Fifteen
I shuffled forward and Nixon stiffened, whispering in my ear, “That’s not your fucking cousin he’s talking about, is it?”
The boys continued to converse as I said quietly, “I think so, don’t say anything yet though. I want to see what else he says.”
“That’s spying Mrs McKenna,” Nixon jokingly scolded me, kissing my bare shoulder.
“What does she look like? Has she got nice tits?” Boyd threw in his lewd question. No shock there then.
“Er, God. I don’t know. She’s small, a bit on the scrawny side, got OK tits I suppose, sorry Jenna. No offence,” Jax quickly muttered, trying to recover.
“None taken,” I smiled, enjoying being one of the boys, even if they did speak rubbish seventy-five percent of the time.
Jax relaxed in his seat and pushed his hands behind his head, “Nice hair. Jet black. Long and wavy, fucking soft too. The type you want to wrap around your fist. Pretty enough face but it’s the eyes, man. Pale blue, they fucking pull you in. A guy would believe anything those fuckers said.”
“You’re so pretty,” Mason mocked, taking the piss out of Jax’s description. A description which perfectly fitted with my cousin. “She sounds mighty fine to me.”
Snorting, Jax replied, “That’s on the outside . Her looks are fine, it’s her personality that needs work.” He then started to say, “I imagine her pussy is—" but Nixon cut him off.
“You might want to stop there, man,” he said, nuzzling my neck, “Go on Jen, put him out of his misery or at least stop him from causing himself some added grief.”
Jax looked confused as he lowered his hands .
“Wynter Hart. That’s who you’re talking about,” I said, filling in that blank.
Jax sat up, his back ramrod straight as he looked over at me, “Yeah, that’s right. Hart. Fuck me, sorry. Is she your friend,” he stuttered, placing his hand over his mouth.
“Nope.”
“Thank fuck for that,” Jax batted back relieved, moving his fingers from his face.
“She’s my cousin ,” I volleyed without breaking eye contact. I could feel Nixon’s body shaking behind me. He obviously found the situation funny and it made me smile. Jax had gone pale beneath his tan and looked like he was going to be sick.
“Ah—”
Boyd burst out laughing, “Ha ha, climb out of that one Jaxon. You are so fucked!” he snickered.
As he said Jax’s full name, recognition snaked into me. I had heard Wynter say the name Jaxon before.
“OK, so she’s not that bad,” Jax put in awkwardly. I studied him, amused as he attempted to backtrack.
“And the gold medal for the back peddler of the year goes to,” Mason pounded out, needling his friend. Styles released a piggy type of laugh.
We all took it in the best way possible, and I wasn’t offended. Once everyone had sobered, Nixon nuzzled my neck, “Fancy going for a paddle?” he whispered against the cuff of my ear. The others were chatting about weightlifting and sports, the subject having moved on.
Nixon pushed to his feet, dusted the sand off his legs and then held out his hand which I took.
“Do you want to take that off,” Nixon said, looking down at the dress still covering me. He darted a wary look around his brothers and friends.
“Do you want me to take my dress off,” I replie d
He took a deep breath as if preparing himself, “Go on, I can take it,” and I started to pull my dress over my head.
Nixon was looking at me hungrily and he moved my hands and took control, lifting the hem and slowly pulling it over my head. It was early evening but still quite warm. The sea breeze cooled my skin.
“Fuck me,” Styles suddenly said which encouraged the death stare from Nixon.
“Eyes forward dickhead,” my husband said, part shielding me with his body. I caught Jax and Mason grinning in understanding at each other before Nixon also dealt them a disapproving look.
“Alright, just saying. My bad,” Styles tossed out airily, holding up his hands in surrender and averting his eyes from my body.
“Maybe you should paddle in your dress, it’s safer,” Nixon snarled with a glint in his eye. It was lucky it was his friends who had decided to ogle me, anyone else would be nursing a broken jaw right now.
“Safer?” I questioned as Nixon removed his shoes.
