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  I hear Sara get taken down, in the bathroom to the guest room next to mine. Abraham will be here any second. Our closet door opens. I crouch down and ready my hand on the water lever.

  The girls are all screaming and laughing. The sliding door opens and I can hear their laughter fade. I guess the pool is their form of payback. I won’t let him get that far. That, or I’ll make it worth it.

  The tip of his toes peek out around the wall. I’m so low, he will have to come completely into the room to see if I’m in here, light on or off. He keeps it off and when he hits the middle of the bathroom, just past the vanity, I fire away.

  Within seconds, he’s soaked. He walks through the spray, shuts the water off, and stops in front of me. His smile matches my own. I just stand there and let him lift me. I lock my legs around his waist before he can get me over his shoulder. “You’ll have to go in with me, stud.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweet girl.” His lips mush to mine and stay there until we hit the water in the deep end of the pool.

  When we break the surface of the water, everyone is laughing and poking fun. “How’d you know?” Devon looks at me in question.

  “Because, you guys left your players in the middle of the map and other ridiculous places, idle and laying down. I’m not dumb. What, you guys got tired of getting your asses handed to you by a bunch of girls?”

  Abraham pulls me to the side of the pool and helps me out. “Well that, and you said something about baked goods.”

  Mickey chimes in, “Yeah, I was promised brownies and banana awesomeness.”

  They’re practically licking their chops. “Okay, okay. All of you grab a towel and dry off. I’ll go turn the lights on and get changed. I hope you boys brought extra clothes for your women?” They all point to the lounge chairs where one of each of their shirts and a pair of gym shorts sit. “Smart boys.”

  Once everyone is in the house and dry, we girls get the boys a plate with one of everything on it and a glass of milk. We do the same and pop in The Ugly Truth, the least of the girlie movies. When the movie is over, half of our guests are asleep. Kate and Mickey are passed out on the couch, and Sam and Sara are both asleep on Damon and Devon.

  “You guys just wanna carry those two to one of the guest rooms?”

  Devon nods at me. “Yeah, can you help us out so we can get up?”

  “Sure.” Abraham helps Damon get Sam into his arms and I help Devon maneuver around Sara long enough so he can pick her up.

  Abraham wakes Mickey up. “Hey, the guys are gonna stay here. You want to stay too? We’ve got Reagan’s old queen and my guest queen in one of the guest rooms. Dev says he and Damon will bunk in the room with the two beds if you don’t want to wake her up enough to walk home.” I smile at the memory of them moving that room around three times before it looked okay with the two beds and other furniture. It’s a good thing that Abraham’s house if big.

  “That sounds fine with me, if you’re cooking breakfast. You can’t have me over night for nothing, big boy.”

  And with that, we help get Kate into bed and get everyone situated before we head to bed ourselves. “Good night, sweet girl. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Adonis. Good night.” I snuggle into his warmth and his cinnamon scent and drift to sleep.

  Chapter Eight

  Abraham

  “So you shut the shop down again? Just so that we could have poker night?” Mickey is sitting on one of the bar stools on the other side on the kitchen island, picking at his third blueberry muffin while I finish up the bacon and pancakes on his plate.

  “Not just for poker night. Kate and I have another ultrasound today. She’s creeping into the end of five months now. Can you believe that in a few more months, I’ll have a son? How fucking crazy is that?”

  “Pretty fucking crazy.”

  Devon comes down the stairs in gym shorts, rubbing his eyes. “Yeah, maybe Abraham and Reagan will have a girl for their first kid. Then your kids can get together and freak you guys out as much as you freaked us out.”

  I launch a pancake at his face. “Don’t hate. ‘At least you’ll already know’ the kid your daughter is dating.” He’s throwing Reagan’s words to him and his brother in my face.

  “Just remember, my daughter? Your niece.”

  His smile fades a bit. “Damn it. You suck, Abraham. I hope you know that.”

  “I do, quite well actually. You should ask your sister.” The pancake is thrown back at me. “Don’t hate.”

  “Kate and Reagan still sleeping?”

