I close my eyes and shake my head trying to get myself back in the state of mind I was in just moments ago. I wanted Braden to kiss me so badly, I could feel my body humming with sexual tension. When he admitted, he was attracted to me, but wanted me to work on with Blake first, it took the sting out of not having his lips on me…kind of. It all just makes me want him that much more, which is probably the worst thing possible right now.
“McKinley, you remember Dawn and Tiffany, right?”
Snapping out of my many thoughts I smile at the girls. “Of course, I do. I could never forget those beautiful faces.”
Dawn giggles and looks up to Braden. “Can I go swim now Daddy?”
“Yes, but stay in the shallow end until I’m over there alright?” She starts running for the pool and he calls her name. “Wait for your sister.”
Tiffany goes running after her and they both jump in laughing.
I take a minute to watch them splashing around before I turn back to Braden and Kallie. “They are really adorable.”
“Yes, they are and believe me they know it.” We all laugh, and Kallie continues, “They had me in every store in the mall just by looking at me.”
“Tell me about it,” Braden says, looking over at the girls with a huge smile on his face.
“I can’t wait to get to know them better,” I say, meaning every word.
“Well, you better hurry because they go home tomorrow and who knows when they will be back,” Braden huffs.
Completely confused by this I look at Kallie who gives me a tight smile. “Braden doesn’t have custody of the girls. They come out for a few days every couple of months.”
Ouch. How the hell is that possible? He’s a fabulous father from what I’ve seen. He dotes over those girls. I suddenly realize his ex-wife must be a real bitch. My real father wanted nothing to do with me, but Braden wants to be with his girls. She’s a bitch for not allowing it more.
“Braden, I’m sorry I had no idea,” I say, gently touching his arm.
He turns his head slightly and looks at my hand which I quickly drop.
“Don’t be sorry, how could you have known. Anyway, why don’t you and Kallie go grab me the burgers and hot dogs.”
Everyone is here once again, and I am having so much fun. The more time I spend with these people, the more I don’t ever want to leave. I’ve got a nice buzz going on, the food was just as Braden said it would be, delicious, and we’ve been laughing for what feels like hours.
“I hate to do this, but I need to get these girls home. They have an early flight and I need to get them packed up tonight.”
The mood shifts and we all turn to see the girls start to cry. My heart breaks watching them say goodbye to everyone. Braden takes their hands, but Dawn pulls away and runs over to me.
“Bye McKinley. I hope you are here next time.”
It catches me off guard when her little arms wrap around my neck, but I hug her back.
“Bye Dawn. I had so much fun with you.”
Tiffany comes over and mimics her sister. “Bye Tiffany. Thanks for letting me play with you.”
Braden picks up Tiffany and wraps his arm around Dawn.
“I’ll see you around McKinley.” That’s it. He leaves with the girls and everyone is just quiet for a while.
“Now we won’t see him for a few days,” Blake whispers in my ear. I tilt my head in question and he continues. “Sending the girls home rips him apart every time and it takes a few days before he is willing to talk to anyone again.”
Looking to the door he walked out of, I can’t help but feel even sadder that I won’t be seeing him for a while.
“Alright, let’s finish up here. I need to do a shoot still tonight.”
Now that gets my attention and I turn to look at Kallie. She laughs when Jax pulls his shirt off.
“Shoot me here, baby. We’ll do pool and hot tube shots.”
I don’t know if he’s kidding or not, but the thought is getting me excited in more ways than one.
“Can you do that?” I ask, looking back and forth between the two of them.
“We can do anything we want. She’s the photographer and I’m the model she’s shooting.” He winks at me and I feel myself blush.
“Hell, I’ll do it with him. I mean come on, who doesn’t want shots of me and Jax wet in the pool together?” Blake asks, pulling his shirt off. Earning more laughs from them all.
I still don’t know if they are serious or what, but damn I hope they are. To watch an actual shoot would be exactly what I need.
“London can be the chick.” He laughs pulling her off the chair.
“Not a chance in hell. I write the books; I don’t model for them.”
That’s right, she’s an author. I’m just surrounded by so much talent it amazes me.
“Enough joking. I can’t shoot here like that. For one I don’t have my equipment and this particular shoot is in the bedroom. Although, if you guys are serious, I will set up a shoot here,” Kallie says, standing up and looking out toward the pool.
“Baby, you know Blake and I will do anything you want. You name the day, and we will work it. Right, brother?” Jax says, kissing Kallie’s temple before looking over to Blake.
“Whatever you need me for I’m there. Although I think we need a chick to at least make it hot.”
I giggle this time, and everyone looks at me. “Sorry,” I say, looking away from them all.
Of course, they laugh through the
