Hammer It Home: Powertools, Book 6 Read online

  He didn’t pause to check the mail or snag some of the leftovers from yesterday’s special. Instead, he marched directly to their bedroom and settled her on the bed. Deft fingers swiped her sneakers from her feet, then tucked her beneath the thick strata of covers they preferred.

  Joe joined her moments later, gathering her to his chest.

  “Mo.”

  “Joe.” They initialized conversation at the same instant. She giggled. “I never noticed before that we rhyme.”

  “Me either.” He grinned, then trailed a knuckle along her cheek. “Guess it’s no surprise, though. We were meant to go together. I still believe that.”

  “So do I.” A wince tugged at her lips. “I’m so sorry I let you think otherwise.”

  “It’s in the past.” He angled his chin toward the papers clasped between them. “Let’s work on the future.”

  Morgan worried her lip between her front teeth.

  “Their offer obviously upset you.” He traced the shell of her ear, tucking loose strands of hair off her face. “Why don’t we start with why? Do you not want a child if it can’t be conceived the traditional way?”

  “No. That’s not the problem.” She shook her head, pushing up a little with one palm on his chest so she could meet him eye to eye. “I admit I hadn’t thought of alternate arrangements after they told us it wouldn’t be successful to implant your sperm in me artificially. But it’s not like I haven’t embraced some unconventional practices in the past few years.”

  “No one’s questioning that, cupcake.” Joe smiled, then nuzzled their noses together. “Especially after the shit your ex pulled on you, I’m still amazed you gave me and the crew a shot. Grateful every day that you were brave enough to try again.”

  “Thank you for being so patient with me.” She stared into his warm, dark eyes.

  “So if it’s not that you object to…” He spoke slowly, as if selecting each word carefully. “You think there could be issues with asking one of the guys to do the job?”

  A cringe compressed her spine at his blunt description of what should be a miraculous event. “It does worry me that we’d be risking an awful lot. Let’s say Neil did…donate. What if he can’t let go? What if he wants a deeper relationship with the baby? How will we all feel about that? You, me, Devon and James. Will we be able to cope?”

  “Shit. That’s a good question.” Joe sighed. “I didn’t really think of it that way. I know the three of them aren’t interested in kids. How many times have they told Katiebug they’re glad to spoil her baby temporarily, as long as they get to give it back?”

  They both chuckled at the memory. The trio had promised to adore their honorary niece or nephew—though of course they’d said niece—lavishing her with obnoxious toys and hopping her up on sugar before returning her to her parents.

  “That’s what they’ve said, but Devon is young. She could change her mind yet. And what if it hurts her to see her husband’s child raised as someone else’s?” The familiar sting of tears prickled Morgan’s eyes. “I couldn’t stand to injure one of them just to appease my own desires.”

  “We can talk to them, double-check they’re certain.” Joe tipped her face toward his. “But I know my friends. They don’t say or do shit they don’t mean. You can bet Mike and Kate had these discussions with them long before they agreed to hand us that folder. They wouldn’t risk disappointing us by rescinding an offer like that.”

  “And if they’re not sure. Really, really sure, we can look at adopting.” Morgan picked at a string on the edge of the duvet. “It’s just so expensive. And it won’t be fast. I thought maybe in a few years, when Sweet Treats was more stable and we weren’t reinvesting all the profits in growth, maybe then… This gift from the crew is more than we can accept.”

  “Can I be real honest, Mo?” Joe levered up onto one elbow and leaned his forehead on hers. “I’ll do whatever makes you happy, I swear. But if it can’t be me who gives this to you… It feels right to have it be one of the crew. They’re closer than brothers. More than friends. They’re part of me. And if one of them can do this, it’s almost like I did in some fashion. Easier to be excited about than if a stranger were to be mixed with you. Though I swear to you, I will love any child we raise together. I swear I’ll be the best dad I can be. The best husband and friend.”