  Mickey nods. “We’re the only ones up just yet.”

  “Once I get the eggs done, you guys can go wake up Sara and Kate. I’m sure Damon will come down the second he smells bacon.”

  »»•««

  I head up the stairs with two full plates of food and two glasses on a tray. One glass has orange juice for me, and the other is full of apple juice for Reagan.

  When I walk through the door, she’s tangled in the linins and sprawled out across the whole bed. Her limbs and hair are everywhere.

  Setting the tray full of food on the dresser, I go over and sit on the edge of the bed. “Reagan? Sweet girl, I have breakfast in bed for you.” She cocoons herself farther into the blankets as she always does. “Baby, will you eat breakfast with me? I brought chocolate covered pineapples…” Her entire head pokes out of the blankets.

  “Where?” Laughing, I grab the tray from the dresser.

  Standing next to the bed, I say, “Sit up and scoot over.” She does, as slowly as her waking body will allow.

  I place the tray in between the two of us and push the pineapples closer to her. “Only the best for you, sweet girl.” Grabbing a piece from the plate, I hold it to her lips until her mouth opens and she takes a slow, very erotic bite. I squirm in place. “Don’t do that, the door’s open and everyone is still here; and upstairs at that.”

  She laughs and scoops the remainder of the fruit from my fingers and into her mouth with just her tongue. Her thighs press together when a growl makes the bed vibrate beneath us. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. But you can’t do that again.”

  “Deal.” We sit and eat our breakfast, laughing back and forth about last night’s shenanigans.

  After Kate and Mickey left for their checkup, Devon and Sara both leave to get some stuff done at work, and Damon goes to drop Sam off at class and to help Devon with some truck. Reagan and I dress and make plans to head to my office.

  “You ready, sweet girl?” She comes down the stairs in her leathers. Dick. Instantly. Hard. “Fuck. Me.”

  “You’ll have to wait until we get home. This shit’s a pain in the ass to get on and off.”

  “You’re going to kill me. Go change. I can’t have every damn guy at my office drooling over you. Go.” I spin her around and push her back toward the stairs.

  She spins back to me with a cocked brow. “Um, no. But thanks for the fashion advice, grandpa.”

  Under my breath I whisper, “I’m gonna go to jail today.”

  “You’ll be fine, stud. Now grab your helmet and let’s hit turf.”

  My God she’s fucking sexy. I tilt my head to the ceiling and groan. I relent and head to the garage with her. “Okay, follow me.” She dons her helmet and we take off.

  »»•««

  Chris

  I watch as they pull out of his garage on their bikes. I snap a picture of her in her leathers. I haven’t gotten to see her in person since she forced me to ram them. My blood starts to boil at the reminder of him still breathing.

  I could have shot her for crying over him. She will be mine again. Yes, she will. Driving at a safe distance from her, I follow them. I can’t be caught. Not this close to putting my plan into motion.

  She has no idea how close to forgiving me she is. I fully expect her to extend the game. She’ll make me work for it. I’ll make her beg. She will never try to punish me again.

  I didn’t think she would take it this far. Moving
our stuff in with this douche bag. The memory of the fake sounds of pleasure she makes, trying to get a rise out of me, makes my stomach churn. It’s almost enough to put my plan into motion sooner and ram into his bike at full speed.

  He needs to die. Stop breathing. Then, she will laugh with me about the whole thing. She will use her smart mouth to thank me properly for finally fighting hard enough for her. I’ll make her see.

  When they pull into the parking lot of the law office he works at, I play it safe like she told me to, and I drive past it to the lot two buildings over. She doesn’t want me getting caught. Says the plan won’t work if I get caught.

  »»•««

  Abraham

  When we get out of the elevator, Bill takes it upon himself to do a double take, stop, and stare. The amount of heads, both male and female, that turned when she walked past them in the lobby was smash-out worthy. Bill finally catches the glare I have aimed in his direction and starts walking back to his office.

  We walk into my office, and I start to pull the files I’ve perfected out of my bag and put them into the out box for Jen. “Nice office.” She’s admiring the pictures hung on the wall. When she gets to the ones I have of us on my desk, she looks at me. “When did you take these?”

