Beautiful Mess(87)

“Okay, okay! Anything to shut you up,” he winked at her. “Want to play, Bri?”

“Um, actually, I think I’m going to grab my book and go up top and read for a bit.”

Claire was about to protest, but Cole clamped a hand over her mouth before she could say anything.

“Maybe I’ll come up and join you in a while,” he smiled

“That’d be great.” She nodded, and headed up to the bridge with her book. She had been reading for about twenty minutes, when she heard someone come up the stairs. She was surprised when she looked up and saw Sebastian sit down on the other padded bench, and pull out a book of his own. Her shock must’ve been plain on her face because Seb smirked at her.

“Didn’t think I knew how to read, did you?” he joked.

“No, of course not! I mean,” Bri stammered, “Of course I know you can read. I just thought you’d be more interested in the football game.”

“As shocking as this sounds, sometimes I prefer a little peace and quiet,” Seb smiled.

“I know exactly what you mean,” she smiled back. She couldn’t help but notice how different Seb and Claire were. Where Claire was boisterous, excitable, and talkative, Seb was quiet and reserved. But he was no less pleasant to be around. In fact, Bri quite enjoyed the time she got to spend reading with him.

Sometime later, Cole climbed up the stairs.

“If I have to play one more round of Monopoly, I’m going to throw myself overboard,” he groaned as he dropped in next to Bri. “Hey Beautiful, how’s it going?”

“Fabulous, now that you’re here.” she closed her book and snuggled into Cole’s side. She turned up her lips, and he happily accepted.

“You know, some of us are trying to read here,” Seb quipped.

“Well then, why don’t you take your book somewhere else,” Cole replied without turning his eyes from Bri.

“Seriously, I don’t know why we bother inviting you,” Seb teased, throwing a wink at Bri as he headed downstairs.

“You have no idea how much I wish I had you all alone right now,” Cole whispered as he nibbled on Bri’s ear.

“Mmm.” Cole lips moved down her neck. “I’m wishing that same thing right now.” Bri brought his lips back to hers and kissed him deeply. A loud cheer from downstairs caused her to smile. “Why aren’t we all alone? I have an empty house, no one there to interrupt us...” She let the idea linger as her mind played out for her what could happen if she and Cole were all alone for five days. She felt her face flush. “But no, you wanted to come here instead,” she teased. After the scenario that had just gone through her mind, Bri was simultaneously grateful and disappointed that she and Cole hadn’t been left to their own devices. She knew she wasn’t ready for that yet, but she also knew that a naked Cole was too tempting to pass up.

“Well,” he gave her a small smile, “as much as I’m kicking myself for passing up an opportunity like that, I brought you here for two reasons. First, I didn’t want you to be all alone, especially right after Christmas. I still can’t believe your dad left you like he did, but... whatever. The second reason is that Scott and Sharon, Seb and Claire, they’re my family. I don’t have much in the way of extended family, and what I do have live on the other side of the country, and I’m not interested in seeing them anyway. So for me and my dad, these guys are our family, and I wanted you to meet them.” Cole shrugged as if it wasn’t big deal, but to Bri it was. She suddenly felt bad she had been keeping their relationship from her family.

“You can be really sweet sometimes, you know that?” she smiled at him.

“Just don’t let that get around. It would ruin my reputation as an uncaring, arrogant jerk!”

“Ha ha,” Bri pushed him. “I think it’s time I tell my dad about us. And I think you and Jimmy should come over for dinner sometime. You know, let the parents meet.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea.” Cole stroked her cheek, his eyes smiling.

“Hey Cole,” Claire came bounding up the stairs. “My mom says it time for all of you manly men to start dinner. The fish aren’t going to cook themselves. So you’d better get down there before she sends Jimmy up” she warned with a grin.

“Fine,” Cole groaned. He gave Bri a quick peck and followed Claire down below. Bri decided to go see if there was anything she could do to help with dinner.

The guys prepared and grilled the fish on the small barbeque, while the girls made the rest of the meal. After eating a delicious dinner, they all went ashore to see a movie at the grand Casino Bri had admired earlier. It was an all-around perfect day, and Bri went to bed that night with a huge smile on her face.