“Damn, where is she?” Christina paced a corridor in Auckland hospital and slammed the cell phone against her thigh.
The disinfectant scent made Susan’s head ache, while worry for Julia had her stomach roiling like the Hauraki Gulf during a storm. She dialed Connor. Nothing. His phone was switched off.
Christina stalked back to her, her runners squeaking on the faded tiles as she executed an abrupt turn.
“Stop pacing. It’s driving me nuts,” Susan snapped.
“Julia looked so pale. You don’t think she’s taken drugs, do you? They wouldn’t tell me anything because I’m not family.”
“It was lucky we went round to her flat,” Susan said.
Christina frowned. “Both Connor and Maggie were at rugby. That’s the last time I saw them.”
“Well, neither of them is answering their phones. I’ve rung them at home. Connor’s flatmate said he was away for the weekend with some woman.”
Christina’s frown deepened. “Do you think they’re together?”
Susan laughed. “Romantically?”
“Yeah. They’ve both been acting strange recently.”
“Don’t be silly. Maggie isn’t Connor’s type. She’s not blonde, for a start. They’re friends, that’s all. Besides, we have a pact. We made a promise not to become involved with Connor. Heck, the pact was Maggie’s idea. Remember?”
Christina started pacing again, and Susan had to bite her lip to stop snapping at her. They were both worried about Julia. They didn’t need to snarl at each other.
“I guess you’re right.” Susan bounded to her feet when she saw the doctor. “Let’s see if we can find out anything. Doctor, how is Julia?”
“Your friend is lucky you found her before it was too late. She’s lost a lot of blood, and, she’s lost the baby, but she’ll recover.”
Susan stopped listening when the doctor said baby.
“Baby?” Christina blurted. “I didn’t even know she was pregnant.”
Susan knew how Christina felt. “How far along was she, Doctor?”
“About two months,” the doctor said.
“But she was drinking,” Susan said. “How could she? Why didn’t she tell us?”
“I can’t help you with that,” the doctor said.
“At least she’ll be okay,” Christina said. “Now if only we could reach Maggie and Connor. They’ll know what to do. Connor and Julia are close. Maybe he knew about the baby.”
A nurse bustled out. “You can see her for a moment. No longer than five minutes. She’s awake, but needs to rest.”
They hurried into the hospital room.
“Man, I hate the smell of hospitals,” Susan muttered.
A hoarse laugh came from the bed. “Me too.”
“Julia, how are you feeling?” Christina smoothed the tangled hair from Julia’s face.
“Like I’ve been run over by a bus.” A tear tracked down her cheek.
Susan swallowed. Although she’d known Julia for several years, she’d never seen the other woman cry. She was about good times and parties, popular with men and sometimes aloof with other women. Susan had held reservations about Julia at first, but once she’d come to know the other woman, she’d realized she possessed a big heart. She’d do anything for her friends.
“Can we call anyone for you?” she asked, knowing their five minutes were almost up.
“Connor. I want Connor,” Julia mumbled and cried in earnest.
The nurse bustled into the room, her pale blue uniform rustling with each brisk step. She made shooing motions with her hands.
“We’ll pop in after work tomorrow,” Christina said.
Susan sent Julia a bright smile and followed Christina from the hospital room. Neither of them spoke until they were inside the elevator.
“Do you think Connor is the father?”
Susan shook her head. “I don’t know, but why else would she want Connor?”
“I don’t know. We’d better keep trying to contact him,” Christina said. “You saw how upset she was.”
“I wonder if Greg knows where Maggie is. I’ve tried everywhere else.” As she spoke, Susan pulled out her phone and rang directory service. A few minutes later, her call connected.
“Greg, it’s Susan,” she said and explained the circumstances. “Is Maggie with you?”
“No. Try Connor,” he said and disconnected.
Susan frowned, her confusion giving way to anger.
“What did he say?”
“He told me to try Connor. I don’t understand what’s going on,” Susan snapped.
“Don’t snarl at me.” Christina stomped out of the hospital entrance and made for her car.
