Sudden Pleasures

Chapter 6

He looked down at her. "Are you all right?" he asked her. Ashley nodded slowly. "I think it's suddenly dawning on me that we're really married. It's not just a good idea anymore. It's been in my mind that this marriage is how you and I can save what we have worked for, and I did all the things I needed to do to make the day a perfect one for us and all our guests, but I never really considered the marriage part as anything else except a means to an end. Until now."

"Kind of scary, huh?" he said. "Listen, the sex thing… it is optional. You're tired, and the truth is that I'm still jet-lagged." His warm brown eyes looked into her green ones. "If you're not in the mood…"

"The truth is that I am kinda in the mood," Ashley admitted. "You were looking for a petite blonde, and I don't know what I was looking for, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't you. Yet here you are, and you are so damned sexy. Every time you kiss me I go weak in the knees. No one ever made me go weak in the knees. Not even hot to trot Chandler Wayne. I know women aren't supposed to say stuff like this, but, Ryan Finbar Mulcahy, I really want to jump your bones. But if you're not in the mood…"

Ryan grinned down at her. "Ashley, you are something else," he told her. "You say just what you're thinking, don't you? Well, so do I. I want to sink myself so deep in you. I want to make you come and come and come until you can't come anymore. I am more than definitely in the mood."

"I guess we had better go upstairs then," Ashley told him demurely, and she held out her hand to him. He took it, and they mounted the stairs together, then walked down the broad upstairs hallway to the bedroom suite they would share. "Nina made me take one of my sexy nightgowns home yesterday," Ashley said. "I'll go and change."

"No time," he told her, spinning her around to undo the two pearl buttons on her dress. He quickly peeled it off of her as Ashley stepped out of the puddle of fabric and kicked off her sandals. He unfastened the lace bra, and his hands slipped about her to cup her two full breasts. "Hello, girls," he murmured in her ear. "God, they are so beautiful. I don't ever think I've seen such a pair of gorgeous tits. They're real too, aren't they?"

"Uh-huh," Ashley managed to get out. His hands. Oh, his big hands cupping her breasts! She could hardly draw a breath, and when his two thumbs reached up to seductively rub her nipples she felt herself getting wet. She leaned back against him and sighed deeply. This was going to be good. Her gut told her it would be good.

He bent down to kiss the side of her neck, and his hands released her breasts so he might slip her little lace bikini bottom off. The Velcro closures at her hip bone gave way, and he tossed the scrap of fabric aside. One arm was now about her waist. His other hand moved down to her mons, and a finger slid along her slit. "You're wet," he said, sounding pleased. The big hand ruffled her pubic hair.

She managed to turn herself about in his embrace. "Take off your jacket," she said as she undid the narrow black belt at his waist and unzipped his gray trousers. Her hand slid in, moving though the opening in his silk boxers with unerring fingers, and closed about his penis. He was still half-soft, and he was huge, Ashley realized. She had created men with large penises in her Channel fantasies, but Ryan was to her unseen touch even bigger. She gave him a little squeeze, and he began to harden.

"I'm bigger than most guys," he told her.

"So I note," she said. "I want you naked, Ryan. I want to see for myself just how big." She released her grip on him to fondle his balls. His sac was large too. Well, she thought, her new husband was big all over, wasn't he? Why was she surprised that a man standing six feet, five inches tall had a supersized dick? Ashley took her hands from his genitals and began to unbutton his shirt. She almost moaned with delight at the broad, smooth, tanned chest. She slid her hands over it, kissing the warm flesh.

He had managed to get out of the rest of his clothing now, and stood back from her. "Well," he said, "do I pass muster, Ash?"

"Do I?" she asked him, staring at his penis. "How big is that?" she queried him.

"I measured once," he said. "Eleven inches. Just. Two in diameter."

"You measured?" She didn't know whether to laugh. She could not take her eyes from the thick column of flesh now bobbing before her. She wanted it in her so badly she was near to weeping. What was the matter with her?

"In college. Guys will do that, you know," he said, looking a little embarrassed.

"It's amazing," she told him.

"Look, I don't want to hurt you, so if I go too deep, tell me, okay?" he said.

"Uh-huh," she agreed. Do it! Do it! she was silently screaming. Then he was kissing her again, and his hand was squeezing her butt. They were still in the parlor of their suite, and he was backing over to the couch. Ashley kissed him hungrily as she felt him bend her back over the high rolled arm of the couch. Her back fit perfectly against it. Did Frankie know that when she had picked this couch?

"Put your legs up," he murmured, and she wrapped herself about him, almost whimpering as she felt the head of his penis beginning to penetrate her vagina.

"Oh, God!" she half sobbed. He was so big, so thick, so hot, and he was buried all the way inside of her. "Fuck me!" she begged him, but instead he leaned forward to fasten his mouth about one of her nipples, and he sucked hard on it. Ashley cried out softly as his lips and tongue teased her until she really thought she was going to die.

