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I look down at my retro two piece. “I got it for that cruise I went on last year.”
“Well, it’s adorable.”
I bend down to put my things in my beach bag when I see an all too familiar figure walking towards us. Even from this distance I can see his all too sexy dimple on full display as he notices me. I look over at Ashleigh as she watches me. “Mark is coming?”
She gives the most mischievous grin. “Did I not mention that? How forgetful of me.”
I roll my eyes. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.”
I try to glower at her, but my smile is too big. “Liar.”
“Mark is here!” Ashtyn takes off running. Mark barely catches her as she lunges at him. The sound of their laughter carries, and it makes my whole heart melt at the sight.
Ashleigh nudges me. “I think you might have some competition for Mark. Ashtyn has been talking about him nonstop all week.”
I smile at the thought. I love that Mark has spent time with the girls and that they love him so much.
“Aunt Millie, Ashtyn and I want to build a sandcastle! Will you help us?” Austyn asks in the sweetest little voice I could never say no to.
“Of course!”
“Mark too!” Ashtyn hangs on his neck as he carries her and points him towards us. He catches my eye and gives a wink as he puts Ashtyn down. I’m a melted puddle. Ashtyn runs over to Austyn, and they gather all of their sandcastle building supplies.
“I didn’t know you’d be here.” Heat rises throughout my body as Mark’s hot breath rolls over my skin as he leans his now very bare chest to my back.
I swallow. “We didn’t exactly talk today.”
He leans in closer and burying his nose in my hair. “You smell good.”
I shiver but remember where we are and step away. I turn to face him, and it’s difficult to breathe when I see all that is usually covered by his shirt. I pull my eyes away and see the pleased smirk on his lips. I narrow my eyes. “Behave.”
He puts up his hands in surrender, but his eyes are still blazing as he looks at me. “Always.”
I swat at him as he starts to walk past.
We spend the next twenty minutes building sandcastles with the twins. After we finish, the four of us stand back to look at our creation. I don’t dare look up at Mark’s face, I know if I do I’ll be even more of a goner. I’ve fallen hard for this man, and if I look at him there’s no saying what I would do, but I’m fairly certain it wouldn’t be appropriate for my three-year-old nieces to witness.
I’m completely unprepared for the sudden sensation of being lifted off of the ground and thrown over Mark’s shoulder as he yells, “Last one to the water is a rotten egg!”
“Put me down!” I yell, kicking and flailing.
“Never!” His laugh rumbles throughout his whole body.
Ashtyn and Austyn are shrieking in delight and running after us. I look behind them and see Danny and Ashleigh at the pit, high-fiving each other. I am never going to hear the end of this.
The sand starts to decline as we reach the shore. Mark picks up speed, not stopping until he is waist deep, then tosses me into the ocean. I gasp from the shock of the cold water hitting my skin. I struggle to find my footing as I stand up. I glance up to see a look of pure delight.
“You’re going to pay for that!” I leap at him, making us both fall backwards back into the water.
When we break through the surface of the water, Mark’s arms are around my waist holding me closely. He gasps as my fingers trail the water beads as they fall down his torso and arms. A glimpse of orange and yellow in my peripheral reminds me of where we are, and I slip out of his arms and swim back towards the shore.
We spend the next hour splashing and playing with the girls until the sun sets and the temperature starts to drop. After drying off and curling up in an oversized sweatshirt next to the fire, I watch everyone cook their hotdogs and s’mores. I lay my head on Danny’s shoulder as I have so many times before. He affectionally flicks my nose like he used to when I was little. “You look happy.”
I lift my head and face him. “I am.”
“Good.” He nods. “I’d really hate it if I had to hurt him for hurting you.”
