by Brooke Page
My face went scarlet. Last night was unpredictable and super hot, but that didn’t mean I still wasn’t embarrassed. That angle could not have been flattering, and he was just so close…
“What?” he asked, trying to hold in his amusement.
Not meeting his eyes, I murmured, “Nothing, it’s just… your nose was right there.”
Tyler looked at me questioningly, not following my drift.
I fidgeted and held my towel snugly around my body. “You know… and you almost licked it a few times.”
Tyler thought for a moment then a wicked smile spread across his face. “Licked what?”
I smacked him again, and then proceeded to grab the matching top to the bikini he had picked out.
He laughed out loud at my uncomfortableness. “I guess I did lick a little high. I’ll make sure to hit it next time,” he teased.
Pulling up the bottoms and sliding on the top away from him, I snorted in disgust. “You are NOT licking my asshole. That’s just crazy and awkward.”
I felt his breath on my neck as his hands found my waist, traveling up my sides and to the string I was attempting to tie. He brushed away my hands and held the strings. “You moaned the loudest whenever I was close,” he murmured seductively in my ear.
Was he nuts? I was probably moaning in discomfort!
He began to tie the string as he nibbled on my ear. “We are most definitely doing that again,” he promised.
I bit my lip with unease. Tyler could sense my apprehension. Once he was done tying the knot of my swim suit, he turned me around so I was facing him. Taking my face in his hands, he said, “Last night fulfilled a fantasy. It was so hot, and you were so sexy. Please don’t be embarrassed.”
“Fantasy?”
“Yes. One of many, but we have a lifetime for that.” His expression was mischievous.
I shyly smiled back at him, enjoying his playfulness. Tyler kissed my nose and held me tight. A profound amount of solace and security settled throughout my body. Knowing we would have each other for a lifetime made his arms that much more satisfying.
“You want to know another fantasy I have?” He grinned as he pulled back slightly to look down at me. “Sex on the beach.”
I gave him a teasing grin back. “Good thing we have a private beach in our backyard.”
Just as Tyler leaned in to press his lips to mine, the house phone rang. Tyler groaned. “Why is that so freaking loud?”
I laughed as I pulled away from his embrace. “You wanted top-of-the-line gadgets.”
I ran to the bedroom and noticed the incoming call scrolling across the TV screen. It was Heather. I took the remote and put her on speaker phone through the television so I could finish getting ready.
“Hey Heather.”
“Becca! I’m so glad you answered! I’m sorry to drop this on you, but I need you to watch Josie and Emmett tonight.” She sounded flustered.
“Aren’t you and Ray going to Tahiti tomorrow?” Heather had planned the trip to Tahiti with Ray a few months after Emmett was born. She said the second he turned six months they were reliving their honeymoon. I thought she was crazy.
“We are, but I guess Ray has something planned for me,” she squealed with excitement. “It was a last minute surprise, and he didn’t think to check if Mom was going to be around. I guess she has an all day function in Traverse City and can’t watch them.”
I bit my lip in contemplation. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I’d been looking forward to having Tyler all to myself this weekend. Plus, I had no idea if he would be up to being around the little ones for longer than a few hours. He told me he wanted to have babies, but he still seemed uncomfortable around Josie and Emmett.
“Heather, normally I would say yes, but—”
“Oh, Becca, please! Ray and I need this. The look on his face was devastating when he heard Mom say she couldn’t watch them. Becca, he was heartbroken. Please!” she begged. I could picture her face, her big brown eyes pleading as though her life depended on it. She and Ray had been through a lot trying to juggle the new baby and Ray’s workload.
Tyler emerged from the bathroom wearing a pair of black checkered Under Armour swim trunks. He glanced at the screen then over to me.
“Becca, Josie really wants to see you. Please!”
Tyler looked at me questioningly. I gave him an apologetic stare as I answered Heather. “Okay. What time can you bring them over?”
“Actually, we have to leave in an hour to make Ray’s plans. Could you come here and get them?”
Tyler’s eyes widened in horror.
