Anchored Love (Propositions and Proposals #2): A Fake Boyfriend Romance

by Ryan Michele

  We descended to the pier, welcomed by bright banners in all colors of the rainbow, white sands, and gorgeous blue and green water. CocoCay waterpark was filled with waterslides, zip lines, food, and fun.

  There was a little something for everyone. The first thing we booked for the day was the hot air balloon ride. We stowed our belongings in the rentable lockers before going to our destination. It was something I’d always wanted to do. As soon as I saw it as an option, there was no denying my excitement.

  Luckily, Mom and Herbert had gone to snorkel at Chill Island since they had missed out on it last time. They needed some time away from the rest of us. After all the bickering the day before, we all needed a break. Family day spent away from them. Whatever worked.

  I felt Jess’ pain of Mom’s interference, and it would be good to spend time with my brother and sister.

  We set off for Up, Up, and Away which was easy enough to find. They had it all set up with signs pointing in the different directions to help us tourists.

  We had nabbed the first ride and didn’t have to wait in line by some miracle. Even though there were thousands of passengers on our ship, the island didn’t feel crowded. Hell, I didn’t even see anyone I recognized from the boat.

  I entered the round basket first with Mason, followed by Kelsey and Drake then Jess and Casey who were still in a lovers’ quarrel. They wouldn’t even look at one another, and I hated that for my sister. I knew she loved Casey, but she also could be stubborn when she wanted to be. I only hoped she didn’t let that trait come between she and Casey because if ever two people were made for one another it was them. They needed to talk and get on the same page. Not throw everything they’d built down the toilet.

  “Welcome, guys. My name is George, and I’ll be your balloon pilot this morning. I ask you to spread out to give us some balance. You’ll feel some normal bouncing and movement as we begin, but don’t let it scare you. We have a clear, beautiful morning and light winds.”

  The ride up was smoother than I had expected. There was a light breeze, but nothing that would hinder our adventure.

  Beauty surrounded us. I stared out in awe through the rope netting that made up the sides. Surprisingly, I felt safe enough to let go of the railing.

  The view of the aqua water and white sands was out of this world gorgeous. I could see everything on the island. Daredevil’s Tower. The Oasis Lagoon. The neighboring island in the distance. The crescent shape beaches. People zip lining across the lagoon.

  We went up four hundred and fifty feet. Music pumped loud from the bar below as I took it all in with Mason by my side. He squeezed my hip and shot me a breathtaking smile. There went all my bits tingling and warming at the sight of that tempting smile and his gorgeous lips that I had tasted plenty the past two days.

  I needed to get a grip. Mason wasn’t my boyfriend. Truthfully, he wasn’t my anything, but part of me wished he could be.

  Thumb under my chin, I stole my attention away from the view as he touched my lips.

  “Beautiful,” he muttered, gazing at me with burning intensity. I sucked in a breath and shook my head, noting this really could be reality.

  “You know my mom isn’t here.”

  He smirked. “That wasn’t for her. I wanted to kiss you. Therefore, I kissed you. And, Ev. I’ll be doing that a lot today. Be prepared.”

  I didn’t know how to respond, so I stayed quiet and took in the view of the park as we descended, my heart beating almost out of my chest. It wasn’t because we were so high; it was because of Mason.

  The ride only lasted a total of twenty minutes in the air, but the breathtaking view made it worth every second.

  “Currently, there are five hundred employees who inhabit the island. When CocoCay first opened there were only around thirty-five,” George informed us as we came back down to earth. “On clear days you might see sharks if you look to the left.”

  I gazed out at the water. Water so vibrant and clear I could see the outline of either a stingray or a shark swimming.

  A cable attached to the bottom of the basket winched us back down slowly and smoothly. Doing the balloon ride gave us all an idea of the outlay of the island to give us our bearings on where everything was located, so we could plan our day accordingly.

  After the balloon ride ended and we exited, I wanted to test the waterslides. Jess and Kelsey took off to the lounge at the pool since Kelsey was pregnant, leaving us with Drake and Casey.

