Chapter Fifteen
Audrey
By midmorning, the Avalon harbor is shimmering like a polished sapphire beneath the sun. I’m standing on the dock, one hand shielding my eyes, the other clutching a breakfast burrito Jayden just deposited into my hand.
“You’ll need the protein,” he says with a laugh. “Wolf’s about to unleash full-blown alpha mode.” He then winks before getting to work.
“Great,” I murmur, biting into eggs and spicy sausage. I look at the three brothers who move with speed and grace. “Is this the part of the Catalina brochure where it says, Caution: Competitive Brothers ahead ?”
Wolf is standing near me, barefoot and shirtless, beneath a thin inflatable life vest. He looks hot as hell in all of the best ways. “You like to win, too. Don’t act innocent,” he says with a wink in my direction.
Drake hops onto the dock with a cooler slung over his shoulder and a captain’s hat that has absolutely no business looking that good on him. “It’s a Young family tradition,” he says with a grin. “It’s a sailing challenge. The winner gets bragging rights, and losers have to buy dinner.”
“I say losers have to do dishes for a month’s worth of visits,” Jayden says. “Drake’s still working off that one from the Fourth of July when he accidentally tossed the steaks into the ocean.”
“Fish eat steak too,” Drake says with a shrug. “I was being eco-conscious.”
I might be in for more than I can handle. I’m competitive, but these men are taking the meaning of that word to a whole new level. “You do realize I’ve never manned a sailboat before, and I’ve barely been on one more than a couple of times.”
Wolf saunters up next to me. “You’ll be fine, doll. You have natural balance and grace, and are good at anything you try. You’re tenacious.” He gives me a long, slow look from head to toe. “Besides, you look hella good in your sailing outfit, which is great for the captain’s morale.” He swats my butt before walking away. My cheeks heat as his brothers laugh. I don’t often get embarrassed, but apparently I’m getting all sorts of firsts with this family.
“Payback will come,” I whisper.
“I can’t wait,” he says. “It’s you and me, babe. Maybe we’ll intentionally lose and sneak off to a private cove and lose our clothes.” His eyes burn as he says this, and that sounds like a damn fine idea to me.
“No one’s sneaking off. Keep it in your pants, Romeo,” Drake says with a laugh, and I look down at the dock. I decide there will be no flirting with his brothers around. Apparently, they have bat hearing.
I step out of the way since helping is only slowing them down. They move so fast that I can’t keep up. Before I know it, Wolf’s lowering me into a beautiful sailboat. It doesn’t take long before three sailboats are slicing through the bay like white-winged birds.
Wolf is captaining The Sea Siren . I’m standing beside him, my hair pulled into a messy knot, and my brow furrowed as I try to remember every rope, knot, and nautical term he’s been throwing at me all morning.
Drake’s captaining The Troublemaker . It’s a very fitting name for him. Jayden’s boat is called The Chapter’s End . Each brother is gliding their vessel with military-like precision. I honestly don’t think there’s anything these men can’t do.
To mix things up, Cooper joined Jayden’s crew, his Coast Guard instincts twitching every time Drake makes an ambitious tack. Meanwhile, Nick, who’s sun-kissed and clearly in his element, is manning the front of Drake’s boat with a beer in one hand and a sandwich in the other.
“You’re not even trying,” Drake shouts at Nick.
“I’m contributing to morale,” Nick calls back.
Wolf turns to me. “Tighten the jib line, STAT!”
I reach for the rope, pause, then do it the other way. “I think this is better.”
Wolf blinks. “That’s not how sailing works.” He looks so confused, it’s absolutely adorable.
“I’m improvising,” I tell him.
“There’s no improvising in sailing,” he says. “You’re my first mate. We have to do this right, or they’ll kick our asses.”
“I’m not worried,” I say with a shrug. I like seeing him flustered. If he can’t handle a loss or me being less than the best, that’s a bad sign.
He gives me his signature wolfy grin that makes me take a step back. “Are you going to make me toss you overboard?” The gleam in his eyes tells me he’d enjoy that a little too much. I move another step away.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
His lips twitch, which makes me laugh. He manages to do all of this while expertly manning the boat at the same time. Even though I’m the world’s worst co-pilot, he really is handling it well. The boat slices smoothly along the coast, wind whipping around us, when a sudden gust, sharp and unexpected, tilts the sail hard.