“Well, something’s going on. I don’t know what Maggie and Julia are playing at, but it’s clear there’s something stinky here. What happened to trust? And what about our pact?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. It might be nothing.”
“Huh! You know it takes a fire to make smoke, right? What we have here is lots of smoke, so I know there’s a fire somewhere.”
Maggie cuddled up to Connor. Her bottom smarted, but she’d never felt so close to another person. Intimate. That was the word for it. There was a new intimacy and trust between them that hadn’t been present before.
“How did you know I’d like a good spanking?”
Connor’s breath tickled her neck, and she pressed even closer so it didn’t distract her as much.
“You know the blog everyone is talking about at work?”
“Yes,” Maggie said, glad her back pressed to his chest and he couldn’t see her guilty face.
“I guess you could say the blog gave me the idea.”
“Oh. I thought you’d want to stay away from anything like that because of what happened with your mother.”
“It worried me,” he said gruffly. “Which is why I want you to tell me exactly how far you want me to go. I never want to hurt you. Never.”
Maggie pulled away and turned to face him. She cupped his face, his jaw bristly beneath her fingertips. “I feel safe with you. In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve hardly ever lost your temper. Please don’t tell me you’re worried you might take after your father?”
“His blood runs through my veins,” Connor said. “I worry.”
Maggie smiled. “You respect women. I bet you take after your stepfather, Frank. I’ve never seen you brawl at the pub or get into a fist fight at rugby. Oh, apart from you and Greg. What’s up with you two?”
“Greg and I didn’t hit it off the first time we met. There’s no love lost between us, and that hasn’t changed.”
“I trust you. I feel safe with you, but I know how you feel. My mother—my real one—is Elle Walker.”
“Elle—the one dating the rugby player?”
“The same. My father is convinced I take after her and is always lecturing me on proper behavior.”
Connor stroked his hand over her cheek and the corners of his mouth kicked up in a faint smile. “You have nothing to worry about, babe. Your behavior is exemplary.”
Maggie let out a huff that came close to a snort. “My spanking blog isn’t the worst of it. I have a worse sin. When I was younger, I ran with a fast crowd. They were the sons and daughters of my father’s workmates. I thought I was so special, going out with one of the most popular guys. There were eight of us and we’d spent the weekend at the beach. We stopped at a pub for lunch and I drank too much. I got…um…a bit frisky.” Maggie drew a breath, her face heating with shame. So many times she’d wished she had refused Jason. She’d liked him so much and wanted to belong to the crowd of popular kids. “Oh, heck. This is embarrassing.” She hid her face in her hands before peeking at Connor.
“You don’t have to tell me.”
“But I do. You told me about your past, and I want to do the same.” No matter what he thought about the subject. In this, at least, she intended honesty.
“We all have history, babe. You can tell me anything. I won’t judge you.”
She swallowed, started to talk and swallowed again, concentrating on her clenched hands. This was harder than she’d imagined. “I…Jason asked me to suck him off while he was driving. It was okay for a while, until he drove off the road and went into a ditch. I bit him,” she muttered, talking faster and faster to get out the story. “He had to go to hospital and have surgery.” Maggie risked a glance at Connor. His face contorted in a weird expression. Disgust. Figured. Her father and stepmother had borne similar expressions.
A muffled snort sounded, and she gaped at him. “You’re laughing.”
He roared then, laughing so hard tears streamed down his cheeks. Anger stiffened Maggie’s spine and she jumped to her feet. He grabbed her hand and hauled her right back. She glared at him while he attempted to control his hilarity.
“I’m sorry, babe,” he said, wiping his eyes with his free hand. The other banded her wrist, halting her escape. “Tell me what happened.”
“So you have more to laugh about?”
“No, so I can understand.” This time sincerity emblazoned his face, and some of her irritation faded.
“The press got hold of the story and my so-called friends leaked my identity. Everyone was talking about Penisgate. They made my life hell. They made my family’s life hell, and my father lost his job over it because he worked with the same firm as Jason’s father.”
“And?” Connor prompted.
“Isn’t that enough? My father blamed me. He said if I’d controlled my sinful urges, none of it would have happened. He said I took after my mother and I seek attention to make myself feel better.”
