“We’re gonna get weird tan lines,” she said.
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
I brought my mouth to her ear, tugging at it. “No one’s going to see them but me.”
She laughed, leaning into me even more. When it became clear neither of us would do any reading in this awkward position, I sat up, allowing her to be more comfortable. I couldn’t believe the beauty of this place: the clear, turquoise water, the green foliage around us. The smell of salt water and rush of waves instantly relaxed me.
“You’re reading a lot for someone who’s obsessed with trying out everything the resort has to offer.”
“Are you saying that you’re up for skydiving?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
Fucking hell. That escalated quickly.
“Absolutely not.”
She kept batting her eyelashes. I sensed a trap.
“How about Jet Skiing?” she suggested.
“I can be talked into that.”
Josie grinned, shimmying a little on the lounge chair. “Ha! I’m good.”
“What do you mean?”
“I knew that if I brought up skydiving, you’d agree to Jet Skiing.”
I bit her earlobe again, fondling her ass just so she didn’t get even more ideas.
“You’re playing with fire, wife.”
“I know, but it’s so much fun that I can’t stop.”
I tickled her before she even took her next breath. She shrieked with laughter. I drank up every sound. I enjoyed everything with her: the quiet times and the adventures. Josie made me feel whole in a way I’d never even thought was possible.
***
I was completely tired when I went into the office the following week, but I had to get my act together fast, because I had a mountain of work ahead of me.
Cole also reminded me that the rest of my cousins were dropping by for lunch.
“It’s a council this time,” he added. More reason to wake up.
Ryker, Tess, and Skye were chatting animatedly when we joined them in the meeting room. We looked over spreadsheets with the funds the Ballroom Galas had gathered so far, brainstorming about potential new activities we could integrate throughout the evening, especially since not everyone wanted to dance. I was in such a good mood that I was willing to entertain even the more... extravagant ideas.
“Someone’s happy,” Tess remarked. “Second honeymoon went smoothly, by the looks of it.”
“It was great. Didn’t even want to come back.”
“So, now that Josie knows how you feel about her, is she giving the name change more thought?” Skye asked.
“Haven’t discussed it.”
Tess laughed, drumming her fingers on the desk. “Told you he didn’t bring it up. I think he’s afraid Josie will stick to her guns.”
Skye shrugged.