Page 146 of Surprisingly Us

But we don’t do absolutely nothing. We do somethingdifferent.

I shower and get dressed, then we head over to Rhys’s boat, picking up breakfast sandwiches from one of my favoritelocal delis which I never go to because it’s not typically on the schedule.

We bring Maxine because according to Rhys, Mo has been desperate to see her, which he demonstrates when they’re reunited by spooning her and sweetly licking her head. With another stroke of Mo’s rough tongue, Maxine’s eyes close, and I swear her cat mouth is stretched into a relaxed smile.

“Until this moment, I hadn’t thought about it, but a cat’s head is one of the places they can’t reach when they give themselves a bath. Maxine always licks her paw then rubs it around her ear.” I demonstrate by waving my hand over my head in the motion I’ve seen her make. “I guess it’s handy to have a friend who can lick you in places you can’t reach.”

Rhys bursts out in a laugh, and I realize how that sounded.

“A cat friend, that is.”

When my eyes finally meet his, Rhys’s gaze is full of heat.

“Mmhmm. Sure,” he teases. “I guess Maxine is lucky to have a good friend like Mo to take care of her like that.”

“Yeah. He’s a good friend,” I say, easing past Rhys and the electric charge that just ignited between us, before walking out onto the deck to get away from the tension I just created inside.

Rhys had Ramsey call an engineer, the person legally required to drive the boat, since Rhys isn’t licensed. And the three of us, plus the cats who don’t bother leaving the couch, spend the day out on the water.

It’s exactly what I need. Sunshine. The breeze in my hair. And stillness.

“This is nice.” I sigh from where I’m lying on the lounger, soaking up the sun.

“Being out on the water is my favorite thing. It’s calming.”

I turn to look at him. He’s heartachingly handsome in navy blue swim trunks with brightly colored roosters all over them,which upon donning them, he asked me and Ramsey if we liked his cocks.

“Doesn’t being on the water, on a boat, remind you of your parents?” I ask.

“Yeah, it does.” His sunglass-covered eyes glance out to the ocean. “But it’s comforting. It’s the place I feel closest to them because I remember how much they loved it, too.”

“I’ve got drinks.” Ramsey appears carrying a tray with glasses.

“Thank you, Ramsey,” I say, selecting a fresh mojito from his tray.

“You’re welcome, sweetie.” He gives me a conspiratorial wink.

I take a sip and close my eyes. It may not be a beach vacation, but this is what I needed today.

While the sun’s warmth feels good, I’m aware my skin hasn’t seen much of it lately and I need to be careful or I’ll burn. “I think I need to put more sunscreen on,” I say, glancing at my shoulders.

“I can help you with that.”

I grab my sunscreen and move to sit between Rhys’s open legs.

With each stroke of his hands, I melt. And the way he inches his fingers underneath the straps of my top and the waistband of my bottoms to be thorough is everything.

“I like this suit.” He lifts the thin strap of my top. “You look amazing in it,” he announces before placing a kiss on my bare shoulder. I feel that kiss in every cell of my body.

I’d dug out this old black bikini which nearly had cobwebs on it from lack of use. It had reminded me that I haven’t been to Lake George yet this summer and that once my parents sell our house there, we won’t be going there as a family anymore.

My mom had texted earlier, to check in on me, but also to mention that it would be good for us to go to Lake George this weekend to pack up our personal belongings so that they could get the house staged and listed to sell.

“My parents and I are going to Lake George this weekend to pack up the house. Do you want to come?”

Behind me, I can feel him tense. Other than once to help his grandfather clean out their house, I don’t think he’s been back to Lake George since his parents died. But if he doesn’t mind being on the water, then maybe he would want to come. I know I could use another person to help deflect the awkwardness I’m feeling with my parents right now.

And if I admit it to myself, not just any person.Him.

---