Page 49 of One of Six

"I guess we'll find out." I stand and hold out my hand to Essex. We join his brothers on deck and look over the side. One by one the others jump into the water.

"Hey Violet, I didn't know you were here," Galen calls out.

"That's because your brother wants to have his wicked way with me, so he resorted to kidnapping."

"Violet, would you like to come up here?" I ask, giving her a way out.

"The hell she is climbing out with those assholes looking at her body."

"You mean your brothers, Ridge?"

He gives me the stink eye.

"Why don't you join us, Bea?" Boone asks. "We can start those swim lessons."

Essex straightens up next to me. "I'm the only one who gets to see my girl in her underwear."

I grin at his possessiveness.

"Come swim with me, Violet." Nico offers. "You're much nicer to look at than my brothers."

"No touching!" Ridge declares. "Jailbait, you better behave yourself or I'll tan this hide!"

"You keep promising that! I'm waiting." Violet grins.

I turn my back on her and slide between the boat and Essex. I wrap my arms around him and enjoy the feel of him against me.

Essex nuzzles my neck and sighs. "I'm worried about you being in the house with Richard. Everything we've learned leads to him."

"He won't hurt me. Besides, my mother's funeral is tomorrow. He'll be on his best behavior for the townspeople."

"I wish I could be there for you."

"I do too, but not yet. I don't want them to focus on you and your family. Please tell me you understand that?" I cup his face, not wanting to hurt him.

"I do." Kissing my forehead, Essex laughs. "They're getting out of the water."

"Why is that funny?"

He turns me to face his brothers and my friend. I grin. Violet is being helped—more like pushed—onto the dock by Ridge. Even from here, I can see that her lacy underwear is transparent. My friend holds her head up and walks past the ogling men and climbs on the boat.

"Don't you dare look at her," I mutter to Essex.

He laughs and holds his hands out in front of him. "Baby, it's kind of hard not to look at her." He laughs. "I still love your body... Is your underwear transparent?"

I roll my eyes and walk over to Violet. "You!" I laugh.

Giggling, Violet says, "Mother always says that accidents can happen to anyone at any time, so you have to wear your best underwear." She shrugs. "It's fun to tease him.”

"Hmm, I can tell. Ridge, huh?"

"He's really sexy," she says.

"He can hear you,” Ridge interrupts, climbing aboard.

I cough and give him a chuckle.

Ridge keeps his eyes on Violet. To my surprise, once her dress is on, she takes off her wet panties and wiggles out of her bra. "That's better."

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