team.”

“This is going to be great all around,” her father added with a wide grin.

“Seems like that's not the only merger you're interested in,” Brandon said mildly, not looking up from his plate.

Siobhan froze with her fork in her mouth. She pulled it out slowly and skewered her brother with a look. “Brandon, don't start,” she warned.

Khalil shrugged. “Well, he is sitting at the
family
dinner, so maybe Brandon has a point.”

“What is wrong with you two? Knock it off,” she gritted out. She stole a glimpse at Justin, who continued eating as if her brothers hadn't said a word, and she wished she could do the same. But all she wanted to do was jump across the table and punch them.

“I guess he's not man enough to speak for himself since Siobhan seems to be doing all the talking for him,” Malcolm chimed in.

Justin lifted his head and glanced at Malcolm, then Siobhan, squeezing her hand under the table.

“Dad, can you make them stop?” She was getting angry now.

“All right, boys. You're upsetting your sister, so lay off.”

“Well, he hasn't said a word, so we're just wondering if he has anything to say for himself,” Brandon said mildly.

“Yeah,” Khalil said. “Do you have anything to say, Justin?”

“Actually,” Justin said, shoving his chair back, tossing his napkin on the table and rising to his feet, “I have a lot to say.”

The tone of his voice made Siobhan's heart leap in her throat. This would not end well. She pushed her chair back and started to stand. Then Justin lowered to one knee next to her. Her eyes darted around the table and met the smiling faces of everyone seated. His words held her spellbound.

“Siobhan, I grew up chasing what I thought were my dreams. But, since the night I met you, I've come to realize that you are, and have always been, my dream. I want your heart to feel and your soul to know that this deep love I have is yours, and yours alone. They say that the love of a good woman sets something free inside a man's heart. And that's what you've done for me. Your love is all I want, all I'll ever need, now and forever. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

“You'd better believe I will,” she said, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. He pulled a small ring box from his pocket, revealed a heart-shaped diamond solitaire with a pear-shaped sapphire on either side and slid the ring on her finger. “It's absolutely
beautiful
. I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby.” He leaned up to kiss her, and the table erupted in cheers.

“Hallelujah, grandchildren!”
Siobhan's mother cheered.

“Amen!”
the other woman agreed.

Siobhan snapped her head around at the woman who, like her husband and two daughters, was smiling as if she knew something Siobhan didn't. She turned back to Justin.

He rose and pulled her to her feet. Draping an arm around her waist, he said, “Siobhan, I'd like you to meet my parents, Jessie and Ruby Cartwright, and my sisters, Yvonne and Jocelyn.”

Her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God! You planned all this?”

Justin smiled and nodded.

She glared at her brothers. “All that...that talk earlier was just an act?”

Khalil nodded. “We got to know Justin Friday night. He's a good man, sis.”

They all nodded in agreement. Tears sprang to her eyes. Siobhan glanced around the table and met each of her family member's faces. “I love you guys so much.” To Justin's family, she said, “I am so happy to meet you all, and I thank you for your wonderful son. He has enriched my life in ways I can't begin to explain, and...” She paused to gain control of her emotions. “And I want to assure you that I will always take good care of his heart.”

Justin's family came around the table, expressed their delight and welcomed her to their family. Her relatives joined them, and another round of hugs, back slaps and handshakes ensued.

Finally, her father signaled for quiet. He waited until everyone settled down and reclaimed their seats. “I'd like to propose a toast to the newly engaged couple. First, I want to thank Jessie, Ruby, Yvonne and Jocelyn for coming to share in this milestone event. You have raised an outstanding young man, and it gives us great pleasure to welcome you all to our family. Siobhan, your mother and I have had the privilege and honor to be your parents for thirty-three years, and we are so proud of the woman you've become. With Justin at your side, and the love you two so obviously share, nothing will be impossible.” He raised his glass. “May the love you share now endure and grow forevermore. To Justin and Siobhan.”

Siobhan sipped from her glass and smiled over at her future husband. “Thank you for all this.” Her emotions bubbled up once more. She put a hand on her chest and closed her eyes briefly. “And your family is here, too.”

Justin took his napkin, gently dabbed at her tears and kissed her softly. “Sweetheart, you are my life and I'd give you the world if I could.”

He kissed her again, and she forgot they were sitting at a table full of people until Malcolm's voice interrupted.

“Yo, man. She's still my sister.”

Justin smiled. “She may be your sister, but she's going to be
my wife
, and that trumps your brother card all day, every day.”

Everyone laughed, and Malcolm held up his hands in mock surrender. The remainder of the evening was filled with both families learning more about each other. Siobhan found Justin's family to be just as wonderful as their son and brother.

She had never been happier.

* * *

Justin and Siobhan sat cuddled in his oversize recliner late Sunday evening listening to music and talking about their whirlwind day. Seeing her interact with his family had filled his heart with joy.

“I can't believe you tricked me like that,” Siobhan said. “And you got my brothers to go along with it, too.”

“I like your brothers. They're good guys, and they love you. Khalil offered me a membership at his gym, and Malcolm's giving me season tickets to all his home games.”

She angled her head. “
Really?
That's a first. The only thing they offered any of my other boyfriends was a threat.”

He chuckled. “That's because none of them passed the test.”

“And what test would that be?”

“Loving you,” he said simply. He had never been concerned about her brothers because everything about his love for Siobhan was real. “So, when do you want to get married?”

“July of this year at the beach.”

That was his baby—always ready with a frank answer. “Not that I'm complaining or anything, but isn't that a little soon? That's, like, only six weeks away.”

“I know.”

Justin pulled her closer and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”

He'd told her earlier that he would give her the world if he could, and he meant every word. If she wanted a beach wedding, he'd make sure she had one beyond her wildest imagination. She was his heart, his dream and his greatest success.