Awakened (Intimate Relations) (34 page)

“I think most people have come to that conclusion by the time you and Bones are called in, even though they don’t consciously admit it.” Marc’s own feelings had been leaning that way when they started this search. “Closure is pretty important. At least it has been for me, because along with closure has come some much-needed answers.” Marc stared at nothing, remembering the way he’d felt about his mother for most of his life. “I told you that I was raised to believe she’d deserted me. That she didn’t love me. Now I know she loved me more than anything. No way in hell would she ever have deserted me.”

JD sat quietly for a moment before covering Marc’s hand with hers. “After what you and Mandy told me, she still hasn’t. She was here for you last night. You’re very lucky, you know. You have unquestionable proof that she really did love you, that she’s done everything she could to let you know that.” She glanced around Marc and smiled at Mandy. “Think about it, Mandy. She’s going to be your mother-in-law, and she must approve of you or she never would have helped you get away from that jerk.”

Mandy chuckled. “I hadn’t thought about it that way, but you’re right. Thanks for the insight.”

It wasn’t much later that Deputy Russo joined them under the shade to let them know the team was through, that it appeared they had everything. “Very little was scattered, but your dog is really good, Ms. Stirling. From the position of the bones not with the first find, it appears we’ve got everything. Marc, once DNA tests are done, we’ll release the remains to the funeral home of your choice so you can make arrangements. I’m really sorry for your loss, but thankful that you finally know what really happened.”

“Thanks, Jerry. Credit goes to JD and Bones. And thank you as well. You’ve been really helpful. Do the folks in Marin know what happened? I forgot to call the chief.”

“Not a problem. I called this morning first thing and emailed the preliminary report, so they have a copy. I think you folks can go back home, at least for now. We’ll be in touch.”

*   *   *

They got JD and Bones on the plane back to Butte and then headed home to San Francisco. Ted and Theo had gone earlier in the morning. Marc was anxious to get back, to find comfort in the work and the daily routines that had been his saving grace for years.

They made a quick stop in Marin to speak to the chief of police and then Marc turned the driving over to Mandy and called Alden Chung. The therapist was free that afternoon and invited Marc and Mandy to stop at his office.

His words stayed with Marc long after their visit ended. “It is difficult to disprove what we don’t understand,” Dr. Chung had said. “And there’s no reason to disagree with the validity of something without proof. I would suggest you take your mother’s visit as a blessing, hold her close, and treasure that very special connection.”

It was almost five by the time they got to the house on Twenty-third. Jake and Kaz were at the unit next door, checking out the new wood flooring throughout the house.

“We get our furniture tomorrow!” Kaz gave Mandy a hug and grinned at Marc. “This is just so cool! Thank you!” She kissed Marc, grabbed Mandy’s arm, and dragged her down the hallway to check out the master bedroom. Marc watched them go before turning to Jake.

“Are you guys okay with the remodel?”

Jake merely stared at him and shook his head.

When Marc frowned—he had absolutely no idea what Jake was thinking—Jake laughed.

“Idiot,” he said, though Marc thought he said it nicely. “My girl’s ecstatic, the unit is ideal, and there’s a perfect room in the basement beside the garage for a workroom. What’s not to love, and why are you even worrying about this? Crap, man, you’ve had a traumatic few months. Maybe it’s time to think about yourself for a while. You and Mandy.”

Marc stared down the hallway where the girls had disappeared. He heard them talking; Kaz’s excitement was off the charts. Mandy sounded more reserved, but no less happy. “You’re right, you know.” He turned to Jake, his oldest and closest friend through so many years, so many highs and lows in both their lives. “We’ve earned this time, this chance to be happy. I never expected to find love, not like this. Did you?”

Jake laughed. “Are you kidding?” He glanced toward the sound of laughter. “She’s perfect, Marc. Everything I could ever want, so much better than I could have imagined. I wouldn’t even know her if not for you. You’ve always come through for me, even when you weren’t planning to. That’s a skill, man. A valuable skill.”

They were still tossing insults back and forth over the way their lives were turning out when Ben and Lola showed up. Lola immediately went looking for Kaz and Mandy, but Ben walked up to Marc and hugged him. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

“Do what?” Marc’s mind was spinning. What the hell had he done to Ben?