He bit down firmly but gently on the tender flesh. She cried out again. "Tell me what you want," he growled in her ear. "Explain it to me carefully, slowly, and if you're a good girl, I'll give it to you. Tell me what you want, Ashley."

"I want you to fuck me!" she gasped.

"Not good enough," he replied.

"I want that hot cock of yours inside of me, fucking me hard. I want you to make me come and come and come and come. Can't you feel how perfectly you fit me? My cunt was made for your big cock, Ryan! Do it! Do it, damn it!" Ashley cried.

He laughed low, and then he began, slowly, slowly at first, his penis moving with majestic strokes that pressed deeper and deeper. And then gradually he began to move on her faster and faster, until Ashley was sobbing and her climax began to roll over her with such force and intensity that she practically fainted. He had her bent back so far over the couch arm that the blood flowing to her head made her dizzy, but oh, God, it was wonderful! And then he stopped, giving her time to regain her breath. And her eyes widened with the knowledge that he was still very hard inside of her.

Gathering her up, their bodies still joined, he carried her into their bedroom and laid her on the edge of their big bed. He began to piston her once again, slowly, slowly, and then faster and faster. He laughed when her nails dug into his shoulders and shortly afterward raked down his long back. "Such a naughty kitty," he whispered in her ear. And then to her surprise he pulled out of her. "Roll over," he said. "I want to go deeper."

"I don't think I can move," Ashley said.

He laughed again, this time low and seductive. Then he helped her into the position he wanted her to take. Kneeling behind her, he grasped her hips in his hands and thrust smoothly back into the wet heat of her luscious body. "You are so tight," he groaned, delving farther into her channel.

Had she ever had a cock pushed so far into her body? The deep, hard thrusts were incredible. He hit her G-spot, and when she half cried, "Oh, yes, there!" he worked it until she was whimpering helplessly with the pure pleasure that he was giving her. She felt him begin to spasm, and as he ejaculated into her she climaxed so ferociously that Ashley thought she was going to die right then and there. "Oh, God, that was wonderful!" she managed to gasp as they fell apart. She rolled over onto her back, struggling for breath. "Tell me you can eventually do it again."

Ryan laughed weakly. "Eventually," he promised. "You were incredible, Ash. I mean really, really good. I don't think I've ever had better."

"Well," she told him, "that's nice, because I'm all you're likely to get for the next two years." Was he aware of what he had just said? she wondered. He was speaking to her as if she were just another one-night stand, and not his lawful wife. And then she realized that he had hurt her feelings. It surprised her to realize that he could do that, but then, it had just been sex for him, hadn't it? And if she were truthful with herself it had just been sex for her, but women didn't do things that way. For women sex was an emotional commitment. For men sex was just sex.

"What's the matter?" he asked her, realizing she was tense.

"I've never had sex just for the sake of it," Ashley told him. "I'm not sure that I like it." Well, that wasn't exactly true, was it? She had sex on the Channel just for the fun of it, didn't she? But that was different. "I mean, it was wonderful, but it meant nothing. Each time I've had sex before it was because I thought I was in love. We just had an absolutely fabulous wham-bam moment." She struggled to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. "So why do I want to cry?" The tears began to fall, and she was mortified when a soft sob escaped her.

Ryan pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. He didn't say anything at first, because she was right. He wasn't even sure what to say. This had all happened so damned fast, and all because Finbar Mulcahy was reaching from beyond the grave to try to run his life, just as Ashley's grandfather was doing to her. He hoped the two old boys were happy now. "Does it help that I really like you?" he finally said.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." Ashley sniffed. She was snuggling into his arms, her breasts against his chest, and bare flesh on bare flesh felt so darned good. "I really like you too," she told him.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Maybe it would be better if we tried to get some sleep now. I'm still jet-lagged, and you're obviously exhausted, Ash. Can I hold you for a while longer?"

"Uh-huh," she murmured. She could hear his heart beneath her ear. It beat strongly, with a reassuring thump-thump. "I guess I could use some sleep," she admitted. "I'm going to need all my strength if that's how well you perform when you're jet-lagged. You're likely to kill me when you're at full strength."

He laughed aloud. "Look who's talking," he countered. "You are an incredible partner, Ashley. I might find myself more than liking you if we continue to get on like this." He stroked her hair. "Now go to sleep, Ashley, baby."

Suddenly she was feeling better. And he had called her baby. She curled onto her side, and he pulled her against him, one hand enclosing one of her breasts. Ashley smiled.

When she awoke the following morning she heard him in his shower and contemplated joining him, but decided against it. It would certainly lead to another sexual encounter, and she wasn't certain she wanted one yet. She fell back to sleep.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," he called to her. "I've got coffee."

