by Cat Mason
Stepping into the shower, I let the hot water wash away the day and try to push Henry out of my mind. While washing my hair, I begin to plan some things to do with the kids in my head tomorrow around meals and naps so that I can keep them busy while everyone else gets last minute wedding details taken care of. Figuring that I’ll need help, I decide to ask Mack to go along with me and take Brannon and Jazzie to the other side of the island with a picnic lunch and explore a bit before the sun starts beating down too much for them.
Turning off the water, I reach out and grab the towel from the hook and wrap it around myself before stepping out onto the bathmat. Grabbing another towel from the shelf, I bend over, shaking my hair out before starting to dry the excess water from the strands.
Looking around, I realize that I must have left my clothes on the bed. Opening the door, I jump when I see Henry sitting in the chair by the window. His eyes lock on me instantly. His fingers curl around the arms of the chair—which is actually too small for his tall, muscular body—white knuckling as his grip tightens. He stares at me like he is about to pounce.
“Can I help you?” I ask on a forced breath, gripping the towel where I bunched it between my breasts to keep from giving him a peep show. “Last I checked, you don’t get to just invite yourself in without knocking, Bear.”
“Don’t fuckin’ do it again.” The minute his words leave his lips, my blood boils.
“Care to explain what I shouldn’t be doing again?” I ask, taking a step towards him, my near nakedness forgotten. “I’m afraid with your attitude, Henry, you’ll have to be more specific about what I’ve done to get your panties in a twist this time.”
His jaw ticks, his lip twitching. “Panties?” he asks, leaning up in the chair. “I don’t wear ‘panties’.” Standing to his feet, he takes a step toward me. “Why did you do that? You can’t just kiss me like that. Don’t do it again.”
“You came in my room, without knocking by the way, to tell me not to kiss you?” I ask, trying to keep my thoughts on the conversation and not the fact that he may or may not have admitted to going commando. The mere thought of that will send my head into a downward spiral that will only end in me mauling him like a caged animal right now. “I don’t know why.”
“Yes, you do,” he says flatly. Turning he heads for the door. “Don’t do it again.”
“Do me a favor, Henry?” Henry grips the doorknob, but doesn’t open the door or turn around. He simply stands frozen, silently waiting for me to continue. How dare him place all the blame on me, he wasn’t fighting me off. Hell, he kissed me back! “Go fuck yourself.”
Henry jerks around, his hand flying off the knob as he faces me. “What?” He growls low in his throat.
“You heard me,” I reply, grabbing my clothes off the bed. “I’ve had a hell of a day and I’m tired. So I’m sorry if I have once again wounded your fragile ego by not falling in line when you bark a command. I didn’t kiss you in hopes of getting you in my bed, it was a moment of weakness, and I’ll be sure it never happens again.” Turning my back, I head for the bathroom. “In case I wasn’t clear, that ‘go fuck yourself’ was Bitchenese for have a nice night.”
One minute I’m walking into the bathroom, the next minute I’m spun around and pinned against the sink. One of Henry’s big hands cups my jaw, the other grips my ass through my towel. “I never said I didn’t want it to happen again, Firecracker.” I tremble when he rocks his pelvis into me. Lifting me onto the sink, he steps between my spread legs. His lips are just inches from mine, I can feel his breath as he pants, his chest heaving. Those green eyes blaze as they stare into mine, burning with hunger that has my nipples hardening against the fabric of the towel and my stomach doing flips. “I want you, Rae. Have no doubt, I’d spend all night making you scream my name while I do things to that fuckin’ hot body of yours that you’ve never even dreamed of. You shouldn’t have kissed me. I didn’t want to know how fuckin’ sweet you taste, how you melt into me when I touch you. This would be a very bad idea.”
Releasing me, he steps back, turning toward the closed door that I’d hung my towel on earlier. Opening it, he reveals another bedroom, not a closet.
“That’s your room, isn’t it?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Stopping in the doorway, he turns and meets my eyes. “Keep yours locked,” he says, then he’s gone, and I’m left staring at the closed door trying to figure out what in the fuck just happened.
