Ryker tore his mouth from hers, ran his lips down her neck, to one perfect breast. Her hands came up to his head, as if to hold him in place. Her soft gasps only fueled him further to make sure she had everything she wanted.
“Ryker...”
He eased back, then pushed forward hard. Once, twice. Her entire body shuddered beneath his. It was almost too much to bear as Laney cried out his name, arched beneath him and came undone all around him.
And it was all Ryker needed to follow her over the edge.
* * *
The papers for the new property had been signed a few days ago, the contractor had been hired and Laney couldn’t wait to get her hands dirty and dig into the process of renovating the old, neglected building in Southie.
Right now, though, she was having a difficult time breathing in the damn dress she’d purchased for O’Shea’s annual Christmas party. She’d thought it was fine in the store, but, the overflowing cleavage and the slight pull of the emerald green satin at her waist gave her pause. She hadn’t noticed her midsection getting any larger, she was only eight weeks pregnant now, but something had happened overnight because she was seriously worried about popping that side zipper.
“Being so gorgeous and built like that should make me hate you.”
Laney spun to see Jenna, her arm looped through Mac’s. Crossing the ballroom, Laney threw her arms out wide.
“I’m so glad you guys made it in.” She hugged her brother before turning to Jenna, taking in the gorgeous red dress that highlighted her curves. “Like you’re one to talk. You look stunning.”
Jenna had a voluptuous figure, not model-thin like some women felt they needed to be. Jenna was a beautiful woman and looked even more striking now that she was in love. Mac, Laney’s globe-trotting playboy brother, had finally been tamed by his best friend when he had to pose as her fiancé. Laney would’ve given anything to see the moment her brother realized Jenna was the one. She had seen this coming for years and couldn’t be happier for the two of them.
“I was worried the snow would delay you all getting here.”
Mac shrugged. “I checked the area before I took off.” Her brother doubled as a pilot. “I was confident we’d be safe. If not, we could’ve gone into DC and rented a car.”
“He’ll fly in almost anything,” Jenna joked. “He’s had me white-knuckling it more than once, but he assures me he has everything under control.”
Mac’s pilot’s license came in handy since he hated Boston winters and was now living it up in Miami.
“Next year I vote we move this party to my house,” he suggested. “Too damn cold up here.”
“Are you complaining already?” Braden stepped into the room, Zara by his side. He slapped Mac’s shoulder. “You haven’t been in town an hour and already a hater.”
Laney noticed Zara scanning the room and tuned out her brothers’ banter. “I came a little early and made sure all the centerpieces were set up like we’d discussed. I hope
you like them.”
Her sister-in-law smiled. “They’re beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” Laney countered. “That gold dress is perfect on you.”
“I think we all look amazing.” Zara continued to look around, her brows drawn in a frown. “Is Ryker here? I thought he told Braden he’d be here early.”
Laney’s heart quickened. It had been several days since he spent the night in her bed. He’d gone out of town on business to acquire some authentic pieces for the spring auction. He’d only gone to Toronto, then to Chicago, but she hated not knowing he was in town. Not that she ever felt at risk, but she definitely felt safer knowing he was around.
“He’s in the study,” Braden stated. “He...had to take a call.”
A call? Why had Braden hesitated? Laney knew Ryker’s personal life was technically none of her business, but she still wanted to know what was going on. And if Braden had been in the study with Ryker, then the call was most likely business...in which case she still wanted to know.
“The room looks amazing,” Jenna said as she pulled away from Mac’s side and started walking around. “The lights, the tables, all of it looks magical. You all really know how to treat your employees.”
“Loyalty deserves to be rewarded,” Mac stated simply. “And O’Shea’s wouldn’t throw a cheap party.”
“Neither would I,” Zara chimed in. “I totally use you all to boost my own company.”
Braden smiled, leaned down to kiss his wife on the head. “You do an incredible job. You don’t need us.”
Her brothers had found two amazing women to share their lives with. Laney wanted to tell them all about the pregnancy, but she wasn’t ready. Beyond the fact that she worried how they’d treat Ryker, Laney wanted to tell Zara privately so she didn’t have to absorb the news around others. Zara would most likely be elated, but Laney didn’t want to take any chances. The miscarriage was still fresh, but did that loss and ache ever really go away?