by Cat Mason
“No,” Rae says, stepping into the room. Sitting the bacon and juice on the table, my eyes go immediately to her. The gorgeous body that I had writhing underneath my hands last night is wrapped in a white sundress that has a blue bow on her hip to match the one in her hair and the jeweled sandals on her feet. “What you did do was piss off the wrong one.” Rae winks at me, before turning her attention to Jazzie who comes barreling into the room. She holds up her hand, causing Jazz to freeze mid-step.
“Sorry, Miss Rae.”
Rae nods, lowering her hand. Jasmine walks over to the table and sits in her chair. Placing her hands on the table, she steeples her fingers. “Daddy, may I have bacon and eggs, please?”
Everyone looks over at Jazz, before looking to Hunter who is stock still and wide eyed. “Yes, you may.” Rae immediately walks around the table and begins to fix a plate. “That was very polite, Jasmine.” Placing the plate in front of her, Rae brushes a hand over her hair. “What do you want to do today?”
“How about after you eat, you can go help Miss Rae pack a bag and we’ll go for a ride on the boat?” I blurt, taking my seat. I am just as shocked as everyone else at my off the wall idea, but honestly the minute it left my lips is sounded perfect. “Figure we can hit that little island to the west and check it out for shells. You can pack a picnic and shit.”
Jazzie bounces up and down in her seat, clapping her hands excitedly. “Oooo! Can we, can we please?”
“First, eat your breakfast,” Rae says, sitting down beside her and scooping eggs on to her own plate. She looks like she wants to say something, but doesn’t. Her eyes look full of questions.
The table becomes loud, the girls all begin planning decorating for the party at the lagoon tonight and discussing setup for the wedding which is only two days away. Last minute planning has taken the bulk of everyone’s time the last few days, and from the sound of it, it’s only going to get worse. One of the downsides to Hunter wanting to have this be a totally private ceremony is that we are doing nearly everything ourselves when most people have people assigned and paid to handle every single detail.
Finishing my breakfast quickly, I walk over and grab Brannon from Grayson’s lap. “Let’s go get the boat ready,” I say to him. “Mack, you’re runnin’ the show today,” I add, tipping my jaw to him before looking to Rae. “We’ll be waitin’.”
On the boat, I put the kid in his life vest and settle him in the Captain’s chair while I go over everything that has to be done before we can pull out. The water is clear today, almost so clear you can see to the sand beneath. It’s paradise here. I’ve walked the island we’ve been on almost a week now more than anyone and yet I’ve not enjoyed any of it. Of course, it’s my job to keep a vigilant watch, to protect our family, but doing the bulk of it myself is coming at a great cost. All morning I have been reflecting, especially on the last few months. I don’t like what I see. That means I have to make a change, find a balance again, and in turn, learn to let go of some of the control that I hold onto so tightly.
I know that deep down Mack puts the safety of the group ahead of everything else, like I do. He’s a damn kid and I know that I’m hard on him. Honestly, he reminds me a lot of myself at that age. I’ve got to give the kid room to take the lead when needed, I know that. It’s also becoming clear to me that I need to accept the fact that it’s inevitable for Shaft to have to take on more security. I can’t possibly expect Mack and me to run the show alone, especially in the fall when Jazzie starts school. The tour and press shit kicks off all around that time too making it damned near impossible for the two of us to keep up with everyone. We would be spread too thin.
Shrugging, I turn and look at Brannon. He smiles at me, his chubby cheeks and jack-o-lantern looking smile makes me chuckle. Taking off my sunglasses, I slip them onto his face. “The old dog has to roll over and get used to change, kid.”
“Thought you were a bear,” Rae says from behind me.
“Hey, handsome,” she says to Brannon, making him smile at her and wave. Walking up, she sits down the bag then takes the other children’s life vest and kneels in front of Jazzie. “Let’s get you ready to go, huh?” Looking up at me, Rae smiles as walk around the side of the deck to pull the anchor before starting the boat.
