Dare to Hold (17 page)

As she came back to herself¸ he was shoving his pants down and kicking them away. Before she could remove her panties, he slid them down her shaking legs. She could barely process where they were or what was happening, some small part of her knowing this wasn’t a bedroom. But he picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around him, and he strode to the couch in the next room and stood her on her feet.

“Turn around,” he said in a gruff but oh-so-sexy voice.

She spun immediately, allowing him to bend her over the arm of the sofa. Her full breasts pressed against the cushioned material as he grasped her hips and maneuvered her hips and legs where he wanted them.

Excitement pulsed through her veins as the head of his erection nudged her already-slick opening, gliding partway into her with ease. He teased her with his cock, little pumps in and out, never quite embedding himself all the way in. Her sex clenched and squeezed around him, trying to capture and pull him all the way home, so she could feel him, thick and pulsing, deep inside. But he maintained the arousing thrusts, and her desire built with crazy speed.

He rested one hand on her lower back and suddenly slowed his hips, tracing her vertebrae slowly with his calloused but gentle hand. “So pretty,” he said, almost to himself, but the words, spoken in awe, wrapped around her heart.

She dipped her head forward and moaned, wondering how she was supposed to resist falling for this man. If he was all gruff, demanding, alpha, she could keep her walls high, but the tender, unexpected gestures caused her to trip further over that forbidden line, and a lump formed in her throat.

“You ready, baby?” He gripped her hips with both hands, his tight hold causing a painful rush of arousal in her sex.

“Beyond,” she managed to choke out, her empty body craving his. Her heart needing him even more.

No
. She pushed that awful, scary thought aside.

And when he thrust deep inside her, deeper than she’d ever felt him before, she stopped thinking at all. He groaned, low and deep, and she felt it everywhere in the best possible ways.

“Are you okay?” he asked, surprising her. “The last thing I want to do is hurt you.” He smoothed his hand over her backside, and she turned to meet his gaze.

“You wouldn’t hurt me intentionally, Scott. And you aren’t hurting me now.” Later was probably another story, but she couldn’t do anything to stop it. “But if you don’t move …
now
, I’m going to hurt you.” And with that, she thrust her hips back against him.

With a low chuckle, he proceeded to do as she asked, taking her hard while still holding back, she could tell. It didn’t matter when he knew just how to make love to her, to find that right spot and send her soaring. He followed after her, and the hot feel of him coming inside her, her name on his lips, echoing in her ears, was something she’d never forget.

*     *     *

A little while later, Meg had showered and was making lunch in the kitchen. Scott had retreated to his office, a masculine room with wooden shelves and a large-screen computer set up at his desk. Meg wasn’t stupid; she was well aware something between them had shifted from easy to hard, sex being the one thing they seemed to get right. He was obviously fighting feelings that he didn’t want to deal with, either because he was just against marriage and a family in his future or the fact of her pregnancy had finally set in.

She chopped up lettuce and vegetables for a salad, tossed in some grilled chicken, and added dressing.

She was about to call Scott in for lunch when her phone rang.

She glanced down, happy to see Olivia’s name on the screen, and answered immediately. “Hi!” she said.

“Hi yourself. How was your appointment today?” Olivia asked.

“Everything’s status quo. The doctor asked if I wanted to know the sex of the baby,” she said as she washed her hands and put the big bowl of salad on the table.

“Do you want to know what you’re having?” Olivia asked. “Because I want to be surprised.”

Meg sighed. “I’m so torn. On the one hand, knowing will make the buying easier. On the other, I want to experience the newness and surprise.”

Olivia laughed. “I hear you. I have so many things on order I’m afraid to figure out how to get it all home.”

Meg tried to ignore the pang of envy at how easy it seemed for Olivia. The man who loved her, the money to do what she needed for her child. The grass always looked greener, but it wasn’t necessarily the case. Although for Olivia and Dylan, Meg truly hoped it was. They deserved every bit of happiness.

So do you
, a little voice in her head told her, but she pushed it aside. What you deserved and what life threw at you were often vastly different. “I’m just about to eat lunch. Can I call you back?” Meg asked.

