Page 35 of Anchored Love
My brother was so smitten with his wife it was disgusting to watch but also so damn sweet. My brother couldn’t keep his hands off his new bride. The way he constantly touched her and doted on her made me smile and want to vomit at the same time. He had to give her this long, deep kiss that would’ve made anyone blush before they parted ways. Kelsey was ten shades of red.
Though Mason was giving him a run for his money, putting on one hell of a show for anyone who looked our way. Not that I was complaining. My body ached for his touch.
At the lockers, I traded my shorts for my sarong and lost my tank top, exposing my bikini top. I traded my sneakers for my rubber swim shoes and tied my hair in a bun on top of my head.
Looking over at Mason, I sure got my eyes full. Lifting his shirt over his head, he exposed his tan, muscular chest that my fingers ached to touch. His shorts hung off his hips, showing off his V that met in the middle at his happy trail. A small landing strip of dark hair trailed below his waistline. Man, did I want to know what he packed under those silver and black board shorts. I had felt his length poking me in my backside all night when he spooned me. Now if only to see it.
If I were a betting woman, I’d bet the man packed some serious heat.
“You ready to do this? You sure you won’t chicken out?” Drake clucked while flapping his arms at me like a chicken. I didn’t know why but since we were kids enclosed waterslides gave me the willies. It had to do with tight spaces and water. Separate, I was fine. Together, not so much. My brother could be such a pain in the ass when he wanted to be.
“Don’t worry; I’ll protect you.” Mason grinned, squirting sunblock onto his palm then rubbing his hands together. “Turn around. Let me get your back.” His big hands rubbed my muscles deep, massaging the lotion into my skin. His touch warmed me in places it shouldn’t have when we were getting ready to go on the waterslides.
I reciprocated, rubbing the lotion in on him and nearly going weak in the knees when he let out this primal growl that I felt down to my toes. The noise came out sounding erotic and sexual.
We got in line for The Twister first, and since it had a two person raft it was perfect for couples who wanted to have some fun together. We climbed on the round red raft, and I sat cross-legged and gripped the black handles. The moment we shot off from the sixty-foot platform I squealed, and Mason laughed at me.
Speed Summit was for single riders. I grabbed my blue mat, headfirst, gripped both sides, and laid flat on my stomach. Colorful lights swirled before my vision in the dark tunnel that shot me down with rushing water so fast my stomach felt like it was in my brain. We did this for a while, testing out the different slides until my stomach was grumbling and my fingers looked like wrinkled prunes.
We dried off and went to Captain Jack’s. The restaurant had unusual swing-style seats that I had to try out before we grabbed a table with Kelsey and Drake. Jess and Casey went to the Chill Bar to meet up with Mom and Herbert, but they looked like they were at least getting along better; who knew what would happen once they caught up to Mom.
Everyone ordered wings and fries, but what I really wanted to get my hands on was a funnel cake. It reminded me of going to the fair when I was a kid. It was the one thing my Dad and I always shared when he’d take us. He loved that powdery goodness. He would’ve loved this vacation. Damn, I missed him.
“How’s it feel to be married?” Mason questioned my brother.
“Only wish I’d done this sooner. I’m really happy.” He smiled at Kelsey as she shoved his fries and her own into her mouth.
“What? I’m eating for two.” She shrugged and gulped down her tea.
“We’re definitely coming back here when our kid is older. This is a great family vacation.”
“When I marry and have kids, I’ll be doing the same. This trip has been unbelievable. Thanks for bringing me along.” Mason leaned in and bumped me with his shoulder before kissing my cheek.
“Yeah, of course.” I blinked, hating the fact that my ovaries practically shoutedYippeeat the idea of Mason wanting to get married and have a family one day. Only I wasn’t naïve to think it would ever include me.
Marriage and children? He wanted those things. I could picture him being a great father and the kind of husband who couldn’t wait to get home after work to kiss his wife and play catch with his kids in the backyard until dinner was ready.
I’d never thought much about starting a family. I hadn’t even found a man I wanted to date long-term, let alone marry.
Mason, though, he was definitely boyfriend material and the kind of man you took home to meet the folks. My stomach bottomed out for like the fiftieth time that day at the thought. I had brought him to meet the folks; though, they already knew him, but still, this wasn’t the real deal. We were playing pretend. If I didn’t remind myself of it, one of us would get hurt, and that someone was me.
“How many kids do you guys plan to have?” I asked Kelsey, trying to take my focus off making babies with Mason.
“At least two because I want a boy and a girl, but no more than four.”
“Four.” Drake spit out his drink, nearly choking. “That’s … um … something we haven’t talked about. Four, babe?” He grinned at her, shaking his head.
“If anything, at least we can practice a lot while I’m pregnant.” She wiggled her brows, and I tried not to throw up in my mouth at the thought of my brother and Kelsey doing the naked tango in the sheets.
After lunch we all headed to one of the beaches to veg out on loungers and soak up more sunshine. The island had definitely lived up to its name of a perfect day.
