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In the end, they had a good pile of things on the counter that Liam assured them would be delivered to their rooms. They kept the swimming items with them. Only when he went to pay, Eliot got there first.
“Uh, what did you just do?” Marcus asked.
“Paid for your items.”
“Yes, but… well, why?”
“Because I wanted to do something nice for you both. And I’m an old-fashioned guy. When you’re with me, I pay.”
“Yes, but we’re not really together,” Isla pointed out. “And it was a lot of money.”
“That doesn’t matter. I can afford it and I wanted to do it. Are you going to argue with me?”
Marcus shared a look with her. He shrugged. It seemed important to Eliot. Although, he wouldn’t have bought another digger toy if he’d known he wasn’t paying. That just seemed excessive when he had five back home.
“Thanks, Eliot.”
“Yes, thank you.” Isla rested her head on his arm. “We really appreciate it.”
Eliot knew they were surprised at him picking up the bill for the things at the store.
But he couldn’t help it. He was feeling very possessive of the two of them . . . probably not the smartest idea, but he couldn’t help the way he felt. And it made him feel happy to know that he was providing for them.
Shit.
Rein it back.
When they got to the swimming pool, he wanted to insist they all get changed together so he could help them.
But he forced himself to keep some distance and went into a different stall. He had bought himself some swimming trunks at the shop as well since he hadn’t brought any with him. When he came out, Marcus and Isla were waiting for him. Marcus was talking to her, his arm wrapped around her.
Lord, her swimsuit was so adorable. The ruffles drew attention to her pert bottom. Then he caught sight of the bruising on her back, and he frowned. They were faded but still visible.
The asshole who did that to her had a lot to answer for.
He walked closer, wondering what they were talking about.
“It will be okay, La-la, I won’t let you drown. Promise.”
He frowned. “Isla, can you not swim at all?” She’d said she wasn’t very good, but did she need lessons?
“Oh.” She jumped and turned to him. “I can doggy paddle. And float for a while. But I-I’m just a bit nervous.”
There were a couple of people swimming laps further over in the indoor pool, but they weren’t paying them any attention.
“All right. I’m going to stay right with you, okay? We’ll practice floating and swimming, but I will be right there. If you need to grab hold of me at any time, you can. Can you trust me to help you?”
Relief filled her face, and he found himself standing straighter.
Damn. These two sure knew how to make him feel good. Like he could do anything. Conquer the world.
“Yay! In that case…” Marcus jumped into the air and dive-bombed into the water. Isla jumped behind Eliot, so he got the full effect of the splash.
Isla let out a giggle as she walked around to look at him.
“Oh, you think that’s funny, do you? That he got me all wet?”
She nodded.
“You’re both brats.”
Marcus popped up, looking over at him with a grin. “Eliot! You’re all wet! How did that happen?”
“I wonder,” he said dryly. Taking Isla’s hand, he led her to the steps while Marcus swam around like a fish.
When they got down to the steps, she paused, tugging on his hand. “Aren’t you going to take your top off?”
“Ahh, no. No one wants to see this bod.”
“I do.” She gave him a shy look.
He was surprised. He wasn’t used to anyone seeing him. And he had gotten bigger over the years since Anna’s death.
“I have a tummy.”
“We all have those,” she teased. “But if you don’t want to, then you don’t have to. I understand.”
He sighed. Here she was being brave, and he was wimping out at the first obstacle. Not even really an obstacle, except in his mind.
So, he grabbed the bottom of his shirt and whipped it up over his head.
There. He’d done it now.
Wow.
He was so gorgeous.
She really didn’t know what he was talking about. Sure, he didn’t have abs like Marcus. But Marcus ate like a horse, never worked out, and he looked like he’d just stepped off the pages of a man’s fitness magazine.
He wasn’t normal.
Eliot was gorgeous in a different way. He was broad and clearly strong. She wanted to burrow into his chest. To stay there forever and have him carry her around.
He cleared his throat.
“Oh God,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I’m gawking at you… it’s just… you’re sexy. I couldn’t help myself. Sorry. So sorry. I’m going to go swimming now.”
He reached out and grabbed her hand as she tried to make her way down the stairs. “First of all, I don’t want you going in the swimming pool without me. Secondly, you really think I’m sexy?”