  “I know.” She didn’t hesitate to grant him reassurance. His decency and commitment were qualities she’d never had reason to question. “Even when I’ve treated you horribly these past few months—been so self-absorbed, I’m ashamed of myself—you never once wavered. I love you, Joe. And if this is the path you prefer, I’ll walk it. I’m so thrilled they offered, humbled really. It’s just...”

  Panic chilled her as she thought of cold steel tables and instruments beeping in the background instead of warm embraces, flickering candlelight and the soft sighs of great sex. It was a ridiculously small thing to endure. And when they came home, Joe would make love to her. It would be easy to convince herself the magic had happened then.

  “That.” Joe zeroed in on her reaction as if she’d advertised her discomfort on the Times Square JumboTron instead of attempting to mask it. She could conceal nothing from him. “There it is again. What was that hesitation?”

  “It’s silly.” She shook her head.

  “Nothing is trivial if it affects you or our family.” Joe flashed the steely core he seldom unveiled. “Tell me what you were thinking just then.”

  She breathed in, then released the air in a steady stream.

  “You can share anything with me. Don’t you believe that?” Pain darkened his eyes, drawing his brows lower on his handsome face.

  “Yes, of course.” Morgan refused to hurt him anymore. “It’s just that those procedures are so sterile. Formal. Surrounded by strangers. It’s not how I would choose to create a new life. I wish it could be borne of our shared joy and pleasure. Instilled with all the love and hope and gratitude I feel when we’re together.”

  “Oh.” He sat up, leaning his shoulders against the headboard. “I guess I didn’t think that far ahead, cupcake. When you put it like that…”

  “It’s ridiculous. So many other couples have done the same. If anything, our child will know how much we fought to have him or her in our life. No accidents here.” She patted his chest as he stared into the bathroom he’d remodeled for her. The blue and white of the custom handles infused color and style into the small space. “We’ll do this our way, however that turns out to be.”

  “What if—”

  “Yes?” She prodded as she enfolded his hand in hers. “Finish your thought.”

  “We already share.” Joe faced her, determination and a wicked smile on his lips. “No reason we can’t get you pregnant the old-fashioned way. Just not by me.”

  “Are you saying…?” Morgan shivered, every pore of her body opening to the idea. Heat flooded her where chill had seeped in before.

  “Uh-huh.” He nodded. “I’m gonna go out on a limb and say none of the other guys will object. Their ladies either, since we all agreed to be each other’s birthday presents. No reason we can’t all try together. Would that make it special enough for you?”

  “Hell yes.” A wave of excitement rolled over her. “I wonder if they’d really be okay with that?”

  “Why don’t we call a crew meeting and find out?” Joe tugged her over until she straddled him. “As soon as we celebrate our kickass friends and genius brainstorming session. I’ve missed you a hell of a lot, Morgan.”

  “Same goes.” The kiss they shared started out slowly and gently. Her lips grazed his smile. Settling onto his lap more fully, she ground against his erection, plastering herself to his torso so she could revel in the beat of his heart, which resonated through her chest.

  “No matter what happens, we’ll always sort it out if we’re willing to work together.” He murmured against her neck, “I’ll never give up on us. On this. I swear.”

  Two weeks after the painting part
y, Morgan hovered at the edge of her closet. A discarded pile of not-quite-right outfits littered the floor. Maybe the lavender skirt and rich purple sweater Kayla had given her for Christmas would be appropriate.

  “Mo, what’s the holdup?” Joe paused in the middle of their bedroom. “You’re changing? Again? Cupcake…”

  “Ug. I know.” The thud of her palm smacking her forehead didn’t do much good. “It’s not like I’m going to be wearing this for very long. I guess I’m pretty nervous.”

  “I’m not.” His smile spread, slow and wide. “I have the easy part. Just watch and wait. Maybe snag a blowjob in the meantime. Way better than shitty coffee in a Styrofoam cup I’d rate at a clinic.”

  The strained laugh she surrendered only highlighted her tenseness.

  Joe crowded behind her, bundling her into his arms so her back rested on his chest. His chin perched on her crown. “You know I’m yanking your chain, right? Well, maybe not about the BJ part. I’m not going to be able to resist when I see you unravel for the crew as usual. Everyone was in favor. Pretend it’s your birthday. That you’re getting your present a couple months early. If all goes according to plan, you might not enjoy it quite as much then.”

