Page 175 of Burning Bridges Duet

I tug her back by the neck and claim her lips again. She blushes hard when I let go, her green eyes sparkling.

Fuck, I love that.

Love her.

We wander the trails for at least two hours, with the sun high, the breeze off the water carrying that salty tang. Liv’s holding hands with both twins, beaming like this is the happiest place on Earth. Chase walks beside me, stealing glances at her every few seconds, but I do too. Can’t help it. With the sun kissing her cheeks and the wind tossing her hair, it’s a stunning sight.

Finally, we hit the sea turtle center, and the moment we’re inside, Liv loses it, her eyes wide while she’s bouncing on her toes like a kid.

I flag a worker and slip him a couple of hundreds. “Could she hold one of the small ones?” He hesitates, eyes the cash, then nods, so I turn to Liv with a grin on my face. “You get to hold a turtle, sunshine.”

She squeals, and I chuckle while my chest warms. The worker hands her a little guy and shows her how to hold it safely, and Liv’s face lights up like it’s fucking Christmas morning. Ryder and River snap a million pics, then beg the worker for a group shot.

I sigh but stand in the back, arms crossed, smiling like a damn idiot.

The gift shop is next, and while we walk down the aisles with trinkets, Liv’s eyes lock on a silver turtle pendant necklace, lingering like she’s in love. I signal the guys, and Chase grins, while the twins nod. I buy it while Ryder and River distract her with stuffed turtles the size of her torso, and end up getting her a massive green one anyway. Idiots.

Back in the Jeep, the stuffed turtle takes up half the backseat, squished on Liv’s lap. I’m driving again. All windows are down, and I listen to them all chatter and crack jokes. Ryder’s dumb puns, River’s quiet laughs, Chase egging them on, Liv’s giggles tying it all together.

My family.

After a while, it turns quiet, and when we pull up at home, Ryder slips out of the Jeep first, lifting Liv into his arms like she weighs nothing. He wraps her legs around his waist, and maneuvers her head on his shoulder, eyes closed—out cold, tuckered from the day.

Chase opens the door, and we file in, River juggling the turtle, Chase locking up behind us. I hang back a second, watching Ryder carry Liv inside, her hair spilling over his arm, that peaceful look on her face.

Ours.

When the gentle sway of Ryder’s arms stops, I stir, the familiar scent of home—salt air, Jaxon’s coffee, a hint of Chase’s cologne—wrapping around me. My eyes flutter open to find us in the living room, Ryder still cradling me like I’m precious cargo.

The massive stuffed turtle is propped against the couch, River’s doing, no doubt. I stretch, my legs still tingling from being curled up, and catch Jaxon’s soft, warm, and a little amused gaze.

“Welcome back, sunshine.”

I yawn, nuzzling into Ryder’s neck. “Did I miss the turtle party?”

Ryder chuckles, setting me down but keeping an arm around my waist. “Just half of the drive home. You were out cold.”

“And here I thought I was the one running on too little sleep.” Chase steps forward, holding a small velvet box. “We got you something.” He opens it, and my heart skips.

“It’s the turtle,” I whisper, fingers brushing the pendant. The one I couldn’t stop staring at in the gift shop. “It’s beautiful.”

River lifts it, and his fingers linger on my skin as he clasps it around my neck. When he’s done, Ryder kisses my shoulder, and Jaxon’s eyes track the pendant as it settles against my collarbone.

“Thank you,” I whisper, pulling them all into a group hug.

I love them all so much.

Turning to Chase, I’m already buzzing again from the fantastic day, and tug him down by his shirt for a kiss. It’s meant to be quick, but his lips part mine, tongue teasing, and heat flares low in my belly. I’ve been thinking about this brand of men all morning—Chase’s playful dominance, the way he makes me feel wanted in that cocky, sweet way. I want all of them, always, but right now? Chase is calling me.

He pulls back, smirking. “I really need a shower, gorgeous. I’m sweaty as hell.”

“Rude.” I pout.

“Never said you couldn’t join.”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Jaxon cuts in, all gruff. “Did we not just have a family day? You two aren’t ditching us.”

I turn to him with a smirk. “Who said you guys had to sit this one out?”