  My brother was so smitten with his wife it was disgusting to watch but also so damn sweet. My brother couldn’t keep his hands off his new bride. The way he constantly touched her and doted on her made me smile and want to vomit at the same time. He had to give her this long, deep kiss that would’ve made anyone blush before they parted ways. Kelsey was ten shades of red.

  Though Mason was giving him a run for his money, putting on one hell of a show for anyone who looked our way. Not that I was complaining. My body ached for his touch.

  At the lockers, I traded my shorts for my sarong and lost my tank top, exposing my bikini top. I traded my sneakers for my rubber swim shoes and tied my hair in a bun on top of my head.

  Looking over at Mason, I sure got my eyes full. Lifting his shirt over his head, he exposed his tan, muscular chest that my fingers ached to touch. His shorts hung off his hips, showing off his V that met in the middle at his happy trail. A small landing strip of dark hair trailed below his waistline. Man, did I want to know what he packed under those silver and black board shorts. I had felt his length poking me in my backside all night when he spooned me. Now if only to see it.

  If I were a betting woman, I’d bet the man packed some serious heat.

  “You ready to do this? You sure you won’t chicken out?” Drake clucked while flapping his arms at me like a chicken. I didn’t know why but since we were kids enclosed waterslides gave me the willies. It had to do with tight spaces and water. Separate, I was fine. Together, not so much. My brother could be such a pain in the ass when he wanted to be.

  “Don’t worry; I’ll protect you.” Mason grinned, squirting sunblock onto his palm then rubbing his hands together. “Turn around. Let me get your back.” His big hands rubbed my muscles deep, massaging the lotion into my skin. His touch warmed me in places it shouldn’t have when we were getting ready to go on the waterslides.

  I reciprocated, rubbing the lotion in on him and nearly going weak in the knees when he let out this primal growl that I felt down to my toes. The noise came out sounding erotic and sexual.

  We got in line for The Twister first, and since it had a two person raft it was perfect for couples who wanted to have some fun together. We climbed on the round red raft, and I sat cross-legged and gripped the black handles. The moment we shot off from the sixty-foot platform I squealed, and Mason laughed at me.

  Speed Summit was for single riders. I grabbed my blue mat, headfirst, gripped both sides, and laid flat on my stomach. Colorful lights swirled before my vision in the dark tunnel that shot me down with rushing water so fast my stomach felt like it was in my brain. We did this for a while, testing out the different slides until my stomach was grumbling and my fingers looked like wrinkled prunes.

  We dried off and went to Captain Jack’s. The restaurant had unusual swing-style seats that I had to try out before we grabbed a table with Kelsey and Drake. Jess and Casey went to the Chill Bar to meet up with Mom and Herbert, but they looked like they were at least getting along better; who knew what would happen once they caught up to Mom.

  Everyone ordered wings and fries, but what I really wanted to get my hands on was a funnel cake. It reminded me of going to the fair when I was a kid. It was the one thing my Dad and I always shared when he’d take us. He loved that powdery goodness. He would’ve loved this vacation. Damn, I missed him.

  “How’s it feel to be married?” Mason questioned my brother.

  “Only wish I’d done this sooner. I’m really happy.” He smiled at Kelsey as she shoved his fries and her ow
n into her mouth.

  “What? I’m eating for two.” She shrugged and gulped down her tea.

  “We’re definitely coming back here when our kid is older. This is a great family vacation.”

  “When I marry and have kids, I’ll be doing the same. This trip has been unbelievable. Thanks for bringing me along.” Mason leaned in and bumped me with his shoulder before kissing my cheek.

  “Yeah, of course.” I blinked, hating the fact that my ovaries practically shouted Yippee at the idea of Mason wanting to get married and have a family one day. Only I wasn’t naïve to think it would ever include me.

  Marriage and children? He wanted those things. I could picture him being a great father and the kind of husband who couldn’t wait to get home after work to kiss his wife and play catch with his kids in the backyard until dinner was ready.

  I’d never thought much about starting a family. I hadn’t even found a man I wanted to date long-term, let alone marry.