  With my cocky grin I boast, “Pft, I’m awesome. Plus, Sam likes to take pictures when no one is paying attention. She’s pretty good, right?”

  “She’s damn good. I had no idea that she was into photography.”

  “You wouldn’t, she doesn’t advertise it. It’s why she’s in art school. She’s a lot better than she gives herself credit for. You know those pictures we moved out of my parents and into Damon’s?” She nods. “Those are hers, she took them.”

  Her mouth falls open. “Holy shit. Wow, with her talent, she could really go places. Why in the hell doesn’t she think she’s that good?”

  “My parents. Why else? They ridiculed her for it because they didn’t want her to pursue photography.”

  “Wow. It’s getting harder and harder to want to give your mother a second chance of any kind.”

  I smile. “I know, sweet girl. I know.”

  Judge Swanson knocks on the open door. “You’re not due back until Tuesday, what are you doing in here, Stone?”

  I laugh and put my hand on the small of Reagan’s back. “Judge Swanson, you remember, Reagan? Reagan, you were asleep for most of your last encounter. This old coot is Judge Joe Swanson.”

  “Well what is a beautiful young woman, such as yourself, doing with a mess like Stone? It’s a pleasure once again, Ms. Winters.”

  She smiles. “Well, see, I was hypnotized by all the tattoos. Then, naturally, I stayed for the bike.”

  I cock a brow at her as Joe gives a good hearty laugh. “Oh, I like you.”

  “Well thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome. Now make this poor excuse of a lawyer take you out for lunch, someplace nice. I have a courtroom to get to. Until next time, Ms. Winters.”

  “Looking forward to it. And please, call me Reagan.”

  “Reagan. You can call me Joe. I don’t want to see your mug until Tuesday, Stone.”

  “Yeah, yeah, go do judge things, old man.”

  After he walks down the hall, Reagan and I head down to the parking lot. When the elevator doors close with just the two of us inside, I can’t help myself. I don’t know what it is about elevators, but fuck. When the doors open in the lobby, someone clears their throat.

  Reagan turns eight different shades of red. Her legs are wrapped around my waist and her fingers are pulling my hair. I don’t even make a move to set her down. I just walk out of the elevator, through the lobby, and out of the front doors with her attached to me like the spider monkey that she is.

  “Abraham, put me down.” She’s giggling.

  “No way. Not until I have to. Kiss me.” She does. Her lips meet mine without hesitation.

  She kisses me all the way to the parking lot where I set her down next to her bike. Our bodies are still flush and she places her hands on my chest. “I love you, Abraham. So much.”

  “I love you with all of me, Reagan. Shall we go get some lunch?”

  “Yes, I’m starving. Let’s get some barbeque anything.”

  She smiles and puts her helmet on. “All right, the barbeque joint down the block from the tattoo shop is pretty good.”

  “Done.” We don our bikes and rip out of the parking lot.

  »»•««

  Midway through our meal, Sasha walks in with her old flame that she used to try and get me jealous with. We’re obviously the only reason she would even be in this place. She walks like she’s oblivious to us, then fakes surprise and stops at our table.

  “Elijah? What a coincidence.” Reagan looks up at Sasha, and she rolls her eyes before taking another bite. She’s already tired of her presence, and frankly, so am I.

  “I doubt that. Though, I would be very much interested as to how you knew that we were here?”

  She laughs. “I love this place. Best barbeque this side of town.”

  “Sasha, we all know that you wouldn’t be caught dead somewhere that could ruin your two-hundred-dollar manicure. Either say what you came to say, or take your fake Barbie ass out of here. I’ve no patience for you today.” Sasha just glares at Reagan.

  “Sasha, what is it?”

  She turns her attention back to me. “I was just wondering how you were doing after that horrible accident. Honestly, Reagan, you should keep better company. Your poor choices could have killed Elijah. But then, I suppose that it’s expected of your kind.”

