“How about Mom and I take you and baby Charlie for ice cream?” my husband suggests, knowing full and well that Jamie is a demon for ice cream.
“Go now!” Jamie jumps up and down, clapping his hands.
“One stinky baby coming up,” Vanessa says, walking toward me with the offending toddler held at arm’s length.
I take my wriggling child from her arms, holding him up and sniffing his diaper-clad butt. “Yup. Someone needs changing.” I laugh at the expression on Vanessa’s face as Charlie holds his arms out for our youngest. “How did you ever manage when Ren was a baby?” I ask, referring to her six-year-old son with Jackson.
“It’s different when it’s your own,” she says. “And I’m overly sensitive because my senses are all out of whack.” She rubs a hand over her swollen belly. “You know how much I love that little cuddle monster,” she adds, smiling affectionately at my son. And it’s the truth. Since we arrived at the Hamptons a week ago, she has hijacked the baby most days. I think it’s fair to say Nessa is dying for the birth of their second child. She had some complications after Ren’s birth, and they’ve had some trouble conceiving, so we were all delighted when they dropped the news of her pregnancy.
“I’ll change him,” Charlie says, cradling the baby in his arms and nuzzling his chest with his nose. Baby Charlie gurgles, and my husband continues nuzzling him, melting my heart in the process.
“There is just something so incredibly alluring about a man holding a baby,” Abby says, and Nessa and I nod. “Every time Kai held one of ours when they were babies, my ovaries about exploded.”
“And on that lovely note, we’re off,” my husband says, leaning in to kiss me. “Handcuff the demon to your side,” he jokes, gesturing to where Jamie is attempting to sneak off after his older brother and sister.
“I’m on it.” I scoop the little minx up in my arms, dotting kisses all over his face.
“It’s a pity the others couldn’t make it this time,” Nessa says. “It’s been ages since we all were on vacation together.”
“I know,” Abby says, looping my arm through hers as we start walking toward our loungers. “It’s getting harder to organize it with work and family life, but I’m glad we could still make it work this year.”
“I live for these vacations,” I truthfully admit. “Now that I’m at home with the kids all day, I miss adult company. Not that I’m complaining,” I add. “Because I’m so grateful I get to stay at home with the kids and be there as they grow up, but I miss working.”
“You could help me out if you’re interested?” Abby says, as we plow through the hot sand.
Abby runs her own dance studio from a building she leases in Rydeville town square. “In what way?” I ask.
“My accountant just quit. I haven’t started looking for a replacement yet. If you’re interested, you could work from home or come to the studio and use my office or do a bit of both?”
“That sounds perfect.” I hug my cousin and best friend. “We can work out the details when we get home.”
“Now, this is what I’m talking about,” Jackson says, raising his beer bottle. “To good food, good company, and a kid-free zone for the night.”
We all raise our glasses, chinking them together.
“We should get together more often at home,” Charlie says, sliding his arm around my shoulders.
“Says the guy who regularly bails because he’s got a con call,” Kai jokes.
“We can’t all be world-famous artists with our own schedule,” Charlie replies, grinning.
“I’ll have you know my husband works his butt off,” Abby says. “And he’s got deadlines. His L.A. show is booked for next year, and he’s under pressure to finish several commissions too.”
“He’s only yanking my chain, babe,” Kai says, pressing a kiss to Abby’s temple.
“I know, but it’s no harm to remind people.” Abby is fiercely protective and supportive of Kai’s passion, as she should be. He has really made a name for himself and he should be proud. His work is breathtaking. Truly exquisite, and he deserves every bit of his success.
“I saw that write-up on you in The New York Times,” I tell Kaiden. “Impressive piece.”
“Thanks. The guy was an asshole, and we butted heads a few times, so I wasn’t expecting the article to be great,” Kai admits. “Are you still painting furniture?” he asks.
“Just for pleasure, and only when I have free time.” I had established a small side business for a couple of years after Charlie and I first got married, but I gave it up when the kids were small because I wanted to focus on our growing family.
“My wife has many talents,” Charlie says, a smirk lifting the corners of his mouth.
Jackson makes a gagging sound while sticking two fingers in his mouth.
“My wife’s pretty talented too,” Kai says. “Just last night—”
Abby clamps her hand over her husband’s mouth, muzzling him. “I’m shocked, Charlie,” she adds. “It’s usually Jackson who lowers the tone.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Jackson smirks, raising his beer to his lips as Vanessa rolls her eyes. “And I happen to be pretty talented myself,” he adds, patting the top of her baby bump, his gaze brimming with pride.
“Oh boy.” I shake my head, smiling at my husband. “You just had to go there, didn’t you?”
Charlie presses his mouth to my ear. “I’m hoping for a display of those talents when we get home.” He nips at my earlobe, and my core aches with longing.
Lillian arrived with her fiancé this evening, and they have taken the kids overnight. I could’ve kissed my sister-in-law when she offered. I know she’s dying to get married and start her own family, so who am I to deny her the opportunity for a trial run?
I whisper into his ear. “Damn straight, stud. It’s not often we have a kiddie-free house, and you can bet I intend to make the most of it.” I slant him my most seductive look. “Why else do you think I brought the special toy chest with me?”
Charlie picks up my glass of wine, thrusting it at me. “Drink up. We’re going home.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re making hasty goodbyes as my husband hurries me away from the table. Our friends’ catcalls and whistles follow us out the door.
“That was rude, Charlie.”
He palms my ass through my dress as we walk along the path toward our vacation home. “Do I look like I care?” He reels me into his side. “I can’t remember the last time I tied you up and fucked you six ways from Sunday. Shoot me if I’m enthusiastic.”
I stop walking, pushing him into the railing that rims the front of the beach. I circle my arms around his neck, stretching up to kiss him. “Do I still do it for you, babe?”
“Don’t ask stupid questions.” He grabs onto my ass cheeks, pulling me into his erection. “You only have to glance at me, and I get hard.”
I bark out a laugh, as I rock my hips into his. “Slight exaggeration, but I’ll take it.”