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I find a suitable space and drop anchor to moor the yacht. Like Brooke, Cari’s now wearing a life vest, and we all jump off the yacht and swim around in the turquoise blue waters. Feeling safe now, she swims, and we play a game of tag with Brooke who is like a slippery eel gliding out of reach.
It’s tiring work, playing in the water, and soon we set up a picnic on the beach and have a lazy lunch in the sand.
For this, Cari's life vest comes off, and it takes all my willpower to avert my gaze from her. It’s not an easy thing to do when she’s spreading out a blanket and bending down, then getting on all fours as she straightens the edges.
Jesus.
I have to physically turn away—but then she calls me over and together we unpack the picnic basket, letting Brooke dive into the food. Laughter follows. This feels like family time, and I can’t get enough of it. Happiness shines on Brooke’s face, and in her demeanor. It’s easy to see that this trip has been good for her. As it has been for me.
Cari’s phone is out again, capturing moments—Brooke with a cookie in her hand, Brooke snuggled up and asleep on the yacht, me putting suntan lotion on her. I take my phone and snap pictures of my girls. Brooke making sandcastles, posing with her sand-covered elephant, and pictures of Cari, sitting back, looking blissful. Our photos turn simple seconds into lifelong memories. All the while, Brooke’s laughter rings across the beach with a joy that’s as warm as the sun on my skin.
It's late evening by the time we head back. Cari and I slip stolen kisses when Brooke isn’t looking, silent brushes of lips that only add fuel to the fire between us.
Cari helps Brooke shower, then I read Brooke a bedtime story. After Cari tucks her in, she keeps watch over her until she falls asleep.
I can’t shove her into my room fast enough, grateful for another night of debauchery. She giggles, trying to make it to the bed, but I grab her arm and stop her, my eyes trailing slowly over the fuck-me bikini she’s been parading around in all day.
I want to ask her how she managed to pack two diametrically different swimsuits, but I don’t have time for questions or answers. Within seconds, I’ve removed her top and bottom. She has her back to my chest and I know she can feel my hardness against her. Reaching back, she grasps me hard and starts to slowly stroke me.
I let out a growl, because it feels so good, and I’m in danger of coming in her hand if she carries on like this. What I want, what I need, is to be buried deep inside her when I come. I gently push her towards the bed, and she jumps on it, before turning around. She lays there like a provocative minx with her feet on the bed and knees up, giving me a peek of her glistening sex.
I don’t know whether to eat her or fuck her.
I must have drifted off, because when I open my eyes, dawn is breaking and Cari tries to slip away. I slip my arm around her, holding her to me. I beg her to stay, and just like that, she’s back beside me. She doesn’t want to go either, but feels compelled to because of Brooke.
Dex calls a short while later. I hold a finger to my lips as I answer. Cari raises an eyebrow but mouths “I know” with a look of annoyance.
“What’s up?” I ask my brother, keeping my tone casual.
“Father says you’ve not been on your A game. You’re slacking off.”
“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’m on top of things.”
“He said you canceled a call.”
“I’m spending quality time with Brooke,” I say, firm but trying to keep it light.
“Word is, brother, that your nanny quit, and you brought Superwoman along.” His tone is loaded, and I don’t miss the hint of something more.
“That’s right,” I answer smoothly, unwilling to let him rattle me.
“Anything you want to tell me?” Dex’s voice is casual, but I know him too well—he’s fishing.
We’re close, and usually I’d want to talk to him, but not like this—not over the phone, not with Cari lying right here beside me. “No, nothing. She’s just … good with Brooke. Great, in fact. That’s all there is to it.”
“Right,” he says, skepticism dripping from the single word.
Cari gets up and slips out the door, and this time I make no attempt to stop her. I guess she doesn’t want to hear this, and she’s lying so close to me, she can hear everything Dex says.
“I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. We’ll talk then,” I say, staring at my empty bed in disappointment.
“You seem to be in a hurry to go.”
“I was sleeping.”
“Alone?”
“What is this?” I growl.