The kids sit with Rae on the bow as I navigate the boat through the water. A pair of dolphins swim alongside the boat, one rounding the bow to jump high into the air. Rae smiles, her laugh not audible over the sound of the boat and the waves, but the sight of her laughing and carefree with the kids is enough for me.
The small island I saw when we arrived comes into sight. It’s not even half the size of our island and I’d bet you could sit it down inside the house in Nashville, but it’s not about that. Today is about adventure, about getting out of my comfort zone and having some fun. It’s also about me learning to take time to breathe.
Once I drop anchor, Rae and I wade to the shore with the kids. She spreads out a blanket partially beneath a tree and settles the baby on it, handing him his trucks from the bag. She squirts some sunscreen into her hands before coating Jazzie down with it. Grabbing the bottle from the blanket, I take a knee and do the same to Brannon.
Standing to her feet, Rae takes a jar from the bag and hands it to Jazzie. “All right, let’s go find some shells.”
Brannon wiggles until finally settling with his ass half on the blanket and half on the sand. Steering his cars, he makes little revving noises. “Beep beep,” he says, screeching one car to a stop before they collide. Sand flies onto his shorts and he cackles to himself.
Crossing my arms behind my head, I lie back and watch while Brannon plays and Jazzie runs along the beach with Rae. My eyes fixate on Rae’s ass wrapped in her sexy as hell blue bikini. I was nowhere near done with her last night, but I want to take my time with her. We have jobs to do that rank above my need to drive my cock into Rae while I taste every inch of her body.
Later in the day, we picnic on the beach and play in the water with the kids. I keep catching myself getting caught up in Rae’s laugh and the way her skin looks with the warmth of the sun. She’s beautiful and it’s effortless. It’s like she doesn’t even have to try and she’s able to bring me to my knees just by breathing.
“The kids love you,” I say back on the boat, laying a sleeping Brannon down on the bed beside Jasmine.
Brushing Jasmine’s hair off of her face, Rae smiles down at her while she naps with Brannon. “They’re good kids.”
“You know,” I start, the weight of last night has been hanging over me all day. The fact that she hasn’t mentioned anything about it has me suddenly uneasy. “I know we haven’t talked about last night, but I thought that…”
“Henry,” she says, taking my hand and leading me out of the bedroom. “It’s not like last night was when things changed. We’ve been dancing around each other the entire time. I’m not sorry, but I’m not going to expect you to define it or make any promises. Hell, if it’s fun you want, I’m fine with that as long as it doesn’t interfere with taking care of the kids or me losing my job.” Stepping closer, she presses her hands to my bare chest, running along my ink. “I don’t want you to think that you owe me anything. I’m not some obligation you have to pencil in time out of your day to take care of. The only expectation that I have is honesty.” Her fingers brush over the trail of black hair on my chest, grazing my nipples. “Tell me what you want, Bear.”
“You,” I reply without hesitation. “I’ve wanted you ever since the day at Ironsound.” I bend down and cup her face with my hands, wanting nothing more than to kiss her right now and get lost in her sweet, soft body. Turning her face, she brushes her lips over the inside of my palm.
“All right,” she replies, a smile spreading across her face. “Then say you’ve got me, what is it you plan to do?”
I could name off a million different detailed scenarios, one right after another, that would have her screaming my name and still feeling me every time she move
d the next day. I don’t though. Instead, I lean down so that our lips are just inches apart. “I’m much better at showin’ than tellin’, I say, feeling a tremor run through her body as her eyes drift closed. “Do you have any idea how badly I want you?” I ask her. “How much I want to tear off that ridiculously sexy bikini with my teeth?”
Her eyes fly open; she stares at me while worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “You do know I can read those thoughts just as clearly as if you were speaking them, don’t you?” Shock and a little embarrassment flashes across her face, a nice red blush heating her cheeks making me chuckle. It also makes me hard. “Yeah, your mind is a filthy place. I respect that, baby.”
Brushing my lips over hers lightly, I tease us both. I run my tongue over her bottom lip, dying to get a taste of her. She sighs softly against my lips, murmuring my name. If I weren’t paying attention, I’d have missed it. Tilting her head back, I give in and take her mouth with mine.