“Bullshit,” Connor said. “None of that is true. You were young. You made a mistake. Hell, we all make mistakes. It’s part of learning and growing up.” He crushed her to his chest, hugging her so tight she could scarcely breathe. Then his mouth settled on hers, his hands touching her everywhere until all she could think about was his next touch. He nuzzled the hollow at her throat and pulled away, caressing every part of her with his gaze.
“We’re a pair,” he said. “Neither of us takes after our parents. Okay?”
She smiled, warmed by his acceptance. “Okay.” At least Connor understood her feelings because of his family situation.
He ran his lips down her neck, gently biting, tormenting her until she clung to him, her heart thudding in an erratic manner, her fingers entwined in his dark hair. He pulled away, his blue eyes twinkling down at her.
“Are you tired?”
“Of you? Never,” she said, and she pushed at his chest.
Confusion covered his face until she shoved him back on the bed and straddled his hips.
“It’s my turn to play.”
“I’m ticklish.”
“Only when it suits you,” she said tartly. “Man up and deal.”
He chuckled. “Do your worst. Let me prove I can take it—like a man.”
Maggie grinned and splayed a hand over his chest. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart and knew he wanted her. Heck, his cock prodding her backside gave her a big clue.
Her finger circled a masculine nipple. Fascinated, she watched it harden and leaned over to repeat the move with the slow slide of her tongue. A faint saltiness hit her taste buds.
Gradually, she moved down his body, lingering over hard pectoral muscles, tracing her fingers over his biceps, his ribs. He didn’t say a word or try to take control, letting her explore at will. Violent? Connor Grey? She didn’t think so. At the moment, the man resembled a big pussy cat.
“Are you going to get to the good stuff soon?”
Maggie glanced up at him and winked. “Still charting unknown territory.”
“You’ve been with men before.”
“Yeah, but none of them ever let me explore like this. It’s fun with you.” She traced around his belly button with her tongue and grinned at him again. The flare of desire in his eyes sent an arrow of heat through her. Like a wave, it rushed over her skin, pulling her nipples tight and tingling its way to her pussy.
She loved him so much.
The words trembled on her lips. Aware that friends who were lovers didn’t cross into this forbidden territory, she bit back the words and concentrated on giving him pleasure. If she couldn’t admit her love, at least she could show him.
“Making love is fun with you too,” Connor said in a husky voice. “Different. Exciting.”
“I excite you?”
“Yeah.” A hiss escaped him when she wriggled her ass against his erection and did a sexy little shimmy.
“You know knowledge is power, right?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s right.” And she lifted up and moved farther down his body. Without taking her gaze off him, she used a finger pad to remove a pearl of pre-come from the head of his cock. Raising her finger to her mouth, she licked it clean.
His dark groan sent a thrill through her.
“I could torture you with the things I’m learning.”
“Newsflash, babe. You’re torturing me now.”
“Oh, no,” Maggie said. “I haven’t even started yet.” She lowered her head and took the head of his cock into her mouth, smiling at his sharp intake of breath. This time she tasted the spicy tang of arousal and was fiercely glad she could do this to him. Taking a little more of him into her mouth, she licked and sucked and used her hands to massage the rest of his shaft. His hips jerked as she pumped his cock. He grew harder inside her mouth, his balls drawing up when she continued to tease him. Her cheeks hollowed as she sucked harder, each wet rasp of her tongue making him shake, his muscles bunch and tense.
She’d done this before, but had never ached to give a man pleasure or play the seductress. Teasing was a double-edged sword, she discovered, because desire, liquid and molten, pulsed through her to settle at the juncture of her thighs.
“If you keep that up, I’m going to come,” he said in a gruff voice and, lucky for him, he didn’t mention danger, her teeth, or the possibility of accidents.
“Precisely my idea,” she said after pulling away. She reclaimed his cock and licked him with the same attention she gave to a cone of her favorite hokey-pokey ice cream.
“But wouldn’t it be better if I came inside you? Or you could turn around so I could give you pleasure at the same time?”
His suggestion snared her attention. She lifted her head again. “Really?”
