Jude and Emma lingered for about an hour before they went back up to the captain’s cabin to continue our journey. The conversation we had was lighthearted and fun. Too bad I’d never see them after this weekend.
After they left, Griffin and I relaxed on the lounge chairs. I closed my eyes and had almost drifted off when a phone beeped.
Opening my eyes, I looked around, searching for my bag, when Griffin said, “Oh, that’s mine. My nephew responded to me.” He checked the message and then barked out a laugh. “Ha, I knew it.”
“What?” I was genuinely curious to know.
He turned the phone to me. There was a bit of glare from the sun, so I tilted closer.
Griffin: Buddy, do you think you’d like to go out on a boat at sea?
Jeremy: Yes! You are the best, Uncle Griffin. I’ve never been out at sea.
Griffin had a triumphant smile.
“Why do you look so full of yourself?” I asked.
“Because I’m finally getting the hang of how to convince my nephew to spend some time with me.”
I barely bit back a laugh. “By bribing him?”
“No.” He looked affronted. “I’m not saying I’m above that, but I’m simply choosing to expose him to new experiences.”
I started laughing at that. Then several things happened at the same time. First, I realized that, despite the canapés, perhaps drinking alcohol in this heat wasn’t my best idea. My balance wasn’t as good as I’d assumed. I’d been leaning in too far to read the text message when I lost my balance. I attempted to catch myself, but somehow my hand slid from the edge of the chair and I went forward, headfirst into Griffin. I landed with my cheek on his abs, near his navel. He immediately put a hand on my torso, two fingers grazing the fabric of my bikini top.
My nipples turned rock hard, which shocked me.From that mere touch? Damn.I’d never been so responsive before. I blamed it on the alcohol and the hot-as-hell man next to me.
I finally straightened up, and Griffin looked at me carefully, immediately pulling his hand away.
“Are you okay?”
“Yep. Sorry. No more wine for me. I lost my balance.”
“Yeah, I figured,” he replied. “You sure you didn’t hurt yourself? I heard something crack.”
I twisted my neck to the left and the right, grinning. “That’s my neck. It makes creepy sounds.”
I lay back on my lounger and made a mental note not to lean over again too soon. I closed my eyes once more, and this time I actually did fall asleep. I only woke up when Griffin gently said, “We’re here.”
“Oh my God. You’re all dressed,” I exclaimed, jumping up from the chair. “I’m going to put on my dress.”
Griffin nodded. “Don’t stress out. Jude said we still have ten minutes or so.”
I glanced at the captain’s cabin. Both Jude and Emma were still there. I went inside, heading to the corner where I’d left my dress. I wasn’t in the mood to take off my bikini, so I simply slid it back on over my suit. Then I went to the small bathroom to freshen up.
Ten minutes later, we headed off the boat.
Griffin rolled my suitcase, putting his gym bag over his shoulder. Jude was rolling two small carry-on suitcases. Emma and I were walking in front of the guys. We’d docked right in front of their place.
Once again, I was taken by complete surprise. Emma and Jude’s weekend home was truly small. For some reason, I’d expected a huge mansion or something.
“This was where we livedbeforeI managed to make money,” Jude explained.
“Oh, that’s so lovely,” I said. “I like that you kept the house.”
Emma sighed. “It’s where our kids grew up. Jude tried to convince me to tear it down and build something bigger, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”
“It’s not big, but it’s got all the comforts.”