* * *
Three days later, I’ve not seen much of Henry. He is once again keeping his distance, but I know he is watching. I can feel his eyes on me, but for a man that I share a bathroom with, and as one of the dozen people I share a small island with, the man has made himself scarce when I get too close. I should giggle at the thought of the seven-foot-tall man running from me, but I can’t stop replaying that night over and over in my head and wondering how differently things could have gone. I’ve spent most of my time with the kids—Mack being our very interactive shadow—while we build sand castles and explore the trails and other little spots on the island. Jazzie has a jar full of shells that Mack carries for her just in case we happen to find another one. I work with Brannon on getting him to speak, but other than a few grunts, I don’t get much. I’m determined to get him to talk to me. I want to hear him babble to me about his trucks and all the thoughts I see him working over in his head.
“Again!” Jazzie squeals, holding up the small Boogie Board and running for Mack while I lie on a blanket under an umbrella with a napping Brannon.
“One last time, Jazz,” Mack says, lifting her into the air. “It’s almost dinner time and Big Man will cluck like a mother hen if we’re late again.”
“Mack’s right,” I shout, looking at my watch. “I guarantee everyone else is already inside.”
Standing up, I wiggle back into my jean shorts, zipping and buttoning them before slipping my feet into my sandals. I pack up our bag, turning just in time to see Mack let go of the board and Jazzie scoot forward on the water, riding the small wave into the beach.
“Watch me, Miss Rae!” The excitement in her voice makes me giggle. The board skids to a stop on the sand. Jumping to her feet, Jazz starts wiping at the sand on her legs with her hands. “Ew, it makes me all scratchy.”
“That’s nothin’,” Mack says, walking up the beach and grabbing his towel. “This one time, I got crabs from this chick at a bar down in Tijuana. Holy shit, I damn near scratched down to the fuckin’ bone.”
“Mack!” I shout, smacking his arm. “Child appropriate,” I say, reminding him, yet again, that his words are going to carry through the little ones.
“Those?” Jasmine asks, pointing to a tiny crab scurrying across the beach toward the water.
“No,” Mack winces, taking a step back and pulling Jazz with him. “Hell no. Those little bastards are even more terrifying.”
“Oh please, Mack.” Grabbing up the bag when he reaches down and picks up Brannon, I shake my head. “They’re harmless.”
“Mhm,” he says, arching a bushy red eyebrow at me. “Sure they are…”
Taking Jasmine’s hand, I lead the way up to the house. The guys are all on the back deck joking around while Chase’s brother, Luke, tends to the ribs and steaks cooking on the grill. Henry’s eyes lock on me; I can feel them, even though I can’t see them. Of course, he’s hiding behind those damn shades again.
“There you are,” Luke says, turning and swooping up Jazz in his arms before laying kisses on both her cheeks with loud smacks. “Saw you boardin’ earlier, you looked awesome.”
“It’s so fun,” Jazzie says, her whole face lighting up. Cupping Luke’s face with both her tiny hands, she presses her nose to his. “Can you take me out after dinner, please please, oh puhleeeeeease!”
Luke nods slowly. “If Mom and Dad say it’s okay, but I’m gonna need some love.”
Jazz squeals, wrapping her arms around his neck, she covers his face in kisses. “Uncle Luke, you’re the
bestest.”
“Better get inside and wash up, dinner is about ready,” Hunter says when Luke lowers her back to her feet. Without another word, Jazz runs into the house, shouting for Chase. Hunter smiles, then his eyes meet mine. “Kids duty is on us tonight. Since the bachelor and bachelorette parties are tomorrow night, we’re givin’ you the night off to do whatever you want. You’ve definitely got a break coming.”
“Okay,” I reply, a bit unsure on how I will possibly fill my time since I planned on the bulk of it being spent handling the kiddos. I don’t exactly leave myself with free time, and now it seems, I’ll have an entire night of it. “I’ll be around if you change your mind.”
“Sure thing,” Hunter says, holding out a glass tray for Luke while he loads it down with meat.
“Hmmm,” Mack says, bouncing Brannon in his arms. “What will I do with a night off?”
