fact that he couldn’t made it more intense. He bucked, his hips thrusting up, deep.
Hard…
She came even harder.
Then collapsed against him.
He carried her to bed, where they spooned and talked softly. Of nothing and everything. It led to them making love a second time, with him sliding into her from behind, and falling asleep spooned.
There were no nightmares that night. Nothing but trust and comfort and blushes in the morning as a knock came from the door.
“Hey, I think you locked us out,” Lin yelled through the door.
A good thing they’d locked it from their side. It gave them time to dress before they faced the girls and Joanna’s knowing smirk.
But the best part of all, the pink blush in Macey’s cheeks every time she looked at him.
Chapter Sixteen
They spent the day at sea, picking and choosing what activities they wanted to participate in. As a family.
It was beyond strange as Portia got to indulge in what having a man around could be like. Ted catered to her, bringing her fruity, iced drinks, no alcohol, respecting the fact that she wasn’t a drinker. A good number of people had a tendency to be pushy when they found out that she preferred to remain completely sober. Insisted it was just one drink. It wouldn’t hurt.
Maybe not, but Portia preferred to be in complete control at all times.
What she didn’t say no to was the ridiculously delicious treats Ted also managed to scrounge. Skewers of shrimp with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Chocolate-covered grapes. Even bacon-wrapped chicken bites.
He fed some pieces to her, his eyes twinkling with mirth, his lips curved.
“I can feed myself,” she’d protested.
“Got to make people believe we’re a couple. Wife.” He winked.
“Whatever you say, Pookie.” She gasped and felt her cheeks burn when he dropped a light kiss on her mouth. She flamed to life when he rubbed lotion onto her back.
She made an excuse, and he quickly followed. They practically ran to the room and never made it to the bed. He took her against the closed door, thrusting into her while she clung to him, gasping. Coming. Hugged him as their breathing slowed, then raced back before anyone noticed they were gone together for too long.
She went for a swim to sluice her body—the tepid pool water could have used some ice.
The whole day could be described only as amazing.
Not just for her. Portia wasn’t the only one who got to enjoy Ted, having him attentive to their needs. The girls benefitted, too. He brought them fresh-cut fruit with whipped cream for dipping. Iced tea with fancy umbrellas that the girls claimed were an ecologically unsound and decorative waste, and yet, she noticed they kept them and wore them tucked into their hair.
The twins liked Ted. For the first time in a long while, they weren’t glued to their tablets, or with their faces buried in a book, ignoring the world around them. They were swimming and practicing their martial arts moves—at least Lin was. Mae had started the day doing stuff with them, but as the hours went by, she became withdrawn. Kept asking to go lie down in her room.
“Are you sick?”
Mae shook her head. Still, more than a few times, Portia felt her forehead. Kept asking, “Does your stomach hurt?” She went through a list of possible ailments, trying to figure out what might be wrong with Mae.
In the end, she could only surmise. “I think you got too much sun.”
“Yup. I bet that’s what’s wrong.” Mae nodded. “Meaning, I should go to bed early and skip the show.”
“I’ll pass on it as well and stay with you.” Guilt filled her that she’d not noticed Mae taxing herself in the sun. In her defense, Lin had spent much more time and appeared fine. Yet Portia had to remind herself, that being twins didn’t mean her daughters would react the same. Something was wrong with Mae, and Portia wasn’t about to leave her.
“You can’t stay,” Mae blurted. “You should go. Take Lin and Ted with you. Aunt Joanna, too.”
“I am not leaving you alone.” She knew that heat exhaustion could lead to a fever as the body overheated, then to vomiting. Never mind that Mae didn’t seem that bad-off or have any of those symptoms. What if the reaction was delayed?
“I’m not a baby, Mom. I’m not sick. Just tired. Let me go to sleep. Alone,” she added firmly.
Portia didn’t like this obstinance. “No. You’re only ten. Meaning, by law, you require supervision.”
“Okay,