Page 19 of Hot Water

“But what about?—?”

The warning growl rumbling in his chest silences me. So does the grumpy look on his face.

“Never mind,” I say quickly.

He stares at me for a moment and then shakes his head, smiling. “Smart choice, baby.” His lips touch mine in a sweet kiss. “You done freaking out now?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “Maybe.”

“Good. You going to tell me that you love me?”

“I already did?”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Without calling me a big jerk this time, Amelia.”

I bite my lip, fighting back a smile. “What do I get in return?”

“This dick, if you aren’t careful,” he growls.

“In that case… no.”

I shriek as he flattens himself on top of me, growling. “I was kidding! I love you. I love you! I love you!”

“Too late, little mermaid. Too fucking late.”

CHAPTER 7

SINCLAIR

I adjust my sunglasses and glare at the horizon, the endless expanse of ocean glistening under the unrepentant sun. Amelia’s voice echoes in my head, her patient tone threading with insistence. "You came on vacation with your brother. You can’t abandon him the entire trip.”

“Hell yes, I can,” I argue without much steam, knowing she’s right.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been an ass to my dipshit brother, and I can’t let the entire week pass without spending any time with him. Plus, I want to give Sullivan the chance to get to know my little mermaid.

“One day at the beach won't kill you," Amelia reminds me as she sits back in the beach lounger on my left and reaches for her book.

I glance down at my watch, wondering where in the hell is my asshole brother. Last night I texted him and arranged for him to meet Amelia and me at the beach at ten. Here it is fifteen after and he still hasn’t appeared.

“Sorry I’m late.” Speak of the devil. My asshole brother strolls up and drops his towel on the lounger next to Amelia. “Since I already know everything I want to know about my dickhead brother, I’m going to relax here next to you,” he tells Amelia, earning a growl from me.

“Watch it, asshole,” I sternly warn him.

“Or what?” He sits up and glances over at me with a smirk on his face.

“Or I’ll kick your ass.”

“Okay, boys.” Amelia cuts in. “That’s enough.” She looks back and forth between us as her phone rings.

Looking over her shoulder, I see her dad’s face flash across the screen. “Come on, asshole,” I tell my brother. “Let’s go swim and let my girl have some privacy for her call.”

“Hello,” she answers as we head down the beach. “Hold on, Dad,” I hear her say before she calls to me, “Sinclair, watch out for the waves.”

“Yeah, Sinclair.” My brother turns and smirks at me. “I had a late night, and I don’t really have the energy to save your ass right now.”

“Fuck off,” I growl and rub my middle finger along the side of my face facing away from Amelia so she can’t see the gesture.

As we dive into the water, I glance back, making sure my girl isn’t upset. I have no doubt her dad is calling to check on the state of our relationship, which I understand, but there’s no way I’m letting him or anyone else come between us.

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