Page 2 of Just One Touch (The Carter Brothers 2)

“Anytime, Sunshine,” he replies, we’re looking into each other’s eyes and if I had any nerve at all, I’d ask him to come inside, but I don’t. Not right now at least.

I lean over the center console of Mason’s jeep, kiss his cheek, taking in one last lingering breath of his masculine scent, and unfold out of the vehicle.

Walking to the front door of my condo, silently wishing I was still at the beach and listening to the waves crash against the shore, I see Mason’s headlights are still shining brightly. I wave at him, letting him know he can leave. Yet he doesn’t, it isn’t until I’ve unlocked the door, stepped inside, and shutting the door do I see his lights disappear.

Today should have been all fun in the sun, but it wasn’t. Memories came up that caught me off guard. Ones I thought I had laid to rest, hopefully now that I’m back home I can work on finding my inner peace again.

The upside of today though was definitely being around Mason. I caught his lingering glances, and even I couldn’t help but look back at him when I felt him near me.

Add into the fact that I got to hold baby Sawyer, breathing in his sweet baby scent, and basking in the way he’s such a sweet child. Even when Mason’s mom came over, she let me hold him until I finally gave him up to her. It was as if I needed him to ground me today.

I walk to my bedroom and get ready for bed, hoping that tomorrow will be better than today.

2

Mason

“Fuck,” I grumble out as I reach for my phone that keeps dinging on my nightstand indicating I have a text message. Without even looking at the screen I know it’s Rome and Heath, fuckers want me to meet up and catch some waves today.

Heath: Wakey, Wakey, eggs and bakey.

Rome: The fuck?

Me: Do you ever shut up?

I didn’t sleep for shit last night, seeing Quinn looking down and in the dumps had me all off balance. I was in an argument with my own damn self. Should I go back to her house, should I call her, or should I leave her alone? I ended up doing the later, and it about kicked me in the fucking gut.

Heath: See you in ten, slackers.

Rome: I’ll be late, getting Sawyer and Summer settled first.

Me: Same. I’m just rolling out of bed.

I throw my phone on the bed as I get up and head to the bathroom, turning the light on this early in the morning is rough. Especially with the lack of sleep I’ve gotten.

My dark hair is standing up on end, my fingers going through it haphazardly throughout the night. My normally bright blue eyes are lackluster at best and blood shot. I grab the toothbrush out of its holder and brush my teeth. Knowing if I’m too late, I’ll get a ration of shit from Heath. It’s not like I have a good enough excuse, and if they dig deep, they’ll know a certain raven-haired beauty is the thing that has me tied up in knots.

I walk out of my bathroom, grab a pair of board shorts out of my drawer, and slide them on before walking downstairs and to my back patio.

All of us within walking distance of each other, opening the sliding back door, I grab my wetsuit putting it on before grabbing my board.

It takes minutes for me to meet up with Heath, “You look like shit,” he says with a shit eating grin on his face.

“Feel it too,” I grumble back.

“Dude, how do you feel that way when I know damn good and well you took Quinn home?”

“Because I took her home,” I run my fingers through my hair.

“Clearly you didn’t stay, dumb ass,” he tosses out as he walks towards the water. I follow behind him hoping like hell the waves will tire me out enough that I can take a nap when I get back. Just what I fucking need, a nap at the ripe age of thirty-four.

3

Quinn

I, Quinn Rae Harlowe slept in for the first time in forever. When I woke up and saw the time on my phone, it was nearing noon. It was freeing, knowing I could now eat what I wanted, sleep when I wanted, and live on my own time.

When I started modeling at the age of fifteen, the one thing I knew I needed to be done was to invest and save as much as I could. I walked to Grams house when I got the contract and she told me what to put back and what to save. I made sure I had a set amount put away each month and Grams took care of the rest. If I needed anything or if she did, I always tried to help her out and vice versa. Though, she wasn’t thrilled about me wanting to help her out. She reluctantly did take some of my money. Grams was a strong woman, and I’m strong because she raised me. If only she were around before that she-devil, Cassandra.

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