Page 43 of Big Red

“Come on, Alice,” Cindy shouts, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming.”

I catch up to the group as we scan the beach for a section big enough for us to all settle down. Once we find a spot, we set up the area with beach towels, umbrellas, toys, and tables. After we finish, I scan the area before shaking my head. We took up a good amount of space, but that’s to be expected with such a large group.

Hannah runs up to Sara, removing her cover-up in the process. “Mom, can we go into the water?”

“Not so fast. You need sunscreen, and then you can do whatever your heart desires.”

“So, if I want to drive one of those jet skisNonnobrought, that’s okay?” She smiles mischievously.

The first time I heard the kids refer to Cara’s dad, Paul, asNonno, I was confused because I had never heard the word before. Sara explainedNonnowas just grandpa in Italian.

“Obviously, that’s a hard no. But if you ride with an adult, that’s fine.”

Hannah shrugs her shoulders. “Fair enough.”

The kids line up as Sara and Crystal spray them down with sunscreen. They were running down to the shore the second they were done.

“Come on, kitten. Let's go hit the water.” Red’s eyes run down my body, full of lust, when I take off my cover-up. He looks over his shoulder to see the kids occupied before pulling me to his body. “Mmm, I can't wait to get you home tonight.”

He licks his lips, causing my body to react instantly. God, I never thought I would crave sex, but with Red, I do. This man has turned me into some kind of nympho or something.

As we walk down to the water, Duke and Daisy run past us at full speed before jumping into the ocean with the kids. They have a frisbee, tossing it as far as possible for the dogs to catch.

Out of nowhere, I’m scooped up by Red as he charges for the water. I can see the playful glint in his eyes. “Don’t you dare throw me in there!” I hiss.

He laughs and speeds up. “Red! If you throw me in tha?—”

I’m cut off as he launches me high and far into the water. When I emerge from the water, I hear the kids cracking up. When my gaze connects with his, he opens his arms as if he’s welcoming my retaliation.

Oh, he wants to play it like that. Challenge accepted.

I run back to the beach with Red, shouting my name. He sounds almost terrified that he genuinely pissed me off. He has no clue that the ol’ ladies and I came fully prepared for one of them to try something like this.

By the time I reach the group, Cara is already holding out a water gun with a devilish smile.

These water guns she purchased aren’t like regular water guns. Oh no. These babies have tanks on them. It shoots up to forty feet away, and the tank makes the force of the water feel like a mini firehose.

Red is in for a rude awakening.

“Wait, move, Blade. I’ve got to get this on camera.” Bianca tries her best to shimmy out of her seat with that round belly. She retrieves her phone, but Crystal snatches it from her.

“Sit your pregnant self down. You ain’t about to be shaking my grandbaby around. I got this.” Crystal pulls out a camcorder from her bag and gives me a beaming smile. “Make it good, Alice.”

“You got it.”

I turn around, and Red throws his head back, laughing when he spots the gun in my hand.

“That’s it, kitten? You brought a measly little water gu—Ahh! What the hell?” he cries out when I shoot him right in the stomach. He rubs the spot with a frown. I saunter like a predator as he backs away from me. “Alice…” he trails off, scanning the crowd.

Most of the brothers are doubled over laughing, and the kids cheer me on.

“Get him, Alice!” Cindy shouts.

“What the hell, you little traitor? I’m your father!” he scolds her.

“All’s fair in love and war.” She shrugs her shoulders, not the least bit sorry for taking my side.

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