Page 35 of Deprived No More

As I lie my head down, I give thanks for the week. Both the hardships and the pleasant surprises. I’ve not let my mind wander to Mark today. I plan to keep my thoughts centered on my family for now.

* * *

The weekend is here, and the kids are in heaven. Gavin and Grandpa arrived this morning right after breakfast and have spent the early part of the day with Gavin chasing the kids and Grandpa Garrett loading worm after worm onto their fishing lines.

Nick is in his element, surrounded by the people he loves most. He adores his father, and Gavin is a close second. The kids are well-behaved and thrilled to have their ‘big brother’ with them. I can’t recall the last time my husband smiled this much. Oh yeah, last weekend when Rachel kept the kids overnight. He’s definitely had a better week.

Getting Olivia up from her nap, we make our way down to the rest of the crew at the dock just as Jonas, Susanna, and the girls stroll over. Grace runs to greet Lilly and Annabelle, and I walk over to greet them. Jonas continues toward the boys at the dock as I see Susanna heading in my direction, holding a tray.

“Hey, I’m so glad you guys could come over. It’s such a warm day for fall we were going to take the boat out. And Gavin’s here, so we have all sorts of lawn games out for the kids.”

“I don’t think I’ve met Gavin. Is he your oldest?”

“Some days, I think so. My husband met him through an afterschool ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ organization years ago. They’ve been thick as thieves ever since. He’s like a member of the family.” Given he was a ‘little brother’ of sorts to Nick, we should think of him more as an uncle than a big brother to the kids. But he’s so playful and interactive, he feels much too young to be an uncle, I muse.

“So what’ve you got there? Should I put it inside?”

“Oh, I just brought graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars to make smores later. I hope that’s okay.”

“Are you kidding? The kids will be thrilled,” I answer, noticing the big toothy grin on Olivia’s face. “I don’t think it’s warm enough to melt the chocolate by leaving it out here, but I can’t promise the kids won’t sneak into it before its time.”

She gives me a knowing laugh before walking it up to the deck for safekeeping.

Olivia and I proceed down the grassy incline until we reach the boys.

“Mom, I caught a big one!” Mason yells as he holds up his sunfish, the size of a postcard.

“Nice.” I clap.

“I caught one too, but Grandpa said he needed to take another swim.”

Garrett gives me a wink, and I have to choke back a sigh. He loves these moments. I can see it all over his sweet face. This man would have missed out on so much had we not adopted these children. I bet he’d understand my desire for just one more.

“Do you guys need something to drink?” I ask. “I made lemonade.”

“That’d be great,” Nick says, strolling over in his wet T-shirt that says,You can’t scare me. I have four kids. Leaning down, he places a chaste kiss on my lips. My eyes fly open as he surprisingly squeezes my left butt cheek.

“Daddy, there are a lot of eyes here.”

“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

Backing away from him with a grin, I catch sight of Jonas staring at us over Nick’s shoulder, and my face falls. Ugh. I’m really not into public displays of affection. Particularly in front of that guy. Turning on my heel, I make my way back up to the house and decide to move Susanna’s tray inside until later. No sense tempting the kids.

Returning to the rest of the gang with a large pitcher of lemonade and plastic cups, I elicit Grace to help me pour. Nick encourages the boys to collect the fishing supplies and announces he’s getting the boat ready for launch to a sea of cheers.

Susanna and the girls board the boat, with Garrett offering a hand to steady them.

“There are plenty of lifejackets under the seats,” Nick instructs. “Kat, here’s Olivia’s.” He tosses a bright yellow and green jacket my way, and I bend over to slide her wiggly arms inside and snap the buckles. Once complete, I tap her on the nose and tell her to make her way to Grandpa. “Um, Kat…”

Looking over my shoulder, Nick is wearing a concerned expression. I stand up straight to see what’s the matter when I realize both Gavin and Jonas are staring at my ass.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Nick

My wife. She has no idea what she does to men.

The image of my wife bent over Olivia as she snapped the lifejacket around her is seared into my brain. It’s odd, really. I’ve seen my wife naked in a myriad of positions, but often when she’s wearing clothes that reveal just enough but keep the delicate parts of her under wraps, I’m more turned on than when I have full access. The swell of her breasts against black lace. Her nipples poking through her bikini top on a cooler than average day. The way the soft lips of her pussy push against the confines of her bathing suit when she’s bent forward. It’s like a blinking light just begging you to drop to your knees, pull it to the side, and dive in.

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