We ate and watched the ocean. The dogs laid silently underfoot, catching crumbs and entire pieces of bacon dropped by the kids. It was peaceful and special, getting to see the kids happily sitting with their dads and uncle.
“What’s on the agenda today?” Griff stretched his legs out, brushing his thigh against mine.
I popped the last bite of fruit into my mouth and chewed before answering. “Today, we have a beach day. It’s been a few days since we’ve just enjoyed the water. I thought we’d take a few books down and spend some time reading, too. In between playing, of course.”
Jones pretended to accidentally bump his plate and let a slice of bacon fall to Wiggles. “The dogs can come?”
I nodded. “Are you silly? Of course, the dogs can come. I got something special for them, too.”
Caroline perked up. She loved gifts and surprises. “What?”
“Well, I ordered special doggie lifejackets for them, so they can be safe in the ocean with us.” I was almost as excited as Caroline. “We’ll have to ease them into swimming, to see if they really like it, but that can be a job for a very patient little boy I know.”
Jones nodded seriously. “I’ll make sure they’re safe.”
I couldn’t help it. I reached across the table and cupped his sweet little face. “I know you will. You’re a good kid. I would trust all the dogs in the world with you.”
His face lit up in a brilliant smile that transformed him into a perfect little cherub for a moment. It faded almost as fast, and he pushed my hand away, but it was gentle, and the stern look on his face afterward was clearly an effort. “I said I’d do it.”
I sat back in my seat, surprised when I found Griff’s hand in mine. I wasn’t sure if I’d grabbed him or if he’d grabbed me, butwhen I looked over at him, he was staring out at the ocean with unshed tears in his eyes.
Chapter 24
***Autumn***
The next couple of weeks passed by in a blur of fun. The kids were opening up to me more and more. Caroline was even learning to speak her mind instead of just crumbling into a screaming fit. Jones was having fewer and fewer angry outbursts, though they still happened. Having the dogs around to focus on seemed to really help the kids come out of their shells. They were also spending time away from Stacy for the first time, I found out. She had been more constant in their lives until Griff had gotten sole custody at the end of the previous year.
Stacy was a black hole of trouble over her children and it was wrong of me to wish her away, but I couldn’t help it. Watching the kids retreat into themselves when they had to visit her was hard to sit by idly for. I wanted to scream and punch and kick the shit out of everyone who allowed it. She did so much damage, more so when they had to go to her apartment and be trapped inside with her. She would take them into her bedroom and keep me out. The kids would come out angry; angry at me, angry at the world. It was torture to watch.
Each week, after their visit, we took time to do easy things together that allowed the kids to be quiet and slowly relaxed. We’d spent one evening floating in the ocean, under the sunset. Just floating. None of us spoke until we were drying off and heading back inside. The next time, we’d gone to a friend of mine who led meditation retreats. She’d somehow made it interesting enough for the kids to enjoy it. They’d left a lot lighter than they’d gone in.
We had family breakfast on the balcony every day, and we’d even gotten Zeke and Greta to agree to pizza nights once a week for dinner. It was almost like a normal family in the massive beach house. If you didn’t know about the after-hours activities.
I’d been on several dates with the men. Griff had taken me swimming in the pitch-black ocean one night, holding me close and talking to me about life before taking me on the beach with my hands held above my head and my thighs wrapped around him. Zeke had taken me to one of his restaurants after it was closed and taught me how to make the cheapest dish on the menu. We’d christened one of his prep tables, but I’d made him clean it before we left.
Con was the surprise. He’d taken me out for walks on the beach, and we’d even spent one morning in a canoe together, but he hadn’t made any moves to take it farther. There was tension between us that I didn’t have with Zeke or Griff, but the attraction still sizzled. I spent most of our dates wondering when the hell he was going to kiss me. Each time he didn’t, I walked away feeling like ripping his hair out for not doing it. I knew he was working at something, but I had found my sexual stride in life, and I wanted him. Sooner rather than later.
Con was the man who could sit at a table and spend a ridiculous amount of time perfecting tiny little lines to design a building just the way he wanted it. He was meticulous, and as patient as any man I’d ever known. It was sexy that he had the self-control, but I was past the point of needing to be impressed. Each time he was near me, I remembered the way he’d stroked me, the way he’d introduced me to sex with that same patience and precision. I wasn’t sure there was another woman on the planet who’d had multiple orgasms the night she lost her virginity. I had, though, and I wanted that again.
Not that I wasn’t getting more than my fair share of multiple orgasms from Zeke and Griff. I was. I was just greedy. I wanted them all.
I was lost in thought on the beach after putting the kids to bed when both Zeke and Griff came strolling up. I smiled up at them, watching as they pushed each other and acted like little boys. “What brings the two of you down here?”
Griff shoved his brother and knelt next to me. “We got our dates mixed up. I think it’s my turn to take you out and Zeke thinks it’s his.”
Zeke sat next to me and glowered at Griff. “Itismy turn.”
“Okay, so one of you take another night.” I shrugged. “I’m not picking if that’s what you think is happening.”
Griff groaned. “Just pick me and let him down easy already, woman.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Nope.”
Zeke stood up and jabbed a finger at Griff. “Fine. You can come with us on our date. We’re going dancing, and I know how much you love that.”
“You’re fucking kidding me. Dancing?”
I bit my lip and tried to contain my excitement. “I do like dancing...”
