by Cat Mason
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say, heading toward the doors. “I should really take a walk around and get a feel for the place before everyone starts to wander off.”
Walking the paths and around the beach toward the lagoon, I’m relieved at how closed off everything is. The only things close together are the houses. Large trees, shrubs, and fencing block a lot of the non-beach areas from being seen from the water. This is a great set-up, and though I’ll watch like a hawk, this is definitely going to make things easier on Mack and especially myself.
Once I’ve checked out the lagoon and made a full circle around the island to check for any possible areas that will need frequent checks by Mack or myself, I make my way back up the trail and come out on the beach. Jazzie runs down the sand in her pink swim suit while Brannon plays with his toys in the sand.
“I found one, Miss Rae!” Jazzie squeals, holding up something in her hand. “I found one!”
“Let’s see.”
My eyes fall on the goddess standing on the beach. Her long brown hair is now pulled back from her face with a large green bow to match the mint green bikini she has on. The long strands brush over her ass, swaying in perfect time with her hips. A white sash wrapped loosely around her hips whips around in the wind as Jazzie runs to her proudly.
“That’s a beautiful shell, Jazz,” Rae says, eyeing the seashell. “How about we show Bran?”
Turning around, Jazzie bends and shows Brannon, who is much more concerned with the giant real-life sandbox he can play in. Rae meets my eyes and the breath whooshes out of my chest. The sun reflects off of every inch of her, making her tanned skin glisten. My mouth is damned near watering at the sight of her standing before me.
“Big Man!” Jazzie shouts, waving her arms. “We’re finding sea shells.”
Forcing my focus on Jazz, I walk up and hoist her into my arms. “Are you now?” I ask, taking a look when she holds it up between her purple, nail-polish-covered fingers. “That’s a good one.”
“I know right, I sure can pick ‘em.” She wiggles in my arms, no doubt wanting to continue her search. Easing her back onto her feet, I use the opportunity to let my eyes eat up every inch of Rae’s body close up. My fingers want to touch her, to feel that soft skin.
It’s been too long since I’ve felt a soft, sweet woman’s body against mine. Her entire body is pure fucking indulgence just to look at. I’ve spent hours watching her over the last week. If I got her beneath my hands, I have no doubt I’d devour her over and over only to want more.
My eyes land on her barely covered breasts, saliva pooling in my mouth at the sight of her nipples pressing against the flimsy green fabric of her top. My dick twitches in my pants, letting me know he’s more than happy to jump in any time with his opinion of what should go down.
“Finish your walk through?” Rae asks, pulling me from my X-rated thoughts.
“Yeah,” I reply, scrubbing a hand over my jaw. “Everything looks good. Just be sure if you take the children anywhere not to go alone. Situations change quickly, as you now know,” I add, knowing that even though I hate bring up the situation back at the diner, Rae needs to be reminded that this is a lifestyle where we have to be vigilant and constantly on our guard.
“You’re right, Henry.” Rae brushes her hair over her shoulder, nodding in agreement. “I’m sorry about before. You’re only trying to do your job and the last thing you needed to add to that was babysitting the nanny. I get it.”
I shrug. “Let’s just say that we both could’ve handled that situation better and move on, huh?”
“I can do that,” Rae replies, kneeling down in the sand where Brannon still plays, grabbing his empty pail. “Now, how about we get some water in this for you?”
Taking that as my cue to fuck off, I turn and head back into the house, passing Mack as I go. His eyes are glued to the kids and Rae as she stops at the edge of the water with Brannon to let it wash over his feet. Clapping him on the shoulder, I start past him.
“She’s not into me,” he blurts, shaking his head in disbelief. “Not even a little bit.” Adjusting his red hair he shoves it under a baseball cap. “It hurts, Big Man, it hurts right below my belt.”
“Not everyone who comes in contact with us will want to put your cock in their mouth man,” I say with a laugh. “I’m thinkin’ that Hunter may have neglected to point that out when he began passing on his whoring skills.”
“Big Man, exactly what shade of blue are your balls right now?” Mack asks, smiling huge he crosses his arms over his chest.
