“I’m going to offer Finn some moral support,” James said. “He’s going to be focused on Emma, which means someone else needs to be focused on the diamond.”
“And you’re that someone else?”
“I figured I would let Grady and Sophie have their Sunday,” James said. “She’s been working some late hours.”
Mandy smiled. “You’re a good brother.”
James dropped down on the edge of the bed, reaching under the covers so he could feel her bare skin. “I feel like being a bad brother right now. What does that tell you?”
“What time are you supposed to be there?”
“The doors open in about two hours,” James said. “I figured I would get the lay of the land. I need to get in the shower.”
“You want to get the lay of Emma,” Mandy countered. “You want to see why Finn is all aflutter.”
James grinned. “Am I that transparent?”
Mandy cocked an eyebrow. “Are you going to be checking out all of the other boat models?”
James smirked, feigning like he was really considering the question. “Well, they will be there – and in bikinis.”
Mandy smacked his hand away when she felt it groping her breast. “You’re cut off.”
James was still in his boxer shorts, the shower he’d been planning turning into a distant notion. He lifted up the covers, sucking in a breath when he saw her spread open in all of her glorious nudity. “I could probably spare a few extra minutes for my baby.”
Mandy shot him a dark look. “Minutes?”
“I’ll make them good minutes,” he promised, climbing back into bed with her and snuggling close. “I’ll make them the best minutes of your life.”
“I hope you realize that I’m only doing this to tire you out for the boat models,” Mandy said, dipping her hand inside James’ boxer shots. He groaned appreciatively when he felt the warmth wrap around him.
“Honey, you’re the only woman I care about,” he said. “I can promise you that. I can promise … oh, God, keep doing that.”
Mandy rolled closer to him, pressing her lips against his ear. “I better be the only woman you care about.” She squeezed him tighter.
James wrenched an eye open, shifting so he could climb on top of her. He met her gaze evenly. “I love you,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to hers.
He could be late. It would totally be worth it.
FINN was surprised when he saw James strolling through the door of the boat show about fifteen minutes after it opened. It was a Sunday, and James and Mandy usually spent Sundays pawing each other in each room of the apartment – multiple times.
“What are you doing here?”
“Serving as backup,” James said, grabbing a chair and pulling it up beside Finn. “You don’t seem happy to see me.”
“It’s not that I’m unhappy to see you,” Finn countered. “It’s just that I thought you and Mandy would be playing Hump-or-Seek all day. Isn’t that your usual Sunday schedule?”
“We have brunch, too.”
Finn scowled. “So, why are you here?”
“I figured I could watch the diamond while you watched Emma,” James said.
“Isn’t Mandy upset about her day being ruined?”
“Who says her day is ruined?” James asked, winking.
“You two are so gross.”
“I promised I would be back to take her to dinner,” James said. “This thing closes down at six, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I left her with something to think about all day.”
“Seriously gross, bro.”
“She’s fine,” James said, his tone matter-of-fact. “She and Ally are going to go and get pedicures and some other girly crap. I can’t remember everything she said.”
“Well, I guess that’s good,” Finn replied, smiling when he thought about his baby sister. “I know Ally likes it when they get to do stuff. It’s like they’re kids again.”
James frowned. “You did that on purpose.”
“What?” Finn asked with faux innocence.
“You know I don’t like getting reminded that Mandy and Ally were kids together,” James said. “It makes me feel all dirty.”
“Weren’t you already dirty with her today?”
“Twice.” James looked smug.
“You seem to have gotten over the dirty feeling,” Finn said, rolling his eyes at his brother’s wide smile.
“I had a good morning,” James said. “It’s hard to feel guilty when I think about all of the … joy I showered her with. And, yes, there was some action in the shower.”