Good Husband Material Read online

“She had an affair?”

  He nodded.

  Beside him, Kari sighed. “I know that’s a tough one. You have this idea of your parents’ marriage and it’s one in which they both never mess up. You must have been really shocked.”

  She didn’t understand. Probably because he hadn’t told her all of it. The most important part. The part that had torpedoed his past and dropped land mines in his future.

  “John knew,” he said flatly. “He came out on the porch. She started to cry and couldn’t speak, but he told me.” Against his will he turned to look at Kari. “The man in the picture is my father.”

  She stared at him. Her eyes widened, her lips parted and color drained from her face. “Gage,” she breathed.

  He nodded slightly. “Yeah. I can’t believe it, either. It can’t be true. My dad—I mean Ralph.” He shuddered.

  None of this made sense. It would never make sense. Anger filled him again. Anger and pain—a deadly combination. Only, this time he wasn’t going to get drunk and go tearing down city streets. This time he was going to sit here and do nothing until it all went away.

  “Your father,” she said.

  “Which one?”

  “Your real one. Ralph. I don’t understand. Your parents were so in love. Everyone knew it. They spent all their time together. They were always talking and laughing. I know your mom. She’s not the kind of woman who would…” Her voice trailed off.

  Gage knew what she meant. He would never have guessed his mother was the kind of woman who would have an affair and then pass her bastard off as her husband’s kid. And he could never see his father allowing it.

  “How did it happen?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t stick around long enough to ask questions.” Instead, he’d walked out, the sound of his mother’s sobs following him to his truck.

  “I don’t want it to be true,” he admitted quietly. “Not any of it. If I’m not my father’s son…”

  Who was he? Five generations of Reynolds living in Possum Landing. He’d always taken pride in that. He’d made his history a part of who he was. Except, that wasn’t his history anymore. He didn’t have one—just lies.

  Kari shifted close and tucked her arm around his. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Oh, Gage. I don’t know what to say. I have so many questions, but no way to make you feel better. I’m sorry.”

  He didn’t say anything, nor did he move away. Having Kari next to him felt right. Her touch and her words alone weren’t enough to make him feel better, but that didn’t mean he wanted her to move away. He needed the connection to her tonight more than he ever had.

  They sat in silence for a long time.

  “He’s Quinn’s father, too,” Gage said finally. “I could see the resemblance in the pictures.”

  Kari raised her head. “Quinn’s father? But then the affair was ongoing. For at least a couple of years. How is that possible?”

  “I don’t know. While the guy in the picture looked familiar because of Quinn looking so much like him, I’ve never seen him before. I’m guessing he’s not from around here.”

  He couldn’t comprehend his mother having a brief affair, let alone something that lasted long enough to produce two children. Where the hell had his father, Ralph, been in all this? Gage would have bet his life that his dad—He swore, not his father. He didn’t know his father. Damn. He would have bet his life that Ralph wouldn’t tolerate Edie being unfaithful, no matter how much he loved her. So what had happened?

  The phone rang. He didn’t move.

  Kari turned her head toward the sound. “Aren’t you going to get that?”

  “No.”

  “It’s probably your mom, or maybe John.”

  Gage shrugged. He didn’t want to talk to either of them.

  Kari started to say something, but the start of the message cut her off. The sound of his voice filled the room.

  “It’s Gage. I’m not in. Leave a message at the tone.”

  “G-Gage—?” His mother’s voice broke. “Are you there? I’m so s-sorry. I know you’re upset and—” She began to cry.

  Kari got up and walked to the phone. He didn’t try to stop her because it didn’t matter. She and his mother could talk all night and it wouldn’t change anything.

  Without Kari beside him, the anger burned hotter and brighter. He didn’t like being afraid, so he sank into rage, instead. It was safer, easier. The sense of betrayal nearly overwhelmed him. He knew that whatever his mother had to say, whatever the excuses might be, they weren’t going to be enough. He would never forgive her.

  When Kari returned, she sat on the coffee table, her knees between his. She leaned toward him and took his hands in hers.

  “Your mom wanted to know that you’re okay,” she told him. “I said you were still in shock.”

  Her blue eyes were steady as she looked at his face. Despite his pain and confusion, he thought she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever known. Her wide eyes, her full mouth, her perfect skin.

  She squeezed his fingers. “She wants to talk to you.”

  Rage returned. “No,” he said flatly.

  “You’re going to have to do it sometime.”

  “Why?”

  “To get your questions answered.”

  “I don’t have any.”

  “Gage, of course you do. Too many questions. Edie said she has to explain. There are things you don’t understand.”

  “You think?” he asked bitterly.

  Kari continued to hold his hands. “Your relationship with your mother has always been extremely important to you. After all these years, you’re not going to turn your back on her regardless of how angry you are right now.”

  “Want to bet?”

  “Absolutely. I know you. You need to hear her out. You need to know and understand the truth. There are things you have to be told.”

  He jerked his hands free and glared at her. “Like the fact that the man I thought was my father isn’t? I already know that one.”

