She runs her hands through my hair as I stare up into those gorgeous hazel eyes. Suddenly overwhelmed by emotions I don’t know how to name, I wrap my arms around her waist and hidemy face in her stomach, just above her bump. Jasmine and sunshine. My two favourite scents.
Shari continues stroking her hands through my hair as we stay in this position, just silently existing together. Until a little tap against my chin from the tiny tenant within has me pulling back with a smile. I stand quickly with the hem of her dress in my hands. “Can I take this off you?”
She immediately throws her arms in the air and nods emphatically, making me chuckle, but once I see her adorable high-waisted bikini underneath, all my amusement dies out in favour of awe.
I rub my hands over the navy blue and white nautical striped material around her waist. The lycra smooth under my palms. “I love this on you but, can I take it off too?”
Her breath shudders out of her as she responds, “Take it all off, Brad. Yours too. I need you, skin to skin.”
My aching cock throbs at the notion, and I am helpless to do anything but comply. As soon as we’re both bare, I lie her back on the bed carefully, stretching myself out beside her. I trail my fingers softly all over her smooth skin. Light. Teasing. Everywhere but where she really wants my touch, and once she’s writhing and moaning softly in unbridled arousal, I lean over to kiss a path down her body, careful not to put any weight on her middle.
Her hands are in my hair, scratching at my roots slightly, like she doesn’t know whether to push or pull. “Brad, I need you to stop teasing me. I need you. I just need you,” she whispers.
My self-satisfied smirk takes over my face, but as I reach her adorable bump, our baby kicks me in the face. I’m shocked and delighted and kiss the spot again. Once more, a tiny little lump aims for my mouth. I kiss it again, and again, and again, and I’m met with another kick every time.
When I look up at Shari, my grin is so wide that my cheeks hurt, and she starts laughing with a smile of her own.
“Brad, my sweet, I don’t want to interrupt your father-child bonding time, but I’m dying here! Baby Quinlan, go to sleep. Mummy and Daddy need some alone time. You can take this up again later.”
She wriggles under me, and amazingly, the baby stops kicking.
“Looks like we’ve got an obedient one!” I muse.
“Good, now if only their father would lead by example and do as I say.”
I raise an eyebrow teasingly as I lick the skin under her belly button. “Oh? And what is it you’d like me to do, Blaze?”
“Hurry up and make me come, Brad!” She fists the sheets in frustration as I smirk up at her.
“As you wish, m’lady.”
16
THE ONLY SNACK I WANT IS YOU
BRAD
When we eventually return tomy party, I’m on cloud nine. For the first time, it feels like Shari is truly in this relationship with me. It’s felt like she had one foot out the door for so long, I’m almost scared to trust it. Am I counting my chickens before they’re hatched? Just got to make sure I don't give her any reasons to backtrack now.
The day passes in a blur of surfing, beach volleyball, stolen kisses, beer and BBQ, and now sitting by the bonfire as it happily roars away, with Shari between my legs, leaning back against me, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.
Dave is playing guitar whilst Max calls out song requests and demands Shari sing along with her. Jaime, Trey, Hettie and Cassie seem to be in a lively debate about how to make the best s’more. And Torbyn is relentlessly hitting on Elle – although Shari thinks she's enjoying the attention so doesn't want to intervene.
Shari turns her head and presses her lips against mine for half a beat before pulling back to look into my eyes, a soft smileon her gorgeous face. “I’m just popping to the loo, do you want me to bring any more drinks or snacks out?”
I grin, grabbing the back of her neck so she can’t pull too far away. “The only snack I want is you.” Her cheeks flush slightly in the glow of the fire and I press forward for another taste of her before letting her go, her lashes fluttering.
I’m feeling particularly smug watching her walk up to the cabin, Jaime jogging after her, when I feel a presence take a seat next to me. I’m fully expecting to see Trey or one of the guys when I turn, but my stomach clenches in time with my jaw when I see that it’s Keeley.
Her eyes are glazed and her smile is somehow both sharp and sloppy at the same time. “Brad,” she sings, “I feel like I haven’t spent any time with you today.” She pushes out her bottom lip in a childish pout.
I hum in lieu of a real response, because I orchestrated it that way. Any time she came close, I moved away, put more bodies between us, retreated to find Shari. She still seemed to find a way to rub against me, or touch me somehow. But on the occasions I called her out on it, she just giggled and saidoops!Easier to avoid her completely. It was exhausting not being able to fully relax and just enjoy my birthday with the people I wanted to invite, but Torbyn’s family were kind enough to let us have full run of the beach and cabins this weekend. I couldn’t exactly veto the small number of guests he wanted to bring. I just hate they were all part of the Triple B’s.
Clearly unhappy with being ignored, Keeley leans closer, the sour smell of vodka and orange juice fermenting together on her breath. “We could always go somewhere now to spend some quality time together. Alone.” She bats her eyelashes, an attempt at allure. A failed attempt.
I lean away, but she darts her arm around my shoulders, stroking my neck as she tries to pull me towards her. The finehairs at my nape stand on end, like my body knows a predator has entered the chat.
“Keeley, you’ve clearly had too much to drink. You and your little friends should probably call it a night.” I’m only being polite because I have the distinct feeling that she’ll lash out somehow if I shove her away. And it might not be me she aims for.
