“The boys and I did.” Mac sat next to her on the bed. “Janey left before Mallory got there. She was upset.”

“She loves being your dad’s only daughter. Almost as much,” Maddie said, glancing at him tentatively, “as you love being the oldest.”

“Yes.”

“Are you okay?”

“I guess. I mean there’re certainly worse things they could’ve told us.”

“Still… That must’ve been pretty shocking to hear.” She took his hand and held it between both of hers. “So what’s she like?”

“She’s actually really nice. She’s an emergency room nurse in Providence, and she looks just like my father’s mother as a younger woman.”

“So he’s not going to make her prove it, then?”

“There’s really no need to. The proof is in the picture. But you’ll be glad to know I asked the same question.”

Maddie leaned her head against his shoulder. “It’s okay to tell me this upsets you. I’d totally understand.”

“I know you would, and that’s why I came to you when I should’ve gone to work.”

“I’m glad you came to me. I’d always want you to do that.”

“How’re you feeling?”

“Pretty good today, actually.”

“Is that so? And is it possible that we find ourselves completely alone in the middle of the day with a bed right here for anything that might come to mind?”

Maddie giggled softly. “What comes to mind?”

Always a believer in showing rather than telling, Mac guided her hand to the evidence of what he had in mind.

“I thought you were upset.”

“I was, until I came home to you. Now it seems I have other issues on my mind that you could help me with.”

“Was this all a ploy to gain my sympathies so you could ravish me in the middle of the day?”

The word “ravish” coming from her sent a bolt of lust to his already painfully hard cock. “That makes me sound so devious,” he said while nuzzling her neck and ear. He tugged on the formfitting tank top that molded to her incredible breasts. She hated them. He loved them. They’d agreed to disagree on the matter. “What do you say? Wouldn’t we be foolish not to take advantage of this nearly unprecedented opportunity?”

“What about work?” she asked, tipping her head to give him better access to her neck.

“Luke is there.”

“Does he know where you are?”

“No, but he wouldn’t mind.” He eased her top up and over her head. “How long has Hailey been asleep?”

“Not long.”

“Oh boy.” Mac dragged his finger from her neck to the deep valley between her breasts, making her shiver. He loved that his touch did that to her. “That means we have hours.” He kissed her. “And hours.”

“Mac,” she said with a nervous laugh, “I did have a few things I planned to get done today.”