Page 169 of Drop Three

I know my dad did the best he could at the time, and I don’t hold a grudge against him for it. My mom leaving was an awakening for us all—one that needed time to come to terms with.

Time.It’s the simplest word with the most crucial significance.

“I think you played a big role in that, too, sir,” Navy tells him.

My dad blushes, and I didn’t think I’d ever see this day.

“Aw, look at your cheeks, Dad. You’d think you’ve never got a compliment before,” Penelope teases.

Dad rolls his eyes at Penelope. “It’s been a long time. A long time since someone has said something so kind as well. Thank you, Navy.” He looks at her sincerely.

I need to tell her how much I love her.

It can’t wait any longer.

“Steaks are ready!” King announces over the music.

“Steaks?” I look toward Navy, and she nods. “Fuck yeah, baby.”

Navy smiles and kisses my shoulder, looking up at me. “When are you gonna realize how much I love you?”

If it were possible, my heart would fly out of my chest right now because the woman I love openly told me she lovedme. Although everyone else has walked away, this is the first time I’ve heard it from her lips.

It means everything.

The steaks can wait.

I send Navy a smirk filled with promise and drag her behind me, searching for the nearest place with privacy.

The shed.

I’m not sure why we have this thing anyway. I’m the only one in the house that actually does yard work, but even then, we don’t have enough equipment to fill the thing.

That works to my advantage today as I do my best not to cause a scene, pulling Navy into the light blue shed to the side of the pool deck.

Navy whispers, out of breath from my brisk walking, “Bodhi! What are we doing?” She giggles and it’s a sound that settles in my veins.

She’s becoming every part that’s good in me and I’ll take it if it means the way life was without her never returns.

I give her no time to take in the shed before I’m on her—my hands deep in her wild red curls and my body pressed against hers.

A moan leaves her mouth the second my tongue slips inside, giving her no time to react. “I love you,” I tell her, unlocking my lips from hers quickly, “So fucking much, Navy.”

She whimpers and I kiss her again. The kiss is hurried and tangled but filled with enough passion I could burst. I can’t get close enough to her.

“I don’t know how I pushed you away. I’m a fool,” I tell her as I lick and suck my way down her neck. “I was scared, baby, and I’m not afraid to admit it.”

Navy nods, and I pause to look her in the eyes. “I forgive you,” she tells me, not hiding the emotion behind those tantalizing greens.

I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her say that. I’ve felt unworthy of even her time since Fiji, and the guilt has been eating me alive.

“I don’t want to live another second without you being mine.Mine,” I growl.

In one swift motion, I lift the hem of her dress and pull it over her head, leaving Navy in a skimpy, bright yellow bikini.

“This for me, baby?”

Navy shakes her head.

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