“Yeah, I can try, but—”
“Thank you so much Becca! Josie can’t wait to see you!” She cut me off and hung up the phone before I could respond.
I closed my eyes for a long second then looked towards Tyler.
“Becca, what did you just tell your sister we would do?” he asked, his voice low and unsure.
I gave him an unsettled smile. “We’re watching Josie and Emmett tonight. I’m sorry. She sounded desperate. You can stay here if you want, and I’ll go watch them by myself.” I apologized.
He sighed and shook his head, walking back into our closet. “Of course I’ll go with you.”
I followed him in the closet, my eyes glued to his swim trunks falling to the floor and his boxers taking their place.
“Are you mad?” I asked quietly.
Tyler turned as he was pulling on a pair of khaki shorts. “No.” He walked in front of me while fixing his button. “I was looking forward to spending time together just the two of us.”
His eyes were like kitten’s and his lip pouted. I leaned up to kiss him gently. “Thank you.”
***
“We should’ve taken my car, Becs. Why haven’t you gotten the sound system fixed yet?” Tyler scolded as we drove along I-90 to Heather and Ray’s house.
“I haven’t had time. I don’t mind listening to the radio.” You would think my father’s extravagant present would have come with a sound system and radio that worked. I’m sure he paid top dollar for it, but I wasn’t going to bug him about it. I had the money to fix it, and it might have been my fault anyway. I put a CD in, and let's just say it hasn’t come back out yet. I haven’t had the guts to tell anyone though.
“Bring it to the dealership. I bet they’ll do it for free considering your father just purchased it,” he mumbled. I could tell Tyler was a bit bitter. He wanted to buy me a car.
“I will. I just keep forgetting.” The truth was, I had a mechanic I wanted to bring it to, but I wasn’t so sure how well Tyler would react.
Tyler nodded. “So, what are we going to do with the little ones?”
“I was thinking maybe we should take them to the zoo? It’s a beautiful day, and I know Josie will love it. Does that sound okay?”
“I haven’t been to the zoo in almost 20 years,” he murmured. “My gran would take us when we were young.”
I reached for his hand and squeezed. I knew how much he missed and respected his grandparents. I couldn’t help but feel a touch of his sadness laced with his words.
“I’m sorry you lost them, Ty.”
He glanced at me then pulled his hand away, grasping the steering wheel with his jaw clenched. “Can we get lunch first?” Tyler asked while clearing his throat. “Our shower this morning made me work up an appetite.”
He was changing the subject. Tyler rarely opened up to me about his past. I could count on one hand the few times he showed vulnerability when it came to his grandparents. For some reason, this time he seemed more affected by my mentioning them. I think it was best to change the subject along with him.
“Of course. I’m sure Josie and Emmett would like that.”
***
“Uncle Tyler!” Josie shrieked, completely bypassing me to cling to Tyler’s leg. Tyler flinched and put his hands up as though the police ordered him to the second she wrapped her tiny arms around his thigh.
“Hey, Josie,” he greet
ed his soon-to-be niece. He slowly moved one hand down to pat her head.
Heather followed with Emmett on her hip. He gave me a huge smile when our eyes met. My heart melted as I reached for him.
“Hey little man!” I took him in my arms and snuggled him close, causing him to giggle. Josie’s head whipped towards my affection for her little brother, and she detached from Tyler’s leg and came to mine.
“Auntie B! Mommy said we get to have a sleepover!”
“A what?” Tyler asked in fear.
Ray walked behind Tyler and patted his shoulder, handing him a diaper bag. “Have fun, big guy,” Ray smirked.
“Becca, you just said we were watching them tonight,” Tyler said in a low tone.
“And tomorrow morning!” Josie cheered. She ran back over to Tyler and took his hand. “Uncle Tyler, can I stay up late tonight and go in the hot tub? Mommy said the city lights are really sparkly.” She looked up at him with her big brown eyes and a small smile snuck across his lips.
