CHAPTER THIRTY

Jacob walked downstairsto the next morning, still rubbing his eyes. He'd left Leilani to sleep as she looked exhausted.

The night had been filled with talk of babies and due dates and nappies and other fucking things he wasn't interested in.

Perhaps one day, but not right now.

Or never.

Leilani, of course, noticed his disinterest—although he was happy for them—and so they went for a walk along the beach and then retired early.

Both of them crashed out.

He'd woken early, listening to the birds tweeting and the waves of the beach crashing against the shore. His mind had wandered to the house they'd looked at yesterday.

He loved it. Seeing Leilani salivate over it had been an added bonus.

The owners had moved overseas and were keen to sell—for the right price—so he was thinking about making an offer.

The only thing stopping him was the big question about why he would want it. Not that one had to be married and have a family to own a big house. That was bullshit. Where was that law written anywhere?

But for the big price tag, Jacob needed to know he'd use it. Sure his family would stay from time to time. But would he come out here alone? Or use it for a little sex-scapade with his gang?

When he imagined that, it felt wrong.

Like a heavy feeling in his chest.

Is that really how he saw his future? He was questioning everything about himself right now.

Was it because of Ward?

Or Leilani?

Or perhaps it was both of them.

He accepted the cup of coffee and sat down on one of the sun loungers around the pool and lowered his sunglasses. He'd left his shirt off, and just wore his long shorts after looking out the window and seeing it was a gorgeous day.

After three long sips, he stretched out his legs and closed his eyes.

Had it been a mistake to bring a woman to the Hamptons? Being around happily married couples in a bubble like this could fuck with your mind.

They all made it look easy.

Or a little insane.

Perhaps a bit of both.

Leilani was different from other women. He'd liked her from the moment he'd laid eyes on her. At first, all he could think of was getting his mouth on her. Mostly between her legs. Then, the more he teased her, the more he wanted to talk to her.

The moment he'd seen the tears in her eyes at the event last weekend, Jacob had felt a tug inside him that really only existed for the people in his life he called family.

Yet a few minutes later, he was spinning her around on the dance floor.

Then kissing her.

Then fucking her.

But if he tried to use that crass term about what they'd done since arriving in the Hamptons, it would be a lie.

Sure he loved talking dirty, and he was fucking her sweet pussy with his cock. But it was more meaningful than that.

Leilani was his.

It was all he was willing to admit to himself at this point.

It didn't mean he could keep her, but right now, she belonged to him. They had two more days, and he was going to enjoy every minute.

The nurse had been reporting in daily—Lani was in contact with her mom directly also—and so they could both relax and enjoy the holiday.

His eyes flew open as he heard the chop, chop, chop sound of a helicopter approaching.

Fuck.

Then the air shifted as the vessel lowered and landed on the front lawn of the house.

Knox Montgomery had arrived.

––––––––

FLETCHER SURPRISEDTHEM all with a day out on the ocean. He'd organized for the Dufort launch to be brought to the Hamptons by the captain that usually managed the ship.

Leilani was delighted.

He was coming to realize how much she loved life by the ocean. Her early life growing up in Hawaii was shining through.

By eleven in the morning, the girls were in their bikinis, the guys in shorts and sunglasses, and they were cruising through the Northern Atlantic Ocean with the wind in their hair.

And Knox on board.

Jacob had shaken his hand and been polite.

"Good to see you," Knox had said, lifting his dark glasses onto the top of his head, his black unbuttoned shirt flapping in the wind.

Good-looking bastard.

Leilani had rosy cheeks as she shook his hand, which had irritated him way more than it should have.

"Hawaiian, huh? Why aren't you on the beaches in Maui living the life?"

Why aren't you on the beaches in Maui...Jacob chimed childishly inside his head.

"It's beautiful here too," she replied.

"It is." Knox glanced around and accepted the tall glass of orange juice he was handed. "A shame Atlas and Levi couldn't make it."

Not really.

He knew he was being a dick. Jacob had gotten along with all three of them at Blake's wedding.

But now things were different.

After anchoring in a cove farther up the coast, they were served an incredible lunch with lobster and prawns, delicious salads, and bottles of wine.

"So..." Jack suddenly stood and placed his hand on Amelia's shoulder.

"See! He's running for president. I told you," Harper said, slapping Daniel on the arm.

"Let the man talk," Daniel replied. "Are you?"

Jack laughed. "No. I think that might be off the table for a few years after the recent press."

Cue the awkward throat clearing. Although ten points to Amelia, who smiled down at her plate.

"Good point." Daniel laughed.

"As you know, I asked Amelia to marry me, despite her telling me her big brothers would eat me alive."

"The day isn't over yet." Logan lifted his brows.

Amelia shot him a look.

Jack grinned. "Well, you better hurry, because we've set a wedding date."

"July nineteenth." Amelia said, standing up and kissing Jack on the lips. "A summer wedding and you all have to come."

The table broke into applause and lifted their glasses.

"Where? Are you coming home?" Jacob asked.

Amelia shook her head. "We're holding the ceremony in the DAR headquarters. It's such a beautiful building with the Washington Monument as a backdrop."

"And the White House down the road if I need to run back to work." Jack teased and kissed his fiancé.

"Aww," Leilani sighed. "They're so cute."

"What's DAR?" Kristen asked.

"Oh, it's the Daughters of the American Revolution," Jack answered. "The non-profit organization was founded in the late eighteen hundreds to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Today the venue is used as a movie backdrop and for events like weddings."

"I'm too scared to drink this wine. Next minute I'll be getting married." Knox laughed, and Jacob found himself laughing along with him.

"Trust me. It's fine," Hunter said.

Addison shook her head. "Might join Tinder."

"You will fucking not." Hunter dropped the glass he had just drank from on the table.

Fletcher and Daniel broke out laughing.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lying in the sun on the deck of the boat, diving into the ocean, and a few of the guys zooming around on the jet skis.

"This is the life," Leilani said as she climbed up the steps onto the boat after diving off for the third time.

"Throw me that anchor float and let me just enjoy this weightlessness," Bella said to Blake.

"You should get out of the water," Blake said.

Leilani shot Jacob a grin and tossed it out to her.

"Thank you, Lani." Bella grinned. "Now push my husband back in."

Jacob decided to be helpful. With a nudge, his brother crashed down into the cool water and then shot him the bird when he emerged.

Knox skidded to a stop in his jet ski and lifted his sunglasses. "Getting me one of these!"

"Keep it away from your sister." Blake called out, swimming over to her.

"Why are you in the water?" Knox frowned.

"Because I am pregnant, not carrying some disease. Lani, can you please distract these men for me?"

"Okay," Leilani grinned. "Here, give me the jet ski." She climbed down onto the foot of the launch and waved her hand out to Knox.

"Do you know how to drive this thing?" Knox frowned at her while Jacob narrowed his eyes at them both.

"Well, no. I'll work it out. I can drive a car," she said.

Knox barked out a laugh. "Don't think so, sunshine. Climb on behind me and we'll go for a spin."

Then. She. Fucking. Did.

Without a single glance in his damn direction.