  The crew had voted to allow each member to be the centerpiece of their libertine sessions, all pleasure focused on them, for their birthday. Helping Dave and, a few weeks later, James indulge in their annual decadence had been highlights she wouldn’t soon forget. Somehow, all the power of their attraction focused on her seemed a little more intimidating.

  Pressure built as she considered the possibility they wouldn’t be successful tonight. What then? Would they have a rematch? How many orgies would it take? After nearly a year of trying to conceive, she worried Joe’s condition wasn’t the only factor inhibiting their success.

  “I can practically hear the gears spinning in your mind. Stress isn’t going to help, you know?” Heat combatted some of her chill when Joe’s palms traversed her bare arms. “Your ovulation thingy said the timing is right. The setting is right. The people, the love, the intent—everything about this feels fucking perfect. So relax. Enjoy. That’s all you have to do. No worries. Come on, now. How about this? I love this color on you. So pretty.”

  Joe selected the exact ensemble she’d considered. A sign, she thought.

  She pivoted in his grasp, wishing she were tall enough to nail him to the wall and kiss the shit out of him. Instead, she settled for wrapping her hands around the back of his neck and encouraging him to bend. She almost forgot about the clothes, the crew and their plans for the evening when they exchanged a fierce yet seductive kiss.

  “That’s better.” He nipped her lip before separating them.

  “Maybe we should take the edge off before we go?” Morgan squeezed the thick shaft distorting the crotch of his jeans.

  “I think I like you a tad desperate.” He cupped her breast in his palm, smirking when she rubbed against his hold like a cat on the corner of a coffee table. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in five minutes.”

  It took her less than three to change into the luxurious fabric, then check her hair and makeup. No sense in delaying any longer. Joe whistled when she emerged into their living room. He swooped in for another kiss, not caring that she’d slathered on a layer of gloss.

  “Gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” The jacket he held out to her slipped easily over her clothes. “I feel like I’m going to a wedding. It all seems so…pivotal.”

  “It is.” Joe kissed her cheek. “I got you something to remember tonight by.”

  “What?” She glanced up at him, her eyes widening. “You don’t know yet if it’ll work. Maybe we shouldn’t jinx it.”

  “I’m certain.” After fishing in his jacket pocket, he withdrew a tiny velvet box. “I saw it, and I knew you were meant to have it. Tonight is the start of a new era in our lives. I’d like you to wear this, carry something of mine with you.”

  A gasp escaped her when he flipped the lid open. A dark purple gem set in swirled silver wire winked up at her in the light from their kitchen chandelier. A thin chain ran through a tiny heart at the top of the pendant.

  “The jeweler told me amethyst and moonstone are good luck for women trying to conceive. Balances feminine something or other. Not sure I believe that, but I thought it was pretty and it reminded me of you. Can’t hurt, right?”

  “Right.” Tears pooled in her eyes. His genuine and thoughtful surprises always made her day. He couldn’t show her in more ways how much he loved her. She’d never felt so valued in all her life as when he was near.

  “Joe, I need you to understand.” She waited until he finished latching the clasp so it held his gift around her neck. “Even if this doesn’t work out. If we never have a child…you are enough for me. You’re more than I have a right to hope for.”

  Raising her knuckles to his lips, he dusted soft kisses there before linking their fingers and guiding her from their home. “I want to give you everything.”

  “You already have.” She squeezed his hand as he boosted her into the truck, tucked her inside, then shut the door carefully.

  They rode to Kayla’s resort in contented silence, their hands joined again as soon as he took his place behind the wheel. By the time they bumped through the woods, along the twisted path that led to the secluded property hosting Kayla and Dave’s house as well as their naturist retreat, stars dotted the sky like glitter set on fire.

  She expected Joe to take the fork to the right, which led to the private cabin where their friends lived and most of the crew’s interludes took place. Instead, he veered left. Toward the cute bungalows the crew had recently expanded on in response to the initial success of Kay’s venture.