Smiling right back, I shrug. “Not nearly as blue as the ocean will be while you take the all night watch tonight, motherfucker.” Clapping him on the shoulder again, I chuckle. “Remember, young one, who thou art fuckin’ with.” Tapping my temple, I grin. “Older, wiser, and all around better at the game.”
Walking into the house, I do a walk through and get a feel for the place. I learn which room everyone has chosen before settling into my own. I have evacuation routes and scenarios planned in my head for any and all situations. I begin making notes of things to run over with Mack later, before he starts his night watch.
Ha.
I can’t help laughing to myself as I head back up the hall and see him still standing just outside the doorway. Mack is a cocky little shit, but a damn good man when you get past the asshole he puts up as a front. He treats our girls like gold, and damn near worships the ground Jasmine walks on. That five year old has had him wrapped around her finger since day one of her coming to live with us, and she knows it too. Leaning against the railing, he grunts in aggravation, no doubt at the idea of pulling an all-nighter the first night here. Of course, I’ll get up and relieve him because I usually don’t sleep well anyway, but he doesn’t need to know that. Let the little fucker stew over being put on night duty for a bit.
Walking into the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab a water. Camaron turns and smiles at me thoughtfully, but her face looks anything but happy. Opening her mouth, she starts to speak, then closes it again. Twice more she does this and I can’t help picturing a fish gasping for air. Whatever she’s gotta handle is something she isn’t happy with. Twisting the top, I swallow a mouthful of the cold liquid before biting the bullet. “For fuck’s sake, Camaron, spit it out or stop chewin’ on it,” I say, hoping that if it’s some sort of simple wedding issue that she has blown out of proportion.
“I’ll learn not to check-in while on vacation,” she sighs, clearly frustrated with the situation. “We have a meeting with Ironsound Records as soon as we get back, I just got off Skype with Abby. She wants to make some changes to the band, you know, to make Shaft stand out more. Well, let’s just say that some of the suggestions she mentioned has me worried about some of your reactions.”
“Some of our reactions?” I ask, arching a brow.
“All right.” She sighs, throwing a hand up and rolling her eyes. “Hunter’s reaction is what I’m worried about. You know how he gets. Plus, they are pushing for us to bring in more security. Abby doesn’t think that you and Mack will be enough come fall.”
“I do, and whatever it is, we’ll handle it,” I reply, hoping to ease her mind. “You work your ass off, and everyone appreciates that, Cam, but you’ve gotta remember it’s not your job to always keep everyone happy. Hunter may piss and moan, but let him. He’s a grown ass man and you gotta admit he has changed a lot since Jasmine and Chase came into the picture. The business demands you evolve; it’s organic. So, if Ironsound needs them to change things up some, then that’s what they do, or they risk losing momentum. Hunter will understand. As for security, we can cross that bridge when we need to. Right now, Mack and I have that shit handled.”
“I get what?” Hunter asks, walking into the kitchen headed for the fridge. “Beer?” Grabbing one from the fridge, he pops the cap off. “I sure as fuck don’t mind if I do. I’m officially docked in Boozeville, USA for the next two weeks.”
“Oh no you aren’t, Hunter Chesterfi
eld,” Chase shouts, storming into the kitchen. Marching up to him, she meets him toe to toe, not concerned with the over half a foot height advantage he has on her. Grabbing the bottle from his hand, she slaps his arm. “I plan to make memories that we both remember, not ones that you need to watch on a home movie after your hangover is gone.” Turning, she hands the bottle to me, shaking her head as she blows out a breath. “I need things to run smoothly, please. I’ve already got my mother bitching because we chose to get married here instead of going back to Vegas where she can plan some huge event. You couldn’t even invite your mother.”
“Unless we get married in the state of Georgia, my mother doesn’t come unless you want the SWAT team to storm our reception because she crossed state lines. I made amends with the woman before she got out of the pen, doesn’t mean we are gonna be havin’ Sunday dinners and shit. I want something private; I don’t want to share this day with fuckers who don’t matter,” Hunter says, wrapping his arms around her. He kisses the top of her head then shrugs his shoulders, a grin spreading across his face. “She wants to know why Florida, huh, well I’ll tell her. Gray and Daisy, then even Cam and Aiden got married in Vegas. No doubt, Luke will too when the time comes. I’m a rebel, Chase, a real people stunner. I love shock and awe almost as much as I love my cock in your jaw. Besides, Florida is a very Shaft worthy state, I mean it looks like a cock for fuck’s sake.”