For now, this is all I’ll get. Later though is a different story.
14
Rockin’ the Boat
Rae
Rocking Brannon in the living room of the main house, I watch his eyes start to droop. Jasmine has been playing dress up with her dolls ever since we got back from our little day trip with Henry. While the kids napped on the boat, we talked. Henry told me about Hunter and Aiden as teenagers while I laughed at how little has changed with Hunter. We talked about music, and movies, even the weather.
When the kids woke up, they ate their snack, while Henry took his time heading back. I pointed out dolphins and other wildlife, even spotting a huge turtle and pointing it out to Brannon. Henry shocked me by letting the kids play Captain some and I giggled at how proud they both were when everyone on the beach spotted them driving the boat and started waving and shouting.
Right now, though, it’s calm and quiet. As soon as we got back, I disappeared to shower, wanting to have a minute to myself before everyone left for the night. After dinner and Jasmine giving a riveting minute by minute play-by-play of the day to everyone else at the table, I gave them both baths to wash away the sand and salt water. Now it is quiet, minus Brannon’s snoring and Jazzie’s giggles. Everyone else is at the lagoon for the bachelor and bachelorette party tonight. Henry and Mack come to check on us regularly, even though I told them we can handle a night alone.
A cool breeze blows in the opened doors from the beach and you can hear the waves crashing in and out. It’s a pretty good ending to a great day.
Standing to my feet, I carry the baby to Gray and Daisy’s bedroom and place him the portable crib. Walking back out to the living room, I see Jazzie curled up with her dolls, nearly asleep herself. “Come on, princess,” I say, walking over and lifting her from the floor. “Let’s put away the tiara and get you into bed.”
“I’ve never been so happy that Grayson and I eloped. I’m exhausted,” Daisy says, walking through the door. “Is the baby asleep?” she asks, scanning the room as she stretches her arms above her head.
I nod. “Yeah, just laid him down actually.”
“Oh good,” she sighs, kicking off her sandals. “I’m headed there too. How about I take Jazzie with me too and you can go join the fun for a bit?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I already told everyone that since I’m wiped, I’d tag you in to take my place.” Walking over, she takes Jazzie from my arms. “Tell Hunter and Chase she’s in with me and the baby and go have some fun.”
Nodding, I walk over and slip into my sandals by the door. “Thanks, Daisy.”
Stepping out the door, I make my way up the beach toward the trail that leads to the secluded lagoon on the other side of the island. Solar torches light the way through the trees and shrubs, making it easier to see in the darkness.
The music and laughter grows louder. I can hear water splashing and one of the girls squealing. An arm comes around my middle, pulling me from the trail and into the trees. A hand covers my mouth just as I go to scream for help. Fuck. I struggle, then feel lips at my ear. “Just me, Firecracker.” Henry’s teeth graze my earlobe, tugging gently. “Don’t scream.”
His hand slides down from my mouth to cup my breast through my black tank top. My body melts into his, my eyes drifting closed as his other hand slides into the front of my shorts, cupping me through my underwear as his lips work their way down my neck. Reaching behind me, I grab Henry’s biceps, grounding me to him as he forces my legs farther apart. “Henry,” I pant, unable to catch my breath.
Then I’m moving.
Henry spins me in his arms, his hands coming to rest on my ass as he hoists me up so my mouth lines up with his before crushing his lips to mine. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, no holds barred. He kisses me hard and rough, and I love it. His fingers dig into my ass, holding me firmly to his body. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him back just as fiercely.
Sucking my bottom lip into his mouth, he grazes it with his teeth. I cling to his shoulders, my fingernails digging into his bare skin. Henry leans back against a tree, sliding down until he’s sitting in the grass. His hands go into my hair, cupping the back of my head as my hips roll into him. Ripping my lips from his, I press a kiss to his shoulder before sliding back enough to make a trail down his chest, wanting to kiss and lick every inch of him. The fact that we are just outside the lagoon doesn’t matter right now, the fact that we could be seen any second is lost to the hunger I have for this man. His touch lights a fuse that only he can extinguish, and right now, that’s the only thing I can see.