“Yeah, for any fucker who is stupid enough to look at you,” Nixon mumbled under his breath, very much the hothead. He didn’t like it when other boys stared at me and unfortunately for his temper, this happened quite a bit. He was getting better at keeping a lid on it. I told him that he should see it as a compliment. They wanted something he had. Nixon didn’t see it like that. I kind of got it as I didn’t like it when girls stared at him either. Did that make me insecure? Probably.
We walked hand in hand towards the sea. The tide was in but there was still plenty of beach. A variety of games were going on and there was a huge volleyball match taking place further along the sand.
The water was cold as it touched my feet and Nixon came around the back of me, hugging me against him as we looked out to sea .
“Nixon,” I said, turning my head sideways. The water lapped softly against the sand and you could hear raised voices, laugher, and music. It was very much the place to be. Amy had been to these parties for a few years and had always asked me if I wanted to go. I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed being there without Nixon though.
“Hmm,” my husband said, lowering his head to one shoulder. I could feel the strength of him behind me. He was my rock.
“Do you think there is anything going on between Mason and Amy?” I said, my voice unsure.
Nixon released a deep tormented growl as his hands skimmed over the flatness of my abdomen, “You look fucking unbelievable in this.” My stomach muscles clenched as he skimmed his fingers over the top of my bikini bottoms close to my pubic bone.
He was totally wrapped up in me and hadn’t heard what I said. I nudged him playfully in the ribs and repeated the question, “Nixon. Did you hear what I said? Do you think there is anything going on between Mason and Amy?”
“Amy as in your sister Amy?” He replied evenly, turning me in his arms and putting his hands on my shoulders.
“Yes,” I said, looking up at him.
Nixon’s eyes impaled me and he seemed to take his time to answer, “Not sure. But if there is, God fucking help him with that one,” he drawled out with a chuckle.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion, “So you do think he likes her then?”
He shrugged, “I’m sure one part of his anatomy does. She’s annoying as fuck but she’s a good-looking girl. I’m a man. I notice these things.”
“Oy!” I said, clumsily punching him in the stomach.
“Ouch, OK, easy tiger. I felt that. For someone so tiny, you certainly pack a punch.” Yeah, like he felt a thing against those cast-iron abs of his. “Maybe I’ll take you on in the ring one day. Although sparring with you would soon lead to something else of course,” Nixon stated, his face full of heat.
“If there is something going on, I don’t know how I feel about that. I know Mason sleeps around. I wouldn’t want her hurt. I don’t think she’s as experienced as she makes out.”
“Who fucking cares anyway. They’ve always taken strips off each other and if there is a guy who can sort her the fuck out, it’s Mason. Besides, he’s fairly choosey. He isn’t a man-whore like Boyd.”
I felt slightly annoyed that he thought Amy was the one who needed fixing and his brother was fine. Mason was Mr Nice Guy? Whatever . I had heard some of the stuff he had said and done to Amy in the past. And it wasn’t cool. But he was right in a fashion, Amy did need a strong hand.
I scoffed loudly to myself, “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt for her to be taken in hand. She does step over the line on a regular basis. Take the tyre incident.” I knew I was rambling but I couldn’t help myself.
Nixon, cupped my face in his hands, “Absolutely love, but could you do me a favour?”
I pouted up at him and agreed readily, “Anything my darling husband.”
His hands were so gentle, “Stop talking about your sister and fucking kiss me.”
And I did, crushing my body against his, desire swamping my insides. Our kiss was deep and thorough and we both took our time. Nixon slipped his tongue into my mouth and massaged my tongue with his. He kissed me as if he couldn’t get enough. We were playing with each other, tormenting, tasting, and taking, to the point where I wanted him to throw me to the ground and make love to me again and again. As I sighed into his mouth, he released my face and slid his hands under my backside, pulling me up possessively against the huge bulge in his shorts.
The moment was suddenly ruined as Nixon drew back sharply, “Fuck! ”
I looked up at him through that haze of passion, my lips swollen from his kisses, “What?” I said, disorientated as he drew back. He was looking over my shoulder down the beach, “What’s wrong?” I questioned turning around. My emotions were all over the place.
“Seth. For fucks sake . Come on.” Seth? Talk about a passion killer. Nixon grabbed my hand and started pulling me behind him towards our group.
