Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“Never better. I’m on the boat with my husband, the sun is shining, and we both have a day off work.” I watch as Talon’s eyes zero in on my ring. A matching gold band but thicker sits on his own. Anytime his hand is in mine, he slides it around in a circle. Half of the time, I don’t think he realizes what he’s doing.
“Damn straight, except my wife caught dinner. Don’t tell Grandad. He’ll never let me live it down,” he replies. It’s damn hard to keep my hands to myself these days. Especially when Talon has his baseball hat on, specifically when he’s working on a boat, and he spins it around until it’s backward. Dear god, the man has me ready to jump him, and he damn well knows it. Today, he’s wearing the same hat, no shirt, and a pair of swim trunks. Which is why I choose to wear my white bikini every chance I get.
“Who do you think showed me all the tips and tricks?” I reel my line in, ready to take a break and grab a drink. Even on the water, the humidity can get to you, and the last thing I want is to be sick from being dehydrated. Once my fishing pole is in the rod holder, I make my way toward the T-Top. This boat is smaller than the one Talon captains for charters. We can still go out in the deeper waters, but at least the fuel won’t suck us dry for a fun afternoon.
“That shithead. I should have known.” Talon puts his pole in the holder before walking toward me. I no longer work for a marine biology research lab; instead, I volunteer when there’s an urge. Karol, Tara, Talon, and my mom were right—painting oyster shells has taken off. In fact, orders are coming through left and right, plus we can’t keep Captain T’s stocked. When customers realize I’m the artist who also happens to work there, they get even more excited. Plus, I’ve expanded in what I make now. Small pearl oyster necklaces, earrings, tropical inspired wall décor such as pineapples, flamingos, and starfish. I’ll even take custom orders, though a deposit is required and those are few and far between.
“Don’t you dare. I know what you’re after, Talon Scott. I’m not going swimming today.” I back up as my finger points at him. I’m sunk, literally, the minute he takes his hat off and throws it toward bench. I spin on my heel, take a step up, and jump off the front of the boat. We’re in about ten feet of water, away from the oyster bars and other people. The water sluices over my body, and when I come up for air, two strong arms wrap around me from behind.
“Did you think I wasn’t going to get you in the water at some point?” my husband whispers in my ear, causing my body to shiver in return. We could have gone to the island today, but it was busy with families, and that’s another thing that’s changed around here. Talon, Grandad, and my father had enough of Spencer and his friends' shit, especially when they tried to sell poached fish at the marina. I felt bad for Mariah at first, but apparently, she knew what was happening. Needless to say, Spencer and his friends were arrested, and they’ve made themselves scarce ever since.
“I had no doubt.” I spin around in Talon’s arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He treads water for the both of us easily.
“Is that so?” He pulls me closer.
“Yep. Want to know a secret?” My question causes his eyebrow to arch.
“Your secrets are my secrets, Kels.” One thing about Talon, he doesn’t use my full name unless he’s being serious, and even then, it’s rare.
“I want to start trying for a baby.” We’ve held off for a while. We both wanted to enjoy one another, travel a little, and go out on the boat a lot. Before we were married, we talked about what we want in life. Talon being Talon only said as long as I was in his life, nothing else mattered. Of course, I loved his words more than anything, but I needed to be sure we were on the same page. Kids, life, and goals were the top three. We decided to wait on children, but lately, I’ve felt the urge to start our family.
“Fuck, yeah. Christ, but I love you, Kelsey Rae Scott.” My name on his lips, it’s the sweetest sound to my ears.
“I love you, Talon Scott.” I lift myself up, mouth meeting his, and we kiss in the ocean beneath the sun. And someday soon, it’ll be us out here with children of our own. I can’t wait.
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