“Scare the crap out of me or my fiancée. We got off that online chat and Lola broke down sobbing. It took forever to calm her down, and by the time she had it under control, I wasn’t in much better shape.” He glared at Marc a moment longer and then punched him lightly in the shoulder. “Ya know, I’ve had about twenty years without any family to worry about. It was a hell of a lot less stressful.”

He glanced at Jake and grinned. “What about you, bro? Is it as good for you as it is for me?”

Jake merely nodded. “I think this calls for a beer,” he said. Marc and Ben agreed, and followed him into the newly remodeled kitchen. The old round oak kitchen table with all six chairs from the other unit fit perfectly in this kitchen.

A few minutes later, Kaz walked into the room and grabbed a bottle of white wine out of the refrigerator. She handed the bottle and a corkscrew to Jake and went in search of wine glasses. They’d already moved some of the necessities into the unit. Not a word was exchanged. Jake continued talking to the guys, opened the bottle, and handed it to Kaz. She kissed him on the cheek, waved to Marc and Ben, and headed out of the room.

After she was gone, Jake glanced at Marc and Ben and shrugged. “We’ve already reached a point where I think we’re reading each other’s minds. Isn’t she amazing?”

Marc held up his empty beer. Ben lifted his at the same time. Laughing, Jake took the empties and grabbed new ones. Marc glanced at Ben. “Not nearly as amazing as we are.”

*   *   *

Mandy, Lola, and Kaz toasted Mandy’s engagement, Lola and Ben’s engagement, and Kaz’s upcoming wedding. Mandy took a sip of her wine. “Only eleven more days, Kaz. You guys ready?”

Kaz nodded. “We are. Everything has come together so well it makes me nervous, especially with our track record. Do you realize how much crap all of us have had to go through to get our guys?”

Lola looked pensive. “We’ve all faced risk, things that could have ended up very badly, and in every case we’ve made it through. Not only have we survived, we’ve seen our men take really brave, dangerous actions to save us. There’s not one of us who has to doubt how our guys feel about us, and they have no reason to doubt us.”

“Exactly.” Kaz stared into her glass. “The wedding and all … that’s just a party to celebrate. I already feel married to Jake. I know him better than I’ve ever known anyone, including you guys. It’s very humbling, having a man you’ve cried with, laughed with…” She glanced up and her eyes were twinkling. “One you’ve been pee-your-pants scared absolutely to death with.”

“There is that.” Mandy thought of those moments when Steven Reed had his gun pointed at her and she knew Marc was going to go for it. She really hadn’t expected either of them to make it out alive. “I never imagined what it would be like to face death, to know if I’d have the courage to fight. I learned that I do, that I can risk everything to save what matters to me. Marc matters. So damned much. I want to get married right away. I really don’t want to waste any more time.”

“Me, either.” Lola grabbed her hand. “Want to go to the justice of the peace this week, if the guys will go along? I don’t need a big wedding. I just need Ben.”

“Um, ladies?” Kaz raised her hand. “I’ve got a suggestion. Instead of being bridesmaids, why don’t you guys be brides? With me? We could all get married together, if the guys go along with it. So many of the people who are coming to Jake’s and my wedding would probably be going to yours as well, and we can add the ones you want who aren’t on my guest list.”

Lola glanced at Mandy, wide-eyed, before looking at Kaz. “You’re sure? That’s a huge change in plans for you. Why don’t you take a night to think about it? A big decision like that involves Jake and needs his input.”

“And Ben and Marc.” Mandy laughed. “Though knowing these three, I imagine anything that gets them out of planning a wedding will work. I know I’ve had my share working on stuff for Kaz and Jake while Ms. World Traveler was jaunting around Italy with her famous photographer.” She grabbed Lola’s hand and Kaz’s and held on. “I think it’s about the coolest idea I’ve ever heard, Kaz, and really generous of you. Let’s go for it!”

*   *   *

“I don’t know, Jake. A wedding is a pretty big deal for a woman. Are you certain Kaz wants to share her day?”

Jake merely shrugged. “I dunno, Marc, but personally, there’s nothing I’d like more than to share it with both my brothers. What about you, Ben?”

“It works for me, but only if Lola and Kaz agree.” He glanced at Marc. “And Mandy, of course. I mean, it could certainly make for one hell of a party.”

“Hey.”