“Not too late little miss. Come here and give me a kiss. Mommy and Daddy won’t see you for a week.” Josie ran to her mom and hugged her. I saw a tear fall from Heather’s cheek. Leaving her kids was hard on her.
Ray scooped Emmett from my arms and blew a raspberry on his cheek then smothered him with kisses. They switched places and cuddled each of their children.
Heather rubbed under her eyes as she handed Emmett back to me. “There’s breast milk in the cooler, and all of their things are over there.”
Both Tyler and I looked to where she was pointing and nearly gasped when we saw the piles of luggage.
“Do they really need all of that?” Tyler asked in horror while looking at Ray.
Ray grinned in amusement at Tyler. “Yep. Every last bit. I’d say you two should stay here and watch them, but Josie really wanted to go to Auntie B’s house. You know, since she’s staying there still,” Ray winked at both Tyler and me.
My mother and father told us it would be bad press if we were living together before the wedding. I countered with the fact that I was 25 and Tyler was 28 and people could get over it. We compromised on me keeping the condo with Jamie and remained “living” there. Jamie would find a roommate once we were married. Ray found the entire situation hilarious.
Tyler’s shoulders slumped as he took in all of the luggage. He let out a huff and went to load the bags in the car.
I gave him an apologetic look as he walked past me, his expression uneasy.
“Heather, we have to get going,” Ray urged his wife as he followed Tyler with their own luggage.
Heather took Emmett from me one last time, cradling him in her arms. “Mommy loves you. Auntie B and Uncle Tyler will take good care of you. So will Grandma and Grandpa.”
She sniffled once more and handed Emmett back to me then picked up Josie to walk outside to our cars.
“Becs, this isn’t going to fit in the car,” Tyler grumbled attempting to cram the bags into the trunk.
“Oh! You have to take the Bentley! The car seats can’t be moved!” Heather shrieked. “Ray we talked about this!”
Ray looked up from the trunk of the Bentley with wide eyes. “Baby, I can move the car seats.”
Heather gave Ray a stern look. “No, they fit perfectly where they are. It will be easier for them to take the Bentley.”
Ray glanced at Tyler then put his head down. “Of course sweetie. Here Tyler let me help you with those.”
Heather turned and smiled at me. I returned her grin. Ray obviously didn’t want to piss her off at all. He wanted this week away as much as Heather.
Tyler and Ray swapped luggage while Heather and I loaded the kids in their car seats. Of course Heather had to give me an in depth tutorial on the correct way to buckle each of them into their seat.
Both Heather and Ray gave their kids final goodbye kisses and headed to their car. I smiled when I saw Ray open her door. Heather had him wrapped around her finger since she was 16 years old.
Tyler hopped in the car and swore when his knees hit the steering wheel.
“OOOOO Uncle Tyler said a bad word!” Josie giggled.
Tyler rolled his eyes and crouched so he could move the seat back. I let out a giggle at his expression. This was going to be an interesting weekend.
Chapter 4
Tyler
Kids made me nervous as hell. Yeah, they could be cute, say funny things, and speak their mind, but watching them over night was a brand new adventure I wasn’t sure I was up for. Lunch was hard enough. Josie didn’t stop talking. It was cute at first, but her words started to run together, and I got lost in what she was trying to tell me. Becca just smiled and nodded at her the entire time. Emmett was a pretty cool little guy. He just sat in his seat wiggling his toes. Every now and then he would spit the thing in his mouth out and fuss, but I would simply stick it back in and he’d be fine. Too bad there wasn’t something like that for Josie.
“Do you want to get the kids out or the stroller and diaper bag?” Becca asked.
“Um, stroller?” I answered as I parked the car at John Ball Zoo.
“Okay, here we go!” Becca said enthusiastically to Josie as she unbuckled her seat belt. Josie threw her hands in the air and yelled in excitement.
The hatch popped, and I stood and stared at all the crap in the back of Heather’s white Bentley. Of course, I didn’t think to put the stroller in last and had to dig it out while nearly dropping three bags on the ground. Josie was on my side like lightning as I finally pulled out the stroller.
