Page 11 of Without Bound
Bishop
Loud squeals fill the air followed by the sound of large splashing. I shade my eyes and look up to see a shock of red hair breach the surface of the water. Vivian bursts up like the little mermaid, except this mermaid is not a happy one.
“Godammit, Phoenix!” she shouts, sluicing through the water to get to him. “I told you not to get this swimsuit wet.”
Vivian reaches the shallow end, walking up the beach style entrance to where Nix stands with his hands braced on his quads, laughing like a madman.
“Why the fuck can’t you get that swimsuit wet? Isn’t the whole point of a swimsuit…to get wet?” he asks through tears of laughter.
Red hair hangs heavy with water dripping from the ends and down Viv’s body, puddling at her feet. “Because this is Balmain, and you do notswimin Balmain. YouwearBalmain.”
The laughter that had wracked Nix a second ago stops and he asks, “What the hell are you talking about? You wear a swimsuit so that you can swim in it. I don’t understand a damn word of what youjust said.”
“Errrr,” she screeches and stomps her little foot. “This swimsuit cost six hundred dollars. You don’t just throw six hundred dollars in saltwater.”
“Uh oh. Better watch it, Nix. Ariel’s got her human legs and it looks like she’s about to use them to kick you in the balls,” I call out from my chair on the deck.
“Shut up, Bishop,” Viv shouts, fumes pouring from her ears and nose.
Everyone else snorts at my comment except for Vivian and Nix.
“Six hundr-you know what. The price doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re wearing a swimsuit that you’re pissed got wet. From the pool. Which is where you need a swimsuit. To swim.”
“This was my ‘for show’ swimsuit! My actual swimsuit is coming later! You big, giant jerk!” Tiny fists pound on Nix’s large, chiseled chest.
It’s like a fly trying to break through a cinderblock wall. A gust of wind could do more damage.
“Aw, Peaches. I’m sorry. Why don’t I come help you change? Will that make you feel better?” Phoenix asks with a calm, soothing voice.
The kind one may use to stop a rabid dog from attacking.
“No. Only you at the bottom of the pool will make me feel better.”
“Tink. You know how your threats of violence turn me on,” he smirks and this time, I let out a boisterous laugh.
Viv’s porcelain skin turns red like a ripe tomato and the hands that were pounding away at Nix drop to her sides and curl into white knuckled fists. Her jaw clenches and I see her cock her arm back, and with a strength I didn’t know that tiny human possessed, rams it straight into Phoenix’s gut, causing him to fold in half and let out a short, hard cough.
“Quit calling me Tink. You’re lucky you’re a good lay with a big dick or I would’ve kicked your ass to the curb.”
“Jesus Christ, Vivian,” CeCe says, walking up beside them.
“For the love of Dolly. There are kids here.” Those words come from the ever worrier slash figurative mom of the group, Cami.
Although, I guess now she really is going to be a mommy.
“I did not want to hear that about my uncle. Thanks Viv. I’m going to go bleach my brain now.” I look over my shoulder to see Anais standing halfway out the patio doors.
I inhale a deep breath and hold it as I try to suffocate these feelings that seem to strike me every time I look at her. Today is no different. Maybe even worse.
She stands with that long, beautiful hair that is usually flowing down her back pulled into two braids. The ends hang over her shoulders and they’re like directional bullets to her plump breasts. Firm breasts that are scantily clad in a lavender bikini top, two small triangles barely covering what should definitely be hidden away.
Her smile shines and the sun dims when she’s near. And that fucking dimple. Jesus it’s hard to look away from her. But then my mind wanders to my best friend and I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.
“My future daughter-in-law, ladies and gentlemen.” The voice of Phoenix’s mom rings out from where she lounges next to the pool, a large brimmed hat on her head and cocktail in hand.
“Sorry, mama West. But your son,” Vivian walks over, shaking her head and places a kiss on her cheek. “Let me freshen your drink when I go change.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. And yes, I know my son. I was surprised you said yes to that scoundrel.” She pats Viv’s hand and smiles.
