Page 22

Roan

Save me, #.

Jenna

That bad with Dad?

Roan

He has definitely discovered the joys of fishing.

Jenna

I told you. But you’re such a suck-up that you go jogging with him every morning and then go fishing too.

Roan

Next time, I’ll listen to you.

I grin as I read his messages while sunbathing on the terrace with Mom. She’s on the deckchair; I’m in the hammock.

“What did he say?” she asks.

“That Dad is obsessive.”

Mom laughs. “He should have known that already.”

“I have no sympathy for him either.”

We toast with our mimosas and enjoy the sun. Today is our last day in Bonita Springs; tomorrow, we set off on our road trip around Florida. At first, we thought about renting a car, but then Dad offered us his car, which is great because I get to see them again before we drive back to California.

Have I already said that my life is totally perfect?

Because it is.

A few hours later, Roan returns with a slight sunburn on his nose. He pulls me into our room before sinking theatrically onto the bed.

“I like your dad, honestly, but he’s trying to kill me.”

I lie down next to him and cuddle up in his arms. “Not on purpose. He’s just so happy to have a son.”

“I think we’ll have to bring Cian and Eoin with us next time so we can shoulder the burden together.”

He kisses my forehead.

Something occurs to me. “Hey, I’ve always wanted to ask if your phone keyboard is acting up.”

“Why? No more than all keyboards do, I’d say.”

“Because you always send me a hashtag.”

I feel the laughter under my cheek and smile. “Ah! That’s confusing, of course. Sorry. Well, on a normal keyboard, the hashtag is produced with a specific key. A key. So it’s the hashkey. And my term of endearment for you, a thaisce , is pronounced almost the same way. So, I save myself a lot of letters.”

“Oh, that’s pretty sweet.”

“It is. Because I’m so sweet.”

“You are.” I press my lips against his skin. “Although right now you’re very salty.”

“Sorry, I should take a shower. I know I smell like fish guts, which I shouldn’t be spreading all over the bed.”

He gets up and goes into the bathroom; I stay there for a moment. When I hear the water come on, I undress and go in after him.

I open the door to the shower. Roan turns around and looks at me with satisfaction. Good. I’m not the only one who wants to have sex in the shower.

I snuggle against him, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss him. My Roan.

His hands stroke my back, grip my bottom, and pull me up until I wrap my legs around him. He presses me against the wall and fondles my breasts, not separating our mouths for a second.

He reaches between us, positions his cock, penetrates me so agonizingly slowly. “Fuck, a thaisce , no one feels as good as you. It’s just perfect.”

“You also feel amazing.”

He grins, and kisses the tip of my nose, bracing himself against the wall with one hand, holding me with the other, increasing his pace. My body smacks against the tiles again and again; I bite his shoulder as he thrusts into me fast, hard, and deep.

When he’s almost ready, he slides a hand between us and rubs my clit, making me moan. The other hand gently pinches my nipple, and he nibbles on my lower lip. I cry out, and it doesn’t take long for him to follow me.

After we catch our breath, he puts me down and starts to wash me tenderly. I could really get used to this.

The next morning, Mom packs plenty of provisions into the car.

“Mom, honestly, we’re only driving two hours to Miami,” I point out.

“But then you’re off to see the Everglades. You’ll need plenty of sustenance.”

I sigh. Mom logic. Who wants to argue with that? “Thank you.”

She hugs me. “I’ll see you in two weeks.”

“Sounds good.”

She strokes my face. “I really miss you sometimes.”

“Oh, Mom, I miss you so much.”

“Was it wrong to leave?” she asks quietly.

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Are you happy here?”

“Very much so. The only downside is that you’re not here.”

“Then it was the right thing to do, Mom. You have a right to your own life, too.”

And I really believe that even though I miss her so much.

“Thanks, sweetie.”

She kisses me on the cheek. I hug Dad and then get into the car with Roan.

He grins at me as he starts the engine. “Ready for our road trip?”

“You know it.”

He drives off, already laughing, and I stick my head out of the car once more, waving to my parents, who look after us arm in arm.

As I fasten my seatbelt, Roan grabs my hand. “Are you okay?”

“Everything’s okay. I think I’ve made my peace with the fact that they’ve moved here. They’re happy.”

“And you? Are you happy too?”

“Dazzling.”