"Morning." She kissed his nipple, letting her tongue flicker over it. "Sleep good?"

"Woke up better," he chuckled, his thumb swiping across the lips she'd so recently had wrapped around his cock. She touched the pad of his thumb with her tongue then kissed it. "You?"

"Mmm. Good." She nodded, her hair tickling lightly. "You working all day?"

"Most of it. Big plans at the restaurant tonight. Danny's bringing in some investors to see if they'll subsidize the expansion."

"Why doesn't he just talk to Jen?"

"He doesn't want to be the majority owner of a bunch of restaurants, Jo. He just wants to be a chef."

"Right, right. I just don't understand how he can let the moneymaking opportunity slip through his fingers. He's got tons of potential…" she stopped as Pacey kissed the top of her head. "I know. I know. Sorry."

"He's perfectly happy running the restaurant in Albany now. He doesn't need you trying to make him a corporate mogul." He eased away from her, slipping from the bed and walking naked to the bathroom. "What are you doing today?"

"Absolutely nothing. With this new deal closed, it's all smooth sailing for me. I thought I might take some time off."

"Can the office handle it without you?"

"It's our slow time." She sat up and shrugged, watching him as he stepped into the stall to turn the water on, the rushing sound from the six heads filling the room. "I'll keep in touch with them. I just thought I'd like to do some other stuff for a while. I want to redesign the living and dining rooms. And our offices need to be completely reworked."

"When did you decide to get into this work, Jo?" He leaned against the bathroom door and looked at her for a long time. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you. But ten years ago, if you'd told me Joey Potter would be an architect and designer…"

"Or that Joey Potter would be Joey Witter?" She climbed from the bed as well, heading toward him. "People grow up, people change. Besides, it turns you on that I'm successful and wealthy." She touched his cock, smiling knowingly as it hardened. "Admit it."

"It turns me on that you're naked and my wife." He grabbed her hand and led her to the shower. "And the wealthy and successful doesn't hurt." Slipping into the warm spray, he pulled her in as well, enjoying the view of the water running over her body. "Wet doesn't hurt either."

Joey kissed him, pressing her body to his, feeling the jets pounding against their flesh as it met. "You don't mind if I take time off, do you?"

"Not at all." He ran his hand through her damp hair, kissing her softly. "You need a break. You've always worked too hard."

"Someone has to support your lazy ass."

Pacey laughed softly, licking her wet lips and peppering them with gentle kisses. "Besides," he pointedly ignored her teasing remark, "with you at home, I can expect more mornings like this."

Joey moaned softly as he held her hips with his hands, his body grinding against hers, his cock hard between them.

"Or better yet, mornings where we don't even get out of bed." He moved his kisses down her jaw line as he sank to his knees, bathing her wet body with openmouthed kisses, his hands marking the trail as they slipped over her stomach and between her thighs, teasing apart the lacy tendrils of damp hair that framed her swollen clit. "Or mornings," he let his tongue swipe across the tight nub, "where we sleep after I've made love to you all night long."

Joey's nails sank into his shoulders as his tongue sank inside her, tasting a sweeter wetness than the one provided by the six pounding heads. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to the sensation as his tongue moved up, focusing again on her clit, his fingers sliding up inside her.

Her knees trembled as he fucked her, thumb joining his tongue, at war with her clitoris; fingers touching and rubbing and pushing up inside her, blood pounding through her veins, making her weaker and weaker. She trembled as his other hand moved to her back to help support her as she came, crying his name out softly.

Joey slumped against the side of the shower as Pacey got to his feet, a wolfish grin on his face. "You didn't think I wouldn't return the favor, did you?"

"I didn't expect you to do it here. Or now." She grinned weakly. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you."

Stepping under the main spray, Pacey let it beat down on the back of his neck. "I'm complaining." When she looked up in surprise, he grinned. "But only that I don't have time to drag you back to the bed and do it properly." He looked down at his erection and shrugged. "Guess I'll have to wait until tonight."

"I'll make it worth the wait."

Pacey tilted his head back and let the water wash through his dark hair. "You always do."