Everything happened so quickly.
Mason stood as we approached, “Sup bro?” He then must have noticed Nixon’s blatant stonking arousal beneath his bottoms. “Fuck me mate, you might want to do something about that?” he said with a flick of his head.
Nixon just rolled his eyes, it appeared there were bigger fish to fry, “Get your shit, we’re leaving,” he instructed before fist-bumping both Jax and Styles. “Laters. Good luck with your new mommy.”
“Suck me off already,” Jax huffed with a grin at Nixon’s playful sarcasm.
I helped Nixon start to throw stuff into the bag we had bought and fold the picnic blanket up.
“Here, put your dress on,” Nixon instructed, throwing it at me. I caught in and tugged it on, confused by the sudden mayhem.
“Fucking hell bruv, where’s the fire,” Boyd chuntered as Nixon motioned for him to get a move on. He started to fold down the chairs he had brought.
Nixon zipped our bag up and then stood, looking down the beach again with an exasperated expression. We all fell into line beside him and followed where he was focused.
“What?” I said, squinting to see.
Nixon flicked his head, “Streaker, twelve o’clock,” he explained with a grim look.
“So,” Mason said, his face screwed up as he tried to establish where his brother was looking. He then emitted a rather loud, “Oh, shit.”
“Yes. Oh, shit,” Nixon echoed with the deepest sigh ever .
What the heck?
“Boyd, go and get your brother. Before he makes a bigger dick of himself.”
It was at that point that my eyes fell upon Seth. He was dancing around one of the oil drum fires without a stitch of clothing on and had a traffic cone on his head like a hat. Those gathered around were clapping and encouraging him. A couple of girls hopping in the background, also dancing whilst egging him on.
The laugh burst from my chest before I could stop it. It was hilarious. He was obviously three sheets to the wind, but enjoying himself immensely, jigging around and gyrating his hips with his thingy flapping all over the show.
And that was the first time I saw another McKenna boys’ tackle. Compared to Nixon’s. There was nothing to write home about.
Boyd and Mason glanced at each other and as the song Gangnam Style came on the speaker, they both set off running to retrieve their shamefully naked brother.
As we drove back in convoy, Nixon driving his truck and Mason, Boyd and a thoroughly told-off Seth following behind, my husband told me about all the things he was going to do to me when he got me home.
And as we mounted the stairs later that night, having ensured that Seth, who had been sick in Boyd’s car was settled. He delivered on what he had promised and then some.
My husband, you see, never did anything by halves.
*****
Over the next week, Nixon settled well at my parent’s house at Orchard View Farm. We were going to move my things over to Lamb Hill in stages, once he had called my father. I wasn’t anxious about what my dad would say. He knew I had married Nixon and would have to deal with the fact that we were together again .
Mattie didn’t seem surprised to see us together. He didn’t even raise an eyebrow when he walked into the cinema room when Nixon and I were watching a movie. Chrissy was still spending most of her time with her friends so probably wasn’t aware and I hadn’t seen Amy to talk to. Did she even know Nixon and I were back together?
There was a niggling thought that kept circling my mind. Was my sister sneaking around with Mason or was I just being paranoid?
We had purposefully invited her to a small BBQ which Mattie had decided to throw. A celebration of our folks being away.
We had invited a few friends including my cousin Wynter. An attempt to get some dirt on her situation. Amy was working that day but I knew she finished early and yet she was a total no-show. We didn’t see her at all which was annoying as I could have then explained that Nixon was back in my life. If I didn’t know how independent my sister was, I would have been worried.
I introduced Nixon to Wynter. I didn’t know her as well as my sisters and I think she was a bit disappointed that Amy wasn’t there. She certainly wasn’t herself, but then again, her mother had just remarried and it didn’t sound straightforward. Two families coming together was probably never going to be that easy.
Wynter did speak briefly about her mother and her mother’s new husband and said she hadn’t really had much to do with her new stepfather’s sons, Jaxon, and Chris. I toyed with telling her that Nixon knew Jax but decided the time wasn’t right. She seemed a bit closed off and spent most of the time texting on her phone.
