Page 99 of Playing With Fire
“Mmhmm,” I finally hum noncommittally as I pull the cooler from the back of the SUV while Shannon works on unbuckling Serafina.
I’m coming up the steps behind her when I hear her gasp and I smile again. She’ssoeasy to make smile, and it makes my heart fucking soar every single time.
“Hud!” she yells with a whine. “How’d you get these in here without me seeing?”
Turning into the kitchen, I set the cooler down and kiss her cheek. “Knox has a property manager, remember? But I wasveryspecific about the variety I wanted him to get. Made him send me pictures and everything,” I laugh as I add the last part hastily, remembering how Greg never put a single thought into the things he got for her.
“They’re perfect,” she says, staring at the grocery-store variety bouquet on the counter as she adjusts Serafina on her hip.
We get unpacked and immediately head down to the beach. When we reach the sand, we find that my sister and her kids are already down here. Hugs are given and I take Serafina from Shannon so the girls can catch up while I get my toes wet.
“You guys know the rules,” I sternly warn Cam and Ally. “You don’t go in any farther than I do unless I say so, right?”
“Right,” they answer in unison.
I breathe a little easier during the day and at night, I sleep better. I no longer see images of Will’s mangled car when I close my eyes. I think coming back to the beach has really helped me with that. It feels like Will, himself, has helped me with that.
Standing at the water’s edge with Serafina in my arms and Cam and Ally flanking my sides, I feel like the luckiest sonofabitch inthe world.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by more voices behind me and turn to see Shannon’s parents embracing everyone with hugs.
“Nanny! Poppy!” Cam and Ally yell as they also turn to see what the commotion is all about.
At the sound of their names, Shannon’s mom and dad drop to their knees in the sand and open their arms wide.
I’m so thankful for all that Hank and Barbara have added to our lives. My own parents are decent people, but as I look around, I notice they’re absent…again. In fact, they haven’t been to see me, Monica, or the kids since Will died.
And that’s a damn shame.
After dinner on the third night, Shannon and I finally have time to ourselves. I don’t know why my palms are so sweaty, but I guess asking her about buying Knox’s houseisa proposal of sorts.
“Shan, you want to take a walk on the beach?”
“I’ll never say no to that.” She grins. “Can I wear your hoodie? You know I get cold when the sun goes down and the wind blows off the water.”
I wrap my arms around her waist, unable to stay away. “I do know that and yes, you can have anything of mine you want.”
“Anything, huh?” she asks, wagging her brows.
“Anything,” I confirm, excited for when the time comes to give her my last name.
It’s not terribly late, but the beach is deserted. The moon is reflecting off the ocean and thankfully, the breeze is light.
I’m already holding her hand because being this close to her andnottouching her is a hideous idea. I stop under the pierfor a little extra cover and gently push her against one of the pylons with a hand at her hip holding her in place.
“I fucking love you,” I tell her right before my hips become magnets, drawn to her pelvis. She grips my ass and pulls me into her harder. She knows what she does to me and she loves it.
“I fucking love you too” She giggles, giving my ass a squeeze.
I mean to tell her about Knox’s house, but our kiss quickly becomes heated and before I know it, she’s in my arms with her legs locked behind my back and her back pressed against the pylon as she ruts against me.
I’m only wearing soft workout shorts so my erection hits her forcefully.
“This reminds me of our first kiss. The day I dry-humped you on the couch outside,” she reminisces.
I huff a laugh. “I appreciate you remembering it as the day you dry-humped me andnotthe day I came in my pants like an inexperienced teenager.”
She nips at my jaw. “Ilovedthat I did that to you.”