Marc glanced up as Mandy walked in, trailed by Kaz and Lola. She leaned over and gave him a kiss and then plopped down in his lap. “What’s up with you three?” Marc asked. Then he leaned around Mandy and smiled at Kaz and Lola. “And why do all of you look like you’re up to no good?”

Kaz rolled her eyes. “He’s good, Mandy. Scary good.” She straddled Jake’s lap while Lola snuggled up to Ben. Looping her arms over Jake’s shoulders, Kaz kissed him and then glanced toward Marc. “Well, Marc,” she said, “we were just talking about how Jake and I have this beautiful wedding all planned, and you guys are all just as engaged as we are, and wondered if you would like to share it with us? Of course, only if Jake’s okay with it and…” She leaned back as Jake laughed. “What?”

“Merely that great minds think alike. I just suggested that to the guys.”

Kaz turned and smiled at Lola and Mandy. “See? He’s right. Great minds do think alike. So that’s it. We’re set. Now you two have exactly ten—make that nine—days to get a wedding dress and invite the folks you want to invite. We’ll have to bump up the amount of food, but wine shouldn’t be a problem.” She looked over her shoulder at Marc. “Right?”

“Right.”

“And as long as everyone is okay with jazzy bluegrass, the music should work just fine. Now, ladies, I’m doing the traditional bride bit with my dad walking me down the aisle and turning me over to Jake. Got a man you can bring for dad duty?”

Lola raised her hand. “I call dibs on Theo.”

“That’s good, because I want Ted.” Mandy leaned back and looked upside down at Marc. “Is that okay with you?”

“As long as he doesn’t object to being daddy for a day, I think it’s a great idea.” He thought about it for a moment, about Ted’s part in their family. “Personally, I think he’ll be honored that you’d ask him.”

*   *   *

“Mandy crawled into bed beside Marc and curled up close against his long, lean body. So much has happened over the past month that it doesn’t seem possible that’s all it’s been.”

“We’ve most definitely crammed an awful lot into the past few weeks.” Marc pulled her closer, until she was draped across his chest. “Can we slow down now, maybe take some time to get to know each other a bit better?”

She snorted and then buried her face against his chest.

“You snorted. What’s that for?”

“I think we know each other, Marc, though I definitely want to spend the rest of my life getting to know you better. You okay with that?”

“I think I can handle it. I’m actually looking forward to getting back to the office and a regular schedule. I’ve missed doing normal stuff with you, Mandy. I’ve even missed work. I really love what I do. I hope you’ll have as good a time with the coffee shop. Theo’s got the paperwork all drawn up so we can approach the women’s center that you three have selected. I’m going to be looking into my mother’s inheritance tomorrow, but from what Theo has learned, it makes my income look paltry. I’m thinking we might want to spread it out over multiple charities, including some in wine country, but we’ve got plenty of time to think about it.”

Mandy propped herself up on her elbows on his chest. “Is this the nerd’s version of pillow talk? Because I don’t know whether to be turned on and panting or insulted and giggling.” She leaned close and licked one nipple.

Marc groaned. She licked the other, and then caught it between her teeth. This time it was more of a whimper, but that worked. She tugged and he arched his back, at which point she trapped his erection between her thighs and began kissing her way down his body. It didn’t take her long at all to find what she was looking for, to take him in her mouth, to savor the taste and texture of the man she loved more than she thought possible. She’d promised him forever and she really loved the sound of that.

She took him as far as she could without going past the point of no return. When she raised her head, it was to find Marc watching her. He was smiling, but clearly he was struggling to hang on to control. With a single kiss to the tip of his erection, she crawled up his body until she was kneeling over him with her hands planted on his shoulders. “I love you, Marcus Jerome Reed. I love you so much it absolutely fills me up.”

She barely had time to register the devilish glint in his eyes before he’d flipped her over and trapped her beneath him. “That’s good,” he said. “Because I want to fill you up even more.” He nipped at her breasts, nuzzled the sensitive skin along her ribs, and then knelt between her thighs and lifted her to his mouth.

She loved the way his big hands palmed her buttocks, the soft flicks of his tongue against her moist sex, the way he knew exactly what she loved. This was a man who paid attention to all the little things that mattered, the way she shivered when he used his tongue and lips, even his teeth to bring her to the edge, the way he reminded her with every look, every word, every act, just how important she was in his life.