“As opposed to what?” Henry asks, his lips twisting in amusement. “You’ve been playin’ on the beach with the kid all day. Seriously, you’ve got a hard life.” Lifting his beer to his lips, Henry sips, the bobbing of his Adam’s apple drawing my eyes to it like a red flag at a bull.
“Look out,” Mack shouts, making Brannon jump in his arms. “Big Man’s got jokes.” Walking around me, Mack heads inside grumbling something about how being on bottom sucks.
“Depends who’s on top, my man,” Aiden laughs.
Henry’s eyes are on me again, but he says nothing. Around us, the guys all continue laughing and joking, so I excuse myself to go clean up and put things away before dinner. Walking through the doors, I head through the living area and wave at the girls who are setting the long rectangular table for dinner.
“Do you need my help?” I ask Camaron, who is putting out plates while Daisy and Chase are bringing out side dishes from the kitchen.
“No, we’ve got this, go ahead and get changed.”
Nodding my reply, I head down the hall and into my bedroom, closing the door behind me. After cleaning out the day bag, I pull a pale pink maxi dress on over my bikini and slip on my white flip flops. I brush out my hair and pull it into a high ponytail before checking my blood and giving myself my evening dose of insulin. Grabbing my cell phone from the nightstand, I check for any missed calls and texts, which are all from my grandmother, except one from Tuesday asking if I’m enjoying myself.
I reply, saying that everything has been great and thanking her again for thinking of me for the job along with calling Gram and telling her that I’m fine and will tell her everything about my trip once I get back, promising to stop and grab her a souvenir from somewhere.
“Can you bring me a sexy cabana boy back with you, honey?” she cackles down the phone. “I’d sure love to get my hands on a fine piece of man meat.”
“There aren’t any cabana boys here, Gram.”
“Then what in the hell is good about goin’ to the beach and diggin’ sand out of your ass if a sexy man in a pair of stretchy undies isn’t bringing you somethin’ tasty to suck on?” she asks, making me damn near choke as I take a sip of water.
“Gram!” I shriek, just picturing her sitting at the table with her coffee, honey bun cake, and crossword puzzle while picturing me surrounded by oiled up waiters in thongs. The woman’s imagination is better than Jasmine’s some days.
“Little girl, I’m old,” she snorts. “Far from dead.”
“I love you, Gram. I’ll call you later.”
“Love you too.”
Powering off my phone, I set it back on the bed side table and head back up the hall since I’m sure everyone is already eating without me.
Everyone is gathered around the table, passing bowls and plates back and forth. Jazzie is sitting between Luke and Chase while Brannon is in his highchair sipping his juice. My eyes scan the table, finding the empty seat, which is on the end next to Henry. I grin to myself, knowing that he can’t avoid me now. Squaring my shoulders, I walk over and take my seat.
“Rae, you want a baked potato?” Mack asks, offering me the plate from across the table once I place a small steak on my plate.
“Sure,” I reply.
Chase and Camaron are busy going over some details for decorating the beach for the wedding with Daisy while everyone else makes normal dinner conversation and talks about their days. I, however, am not talkative. I eat, but the close proximity to Henry has my senses on high alert. My mind spins, playing back the kiss and our time in the bathroom over and over. I know there is more to him than the guy everyone sees and I got a taste of that. There’s no denying that I have spent a lot of time the last few days wondering what it would be like to feel his lips on mine again, to feel his hands on my body.
It’s all I can think about sometimes and I want more.
Shifting in my seat, I look around and notice everyone is busy chatting and eating. So, I make my move. Brushing my hands down the front of my dress, I let my hand brush the outside of Henry’s thigh. I saw him in a different way the other night; he was losing his grip on the control that I am learning is very important for him to maintain at all times. Right now, what I want most, is to see it happen again.
Henry’s body tenses. His hand grips mine beneath the table, his fingers wrapping around my wrist, causing my breath to catch. “Shouldn’t you be focusing on your dinner?” he mumbles under his breath, not looking up from his plate as he forks a bite of baked beans.
“Maybe that’s not what I’m hungry for,” I fire back just as he takes a bite causing him to choke.
Henry sputters and coughs, releasing my hand to cover his mouth. Grinning victoriously, I pick up my silverware and cut into my steak.
