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She holds up a hand, stopping me. “I want to.” She leans over and presses her lips to Tatum’s temple before leaving us for the refreshing water of the pool.

“Hey, pretty girl. How do you feel about video calling your grandparents with me?”

She scrunches up her nose in the most adorable way. “Nana and Popsie? Dey already know me.”

Damn, this kid is cute. “No, I mean my parents.”

Tatum’s eyes widen. “You mean I have two?”

“That’s right.”

“Dey get me Christmas presents too?” I bite back a smile at her innocent question. God bless the kid that her biggest worry is getting extra presents under the tree.

“I bet they will. They’re so excited to meet you.”

She eyes me expectantly, and I stand and move to the end of Tatum’s lounger, grabbing my phone off the table and dialing them. I had sense enough to warn my parents that this call was a possibility, so when they answer, it is with bright smiles.

“Oh, my goodness!” My mom’s voice croons through the speaker. “She is absolutely precious!”

“Pretty girl, this is Phyllis and Bob, your grandparents.” Tatum smiles at them, and they smile right back. “Mom, Dad—this is Tatum.”

“Well aren’t you the prettiest little girl ever?” Dad asks, sounding sappier than I’ve ever heard.

Tatum nods seriously, causing them to smile. “My daddy says I’m a pwincess!”

I swear, my dad wipes away a tear. “Then it must be true.” His voice is scratchy. It does something to me to see my dad, who is usually so stoic, this choked up.

They chat back and forth for a while, with me adding input when needed. More than once, my gaze flits to Natalie and her lithe body cutting through the water. Good God, I think I’d give my left nut to get her under me.

After about fifteen minutes, Tatum yawns and her eyes droop shut, so I end the call with a promise to do it again soon. After setting my phone back onto the table, I turn to ask Tatum what she thinks of my parents, but she’s out like a light, curled up ona lounger in the shade. I sit with her for a few more minutes, stealing surreptitious glances at Nat as she swims laps from one end of the pool to the other.

Eventually, the heat wins out, and I head for the pool. I make sure to stay in the shallow end in case Tatum wakes up and needs either of us. Though, judging from the logs that kid is sawing, she’sout.

I strategically position myself to the right side of the steps, propping up against the wall. Not-so-coincidentally, this also happens to be the side where Natalie’s been swimming her laps. I watch her sinful body slice through the water like a hot knife through butter. Her movements are fluid, effortless.

As she nears me, I realize my error. But it’s too late for me to move. I only wanted the best view of her, not what I know is about to happen. Though, let’s be real, I’m not gonna complain, either.

Natalie surfaces, taking a breath before heading back under. She reaches out for the wall, but her hand connects with the hard planes of my abs instead. Her head pops out of the water and she rears back, struggling to find her footing. I reach for her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling tight to me.

“I’ve got you, Small Fry.”

Breathlessly, she blinks up at me, water clinging to her lashes. “That’s the first time you’ve called me that since—well, you know.”

“Is it now?” I try and think back, but it’s an impossible task with her skin touching mine.

She nods, the up and down movement causing her breasts to shake, and like the dog I am, I watch. I’m so totally transfixed by the sight of her, pressed against me beneath the surface of the water, that I’m not even sure I’m aware of my actions as I trace the contour of her body with my fingertips.

“Alden,” she whispers my name like a prayer. “Wh-what’s happening?”

Starting at the edge of her swim top, I gently work my way down, skimming my fingers over her skin, loving the way she rocks the curves that motherhood gave her. My fingers roam over her hip and around to the swell of her ass, not stopping until they meet the seam of her bikini bottoms.

Her breath shudders.

“Fuck, Nat, I don’t know. But I’m tired of fighting this.” With that, I pull her even closer and seal my mouth to hers, flicking my tongue against her bottom lip until she grants me entry. Our kiss is every bit as heated as the air outside, and when I feel her nipples pebble through the triangle of her bikini top, I damn near lose it.

I slide my hand beneath her bottoms, palming the flesh of her ass, pulling her against my hardness. With only the thin nylon of our bathing suits separating us, I can feel her heat, her outline. I nestle my erection against her, and use the hand on her ass to guide her as she eagerly rolls her hips. We meet thrust for thrust, grinding on each other like our lives depend on the orgasms we’re both chasing.

Ready for more, I withdraw my hand from the backside of her swimsuit, and she whines in displeasure. That is until I slip it down the front side instead. I trace her seam with my index finger, teasing and rubbing until she’s a panting mess, and I’m about to blow my load in my swim trunks just from the sounds she’s making.