29. Chapter 29 - Madison
The lively chatter grows louder as I approach the pool. With my beach bag slung over my shoulder, I stride over to my man who is glistening with sweat and splayed out on a lounge chair. The sun is warm at my back as I stop directly in front of him, casting a shadow over his body. A deep baritone chuckle leaves those delicious lips as he recognizes my arrival.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he says smiling while adjusting his sunglasses so that they sit on top of his head.
I place my beach bag at the end of the chair next to him and lean over to kiss him deeply. His hand comes up behind my head, holding my face there and swirling his tongue over my bottom lip. A groan passes his lips like he’s been in agony all morning. Trust me, I feel the same way, Bone Breaker.
“That bathing suit should be illegal, Mariposita ,” he tuts, tugging me forward by the metal hoop between my cleavage. Warm lips press against the swell of each of my breasts. The Bone Breaker shows me no mercy, licking a path up my chest and wrapping his lips over my neck.
“Diego…” I warn.
“Get a room!” Lexi teases, splashing us .
She and her future husband are in an extremely competitive match of pool beer pong. Con uses her moment of distraction to sink a ball into the front cup.
“Hey! That’s not fair,” Lexi pouts. “I was distracted.” She pulls the cup from the rack and sips its contents.
“It is fair. That white bikini you’re wearing has had me distracted the entire game,” he reasons.
I get situated, leaning back against my lounge chair.
“Would you like an umbrella?” Diego asks.
“No, thank you.” I wave him off. “I love the sun.”
He winks at me. “I can be your sun. Warming that sexy body of yours. Making those cheeks turn red as sweat beads on your skin. Fuck, I can even make your head spin. You’ll be dizzy from just being in my presence for too long.”
I turn to look at him, narrowing my eyes behind the designer shades he got me. “You are so cocky.”
“You know it’s true,” he brags.
My legs close in an attempt to settle down the ache there. “Nope. Not at all.” I try for nonchalant.
He rolls his eyes at me, standing and stretching his arms high above his head. Rows of abs clench and his board shorts sink low, exposing the V I’d like to sink my teeth into. I bite my lower lip at the lust zipping recklessly through my body. He grabs the bottle of sunscreen, squeezes some into his hand, and starts to massage it into my shoulders, down my arms, and over my breasts. His fingers sink beneath the cups of my top, rolling each nipple. I gasp, allowing him to take full advantage.
Warm lips claim mine. Just as we are about to become lost in each other, he tosses the bottle into my lap.
“Madison and I call next,” he announces before diving into the deep end.
I shake my head, ridding myself of the haze. A waitress comes over at the same moment. I shield my eyes from the sun with my hand and look up at her .
“Can I grab you a drink, Mrs. De La Cruz?”
“You can just call me Madison.” I smile sweetly at her.
“In our home, you’ll be addressed as Mrs. De La Cruz, Mariposita ,” Diego shouts from the pool.
Asshole . My smile widens. Being addressed as his wife always has a nice ring to it.
“Ignore him. I’d love a blood orange margarita.” Diego smirks at my wittiness.
“That is Mr. De La Cruz’s favorite as well. I’ll get right on that.” She walks away, heading towards the bar.
Liam passes her, spotting me first before shifting his gaze over to Diego.
“This seat taken?” he asks, pointing to the lounge chair to the left of me.
“Ummm… I think Lexi is sitting there,” I lie.
“Come on, Mad. Don’t be like that.” He places his hands on his hips. “I said I was sorry.”
I growl under my breath. Insufferable man. “Take a seat. I’m just about to play beer pong anyway.”
“Goddammit! I can’t believe you won again!” Conor groans.
“Madison and I will always be the champions. This is our game,” Lexi taunts.
“Damn right!” I holler.
“Madison, we’re up,” Diego declares.
I stand, shimmying out of my skirt and removing my flip-flops. When I bend over to place them in my bag, I can feel more than one set of eyes on my ass.
“Told you that bathing suit should be illegal,” Diego complains.
“Well, I like it.” I stick my tongue out at my husband, who is leaning his arms on the pavers, looking up at me. His hair is slicked back. Water droplets cling to his tan skin.
Imagine a model for a cologne ad. You know the type. Guy in a pool, low cut bathing suit…wet skin. Yep. That’s my man. Mmm.
I waste no time sitting down on the pavers and throwing my legs over the edge of the pool. Diego slides between them, gripping both of my thighs. Tilting his head up, he claims my lips.
