With Brooke lying naked in my arms, we finally fell asleep well after two in the morning. I slept deep and easy until Brooke woke me a little after eight, already showered and dressed.
She leaned over the bed and kissed me. “Baby, I’ve got to go.”
“Huh?” I turned over, groggy and sleepy-eyed, squinting up at her. “What? Why are you dressed?” I tried to pull her back into bed, but she resisted.
She laughed and kissed me again. “I’m meeting Sammie for breakfast and then we’re going dress shopping.”
I yawned and sat up in her bed. “Why didn’t you wake me? I would have showered with you.”
“You were sleeping so soundly and I had to hurry.” She kissed me a third time. “I loved everything about last night. Most of all you, but a shower would have led to more sex, and I promised Sam I would pick her up at eight-thirty.”
I smiled, leaned forward, and kissed her. “Why don’t you and Sam come over to the boat when you’re done? We’ll take a little cruise. Maybe we’ll hit that seafood place you love down in the keys. Pack a bag and we’ll make it an overnight. Tell Sammie.”
A smile lit up her face. “That sounds amazing.”
“Good.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “Coffee?”
“I made some in the pot and I left you a key to my apartment on the kitchen counter. Take it and keep it. Just lock the door behind you.”
“Wow. I’m key worthy? I’m honored.”
She laughed and kissed me again. “Shut up or I’ll fuck you into a coma.”
“You did that last night,” I said. “You’ve got to leave some for your girlfriend.”
“My girlfriend? Sam’s your girlfriend,” she said.
“Our girlfriend. Okay?”
“I like that. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, baby. I love you.”
A grin stretched across her face and I had never seen her look happier. “I love you too.” She stood up and turned to go and I couldn’t help but notice the telltale jiggle of her braless tits beneath a white t-shirt and jean shorts.
“God, you’re sexy,” I said. “Just a quickie?”
“No.” She laughed. “You’re a bad influence. I have to go.”
“Fine. Just make sure you show up at the boat later. The three of us need to chat about the ball.”
After Brooke left, I made her bed and tidied the place up before taking a quick shower and having a giant cup of coffee. Even though she had a studio apartment, her bathroom was twice as big as mine and I loved spreading out. With the caffeine buzzing through me, I hopped in my car and headed back to the boat.
It was after ten o’clock by the time I parked in the marina. My boat was there in the slip right where I’d left her, but I felt like a completely new man ready to conquer the world. But one thing nagged at me besides the upcoming ball and that was the date I had made with Maria. After what had happened with Brooke and my budding relationship with Sam, going out with Maria didn’t settle right in my stomach. I would have to call it off, but I wanted to do it in person and she didn’t work until this coming weekend.
I made it two steps onto my boat when a tuft of blonde hair appeared from below deck, followed by the stunning figure of one Lindsay Monroe, my former step-mother and Sam’s real-life mom.
“Hey Lindsay,” I said. “I didn’t know you had a key.”
“I borrowed Sammie’s,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
The wind whipped across the deck, and bright sunshine drenched the sun deck. A gorgeous day was ahead, and I hoped Lindsay wasn’t here to ruin it.
“Nope. How long have you been here?”
“Not long, sugar. But I wanted to make sure I caught you. You and I need to have a little talk.”
“Uh, oh,” I said. “Before you say anything, you were the one who encouraged me to take out your daughter.”
Lindsay laughed. “I’m not mad, sweetie. Quite the opposite. Come on. Let’s talk. I made a fresh batch of coffee for the occasion.”
We took our coffee on the aft deck where Sam and I had breakfast the day before. She settled into the seat across from me, wearing a knee-length skirt and a matching floral-print top. Sunshine drenched the deck and the sounds of waves lapping the hull mixed with the squawks of seagulls floating on the breeze.
I sipped my coffee, my second cup of the day, and studied Lindsay’s face, wondering when the hammer would drop. “So… to what do I owe the pleasure.”
She gave me a half-smile and stirred the creamer in her coffee. “You do nothing by half, do you?”
I raised a questioning eyebrow. “Is this about us or Sam?”
“Trap, I’ve never seen my baby girl so smitten.” She sipped her coffee and gazed at me appraisingly. “No. Smitten isn’t strong enough. She’s in love. Are you aware that she thinks she’s moving into this boat with you?”
“I know how Sam feels about me,” I said. “Are you asking me to back off?”