“Turn around and back up so I can reach.”
“But you’ll see my butt.”
“I like your ass. Besides, I’ve seen it before. Turn around. Now.”
Somehow, Maggie straddled his body and facing his groin and jutting cock. How did he do that? The minute he spoke in that tone, she obeyed automatically.
The wet rasp of his tongue ran the length of her slit, and she froze at the jolt of pleasure. Okay. Maybe this was a good idea. The muscles of her stomach quivered when he repeated the move.
Maggie turned her attention to his cock, but froze when quick flicks of his tongue distracted her.
“Jesus, Maggie. Watch the teeth.”
“Oops, sorry. It’s hard to concentrate when you do that.” Inside her confidence took a beating. She should know better! Maggie waited for him to mention her confession but he didn’t bring up the subject. Relaxing, she sucked him hard and laved the underside in silent apology.
“Do it again and I’ll spank you. If I want a piercing, I’ll have a professional do it.”
Maggie bit back a relieved grin. “Okay.” She ran her tongue down the prominent vein on the underside of his shaft before taking him into her mouth again.
He used his fingers and mouth, each flick and lick of his tongue like a strong intoxicant. Intense bursts of heat swirled through her, and she found it hard to focus under his delicious assault. Her thighs clamped together around his head, and all she could think of was the pleasure.
“Right, that does it,” Connor said. “I don’t feel safe with those teeth of yours.”
“Did I bite you?”
“I bet I have teeth marks,” he muttered, but his voice shimmered with humor.
Her heart beat faster. Did that mean he would spank her again? She hadn’t meant to bite him. She really hadn’t. But it wasn’t a bad result. It sort of made her want to misbehave whenever she was with him.
Grabbing her hips, he lifted and repositioned her so she faced him again. “Ride me,” he ordered.
“But don’t you want me to kiss it better?”
He snorted a laugh. “Minx. Consider yourself on a warning. One spanking sometime this week for endangering my manhood after I specifically told you to take care.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir,” she said, even though her grin said the exact opposite. Maggie lifted and guided him to her entrance, sinking down until he filled her. “Does that feel better?”
“Much. I love the feel of your tight pussy squeezing my cock.”
“How does it feel?” she asked, falling into an easy rhythm. “Describe it for me.”
“Imagine sliding a sword into a scabbard. You feel snug like that but the heat is incredible. I want to go as deep as I can. The drag of the tip of my cock against your inner tissues feels good. My balls tighten and draw up and I start to feel like I will explode.”
“Do you feel like that now?” She moved a fraction faster, tightening her inner muscles in the way she’d already noticed drove him crazy.
“Yes,” he gritted out.
“Then come,” she said. “Don’t hold back.”
“But what about you?”
“I’m feeling fantastic, but this isn’t a competition you know. We don’t both have to come at the same time or in the same session.”
“You’re a treasure, Maggie Drummond.”
Maggie’s heart twisted, and she closed her eyes, pretending she wanted to enjoy this and concentrate when inside her heart was breaking. This was as close to heaven as she’d ever come. She loved him, and he thought she was a treasure.
Connor let out a hoarse shout, and she felt the splash of seed deep inside her. She ground down hard, and a shard of pleasure pierced her. Rhythmic pulses shot through her pussy, and she squeezed her eyes shut tight, throwing her head back as climax transported her.
Maggie Drummond was a treasure.
Maybe they could write that on her epitaph.
Maggie picked up the phone at her place with a smile at Connor.
“Back to normal,” he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Are you at there?” a harsh feminine voice demanded.
“Susan? What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been trying to get you since Saturday night. Where have you been?”
“I went to visit my father,” Maggie lied. “Problem?”
“Julia’s in hospital. Christina and I went around to her place and found her collapsed on the floor.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s asking for Connor. Do you know where he is? I haven’t been able to reach him, either.”
“He picked me up…uh…from the airport. He’s here. I’ll get him.”
“Julia’s in hospital,” she murmured, handing him the phone.
“Susan, it’s Connor. What’s wrong with Julia?” He froze, a scowl furrowing his brow. “A baby. Shit. Okay. Maggie and I will come now.” He hung up.