“So, technically…” Pulling out my phone, I pull up the state of Florida map. Turning my phone upside down, so that Florida does in fact resemble a rather sketchy looking dick, I show him the screen. Pointing to the tip and then the scattered islands out from it, one of which we are currently standing on, I laugh. “Your theory puts you getting married on the sandy shores of Jizz Splatter Island.”
“Taking a load off on the white shores of Jizz Splatter Island.” He laughs, slapping my back as he swipes back his beer, smirking victoriously at Chase who simply flips him off. “Big Man, this is why I fuckin’ love you. The only thing that upsets me is your timing.” Sighing dramatically, Hunter looks back at me. “I totally would’ve put that on the invites and invited more people. Oh, well, I guess there’s always the thank you cards and the wedding announcements for after we get back.” Turning, he releases Chase and heads for the doorway. “Cam, I’m using your laptop, by the way. I need to get those designed, A.S.A.P.”
“Hunter, you can’t…” Chase shouts, her fiery ass hot on his heels.
My eyes follow Hunter until they land on Luke firing up the large stainless steel grill on the deck. “I’ll just go see if Luke needs any help.”
“Henry, I was hoping you could help me talk to Hunter and the guys about…” Cam starts, stopping me in my tracks.
“Cam, everything is going to be fine. I just don’t think now is the time to discuss it,” I explain, heading for the door again. “We are all drained from touring and need this time to unwind and celebrate Hunter and Chase getting hitched. I’m sure that it can wait.”
“If you say so, Big Man,” Cam replies as I step out onto the deck.
I know that I should go back in and hear her out, but I don’t. I have no desire to handle any of the business end of our lives at all right now. I don’t involve myself with that end of things and I have no want to. Whatever it is that is bothering Cam, she needs to stow that shit until we are back in Nashville. Right now, we are miles away from anything resembling responsibility and as long as the media stays the fuck away, that’s how it will be until we get on the boat in thirteen days to head back to reality.
***
Later that night, after we all have dinner together, everyone scatters. Daisy and Grayson go for a walk on the beach, leaving an already sleeping Brannon with Rae. Hunter and Chase take Jazzie for a swim with Luke and Kionna, while Aiden and Camaron decide to head to bed early.
After walking the beach for the fourth time, I head in, deciding that it’s time to wake up Mack from his after dinner snooze to start his night watch before I shower. Instead, screaming has me heading away from where Mack sleeps and towards the main house.
Running through the door, I prepare for a massacre, only to find Brannon wailing like he’s being beaten. “It’s okay, handsome. Oh, you poor baby,” Rae coos, bouncing him on her hip in one arm while sorting through the contents of his diaper bag with the other.
“What’s going on?” I ask, closing the distance.
“He woke up screaming about an hour ago,” Rae says, blowing out a frustrated breath. “I think it’s a stomach ache, but I can’t find his drops. I’ve looked everywhere. I just want to make it better for him.”
Reaching out, I run my hand along his abdomen, and she’s right, it’s hard as a brick. The look on her face tells me that she is hurting nearly as bad as he is because she can’t fix it for him. “I know just the thing.” I say, then head into the kitchen.
10
Big Bad Cuddlin’ Man
Rae
Brannon screams, his fingers digging into my skin as I walk the room, swaying and softly humming in an effort to calm him. But it doesn’t work. Nothing does. I’m frantic to help ease the pain I know he is in. To help him rest. Instead, I am resolved to curling us both on the couch and sobbing right along with him.
Henry emerges from the kitchen with a sippy cup in his hand, “Here, let me have him.” Towering over us, Henry reaches out his hands. I look up at him, skeptically, wondering how in the hell he can possibly handle this if everything I have tried in the last hour has failed miserably. Taking off his sunglasses, he tosses them to the coffee table and arches his eyebrow at me. “Oh, come on, Rae. This is a team effort here, not a competition.”