“Grab the rail,” Wolf says as he moves into action.
I stumble, one foot slipping, but he reaches out and captures me around the waist, hauling me close as the boat leans dangerously to starboard. Water sprays over the edge, cold and bracing. The others shout across the water.
One of the locals, Josh, is on Drake’s boat, and lets out a shout of excitement. Everyone who’s along for the ride is having an amazing time. This might be a competition, but it’s also the most exhilarating feeling in the world, and everyone’s having fun.
“Hell of a gust from the west,” Jayden calls.
“Copy that!” Drake answers as all three boats adjust their sails.
Wolf leaps forward, adjusting the mainsail with practiced ease, barking instructions in the chaos. I don’t know what to do other than cling to the side rail with my heart pounding as I feel a rush of adrenaline like I haven’t felt in years. It’s not the danger of the situation, which isn’t all that dangerous with the shore being as close as it is, but the raw adrenaline of it all. We have sunlight flashing on water, wind tugging my ponytail loose, the roar of laughter, and pure raw unfiltered fun.
Wolf gets the boat under control and immediately meets my gaze. “Are you okay?”
“I’m better than okay. This is amazing,” I say breathlessly.
He smiles, relief and pride flashing across his face. “Are you sure you’re a novice at this?”
“Maybe I’ve done it in a past life because I seem to be made for the water,” I tell him. “I think I belong out here.”
“The sea and the island have a way of pulling people in, then never letting them go.”
“I think the tug’s working on me.”
The boat evens out, and the race continues in a flurry of salty sea spray and brotherly taunts. Eventually, we cross the finish marker, a floating buoy near the Green Pier, mere seconds ahead of Drake’s boat. I hear both of his brothers shouting behind us. My grin is so wide it feels like my face is about to crack.
“You cheater!” Drake calls. “I saw you charming the wind.”
“Maybe it simply finds me the alpha of the brothers. I’m the true Poseidon,” Wolf shouts before throwing his head back and letting out a perfect howl that bends me over in laughter. The boats all easily glide to the buoys where the men tie them up. The taxi comes up to our boat first, and I hop on and am taken to the dock.
It doesn’t take long before all of us are standing together, everyone wearing smiles while flicking each other a whole lot of smack. I’m taking it all in with a huge smile. How can a group of people be this much fun?
Jayden’s grinning too, his shirt hanging open, showing off an incredibly hard body, looking utterly relaxed. He claps me on the shoulder. “You did great. Congrats.”
“She did try mutiny today,” Wolf says.
Everyone looks at me and shakes their head. I laugh. “He’s lying. I was simply enhancing our strategy. We did win, so clearly it worked.” I brush my chest and hold my chin up a few more notches. I can give back as good as they can throw it.
“Mutiny can have you walking the plank,” Jayden warns. I take a step back, wondering if I’m indeed going into the water before this adventure is over.
“I’m warning all of you, I hold a grudge, and it doesn’t matter if it takes years.” Their smiles grow.
“Is she throwing a challenge?” Drake asks.
“I like it,” Josh says. He grins at me. “You should come back for the regatta in August.” I think I’m going to hide behind Josh. He doesn’t look like he wants to throw me in the water.
“Maybe I will,” I tell him. “That is, if Wolf promises not to be so overbearing. Otherwise, I’m going to have to abandon ship and find a new boat.”
“You’d have zero problems getting onto a new boat,” Josh assures me.
“I will kick your ass,” Wolf says. He now looks like he wants to throw Josh in the water. Good. Heat’s off of me.
Wolf turns back to me and grins again. “Maybe I’ll let you name the next boat.”
“Deal,” I tell him.
We all leave the docks without anyone getting thrown into the water, and there’s a lot of laughter as we make our way up the hill to Wolf’s place. Well, to all three brothers’ place. It’s huge, shocking since all of the places on the island seem to be smaller. Well, I guess the Wrigley’s places aren’t small at all. The view from their place makes the walk well worth it. It has to be one of the best views on the island.
The Spanish-style property is nestled high in the hills of Avalon with a wraparound deck, clay tile roofing, and a panoramic view that could quiet even the loudest thoughts. I might have just found paradise.