Later in bed that night, Nixon raised the subject of Amy again, saying that he had seen her sneak in the backway whilst we were tidying up from the BBQ. He explained that she went around the back of the house and so had probably used the back door. That fact was a sign that she was up to no good. What on earth was she doing ?
I knew she hadn’t been out with Alex as he was away with work. Simon had told me when I was on my last riding lesson at Kiplings.
I woke up the next morning to find that Nixon wasn’t in bed, so I quickly dressed and hurried downstairs. He was in the kitchen and had made breakfast. Eggs and bacon.
“Wow, this looks delicious,” I said, as I padded over barefooted and took my usual seat. Nixon turned from the stove and shovelled a heap of food onto two plates.
“Easy. You won’t want me when I’m fat,” I warned him with a wink.
Nixon grinned and placed the pan into the sink before he joined me, “I’ll want you no matter what your size. And anyway, you’re still on the thin side, you must have lost weight whilst you were pining for me,” he said with a cocky quirk of his head. He was such an arrogant sod. He was right of course.
We finished our breakfast together, talking about our plans for the day; more packing and then a trip to the pond perhaps. Nixon had taken the day off from working on the farm.
As Nixon was finishing the dishes, I eyed his denim-encased backside, he had the most amazing bottom.
As I had just placed my knife and fork down, my husband automatically sailed over and took my empty plate and I thanked him.
“You’re welcome, love,” he said, popping a kiss on the top of my head. He then explained that he had spoken to my father on the phone that morning and after a healthy amount of grovelling, things were back on track. Almost. At the end of the day, we could both work on my parents once they were back.
As Nixon went back to the sink, Amy appeared in the doorway, wearing a what-the-hell expression, and looking extremely pink. Like a lobster. She must have sat in the sun way too long. Maybe she did that at the beach? I told her so and she rolled her eyes and walked further into the room, her gaze pinned on Nixon’s back .
The silence got the better of me, “What?” I said, questioning her horrified expression.
She dropped her phone on the table noisily which alerted Nixon who had just turned off the water and probably hadn’t heard her enter.
He turned, and his eyes immediately narrowed. The atmosphere in the room went from loving to animosity in a second. Anxiety pumped through my veins.
Nixon, leaned against the sink, his eyes roaming over my sister’s blotchy face and not being one to pull any punches where she was concerned said, “You should wear sun cream outside Amy, you look like shit.”
She huffed, pushing her phone further across the table, full of moodiness now.
Darting a look of pure venom at Nixon, she then turned to me, freezing him out.
“Did I just have a stroke or is there a McKenna in my kitchen?” Her tone was sub-zero and her expression was dark and meaningful.
Nixon laughed softly and then discarded the dishcloth he had been holding. Hi stance suggested he was relaxed, calm and unshakable. But I knew that wasn’t the case. Amy pushed his buttons, she always had.
Nixon gave her a lopsided smile, “That isn’t very sisterly of you, Amy,” he snorted, his eyes could have cut glass.
She tossed her hair back and stuck her nose in the air, “I don’t consider myself to be your sister, Nixon. I don’t consider myself to be your anything,” her tongue lashed.
Nixon shrugged nonchalantly.
I exhaled a calming breath. I was so tired of their bullshit. They both loved me so why couldn’t they just get along?
The tell-tale signs of one of my headaches started and I massaged my temples, placing my elbows on the table in front of me .
They continued to throw insults at each other and I zoned out, leaving them to it. If I collapsed on the floor, would they even notice? They were way too involved in attempting to get the last word in.
Amy taunted us both, saying how my dad would kick off if he found out that Nixon was there but we both knew that wasn’t the case. Nixon had already set the record straight. He told Amy that but she didn’t believe him.
Amy then asked if I’d seen Mattie. I explained that our brother had said at last night’s BBQ that he was going to head into the village. It was odd, as Mattie had been quite subdued last night. I put that down to Nixon being there but Amy looked sheepish when she’d asked about the whereabouts of our brother. Had they had a fallout? They hadn’t had a fight in years but the last one had been huge. All to do with Mattie getting to live in the bedsit over the garages on our farm. Amy hadn’t spoken to our parents for the best part of a week. I had been annoyed at the time as she already had the biggest bedroom.