“Sure. But I’ll see you tonight?” Olivia asked.

“What’s tonight?”

An awkward silence followed, and then Olivia said, “My mom asked all the kids to come for dinner. I just thought… Never mind. Call me later.” Olivia rushed off the phone, and Meg didn’t blame her.

She turned and caught sight of Scott standing in the doorway, watching her. “You scared me!”

“Sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt your call.”

“No problem. I was just going to get you anyway. Lunch is ready.”

“Thank you. Looks good. And I appreciate it.”

“It’s fine.”

He stepped into the kitchen. “Listen, my mother called a few minutes ago. She wants us all at the house for dinner tonight at six. She has an announcement of some sort.”

“That’s fine. I can keep busy here.” She stepped over to one of the cabinets and pulled out glasses.

“Actually, I was hoping you’d come with me.”

She met his serious gaze. “It sounds like it’s a family thing.” Not only didn’t she belong there, she didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea of what was going on between her and Scott.

“My mom’s been with this guy, Michael Brooks, for a few years. I just have an uneasy feeling. I don’t know what she has to say, and I’d like you there when I hear it,” he said, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Her boyfriend’s a decent guy, but it’ll be weird to hear if she’s going to remarry. She’s been through enough.”

“You think marrying him would be bad for her?” Meg asked, wondering if this was more of Scott’s negative views on family and marriage or if he had a legitimate issue with his mother’s boyfriend.

He rolled his shoulders, obviously uncomfortable with the question. “Probably not. It’s still just weird having another guy with my mother,” he said. “I hate what my father did to her but…”

Taking her by surprise, he slid his fingers into hers, clasping them tightly together. “Like I said, it’s awkward, and I’d really like you with me.”

Her heart swelled, her throat feeling full at his admission. It was the admission of the young boy inside him, not the man he was now, and she was touched he’d let her in. He’d done so much for her. How could she be selfish and fight him on this?

Even if meeting his mother and the rest of his family felt too intimate and a lot awkward for her, she could put her own feelings aside and be there for him for a change.

“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you.” The look he gave her was enough to send her running far and fast, but she was in this.

Until he no longer was.

*     *     *

Meg’s heart was in her throat as Scott pulled up to his mother’s house in Weston and parked the truck. It was an imposing yet gorgeous structure with tropical shrubbery, a circular driveway, and acreage, which was unusual in Florida. A variety of luxury cars filled the drive, letting her know that many of his siblings had already arrived.

“Relax.” He placed his hand over hers, which were entwined together, as she’d been twisting them nervously in her lap.

“I really don’t belong here.”

“Hey,” he said, his voice strong and sure. Calming even. “I want you here. That means you belong.”

She knew that in her head, but her heart was beating way too fast inside her chest.

“You’re doing this for me, and I appreciate it.” He slid his hand behind her neck, pulled her close, and sealed his mouth over hers, effectively shutting her up. He kissed her hard and long, until the pounding inside her body had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with the heat and desire he generated. He nibbled on her lower lip before releasing her with a strangled groan, pausing to catch his breath by resting his forehead against hers.

“Better?” he asked.

She couldn’t stop the smile curving her lips. “Much.”

He shook his head and laughed. “Stick with me. I know what you need.”

She pulled down the visor to check her makeup. Not much she could do about her puffy lips, but the rest of her was okay.

“You’re beautiful, Meg.”

He spoke so softly and reverently she believed he meant that. “Thank you.” Blowing out a puff of air, she picked up the pie she’d insisted they stop and buy. “I’m ready.”

A chic-looking woman met them at the door, her dark hair with soft highlights falling around her face. From their similar features, Meg knew immediately she was Scott’s mother.

“Scott, honey, it’s so good to see you.” She pulled him into a warm hug.

“Hey, Mom.”

“And you must be Meg! I’m so glad you could join us.” Her warmth was genuine. The sparkle in her eyes could be mistaken for nothing except happiness.

“Thank you. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Nonsense. I was thrilled when Scott told me he was bringing a guest.” Emma accepted the bakery box from Meg. “Thank you so much. You didn’t need to bring anything, but extra sweets are always welcome.” She ushered them into the house, and Scott shot Meg an
I told you it would all be okay
look.