It doesn’t take long for the scent of grilled seafood to drift through the air as the brothers and friends cook lobster tails, shrimp skewers, buttery clams, and halibut filets. I’m sure the entire island is getting a whiff, making stomachs rumble all around. Soon, locals begin gathering as the sun sinks behind the cliffs, and music begins to play as laughter and conversation surround us.
I move away from the crowd and lean against the weathered railing, watching the ocean lap against the shore as the lights turn on and make everything sparkle. I love daytimes on the island, but I love the nights even more. They turn it from paradise into a magical escape.
It doesn’t take long for Wolf to find me, a beer in his hand. “You realize you’re becoming infamous around here,” he says.
“I do love to stand out,” I tell him. “And, my backward bowline was a thing of genius.”
“And made your captain sweat,” he says with laughter. “That takes true talent.”
I turn to look at him, feeling content. “This place washes away my always-racing thoughts. I love it.”
He places his arms around me. “That’s what paradise is supposed to do. It peels away the bad layers and makes space for something real.” I smile. I don’t need to add anything to that.
We rejoin the party, and I sip a drink as I move from person to person, hearing more stories of the island. I look over and love watching Wolf banter with his brothers as Cooper and Nick swap stories that earn gasps and laughter from the locals. Even Jayden is relaxed with his arm draped over a chair as he leans back with a smile on his lips.
Even as relaxed as I feel, and with the warmth and love surrounding me, my heart’s fluttering. It’s overwhelming and confusing. I’ve never had this much emotion flowing through me. When there’s a chance, I slip away to the other side of the deck, sighing as I focus on the water drawing me in. A breeze brushes my skin, and the smell of eucalyptus and brine calms my senses.
“You have a way of disappearing,” Wolf says as he quietly moves up behind me. I smile.
“You always find me.” He wraps his arms around me, the heat from his body the perfect warmth as we enjoy the harbor lights. “I might have to stay on this island forever,” I tell him.
“You’re more than welcome to. It really is like being on a different planet.”
I take a deep breath. “I’m scared that if I choose something, really choose it, I’ll lose it, or lose myself in the process. I’m afraid I might wake up one day and realize I’ve disappeared and don’t know who I am, and I’m living in someone else’s life.”
“We don’t have to lose ourselves in others. We can find the best parts of ourselves with them,” he assures me.
“I’m not sure I’m capable of standing still. I’ve always run.”
“You aren’t the only one. I’ve been known to do the same.” I turn to face him, looking into his beautiful eyes. I reach up and touch his strong jaw. He truly is beautiful inside and out.
“When I lost my parents, I thought I’d never stop running to escape the pain. I’ve realized, as time goes by, that pain can only catch us if we allow it to. We’re in control of our lives and our destinies. No one can control that unless we allow it.”
“I’ve never had a traumatic experience like that. I simply overthink things too much,” I tell him.
“Many of us do. Maybe we’re both changing because we’re good for each other,” he says, his smile easy, his expression relaxed. My lips turn up as I tremble in his arms. I lean forward and kiss him, loving how his body feels against mine.
It’s a deep, slow, aching kiss that shows vulnerability and love, that gives him everything I’m unable to say aloud. He has most of me, and could have the rest if only I could figure out how to unlock the fear.
We hear someone call our names and reluctantly pull apart. “We better get back before they hunt us down,” I say. I want to be alone with him, but we have a lot of people visiting.
“We can kick them all out,” he says. He isn’t joking.
“There’s no way I’m allowing you to do that so they can all talk about us having sex. I’ve heard how these islanders talk. There are no secrets here,” I tell him with laughter as I shake my head.
We make our way back to the group, and I move to the fire, enjoying the heat from the subdued flames. The music has lowered as the crowd begins to wind down. Island life begins early so not many people stay up late. I watch as the fire crackles lazily, casting golden light on the stone patio and throwing flickering shadows onto the stucco walls.
By ten, the locals begin saying goodbye with sleepy hugs and claps on the back. Jayden slips away to one wing of the house, muttering about getting some writing down for a new plot twist he’s just come up with, and Drake disappears with a bottle of tequila and a group of locals, telling us not to wait up for him.