“Fine,” I reply, handing Brannon to him. Bran fists Henry’s shirt with both hands, his tears soaking his poor splotchy red face.
“Come on, little Henry, let’s drink some of this. It’ll make it all better,” Henry says, swaying as he walks around the table. He paces in front of the fireplace, holding Brannon tightly against his chest. Once Brannon finally takes the cup, he sips slowly, but quiets to only whimpering.
“What is that?” I ask curiously, thankful that it’s at least calmed him some to drink it.
“Warm lemon water with a couple peppermint leaves,” he replies. “Being on tour with these knotheads, I can throw together a home remedy anywhere there’s a stocked bar.” Henry alternates bouncing slowly and swaying as he paces back and forth, again and again.
Eventually all the tension leaves Bran’s body, his whimpers now snores as he sleeps soundly in Big Man’s arms. Henry sets the cup on the coffee table before sitting down and curling Bran on the cushion beside him so that he lies with his head on a big throw pillow, his knees drawn up into his chest. “All better,” Henry says, brushing the hair from the little boy’s face before meeting my eyes.
“You can cuddle,” I say, grinning at him.
Henry blushes as I stand to my feet, making my way over to them. “Don’t go broadcastin’ that shit, it was necessary to the task at hand,” he says, swallowing hard. My eyes go to his throat as it works, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.
Looking down at Brannon sleeping peacefully curled up against Henry, relief washes over me. I am overwhelmed with emotion. Between the traveling and all the chaotic drama of today with the paparazzi, I am a bit of a basket case.
"I could kiss you right now," I blurt, grabbing his face with both hands and slamming my lips to his.
Then, I do it again.
Electricity sparks between our fused mouths, making my toes curl into the area rug beneath my feet. Henry's hand reaches out, gripping my hip, his fingers digging into my skin through my shorts. The heat from his mouth on mine and his hand gripping me is like a fever spreading throughout my entire body. My heart is beating so fast I feel like the room is spinning.
Footsteps and laughter from outside the door cause me to break the kiss. I step back and Henry lets his hand fall away from me immediately. I turn around just as Daisy and Grayson
walk through the door, his arm wrapped around her waist as he kisses her temple.
“Hey, was he giving you trouble?” Daisy asks, untangling herself from Gray and walking over to the couch. Brannon’s bottom lip quivers when she lifts him into her arms, making her eyes go soft.
“No, just a stomach ache,” Henry replies, stretching his long legs, then crossing one ankle over the other.
“Poor baby,” Daisy says, cuddling him to her chest. Her eyes meet mine and she smiles. “I’ll put him down tonight, I want to cuddle with my favorite boys.”
“All right, if you insist,” Hunter says from the doorway, carrying Jazzie in his arms. “I’m just not sure Gray is going to be very happy on the sofa.”
Chase slaps Hunter on the arm, rolling her eyes as she grins at him. “Come on, loverboy, let’s put our girl to bed.”
“If no one needs me, I’ll just head to bed myself then,” I say, my lips still tingling from kissing Henry.
“See you in the morning, Rae,” Daisy says when I pass her and head down the hallway.
Henry doesn’t say a word, but I can feel his eyes on me. Stepping into my room, I close the door and lean against it. Exhaling, I shake my hands out in front of me before touching my fingers to my lips. I close my eyes, still able to feel the lingering heat from his kiss. I can’t believe I did something like that. He must think I’m crazy for just kissing him like that out of the blue. Can’t say I’d disagree with him at this point, the only thing that could explain me acting so irrational is temporary insanity.
Then why didn’t push you away?
“Twatfacedasswhore,” I say, staring up at the ceiling before banging my head back against the wooden door, wincing when I whack the bump from earlier today. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
Deciding that it’s probably better to shower than add to my growing head injuries, I dig out some things from my bag and head into the bathroom. Turning the faucet, I walk over to the closet door and hang my towel on the hook before adjusting the water and stripping off my clothes.
