There’s been a void in my life since Dad’s death and I always thought it would be there. That I would be walking through life with this hole in my heart where only he could fit.
Until Anson.
How the hell has he wiggled his way in there? How has he gotten so far under my skin that even now, I feel his presence with me?
“Captain!” Robbie’s shouting has me sitting up, stunned.
“Didn’t think I’d ever see those, love.” Leaning over on my elbow, I look over to see Damon and the guys grinning like fools.
Somewhere between the time I got off the phone to now, everyone has returned from wherever they were and has now all seen my breast.
At least Joe isn’t here.
Garrett, like the gentleman he is, immediately turns his back to me. Aidan chuckles beside him looking anywhere but at me. And Anson? Anson stands behind my lounge chair and has a prime view of my exposed tits. Not that I mind him seeing them, it’s felt like an eternity since he’s touched them, but in front of the crew? Very bad idea.
As quickly as I can, I slam my body back down on the lounger, managing to bite my tongue when my chin bounces against the padding. I let out a pained groan as I fumble for the string of my bikini top.
“Are you alright, Hannah?” Anson walks over to Damon, Garrett, and Aidan, his voice full of concern.
I’m not sure what I’m expecting him to do in this situation.I’mnot sure what to do when almost all the men I work with on a daily basis just got a free titty show at my expense. Crawl into a hole somewhere?
“Um, yeah, I’m fine,” I stammer. “Just forgot my top wasn’t on.” Trying to not look embarrassed by my blunder, I turn and look at the group of men shrugging my shoulders. “It’s just my tits, no big deal.”
Once I have my topsecurelyin place, I sit up, immediately reaching for my coverup from my bag. Anson’s right hand is locked in a fist, his knuckles turning white with the force of it, but he otherwise looks unshaken.
“I’m glad you could get away from the boat for a bit to join us,” Garrett says with a nod, blessedly changing the subject.
Anson clears his throat, his free hand adjusting his sunglasses. “Yeah, Joe almost shoved me off the boat himself, stubborn old man that he is.”
“Well, Captain, we’re glad you’re here.” Damon reaches over, patting him on the shoulder. “Let’s have a drink.”
***
I’m drunk. A terrible decision, really. The pool bar and I are well acquainted now based on the number of fruity drinks I’ve shoved down my throat.
And it was all for nothing.
Anson had gone off with the guys to do who knows what, but the electric current zipping through my system at seeing him off the boat and in a delicious tank top showing off his sculpted chest and bulging biceps had me looking for any sense of relief, and I thought alcohol would do the trick.
It didn’t. It makes everything a thousand times worse.
Especially when he took off the top and got into the water to toss a football with the guys. Keeran was looking longingly at Robbie, and it took everything in me to not drool at Anson.
Which led to more alcohol.
The sun is finally setting on our day at the resort, its orange glow signaling our dinner reservation is closing near.
“Alright guy,” Anson says with a sigh as he glances at all of us. “I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave.” A chorus of complaints rings out from the guys, who have apparently had a man-bonding session today. They all look like kicked puppy dogs, which in my drunk state, I find hilarious.
“Look at their faces! Oh my god, this is so funny,” I gasp between heaving bouts of laughter. My head falls to Keeran’s shoulder causing my ass to slip off the seat altogether.
“Oh my god,” Keeran breathes as she grabs me, hauling me back onto my seat before I sink completely into the water. “Damn girl, how much did you drink?”
Giggles still wrack my body, making it hard to breathe. “The whole bar’s worth,” I manage to slur, only slightly.
A man’s deep voice calls over to us and it sends shivers down my spine. “Is everything okay over there?”
Drink in hand, I turn and face Anson, waving my drink at him. “Yes, Captain,” I say extra cheery knowing full well just how much he loves to hear me say that. I admit, I want some sort of reaction from him that shows me that he’s not unaffected by my presence, but the man is the picture of control.