  Several of them hadn’t even opened to guests yet.

  Morgan didn’t ask where they were going. She trusted Joe to take her where she needed to be. As long as he was by her side, it didn’t much matter where they ended up. Good thing her faith in him thrived. The truck slowed in the middle of nowhere until they rolled to a stop in the center of the rustic road.

  When he removed a strip of black silk from his back pocket, she knew what he expected. Her lashes rested against her cheeks as she closed her eyes, leaning toward her husband.

  “Sweet girl.” He fastened the fabric around her head tight enough that she couldn’t peek even if she’d tried to open her eyes, yet loose enough to be comfortable.

  “For now.” The hint of naughty she added to her response had the desired effect.

  Joe’s voice turned husky. “I like you spicy too.”

  The anticipated kiss she craved never arrived. The truck started off down the road. She threw her hand out, searching for the handle on the door or the edge of the seat. Joe’s fingers landed high on her thigh. “I’ve got you.”

  “I know.”

  “Almost there.” He crooned to her in soft, steady murmurs, never letting her forget he sat by her side. “I see lights now. And there’s the crew. They’re waiting for you.”

  “For us.”

  “True, for us.” After a quick squeeze, his hand abandoned her leg long enough to unfasten her seatbelt. “Go with Dave. I’m right behind you.”

  Before she could respond, the truck door opened. Huge hands engulfed her waist. She floated into their grasp. “You look really nice tonight, Morgan.”

  Thank goodness she hadn’t worn a dress with a short skirt or she’d be flashing her ass to the entire forest. Not that the eight people she couldn’t see but knew were there hadn’t gotten an eyeful of every inch of her already. Soon they’d be doing a whole lot more than looking too.

  Dave’s boots thudded on what sounded like wooden treads as they ascended together. The new buildings had adorable porches complete with swings. That must be where they were. She hadn’t observed the progress personally, though Joe had told her the crew had decided to take a couple weeks off before starting their next project to help Kay out.

  Someone cursed softly. A subtle cre
ak made her sure they’d opened a door for her and Dave. “So sexy, Morgan.”

  “Thank you, James.”

  “I’m going to set you down.” Dave murmured to her as he lowered her feet to the floor. He braced her shoulders. Scuffles and whispers surrounded her as her friends all assembled as they saw fit. “Joe’s got you now.”

  The big man’s hand swapped out for her husband’s familiar grasp. Dotted kisses at her temple had her sighing while he worked the knot on her blindfold loose. A steady white noise piqued her curiosity. What could that be? “Tonight is special. For all of us. We wanted you to know how much. Live in the moment, Mo. Take what we’re giving.”

  He whipped the silk from her, letting it slither to the floor unnoticed.

  Blinking against the sudden light, she tried to focus. When she did, a sheen of tears immediately turned the flickering candles into glittering sparkles, dazzling her. She reached out. Joe held one hand while Dave collected the other.

  “You did all this for me?” The whisper cut through the hush of her eight best friends, who awaited her reaction. Behind the naked, oiled men who stood shoulder to shoulder and their wives—adorned in gossamer togas that hid the bare essentials, proclaiming their intent to sit the festivities out—sheer panels of iridescent fabric draped from exposed wooden rafters.

  Zillions of tiny clear lights, like the ones hugging their tree at Christmas, hung behind the soft falls. She felt as though she’d taken up residence in an enchanted snow globe, or maybe a cloud way, way out in some ethereal paradise on the edge of the universe. Romance blossomed in every nook and cranny of the space. Pale silk flowers, warm vanilla candles on wrought-iron stands and the largest canopied bed she’d ever seen were just a few of the details bombarding her senses.

  “We did it for both you and Joe.” Kate smiled from her post with a fluffy white towel draped over her forearm. What the heck?

  The guys stepped aside, chiseled bodies parting like a fleshy curtain at a beefcake ballet. Behind them, a waterfall trickled from what could have been a loft. A rivulet bounced next to vines that looked as real as the ones Kayla had cultivated in the gardens outside. Maybe they were.