All Grown Up (Eden High)

I think having sex, no, making love to the one is a con that should come with a warning. Her words weren’t inherently profound or anything, just maybe a little bit sad. But I wanted to promise her the world at that moment.

I know that it’s not possible for me to protect her from all of life’s fuck-ups, like outside forces that interrupt the flow every now and then, and unlike Jace the ass who goes postal any time Sian even stubs her toe, I realize that there may be times when things happen that I can’t prevent or don’t see coming until it’s too late.

But right at this moment, with her fear of her joy not being real, I wish to give her all the reassurance I can give. “Babe, if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that you’re never going to be alone again. I’m always going to be here from now on. There won’t be a time when I’m not there with you in some way or another.”

I’d like to promise that we’d never spend one day apart, but with the way things are going with Mancini, that may change sooner or later. “Don’t think about anything else but your birthday and being happy. By the way, it’s time to get ready; we’re spending the day on the yacht.”

I’d made sure and got her the perfect outfit for just such a thing, two in fact. One for her to wear during the day when the sun was out, and another for later this evening when the sun goes down, and the wind gets a bit chilly. I’d planned this all out as soon as Jace told me we were coming here, even though he’d waited until the last minute.

“Come on; I’ll pick out your clothes for you.” She smiled wide and took my arm, and I figured maybe Sian or one of the others had told her that this too is part of the treatment to expect. I better pay more attention to my brothers’ lectures in the future if I don’t want to screw up. It’s always some shit with them trying to outdo each other when it comes to spoiling their women; I can’t let those fools get the drop on me.

Alex

I took her out on the yacht for a day of sailing, something I know she likes, even though I don’t have the patience to be out on the water for hours on end. Just watching her face light up, or the way she clapped like a little girl at the sight of the dolphins that came to play near the stern.

The crew was professional enough to stay out of sight, leaving us to enjoy the back deck of the yacht with only a few interruptions when I summoned them for something. I’d rubbed her down with sunscreen hours earlier and barely refrained from fucking her again, but after making her sore in the shower before coming here, I thought it best to give her a break.

Now the sun was high in the sky, and she looked like she was wilting. “Time for your nap, baby.” I helped her up from the lounger, and the way she fell into me, I knew it was the right call. Dammit, I should’ve shielded her better from the tropical blaze. I keep forgetting that shit’s not the same no matter what anyone says.

I took her down below to the guest suite. Somehow, even though he’s not here and I know he won’t mind, the thought of taking her to Jace’s room was a big no-no for me. The yacht was part of his and Sian’s wedding gift from Jace’s parents, and we’d only been out on it a handful of times, what with school and dealing with Mancini’s shit.

We each had our rooms, pretty much like at the Saunders estate, with poetic quotes on the doors. It’s odd how each designated room came with a quote that fit the occupants well. I can only aspire to give a shit about my kid’s friends as well as uncle Chad does for us.

I laid her across the bed and called up to the captain’s deck with the do not disturb order before joining her. She was fast asleep, one hand flung out on the pillow beside her head, the other reaching behind her for me. I took that hand in mine as I drifted off.

CASSIE

I’m happy, but I don’t remember why. I’m in that place between sleep and wake when you want to cling to sleep a little bit longer because you don’t want the dream to end. And then I remembered and came fully awake. Something better than any dream was here. My Alex!

I felt him behind me, the heat of his body staving off the cold from the AC that he’d turned on for me, even though I know how much he hates the cold. I was afraid to move, afraid to wake him up. I wanted to stay in his arms a little bit longer. So, I laid awake, reliving the day and wishing my happiness never ends.