Lindsay laughed and shook her head. “No, baby. I’m telling you that if you back off, you’ll have an angry mama bear coming after you. Do you love her?”
The answer came to my heart before it came to my brain, and I spilled it. “Yes. I love her. And she’s right. I asked her to move in with me. I know it’s fast, but that’s how I feel.”
Lindsay sat back in her chair and her shoulders relaxed, if only slightly. “More like supersonic. You’re sure?”
“Positive,” I said. “But there is one caveat.” I leaned forward and shifted in my seat uncomfortably.
“There always is.” She sighed and disappointment crept into her face. “What’s the catch?”
“Sam is well aware and, in fact, encouraging me to… uhh… I’m not sure how to say it.”
Lindsay furrowed her brow. “Vomit it up if you have to. What’s Sammie gone on about?”
“She wants me to build a harem,” I said, spilling it.
Lindsay’s shoulders fully relaxed, and she let out a held breath. “Oh, that. I know all about it.”
“You’re okay with it?” I asked, not hiding the disbelief in my voice.
“It’s her life,” she said. “If that’s what makes you two click, then I’m your cheerleader. My main reason for coming over here is to make sure you don’t break my baby girl’s heart.”
“I love her,” I said. “Does that answer your question?”
“If it’s a short-term fling, it’s best you end things quick,” she said, ignoring my proclamation of love. “But if you mean what you say, then I’ve got no problem.”
I nodded. “My actions will speak for me.” I took another sip and gazed at her, trying to figure out how to bring up the next topic. “Lindsay, about us, I —”
She raised her hand, cutting me off. “Normally, Sam and I wouldn’t mind drinking from the same water cooler, if you get my drift. But her feelings run too deep.” She let out a long sigh. “As much as it pains me, you and I should cool our jets. I don’t want Sammie to get upset with me.”
“She’s not the jealous type,” I said.
Lindsay laughed. “Oh, don’t I know it. But that doesn’t mean she is immune to getting her feelings hurt. The last thing I want is a war with my daughter. She always gets her way. For now, let’s put things on ice.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “I’ll talk to Sammie.”
I nodded and sighed. “I can’t talk you into joining the team?”
Lindsay laughed, and her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’m a one man kind of woman, sugar. But I’m sure Sammie will help with recruitment. Like I said, she gets what she wants.”
“I’m finding that out more and more every day.”
Lindsay stood and pushed back her chair. “I’ve got to run.” She gazed at me intently. “Be forewarned, Trap Ashford. I’ve got my eye on you.”
Chapter 9
I spent the rest of the morning gassing up the boat, performing some general maintenance on the engine, and cleaning as much of th
e boast as I could. By the time the girls messaged me that they were on their way, the clouds had rolled in and the lunch hour had passed.
When my fair-haired first mates showed up, the forecast looked bleak and any chance of leaving port was shot. They found me stretched out on the plush sofa in the cabin below deck, watching the weather report and sipping an ice-cold beer.
Sam came down the stairs first, hefting a suitcase in one hand and a packed to bursting backpack slung over her shoulders. She smiled at me happily. “Hi roomie.”
My stomach fluttered, and I sat up, smiling, drinking in my beautiful blonde goddess. She was on her A game wearing a gray midriff, a pair of tight black shorts, and black sandals. “Hi, baby. I guess you’re moving in?”
Sammie set down her backpack and luggage. “If the offer still stands.”
Brooke came in behind her, lugging another suitcase.
“Of course it still stands,” I said to Sammie before turning to Brooke. “Are you moving in too?”
“Uh, no,” she said. “No offense, Trap, but this place isn’t big enough for the three of us.” She plopped the luggage down on the floor beside Sam’s other bags. “This is Sammie’s.”
I eyed the luggage and scratched my head. “Good grief. All you need is a bathing suit and a toothbrush. What’s all this?”
The girls exchanged a look, as if I were completely clueless.
“Makeup, outfits for every occasion, and more outfits for the unexpected,” Sam said and folded her arms over her ample chest. “Do you have a problem with it?” She tapped her foot on the ground and dared me to challenge her.
“Uh… nope. No problem here. There’s plenty of room,” I said.
Sam gazed around the cabin, perched on her tiptoes, and scanned the bedroom beyond. “We can start with the bedroom,” she said to Brooke as if I weren’t even there.
Brooke frowned and rubbed her chin as she eyed my walls and rough looking furniture. “I don’t know. This room’s pretty bad.”