I shelved the thought and decided to ask him about it later.
Nixon then decided to wind Amy up about why she wasn’t at the BBQ and she clammed up, straight away. Something was off.
To try and fix the damage Nixon had done by prying, I asked if Amy wanted to come swimming with us at the pool later. Nixon was determined to teach me to swim. But of course, she declined stating how it was rich that he was teaching me to swim when he almost drowned me that time.
When that didn’t work, I moved on to plan B. Nixon and I had spoken at length during the night after the success of the BBQ about how parties can bring people together.
I explained to Amy that we had decided to hold a family get-together at our house that following Saturday in our garden so that both families could come together .
She wasn’t impressed, saying how she’d make an excuse as to why she couldn’t be there. She was so difficult and I started to see things from Nixon’s side.
Amy left us in a huff, saying that if I saw Mattie that I should ask him to call her and that she was going to the village.
As we were on our way to the pool, I brought up the subject of Amy and Mattie and explained that I sensed they’d had an argument. Nixon looked uncomfortable and remained silent whilst we undressed. I was back to wearing my safe one-piece, Nixon having basically ripped the other one from my body the other night. At the end of the day, we were there for me to learn to swim not partake in the naughty stuff.
Once we were in the water I questioned Nixon again, asking him if he knew something in respect of my brother and sister.
What he said was so shocking that part of me wished I’d never asked.
He said that there had been a rumour in the village about a taboo kiss that occurred between two people who should have known better. I remembered Amy saying she’d thought Chrissy was part of some scandal the day Nixon came home.
My husband explained that the kiss everyone was talking about was between Mattie and Alex. Alex, as in my sister’s boyfriend.
When the news hit my ears, I wanted to go home, text Amy and tell her.
Nixon explained that she already knew. He had bumped into Mattie before he’d left for the butchers that morning and he had spilt the beans that Amy had walked in on him and Alex together . He hadn’t gone into detail but that made me want to see my sister even more.
“Just leave her to it, she’ll come to terms with it and it will just make her stronger. She’s hurt and embarrassed right now, which was probably another reason she was playing up so much at breakfast. ”
I knew he had a point. She probably wouldn’t welcome any advice on relationships when things were so raw. It had only happened the day before. I hated that she hadn’t had the chance to speak to me about it. She’d almost looked through me during breakfast but she would do. Amy wouldn’t be able to say anything in front of Nixon. I felt a moment of sadness that I hadn’t been there for her.
Once I had gotten over the initial shocking news. I managed quite well with my technique at the pool, Nixon was a strict teacher. He just looked so fit when he was wet. He took it so seriously and pushed me gently aside when I was hoping for a kiss.
Later that night, we chilled out in my room with a Chinese takeaway and discussed the family BBQ. A Let Bygones be Bygones event! It was important to me and we would plan it well.
Nixon and I spoke about what food to cook, what types of drinks, decorations and of course a list of people to invite. We agreed to keep it small as I still didn’t like large gatherings, even if they were made up of family and close friends.
Nixon said he would invite some of his friends from the army. Now he had left, he wouldn’t get to see them as much and so I was totally supportive. One of them would be Jax and a few of the others that I’d met from the base. I also invited Wynter but didn’t mention Charles. I knew Nixon didn’t like him.
I wondered how that would work. Me inviting Wynter and Nixon inviting Jax? Would they come together? Jax now knew who Wynter was. Would he have spoken to her and explained that her cousin was married to his friend?
Pushing aside the thought, I stretched my limbs and turned onto my side, only to be tugged back against my husband’s beautiful chest.
“You tired?” he murmured against my neck. His words were a deep rumble .
I was, shattered after our swim and pleasantly plump with sweet and sour chicken but went with, “Nope. I’m full, but I’m wide awake.” Sexual excitement stirred in my loins and my pulse raced.
“You’re not full yet, but you’re going to be,” Nixon said with a wolfish smile. Pure seduction poured from his tone. My breath snagged at the promise stamped into those words.
And I turned into his arms and thoroughly enjoyed another fantastic night of passion with the love of my life.