Eliza Jane - Tempted

“Mine,” he says.

I release a deep breath and follow him.

Reis has gathered McAllister and they’re already out on the back patio. Reis is digging through a big tub, flinging out half inflated balls and old crumpled rafts. McAllister is in swim trunks and a T-shirt with bare feet, skimming the top of the pool with a long net. I’ve never seen him look so casual and at peace. I take a towel and spread it in a lounge chair, leaning back and closing my eyes.

Colt

As soon as Taylor steps through the glass doors leading to the patio, Reis stops what he’s doing and turns to start at her, mouth open. Damn. I knew giving her that bikini was a bad idea. It’d been left here years ago from a pool party I had in tenth grade. Taylor definitely filled it out more than its previous owner. I should have suggested she throw on one of my T-shirts over the top to cover herself up. All those curves are damn distracting.

I clear my throat and Reis blinks, suddenly realizing he’s visually molesting her right in front of me, and dives back into searching for swim toys. I’m not above beating him again if necessary.

It’s only then that I notice Dad has come out and is cleaning out the pool. I can’t remember the last time we were all out here together. It’s been years. Maybe since before Mom died.

“Heads up!” Reis calls, chucking a volleyball at my head. I catch it in my palm and throw it into the water. It bounces and skims across the top, bobbing and floating in the blue water.

“Wanna play?” Reis holds up the adjustable net. I’m relieved to see with his stiches removed, they’ve left just a barely visible line that will fade over time.

“Sure.” I help him station the net across the center of the pool.

“You and Taylor against me and Dad.” Reis grins.

Taylor looks up from her chair at the mention of her name. She and Dad exchange nervous glances. Shit. Maybe this happy family thing was not in the cards for us. The tension between Taylor and my dad will always be there.

“I haven’t been in this pool since you guys were small,” Dad says, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

Taylor sits up, and removes her sunglasses. “I suck, but I’ll play.”

“Come on, Dad,” Reis encourages.

He shifts his weight, considering it. Why does this moment feel like it’s so much more than just deciding to swim with us? It feels like whatever he chooses is deciding between building a relationship with us, or disappearing to the background as he’s always done.

He releases a deep sigh. “There’s something I want to say.” We all turn and watch him, he’s clearly not going to comment on the game. Something bigger is on his mind.

“Guys, I need to apologize. I spent too many years chasing after money, and not just stopping to open my damn eyes and realize that I might not have your mother any longer, but I still had you boys.” He clears his throat. “And Taylor, using you the way I did, that was unforgiveable.”

She doesn’t even try to stop him, instead choosing to stay quiet.

“I’m sorry guys. I want to try and fix things.”

Reis walks over and gives him a hug. It pulls at something inside me to see them close like this after so many years. Taylor gets up and comes to my side, hugging an arm around my waist. “Are you behind this little transformation?” I whisper into her hair.

“Nope. That’s all him.”

“Thanks, for everything.” I kiss her temple.

She smiles up at me and those big blue eyes melt my insides. She’s amazing.

A few minutes later, we’re all in the pool, except for Reis, who makes a show by enthusiastically stretching out for the game on the side of the pool.

“You guys are goin down!” He jumps into the water, splashing us.

Taylor giggles. It’s so good to see her like this. She’s spent too much time worrying. And if I can help it, she won’t have to anymore.

Her eyes meet mine across the pool, those deep blue eyes that cut straight through me. Her tan skin glistens against the lapping water. She’s crazy gorgeous, and she’s mine.

“Taylor, come here.” Reis motions her toward him, a mischievous smile on his lips. She steps in his direction, a look of suspicion shadowing her face. “I’ll teach you how to spike the ball.”

I grip her elbow, preventing her from going to him. “Touch her and I’ll break every bone in your hand,” I tell Reis.

Dad laughs.

“You don’t trust me?” Taylor challenges.

I take her face in my hands. “I trust you completely. It’s him I don’t trust.” I lean down low to her ear. “He thinks with his cock.”

She blushes and drops her head, laughing. We both look at Reis. He narrows his eyes, sure I just made a joke about him.

“Well are we going to play, or are we going to cuddle?” Reis calls out, noticing how my hands keep going to Taylor’s skin.

“We’re going to win.” I give Taylor one last kiss and pass her the ball. She straightens her shoulders and prepares to serve it. When she first transferred to Wil-brook, she lacked confidence and had a chain link fence around her heart, due to that dumbass ex of hers. I’d like to teach him a fucking lesson. But now, watching her I can see how much she’s grown. She serves the ball, easily launching it over the net. It gives me a sense of pride knowing maybe I had something to do with her transformation. She had everything to do with mine.

Mine.

I smile at the word, and let an easy relaxation fall across my shoulders.

Life is pretty freaking good.

*********

The End