  “Biology doesn’t change the memories. Your father loved you very much.”

  “I don’t know if my father even knows I’m alive.”

  “Ralph is your father in every sense of the word.”

  “Not anymore.” Not ever.

  Kari glared at Gage. She hated when he got stubborn. He was like a giant steer in the middle of the road. All the prodding in the world wasn’t going to get him to move until he decided he was good and ready. Only, being stubborn this time was going to hurt both him and Edie.

  Kari didn’t know what had happened thirty-plus years ago. Nor had Edie explained how she’d come to be pregnant by a man other than her husband. But Kari knew there had to be a darn good explanation, and if Gage would stop being angry for one second, he would figure it out, too.

  But she couldn’t bring herself to be upset with him. Not when he looked so broken. The big, strong man she’d always known still sat in front of her, but behind his eyes lurked something dark and lonely. Something that cried out to her.

  Impulsively she leaned toward him, sliding to the edge of the coffee table. She could just stretch her hands far enough to reach his shoulders. When she touched the cloth of his shirt, she drew him toward her.

  He didn’t cooperate, which was just so like him. How difficult could one man be?

  “Work with me, here,” she said in frustration, then moved to the sofa and knelt beside him.

  She rested her hands on his shoulders and brushed his mouth with hers. The kiss came from a need to comfort and connect.

  For a second he didn’t respond. But just as she was about to move back, his arms came around her waist and he hauled her up against him. Her knee sank in between the cushions, causing her to almost lose her balance. But before she could fall, he turned her slightly, shifting her weight until she sat on his lap, her body angled toward his.

  It wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind when she’d first kissed him, but now that she was here
, she found that being cradled next to Gage was a really nice way to spend an evening. Especially when he slightly opened his mouth and swept his tongue across her lower lip.

  Suddenly the tension in the room shifted. It was no longer about an external situation, but about what was growing between them. Hot tension. Sexual tension. Need. Desire.

  Her hold on his shoulders changed from gentle to intense. The compassionate ache inside her became a very different kind of ache. She wanted to offer a whole lot more than just comfort.

  She parted her lips to admit him, then stroked her tongue against his when he accepted the invitation. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer to his chest. Then his hands were everywhere—stroking her back, her hips, her legs. In turn she touched his face, feeling rough stubble, then the smooth silk of his hair. She tried to press herself against him, but in their current positions it was impossible.

  Still, the deep, powerful, passionate kisses took some of the sting out of that. When he retreated, she followed, only to have him close his mouth around her tongue and suck. Shivers raced through her. Warm, liquid heat stirred between her legs. Her breasts swelled inside her bra as her nipples tightened.

  She thought he might have noticed because he moved his hand along the outside of her leg to her hips, then up her waist and rib cage to her breasts. Once there, he settled his palm over her curves. The delightful weight made her squirm. The shivering increased, as did her desire to have him touch her all over…without clothes as a barrier.

  The concept should have shocked her, but it didn’t. This was Gage—the man she’d always trusted. If he wanted to make love tonight, she would only encourage the idea. She’d never been sure with anyone else, but she was sure with him.

  So she arched into his touch and moaned softly when he brushed his thumb against her tight nipple. Against her hip—the one nestling into his groin—she felt something hard pressing into her. She wiggled to get a little closer.

  Suddenly he moved her, shifting her so she had to scramble to keep her balance. He set her on her feet, then rose, as well. Questions filled his eyes, but so did need and wanting.

  “Kari?”

  She leaned in to him and ran her hands up and down his strong chest. It seemed to be the answer he was looking for. He drew her close and kissed her again, this time plunging inside of her and taking what he wanted. She reveled in his desire. Heat filled her, melting her until it was difficult to remain standing.

  He cupped her face, then slipped his fingers through her hair. He broke the kiss, started it again, then stopped.

  When she looked at him, she saw the darkness was gone. Instead, humor brightened his expression.

  “I’m trying to stop long enough to get us upstairs,” he said. “I have a very comfortable bed, not to mention protection. But I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “Who says you have to?” she asked as she turned toward the stairs. “Last one upstairs has to strip for the winner.”

  Gage chuckled, then moved after her. Halfway up the stairs, he grabbed her by the waist and drew her to him. They were on different steps, and she shrieked when she almost lost her balance.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered, picking her up and turning so that she dangled in front of him while he faced the bottom of the staircase.

  “What on earth are you doing?” she demanded.

  “Making sure I get there first.” He spoke directly into her ear. “I like to watch.”

  She barely had time to absorb his words before he reached the landing.

  “I win,” he said, releasing her so that her feet touched solid flooring again. He clicked on a light.

  She sidled away and glanced at him from under her lashes. I like to watch. His words made her both excited and a little uncomfortable.

  “Gage, I don’t know if I can—”

  He captured her hand and raised it to his mouth, where he planted tiny, damp kisses on the inside of her wrist. “I know. It’s okay. I was teasing.”