  Mason, though, he was definitely boyfriend material and the kind of man you took home to meet the folks. My stomach bottomed out for like the fiftieth time that day at the thought. I had brought him to meet the folks; though, they already knew him, but still, this wasn’t the real deal. We were playing pretend. If I didn’t remind myself of it, one of us would get hurt, and that someone was me.

  “How many kids do you guys plan to have?” I asked Kelsey, trying to take my focus off making babies with Mason.

  “At least two because I want a boy and a girl, but no more than four.”

  “Four.” Drake spit out his drink, nearly choking. “That’s … um … something we haven’t talked about. Four, babe?” He grinned at her, shaking his head.

  “If anything, at least we can practice a lot while I’m pregnant.” She wiggled her brows, and I tried not to throw up in my mouth at the thought of my brother and Kelsey doing the naked tango in the sheets.

  After lunch we all headed to one of the beaches to veg out on loungers and soak up more sunshine. The island had definitely lived up to its name of a perfect day.

  13

  Mason

  I Don’t Get Drunk; I Just Get Less Classy And More Fun

  Everly opened the door to our room, one hand holding her shirt up over her belly, exposing her midriff, wearing a devious smirk on her gorgeous sun-kissed face. We’d just gotten back to our room after dinner and a cabaret show. This was my last night on the ship with Everly. My last night sleeping next to her. I wanted it to last forever. As cheesy as that sounded, it rang true. I’d had the time of my life this past week with her.

  Her ocean eyes sparkled with mischief. Her blonde hair in braids on the side of her head.

  “What are you up to?”

  “It’s our last night, so how about a little fun and some booze.” She produced a bottle of tequila, a saltshaker, and a cup of lemon wedges from her shirt as she rolled it down. She sat her items on the table by the couch. “Come sit with me.” Everly plopped down on the couch and patted the empty space next to her.

  “Where did you get that?”

  “Maybe Jess and me sweet talked a bartender to get what we wanted.” Her thick, long lashes batted at me, and I shook my head with a chuckle. I collapsed on the couch hoping I wouldn’t have a hangover from hell tomorrow. “Let’s play a game.”

  “Alright. What do you have in mind?”

  “Something we played back in high school.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Spin the bottle? Seven minutes in heaven?”

  “Close, but no. Never have I ever?” She snapped the lid off the bottle and poured us both healthy shots in clear plastic cups.

  My memory blanked at first, but after a minute I remembered one weekend when their folks were out of town, and a bunch of us were hanging out in the basement. Drake let Ev join in with the rest of us. I almost kissed her that night, but then a few people got sick, and I ended up driving them home.

  “You know … I thought you were going to kiss me the last time we played.”

  “Me too.” My gaze zeroed in on her lips.

  “Alright.” She shoved the cup in my hand. “I’ll start. Never have I ever gotten stitches.”

  “Fine. You got me.” I sprinkled salt on Everly’s wrist. Capping my mouth over her skin, I licked the grains off slowly, even though I hated the taste of plain salt. I loved my mouth on her body more. I took my shot and sucked on a lemon slice. “Flipped over the handlebars of my bicycle when I was seven. Scared the shit out of my mother. My dad told her I’d be fine and wanted to close the wound with superglue. I ended up with thirteen stitches.” The liquor burned going down. It had been a while since drinking tequila. “My turn. Never have I ever gone vegan.”

  “Damn it.”

  I may have been counting on Jess forcing her family to practice her lifestyle. Everly took her shot.

  “Okay. Never have I ever wrecked a car.”

  “Nope.”

  Everly took another shot.

  “Never have I ever borrowed my sister’s clothes.”

  “Shit.” She downed another. “I think you’re trying to get me drunk.”

  “Maybe.” I leaned in and captured her mouth. Sliding my tongue between her lips, I tasted the liquor and desire.

  Her cheeks were turning red. “Um.” She gulped. “Never have I ever had a threesome.”

  My brows shot up. “Did Drake tell you?”

  Everly coughed. “Was it with him?”

  “God no.” I laughed. “There was these two girls in college; things got a little hot and we experimented. You know, I watched them, and then they let me join.”

