When You Kiss Me (Maine Sullivans) (The Sullivans Book 21) Read online

  Dave looked up from his bank of computer monitors when Duncan knocked on the door. He smiled in greeting, but Duncan could see that his smile was forced. He could also guess from the bags under Dave’s eyes that the other man had been staring at his computer screen for hours on end, rather than getting the rest he needed for his brain to work at top speed. “It’s been a while since I dropped by your lab. I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

  Dave shook his head. “Nice of you to go out of your way like this. I wish I had better news for you, but I’m afraid I still haven’t figured out why this last round of prototypes is a total bust.”

  Before Duncan could respond, Dave’s daughter came running out, obviously having spotted him in the doorway to her father’s backyard lab. While Katie usually wore her prosthetic in public, when she was just hanging around the house, she often went without.

  “Duncan, look at what I can do!” She ran across the lawn, then tossed herself into a one-armed cartwheel, finishing with a front flip.

  He clapped enthusiastically. “You amaze me every time I see you!”

  She beamed from ear to ear, then upon hearing her mother call for her from the house, waved good-bye and ran off.

  “You’ve got a great kid,” Duncan told the man he’d come to see as more of a friend than a client.

  “I know. She’s the best.” If anything, though, Dave only looked more discouraged. “I just wish I could do more for her.”

  “You are doing it, Dave. I know you’re feeling down right now, but you and I both know the only way to get to a winning design is to try and fail a dozen times or more. You learn something crucial from each iteration, and this time will be no different. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off to spend with your daughter and wife? Come Monday morning, I’ll bet you return to the lab with a new outlook.”

  “Here’s hoping.” Dave pushed away from his desk, obviously on board with starting his weekend early. “What about you? Got any big plans for the weekend?”

  Duncan knew he was beaming as big as Katie had after her cartwheel. “I’m heading to Bar Harbor to have dinner with my girlfriend’s family.”

  “Girlfriend, huh?” Dave’s eyes twinkled. “I thought you looked like a new man.”

  Dave was right. Duncan felt like a man who was finally ready to dream again, ready to hope. Just as long as his newfound luck held out. “Give me a call if you need anything.”

  “No way. You’ve got to make sure your focus this weekend is on impressing your lady’s family.” Dave winked, clearly feeling better now that he’d decided to take the rest of the afternoon off to spend with his treasured wife and daughter. “Have a good time.”

  “I will.” As Duncan got into his car, he mused on how lucky he was to be able to support people who were building and creating such great things. The flip side was that it wasn’t always a smooth process. So many times over the years, he’d wished the women and men he worked with didn’t have the kind of struggles Dave was facing, even though it was an integral part of the entrepreneurial process. Often, the biggest gains and discoveries came out of the biggest disasters.

  He made a quick stop at his office to drop off his laptop and pick up his weekend bag before heading to the airport. But he was surprised to find an unexpected visitor waiting for him. Though Duncan had never set eyes on the man before, he was certain that the stranger was associated with Alastair. The dead eyes gave him away.

  For the past five years, Duncan and his brother had had no contact whatsoever with one another. Not since Duncan had confronted his brother with evidence of his crimes. Not since Alastair’s goons had broken into Duncan’s home to destroy all of his corporate paperwork and hard drives. Not since Duncan had accepted just how despicable his brother truly was. Alastair would do absolutely anything to evade arrest.

  Duncan wouldn’t have let this man over the threshold, but Gail hadn’t known to keep him out. Not wanting to involve her in whatever Alastair had up his sleeve, just as he’d deliberately kept her out of harm’s way for the past five years they’d worked together, Duncan gestured for his unwelcome visitor to follow him into his office.

  He closed the door behind them with a firm click. Usually, Duncan didn’t want his size to intimidate people. A head taller, and far broader than most men, he had to go out of his way to make sure others felt comfortable around him. Today, however, he deliberately pushed his shoulders back and widened his stance.