My fingers drift down his chest, stopping just above the tie on his trunks. I want to rip them away and watch his eyes as I ride his cock. I need the release I know he will give me.
“Fuck me, it’s so hot when you talk like that,” Henry growls.
Did I say that out loud?
Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me to him and attacks my mouth with greedy swipes of his tongue. His hips thrust up into me, grinding his erection into me so that it presses against my throbbing clit. I gasp into his mouth and roll my hips, needing more friction.
“Come on,” Henry says, breaking the kiss. Standing to his feet, he runs his thumb over my kiss swollen lips.
“Where are we going?” I ask, the last thing I want to do is go to the lagoon now.
“I can’t wait another minute to be inside you, Rae.” Easing me down, Henry takes my hand. “I’m not about to have the first time I’m inside you be out here with my back to a tree. I want you naked, screaming my name as you come on my cock. I want to watch you fall apart over and over without any interruptions.”
Henry leads me back up the trail away from the lagoon, toward the beach. Instead of going up the path to the house, he heads for the dock. The boat? Releasing my hand, he hops over the railing and onto the boat before reaching for my hand to help me onboard.
“Just so you know,” he says, leading me below deck to the bedroom. Opening the door, I see the bedside lamp is on and the bed is turned down. The room isn’t big by any means, and I have a hard time seeing Henry sleep on the full sized fold out bed anytime soon without folding himself three times to do so. “I did have a plan for us after the party.”
Kicking out of my shoes, I pull my tank over my head, exposing my braless breasts. “Here I thought you just hung out in the shadows and waited to pounce.”
Henry’s goes stock still for a minute, making me question my witty comment. Stepping up to him, I reach up and pull the sunglasses from his face. “You won’t need these” I say, tossing them to the chair in the corner. “I want to see your eyes, Henry.”
Wrapping his arms around me, his fingers slide up and down my back as he stares into my eyes. I stare right back, wanting to drown in the green pools because they pull me in. They seem so deep, so far away, but I want nothing more than to see everything reflected in them.
His fingers pop the button on my shorts before sliding them and my panties down my thighs, letting them fall to the fl
oor. Lifting me free of them, he carries me over to the bed and flops me down on the mattress. Kicking out of his shoes, he yanks off his socks, his eyes never leaving mine as I watch him from the bed. My eyes drift down his chest, absorbing his ink and the small clustering of black hair that covers some of his chest and runs down his abdomen, disappearing beneath his shorts.
His fingers grab the tie on his shorts and he shoves them down his thighs freeing his erection. What the hell is that? I do a double take, my eyes clearly have to be the size of truck tires, as he strokes up and down the large, thick shaft.
Spreading my thighs, Henry settles between my legs. “I’m going to make you come on my tongue, baby. Want you soaking for me before I give us what we really want,” he says, running a finger along my inner thigh. His thumb finds my clit, flicking and circling slowly. “You’re gonna ride my fuckin’ face, then, you’ll climb on top of me and make yourself come on my cock.”
If you say so, dude. There’s no way that thing is going to fit inside me. I’m tempted to ask if he’s having an allergic reaction instead of a hard on, but I don’t want to ruin the moment. All I can picture is one of those stupid Sit ‘n Spin toys we used to have in the day care room. The nickname “Big Man” fits, that’s for sure.
Rolling so that his back is to the mattress, Henry grabs my hips with both hands and pulls me up his chest. Lifting me, he grins up at me wickedly before pulling me down onto his face. His tongue swipes my clit before sucking it between his lips. My hands go to the headboard, holding on for dear life, as he grinds his face into my pussy causing all my previous thoughts to disappear.
Sliding a hand to my ass, he guides my hips. A growl leaves his lips, vibrating my clit so hard it sends me into a frenzy. Adjusting my grip on the headboard, I rock into his mouth, unable to keep the slower pace he is directing. His fingers dig into my ass, holding me firm as his other hand wraps around my hip in an effort to halt my movements.