Ashley opened her eyes and rolled over onto her back. "The Byrneses have Sunday off," she said. "Where did you get coffee?"

"I made it," he told her, grinning and looking very pleased with himself. "And there was a covered plate of muffins out on a tray with butter and two cups."

"Mrs. B. must have put it out last night before she went to bed. How did you know where to find the coffee?" Ashley wanted to know.

"The coffeemaker was set up, and all I had to do was push the button," he said.

Ashley laughed. "Mrs. B. must like you, Ryan. She never sets out Sunday breakfast for me. I always have to go down and make my own."

She sat up, and then it dawned on her that she was naked beneath the covers. "Oh, Lord," she muttered. He grinned, and she blushed again. "Stop that!" she told him, but his grin just expanded. "Close your eyes," she said.

"Why?"

"Just close them, Ryan." And when he had she jumped from the bed and ran into her dressing room to slip on the nightgown she had brought home from Lacy Nothings on Friday night. Then, mustering her dignity, she came out of the dressing room.

His eyes widened as she strolled across the floor to the bed and climbed back in. "Mamma mia!” he said expressively. What had ever made him think petite blondes were his ideal? Ashley's tall curves set off in the clingy lavender silk were gorgeous! Perfect! Utterly and totally seductive. He felt a tightening in his groin just watching her walk.

"I take it you like the nightgown," she said dryly as she reached for one of the small muffins on the bed tray and began to butter it.

He nodded and splashed some half-and-half in his coffee. "I woke up about six," he began, "and I've been doing some hard thinking, Ash." He took a sip of his coffee. "When you cried last night because you weren't comfortable with sex just for the sake of sex, I suddenly realized that maybe we should try to make something more of this marriage than just the fact that we've saved ourselves the difficulty and irritation of having to start all over again. I know we did this for one reason, but maybe we should try to really make a go of it, and not just consider that in two years we can walk away with everything that belongs to each of us, and nobody gets hurt. Because I think after two years together, with the kind of sexual chemistry that we seem to have, we would both get hurt." He sighed. "Am I making any sense, baby?"

Her heart was hammering fiercely in her chest. "Are you proposing that instead of a marriage of convenience we have an arranged marriage, like your folks did? A real marriage, not just a pretend one with mind-blowing sex?"

"Yes," he told her, "yes, I am. But can we keep the mind-blowing sex?"

"Why?" she asked him, suspicious. She had learned long ago that if something looked too good to be true then it probably was.

"Well," he said, "I've never found a woman interesting enough to hold my attention long enough to court. I'm one of those guys who really loves his work. The restoration of beautiful furniture has fascinated me ever since I was a kid. And then when I started the reproduction end of it, I was blown away by the fact that we could, using many of the same hand techniques used hundreds of years ago, and finishing with the myriad new materials, stains, and finishes available to us today, create new pieces every bit as good as the old pieces. It's an amazing procedure, and I've been wrapped up in it. My dad was a wonderful craftsman. As Ma says, he was the artist and I'm the brains. It's true, but I can still love and appreciate the creative process involved. And I spend a great deal of time figuring out new ways to make what we do even better. There just hasn't been any real time for women. I've had girlfriends for a few weeks at a time. The hardier ones have lasted a few months, but given up after that. And until last night, when my convenient new wife cried because she wasn't comfortable with sex just for the sake of it, I didn't care."

"But you do now?" Ashley sounded skeptical.

"Yes, I do," he answered her.

Ashley had to admit to herself that he did sound earnest about what he was saying, and she licked some butter from her fingers. "Well," she allowed, "I haven't exactly been a success in the finding-a-mate department myself. I'm a terrific merchandiser, but I'm lousy at picking the right man. I'm probably not as passionate about my business as you are about yours, yet I do love what I do, and I really like expanding Lacy Nothings and doing my catalog. But I've always wanted to get married, and have kids too. Maybe subconsciously that desire is the reason I kept taking up with the wrong guys. I wasn't applying Principles of Business One to Picking a Husband One," Ashley said with a small smile.

He chuckled. "So maybe fate took a hand in putting us together," he suggested.

"You believe in stuff like fate?" she said, surprised.

"Hey, I'm half-Irish," he reminded her. "Look, don't you think it's a terrific coincidence that our lawyers are first cousins, and that they each had a client who had to get married or lose their inheritance? And you and I do have a few things in common."

"Like what?" Ashley wanted to know.

"Well, we both come from families with a strong work ethic. We both majored in business at college. We both started our own businesses and have made them successful. We're careful with our money. You like my mother and Frankie. I love 'em. You want kids. So do I. All boys, though. Well, maybe one girl. And we are incredibly wonderful together in the sack, aren't we, baby?"