  “We can skip the pleasantries,” Duncan said. “Why are you here? What does Alastair want?” They might be blood, but that was it. Alastair had given up all rights as a true brother a long time ago.

  “Mr. Lyman has learned that you have brought a woman in to run your company with you,” the man replied. He barely veiled his sneer at the word woman. “He would like to speak with you about acquiring your company.”

  Though on the face of it, the offer seemed shocking, it wasn’t the least bit surprising. Only someone as self-absorbed and narcissistic as Alastair would think the brother he had betrayed would want to work with him again.

  “I’m not interested.” Duncan moved to the door and opened it. “I’ll see you out.”

  “I’ve been directed not to return without the assurance that you’ll at least think about it.”

  Duncan didn’t bother to hold back his incredulous laugh, though there was no joy in it. “There’s nothing to think about. The answer is no.” He walked out, making it clear that the man had no choice but to follow him and leave.

  Alastair had turned Duncan’s life upside down when his crimes had cast a dark shadow over absolutely everything. But Duncan refused to allow that to happen again. He wouldn’t let this unexpected visitor—or Alastair’s preposterous buyout offer—steal his pleasure and anticipation in seeing Lola again, and meeting her family.

  Not when he was finally on the precipice of a much brighter, much sweeter future with the woman he loved.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Duncan drove away from the Bangor, Maine, airport like a man possessed. His plane had been late taking off from Boston, and he’d silently cursed every second of the delay. Though they had texted and video-chatted all week, Duncan was desperate to see Lola in person, to hold her in his arms, to feel her warmth, to hear the sweet sound of her laughter, to kiss her until they were both breathless. And though his brother’s buyout offer kept trying to push to the forefront of his mind, he refused to let himself dwell on it. This weekend was all about his future with Lola, not a past he was leaving behind.

  The drive from the airport was a beautiful one, the sky almost impossibly blue, the trees a lush, dark green, with hints of sea air coming in through his open window. It only served to reinforce his desire to move to Bar Harbor.

  As he finally rounded the corner of Lola’s street, he saw that she was standing on the front porch, waiting for him. She flew down her front path, her arms open wide, and as soon as he parked and got out of the rental car, he caught her and spun her around.

  “Finally, you’re in my arms again. I’ve missed you so damned much.”

  He kissed her before she could reply, and just kept kissing and kissing and kissing her without caring whether any of the neighbors were out watching. Let them watch. He wanted the entire world to see what true love looked like. Love that he could still hardly believe was his. Love that he was hoping with every fiber of his being he would be able to hold on to.

  Because now that he’d found Lola, he’d found everything.

  “Wow.” Her breath was coming in pants when he finally let her lips go. “That kiss was almost as good as sex.”

  He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “Trust me, when I finally make love to you, you’ll see that was nowhere near as good as sex.”

  A soft moan of desire escaped her lips. “I can’t believe we have to leave for my parents’ house right now.” In her eyes, he could see that she was as desperate to be with him as he was to be with her. “Do you have any idea how many fantasies I’ve had
about getting you into my bed…and keeping you there?”

  “I’ve had all the same fantasies,” he said in a low voice. “I’ve barely been able to think straight this week, Lola. Not when I can’t stop thinking about making love to you over and over and over again.” He loved the way she shivered with anticipation in his arms. “What we’ve found together, it’s so much more than a one-night stand, isn’t it?”

  She put her hand on his cheek, gently stroking his jaw as she stared into his eyes, her heart in hers. “It’s forever, Duncan.”

  “Forever,” he echoed against her lips as they kissed again, a kiss so full of emotion it felt as though they had just spoken vows to each other on the sidewalk in front of her cottage.

  Duncan nearly dropped to one knee right then and there. He didn’t have a ring. And he wasn’t prepared with a fancy speech. But he suddenly wanted to make their vows of forever official.