  Reagan’s eyes light with fire and she lurches to her feet, making Sasha take a few startled steps back. I’m gonna see how this unfolds. Reagan steps out from the booth and right up to Sasha.

  “Look it, bitch. I’ve had more than enough of your shit.” Sasha takes a cautionary look in my direction. I’ve sprawled across the bench to watch the show. “You have been a thorn in my side since the first day that I laid eyes on you. I’m done with your bullshit. That thorn became infected when you set up that picture with Chris.

  “You will keep your prissy, fake, self away from Elijah and myself. The next time I catch sight of you some place that you don’t belong, just because Elijah is there, I won’t be held accountable for my actions. You’re a lawyer, tell me what the penalty is for someone, such as yourself, possibly aiding/abetting a wanted attempted murderer?”

  Sasha looks back and forth between the two of us, grabs her boy toy’s hand, and leaves in a huff.

  “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?” She looks at me and smiles. “Finish your lunch, stud.”

  “You’re such a firecracker. I love it.” She laughs and we finish our lunch in peace.

  »»•««

  Back at the house, Reagan and I are packing our things for tomorrow night. I didn’t want to spend an entire day of our vacation on a plane, so we made the flight for tomorrow afternoon. Our plane should land in Tahiti at seven p.m. their time, eleven p.m. our time. That puts our flight leaving out of here at noon tomorrow.

  “Oh no. Ah uh. That bikini isn’t making the trip.” She’s got that scrap of material Kate gave her. I really need to kick her ass for that.

  “It is, and you’ll just have to deal with it. It will just be me and you. And, if you want, I can bring one of my other ones that cover more, for when we’re around other people. I’ll just wear this one around you. Does that work, my king?”

  I chuck a pair of balled-up socks at her. “Smartass. But yes, that pleases your highness.” Walking over, I dip her and press my lips to hers. That beautiful laugh of hers fills the room. “I love you, sweet girl.”

  “I love you too, Abraham. Now finish packing so all we have to do is keep each other occupied until our flight tomorrow.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

  “As you wish, angel.”

  »»•««

  “Angel. Baby, wake up.”

  “Hmm.” She moans and shrin
ks into her seat.

  “Reagan, we’re here sweet girl. Look.” Her eyes flutter open and she slowly sits upright. “Look.”

  I point for her to look out of the plane window. “Wow…”

  I look out with her. It’s beautiful. No amount of pictures on Google could have done what I’m seeing right now any justice at all. The island is beautiful. Even better than I could have ever imagined.

  “Abraham, it’s gorgeous.”

  “I know.” She turns and catches me staring at her. My smile widens.

  »»•««

  Reagan’s standing on the patio of our room at the InterContinental Resort. I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her. We stare out at the ocean as the sun sets. “Are you glad we came out here?”

  “You’re kidding right? Do you see this view? I don’t want to ever leave.”

  “Don’t get that used to it. I don’t think Thor and Dozer would appreciate sharing their backyard with the ocean life out here.”

  “No, I suppose not. Plus, I’m pretty sure that duchess would eat some of this wicker furniture.”

  “I don’t doubt that. I know that it’s only nine o’clock here, but it’s one in the morning our time. I don’t know about you but I’m exhausted. Will you come to bed with me?”

  She yawns and stretches her arms above her head, causing my shirt to rise up her stomach. “I’m all for bed.”

  Scooping her into my arms, I carry her to the bed. The lights are shut off, and through the wall of windows opposite the bed, we watch the city night life wake as the sun sets.

  “Good night, Reagan. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Abraham. Sleep sweet.”

  »»•««

  The next morning a soft rap on the door has me speed walking across the room. “Your room service, sir.”

  “Yes, thank you.” I stuff a fifty in his shirt pocket and take the tray from him. “Can you quietly close the door behind me?”

  “Of course, sir.” He smiles and does as I’ve asked.

  I walk out onto the balcony and set the tray on the table. When I come back in the room, I grab one of the flowers out of the vase on the desk. Sitting on the bed next to Reagan’s sleeping form, I pull the blankets away from her face. I take the flower and run the petals lightly down the bridge of her cute little nose.