Suddenly, I get exactly what I want, alone time with Wolf, the fire glowing low, the embers warm and on their last legs. I look to Wolf, who clearly has hunger in his gaze, waiting to see what I’ll do next.
I move to him with purpose and wrap my arms around his neck. His eyes grow hungrier. I don’t make him suffer. “I’m not going anywhere tonight.”
He smiles before sweeping me off my feet and moving with confidence through the large house that I pray has soundproof walls. I don’t get a chance to look around as my gaze is captured by him alone. It doesn’t take long before he steps through a door and firmly shuts it behind him.
He moves into a large bathroom and sets me down before turning on the shower. He comes back to me and slowly peels away my clothes, making me shake before him. It doesn’t take long before we’re both naked. We step into the shower together, and as the warm spray runs over our bodies, all semblance of control is lost. It’s been too long since we’ve come together.
Wolf pushes me against the wall as he leans down and takes my mouth in a passionate kiss that makes it impossible to breathe. Hunger rushes through me as I slide against him, not able to get close enough.
My hands run up his wet back as he reaches down and grips my butt, then lifts me. I wrap my legs around his waist as our kiss goes on and on while the water cascades over us. I wiggle against him, wanting him buried deep inside me. But he’s torturing both of us instead. I’ve made him wait, so now it’s my turn.
He rips his mouth from mine and I moan in frustration until he leans me back, then bends and captures a nipple in his mouth. He bites down before sucking the sensitive bud, making me bite my lip to keep from crying out. He lavishes attention on one nipple as his fingers squeeze my butt, sliding along my skin, the tips hitting the edge of my heat, making me squirm even more.
He moves over and sucks the other and my blood boils as he moves his fingers, one sliding inside me and wiggling. I bruise my lip as I bite it harder to keep my moans inside. What this man does to me is unbelievable.
He pulls back, then carefully places me back on my feet. I reach for him, but he shakes his head before lathering both hands. He turns me, and I grip the wall to keep from falling as his big, beautiful hands begin washing my body, spending extra time on my breasts and ass. He finds every inch of my skin, torturing me. He then rubs against me, soaping himself and driving us both to the edge, but not pushing us over.
I’m shaking from head to toe as he pulls me beneath the spray, then kisses me again as the water washes the soap away. I reach between our bodies and grab his thickness, squeezing it as I move my fist up and down his length. This man is perfect, and I need us to be one.
He groans as he shuts off the water. We step out of the shower and grab towels as he leads me into the bedroom. We’re only half dried before he lifts me again and tosses me on the bed. I let out a squeak when he joins me. His eyes are dark with passion, and I love seeing him pushed to the edge. I love knowing that I’ve done this to him. He makes me lose control, so it’s fitting I do the same to him.
He lifts my feet over his shoulders as he spreads my legs wide. I have to grab a pillow and put it over my face as his masterful mouth latches onto my heat and he flicks his tongue across my clit. I scream into the pillow as he dips his fingers inside me while sucking my clit. I lose control in seconds, falling over the edge as he swipes his tongue across me over and over again, making my entire body come undone.
I’m still shaking as he climbs up my body, easily positioning himself between my thighs. “I need you,” he says, his voice low and guttural.
“I’m yours,” I tell him, meaning it.
He looks deep in my eyes as he slams himself forward, finally making us one. His mouth smashes against mine, absorbing the scream as he begins moving. We’ve both lost control. He moves faster and harder as he pumps deep inside me. I let go as another orgasm rushes through me. And then he moans against my lips, his heat filling me as he finds his release.
Clinging tightly to me, we shake together. He turns us but keeps our bodies connected as our breathing finally returns to normal. I open my eyes to see him gazing at me and smile, feeling perfectly at peace.
He leans forward and kisses me. I’m not running anymore. This is where I’m supposed to be. It doesn’t matter where we are, somehow we’re connected, and the feeling isn’t ebbing. I guess that means we’re going to have to play this out, because I’ve lost the will to fight it anymore.
He turns onto his back and presses up inside me, his body still hard. I smile down at him, more than ready to make love again. Maybe this time we’ll never stop. I lean back and circle my hips, sighing at the pure bliss. I turn and look out his huge window, a perfect view of the sea below, the waves gently lapping against the shore. Oh yes, this is where I’m supposed to be. And I’m with exactly who I’m supposed to be with.