  It didn’t matter that it had been only five days since they’d met. All that mattered was how he felt about her and how she felt about him. Everything else just seemed like details.

  But before he could ask her to be his forever, her phone buzzed loudly from the bag on her shoulder, the ring tone from Madonna’s song, “Papa Don’t Preach.”

  “It’s my father. He’s probably wondering where we are. We’d better go before he comes looking for us.” With a roll of her eyes, she explained, “He’s always been a little weird about me and my sisters dating new people. I don’t think he ever truly trusts a guy until he can meet him face to face.”

  Together, they walked down the street, as her parents lived just a few blocks away. “Everyone is looking forward to meeting you,” she told him, “although Brandon is in Asia, so he won’t be here tonight. And if my dad does act a little weird, try not to read anything into it. It’s just his usual father-daughter protective stuff. He was pretty awful with Cassie’s fiancé, Flynn, when they first met, but they’re super close now. His bark is far worse than his bite.”

  “Your father only has your best interests at heart,” Duncan said. “You don’t need to make excuses for anyone in your family. I know that anybody you’re related to is going to be great.”

  He supposed he should have been nervous about meeting the family of the woman he intended to spend the rest of his life with. But when he was with Lola, Duncan actually believed he could start anew. That, at last, he could be absolved of his sins. That life could be a good, beautiful place. When he looked at the world through her eyes, it was a bright, beautiful place where any- and everything truly was possible, regardless of how dark or twisted the past was. And though he knew that belief would be put to the test later tonight when he told her the full story of why he’d left the family company and severed ties with his brother, when Lola’s hand was in his and she was smiling at him as though he was everything she’d ever dreamed of, his worries fell almost entirely away.

  The three neighborhood blocks to her parents’ house were lined with charming homes and cottages and mature trees. From what he’d seen so far, Bar Harbor village was a bustling community filled with locals who were happy to live year-round in such a beautiful area—and tourists who counted their blessings that they were lucky enough to get a chance to visit.

  Duncan could easily picture himself living here. Even if he’d never met Lola, there was plenty about Bar Harbor that would have spoken to him. The water, the boats, the lush foliage, and so much open space. After a lifetime of being surrounded by buildings and concrete, small-town living was a very welcome change.

  Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Sullivan’s house. It wasn’t the biggest or fanciest in the neighborhood, but it was the most charming. Duncan could envision seven children romping and playing outside, all of them growing up to be exceptional adults.

  She took a big breath. “Okay, this is it.”

  “It’s going to go great, Lola.” Her kisses, and the love in her eyes, had fueled him with renewed confidence that they were meant to be together. The belief that nothing could tear them apart. “I promise.”

  “I know it will,” she said. “It’s just now that you’re about to meet everybody, I want so badly for them to be on their best behavior.”

  Before he could tell her, again, that she didn’t need to apologize for anything, regardless of how it went, Lola’s mother opened the front door.

  “Duncan, Lola!” Beth Sullivan hugged Lola, then drew him into a hug as well. “I’m thrilled you’re back in town and so very glad you’re able to join us for dinner. It will be wonderful to get to know you better. And everyone else is so excited to meet you.”

  “Thank you for the invitation. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone too.”

  Duncan wasn’t surprised to see Lola’s father waiting just beyond the foyer.

  “Mr. Sullivan,” Duncan held out his hand. “It’s good to meet you, sir.”

  Ethan gripped his hand tightly. Hard enough that Duncan read it as a warning. “Welcome to our home, Duncan.”

  Duncan had met many powerful, intelligent men, but few had looked straight into the heart of him the way Lola’s father seemed to as they clasped hands. It was as though Ethan Sullivan was trying to uncover all of Duncan’s secrets.

  Miraculously, Duncan still wasn’t rattled. On the contrary, he deeply appreciated the fact that Lola had a father this good and strong.

  “What can I get you to drink?” Ethan asked. “Wine, beer, or we’ve got a fine Irish whiskey.”