Jen stood outside the conference room door for a few moments, shuffling the papers in her hands as an excuse to take a few deep breaths. "You okay?"

She looked up and nodded, smiling at one of her co-workers. "I'm fine, thanks. Just making sure I've got all my thoughts in order." Straightening the papers, she raised her eyebrows. "Wish me luck."

"I'm sure they'll persuade you." The other girl winked and smiled. "Have you seen their head negotiator yet? He's got some weird appeal. I haven't quite figured it out yet, but he's got something."

"Smarminess." Jen laughed softly and headed for the doors. "Later."

The other girl gave a brief wave, her gaze drifting through the open door to the table. Jen shook her head and walked into the room, effectively blocking her view as she reached her chair and pulled it out, settling into it.

"Mr. Valentine."

"Ms. Lindley."

"It's Mrs. Witter, actually." Jen set the papers in front of her and met his gaze coolly. "Mrs. Doug Witter."

"You're kidding. I thought he was gay."

Jen smirked. "You're almost completely the opposite of how clever you think you are." Pulling her glasses down from her hair, she settled them on her nose and looked at him. "Shall we get down to business?"

Drue slipped his glasses off, the tip of the earpiece pressed against his full lower lip. His tongue snaked out, wetting his lip before he spoke. "You've seen our proposal. You know what we intend to do."

"I also see that you have ample access to financing to complete the project without any help from us."

"Admittedly, our investors have deep pockets," Drue nodded in agreement, turning one of the papers in front of him to face her. "However, we have a policy of working with the community we're interested in. We like to find a local bank or investor to help foot a small portion of the cost to increase local interest."

"And pass yourselves off as a local-type company looking to make life better for the populace."

"We've done this sort of thing in several areas. We always hire local contractors to keep the theme of whatever smallish town we're building in. All of our hotels and bed and breakfasts show an ample return on investment. We're successful and we do good work, Mrs. Witter."

"I've seen some of the specs on your other projects."

"And those have done well without the added attraction of a historical monument close by. The lighthouse gives us an additional advantage." Drue tilted his head, settling his glasses back on his face. "And honestly, gives you no reason to refuse."

"Unless I just don't feel like doing business with you."

Drue shrugged, his tongue tracing the edge of his teeth. "That's your prerogative. But I'd have to question you putting your personal feelings for me before what's best for your business. In fact, I might be inclined to bring the matter up with your supervisor."

"I don't put it past you." Jen chewed the inside of her bottom lip, carefully holding his gaze. "I'll need to see the property and what you've done so far." She tapped her papers together again and set them in front of her. "Have you chosen the local contractor?"

"We'd hoped you might have some ideas on that score. We've done a little research, but I know you've worked several construction and contracting deals. Perhaps you have particular firms you like and whose involvement might make you feel more comfortable working with me?"

"I know a few."

"Shall we make a date then?" Drue stood and snapped his papers in his briefcase, holding her eyes defiantly. "Get you out to the site and make up your mind? I'd like to do it as soon as is possible for you. I am on something of a deadline."

"Tomorrow?"

"What time?"

"I can go on my lunch hour."

"This is business, Jen. Why don't you come at eleven and we'll do the tour and maybe we can hash out a deal over lunch? My treat."

"I'd rather cut off my own arm than have lunch with you, Drue."

"Really?" He shrugged and moved around the table, smirking as she stood quickly, putting some distance between him. "You didn't think that the last time we ate together."

Jen felt a telltale blush heat her skin and she shook her head. "People do stupid things in college."

"I'll see you at eleven. Should I send a driver for you?" He glanced at her attire, his eyes spending an inordinate amount of time on her nylon clad legs and two-inch heels. "You might want to wear something you feel a little more comfortable getting dirty in." He met her gaze, noting the deeper blush on her pale skin. "Because you're going to get awfully dirty."

"I can find my own way out there."

Drue shrugged and started for the door. "See you at eleven."

Doug settled at the bar and nodded to the bartender. Placing his order, he closed his eyes and rubbed them, ignoring the images that threatened, dancing on the edge of his peripheral vision.

