Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85565 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I still couldn’t wrap my head around the media attention we’d gotten. The project had even been featured in three magazines, and we’d booked eight weddings into the fall. Since Karlie had started using the new kitchen to practice baking morning treats for our guests, she’d also tried her hand at making wedding cakes. It was great seeing her take the time to try different things and learn what she might want to do with herself now that she had so many options. Brant had sold his apartment in Boston and put a down payment on a small cottage big enough for the three of them. As much as he’d wanted to support the three of them on his photography income, I knew Karlie was sneaking extra house payments behind his back from her Sea Sprite money.
I looked at my cousin with a smile. She was gorgeous and happy. She thrived on being Davey’s mom and the light of Brantley’s life. “He went up to the house to get the good stuff,” I said.
We’d been living in my grandparents’ little house behind the motel. Now that the Sea Sprite renovations were done, we were looking forward to finally making the place our own. “But it won’t be Mai Tai’s. He kind of overdosed on those in Vegas.”
As I spoke, James’s mop of wild hair appeared over the dune, followed by his body which was covered in a long-sleeve T-shirt and board shorts. Who knew the man had delicious curls hidden by that fancy city haircut? Ever since he missed the first few haircuts after moving here, I’d begged him to let it grow out enough for me to grab those curls during sex.
He was carrying a large pitcher of slushy daiquiris in one hand and a sleeve of red Solo cups in the other.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Karlie said excitedly, hopping up to help him. James also had a tote bag over one shoulder that probably carried extra snacks and goodies. I made room on the portable table in the middle of the chairs.
Just as Karlie and James began setting everything on the table, Wells and Conor returned from their walk on the beach.
“Good timing,” I called, accidentally waking up my nephew. His chubby face screwed up into a cry, but James swooped in to grab him before it could go nuclear.
“Shh, sweet boy. Don’t listen to mean old Uncle Sawyer. He forgets about babies.” He glared at me. “Even though he shouldn’t since we’ve had you in our lives for a long time now. It’s almost like he’s oblivious to how loud he is. Especially in the middle of the night.”
I flashed to the night before when I’d woken up to James sliding under the covers and taking my cock in his mouth. “Was I that loud?” I asked before I could think better of it.
Before James could say anything, Wells answered for him. “Yes.”
Conor laughed at the blaze heating my cheeks, but then it was his turn to furiously blush when Wells crooked an eyebrow at him and added, “It was inspiring actually.”
“Note to self,” James mumbled. “Make sure we add soundproofing to the walls when we renovate Nana and Grandpa’s house.” He tickled his fingers up Davey’s chest, causing the baby to coo happily. “Isn’t that right, little bug?”
“Baby, it’s just that you make the most delicious noises…” I began.
James made a choking sound and shoved Davey at Karlie, who had her hands over her ears. Brantley quickly grabbed him and held him close. Then James turned to face me with such a look of intense scheming that I immediately took off running down the beach.
“You’d better run!” he called out. “And now you’re going to wish you’d joined me for my runs this week, you lazy ass!”
He was right. It took all of a hundred yards before I almost collapsed. But it was more because I was laughing too hard to keep going. I tripped over my own feet just as he hit my back and sent both of us tumbling onto the beach. Thankfully, we were on the wetter, packed sand by the surf, but it still felt like an overly aggressive body scrub.
I grabbed James and held him tight before rolling him onto his back so I was propped above him. His face was relaxed and happy, flushed with the exercise. His curly hair was wild and free, and the sun from our Vegas trip was finally morphing into a tan from working outside this week on the landscaping.
He was the most beautiful man on earth. And he was mine.
“I love you,” I blurted.
A slow grin spread across James’s face. “What brought that on?”
I reached up, sliding my hand up his arm and then leaning up so that I could slip my fingers into his curls. “Just realizing how happy I am being here with you and my family. I just never thought…” I had to pause to collect my thoughts, my throat tightening. “I never thought I’d be so lucky.”