Page 57 of The Wrong Brother

We’re alone on the deck and I hear splashes coming from whatever you’re supposed to call the other side of the boat. Or ship. I think it’s a ship.

“You know, swimming or not, I think I should get to see what’s underneath this wrap.” I untie the belt, letting the fabric fall open. Catherine has on the sexiest bikini I’ve ever seen. Every inch of her looks good enough to eat and my artist’s eye, with intimate knowledge of his subject, notices immediately that the color of her suit matches the soft rose of her nipples. “Fuck me, Kitty Cat! Why have I never seen this before?”

She blushes, more of her skin turning that soft rose that has blood rushing to my dick. “I was saving it for today.”

“You were waiting to look this hot on the day when I can’t immediately take it off of you? I didn’t know you were so mean.” I trace my fingers along the deep vee between her breasts, making her shiver. I guess the fact that the physical is still there should count for something. A small consolation. “Let me see the back.” Catherine drops her cover-up, spinning slowly for me so I can take in every delicious curve. “The back is even worse. You know how weak I am in the presence of those hips. What are you doing to me?” She giggles, pulling my tank over my head and dropping it on top of her discarded cover-up.

“Hopefully the same thing you’re doing to me.” She steps close, pressing her hand along my erection, her kiss wet and filthy-hot. I grab her hand, pulling her below deck. This may be the last day I get to have this level of intimacy with Catherine. I’m not going to waste any of it.

“Keep an eye out, there’s bound to be a bathroom or something down here.” We dodge someone in a crisp white uniform and shut ourselves into the small bathroom. I push her bikini top down, freeing her breasts and worshiping them with my mouth while she pushes down my shorts. I yank her bottoms to the side and push into her, impatient and greedy, and the wet warmth that welcomes me makes me moan. She wraps her legs around me and pulls my face back to her chest.

“Tits,” she gasps out. “More.”

“Baby, I’m going to give you beard burn which will definitely show tonight.”

She groans. “Then hands!” I laugh at the absurdity of this conversation. “Rafferty Simms!” she angrily whispers, “I crowded into this tiny bathroom for a thorough fucking! Now get to it!”

I can’t help it, I laugh again and she yanks my head down, kissing me firmly. We’re fast and frenzied, rocketing towards our climax together. It’s not enough but it does leave us feeling more connected. I help Catherine put her suit back in place and pull my own shorts back up.

“Do I look ok?”

“Never merely ok, Kitty Cat.” I nuzzle her neck, wishing we had more time even though there could never be enough time. “But you also look like you just fucked in a tiny bathroom. I don’t mind the advertisement though.”

She surveys her hair and kiss-plumped lips and shrugs. “Neither do I.”

We make our way back on deck and Catherine stuffs our discarded layers of clothes in her bag. Pressley and Connor climb back up the ladder as we’re passing by.

“We wondered where you two had run off to.” Pressley looks us both up and down.

“My Kitty Cat needed some attention.”

Connor smirks and Pressley blushes.

“I’d say she got a little overlooked,” Catherine mutters loud enough for them both to hear. “I expect you’ll treat her right when we get home.”

God, I fucking love her.Shit. I said it. There’s no reeling that thought back in. Who is surprised though? I love her. So goddamn much. Catherine smirks up at me, running her fingers down my abs and sending fire up my spine.

“You know I always do, Kitty Cat. It is my greatest pleasure.”

Connor clears his throat while Pressley looks like she’s pretending to search for something in the very empty ocean around the yacht. “Rafferty, man, you are ripped! I think I could use your expertise to get into better shape. I’ve gotta look good enough to deserve being on Pressie’s arm!”

It’s confusing me how genuine Connor has been every time I’ve talked to him. How does this enthusiastic, affable puppy dog of a man match up with the asshole who mistreated Catherine and cheated on her?

“Sure thing. I probably have a card in my wallet, over in Cat’s bag. Shoot me a text and we can set something up. Honestly, lifting might help you with some of the posture and energy issues we talked about, too.”

“Thank you! What’s your story? How did you guys meet, when did youknow—I love hearing other people’s love stories,” Connor shares genially. Pressley walks off in a huff but her fiancé seems genuine and interested in talking to us. I’m surprised these questions haven’t been asked of us sooner. We don’t have pre-prepared answers but we know each other so well, I never worried about it. I’m sure we can wing it, no problem. Catherine responds before me.

“We’ve known each other most of our lives—we grew up across the street from each other.”

“So is this a long lost love, reconnecting type of situation?”

“Only for me!” I answer without thinking. I’m considering throwing myself into the ocean in abject humiliation when Catherine slips her hand in mine.

“Sadly it took me longer to catch up. If you can believe it, drooling over this hot stranger on the beach who turned out to be my childhood friend was the nudge I needed to see what had been in front of me the whole time.”

I feel like a bonfire has sprung to life in my chest. I miss the rest of the conversation, thinking about her words and weighing everything since our reconnection at the beach against them. Was that real? Could Catherine actually see me as more, or was that just part of the charade? Conner leaves and I wrap my arms around Catherine, waffling between excitement and fear.

The rest of the morning is surprisingly pleasant. The brunch is delicious and the other guests are kind. I don’t think we’ve made any friends but I expected to be treated with blatant snobbery so this was good. Pressley keeps her distance and Catherine keeps her hands on me. When the yacht docks back at the harbor everyone begins filing off and I see Connor take Catherine’s hand and lead her over into the shadow of the bridge. I gather up her bag, find a card for Connor, and wait by the gangplank. A few minutes later they emerge. Catherine is smiling sweetly and nothing seems amiss. I give Connor the card he asked for earlier and Catherine takes my hand.

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