AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Luca lifted his waffle that was covered with what looked like Nutella and took a large bite, grinning down at me with his mouth full. “Mom said breakfast is ready,” he informed me.
Groaning, I turned onto my stomach, making sure the covers stayed over me to the neck because I was still naked. Pink filled my cheeks as I remembered why I was naked. Where was Harris? I would have much rather he had woken me up than my twin brothers.
“Dad said Harris couldn’t come in here,” Lyric said, as if he could read my mind. “They’re in the living room watching soccer.”
“Great, thanks.” I lifted my head and then pointed at the door. “Out. Tell Mom I’ll be there after a shower.”
The twins jumped off my bed and headed for the door. Before they could leave I thought better of it and called after them. “Save me some waffles, Luca.”
He only laughed as he slammed the door behind him.
With another groan, I climbed out of bed and slowly made my way into the bathroom. My entire body was aching, but it was a good ache. I wanted it to ache like this forever. Turning on the shower, I made sure the door was locked before taking off my leather bracelet.
Tracing my index finger over the welted skin of my wrist, I shook my head and stepped into the steaming shower. I took my time washing my hair and then just let the powerful jets ease some of the tension in my shoulders. It was only day two of our vacation but it felt like everything was passing way too quickly. I wanted to freeze time and savor every second of the here and now with Harris and my family.
After I was finished, I dried off and put my bracelet back on before going back into the bedroom to get dressed. I didn’t bother drying my hair, but put enough frizz control in it to hopefully not become a ball of fuzz when I stepped outside. Not that it mattered, I’d have it up in a knot before noon anyway.
Everyone was already sitting at the table when I joined them. Lucky for Luca there were still two waffles left. Taking my place between Lyric and Harris, I reached for my glass of orange juice that was already waiting on me.
“Morning, Lu,” Dad greeted me. “Sleep well?”
“It was goo
d,” I assured him and prayed my cheeks didn’t turn pink and give me away. “Did you and Mom enjoy your walk on the beach?” I asked, glancing from one parent to the other.
Seeing the way my mom’s cheeks turned as pink as I hoped my own weren’t, I almost grinned. I didn’t want to think about what my parents had been doing to make her blush like that, but I loved how they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other twelve years into their marriage.
“It was good,” Dad echoed my answer, winked wickedly at Mom, and quickly stuffed his mouth with a huge bite of waffle.
Under the table, Harris’s big hand covered my shorts-clad thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze. I reached for his hand, linking our fingers together. Not wanting to let him go, I picked up my waffle with my fingers and folded it in half. I didn’t like anything on my waffles, unlike everyone else at the table, so I wasn’t likely to cause a mess.
“So you two are going to one of the sandbars later?” Mom asked a few minutes later. “Will you be there all day?”
“We’ll probably be back by dinner,” Harris answered her. “Is that okay?”
“Sure. We were just going to take the boys to a movie or something. If you’re going to be back for dinner, I’ll cook. Who wants spaghetti?”
“We do!” Luca and Lyric said, raising their hands and practically bouncing in their seats at the thought of their favorite dinner.
“We’ll be back around six.” Harris’s fingers tightened around mine for a moment. “I think I’ll take Lucy shopping first, though.”
“No, you’re no—” I started to tell him, but Dad cut me off.
“Good idea. She needs some new swimsuits.”
My mouth fell open. “You didn’t say anything about what I was wearing yesterday.”
“Because I was there to slaughter anyone who looked at you too long, Lu.” Dad gave Harris an approving nod. “Good work, boy.”
I rolled my eyes and released Harris’s hand. “There is nothing wrong with the swimwear I brought with me and I’m not going to waste money on something new.” The two men remained mute and I turned my eyes on my Mom, who was hiding a grin behind her coffee cup. “Tell them, Mom.”
She shook her head. “Don’t drag me into this argument. I’m not going to say a word.”
“But you were with me when I bought those bikinis,” I reminded her. “You said they looked good on me.”
“Your mother’s definition of good is a million miles away from mine, Lucy,” Dad grumbled. “Let Harris take you shopping. Don’t make the boy go insane when he doesn’t have me there to help him keep the creepers away, baby.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Harris moved and covered my mouth with his own, effectively cutting off anything I might have said. I was so surprised by the kiss I didn’t even hesitate to return it. Slowly, he lifted his head. “I’m taking you shopping. Okay?”