“Care to let me in on the secret?” I asked. “What’s so horrific about the cabin?”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “It looks like a frat house.”
“And it smells like one too,” Sam said as she stepped forward and leaned in for a kiss. “No offense, baby. You can’t help it. You’re a man and you suck at home decor.”
“It’s just how you’re wired,” Brooke said as she crossed the room and slipped onto my lap. “But don’t worry. We’ve got it all covered.”
“That’s what worries me,” I said.
Brooke nestled in close and kissed me on the lips. “We need a bigger bed,” she said. “I might not be moving in, but I will sleep here… a lot.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and smiled over at Sammie. “And no offense to blondie over there, but she’s a blanket hog.”
“I am not,” Sam said, glaring at Brooke. “You snore.”
I grinned, unable to contain my amusement. “Okay,” I said. “Enough or I’ll throw you both in the brig.”
Sam put her hands on her hips. “Okay. I am a blanket hog, but can we agree that we need a bigger bed? Sure, it’s big enough for the three of us now, but what happens when we add another girl to the harem?”
“I agree on the bed, but as far as this harem of yours,” Brooke said to Sam. “Nobody new unless we all consent.” She turned back to me and slayed me with those big green eyes. “Got it?”
“Right,” I said. “No problem.” I was starting to worry I was in over my head. I wrapped my arms around Brooke’s waist and slid my hand down to her ass, cupping it in my palm. All this talk about harems was making me a tad uncomfortable. I had just made a breakthrough with Brooke, and I didn’t want to scare her off. I needed a change of subject. “Unfortunately, it looks like we aren’t going to the keys this evening.”
“We were afraid of that,” Sam said, then plopped down on the couch beside me before snuggling in tight. “That just means we can Netflix and chill.” She grinned mischievously at Brooke, and Brooke giggled.
“Emphasis on the chill,” Brooke said. “Lots of chilling. Multiple times.”
My cock flexed in my pants, and I eyed the stunning beauties greedily. “I like where this is heading.”
“We’ll order pizza and drink wine,” Sam said.
“Or beer,” I said.
“Beer bloats me,” Sam said. “I’m not a big drinker, anyway.”
“How was the dress shopping?” I asked.
Sam’s eyes widened. “You should see Brooke’s dress. Oh… my… God. She looks amazing.”
“I look like a homeless meth head next to you and that slinky black dress you picked out,” Brooke said.
“Hardly,” Sam said before turning back to me. “To answer your question. We’re ready. But what kind of party is this? Brooke said it’s a harem party.” Her eyes widened with excitement. “Is that true?”
“I think so,” I said. “Did Brooke fill you in on what happened with Peter Patlee?”
“Yep,” Sam said. “I wonder what he has up his sleeve? I’m not having sex with random guys.”
“That makes two of us,” Brooke said. “One random guy is all I need.” She snuggled in close and kissed me.
“I want you girls to stay close to me tomorrow night,” I said. “And don’t take a drink offered by anyone but the three of us. The last thing I want is for some creep at this party to drug one of you and… well… I don’t want that to happen.”
“Yes, daddy,” Sam said, making a pouty face. “I’ll be the best big girl you’ve ever seen.”
Brooke laughed, and I rolled my eyes.
“I’m serious,” I said. “We need to find out what Patlee knows about the treasure, but not if it means seeing one of you get hurt.”
“You worry too much,” Sam said. “It’s a party, Trap. Relax. Not everyone is out to get us.”
My phone buzzed on the coffee table with an incoming call. I picked it up and checked the caller id. “It’s Bella Carson,” I said.
“Who?” Sam asked.
“Butch’s old partner before I came along,” Brooke said. “She and Trap had a thing for each other once upon a time.”
My phone buzzed again. “No, we didn’t,” I said. “We had a drunken one-night stand long before you came along.”
“Is she cute?” Sam asked.
“Cute isn’t how I wouldn’t describer her. Smoking hot and built like a brick shit house is more accurate,” Brooke said, staring at the phone. “Aren’t you going to answer it?”
The phone buzzed for a third time. “I hadn’t planned on it.”
“Let’s hear what she wants,” Sam said. “Put her on speaker.” Before I could say no, Sam tapped the speaker button and put me on the spot.
I glared at Sam before I responded. “Hello?”
“Hi Tim, it’s Bella. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
First Wife Club Page 9
