“No, I do it for fun. It’s relaxing.”
“Hey, kids, please be careful,” she hollers at the kids when one sends sand onto Julian’s thigh. It’s an accident, but I would be upset if I was her. You never know how someone is going to react, but my man is a sweetheart.
“It’s fine,” Julian says with a kind smile, dusting it off. I bite my bottom lip and stare at him. He returns it, then I see a shadow behind me.
“Red, what’s going on?” A booming voice says. Damn, he’s got that territorial look about him.
She turns around and stands up with his hand helping her to her feet. “Rick, the kids wanted to play with the toys.”
“Sorry, Mr. Navarro. I hope they aren’t causing any trouble,” he says, but I notice the way he holds his wife tighter. It’s clear she’s pregnant again, but he’s making sure Julian knows she’s taken. I almost laugh to myself.
“No, they’re not, Mr. O’Connell,” he stands up and shakes the man’s hand.
“Oh heavens, you’re the owner of the island, and we’re invading your space,” the woman gasps, clasping her hand to her mouth.
“No, it’s fine, really. It’s practice for the future,” he says, turning his grin on me lecherously.
“Daddy, we’re making a castle like the pretty lady,” the boy says.
“Wow, that’s an amazing castle, kids.” They beam with pride at their mound of sand. I love it. “Angels, mommy has been in the sun too long. We need to go inside.” They start to whine, and it breaks my heart.
“I’m fine, Rick. The kids just got started building.” He gives her a scowl. Her face is overheated.
“We’re going to be out here for another hour if you want to go lay down,” I say in a whisper.
“We can’t ask that of you,” Red says. I’m guessing he calls her that because of the red hair. She’s gorgeous.
“You didn’t ask. I have a feeling I’m going to need the practice sooner. I know you don’t know us, but he’s the owner. They’re safe.”
He looks like he’s contemplating it. “Okay, I’ll be back in thirty minutes to get you two.”
“Yay!” they shout in unison.
Chapter 10
Julian
I watch Natasha play with the little ones as she stops working on her castle and helps them. This is what life is supposed to be like. Money means shit if you don’t have a family to spoil with it. A simple shovel and bucket turned a day on the beach into heaven for these small ones. Granted, their bin was inside the door to the main exit to the beach area, but they wanted to play with us.
I know O’Connell because of business dealings. He’s a good guy and apparently as possessive about his wife as I am about Natasha. If he hadn’t been crazy all over his wife, I would have been dragging Natasha to my side. Fuck, I wanted to do it anyway.
As if she can sense my eyes on her she lifts her gaze to mine. She blows me a kiss, and I want to tackle her to the sand. And like a good omen, here comes O’Connell.
“Kids, come on. It’s time to go.”
“Okay, daddy, but did you see our castle?” They point and jump around their little castle with joy.
“It’s perfect, angels.” He pulls out his phone and takes several shots with the kids standing around it. “Come, mama’s hungry.”
“Yay! That means ice cream,” the older boy says to his little sister.
“Thanks, Mr. Navarro, and I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
“She’s my fiancé, Natasha.”
“Well, thank you, Natasha.”
“Hey, by the way. We offer a night time sitter for dates. Just ask the front desk about it, if Mrs. O’Connell feels better, of course.”
“Man, I definitely owe you one on that.” He smiles as each kid takes a hand, and they march off back to their side.
“Mr. Navarro, that was a bit cavemanish.”
“He understands.” And if he doesn’t, he can go fuck himself. Natasha is mine, and I won’t let anyone steal her away from me.
“Well, since you’re all growly and Neanderthal man, why don’t you carry me back inside. I could use some help getting this sand out of certain places.”
“Mr. Navarro, sorry to interrupt, but we have a Mr. Dobrev with Ms. Navarro at the front desk.”
“What the fuck? Come, mi amor. I guess he wanted to surprise me.”
“Oh no,” she cries out.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be as nice as I can be.” The second we walk into the hotel, I see them at the front desk. A low rumble escapes my chest when I see him with a hand around my sister’s waist. Walking up with Natasha’s hand in mine, I call out his name, “Dobrev.”
He whips his head around, holding onto Marisol even tighter and reaching for something. As soon as he sees it’s me, he relaxes. I don’t like that shit one bit, but I’m guessing that the fucker is paranoid.