He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head as the emotion swelled up inside him, filling his chest, nearly closing his throat. “Ah, sweetheart. You went through all that on your own just so I wouldn’t worry?”
She nodded slightly against his chest. “I was going to tell you, Michael, I swear it. I just wanted to know what we were dealing with first. You were going through so much, I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”
God, he loved this woman, even if she did make him crazy. The mere fact that she loved him that much made anything forgivable. But it couldn’t happen again. “Promise me you’ll never keep anything like that from me again, Maggie.”
She was quiet for a few moments, and he knew she was thinking it over carefully. If Maggie made a promise, she would keep it. “Only if you promise not to get yourself killed doing some incredibly brave, stupid thing.”
He felt her fear – real, paralyzing fear, not just worry or concern - in the way her heart pounded against his chest at the mere mention of it. He realized at that moment just how much Maggie had been shouldering alone over the past few months. Suffering a near fatal hemorrhage that almost claimed her sight. Discovering she was pregnant from a man who had walked out on her. Flying halfway across the world after learning he’d been mortally wounded and was not expected to live through the night. He swore again, to himself and to God, that she would never have to face anything alone again.
“As long as I know you are waiting for me, I will always come back to you, Maggie,” he vowed.
“You’d better,” she sniffed, pulling herself atop him. He groaned as she took him in her hand and guided him into her.
“You still haven’t given me an answer, you know,” he reminded her as she began to move, riding him slowly, taking him deeper with each stroke.
“Haven’t I?” she hummed, her eyes half-closed as her nails curled into his biceps.
He gripped her hips with his strong hands, holding her in place, keeping her from achieving the penetration she needed so desperately. “No, you haven’t.”
With one powerful stroke he thrust upward, stretching and filling her until she cried out. “Yes, Michael! Oh God, Yes!”
“Glad we’ve got that settled then,” he said roughly, and spent the rest of the evening demonstrating what a good choice she had made.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Spencer!” Maggie said in stunned shock as she opened the door. She hadn’t thought to check the peep hole; she’d been too busy daydreaming, replaying the morning’s long, languorous lovemaking with Michael. Her body was still sensitive, still slightly swollen and deliciously heavy from his thorough possession.
“Hello, Maggie.” He offered her a pleasant smile. “It’s been a while.”
Not long enough, she wanted to say, but she refrained. Her grandmother had taught her better than that.
When Maggie showed no signs of inviting him in, he took the initiative. “May I come in?”
She didn’t budge. “What do you want, Spencer?”
“I just want to talk to you for a few minutes, Maggie.”
“About what, exactly?”
Spencer grinned, showing off a substantial amount of perfect teeth. No doubt that smile had gotten him a lot of things. Unfortunately for him, Maggie was no longer affected by it. She had learned her lesson well enough.
“Please, Maggie, for old time’s sake. I won’t take up much of your time, I promise.”
Against her better judgment, Maggie stepped back and allowed him to come in. George came trotting in, tail wagging, expecting Michael or one of the others. As soon as he saw who it was, however, he turned tail and made a beeline for the living room, hiding behind the large recliner. Maggie found herself wishing she could do the same.
“Do I smell fresh cinnamon rolls?” Spencer asked. Maggie fought the urge to roll her eyes. Ian was coming by later to pick her up – she still hadn’t received medical clearance to drive again yet – and she knew they were his favorite. “Mmm. And fresh coffee?”
“Yes,” she said, forcing what she hoped was a polite smile.
“It smells wonderful. You always were a fabulous baker, Maggie.”
Remember your manners, Maggie. She could almost hear her grandmother’s voice channeling. “If I offer you some, will it speed this along?”
Okay, so she wasn’t exactly Miss Manners, but she was trying. The most important thing was to get him on his way before Ian came along, because surely he’d go tattling to Michael right away. Not that she felt she was doing anything wrong, but over the last few months she’d come to recognize and appreciate the fierce protective instincts of the Callaghan men. Innocent as it may be, she just could not see Michael – or any of his brothers – seeing it that way. With everything they’d been through lately the last thing she needed was another reason to worry.
“You are an angel, Maggie. I would love some, thank you.”