He shouldn't have been making sense. But he was. They did have a lot in common, and it was a lot more than just being sexually compatible. Her first fiancé, Carson Kingsley, had been a lot of fun-funny, quick, sweet, and with incredible taste. But there had been no sex involved, and it confused her until she learned why. Her second fiancé, Chandler Wayne, had wanted nothing but sex. He was fun and he was energetic, but he also drank too much in the off season, and could get nasty when crossed. And then there had been fiancé number three. Tall, blond, and handsome. A thirty-five-year-old preppy with a great wardrobe, a wonderful backhand, and perfect manners, who knew just what to say. Always. Sex with Derek had been nice. Yes, in retrospect, nice was the right word.

But what the hell had she had in common with any of those guys? It shocked her to realize suddenly that she had had nothing at all in common with any of them. But she certainly shared much with Ryan Finbar Mulcahy. And yes, they were wickedly, wonderfully compatible sexually. "Do you think this fate of yours helped Joe and Ray to get it right for us?" she wondered aloud.

"Could be," he said. "Look, we've got the prenups protecting both of us financially. And if we really want it the out is there. But instead of concentrating on that out, why don't we concentrate on making this marriage work?"

"I could do that," Ashley answered him slowly, "but there is one condition."

"And that is?"

"No babies until we're absolutely sure that we can be happy together, and that you want me and a family more than you want to spend time in your office. Okay?" Her green eyes engaged his brown ones.

"I'm used to spending most of my time there," he said. "It could be hard at first, but I can try, Ash. I will try. And you've got to help me, because sometimes I don't see the plain truth staring me in the face."

"You're asking me to nag you," Ashley said, but a small smile played at the corners of her lush mouth.

He grinned. "Yes, I am." Then he grew serious. "I'm a bit of duh sometimes, but I'm not a complete jerk. I'm discovering you're a very special girl, Ashley. You're beautiful, sexy, smart, kind, thoughtful, and sensitive. I know I'd be a fool not to try to hold on to you. I planned to go into town on Monday, but I'll call in then and tell them I won't be back until the Tuesday after Labor Day. There's nothing at R &R that can't wait."

"That's ten days!" She gasped.

"Well, we really should have a honeymoon, shouldn't we?" he answered her.

"But I didn't plan anything!" she wailed. "We should honeymoon on some exotic island, or fly to Europe and stay at a grand hotel."

"I thought it might be nice if we stayed home, let Mr. and Mrs. Byrnes take care of us, and you show me all around Egret Pointe and its environs. Can Nina handle Lacy Nothings for the next ten days?"

"I suppose so," Ashley said. "The catalog is under control for now, and this is usually our quiet season, and I'm here in case of a real emergency."

"Then call Nina today so she's prepared tomorrow morning when she goes in to work," he suggested.

"Okay," Ashley agreed. "She'll be okay. Brandy can come in five days a week instead of just three. She's saving for college, and this is her senior year. She'll welcome the extra cash. She's been checking at the IGA the days she doesn't work with us, but I pay her more, so she'll change her days there." She finished the coffee remaining in her china mug. "That was good. Thank you."

He stood up and took away the bed tray. "I think we ought to seal our new agreement with something."

"A little sex, perhaps?" she teased.

"A lot of sex," he growled, diving back into the bed.

Ashley squealed and squirmed out of his grasp. "I need a shower," she said. "You had one earlier. And the next one we'll take together, okay?"

"That's fair, but hurry up, baby. I'm getting hot just thinking about you naked again," Ryan said, his brown eyes caressing her long body.

And then she slid the spaghetti straps off her shoulders and, turning, walked slowly and seductively into her bathroom, her hips swaying as she went. Halfway there the nightgown slid down her frame, and without losing a step Ashley stepped out of it, treating him to the delicious sight of her graceful back and delightfully firm buttocks. He gave a long, appreciative wolf whistle, and she turned slightly to grin at him as she closed her bathroom door.

Ashley let the warm water from the twelve spigots in her glass and marble shower pour over her. She picked up the cake of Florentine olive oil soap and rubbed it over her sea sponge until it was foamy. Then she washed herself thoroughly and rinsed. But she wasn't of a mind to get too quickly out of the privacy of her bathroom. Something wonderful had just happened. Something totally unexpected. Certainly she had never anticipated that Ryan would suggest they try to actually make a go of what had begun as a marriage of convenience. Perhaps she had hoped a little bit that something good might come of their marriage, eventually. Yet they had known each other only two and a half months. But the day after the wedding? He had no reason she could think of to make the suggestion. Unless, of course, he thought he might be able to actually care for her. That he believed she could learn to care for him. Now she really did know how the heroines in romance novels felt when put into marriages not of their own choosing.

