Page 3 of Big Catch
I exit the driveway, and when I see Mrs. Jackson on the deck of her beautiful house overlooking the ocean, I slow down. “Hey, Mrs. Jackson,” I call out. She’s been so lonely since she lost her husband last year. I can’t imagine what it must be like for her in that big old homestead alone. Her kids have moved away to the United States for their work, and though they visit, most of the time she’s alone. “How are you today?”
She smiles and waves me off, playfully, but I know she likes it when Ty or I stop in to visit her. “Stop fussing about me,” she says.
I laugh. “Come on, now. You know my day wouldn’t be the same without seeing you.”
“Sweet-talker, you.” She adjusts her broad-brimmed hat. “I’m fine. Now get on out of here and stop fussing.”
“We’re headed to the marsh. I’ll bring you back some cockles.”
A ghost of a smile plays on her mouth. “You’re a good man, Braydon.”
I put my finger to my lips. “Shh, don’t let that get out.”
One of the girls huffs impatiently, and I wave to Mrs. Jackson and start down the road. As I drive the short distance to the marsh and take a sharp corner, the blonde leans in to me. “I’m Josie,” she says.
“First time in Antigua? I ask.
I grab the stick shift, and she adjusts the radio, purposely brushing her breast against my arm. “Yes, I’m really looking forward to experiencing everything local,” she says, putting emphasis on that one word.
I smile and nod. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that I’m the local she wants to experience. I can’t believe that only ten minutes ago I was considering that. But now, well, I have more important things that need my attention—like getting the sexy doctor into my bed. I glance in the rearview mirror again, and when my gaze meets Alyssa’s, she quickly turns away. I can almost hear the wheels turning as she tries to figure this all out. If she’s anything like me, she doesn’t believe in coincidences.
I pull the van over near the marsh. “We’re here.”
I catch the confused frown on Alyssa’s face as she glances out her window toward the muddy salt marsh. Guess it’s not what s
he was expecting. It usually isn’t. I hop from my seat, and as everyone piles out, I grab buckets and nets from the back.
As the group of girls whispers—about me, judging from the glances they keep casting my way—Alyssa stands there looking puzzled. I step up to her, and her body stiffens when I dip my head and ask, “Everything okay?”
She blows a wispy strand of hair from her face, and desire twists inside me. “I…I thought we were going out on a boat.”
“Didn’t you read the brochure in your room?”
“No, actually, I didn’t.”
“Cockles are clams,” I explain. “We catch them in the marsh.”
“Oh.” Her mouth forms a perfect little O, and need surges through my veins. Great, I have a group of tourists waiting for me, and all I can think about is pushing sweet Aly to her knees and sliding my cock between those lush lips.
“We catch them with nets?” she asks, looking over the supplies I’m holding.
I clear my throat. “No, we catch them with our feet.”
Her honey-colored eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
“As serious as a heart attack,” I tease.
A blush moves across her cheeks. Is she thinking about the day in the hospital when I was high on happy pills and groaning with pleasure as she touched me? Was that why she never went out with me? She thought it was the drugs talking? Wait, shit. Maybe she never agreed to a date because she’s married. My glance darts to her ring finger to find it empty. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have someone special. If she does, could he be here on the island with her?
With that shitty thought racing through my brain, I say, “Okay, shoes off, everyone.”
I grab a plastic tote and gather up all the shoes and put them in the back of the van. When I see Alyssa’s pink-painted nails, my blood burns hotter. What is it about bare feet with painted nails that gets to me? Too bad cockle fishing is going to ruin her pedicure.
“Walking can be tricky, so you should pair up.” As Josie makes her way toward me, I reach for Alyssa’s hand. Josie scowls and folds her arm, but I know she’ll get over it—probably as soon as she sees Tyler. He says he’s getting played out, but he’d never turn down an opportunity with a girl like Josie. I make a mental note to text him about her later.
“I…uh…think she wanted to partner with you,” Alyssa says.
“Yeah,” is all I say, and I guide Alyssa to the marshy water. I’m used to women wanting me for one of two things. Back in Manhattan it was for what I had in my wallet. Here in paradise, it’s for what I have between my legs. I’m not complaining. Hey, I know the score, and I was happy to play along.
