Total pages in book: 227
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
“Why’s everyone here?” he asks.
“Family fun day at the beach,” I murmur, leaving the lovebirds to nurse each other, looking around before passing through the shop. I text Pearl.
Where are you?
Peeing.
I hover outside the ladies’ making sure the coast is clear, trying not to look like a sicko loiterer, before I back my way in, wandering down the line of stalls. I knock the only closed door.
“I’ll be just a minute,” she calls.
“Okay,” I reply.
“Brad?”
She flushes and opens the door, flinching when she sees me on the other side. “What are you doing?”
I push her back into the stall and slam the door behind me, picking her up and crushing her to my front. “I told you not to leave the house.”
“And Rose told me we were coming to the boatyard. Did you want me to tell her I couldn’t because Brad specifically told me not to leave the house when we were in bed this morning?”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
She breathes in, pressing her lips together, hiding her smile. “That’s sweet.”
I scowl playfully, gently kissing the corner of her mouth, breathing her goodness into me. “I don’t want to keep you a secret anymore.”
“Okay,” she mumbles, pushing her tongue into my mouth, swirling.
“Okay.” I feel down to her ass and squeeze. “I’m doing it now.”
She withdraws, stunned. “Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“In front of everyone?”
“Yes.” I laugh. One stone, a dozen birds. There will be no grand, romantic announcement. I’ll sit Danny and James down, tell them how it is, and leave them to process the news. I take a lock of her hair and twirl it. “Then I’ll take you for your first lesson.”
“Lesson in what?”
I hold her nape, loving her cheeky half-smile. “Oh, gorgeous, the things you will learn from me.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Me—”
The door to the ladies swings open, and Pearl sucks back air. I quickly cover her mouth with my palm, a finger to my lips. “Pearl?” Beau calls.
My face bunches. Fuck. I release Pearl’s mouth and nod for her to talk. “Yeah?” she calls out.
“Oh, you’re in here.” Beau’s voice gets closer, and I look down to see her shadow on the floor. “Have you seen Brad?”
Pearl’s green eyes are like saucers. “No, why?”
“James is looking for him.”
“Oh.” Pearl pouts, mischief invading her green eyes. “He’s probably bitching to someone about something somewhere.”
I raise my brows. Pearl raises hers.
Beau chuckles. “I thought he seemed perkier the past week.”
“I wouldn’t know. I avoid that miserable bastard at all costs.”
Is she for real? Slighted, I flick her nipple, giving her a warning glare.
“Check the workshop!” she practically yelps, rubbing her boob and scowling at me. “I thought I saw him heading that way.”
“Okay.” The restroom door opens and closes, and I take Pearl’s cheeks in my hands, squeezing.
“You got something to say?” I ask.
“Kiss me.”
That’ll do. I slam my mouth on hers and kiss her hard, and she’s all in, crawling up my body, clinging on, giving me all the sounds. I give her just enough to keep us going for a little while longer. Until I don’t have to hide this . . .
What is this?
Pulling away, I put my face in her neck and soak up the glorious smell of her. “Go get your wetsuit on,” I order, releasing her from the side of the stall. “The right way this time.”
She laughs lightly. “Okay.”
I pull the door open.
Freeze.
“Hi,” Beau says, arms crossed over her chest.
“Oh fuck.” I take one step to the left, like I can hide who’s behind me. “Don’t look at me like that,” I warn.
Beau’s brows lift.
“Or like that.”
Her head tilts.
“Beau, stop it.”
“I knew it!” she hisses.
I feel Pearl’s hands rest on my hips from behind, guiding me out of the stall, and I reluctantly let her. She steps out from behind me. Smiles awkwardly. This is exactly what I didn’t want. I’m a grown fucking man sneaking around, and now I’m a grown fucking man standing here like a naughty schoolboy waiting for a lecture.
No.
Beau looks at Pearl, all pouty. “I can’t believe you’ve kept this from me.”
“I . . . it was a mistake.”
I cough over my disbelief, and Pearl looks at me in apology.
“I said, was,” she points out.
“And it’s not now?” Beau asks, her disbelief rampant.
“Well . . . I don’t . . .” I listen to Pearl trip up all over her words, trying to explain herself.
Absolutely not. I get myself behind her and cover her mouth with my hand. This is not going down like this. Beau looks up at me in question. I can see it in her eyes. The accusations. The assumptions. I lean into Pearl’s ear. “Go get your wetsuit on,” I order gently, releasing her mouth and taking her shoulders, leading her to the door. I’m not having her standing here under the spotlight like she’s committed an outrageous crime. “Go.” I open the door and she turns to me, looking worried and guilty. “Go,” I reiterate softly, and she relents, turning and walking away quietly. I close the door and face Beau.