"Hey there, big brother." Pacey leaned on the bar, looking critically at Doug's glass. "Aren't you a little too on duty to be drowning your sorrows?"

"No." Doug lifted the glass and drained it, not looking at Pacey. "What time's the big soiree tonight?"

"Seven. You guys coming?"

"To see my little brother triumph? Of course." He set the glass back on the bar, still holding on to it. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Nodding as Danny approached, Doug signaled to the bartender for another round. "Hey, Danny."

"Doug." Danny held out his hand and shook Doug's. "It's been a while."

"Well, since you left town practically the same day I moved my ass to Boston, it's your own fault. You do know I was just joking about prosecuting you, don't you?"

"A man can't be too careful." Danny grabbed a bottle and three shot glasses from behind the counter. "However, if you're going to be drinking here, you've really got to do it right." He filled all three glasses then set them in front of each of them. "To Pacey's unquestionable success."

Pacey and Doug both raised their glasses. "I'll drink to that," Doug stated with a sincere smile.

"Yeah," Pacey's grin was both touched and embarrassed. "Me too." He tossed back the shot then set the glass on the counter. "Now, before the two of you drag me down into your alcoholic cesspit, I'm going to get back to work to make sure tonight actually is a success."

Danny nodded, grabbing the bottle and heading for the end of the bar. "C'mon, Douglas. Let's tie one on and raise a little hell."

"Sounds good." Doug dropped a couple dollars on the bar then followed Danny to a table at the back of the darkened area. Sinking onto the bench opposite him, Doug sighed and closed his eyes, leaning his head back on the cushioning.

"Talk."

"What?" He opened one eye and gauged Danny's look before sighing again and straightening up.

"You've got that look."

"What look is that?"

"Actually, you don't have a look. You have a drink in your hand, which, apart from a glass of wine with dinner, is extremely rare for you. Which means you're either working a case that's a real bitch and is bothering you."

"Or?"

"Or you've done something horribly wrong and have come to Father Danny to confess your sins."

"Did you ever cheat on Emily?"

Danny nearly coughed up his shot, covering his mouth with one hand while he poured another round for each of them. "That's quite a question."

"Which I believe you just answered yes to?"

Danny took a sip from his shot glass, not finishing the whole thing. "Em and I had problems. You know that. The restaurant was tough for a while, not the rousing success you see before you. And she didn't always understand the sacrifices I had to make to keep it going."

"But someone else did?"

"Yeah." Danny sighed and ran a hand through his short hair. "But it wasn't that. I mean, maybe that was an excuse for our separation, but that's not why I started seeing someone else."

"Why did you?"

Danny met Doug's eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"There's someone…a woman that…" Doug blew out a long breath. "I fucked up, Danny."

"Was this a one time thing? Or are you planning on making a career of it?"

"Fuck," Doug shook his head. "She…I can't see this woman again. I love Jen. I don't know why this even happened, except all of a sudden she was there and she was touching me and I was lost. Just fucking lost, Dan."

"You have feelings for her?" Danny shrugged off Doug's look. "Karen…that was her name, Karen. I loved her. I mean, it started out as this friendship that became something more and I really loved her. I never stopped loving Em, but I did love Karen. If she hadn't wised up and kicked me out of her life, I don't know what I would have done."

"She's part of my life," Doug evaded softly, staring at the wall behind Danny. "And I want her like hell."

"You want her more than you love Jen?"

Doug closed his eyes. "Sometimes?"

"It's not something you can answer with a question, Dougie. But I can promise you that it's not easy. Being in the same room with them killed me so many times. Em would look at me as if she knew there was something going on somewhere and I'd turn up the affection toward her, only to see it killing Karen." Danny shrugged again, wishing the simple movement would ease some of the pain of memory. "You want my advice? End the affair right now. Whatever you have to do. Because the longer it goes on, the deeper you get." Danny took the bottle and stood, his gaze solemn. "The harder it is to let go."

Doug looked past Danny to Pacey who was moving around the kitchen like a man possessed. "The messier it is."

Joey smiled up at Danny. "Did I ever thank you for being so good for my husband?"

