I take a seat across from them, frowning. I was always sopreoccupied with Kelly that I never really noticed what Arianna was up to, especially with Tyson. I didn’t realize how close they were or are. I don’t know.
Tom slowly pulls away from the dock, and Tyson and Arianna settle down, watching the twins as they slowly start gliding across the water. I take the opportunity to watch Arianna. Her blue bathing suit looks amazing against her skin, hugging her perfectly. Or maybe she’s just perfect.
I take in the graceful slope of her neck, involuntary memories flooding me from our time at the club. The way it felt in my hand, how smooth her skin was. Feeling her pulse thunder in my palm, knowing this beautiful stranger trusted me so implicitly from the start. It released something carnal, powerful. Now that I know that it was Arianna the whole time…I still have those feelings, those cravings. Now that I know what she’s capable of, what we are, I…
A splash catches my attention, and I turn to see Brady has launched from the inner tube, the loss of balance sending Melanie into the water as well. Tom quickly slows down, making a wide loop as we swing by to grab the kids. They both climb into the boat, teeth chattering as they wrap towels around themselves. Just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean the lake is warm. It’s only April in Western Washington, and the water is unbearably cold until July, but if you live here, you adapt, otherwise, you’d never have any fun.
“Let’s go, Ari,” Tyson says as he stands up, reaching out for Arianna’s hand. She takes it happily, lacing her fingers through his. It takes not only me by surprise as Tyson looks down at her, grinning before squeezing it lightly and leading her to the inner tube.
Carefully, they both climb on, and when they’re ready, Tom takes off again. Leaning forward, I rest my forearmson my thighs as I watch them. They laugh and smile at each other as they hold on for a surprisingly long time.
Tom begins swaying from side to side, forcing them to catch the wake from the boat. They start to gain a little air with each wake until they launch. Arianna screams as Tyson laughs before they land with a hard slap against the water that sends Arianna skimming across the surface.
I feel my chest clench as I watch her slip underwater. Leaning over the side of the boat, I frantically look for her in the water before she resurfaces just to the side. Relief fills me until I see her swimming awkwardly.
Forcing half my body out of the boat, I reach a hand out for her. She looks like she’s going to refuse me, so I grab her, hauling her up and into the boat. She lands in my lap, and when she tries to get up, I wrap an arm around her, keeping her in place as I look her over. Her right hand is cupping her left wrist as she winces.
“What hurts?” I ask as my eyes run over her in concern.
She shakes her head before looking away. “I’m fine.”
Frowning, I pinch her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye and say that.
“What. Hurts,” I repeat.
Her blue eyes snap to mine, a million different emotions playing within them.
“I tried to hold onto the handle too long. Probably just hyperextended it. I’m fine.”
She squirms in my lap, and it takes everything in me not to enjoy it.
Releasing her chin and unwinding my arm from around her, she stands as Tyson climbs into the boat.
“You good?” he asks, looking her over with worry.
I frown, watching my brother carefully. I’m not sure what he’s up to, but whatever it is, I can tell you I’m not a fan.
She smiles up at him the way I wanted her to smile at me when I asked her what hurt.
“My wrist got a little twisted on my epic fail of a departure.”
Tyson laughs at that, examining her wrist carefully.
“I swear to god, you were by my side one second, then in the clouds the next.”
She chuckles softly, rolling her eyes as he gently touches it. She winces when he moves it, and I have to physically restrain myself from biting his head off and telling him to be more fucking careful.
“We can wrap it with some bandages when we get back to the house for support.”
Arianna nods, a shiver running through her as the breeze rolls in. I grab a towel almost instantly, handing it to her. She takes it with a quick smile before Tyson snatches it from her and wraps her up tightly. They both sit down as the twins climb onto the tube again.
When we take off, Tyson wraps his arm around Arianna’s back. It’s a casual move, but I can see right through my brother. He’s fucking into her. She looks up at him, and I wait for her to seem uncomfortable or offended, something that will give me permission to knock his front fucking teeth in. She doesn’t, though. Instead, she smiles and leans into him, causing my stomach to sour as I roughly look away.
After a day on the water, we decide to have a bonfire and barbeque. I helped Tom do some baby back ribs, baked potatoes, and a salad, while Marissa and Kelly set up the backyard. There is already a picnic table, but it’s not big enough for everyone, so they set up a few extra chairs around the firepit.
Thesun is beginning to dip down behind the tree line when I decide to make a fire. Tom hands me several pre-cut logs from the woodshed to the side, and it’s not long until we have a roaring fire that everyone is gathered around.
I’m currently sitting at the picnic table when Kelly comes over, dropping into my lap. I fight the instinct to immediately push her off as she wiggles her jean shorts clad ass against me.