“I’ll try, but I don’t know if I’m qualified.”
Zodiac exhaled roughly and frowned. “It’s a damn mutiny.”
I kissed Sutter on the forehead and walked with him to the shallow end. “Nova, can you watch my boy while I get Zodiac wet?”
Grinning, she looked at Zodiac like he was in trouble. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned as I walked up the steps. He was too busy molesting my body with his gaze to consider what I might do when I reached him.
“I missed you, lover,” I whispered and wrapped my wet arms around his body.
Zodiac planted his lips on mine and reached around to pat my ass. I moaned in his mouth, thankful to finally feel him against me again.
“You need to change your outfit,” Zodiac murmured once our lips parted. “I’m not kidding. I’ll lose my shit if the guys get an eyeful of your tits, ass, and belly.”
“But Baton Rouge is hot,” I whined. “The humidity is making me nauseous.”
Zodiac rubbed at his jaw and looked around. He frowned when he realized Nova, Sutter, and the girls were watching us.
“I’m not pushing him in the pool,” I told them, winning groans of disappointment from the girls.
Smiling up at Zodiac, I mumbled, “I missed you.”
“You already said that.”
Rubbing my belly, I explained, “I’m sharing feelings for two right now.”
“If I say please, will you put on some fucking clothes?” Zodiac grumbled.
Despite his irritated words, Zodiac was giving off playful vibes. I was very aware of his hands exploring my bare flesh.
“Will a T-shirt be enough or do I need to wear shorts?”
“A baggy nightgown that reaches to your ankles would be best,” he said and then exhaled deeply. “But a T-shirt will do.”
“Are you staying long?” I asked while squeezing water from my hair.
“Exile said he plans to grill. I brought a bunch of our bros to enjoy the free meal.”
“Where are these bros now?”
“Waiting patiently in the driveway,” Zodiac said and frowned at Skylar and Lyric. “Patience, girls. That’s something you need to learn.”
“Where’s your baby?” Skylar cried.
Lyric patted her sister’s shoulder and explained, “There’s no baby. He’s fibbing.”
I smiled at Zodiac. “I think Lula and Exile are banging, so you’ll need to wait for your free meal.”
“No, we’re done,” Exile said, sliding on his cowboy hat and exiting the house.
“Did you properly satisfy my cousin?”
“Left her wearing a smile,” he replied and gave Zodiac a head nod. “What’s the plan?”
Rather than let Zodiac answer, I explained, “I’m going to swim until Sutter is bored. Until then, I guess your bros will need to sit in the driveway.”
I smiled at Zodiac who shook his head. He muttered something to Exile while I returned to the pool and floated with Sutter at the deepend. As thrilled as I was to see Zodiac, I had to put my son first. I’d show the same loyalty toward Wilbur. I wish someone had shown Zodiac such care when he was a little boy.
Despite his huffing and puffing on the back patio, Zodiac understood my choice. He wanted me to be a good mom, even if that meant I refused to obey him.
