***
I wake up hours before Corrine does. The staff has the morning off after a late night last night, so I wander to the kitchen to find Leilani making coffee. She looks at me sheepishly.
“I had to buy a new coffee maker after your last visit, Mr. Graham.”
“Oh, sorry. I don’t make my own coffee very often, and when I do, it tends to be single serve.”
She smiles. “I trust you and Ms. Woods slept well?”
“I think so.” I feel like I’m in trouble. “I want to marry her, but she’s been hurt. I’m trying to take it slow.”
Leilani nods. “She’s an exceptional person. I think she is good for you, but it’s important you don’t crush her spirit.”
Chapter 29
Corrine
What is this I’m feeling? Is it giddiness? Elation? Excitement?
Petrified is probably more like it.
I’m still not sure why I dropped the bomb about Jackson and me being exclusive. I’m supposed to be getting myself ready to be out of this. Once again, my heart has other ideas. Bobby and I had that conversation, but thankfully a little bird in the back of my head warned me to be careful, so I didn’t do anything stupid. The last thing in the world I wanted was to be tied to him forever because I had his baby.
But Jackson doesn’t look at every woman as she walks by. He’s much more focused. I believe him when he tells me he wants monogamy, and I’m positive I’ll get it, at least for now. That doesn’t solve my issues at work, but I have to think we can figure those out. The question remains, how long will it take him to get bored with me? But my mom would have told me to “enjoy the ride.” And I think that’s what I’m going to do.
If someone were to take a picture of me this morning, they’d see a stupid grin on my face. I have a boyfriend!
I find my tankini bathing suit, put a cover on over it, and head downstairs. The modern-day uniform in Hawaii is a bathing suit, so I feel comfortable.
In the kitchen, I find Jackson with his coffee and his laptop open. He looks up at me. “Heading to the pool?”
I smile. “After I figure out your plan for the day.”
He stands and walks over. With his finger on my chin and his other hand stroking my nipple, he kisses me, and I almost melt. I hear myself mewl.
“Maybe I should show you my appreciation for taking such good care of me last night?” I whisper.
His hands have just wandered to my bikini bottoms when we hear the squeal of Danny and Jimmy out at the pool, and we jump apart like two kids who just got busted making out.
“I see you have coffee. Would you like some breakfast?” I ask, smoothing my top. “Leilani showed me the secret recipe for her scrambled eggs.”
“That’s okay. I’m good right now. Brian and I are meeting shortly about the security around the estate, and I’m trying to go over some of the work from my development team so they can continue moving forward.”
“No problem.” I pour myself some coffee, and I see Brian and Melinda managing the boys outside. They have no fear of jumping in the deep end and swimming—a cross between a dog paddle and breaststroke. They’re two fishes for sure.
I walk over to Jackson and kiss him on the head. He reaches up and caresses my ass. “I’ll get out of your hair, but this afternoon I expect you to put sunscreen on me.”
“I promise to lather you all over.”
He winks at me, and I pick up my Kindle and head out to the pool deck.
“Corrine! Corrine!” The boys yell in unison.
“How’s the water this morning?” I pull off my cover and dive in.
The boys and I splash around. After a few minutes, Brian gets out, disappears into the pool house, and then reappears dressed in shorts.
“Is Mr. Graham up?” he asks.
“Yes. He’s in the kitchen working. He mentioned you were going to be meeting.”
Melinda coaxes the boys out of the pool with the lure of pineapple and mango for breakfast. “Sometimes they’re like herding cats,” she says.
I nod. I know she’s correct after spending a few days with them.
I get out of the pool, too, and enjoy the warmth of the sun as I sit under an umbrella and read the latest release from my favorite author. If only men in real life were half as awesome as they are in books.
I feel a trickle of cold water on the back of my legs, and I bolt up. Jackson is standing with a cup of pool water and the twins at his side, giggling.
“Hey!” I yell.
They all break out in hysterics.
“You were sleeping,” Danny says.
“At least it was under the umbrella,” Jackson tells him.
“Yeah.” Jimmy nods. “You would’ve been a lobster otherwise.”
“I think Corrine looks hot.” Jackson looks at me with a devilish smile. “I think we should throw her into the pool.”
I sit straight up. “Don’t you dare!”
I jump up and dive in before he can throw me. The boys and Jackson quickly follow. Suddenly it’s a real pool party with water guns and floaties, and the housemen are delivering frozen non-alcoholic drinks for everyone. The boys’ parents appear and find seats around the pool.
“I never want to leave here,” Danny says.
“Me neither,” Jimmy agrees.
Melinda and Brian exchange smirks.
“You’d think going to preschool and driving their mother crazy was hard work,” Melinda says. “The only peace I get is when they nap.”
“Do you miss working?” I ask.
“I do miss adult conversation sometimes, but I’m grateful Jim pays Brian well enough that we can live
