Page 18 of One of Six

I nod, and with a belly full of nerves, and with Nico's help, I get myself on the ladder.

"That's it," Essex encourages me. As I get further out of the water and reach the point where he puts a hand on my arm, his eyes go wide as he catches sight of my legs and green panties. My blush deepens.

He clears his throat while narrowing his eyes on Nico, who is still in the water. "Fucking look elsewhere," he hisses.

"Stop fucking around and get her up here," Atilio demands.

Essex moves so that he is cradling my body on the ladder. "No chance of you falling now. Just climb slowly. I'll follow your lead."

"Okay." It's slow because my arms hurt, and when Atilio grabs me from the circle of his brothers' protection, my body feels alive. As I move up the ladder step by step, I couldn't help but bump into Essex. It wouldn't have registered if he hadn't groaned every time my bottom met his pelvis. He'd been deliciously hard, and my body was still tingling from the feel of him.

Atilio wraps me in a towel as Galen says, “She's in shock. This will cause her body temperature to drop. She needs to get into something dry."

My eyes reach for Essex as he moves away, rummaging through a large bag. With the Redds distracted, I let my gaze settle on each of them in turn. They are a sight worth drowning for—bronzed and bare-chested, wearing either shorts or, in Boone's case, low-riding jeans.

Atilio catches my eye and I wish I could read his mind.

My eyes go to Essex as he holds clothes in his hand. "Come on, Mermaid Girl. You can change back here."

Atilio says, "We'll talk after you change."

I nod and take the hand Essex offers. His big hand squeezes mine, making me feel warm and safe. As we walk to the back of the boat, I notice the way Atilio's eyes linger on me, making me wonder what he's thinking. The sound of the waves crashing against the boat provides a soothing background as I walk behind Essex.

"I'll keep my back to you,” Essex says.

"I appreciate that." I clear my throat and let go of the towel. My hands refuse to cooperate. "Um, Essex, can you get the zipper, please?"

He mumbles something I don't catch. He silently gestures for me to turn around. I tuck my hair to one side and wait.

I feel his hands on my shoulders. "Hold still." Now he touches the back of my neck before his fingers connect with the top of my zipper. My skin is covered with goose bumps at the unexpected caress. No one has ever touched me like this before.

The zipper comes down slowly, as do the fingers that run over my skin. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. Goose bumps aren't the only reaction I have to this man.

His breath catches as he unzips the back of the dress. My stomach quivers as a hand slides around my middle and the palm of his hand flattens against my belly. He spreads his fingers, the tips brushing my panties. My whole-body tingles from head to toe. As his face brushes mine, he whispers, "Can you handle it now?" I've lost my voice and my mind.

All he gets is a nod of my head.

"Good girl." His hand slowly withdraws, as does his body.

What just happened? The man has my body throbbing for his touch. Is there something wrong with me? I quickly take off my clothes and dry myself, pulling on the clothes he found for me. "I'm dressed.”

He nods, a slight smile on his lips when he sees me, then takes my hand and leads me back to his brothers. They're spread out on the front deck, so I find a spot and sit down, tucking my feet beneath me.

My cheeks flush and I appreciate them trying not to look in my direction, so I tell them, "My parents want me to marry Jason, hence the date tonight. Dinner was good, although I'm sure the dessert was laced with bourbon."

"How did you end up in the water?" Boone asks.

Should I tell them the truth or improvise?

The truth wins out. "Well, it came about when my mom told Jason that I would be good to him." I wince, my cheeks burning.

I glance at Essex, who is watching me as closely as his brothers. He keeps his expression neutral.

"She told me to do something that involved me being on my knees."

Each of the brothers’ curses, while Essex clenches his jaw in anger.

I continue, "I told him my mother could do it because it was her idea. He hit me. I lost my balance and fell into the water. Do you think they know I didn't drown?"

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