  “Are you sure?” She looked at him anxiously. “I want to do what—” She cleared her throat. “I just couldn’t…”

  This was probably the time to tell him that she was a virgin, although she had a bad feeling that if she did, he would stop. Which wasn’t what she wanted. And while she fit the technical description of someone who had never had actual penetration, she’d played around some. It’s not as if she’d never seen a naked man before. She’d even climaxed once, although that sure hadn’t been the experience she’d been hoping for.

  “You don’t have to strip for me,” he said gently as he touched her cheek. “We can save that for next time.”

  Relief filled her. “I’m not sure I should commit to that, either. Maybe you should strip for me next time.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  He stared at her, then bent down and kissed her. As his tongue slipped into her mouth, he cupped her breasts, angling his hands so he could rub her tight nipples. The combination of sensations made her knees nearly give way. She had to hold on to him to keep upright.

  Then they were moving. As he kissed her and touched her, he urged her backward, heading them toward the large bedroom at the end of the hallway. But before they were halfway there, he broke the kiss long enough to pull off her T-shirt. Then she felt his hands on her breasts with one less layer between them.

  His fingers touched the top of her breasts, his thumbs teasing the nipples while his palms supported her curves. He was warm, gentle and very sexy, she thought dreamily as they started to move again.

  This time when they stopped, she kicked off her sandals. Gage had something else in mind. He reached for the fastening on her bra and undid it. The wisp of lace seemed to vanish into thin air. Then his hands were back, but on bare flesh this time.

  She arched her head as he cupped her, stroked her, teased her. His skin was slightly rough—not enough to hurt her, but just enough to be…delicious. As he played with her breasts, he kissed along her jaw, then licked the sensitive skin just below her ear. She moaned in delight as pleasure swept through her body.

  “I want to touch you everywhere,” he whispered in her ear. “I want to touch you and taste you and listen to your breathing change. I want to take you to the edge and back, until you don’t have any choice but to fall over. Then I want to catch you and make it happen again and again.”

  She shivered at his words and began to wonder how much farther it was to the bedroom. They began to move. When her bare feet felt the change from hardwood to carpet, she knew they were close. Gage moved away long enough to turn on a lamp on the nightstand and pull back the covers. Then he returned to her side. But he didn’t touch her breasts. Instead, he knelt on the floor and went to work on her shorts.

  They came off easily, as did her panties. In a matter of seconds, she was naked. Before she could be embarrassed, he pressed a kiss to her belly and began to move lower.

  Kari had an idea of his ultimate destination and it worried her. Someone else had done that to her once. All her friends raved about the glories of oral sex, while she had found it embarrassing and more than a little painful. All that sucking and biting had left her bruised and seeking escape. But how to say that without sounding like an idiot?

  She put her hand on his head to get his attention, but before she could speak, he reached his goal. He used his fingers to part her slightly, then leaned in close and licked the most sensitive part of her.

  Liquid fire shot through her. There was no other way to describe it, she thought, more than a little dazed. The slow, gentle movement of his tongue made her want to moan, or even scream. If he didn’t do that again, she wouldn’t be able to survive.

  Fortunately he did do it again…and again. He licked and pressed and kissed so very lightly. She found herself wanting more. There was also the issue of her standing, which meant she couldn’t part her legs enough. But she didn’t want him to stop so that she could climb onto the mattress. It was a dilemma unlike any she’d ever face
d.

  Gage solved it for her by shifting her onto the edge of the bed. She fell back, legs spread shamelessly, her entire body begging him to do more and more until she got so lost in the pleasure that she couldn’t find her way out.

  He chuckled softly as he moved close, draping her legs over his shoulders. She was exposed and completely at his mercy. She couldn’t remember ever being so vulnerable in her life. She felt wonderful.

  Then he licked her again, and she felt even better than wonderful. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to make her breathing stop, how to make her scream. He moved faster, then slower, controlling the building passion, making her get so close she couldn’t help but release, then he pulled her back at the last second and left her panting.

  As he worked his magic between her legs, he reached up and touched her breasts. He cupped the curves and lightly pinched her nipples. The combination of sensations made it impossible for her to catch her breath. Then he was moving faster and faster, and she knew that this time if he stopped she would have a heart attack and die right there in his bed and—

  She screamed. Her cry of pleasure filled the room as he took her to the edge and gently pushed her out into the warm, sensual darkness. Shudders raced through her body. Heat filled her as her release went on for a lifetime, rising and falling, but never, ever ending.

  It was better than anything she’d ever read about. Obviously she’d been doing something very wrong until this point.

  With a sigh of contentment, she floated back to reality and found herself lying on Gage’s bed. He’d shifted her fully onto the mattress and was in the process of taking off his clothes. She looked at him as he undressed, taking in the firm muscles and, as he dropped his boxers, the size of him.

  Kari searched her feelings and knew this was right for her. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he would stop if she asked him to. But instead of questions or uncertainty, a little voice inside whispered only one thing—

  It’s about time!

  Gage watched Kari watching him. She seemed lost in thought, then gave a slow smile. “What’s so funny?” he asked as he reached for the box of condoms in his nightstand.