“Damn, Big Man,” Hunter says, reaching over and slapping him on the back. “Dude… inhale, exhale, chew, swallow, repeat. It’s an easy concept.” Grabbing bacon off his plate, Hunter crumbles it over his baked potato before covering it with cheese, sour cream, and more bacon.
“Would you like a little potato with your bacon, Hunter?” Henry tosses back, nudging Hunter in the ribs with his elbow. “You have no clue what real food is,” Henry says, gesturing to the big portions of meat and potatoes on his plate, all covered in hot sauce.
“Bacon is a food group, asshole,” Hunter argues before shoving a bite in his mouth. “It’s all I need. Occasionally, I like to spice it up and add potatoes, or cheese, or French fries.”
“French fries are potatoes,” I giggle, reaching for the unopened can of soda sitting beside my plate. “I’d bet my paycheck you couldn’t even go a day without bacon.”
Everyone stops what they’re doing immediately the minute the comment flies out of my mouth. I’ve seen Hunter eat other things besides bacon, but it’s easy to see he needs a meat-ervention. All eyes are on Hunter as he sets his fork down and his piece of bacon back on his plate. He looks over at me, a grin spreading across his face. “Rae, I know that you’re new here and everything, so you may not understand the ramifications of what you’ve just said.” Cracking his knuckles, Hunter arches a brow. “The word ‘bet’ isn’t used lightly. It’s a tradition.” Leaning toward me, crowding Henry’s space, Hunter places an elbow on the table. “Name your terms.”
You could hear a pin drop right now. Apparently, I’ve crossed some line into Shaft Tradition.
“Eat your food and shut the fuck up,” Henry says, shoving Hunter back from his plate. “Rae doesn’t want to play around with you.”
“Actually,” I reply, leaning into Henry’s space and am rewarded with a low growl. “You can count me in.”
11
Pink Rhinestone Tatas and Right Hooks
Henry
Everyone laughs, all beginning to place bets on how long piggy boy will last without his precious meat. Rae stabs a piece of steak with her fork before lifting it to her lips, ignoring me completely while I watch her. I’ve been dying ever since she kissed me to taste her again. The way she felt in my arms had me ready to surrender even though I know it’s a bad idea.
It’s the worst ide
a, but I want her, and she knows it.
Now, she’s teasing me.
Setting down her fork, Rae turns and grins at Hunter. “Okay, from now until the reception, since I’ve seen the menu and don’t expect you to live on lemon wedges. If you do it, I’ll work the two weeks for free, minus room and board of course.”
“And if I don’t?” Hunter asks, putting on his poker face. Grabbing his beer, he takes a long pull.
“I get double,” Rae says without batting an eye. “And you replace the shoes your furry menace destroyed before we left Nashville.”
“Done.” Hunter reaches out his hand for Rae to shake.
“Agreed,” Rae says, shaking on it to seal the deal.
“Holy shit,” Chase laughs, clapping her hands. “No bacon until the wedding? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him go one meal without it.”
Aiden jumps from the table and comes back with a piece of paper and a marker. “Okay, place your bets. We need a pool going on how long he can stay bacon free.”
Leaning up in my chair, I grab my wallet from my back pocket and toss two hundred dollar bills at Aiden. “He’ll never last, but I’m putting the two hundred on it being a breakfast meal that breaks him.”
“Where’s the faith, Big Man?” Hunter asks, grabbing the plate of ribs. “I can do this.”
Scooting back my chair, I stand to my feet. “It’s not a lack of faith, Hunter,” I say, patting him on the back. “I just know you too well. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to check things out.”
“You’re off duty tonight,” Chase calls as I head for the door.
“No habla ingles,” I toss out and head down the deck stairs to the beach.
The quiet of the beach and the trails that run along the island don’t clear my mind of all the racing thoughts in the way I had hoped. Instead, everything is gone from my mind, except Rae. She has taken over my thoughts, pushing everything down the totem pole a spot or two. It’s taken everything in me not to touch her, kiss her. Mack was more than happy to take over kid and nanny duty, but it left me unsettled, so I watched every chance I got from a distance.