Ashley turned off the shower and, stepping out, wrapped herself in a large bath sheet. She took a towel and rubbed her arms and legs dry. Then, going to the sink, she brushed her teeth and swished a bit of mouthwash around her mouth. Picking up her hairbrush, she ran it through her hair, fluffing it up. Beautiful. He had said she was beautiful. She looked hard at herself in the mirror. Pretty. She would admit to pretty. Wrapped in the bath sheet, she exited the bathroom and reentered their bedroom.

Ryan was sprawled naked on the bed. He held out his hand to her. Ashley dropped the bath sheet and, coming across the room, took his hand, letting him pull her down onto the bed with him.

"You've got a body like the Venus de Milo," he said softly, reaching up to caress one of her breasts. "Last night it was hard and hot, Ash. Now let me do it to you slow and sweet." He didn't wait for her to answer, but pressed her down onto the mattress and began to kiss her. His mouth was firm and warm. His tongue ran along her lush mouth, encouraging it to open, sliding in when it did to play with her tongue.

Ashley let herself relax completely, putting herself into his care without any reservations. She had learned last night that he was a skilled lover, and he had given her no reason to distrust him. The kiss melted into another, and another, and another, until her head was swimming. The sensation of her breasts against his bare flesh was exciting. And then his mouth began to move from her lips, going beneath her chin, sliding easily down her throat. He kissed her shoulders. His tongue traced a line between her breasts. He kissed those pale mounds of flesh, sucking briefly on each nipple. She didn't see his smile when she sighed with appreciation.

His mouth moved down and across her long torso. The flesh beneath his lips was soft, and faintly perfumed with an elusive scent that set his pulses racing with the odd sensation that the fragrance was familiar, but he couldn't place it. He kissed her down one long leg, reaching her foot, nibbling on her toes, pushing his tongue between them suggestively. Ashley sighed again, and made small noises of pleasure.

He moved up her other leg, this time using his tongue on her skin. Her legs fell open, and he teasingly nipped at the soft, tender flesh of her inside thigh. Her pussy was a full thicket of mahogany-colored curls, and he wove his fingers through it. He could see she was already growing slightly moist. He slipped two fingers between the lips of her labia and, finding her clit, played with it, smiling again as it swelled beneath his ministrations. Then, carefully, he pushed those two fingers into her vagina, and she whimpered and began to encourage him by moving her hips. His fingers pushed as deep as they could, moving gently, but with increasing rapidity. He felt her tense and bedew his hand with her juices. "Tell me what you want," he whispered in her ear.

She was silent for several long moments, and then she said, "Lick me, Ryan! Please! And then fuck me! I want you inside of me."

"Whatever my baby wants, she will get," he answered. His head lowered, and, opening her with his fingers, he could see her swollen clit and the pearly juices of her arousal. The tip of his tongue touched her clit, and she shivered. He licked slowly around it, and her hips moved restlessly. He bent closer and, taking her clit in his mouth, sucked hard on it several times.

Ashley actually screamed softly. He was driving her wild, and it was wonderful!

Ryan was hard with his lust. He was ready to take her now. Giving her clit a little bite, he pulled himself up, mounted her, and pushed into her vagina slowly, slowly, until he completely filled her. Then he began to fuck her with measured, deep, deliberate strokes of his engorged cock.

Ashley felt him. He was almost desperate with his need for her. She wrapped her legs about his torso so he could go deeper. He was so big, and he seemed to stretch the walls of her vagina, but he didn't hurt her. Eleven long, hard, hot inches plumbed her tight depths. She squeezed her vaginal muscles around his eager cock. "Oh, yes, Ryan!" she encouraged him. "Yes!" Her head was beginning to spin. Fireworks burst behind her closed eyes as she climaxed with a cry of undiluted pleasure, and at the sound she felt him drenching her with his juices. It was a good thing she was on the pill, Ashley thought. It was going to be easy to make babies one day with Ryan Finbar Mulcahy.

"Oh, baby! Oh, baby!" Ryan groaned as he spasmed and spasmed with his ejaculation. Then he collapsed atop her for several long moments before finally rolling off of Ashley. Propping himself up on an elbow, he looked down into her face. "You," he told her, "are absolutely wonderful!"

"So are you," she returned. "I'd have us take a bow, but I don't think either of us can stand up quite yet. Where did you learn to make love like that? Or do I not want to know? No," she decided, "I don't want to know."

He chuckled, but he didn't answer her right away, and though she was curious, Ashley let it go. "One day," he said finally. "But not today, baby. Okay?"

"Okay," she agreed, and, pulling his head down to her, she gave him a quick kiss.

"That was nice," he noted.

"I like the idea of really trying to make this a real marriage," Ashley said. "I think your mother would be pleased, but could we hold off on telling her right away? I don't want to disappoint her if we can't do it. Let's at least wait until we've spent our honeymoon together to see if we can honestly stand being together long enough to do this right."

He nodded.- "Agreed. But I've got a good feeling about us, Ashley."