  “Alright, I don’t need details, Casanova. Take your shot.”

  “We’re out of lemons.” I moved closer.

  “Are we?” Her breath fanned over my lips.

  My hand slid around her neck. “I’m done playing games, babe.” I didn’t give her a chance to respond. We’d been playing this game for two days, dancing around what we both wanted. I was done messing around. I wanted Everly. I wanted to claim every last inch of her body. Lips on her, tongue dipping into her mouth, I went for it. “C’mere, Ev.” She smelled of coconut sunblock and sunshine. My own tropical paradise awaited me between her thighs.

  Moving to straddle my lap, she gave in. Arms around my neck, she returned my kiss, grinding on my growing erection. I felt sixteen all over again and ready to nut on the spot in my damn shorts. I couldn’t take it. I wanted her naked and writhing beneath me. I’d never wanted to bury myself so damn deep in a woman in all my life. Everly was damn near perfect. Her tongue swept deep in my mouth, warring for control.

  I slapped her ass and kissed her harder. Circling her hips, she drove me wild. My cock rubbed against the crotch of her shorts. Her warm breath washed over me, and I drank every ounce of her in, loving every second of kissing her. Running her nails over my chest, her touch set my skin ablaze with desire like I’d never experienced. I craved Everly so much I physically ached to have her.

  Squeezing her ass, I got a good handful and moved to stand. Her legs went around my waist, and I carried Everly to bed, never breaking our kiss.

  I dropped her to the mattress and moved with her, covering her body with my own. We rolled so that she got back on top. Lifting her shirt over her head, fuck me, there was something to be said for the skimpy black lace bra she wore. Her tits nearly spilled out of the cups. I jerked one down, sucking her rosy nipple into my mouth, teasing the sensitive bud until it hardened under my affection.

  Everly rolled her hips seeking friction, and I had plenty to give her. Her tequila-stained lips peppered kisses up and down my throat, along my jaw, and carving a path back the way she traveled. “Take these off,” she demanded hoarsely, tugging on my shorts.

  “We’ve got all night, babe.” I teased at her tits, kissing and nibbling and leaving her panting for more.

  Arching her back, she leaned forward, and Everly bit my neck hard enough to leave the indention of her teeth. I reached around her b
ack and went for the clasp on her bra with one hand, but the damn thing wouldn’t budge. “Just leave it on and fuck me, Mason.”

  Shoving my hand down the front of her shorts, I found my girl soaked for me. I rubbed my finger over her clit, and the sensitive skin pulsed with need. “You feel so damn good. So wet and tight, Ev.” Sliding my hand further into her panties, I gave her what she wanted, thrusting a finger inside her silken heat.

  “Oh,” she let out on a gasp that made me smile. “I want you, Mason.” Her declaration made me that much harder.

  “I’m all yours, Ev.” I continued to work that sweet pussy until her muscles clenched around my finger, tightening with every hook of my thick digit inside her.

  “I need you. I want to feel you, all of you.” She reached inside my shorts, stroking my length as I finger fucked her until she came.

  Playfully pushing her aside, I shed my shorts. Everly stared at my cock, licking her lips.

  “God, you’re huge.” She grinned as I crawled toward her like a hungry lion stalking his prey. I grabbed my wallet off the nightstand and dug out a condom, needing her now.

  “You know I read somewhere that it’s not a good idea to store condoms in your wallet,” she informed me.

  “Babe, do you really want to debate this right now?”

  “No.” Her head moved back and forth.

  Ripping the foil package open, I got the condom on and settled between her thighs. “You sure?” I gave her one last chance to stop this, but I prayed she didn’t.

  “Oh my god, stop talking and fuck me, Mason.” Her nails dug into my ass cheeks, and I slid right in; she was so damn wet for me. I took a moment to gaze down at her gorgeous curves, relishing in the moment. A moment I thought I’d never have the chance to experience outside of my dreams and fantasies in the shower. Everly was too damn good to be true. Her body molded to mine like a perfect fit. We were a fever of lips, tongues, and fingers. Touching, tasting, and exploring each other. Fuck, her body was a tone and tan wonderland.