Page 13 of Corrupt Obsession

He didn’t answer her. His eyes were on Malcom. Instead of sinking into the water to let Violet off his shoulders, Malcolm coaxed Violet to slide down his front. Jesse’s blood ran hot as Malcolm held Violet close while his hand moved over her bare back.

“Jesse?” Marissa prompted.

“Maybe later,” he said shortly, and broke free of her to close in on his target.

“You want to ride with me on the jet ski?” Malcolm asked Violet.

“She’s going with me,” Jesse interjected.

Malcolm raised his head. Some of what he was feeling must have shown on his face because Malcolm immediately dropped his hand and eased back. “Hey, Jesse.”

He grabbed the back of Violet’s shorts and tugged her away from Malcolm.

“Violet knocked Marissa down twice,” Malcolm shared.

“I saw,” he said in a flat tone.

Malcolm held his gaze for a few seconds before he looked away. “I think I’ll join the football game.”

“You do that,” Jesse said quietly.

As Malcolm headed toward the shore, Violet shaded her eyes with her hand and looked up at him. “Everything okay?”

He searched puzzled hazel eyes and knew she was oblivious to the liberties Malcolm had taken. As his gaze moved lower, his blood, already hot, went molten. From this angle, he could see down the front of her swimsuit. It took all his self-control to focus on her face and not the gentle swell of her breasts. The urge to go after Malcolm and put his fist in his face made him grind his teeth.

Violet cocked her head to the side. “Are you mad because I beat your girlfriend?”

“Ex-girlfriend,” he growled and tugged on her strap. “I think you need to pull this up.”

Violet stared at him. “Are you serious? I’m the most covered up girl here. I’m in a one pieceandshorts. Did you not see Marissa’s tangerine bikini? I was worried she was going to come out of her top when I pushed her in the water.”

“I don’t care what Marissa’s wearing, I care what you’re wearing. So, can you please…?” He tugged on the strap again.

“You’re just as bad as Dad,” she grumbled, though she did pull up her top so it covered her more adequately. “If it was up to you two, I’d still be shopping in the boy’s department.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” he said and grunted when she put her elbow in his stomach.

The days of Violet dressing like a tomboy were a distant memory. Though she still shied away from dresses, her clothes were now distinctly feminine. She dressed modestly, mostly to please Isaac, who looked pained when she wore anything too revealing.

“Are you really taking me on the jet ski?” Violet asked.

“Yeah, I’m next.” He moved deeper into the water to flag down Logan, who was heading toward them.

“All yours,” Logan said as he and his brother hopped off the jet ski.

He helped Violet on before he settled in front of her.

“You have to hold on to me,” he instructed.

“Oh.” She scooted forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Like this?”

“Tighter.”

She attempted to crack his ribs as she tightened around him like a boa constrictor. “Like this?”

“Yup,” he said in an even tone, and felt her arms tremble before she gave up and loosened her hold. “Ready?”

“Hold on.”

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