She called Nina later that day and then she and Ryan went to ground, not bothering to answer the telephone during the next week, letting Byrnes take messages. Finally after one desperate message from Frankie, Ashley relented and called Ryan's sister.

"Where have you been?" Frankie wanted to know.

"Ryan and I are honeymooning. Isn't that usual for newly married couples?" she teased her new sister-in-law.

"He took time from work?" Frankie said, sounded amazed. "My God! He must like you!" She paused when Ashley said nothing. Then she shrieked. "He does like you! Is the sex fabulous? Does he live up to his reputation? Tell me now! I can't talk at home with my kid there, and he doesn't go back to St. Peter's for three more weeks!"

Ashley laughed. "Yes, he likes me, and I like him. And yes, the sex is fabulous, but that's all I'm going to say. What's the matter? Is Lina all right?"

"It's my sisters," Frankie said. "They all got their marriage announcements, and I swear that they are going crazy. They descended on Ma today and demanded to know just what was going on. Incidentally, they didn't call me to join them. She told them if they got the announcements then they knew what was going on. You got married. She and I were there. You're lovely. He's lucky. But she could tell it wasn't enough for them. She reminded them that Ryan called them last Saturday night to tell them himself, but they said he was blind drunk, and they hadn't talked to the bride. Ma hasn't answered any of their calls this week. She didn't want to be bothered. Ryan didn't answer any of their calls. Ma called me after they left because she's not certain what they'll do."

"I think maybe you should talk to Ryan about this," Ashley said. "It's your family, after all. I don't know them yet, but I thought I'd have everyone up over the Columbus Day weekend. Save the date, will you? Here's Ryan."

"What's up, sis?" he asked Frankie, and then he listened. Finally he said, "Okay, you tell Ma not to worry. I'll be back in town after Labor Day, and in the meantime I'll call Bride. She can calm the rest of them down. After all, I did speak with them after the wedding. What did they think? That I was joking?"

"They said you were drunk, and they did think you were joking," Frankie answered him. She giggled. "Those formal engraved announcements have really done them in, Ryan. I think they're suddenly beginning to realize that you actually did do it."

"Tell Ma I'll take care of everything, and I'll call her later," Ryan said grimly. "Thanks for the heads-up, kid." He hung up the phone. Then he pulled out his cell. "I'm going to call Bride now," he told Ashley. "She has caller ID, and I don't want her getting the house number. She's a real pit bull when it comes to ferreting out information." He turned back to the cell and pressed a single number. The phone rang, and then he heard his oldest sister's voice as she answered. "Bride," Ryan said, "what the hell is the matter with you and the others, hassling Ma like that?"

There was silence, and then Bride said, "You really got married?"

"Yeah, I really got married. And I'm on my honeymoon right now, and I'm having to deal with you and the others, Bride. I'm not happy."

"How could you do this to us, Ryan?" his eldest sibling asked him.

"Not ask you to the wedding? Now, why would I do that, Bride? You and the others would have made it all about yourselves and spoiled what was an incredible day for Ashley and me. Incidentally, we're inviting you all for the Columbus Day weekend, so tell the others and save the date. And be on your best behavior, because if any of you cause trouble, you won't be invited again. Ma and Frankie are crazy about her, Bride, and Ashley already loves them." He was ignoring the real meaning behind his sister's question. Ryan knew damned well she was talking about money, and not hurt feelings.

"You know exactly what I mean, Ryan," Bride said, unwilling to let it go. "We're going to hire a lawyer. You can't do this to us!" Her tone was venomous.

He laughed at her. "But I did, sweetie. And incidentally, none of you has a leg to stand on, Bride. Dad's will only said I had to marry before my fortieth birthday, which isn't until next April. That was it. I'm married, legally and lawfully under the laws of this state. I didn't even have to have a church wedding, just get married-and I did." Bride hung up on her brother, and Ryan closed his cell, sticking it back in his pocket.

"I take it she wasn't happy," Ashley said softly. "I'm sorry, Ryan."

"They're only interested in the money," he told her. "Don't feel bad, baby. Frankie and I were always the outsiders where the five harpies were concerned. Bride was thirteen when I was born, and fifteen when Frankie came along. Dee, who's the youngest of them, was four. And I was a boy, and suddenly the family had its prince." He grinned. "They have never been happy with me." He chuckled.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't be." He caught her hand up and kissed it. "Frankie and I were partners in crime. Ma and Dad spoiled us. And the harpies didn't count for us."

And then they heard a strident voice. "Don't bother announcing me, Byrnes. I know my way to the porch."

"Jesus Jenny!" Ashley swore softly as a plump blonde in a pink-green-and-white summer dress came into view. "It's all right, Byrnes. Let her in, please."

"Ashley! What did you do?" the woman cried, and, seeing Ryan, her blue eyes grew wide with both surprise and admiration.