"Not really. Generally, I think you're usually cussing me out for getting him involved in something as risky and time-consuming as the restaurant industry." Danny grinned. "Or are you cussing me out about the tawdry homosexual affair he and I had?"

"You had a tawdry homosexual affair with him?"

"Okay, that's not you. Must have been another one of my protégés." His grin widened. "He's done an amazing job with this place. Of course, I had all the kinks worked out before he bought into it, but it's nice to see the kid's kept it up."

"Are you talking about me again?" Pacey sighed, resting his hand on Joey's shoulder, his fingers warm against her neck. "I told you, Danny, you keep that up, Emily's going to get bitterly jealous and refuse to let you see me anymore."

"She's enraptured with the dessert cart right now. Surely you're not going to begrudge me time with the most beautiful lady in the room?"

"How badly do you want Emily to kill you tonight?" Joey shoved Danny lightly. "Go away and let me spend some quality time with my husband before the two of you disappear with the investors into the back room and spend the rest of the night making deals. Or playing poker."

"Damn, she's on to us." Danny shook his head. "You had to marry a smart one, didn't you, Witter?"

"Not too smart, since I married him." Joey moved easily into Pacey's arms. "Go dance with your wife, Danny."

Pacey shook his head as Danny walked over to Emily, grabbing her and bending her backwards in an impassioned kiss. "He's a goofball."

"Funny, I was just going to say how much you remind me of him. I think Doug was really onto something when he hooked the two of you up." She leaned into him, resting her hand over his chest, her head just above his heart. "I've never seen you look prouder than you did tonight when everyone applauded."

"Obviously you weren't looking at my face when you said you'd marry me. Or when you said I do." He kissed the top of her head, wrapping her up in his arms. "Thank you for sharing all this with me, Jo."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." She looked up at him, stopping their movement as she met his eyes. They were dark blue, filled with pride and hunger and love. "I wouldn't have missed you for the world."

"Yeah?"

"You're making us sick." Jen rested her head on Joey's shoulder, interrupting the private moment. "At any second, the entire room is going to say 'awww' and I'm going to vomit. So why don't you hand over your husband and let me have my way with him?"

"How about I let you dance with him?"

Jen sighed her disappointment. "Fine. If that's all I can talk you out of." She moved out of Doug's arms, easing into Pacey's as Joey took a step toward Doug. "Keep Doug out of trouble, won't you?"

"Certainly." Joey moved smoothly into Doug's embrace, letting him guide them away from Pacey and Jen. They were silent until they reached the opposite side of the dance floor, where Doug put a few inches between them. The corners of Joey's mouth lifted in a seductive smile. "Hello, Doug."

"Joey. You look lovely this evening."

She glanced down at the blue gown she wore, noticing that his eyes followed hers to the softly shaded cleavage and the tight sheath, his hand warm on the bare skin of her back where her dress dipped down. "Thank you."

He watched her speak, the tip of her tongue slipping out on the first word, the words themselves low and promising. The hand at her back moved slightly, wanting to rest on material but knowing the only material available was over the curve of her ass. "We need to talk."

"Here?" Joey tilted her head and smiled. "Now?"

"No. Somewhere that isn't in close proximity to your husband or my wife. Or anyone else that knows us."

"That doesn't sound like an invitation to talk, Doug. That sounds like an invitation for you to take this dress off of me."

Doug closed his eyes, opening them immediately as the thought of her naked body filled his vision. "I'm not going to do this, Joey."

"Do what, Doug?" She moved closer, her chest brushing his, the soft swirl of her dress weaving through his legs. "Nothing happened that you didn't want."

"I didn't want any of that…of this."

"Oh no? It seems to me that you're bigger than me, you're stronger than me, and I'm almost positive all that police training has given you a few insights on how to stop someone from doing something you don't want them to do." Her hand slipped inside his suit jacket to the pale blue shirt underneath. He could feel her heat through the thin material, singeing his skin. "And you didn't do anything to stop me, Doug."

"I'm stopping it now."