How the hell does this thing open?
“You have to turn that top part,” Josie said in her tiny voice. I looked at her as though I was waiting for further explanation to come from the three year old. As Josie and I were having our stare down, Becca came over holding Emmett and reached for the stroller handle, quickly spinning it and popping it open, almost knocking me backward.
“Sorry, I should have told you how to work this thing,” she apologized as she strapped Emmett in the front part of the stroller. Josie plopped herself in the back. Turns out she could either sit or stand. Good thing because I was predicting Josie wanting me to carry her the entire time.
Becca grabbed the diaper bag as I threw the luggage that fell out back into the Bentley.
“Ready?” she asked after handing both kids water bottles.
I nodded silently, straightening my Chicago Cubs hat.
“Uncle Tyler, will you push us?” Josie asked sweetly.
A small smile escaped my mouth at her innocent voice. She really was cute.
Becca looked at Josie adoringly as well and then moved her baby blues towards me. God, that look. She had the look of pure happiness and contentment on her face whenever those kids were around. Especially when she held Emmett.
I was in trouble.
We strolled through the little zoo at the pace of molasses. Josie had to get out at every exhibit and find each and every detail. Becca was right by her side, helping to point out where the animals were hidden. Every now and then Josie would tug on my hand, wanting me to look with her. I’d lift her so she could see better in some exhibits. I found myself mesmerized at how Josie saw her surroundings. She studied everything with wide eyes and a huge smile. The aquarium was her favorite, especially the penguins. I must have held her for 30 minutes straight.
“I’m going to change Emmett’s diaper and get his bottle ready,” Becca said as she started to unstrap Emmett. “Can you handle Josie?”
I nodded my head and took a seat on the bench. Josie was checking out a penguin statue. “Don’t lose her. Heather will kill both of us.”
“I won’t lose her,” I said, offended.
Becca gave me another sharp look as she took Emmett to the restroom.
“Uncle Tyler, can we get ice cream?” Josie asked as she spun around the statue.
“That is a wonderful idea Josie. Let’s go.” I stood from the bench as she skipped to me, reaching for my hand as we made our way to the conces
sion.
Becca never ate sweets, even when that time of the month came around. I didn’t bug her about it. It was one of those sore spots she had that I learned to leave be. She wasn’t hurting herself by being picky about what she ate, and as long as she was eating, I wouldn’t give her a hard time. I loved her for her. Her obsession with food was a shield to protect herself from her family’s harsh comments about her appearance. I just hope one day Becs realizes she doesn’t need to wear her armor around me. Her body was perfect in my eyes and always would be.
Just as Josie and I were sitting down with our ice cream cones, Becca came walking over with Emmett cradled in her arms drinking his bottle. She scooted next to me on the bench.
“Auntie B! Look what Uncle Tyler got me!” Josie jumped from the bench and squealed holding her ice cream for Becca to see.
Becca gave Josie a huge grin. “You’re a lucky girl, Josie.”
I slipped my arm around Becca’s shoulders on the back of the bench. “We can share mine if you want,” I flirted.
She shyly shook her head no.
“Auntie B, it’s really good!” Josie garbled through a mouthful of ice cream. She was down to the cone. She had devoured it in the matter of minutes. You’d think we didn’t feed the kid.
“Josie, slow down sweetie. You don’t want to get a stomach ache,” Becca said gently. Josie just giggled and started to spin around the penguin statue, ice cream cone in one hand while the other rubbed against the penguin.
“Yeah, come on Auntie B, have a little lick,” I said seductively, leaning closer so I was a mere inch from her ear. “You know you want to,” I whispered. Just as I was about to kiss her, I a warm liquid splattered all over the front of my shirt.
I jumped from the bench throwing my hands to the side, dropping the ice cream cone on the cement. Josie’s big brown eyes found mine as her lip started to pout. She just threw up ice cream all over me.
Becca leapt to the side with Emmett then ushered a teary eyed Josie to take her place on the bench.