"Hello, Lila. It's been a while," Ashley said. "The paper is out, I take it. Ryan, this is Lila Peabody, Grandfather's friend. Lila, this is my husband, Ryan Mulcahy."

"Why, Mr. Mulcahy," Lila Peabody cooed, suddenly all sugar and spice, "aren't you just the handsomest thing! Ashley, dear, you really are very, very naughty keeping such a secret from all of us, but then, of course, after your last three attempts at marriage I can certainly understand. She did tell you that she'd been engaged and planned three weddings before she married you, didn't she?" Lila purred.

"One was gay, one died, and the survivor is wanted in two states and three countries. Yes, she told me," Ryan answered. "Ashley and I don't have any secrets from each other, do we, darling?"

"Not a one," Ashley replied, struggling not to laugh. "Lila, dearest, would you like to see the proofs of our wedding photos? We got them a few days ago, but we've been so busy with…" She giggled. "Well,, I expect you know what we've been busy doing."

"Why, yes, I would like to see them," Lila Peabody said. "There were only three pictures in the paper, and they were rather grainy."

Ashley slid the-proofs from their envelope and spread them on the porch table.

"You were married in the garden," Lila noted. "How long have you known each other, dear?"

"A little over two months," Ashley said.

"It was love at first sight," Ryan added.

"Oh, my," Lila commented. "The judge married you. He rarely does that, you know. No church wedding?"

"We're deciding which church," Ryan said. "I'm a Roman Catholic."

"Oh, dear!" Lila made a little moue with her cupid's-bow mouth. "I don't think dearest Edward would have approved of that at all, Ashley."

"Then he shouldn't have put that clause in his will, Lila. Or he should have at least stipulated more clearly the kind of man he wanted me to marry. I figured Ryan was sexy and rich and he didn't need my money, which certainly made him a good bet."

"And besides, we can't keep our hands off each other," Ryan put in with a wicked grin at Lila Peabody. "Neither of us wanted to start a scandal." He chuckled.

"Oh, my!" Lila exclaimed, flustered.

"That's my mother-in-law"-Ashley pointed to one of the pictures-"and Ryan's sister." She shook a warning finger at him, but she was close to laughter.

"My goodness, what a handsome woman, and your sister is certainly pretty. She isn't married?" Lila wanted to know. "And your father? Is there a picture of him here?"

"Both my sister and my mother are widows," Ryan responded.

"Oh, the poor dears!" Lila exclaimed. "I certainly know the sorrow and loneliness of being a widow." She sighed dramatically, her hand going to her heart.

"Yes, Lila has really struggled valiantly to overcome her pain," Ashley remarked sweetly.

Lila reached out with a plump and very beringed hand to pat Ashley on her slender hand. "You always understood me, dear," she said. "Edward was forever remarking on your kind heart and infallible instincts where humanity was concerned. And dear Edward was never wrong. No engagement ring, dear?" But her sharp eye noted the superior quality of Ashley's diamond wedding band.

"It was a whirlwind courtship," Ashley said.

"Actually, I'm having a ring made for Ash in Italy by a jeweler friend," Ryan said. "My business requires that I travel now and again."

Now Ashley drew Lila away from the pictures, saying, "Lila, dear, I hope you won't think us terribly rude, but we're on our honeymoon this week. Ryan has to go back into town on Tuesday. It was so sweet of you to stop by." She began leading their guest from the porch through the living room and out into the foyer of the house. -

"Then you'll be moving to the city, dear?" Lila said.

"My dear Lila-I may call you Lila, mayn't I?" Ryan murmured as he took her hand and put it through his arm. "We would never trade Egret Pointe and this beautiful home for a city apartment. I may go in a day or two a week, but I can easily run my business from here." He smiled down at her, pleased when a glazed look overcame her.

Lila Peabody sighed. "You have just gone and married the most charming man, Ashley, dear," she said. "I hope you will bring him to tea one afternoon this autumn."

Before Ashley could answer, Ryan did. "I would be delighted to take tea with such a lovely lady, Lila," he told her. "Just give me a little time to settle in, my dear."

Byrnes was opening the door, and Ashley stood spellbound, watching as her husband saw the now awed Lila Peabody to her car and stood in the drive before the house, waving her off.

Byrnes was chuckling softly. "I think you've married a dangerous man, Miss Ashley," he told her with a smile.

"I suspect you are right," Ashley agreed. "I've never seen that wretched woman managed so well, and she didn't utter a word about SSEXL."

"Yes, she did," Ryan said, coming back into the house. "When I kissed her hand and tucked her in her Ford Taurus, she told me coyly that SSEXL's loss was certainly Egret Pointe's gain." He laughed. "Now if only the five harpies could be handled as well."

They spent the remainder of the week and the long weekend alone, eating, drinking, and making wild, passionate love. When Tuesday came Ashley found she was unhappy to be letting him go.

