cope.” She closed the dishwasher and straightened up. “You’re a strong woman, Frankie. And you’re very important to Matt.”
Oh God, was this a warning?
Was she saying “Don’t mess with my son”?
Was she thinking she didn’t want a Cole anywhere near the family?
“I—”
“It’s a relief for us. I try not to interfere, but I was worried that what happened with Caroline might have made him reluctant to get involved with a woman again. It’s good to see you both looking so happy. I do hope you’ll join us for Thanksgiving. I love having the whole family together.” Lillian gave her a warm hug and then left the room to finish clearing the table.
Frankie watched her through the window.
She was the one with the problem, not Matt.
She saw Matt’s father stand up to help his wife, in what was obviously a well-oiled routine. Partners.
Would she spend less time worrying about things going wrong, she wondered, if she’d spent more time seeing them go right?
* * *
THEY ARRIVED BACK in Brooklyn as the sun was setting.
After the peace of Puffin Island, New York seemed frenetic. Normally Matt loved the pace and energy of the city, but right now he was wishing he was back on the island with Frankie, removed from the world in the cozy cocoon of their beachside cabin where nothing could intrude.
He’d learned more about her in the past three days than he had in twenty years.
He’d learned that she woke up early and liked her coffee strong. He’d learned that her insecurities hid depths of wild passion.
And he’d learned that she’d been carrying a secret for all of her adult life. A secret she’d shared with no one. Until now.
The significance of that wasn’t lost on him.
Sharing had deepened the intimacy and connection between them, but it had also shown him that Frankie trusted him.
As they drove through the busy streets she grew quieter and quieter.
Matt glanced at her briefly. “Have you heard from Paige and Eva?”
“They have a baby shower tonight so they’re going to be home late. I think Paige might be staying with Jake.” She sounded distracted.
Matt was pretty sure he knew what was going on in her head, but he said nothing, instead concentrating on the traffic until finally they pulled onto their leafy street in Brooklyn.
It was a sticky summer night, airless and humid, and Frankie pushed her hair back from her face. “I miss the sea breeze.”
“Me, too.” He unloaded their bags and she took hers from him.
“Thanks, Matt. I had a good time.”
“I had a good time, too.”
Outside her apartment she paused and put her bag down, the keys in her hand.
Instead of unlocking the door, she turned to him. “My place or yours?”
He’d had no intention of letting her sleep in her place, but he’d been picking his moment carefully. The fact that she’d made the decision herself gave him a rush of exhilaration. “Are you planning on seducing me?”
“I’m not sure about seduction. I am planning to do bad things to you. Does that count?”
“That depends.” He moved closer to her, trapping her between his body and the door. “How bad?”
“You’ll find out.” There was a naughty gleam in her eyes that he didn’t recognize.
“Now you’re definitely flirting.”
“How am I doing?”
“You’re doing fine.” More than fine. He was so hot he was ready to explode. He released her and picked up her bag. “My apartment. That way we can take a drink up to the roof terrace and talk.”
“You want to talk?”
“I’m trying to prove I’m not only interested in your body.”
“What if I’m only interested in yours? Would that be a problem?”
Somehow they made it up the stairs. He just managed to close the door before he started to part her from her clothing. “You’ve turned into a sex maniac, do you know that?”
“I have a lot of years to catch up on. But I could point out that you’re the one ripping at my clothes.”
“I know.” He groaned and shoved her jeans down her legs. “Any chance you could wear a dress with no underwear?”
“I’ll think about it.” She was breathless, her hand clamped behind his head as she urged his mouth down to hers.
He kissed her and lifted her at the same time, feeling her gasp against his lips as her back hit the cold of the door.
“Matt—” She was soft, tempting and unbelievably sexy and he’d never known feelings so intense.
He drove into her, his hands clamped on her hips and his mouth on hers. He