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“April, this is your party. You have to enjoy yourself,” I told her as we waited for everyone to arrive on the boat.
“And make friends.”
“You can’t force that. You’ll find your own tribe eventually.”
Half the party would be comprised of friends from her old school, and half were classmates from the new one.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re talking like an adult.”
I tried to remember what it was like to be fifteen, when friends were the most important thing in life.
“No, I’m talking like your uncle. You’re cool. Don’t change who you are just to fit in with new people.”
“Aww, stop it,” she said good-naturedly. I ruffled her hair. She leaped away.
“Hey, stop. I’m not five years old.”
“Wish you were.”
“Carter, please be nice to them. Half are already afraid of you.”
“Why?”
“They googled you. You have a reputation. And you look intimidating.” She poked one arm. “What do you even need all these muscles for? You’re a lawyer. You carry out your fights with words. Thank God you won’t be around much.”
April had been suspiciously excited when I told her about Val. Her friends started filtering in soon after, and I scrutinized them through the eyes of an uncle and a lawyer. No one had tattoos, or piercings, or looked like they were part of a gang. I made a point to look everyone in the eye as I shook their hands. I was checking if their pupils were dilated, which was usually a sign that they took drugs. Everyone passed the test.
I started to relax, which turned out to be a big mistake. Fifteen minutes later, I was in over my head. I’d caught two guys trying to smuggle vodka aboard—I confiscated it. One of them clearly wanted to be more than April’s friend. I was about to pounce on the guy when I saw Val on the dock, waving at me.
She was all smiles as I approached. From behind my sunglasses, I took my time drinking her in. She was wearing a knee-length beach dress with a deep neckline. Her bikini was visible too, the bra pushing her breasts up.
“Not going well so far?” she said instead of hello.
“What gave it away?”
“Before you saw me, you looked like you were going to throw that guy overboard.”
“He smuggled in alcohol and was leering at my niece.”
She grinned. “What were you expecting?”
“You’re amused by my shit luck again,” I pointed out as I leaned in to kiss her cheek, bringing my hand to her waist too. I didn’t just give her a quick peck. I lingered, laying one corner of my lips close to hers. I was going to claim that beautiful mouth of hers today. But I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with a simple kiss. I wanted more from Val, and from the sweet way that she pressed herself into my touch, her sharp intake of air as she returned the kiss on my cheek, I knew she would surrender to me.
I couldn’t wait to be alone with her, to kiss her until she was wet for me. I’d work her up until she panted out my name, begging for more.
“Ready for fun?” I murmured in her ear. She smelled fantastic—some flower I couldn’t name— but also spicy. The tremor that coursed through her told me everything I needed to know.
“Yes. Is Peyton here too?”
“No, she’s at a playdate the whole day. She’s not a strong swimmer yet, and being on the boat all day would have been too dangerous for her.”
She watched me with warm eyes as we headed aboard together.
April was ecstatic when I introduced her to Val.
“I’ve heard so much about you, April.”
“Really? Well, my uncle kept you a secret until a few days ago.”
