“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.