“I’ll do my best. Come on, you’ve been spotted,” he says with a laugh.
Jamie flies across the pavement, pigtails bouncing. “Ev-ly! I got a new swimsuit,” she cries, spinning in place in her pink striped one piece. “You like it?”
“It’s almost as pretty as you. Are you ready to play in the water?”
“Yep. Are you going to play with us?” Her little friend Samantha runs up and grabs her hand.
“Hurry up, Jamie. It’s our turn!”
“Go have fun, girls. I’ll see you in a little bit.” Sarah glances from me to Mason and smiles before leading the girls inside.
Once inside the park, we see the group from BTC splashing in the kid’s area. Matty spots Mason and waves excitedly. “Mr. Reed!” he calls, running to us. “I brought a ball. Want to play?”
I grin at Mason. “Let’s spend a little time with the kids first. Then we’ll make our escape.” Mason plays ball with the boys while I join Sarah, Jamie, and Samantha on the kiddie slides. After an hour or so, I hear an announcement calling everyone to the picnic area for lunch. Mason has arranged to have pizza delivered for everyone, and the kids can’t get there fast enough.
As I’m wrapping a towel around me, firm hands land on my hips. “Come float in the lazy river with me. We’ll have it all to ourselves.” Goosebumps race across my neck as Mason kisses just below my ear.
“Are you going to take advantage of me?”
“I’ll do my best.”
He grabs an oversized innertube and settles into it before pulling me down to recline on his lap. The tube dips and sways, making me squeal as it nearly tips over before stabilizing under our weight. I laugh, lying back on his chest as we’re carried along the current. When I look up at him, he takes my mouth in a soft but demanding kiss. Carefully, I twist to bury my fingers in his damp hair.
He tastes amazing and I can’t resist dragging my tongue down his neck and across his chest. “You smell so good, Evie,” he moans, running his nose up my cheek.
“It’s the sunblock. They should make a perfume with that scent.”
“No, baby, it’s just you.”
I burrow my face into his neck, wallowing in his affection, breathing in the scent of his skin. A combination of chlorine, sunshine, and sweat that makes me want to say to hell with the waterpark, and drag him home to bed.
As soon as we float into a long blue tunnel, he grabs my lips with his and kisses me until we run out of air. His hands roam my bikini clad body, one running across my breasts, the other slipping between my legs. “Mason…”
“No one can see us in here.” Any further objections are forgotten when he pushes aside the crotch of my bottoms and strokes in just the right spot. It takes less than a minute to reach the end of the tunnel, and he quickly wraps his arms back around my waist.
“Tease.”
“I couldn’t look at you in that bikini any longer without touching you.”
“Now I’m all worked up.”
“Tonight, I’ll make it all worth it.” We both laugh when my stomach gives a loud growl. “I’ll go grab us some lunch and we can eat by the wave pool,” he offers.
“Sounds good. I’ll return the innertube and meet you there.” I hop out, and he follows me out of the lazy river, delivering a quick smack on my ass before heading off.
I take my time walking to the wave pool. It feels so strangeto be surrounded by empty slides and lounge chairs. This place usually has thousands of people waiting in line for the attractions. There are less than one hundred here today and they’re all in the picnic area, even the lifeguards. The shimmering pool with its gentle waves calls to me. Really, when will I ever have another chance to swim in it alone? Warm water laps at my legs as I wade in until it’s deep enough to swim. When I reach the far edge, I roll to float on my back.
Sunshine pours over my skin, warming me from head to toe, and I relax, allowing the waves to slowly take me back toward the shore. My eyes are closed, my mind filled with thoughts of Mason and how much fun we have together.
His bossy tendencies can get a little frustrating, but his loving, affectionate ways more than compensate. He loves me. I’ve never been happier.
A shadow falls across my face and before I can open my eyes, a hand shoves me underwater. It only takes a second to register what’s happening and for panic to set in. The water is only five feet deep and I struggle to get my feet under me. When I feel the concrete on my soles, I push as hard as I can and my head breaks the surface.
I have just enough time to take a small breath before a hand tightens in my hair, nearly tearing it out. “I gave you every chance. You bitches. Always want the rich assholes,” a voice growls, and I’m shoved under again.
I try so hard not to panic, not to scream, but this is my worst nightmare come true. I’m back in the car. Water pours through the windows and I can’t get my seatbelt off. I scream at Mommy and Daddy, but they won’t wake up. Blood coats Mommy’s hair, and I remember how it swirls pink in the water. I scream until I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I CAN’T BREATHE.
The world grows hazy and dim until my lungs no longer feel like they’re full of lava. Someone is calling my name, and I hear choking and retching. It takes a second to realize it’s me, and I finally draw enough air to scream.
