Second Chance Girl (Happily Inc. #2)

With each article of clothing, they paused to explore, to touch, to taste. The feel of his mouth on her breasts had her moaning. The warmth of his skin against her fingers was its own form of arousal. Every touch, every kiss, every move was a promise.

She slid into bed first and he followed. He touched her everywhere before easing his fingers between her legs. He quickly found her swollen center and pleasured her until she found her release. While she was still lost in the aftermath of her orgasm, he put on a condom and eased inside of her.

She kept her eyes open, wanting to watch him—only he was watching her, as well. Even as he began to move inside of her, their gazes stayed locked, as if neither was going to be the first to look away.

The combination of what he was doing and their intense stares touched more than just her body. It was as if she and Ulrich really were becoming the same being.

He moved slowly, steadily, filling her until she couldn’t help arching her back and drawing him in deeper. The telltale pressure began again and she knew she was close to a second orgasm. He quickened his pace, exciting her further. Her breath turned to pants as her body tensed.

“Come for me, Violet.”

His voice was low and guttural. The words were just enough to push her over the edge. She cried out as her body surrendered. He groaned and pushed in deeper, before thrusting faster and faster until he, too, was lost in his release.

Later, when they lay together, a tangle of arms and legs, her head on his chest, his hand on her side, she wondered what on earth she was supposed to do now. Great sex was one thing and yes, she would think about making love with Ulrich often after he was gone. But there was no danger in that kind of longing.

The bigger problem wasn’t with her body, it was with her heart. Somehow while she hadn’t been paying attention, Ulrich had found his way inside the very essence of her. She’d fallen in love with him and having done so, she had no idea how she was supposed to let him go.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MATHIAS STOOD OUTSIDE his house like a prisoner waiting for execution. He supposed there were those who would say he was being dramatic, but those people hadn’t met Ceallach Mitchell. Nothing about this visit was going to go well—at least not from his perspective. He could only hope that Del and Maya had a great wedding and didn’t sense any of the underlying tension.

Sophie sat at his side, her tail wagging tentatively. She knew something was going to happen and given how happy her life was, surely it would be good, but she had no frame of reference.

“Your mom’s going to be here soon,” he told the dog.

Her tail wagged faster as she responded to his friendly tone, but she didn’t understand the words.

Del came out and joined them. “You could wait inside. We can see the car when it pulls up.”

“Being outside is better.”

Not that he was going to bolt, but if he had to, he was closer to his car.

“You okay?” Del asked.

“Never better.”

“Does lying help?”

“It doesn’t hurt.”

A car rounded the bend. As it got closer, Mathias felt his gut clench, as if in anticipation of a fist. Not that Ceallach would be hitting anyone. He’d stopped doing that when his sons had gotten big enough to hit back. No, he thought grimly. Not his sons. Del.

Del had been the oldest, the first to stand between Ceallach and the younger boys. He’d been the one to tell their father to stop it. Mathias still remembered how surprised he’d been when Ceallach had listened.

“Thanks for getting between us and him,” Mathias told his brother.

“No problem. I’ll do it again, if necessary.”

Mathias grinned. “I think we can take him ourselves now.”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that.”

“Hopefully.”

The rental car pulled into the driveway. Elaine opened the passenger door and Sophie immediately lunged toward her, tail wagging furiously. Mathias released her. The little beagle raced toward Elaine, barking, whining and writhing in total happiness. Elaine dropped to her knees and pulled Sophie close.

“I’ve missed you, baby girl.”

Mathias had the brief thought that their lives all would have been a lot easier if their mom had shown as much enthusiasm for them when they’d been kids. Then Ceallach got out of the car and there was no way to think about anything else.

Mathias tried to see his father as a stranger would. The mighty artist was older now, thinner. There were lines by his eyes and around his mouth. He still had the carriage of a proud, powerful man, but one who was past his prime.

Nick and Maya joined them. Maya rushed toward Elaine and they embraced. The Mitchell brothers and their father stayed carefully apart.

“Where’s Ronan?” Ceallach asked.

“In town,” Mathias said. He started to say Aidan would arrive in the morning, then figured there was no point. Their father wouldn’t care about him.

Elaine rushed toward them, her arms open, Sophie dancing at her side. “My boys!”

The three of them hugged her. She examined them, pronounced them handsome and healthy, then ushered everyone inside. Mathias wondered if he was the only one who noticed their father hadn’t greeted them beyond asking about Ronan.

Maya had gone to the store and bought different snacks, along with fixings for dinner. Mathias hadn’t paid attention to the details. He’d been unable to think about much beyond his father in his house. Now he watched the man prowl around his living room, then look out at the view.

“Good energy,” his father said. “You work here?”

“I have a studio in town.”

“Still making crap?”

Elaine hurried to her husband’s side. “Ceallach, please. For me. Maya and Del are getting married and I want to hear all about the wedding plans.”

“Then talk to her about them,” Ceallach said, his gaze locking with Mathias. “You could have been somebody. Instead you’re a useless hack making dishes.” Disdain dripped from his words.

He turned to Nick. “What about you?”

Nick glanced at Mathias and winked, then turned back to their father. “I’m doing some things with paper.”

“Paper!” Ceallach’s voice was a roar. “No son of mine is working with paper. The wood was bad enough. How could you?”

Nick shrugged. “You know what, Dad? It’s not that hard. I could probably show you a few techniques.”

Elaine shot him a warning glance, then stepped between her husband and her sons. “Mathias, why don’t you show us our room so we can get settled. Maya said we were eating in tonight. That’s so nice. I’ll unpack, then help in the kitchen. How’s that?”

Always the peacemaker, Mathias thought. Always making sure their father was fine. While she would get between Ceallach and his sons, she wouldn’t stand up for her children. Not against the great and gifted artist.