“I never said I didn’t like it… but too many people here like it too…” His eyes direct over to Liam behind me.
Diverting the budding tension, I hop in and wade over to where Lexi is resetting the cups. “You got this, babe. Show him no mercy.” She extends her fist so that I bump it.
Liam jumps in with my drink, sploshing through the water to hand it to me. “Figured you would be needing this.” His smile broadens as he reaches me. Like he should get some sort of brownie points or something.
“Thanks.” I take a nice sip and place it down on the floating table.
“Can I be your partner?” he asks, nudging my shoulder.
“No. This is between Madison and I,” Diego answers for me. For once, I’m grateful for it.
Liam lifts his hands in surrender. “Alright. Con and I have next.”
Liam, Lexi, and Con convene in the corner of the shallow end as a round of shots gets passed around. They eagerly accept, tossing them back with ease. When the waitress leans over the side of the pool to offer me one, I politely wave her off.
It’s too early for shots. We have all night.
I grab a ball from the cup and toss it back and forth between my hands.
“Alright, Mariposita . Let’s make this game a bit more interesting. How about a wager? You can set your terms first.”
“Hmm…If I win, you have to give me anything I want.” I cross my arms, pushing my boobs up and teasing the fuck out of him. How about a dose of your own medicine, Bone Breaker ?
It works . His eyes zero in on them while his tongue darts out to lick his lower lip.
“You don’t need to win a game in order for me to give you anything you want. So, if you win or lose, it makes no difference to me.”
I can't help but smile at that. It really is the truth. He would give anything, say anything , and do absolutely anything for me.
“And if you win?” I raise a snarky eyebrow.
“If I win…I get to steal you away before dinner. And I think you already know what I want,” he says pointedly, staring below my navel.
Goosebumps spring up along my skin.
“Deal.” I reach my hand out to shake his extended one. His grip is firm, but his thumb is gentle, rubbing back and forth over the top of my hand. Those sapphire eyes are shaded by dark-tinted Oakley sunglasses. I don’t need to see them to know they are swirling with lust.
Let the games begin.
“Madison! How could you? Our winning streak is officially ruined,” Lexi fake cries into her hands.
I pretend to console her, rubbing her back. “I’m sorry, Lex. No one told me Diego was a fucking beast at beer pong.” My gaze darts over to my husband who is doing a celebratory shot with Liam.
Seems those two have gotten over the tension. Probably at the expense of me losing this game. Men. I roll my eyes.
“He is a beast and a brute.” Lexi glares at him.
“I heard that, Alexis ,” Diego laughs, stacking the plastic shot glasses and leaving them at the edge of the pool.
“If Madison and I are late for dinner, you can blame her,” Diego announces to everyone .
The grandest of smiles is spread across his face. He’s so at peace, so carefree right now. I stare longingly at him.
This is exactly where I belong.
Diego swims up next to me, circling my waist and pulling me flush against him. “Are you mad?”
“No,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“I bet you’re just dying to know what I have planned.” He lowers his forehead to mine.
“I am,” I admit.
“A few more hours and you’ll find out…” He waggles his eyebrows.
A little while later, we get out and dry off. I slip on a pair of black mesh pants and a camisole. Everyone gathers around the table set up by the pool. Drinks are served and salads are placed on each of our charger plates.
I dig in, enjoying the delicious flavors bursting on my tongue. Leafy greens and fresh fruit tossed in a Dijon balsamic dressing. Candied pecans and blue cheese crumbles top it off, adding a nice crunch.
Lainey may not be my favorite person in the world, but she is a damn good chef.
Diego gapes at me as my eyes practically roll. He silently chuckles when I look back at him innocently. What?
Liam’s chair screeches back against the stone pavers as he stands. “I have an announcement.” He uses his knife to tap against his beer bottle.
Everyone quiets down, turning their heads to look at him. “Tonight after dinner I have a special event planned. One I think you all may enjoy. My tattoo artist has agreed to fly out tonight and join us. He’ll be doing tattoos at the main house for those of you who wish to add to your collection. Couldn’t have a bachelor and bachelorette party without the availability of a drunk and impulsive decision to get inked.” Excited chatter fills the space around us .
“ Wow . That’s fun,” Lexi speaks up. “Maddy and I are deff getting inked.”
“Yeah…we’ll see…” I say wryly.