Chapter 288
Irene leaned against the yacht’s railing, salt breeze whipping her hair as they glided through crystal waters. She’d assumed they were heading to some resort, but as Thomas slowed the vessel toward a secluded cove, her jaw nearly dropped
“Wait, where’s the hotel?” she asked, squinting at the shoreline.
Adam’s lips curved into that subtle smile that never appeared in boardrooms. No hotel. Just us.”
As they rounded the final bend, a stunning beach house came into view, its modern lines blending into the lush landscape. The upper deck faced the ocean, while a stretch of golden sand formed a private beach behind.
“That’s… yours?” Irene blinked rapidly.
“Haven Enterprise keeps it for special occasions,” Adam replied, though his tone made it clear this was hardly a corporate retreat.
The triplets had their faces practically glued to the windows. The moment the boat docked, they bolted like they’d been shot from cannons, their excited shrieks bouncing off the water.
Inside, huge windows showed off views that looked too perfect to be real. The kids raced to the glass, pressing their noses against it like puppies at a pet store window.
“Uncle Adam, can we hit the beach right now?” Lucas was already unfying his shoes. “Please? I’m dying here!”
“Lunch first, beach after,” Irene said, her mom–voice instantly working its magic.
Their faces crumpled before Alex piped up. “Fine, but when lunch is over, we’re gone.”
“One minute after the last bite!” Lily added, nodding so hard her ponytail whipped back and forth like a tiny flag in a storm.
After a quick seafood lunch, Lucas shot up like he’d sat on a spring. “Beach time! Last one there’s a rotten egg!”
Irene corralled the kids to change, wrestling sunscreen onto three squirming bodies despite complaints they were “literally melting with anticipation. Meanwhile, Thomas wheeled out what looked like a wheelchair on steroids–wide, reinforced wheels clearly designed for sand.
“All set,” he told Adam. “Staff packed down a section of beach for easier navigation.”
Outside, the afternoon sun turned everything golden. The triplets tore ahead, shrieking with joy as sand squeezed between their toes. Thomas set up a huge umbrella before joining the kids at the water’s edge.
Irene dropped into a chair beneath the shade, fugging at her one–piece swimsuit. Adam positioned his beach wheelchair nearby, watching the kids splash around like tiny dolphins.
“Sunscreen?” Irene offered, holding up the bottle after finishing her own application.
Adam raised an eyebrow. “I don’t exactly hit the beach often.”
“It’s not rocket science,” Irene laughed, “Just slap it on everywhere that’ll see sun.”
“In that case… Adam extended his arm toward her mind giving me a hand?”
She took his arm, her fingers connecting with warm skin that felt totally different from their regular therapy sessions. Working the cream up his forearm, she noticed how his skin contrasted with hers–what happens when you spe outdoors. His muscles felt firm under her touch, clearly he didn’t skip his workouts. This scary–po
our days in offices instead of ul businessman suddenly felt
1/2
Chapter 288
so human beneath her fingers warm and real.
Realizing her hand had lingered way too long on his shoulder, Irend ranked back, hoat crawling up her neck.
You did that on purpose,” she muttered, refusing to meet his eyes.
“Did what?” Adam’s face was innocent, but his
eyes danced.
“Nothing. Do the rest yourself.” She shoved the bottle at him and escaped toward the shoreline, pretending not to notice his smirk.
After an hour of splashing around, Alex trudged back to the umbrell dripping everywhere.
“Uncle Adam, you gotta play volleyball with us,” he said, “pushing his glasses up his nose with a wet finger. “We brought a ball and everything.”
Lucas appeared at his brother’s side. “Mom can be on your
team. For fairness.”
“Yeah, you guys can
be partne
Lily giggled behind her hand, all subtlety of a foghorn.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
