Page 11 of Paradise Ties

Even though he said it as a joke, Dane saw pain there. “Come on, Drew. You had women queuing up to get in your bed before the accident, and I don’t think losing your leg has made much difference to them.”

“Maybe not, but it’s changed me. I don’t want connectionless fucking anymore. And the ones I might want more with certainly don’t want to be saddled with this,” he said, gesturing to his leg.

“You like someone,” Jace said with a grin as he flicked water at Aaron.

Dane lifted his daughter to her feet, where she promptly sat back down again.

“Doesn’t matter if I do, she doesn’t feel the same. She’s sweet and kind to everyone, so that’s that. Plus, she has a boyfriend and while I may have been a man-whore, I don’t touch women with boyfriends.”

“Fine but there is someone out there, and you need to open your eyes to that. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Thanks for the advice, Oprah. Now, can we go get a beer before I die of thirst?”

Jace stood, as did Drew. “Sure, let’s go check out the pool bar and wait for the girls to be done.” Jace looked down at Dane. “You coming up?”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you there in about an hour or so. I need to see if Dad can watch these two, and by that, I mean they’ll all take an afternoon nap.”

Jace nodded, and Dane watched them walk away. He had a feeling if Drew opened himself up to the possibility of finding someone and stopped letting his leg define him, he’d be happier. But it was still early days, and Drew had a lot of baggage to deal with before a possible romance.

For now, he had an evening with his friends to enjoy. Tonight was ‘boys’ night, and they were going into town to eat, get drunk, and have an impromptu stag night. It wouldn’t be messy, or so he hoped. Hangovers with little ones sucked balls, and he wasn’t in his twenties anymore.

It was three days until he said, “I do”, and he couldn’t wait. Lauren was relaxed yet excited and enjoying this holiday immensely. He’d have a week alone with her after the wedding when his dad and Lizzie took the twins home with them. Lizzie lived in a fortress these days, and his kids would be staying at the Cunningham Estate with his dad anyway. He’d miss them, but he knew they’d be safe, and he wanted to start his married life properly with a private honeymoon. Whether they would see much apart from the cabin in the yacht he’d hired remained to be seen. Lauren in a bikini was his kryptonite, and by the time he got her alone he’d have no self-control left.

Knowing his kids had had enough time in the open sun, he lifted them into his arms and headed to join the others. It was time the dad squad hit the pool.

Chapter 6

Lauren walked out to the pool area and saw Zack and Ava in the pool with Riley and Ella, Daniel cradling Zoey in his arms, and Megan rubbing sun cream into Paige, but her eyes immediately went to Dane. Her eyes always seemed to find him no matter where they were and he looked up, as if sensing her, and smiled. One thing she would never tire of was the look he gave her whenever she walked in a room.

Returning his smile, she crossed to him wondering where her babies were but assumed Colin had taken them for a nap. Her father-in-law adored his grandkids—all of them—and was in his element whenever he was with them. Dane said it had given him a new lease of life and she had to agree.

Reaching him, she sat on the edge of the lounger and immediately felt his hands on her. He pulled her by her hips and kissed her soundly, the desire he evoked going straight to her nipples and making them peak.

He pulled back but kept a hand at the nape of her neck. “You smell delicious,” he said with a grin.

“It’s peach and papaya oil.”

His eyes went devilish and hungry, and she felt a shiver run through her. “Now I want to taste you.”

“Where are the kids?” she asked, wondering if Colin had taken them to his room or theirs.

“With Dad in our suite.” She saw disappointment on his face that matched hers.

“Maybe we can sneak away later and find a secluded beach,” she murmured.

“No wonder I fucking love you,” he said as his mouth caught hers in a much hotter kiss. She swayed forward into him, her hand landing on the warm skin of his chest.

“Jesus Christ, get a room you two.” Daniel was holding a hand over Paige’s eyes when she looked at him, but the smirk on his face said he was joking.

“We have one but currently one old man and the kids are sleeping in it.” Dane stood, and she shifted into his place on the lounger. He chuckled at the way she took over his space. He smirked a sexy grin at her. “Five minutes and she’s kicked me out of bed and stolen my lounger.”

“We can share,” she flirted, moving over a fraction. She felt free and relaxed and happy.

“Babe, it may have escaped your notice but I’m not a teenage boy that takes up five inches of space. I am a grown-assed man.”

“Oh, I know you’re not packing five inches, babe.”

Dane shook his head and laughed. “Woman, you’re dangerous today.”