The Marcelli Bride

relaxed.

She opened her eyes and saw him smiling at her.

“Not bad for a rookie,” he told her, then he pushed into a kneeling position and shifted closer. He thrust into her, filling her completely.

Understanding dawned.

“You’re still hard,” she whispered.

“Very hard. I liked doing that. A lot.”

Difficult not to believe him when the proof pushed in deep enough to make her clench around him.

Gratitude made her ache. Not only because he’d pleasured her, but also because he’d replaced a horrible memory with one that bordered on spectacular.

In a matter of seconds, the steady rhythm had her on the edge again. She wrapped her legs around him, drawing him closer, then quickly lost herself in more waves of release. Two thrusts later, he followed, groaning her name and hanging on as if he would never let go.

When they’d recovered enough to speak, Joe rolled off her and pulled her against him. He settled her head on his shoulder and wrapped his arm around her.

“Thank you,” he said.

Darcy snuggled close. “I believe that’s my line,” she whispered. “You were great.” With more than just sex, she thought. In all of it.

“I needed to be with you.”

His words did a funny thing to her heart. It sort of stuttered a beat, before returning to the regular pace.

Danger, she told herself. This was the wrong man. She needed someone to love her back, not run for the emotional hills.

Oh but she wanted him to be different. She wanted him to care. But Joe had pushed away one wife and the entire Marcelli family. Why would she be any different?

“You need to get back,” she said, giving him a little shove, knowing that if he stayed with her much longer, she was at risk of saying something that could embarrass them both.

“I don’t want to.”

“Perfectly understandable, but I’m not excited at the thought of someone in your family coming looking for you and finding you here. They already know about the last time.”

“Good point.” He kissed her, then sat up and reached for his clothes. “I wish you could come.”

“Me, too. But Paige and Alex are right. Better for me to stay securely hidden away.”

He dressed quickly and left. When she was alone again, Darcy dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, then stretched out on the bed. Now what? Everything had changed, and she didn’t know how to make it go back. Falling in love with Joe was a huge mistake. Was it too late to protect herself? And even if she could stop herself from caring about him, however was she going to get over falling for his whole family?

Three days after the funeral Darcy walked into the kitchen and found Grandma Tessa sitting alone at the kitchen table. It was so strange to see the tiny woman simply sitting. Grandma Tessa was always on the move- carrying, chopping, stirring, serving.

When she saw Darcy, she stood up. “It’s nearly lunchtime,” she said briskly. “I’ll fix you something.”

Darcy knew the whole “food is love” talk. She’d given it to Joe more than once. But just this once she couldn’t listen to her own advice.

“No,” she said gently, pushing Tessa back in her chair. “Let me bring you something.”

Tears filled Tessa’s eyes, although she did her best to blink them away. “You’re a good girl, Darcy. It’s been a blessing to have you here.” She fingered the rosary beads on the table in front of her. “Honestly, I’m not hungry. I know I have to eat, but not yet. I miss him too much.”

Darcy sank down next to her and took her free hand. “I know. You’ve loved him a whole lifetime. It’s only been a few days. You’re allowed to grieve.”

Tessa nodded and squeezed her fingers. “I keep expecting to see him walk into the room. I can’t sleep. The bed, it’s so big. When did it get so big?”

Not knowing what else to do, Darcy hugged her. Tessa held on tight.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “With the girls all gone, the house is so quiet. You bring us life again.”

Darcy thought that might be an exaggeration, but she knew having people around gave Tessa something to think about other than her sadness. She wished she had something to say, something that would help ease the other woman’s pain. But there weren’t any words.

So they sat together, hugging and rocking, not speaking. Darcy breathed in the scent of spices and rose soap and did her best to be strong.

The back door opened. She glanced up, hoping to see Joe. He’d been busy with family stuff for the past couple of days, and they hadn’t had any time alone. But instead of him, Paige walked into the kitchen.

“I have news,” she said.

Tessa straightened and turned. “Paige. Are you hungry?”

Paige walked to the older woman and crouched in front of her. “You’ve got to stop feeding me,” she teased. “I’ve gained twenty pounds.”

Tessa cupped her face. “Maybe, but on you they’re beautiful pounds.”

“That’s not what my supervisor’s going to say after my next physical.” She straightened and glanced at Darcy. “They’ve caught the last of the kidnappers. Your father will be calling in the next minute or so. The call will be put through here.”

Darcy wondered if she looked as surprised as she felt. Caught? “Already?”

Paige smiled. “It’s been nearly four weeks. But the ringleaders had gone pretty far underground.”

Tessa stood and patted her hair. “The president?” she asked, sounding stunned. “Phoning here?”

“You look fine,” Paige said with a grin.

Darcy tried to enjoy the humor of Tessa worried about her appearance for a phone call that wasn’t for her, but she could only deal with her rising panic.

No! It couldn’t be true. If the men were caught then she was free to leave. Actually, she had to leave. The Marcellis would want their house back.

But she wasn’t ready. She and Brenna hadn’t finalized the label designs, and the family was still in mourning, and what about Joe? They had to talk and she had to tell him that she…

The phone rang. Paige reached for it.

“Agent Newberry,” she said crisply, then nodded at Darcy. “Yes. She’s right here.” She held out the phone.

Darcy took it. “Hello?”

“Please hold for the president,” a female voice said as Paige left the kitchen.

Darcy waited a second, then heard, “Darcy?”

“Hi, Dad.”

“You’ve been told?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good news all-around. The last of them was rounded up this morning.” He laughed gruffly. “I’ll sleep better at night knowing my girls are safe now.”

Two months ago Darcy would have dismissed the statement or at least reinterpreted it to mean he was glad Lauren was safe. Now she wasn’t so sure. Maybe he meant it. Maybe she did matter to him.

“I’ve been talking to your sister,” he continued. “She mentioned you’d like to get more involved with things here at the White House.”

Darcy winced. That wasn’t exactly what she’d said. “I thought it would be nice to do more.”

“I’m glad,” he said, sounding as if he meant it. “I always knew your space was important to you.” He hesitated. “Do you young people still talk about having your own space?”

She smiled. “Not really. But I know what you mean.”

“Good. When you come home, we can talk. I’d like to have you around more, Darcy. You’re very important to me.”