They threaded their way to the back deck and stopped cold. “Wow, Gen. Now this is what I call a kids’ party.”
Tables and chairs were laid out among dozens of play stations, small fenced-in areas with different activities for the kids. Puzzles, toys, and a small petting zoo boasting furry animals to be fed with baby bottles. An elaborate vine was tied between two trees to give a mini zip line effect, and a worker helped kids take turns getting strapped into the seat and taking a slide from one trunk to another. A huge pushcart with peanuts, popcorn, and cotton candy served swarming children, and a giant circus truck was parked a mile away on the lawn. Kate squinted and peered across the lawn. Was that an elephant?
“You’re here!”
Alexa enveloped them in a warm hug. Gen’s older sister was beautiful, with her black corkscrew curls, bright blue eyes, and curvy figure. Her kindness and humor radiated in waves, and Kate loved being around her. “Umm, Al, is that an elephant?” Gen asked.
Alexa gave a deep sigh. “Yep. But don’t worry, there’s no abuse going on. I investigated this before I let Maggie go with the idea. His name is Sam and he’s from a rescue camp for elephants retired from the circus. It’s only for two hours, and he’s well taken care of. The petting zoo is fine, too. I thoroughly checked out the owner and she’s from an organic farm in Wallkill that educates children on the proper way to treat animals.”
Kate laughed. Alexa was a fierce animal advocate and spent some of her free time volunteering for shelters. “Got it. Glad you set me straight. This is some setup.”
“Yeah, what would you expect from Maggie?”
“I heard that.”
The husky voice came from behind. Gen gave her a hug while Kate admired her designer jeans, three-inch platform boots, and trendy leather jacket. She looked like she was slumming in Beverly Hills rather than at a children’s party. “Gen, is your hunky doctor coming today?”
“He’s popping in later, he’s at the hospital.”
“Kate, darling, where’s Robert?”
“Dog park.”
Maggie lifted a brow. “Dateless, huh? I have a yummy male model I’d love to set you up with.”
Kate laughed. “Don’t know if I’m the model type, Maggie.”
“Nonsense, they’re everyone’s type.”
Gen shook her head. “Where are those gorgeous birthday boys?”
Maggie blew out a long breath. “Luke’s in time-out again. Ethan is running around like a nut on crack, so I know he stole some birthday cake. I blamed Michael by mistake because it’s his favorite dessert from La Dolce Maggie.”
Gen grinned. “Picking your son over your hubby, Maggie?”
“Darlin’, I’m just trying to keep him on his toes.”
As if his ears were burning, Michael paused behind her, his finger over his lips to keep them quiet. Gen pressed her lips together to keep from giving him away. “Interesting. What’s the best way to keep your man in line, Maggie?”
She cocked a hip and winked. “Sex, of course. I’d say sex and food, but since I can’t accomplish the latter, I excel at the former.”
Alexa caught on to the joke and rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. I’ve seen who wears the so-called pants in your family, and it’s not those stylish Pradas you favor. Your husband crooks his finger and you melt into a pile of goo.”
Her green eyes snapped with annoyance. “That’s libel. Or slander. And untrue. All I have to do is snap my fingers and my man obeys.”
The words escaped her mouth the moment her husband’s arms grabbed her waist. Maggie gave a small screech and jerked around, but Michael held her against him with ease, refusing to let her move. “Mouthing off again, cara?” he drawled, his hands familiarly stroking her into instant submission. Kate watched in fascination as Maggie relaxed against him, her eyes sparking with a heat that hadn’t dimmed in almost eight years of marriage. Raw need clawed at her throat. God, how she wanted to feel like that. Completely possessed and entranced by a man. An image of Slade rocketed past her vision. Poised at her entrance, jade-green eyes burning with hunger, fingers intertwined while he pushed deep inside and claimed her, body . . . soul . . . heart.
Tears pricked her lids. Damn, she must be hormonal. One lousy night and she had surrendered not only her virginity but her emotions.
“Oops, sorry babe. Just girl talk.”
Michael lowered his head and growled loud enough for everyone to hear. “Perhaps I’ll wrest a heartfelt apology from those lips tonight. Or other things.”
The dark promise caused Maggie to shudder, and Kate swallowed hard at the sexual power before her.
Alexa waved her hand in the air, more used to her best friend’s ways. “Cut it out, guys. This isn’t a BDSM outing, it’s a kids’ party. And no more talking about sex, Carina’s here.”
On cue, Michael’s younger sister waddled up to the deck. Misery carved out her features, though she looked adorable in a cute maternity T-shirt, jeans, and pink canvas sneakers. Her thick hair was tied back, and her cheeks were flushed and full. “Ugh. I don’t want to hear a thing about sex. That’s how I got in this miserable condition.”
Michael groaned. “TMI, dear sister.”
Max followed his wife, supporting her by the elbow. “I’ll get you some seltzer, babe.”
Carina groaned and placed her hands on her massive belly. “I miss alcohol. I miss seeing my toes. I miss sleeping.”
