“I think I would’ve liked him.”

“You would have. Everyone did.”

“He’d be proud of you and Paul and the way you’ve stepped up for your mom.”

“I hope so.”

“What father wouldn’t be proud of sons like you two?”

“Thank you for that. I like to think he’d be proud of us. When he was sick, he asked us over and over to take good care of our mother. She was foremost on his mind.”

“And he’s still foremost on hers.”

“I want that,” Alex said. “I want what they had.”

“So do I. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. My parents have it, too. They’re amazing together, even after all these years.” She propped her chin on her hands. “Speaking of my parents… They’re coming for a visit this week. I’d like for you to meet them.”

“I’d love to meet them. Are they staying here?”

“No, they’re staying at the McCarthy’s hotel.”

“Oh thank God,” he said as he rolled them so he was above her, looking down at her with those dark-chocolate eyes. “I was already trying to figure out if I could scale the lighthouse from the outside to get to you while they’re here.”

Laughing, Jenny said, “You’re downright incorrigible.”

“I’m downright smitten.”

His sweet words went straight to her overcommitted heart, flooding the empty corners with warmth and excitement. “So am I.” It was the truth. Why not say so?

He looked at her for a long time before he kissed her. At first, it was just his lips, soft and persuasive.

Her arms tight around his neck, she squirmed under him, needing more.

“Easy, honey. Let me take my time.”

Jenny forced air into her lungs, trying to relax when his every touch set her on fire. He wasn’t kidding when he said he planned to take his time. Everything happened in slow motion as he paid homage to her lips, neck, breasts and belly, working his way down slowly, so slowly that by the time he was settled between her legs, all he had to do was touch her with his tongue, and she came.

“I love how responsive you are,” he whispered against her sex, making her tremble.

She didn’t have the words to tell him that she wasn’t usually so responsive. In fact, only one other man had ever been able to coax such responses from her.

Alex was the reason she was so responsive. It was him and the incredible energy they created together.

He kissed his way back up just as slowly, capturing her lips as his cock pressed against her slickness. Keeping up the slow theme, he entered her in tiny increments.

Jenny dug her fingers into his back, trying to encourage him to move faster, but he was determined to take his time.