Page 61 of Five

Me:Quivering mess, huh? I bet I can turn her into a quivering mess. LOL.

The day just got more exciting.

Oz does a double take when I walk out onto the same terrace dining area from last night, and I pull a face. I know what that’s about.

“I’m awake,” I say.

“You’re never awake,” he shoots back. It’s true. He likes to tease that while the rooster rises with the sun, Cope rises with the lunch bell.

“Yeah, well…today is going to be an amazing day, right?” I waggle my eyebrows.

The terrace is attached to the kitchen, so we usually eat here—actually managing to eat together for most meals. It’s not too difficult. Oz is the only one who works off island. Oliver, of course, writes his books, and Jesse’s on inactive duty at the moment, working seasonally for Dry Tortuga National Park when they need him. Remi owns the place outright, and we all contribute financially to the running of the place so he can do what he does best—parent us all.

I laugh at the thought and pull Remi into a side hug as I walk by him. “Morning, Cool Dad.”

Oz scowls. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I spread my hands expansively and pick up a plate, eyeing the spread Remi has laid out for us in the center of the table. “Between Jesse and me, we have the day all mapped out.” I begin fixing my plate, scooping a spoon of scrambled eggs onto the edge. Gotta leave room for the other goodies.

Oz eyes me impatiently. “Yeah, I saw that. I’m going to need more details.”

I add a few strips of bacon and a stack of choc chip pancakes to my plate. “Remi, man, you’ve outdone yourself this morning.”

Remi replaces the carafe of coffee, the first of which I’m sure Oliver drank dry. “Thanks.”

Oz clears his throat, reminding me I haven’t answered his question.

I ignore him and take a seat at the table just as Neve enters, Oliver by her side. My balls tighten. This girl is pure fire, from the tip of her dark head with its purple streaks to her toenails, painted a pretty shade of cherry red. She’s wearing flipflops with a pair of loose cotton shorts and a tee shirt with a huge tongue on it—an homage to the Rolling Stones, I think.

I stand quickly and pull the chair out beside mine. “Good morning, beautiful.”

Neve stops mid-sentence, her gaze flashing to mine and then the rest of the guys. The only one missing is Jesse. A shy smile touches her lips. “Good morning to all of you, too.”

Her gaze flicks over to rest on Oz, and a flush creeps into her cheeks. “Good morning, Oscar.”

Oh, ho…so it’s like that, hmm?

I just manage to keep my observation to myself, and instead watch the ensuing byplay with interest. Oz watches her over the brim of the mug in his hand, his eyes promising all sorts of dirty things. She drops her gaze, rolling her bottom lip between her teeth.

Yeah. They did the dirty last night.

Remi waves a hand. “Morning, Neve.”

He successfully diverts her attention. “This looks amazing, Remi,” she says, and begins fixing her plate.

The terrace is quiet for a few minutes as we all dig into our meals. I set my fork down and wipe my mouth. “You ever been jet skiing, Neve?”

Neve turns to me, interest and trepidation sparking her gaze. “Once. It was a disaster. I’m not very athletic.”

“You don’t need to be athletic to drive a jet ski.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not a good driver, either.”

Everyone laughs. “If I promise to protect you, would you like to come out with me?”

For a moment it looks as though she’s going to agree. Then her face falls. “As fun as that sounds, I’m not here for a vacation. I need to get some work done—”

Oz frowns. “What work do you need to do? The daycare is closed.”