She shook her head. "You wanted it as badly as I did. You wanted to feel me around you. You wanted your cock buried inside me." He swallowed hard as her voice dropped, his eyes closing almost against his will as she spoke. "And you didn't give a thought to Jen or to Pacey or to anyone but yourself and what you wanted."

"You're my sister-in-law, Joey. I can't do this to Pacey. Not to mention to Jen."

Joey nodded her understanding. "In about ten minutes, Pacey's going to disappear into the back room to negotiate the final stages of this deal. Jen's going to go with him to double check the financial arrangements." The song ended as she pulled away slowly. "I'll be in the ladies' room."

Doug watched her walk back to Pacey, smiling at both him and Jen as she approached them. Danny walked up to Doug, his face as set as stone. "You need to tell me right now that the woman you're fucking on the side is not your sister-in-law." He watched Doug's face and shook his head. "What the fuck are you thinking?"

"I'm not thinking. I wasn't." Doug groaned softly and ran an exasperated hand through his hair. "It only happened once and I told her it wasn't going to happen again."

"Good." Danny slapped the back of Doug's head. His voice was a vicious whisper. "She's your brother's wife, Doug."

"I'm really well aware of that." Doug rubbed his forehead. "She wants me to meet her in the bathroom in ten minutes after you, Jen and Pacey go back with the investors."

"Do I even need to say that I think that would be a spectacularly bad idea?"

"No. But I do need you to give me something to do so that I don't give in to this overwhelming self-destructive voice that's telling me to get my ass in the ladies' room."

Danny shook his head, glaring at Doug. "Come on. Help me find Emily and we'll make this a family affair. Unless you don't think you can control yourself around her when she's got your brother's arm wrapped around her."

Pacey fell back on the bed, his eyes closed before he even made contact. Joey leaned against the dresser, her arms crossed over her chest and smiled down at him. "You're supposed to lay in the other direction."

"Too much effort," he assured her, his lips curling into a smile as he lifted his hand in her direction. "C'mere."

"If moving is too much effort, I don't see much point in me joining you on the bed."

"Mmm. I don't know. You could be on top? Do all the work?"

"Oh, stop. You're really turning me on." Joey patted the top of his head. "You had a big night, Pace. Maybe you need a little rest."

"I had a hell of a night, Jo. Maybe I wanna celebrate?" He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "God, you look stunning."

"I'll bet you say that to all the girls."

"Only the ones I'm married to." He tugged lightly on her hand, getting her to sit down beside him. Joey ran gentle fingers across his forehead, along his jaw to his lips. She closed her eyes as his tongue pressed against her fingertips. "You tried my raspberry tart."

"I did." She pulled her hand away slowly, smiling as he caught it, refusing to let her go. "I have to get ready for bed, Pace."

"I can help you do that. Turn around and I'll get your zipper."

"I don't have one." She freed her hand and lifted it to her shoulder, sliding the blue material down her arm. Repeating the gesture on the other side, she let the dress slip to the floor before stepping out of it.

"Sweet Jesus." Pacey exhaled, reaching for her. Joey let him pull her to him as he turned, burying his face against the sleek wisp of fabric, his fingers easing it down to expose the dark tangle of hair at the apex of her thighs. His tongue rasped against the silky strands, his head bent backwards over the edge of the mattress.

Joey laughed softly, almost a giggle as she moved away from him, stepping out of the circle of his arms. "I thought you were tired."

"You've revitalized me." He sat up enough to pull off his suit jacket. "Just give me a hand with these pesky clothes and I'm yours for the taking."

"I'm still doing the taking, am I?" Joey climbed onto the bed, straddling his legs. Her fingers moved to his waistband, undoing his belt and slacks then easing them down his body as he lifted his hips.

Pacey looked at her knowingly. "You like doing the taking."

She nodded, tilting her head slightly as his boxers followed his slacks toward the floor. "Now that you mention it," she grabbed his tie, holding onto it as she took a loose hold on his cock, brushing it along her wet skin before pressing it to her opening as she slowly slid down his length. She sat astride him, a small, satisfied smile on her face as she slowly twisted the tie around her hand, pulling him toward her, "I do, don't I?"