"When will you be home?" she asked him as she stood by his car.

"Thursday night," he promised. "Don't make any plans for the weekend. I want you all to myself. Now that I've had a little taste of married life I find I like it."

"Don't go all possessive on me, Ryan," she teased him. "What you really like about marriage is fucking the ears off of me between naps."

"Yes, I do," he agreed amiably, and raced his engine several times. "You are a very receptive partner, and I expect by Thursday night you will be well rested, and ready to pleasure me once again, woman."

"Yeah, sure!" She laughed. "You're going to miss me, big guy, and every time you think about us you'll get hot. Drive carefully, husband."

He grinned, blew her a kiss, and drove off down the driveway.

Ashley got into her Solstice and drove down into the village to her shop. It was almost ten when she arrived. Nina had already opened up, but the mornings were traditionally slow. Most women in Egret Pointe would be hurrying to get last-minute school supplies and clothing for their children, because school started tomorrow. "Hey," she greeted Nina as she came in the back door of the shop.

"How was your time off?" Nina asked her.

"Strangely wonderful," Ashley said. "It seems that we're very compatible."

"I'm glad you're here," Nina said. "Odd little man came in first thing this morning. He wanted to know if I was you. I told him no, and asked if I could help him. He said no, and left. But I've seen him across the street, and I think he's taking pictures of the shop with his camera phone."

"Where?" Ashley asked.

"There." Nina pointed.

Ashley picked up the shop phone and dialed. "Bobby, it's Ashley at Lacy Nothings. Funny little guy came into the shop before I got here and started asking Nina all kinds of questions. He's across the street, in front of the pharmacy, taking pictures of the shop right now. Can you send someone around to check him out? Thanks, Bobby."

"Wow, you play rough!" Nina said.

"Ryan's five older sisters are very unhappy," Ashley told her. "I suspect this has something to do with them. Oh, look. There's the cop car."

They watched as the local patrolman got out of his car and faced the man down. The cop took the guy by the arm and marched him across the street into the shop. "This the guy, Nina?"

"That's him," Nina said.

"He's a licensed PI from the city," the cop said, looking at Ashley.

"Would you like to tell me why you were looking for me, and why you are photographing my assistant and my shop?" Ashley said.

"I'm on a case," the man said. "It's confidential."

"Well," Ashley replied, "you tell whichever of my husband's sisters who hired you that if they attempt to invade my privacy again I will take legal action against all of them. Now, I am going to call Ryan and tell him of this incident. I'm certain that shortly after I do you will receive a call to cease and desist your harassment. Got it?"

"Got it," the man said.

"Shall I escort him out of town, Ashley?" the cop asked.

"If you would, Bill, I would appreciate it. And tell Bobby I said thanks."

"You got some pull here, lady," the private detective said.

"My family helped found the town," Ashley told him. "Now, that's something you can tell your employer. You won't be going back empty-handed."

The man gave a short laugh as the cop escorted him from Lacy Nothings.

"What was that all about?" Nina said. "Why would his sisters set a private detective on you? What did you do?"

"I married their brother. They were expecting to come into his wealth in a few more months, and I've spoiled it for them. They told Ryan they were getting a lawyer. It won't do them any good, but they're unhappy."

"Geez," Nina exclaimed. "What a bunch of bitches. The mother likes you, and so does the sister called Frankie. What's the matter with the rest of them?"

"Ryan and Frankie call the older ones the five harpies," Ashley said with a chuckle. "I'd better call him now. Hold down the fort while I go back to my office." She already had her cell out, and it was programmed to reach his cell.

"This is Ryan," his voice said. "Talk fast. I'm on thg parkway."

"Your sisters set a private investigator on me," Ashley said. "I've had the cops escort him out of town. Call them when you get into your office. I'll talk to you later."

"Shit!" he said as she hung up.

Ashley laughed out loud. What was that old saying about being able to pick your friends, but not your relations? She was glad Ryan's mother and youngest sister liked her. She liked them. But the older five, she suspected, would never be her friends. They would always consider that by marrying Ryan she had cost them his money. It had been an incredible ten days with her new husband, but this incident this morning had been irritating and downright annoying.

She managed to put it out of her mind for the rest of the day, but once she was home again it nagged at her to the point where she couldn't sleep. There was no television in the bedroom she shared with Ryan. Getting up, she went down to her old bedroom and climbed into bed. Taking up the remote, she pressed the button that slid open the panel covering the television screen. She clicked the set on, went to channel sixty-nine, and after a moment or two of silent debate she pressed A and enter. And she was back in her villa in Rome, and the sex slave, Quinn, was kneeling before her, offering her the strap she would shortly use on his bottom. But she didn't want the handsome slave. She wanted her tribune, Maximillian Alerio Patronius. And she wanted him now!