Alexa and Maggie shared a look and patted her shoulder. “I know,” Alexa said. “But in a few weeks you’ll have all the joy and happiness you can imagine. Motherhood is an amazing, perfect gift that makes all of this discomfort well worth it.”
Luke streaked across the lawn, nak*d. His crazy spiked hair and manic laugh reminded her of a comic book figure. His bare buttocks winked in the sun and groups of children hooted and hollered, pointing and jumping up and down with glee.
Maria followed. Her princess dress was covered in mud and she raced after him with one shoe on, one shoe off, screaming his name into the wind.
Carina lifted her brow. “You were saying?”
Maggie sighed. “Never mind. Labor will hurt. Motherhood will make you a slave. You’ll be sleep-deprived, mean, crazed, and the happiest you’ve ever been in your life.”
Alexa nodded. “Yeah. What she said.”
Gen smashed a knuckle against her mouth and tried to keep a straight face. “Umm, I’ll go check on them. And, umm, find Luke’s clothes. Kate?”
“I’ll help.”
“Thanks, guys,” Maggie said.
They trudged across the lawn after the nephews and nieces, drinks in hand. Kate smothered a giggle. “Your family is a trip.”
“Yeah, but your mom smokes pot. That’s pretty damn cool.”
The next few hours whizzed by in a dizzying rush of children, sugar, screaming, playing, and drinking by the adults. They sang “Happy Birthday,” cut the cake, and lounged around the massive kitchen, sipping cappuccino and espresso. David finally showed up, and Kate watched as her friend relaxed into David’s embrace, seemingly comfortable and at ease. That same odd warning voice flashed within, and Kate casually brushed both of their arms to see if she caught any type of sensation between them.
Nothing.
She frowned. Were they not suited? Or was her gift still missing? Surrounded by happy couples, Kate made her way back to the bar, where Alexa and Nick held hands and spoke in low voices. She edged in, determined to prove once and for all if her gift lingered. The couple usually gave her quite a jolt when touched, a strong sign of a soul match. Kate reached for a glass, murmuring an apology, and managed to graze both their wrists.
Nothing.
Her hope plummeted. The touch hadn’t returned. What if she’d lost it permanently? Kate pressed her back against the wall for support and tried not to panic. If sex hadn’t worked, what was she missing? All the time she cursed her gift, she realized it was also a part of her. She’d built Kinnections on the knowledge she’d be able to confirm a good match, weaving a solid foundation so clients were well taken care of. What now? What was her role if she had no touch?
A voice distracted her from a total freak-out.
“Well, isn’t this cozy? The power couple ready to take on the world. Surgeons unite and all that jazz.”
Silence fell over the kitchen. Gen’s twin sister, Izzy, stood framed in the doorway. Leather pants that hugged every ripe curve, thigh-high boots with wicked spikes and silver studs, and a black tank dipping way too low in the front to display the thorned rose tattooed on the curve of her breast. Numerous silver chains tinkled around her neck, and her diamond nose ring flashed in the light. Gen’s voice broke the tension. “We missed you, Iz. The boys were asking about you. How are you?”
Izzy shrugged. “Good to know someone noticed. I’m fine.”
Alexa stepped in, her gaze registering disapproval over her sister’s outfit. Her hug was barely returned. “Hot date tonight?” Alexa teased. “I know you didn’t dress up like this for us.”
Isabella’s head whipped around. “Why do you assume I’m giving it up to some guy? I dress like this to please one person. Myself.”
Nick’s voice slashed across the room. “Enough. You know Alexa was only joking. Take it down a notch.”
A mutinous expression crossed her face. Kate caught a glimpse of raw longing like she regretted her remark but had gone too far to back down. “Whatever.” She clicked away on her high heels.
David shook his head. “Unacceptable behavior. She shouldn’t have come.”
“She’s family,” Gen said.
David frowned. “That girl is heading toward destruction, and I’m not letting her take you with her. You shouldn’t be involved with anyone doing drugs. It could ruin your career.”
Kate was about to speak up for her friend when she was interrupted. Gen’s best friend, Wolfe, stood framed in the kitchen, his massive height dwarfing the rest of the room. His shaved head, sizzling blue eyes, and powerful body gave the impression of hot and bad boy in one firm twist. A wicked serpent tattoo curled up his shoulder and the side of his neck, and a diamond winked in his left ear. His brow was also pierced, and he wore leather wristbands with a long-sleeved black shirt, giving him an edgy look that usually made women drop their panties.
Somehow, Kate had never been affected, maybe because of his long-term friendship with Gen. She always wondered if there was something more between them, especially since Wolfe seemed to loathe David, but her best friend always insisted there was no sparks between them and they were only friends.
“She’s not on drugs,” Wolfe declared in his deep, husky voice. “She’s in pain,” he said simply.
Gen bit her lip. “I can’t reach her,” she said. “I’ve tried, but she wants nothing to do with me. She acts like she hates me.”
“Be patient. Eventually, she’ll need you.”
David let out a breath. “She’s jealous of Gen’s success. Better to give her space and let her be.”