Yes, fine. The man had been right again.

He placed a strong hand on her back and led her toward the sound coming from inside the house. The gesture was meant to be reassuring, but every time he touched her, he lit Meg’s body on fire. The chemistry between them was that potent and hot.

She smoothed her hand over the dress she’d chosen, glad she’d been able to fit into her favorite one, though barely. No need to break out the maternity wear for tonight.

They stepped into a large state-of-the-art kitchen that was open and led to a great room, where the rest of the family had gathered.

“Meg!” Olivia’s familiar voice sounded above the others. Meg walked toward her friend, while Scott stopped to talk to Ian and Riley, who Meg greeted with a wave. She’d catch up with her later.

Olivia greeted Meg with a big hug. “So glad you’re here too!”

Meg hugged her back but didn’t reply.

She glanced up and saw Dylan, waiting for his hello, a smile on his face. “Hey, Meggie.”

“Dylan! It’s been a long time.” They embraced like old friends.

It had been awhile since she’d spoken to Dylan. These days when she needed an ear, she was more likely to call one of her girlfriends or Olivia than her old friend. And that seemed to work fine for them both.

“Oh! Avery’s here. I’ll be back in a few,” Olivia said, rushing off to talk to her sister.

“You look good,” Dylan said, holding on to her hand. “And Olivia keeps me up on how you’re doing.”

“It’s been … interesting, to say the least.”

“You’re handling everything, just like I knew you would.”

“Well, I have help …” She trailed off, afraid Dylan would think she was falling back into old patterns, relying on a man when she should be handling things herself. “It’s not the same this time,” she rushed to tell him. “Scott’s helping me professionally. I really don’t know how I’d handle Mike practically stalking me if not for him.”

And she didn’t feel like she was latching on to him the same way she had with men in her past. Whatever her feelings for him, they were more solid and real. Even if he’d made it clear they couldn’t go anywhere.

“Relax, Meg. I’m not judging you,” Dylan assured her.

As her one-time boyfriend, later best friend, Dylan knew her insecurities and tendencies better than most. He was the one who’d called her on her behavior when warranted. He was also the one who would never abandon her if she really needed him. The amazing thing was, since he’d drawn the line in their relationship, she really hadn’t needed him at all. Not the way she’d once thought.

“Maybe I am. My life is just spinning out of control. But at the same time, I’m thinking clearly and trying to keep things in perspective.”

He smiled at that. “Good.”

She shrugged. “That’s it? No words of advice?”

He brushed at his goatee with his fingers. “I don’t think you need them. Not from me,” he said at the same moment a solid arm slipped around Meg from behind.

“Am I interrupting?” Scott asked, an unusual edge to his voice.

“No. I was just telling Meg that pregnancy agrees with her,” Dylan said smoothly, avoiding mentioning anything personal in their conversation. Scott wouldn’t appreciate knowing they’d been talking about him, even in a roundabout way.

“Yes, it does.” Scott squeezed her waist and pressed an unexpected kiss to her cheek. “I’m going to steal her away now,” he informed Dylan, who stepped back immediately.

Meg narrowed her gaze, surprised there wasn’t more pleasant conversation between the two men.

“Time to meet the rest of the clan,” Scott said, leading her away from Dylan before she could manage a reply.

She spun out of his embrace. “What was that about?”

“Just—”

“Staking a claim? He’s married to your sister, for God’s sake.”

Scott blew out a long breath. “And he’s crazy about her. I know. Shit.”

She narrowed her gaze. “What is it?”

He grasped her hand and pulled her to an empty, small study, decorated in dark colors, a leopard carpet on the floor and gold accessories on the wooden built-in shelves.

He pushed the door partially closed. “I don’t know what that was. I saw you with Dylan, knew he was the only guy you were really in love with, and I went a little crazy.”

Jealous? Scott had been jealous of Dylan? Her eyes opened wide at his admission. “Dylan and I haven’t been together since high school,” Meg said, speaking softly because no way did she want anyone overhearing.