  As the Sullivans clearly celebrated their Irish heritage, not only with their business but also at home, he said, “Whiskey would be great.” While Duncan wasn’t a huge drinker, he had no problem holding his own.

  “Come meet everyone,” Lola urged, shooting her father a look that Duncan easily interpreted as, Stand down. Her father shot back a look of his own that seemed to say, Not a chance.

  Just then, Duncan was hit with a vision of Lola meeting his brother. It was all too easy to imagine Alastair eating Lola up with lecherous eyes, while making it clear that she was good for only one thing. Duncan’s jaw clenched at the mere thought of it.

  “Everyone,” Lola said as she took him into the kitchen, “this is Duncan. Be nice or else.” Her tone was dead serious, making him smile. Her father wasn’t the only protective one in the family. Lola was equally fierce.

  One of her sisters was the first to move forward, a welcoming smile on her face. “Hi, I’m Cassie. It’s really great to meet you. This is my other half, Flynn.” After the men shook hands, Cassie pointed beneath the kitchen table. “And this is our little girl, Ruby, playing on the floor with Bear.”

  Upon hearing her name, a cute child he guessed to be around eighteen months looked up and waved. “Hi!”

  He knelt down to her level. “Hello. What a nice doggy you have.”

  “Bear Beary.” Ruby put her arms around the dog’s neck and snuggled in.

  Duncan laughed at her adorable gesture, but was surprised when she held out her arms. “Up.”

  He looked behind him to see if she was speaking to her father, but when she poked his hand and said, “Up,” again, he realized she was talking to him.

  After getting a nod from Flynn, Duncan lifted her from the floor. She blinked at him for a few seconds, almost seeming to take his measure the way Lola’s father had. Then she reached out a finger and lightly poked the end of his nose.

  “Boop!”

  Duncan reacted instinctively, mirroring her movements by gently touching her nose and saying, “Boop!” right back.

  While everyone laughed, Ruby threw her arms around his neck and snuggled in.

  Over her small shoulder, he saw Cassie smiling. “It’s her new fun game,” she explained.

  “It’s adorable.”

  Just then, Bear stood up and leaned against Duncan’s leg, clearly angling to be petted. As Duncan scratched his head with his free hand, Lola laughed.

  “Even dogs and babies can’t resist you,” she said, looking proud to be with him
.

  A few seconds later, Flynn reached for his daughter. “Come here, cutie.”

  “She’s absolutely beautiful,” Duncan told him as he transferred the little girl into her father’s arms.

  “Thank you,” Flynn said. “She’s a handful, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Duncan could see how in love Flynn and Cassie were with each other and their little girl. Longing gripped him. Longing for a family like theirs. Like the Sullivans, all gathered together in the kitchen of their warm and welcoming family home. Duncan had never experienced a simple family dinner at the kitchen table with a mom and dad who asked him about his day at school. Even before his parents had passed away, he’d been raised by nannies.

  Yet again, Lola’s voice pulled him out of his dark thoughts. “This is my brother Rory and my friend Zara, who he somehow managed to convince to date him.”

  Where Rory was all movie-star good looks and swagger, Zara looked like an artist through and through. She wore thickly rimmed yellow glasses, bright orange combat boots—and every time she looked at Rory, there was pure love in her eyes, just as there was in his for her.

  “This is my brother Hudson and his wife, Larissa,” Lola said, introducing him to the next couple.

  While they were both friendly, where Rory and Zara were clearly in the full flush of love, the opposite seemed true about Hudson and Larissa. Then again, maybe he was reading too much into the fact that they didn’t have their arms around each other like Rory and Zara, and they weren’t constantly giving each other loving glances like Cassie and Flynn.

  Lola gestured for her other sister to come over to meet him. “This is Ashley. I don’t know where her son, Kevin, is right now, but I’ll introduce you to him once he makes an appearance.”