Page 55 of Reclaimed Roots

"Charlie!" Natalie squealed, interrupting my trip down want-to-bury-myself-inside-my-girl lane. She broke away from me, hopping out of the boat and sprinting down the dock. I followed her trajectory and saw my baby sister grinning ear to ear, her arms already outstretched for a hug.

"Nat! God, I missed you!" Charlie laughed as they collided and spun. "How dare you stay away so long!"

"I know, I know. I'm the worst." Natalie squeezed Charlie tight. "But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

She said it lightly, but her eyes found mine over Charlie's shoulder.

It was a promise.

One I intended to hold her to.

It didn't matter if she was in Sable Point or in Chicago. She'd always be a part of this family, part of me. And I wouldn't let her go again.

"Alright, alright, enough of the mushy stuff," Elliot called out, waving us all aboard. "Let's get this party started!"

Whoops and hollers filled the air as we piled into the boat, jostling for prime seating and first dibs on the snacks. I slid behind the wheel. The hum of the engine vibrated throughmy bones as I eased us away from the dock and out into the bay.

The wind whipped through my hair and the spray from the wake was a cool mist against my skin. Natalie settled beside me, her hand finding mine atop the console. I twined our fingers together, bringing her knuckles to my lips for a quick kiss.

She smiled, leaning her head against my shoulder as we watched the shoreline recede. Chase sprawled out on the bench seat, already cracking open a beer, while Elliot rigged up the tube and Charlie queued up the speakers.

We spent the next few hours cruising the lake, trading off between tubing and floating, drinking, laughing, and soaking up the sun. Natalie barely left my side. Her skin was warm and slightly tacky with sunscreen every time I pulled her close for a kiss.

Having her pressed up against me in a tiny bikini was a special kind of torture. All I could focus on was silky skin and tempting curves. I wanted her so bad it was almost painful.

But I held back, kept my touches light and teasing. Because as much as I craved her, as much as I ached to bury myself inside her and never come out, I wanted to do this right. When I finally had her again, I wanted to take it slow. I wanted it to be something more than just a physical release.

So I contented myself with stolen kisses and heated looks, with the press of her thigh against mine and the tickle of her hair on my shoulder. It was enough, for now. A promise ofthings to come and a future I was finally allowing myself to imagine.

"Alright, lovebirds, break it up!" Chase called from the other end of the boat, his words slightly slurred. "Some of us are trying to enjoy the view without you two playing tonsil hockey."

Elliot snorted, flicking a bottle cap at Chase's head. "Like you're one to talk, man-whore. I've seen you swap spit with half the girls in this town."

"Hey, I'm an equal opportunity lover!" Chase protested, dodging the projectile with a grin. "I don't discriminate."

From her perch on the edge of the boat, Charlie rolled her eyes. "We know, Chase. You're a regular Casanova."

"Don't hate the player, sis. Hate the game."

"Ignore him," I said to Natalie, nuzzling into her hair. "He's just jealous he can't land a girl half as amazing as you."

She hummed, tilting her head back to look at me. "Oh, I'm not worried. I know I'm a catch."

"Damn straight, baby. And you're all mine."

Heat and hunger flashed in her eyes, sending my blood rushing south. Until a spray of water hit us square in the face, followed by Chase's raucous laughter.

"Oops! My bad!" He lowered his super-soaker and gave us an evil grin. "Just trying to cool you two off."

Natalie sputtered, wiping the water from her eyes and glaring at my brother. "Oh, it's on now. You just started a war."

She lunged for the other water gun, and then it was all-out chaos. Shrieks and battle cries filled the air as we chased eachother around the small boat, ducking to hide behind seats, getting in cheap shots and drenching each other with cool lake water. Even Elliot and Charlie joined in, their laughter mingling with the thump of the music and the roar of the engine.

By the time we called a ceasefire, we were all soaked to the bone and breathless with exertion. Natalie collapsed against my chest. Her skin felt cool and slippery as I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

"Truce?" I murmured, pressing a kiss behind her ear.

"Truce," she agreed, melting back against me. "For now."

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