“Did I hear right? A baby?”
“Yeah, Susan said Julia is asking for me and got upset.”
Maggie’s mind made the leap. “Is it yours?” she whispered, trying to keep her hurt balled up inside.
Connor took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. The playfulness of the weekend had faded, leaving a stranger. “Julia is like a sister. It’s true we’ve spent a lot of time together in the past, but I have never, ever slept with her. Never.”
The hurt seeped away under his intent gaze. Truth shone on his face and in his voice.
“Okay,” Maggie said. “I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“You know what happens to doubters?” Connor asked.
“They get spanked?”
No,” he said. “They get sent to bed with no supper.”
“I’ll lose my beautiful curvy shape.”
Connor grabbed her hand and gave her a swift kiss. “That would be a disaster. We’d better go. It must be serious if they’re keeping Julia in hospital. I’ll drive.”
They walked into the hospital room together to find Susan and Christina already present.
“We’ve been trying to ring you all day,” Christina said.
“Susan said. I’ve been away for the weekend and turned off my phone.”
“Connor?”
“I’m here, babe.” Connor moved closer to the bed and took her hand. Maggie had never seen Julia without her make-up. Her face was pale, and huge purple circles beneath her eyes made her seem very fragile.
Maggie watched them, working to maintain a passive face. She couldn’t let the surge of jealousy choking her inside free, couldn’t let the others see it.
“I lost the baby, Connor. I wanted this baby.” She started to cry, and Connor dragged her into his arms, holding her and whispering soothing words to her.
Maggie swallowed, figuring Julia would like time alone. “We’ll be in the canteen grabbing a coffee,” she whispered.
Susan and Christina followed her from the room.
“What do you think that’s about?” Susan asked.
“I don’t know,” Maggie said.
“How could Julia go behind our backs and sleep with Connor?” Christina muttered. “She promised.”
Cripes. “I don’t think this is the time to hash it out now,” Maggie said. “We don’t know what happened. I didn’t even know Julia was pregnant.”
Susan scowled. “I wonder if Connor knew.”
“About our agreement?” Maggie knew Connor didn’t know about the promises they’d made regarding him.
“That and the baby,” Christina said.
“Discussing it now won’t help,” Maggie said. “It’s more important for Julia to recover. I’ve never seen her look so fragile. I’ve noticed she’s been quieter than normal. She still smiles, but she’s not the same party gal.”
“You don’t think we should worry that Julia has broken her promise? What sort of friend does that make her?” Susan asked, a tart note in her voice.
“Susan!” Maggie stared at her two friends in shock. How would they react if they learned about her and Connor? “Don’t you think she needs our support and understanding right now? Isn’t friendship about forgiving?”
“Friendship is also about trust,” Christina said. “Something you know little about if you’re seeing a married man.”
Maggie jerked, feeling as if the blow were physical rather than verbal. “That’s enough. I know you’re both upset and worried about Julia, but you’re out of line. I don’t think I’ll bother with coffee,” she said, proud of herself for keeping her voice even. “Tell Connor I’ll see him tomorrow at work.”
Maggie stalked away without looking back, her shoulders and neck tense, her hands curled into fists at her side. According to Connor, he and Julia had never slept together. Julia didn’t deserve their bitter words.
She did.
It was true Susan and Christina could be a little judgmental. She knew and accepted their flaws because they had so many other good qualities. Susan volunteered at a women’s shelter and worked tirelessly in raising funds for them. The women there loved her, while Christina was enthusiastic and optimistic. She was resourceful, and Maggie knew she’d done free makeovers for some of the women at the shelter. Everyone had a few character faults. She wasn’t Ms. Perfect. Once they realized how meanly they’d behaved, Maggie was sure they’d apologize. Besides, she wasn’t entirely blameless. Maybe she should do what her conscience bid her, to protect her heart and maintain her friendships.
Walk away from Connor.
Easier said than done.
Maggie sighed as she stepped outside into the growing darkness. She heaved another sigh and crossed the road to wait at the bus shelters.
Why was love so bloody difficult?