The Love Game (The Game, #1)

CHAPTER Twenty-Six – Braden

I hate Sundays. There's something so f*cking dull about them.
So maybe that's why I'm at the beach. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not the biggest fan of sun, sea, and sand. Nor am I the next champion surfer.
But Maddie wanted to come, and the rules of the game state that what Maddie wants, Maddie gets. So, here I am. Getting sand up my shorts and, if I'm not careful, a crab pincer around my balls.
“You didn't have to come with me. I'm capable of sunbathing by myself,” Maddie says, lying on her back on the sand.
I roll onto my side and prop myself up on my arm. “And why would I not come? I like spending time with you.” I drag my finger across her flat stomach, and she squirms.
“Because.” She shrugs a shoulder.
“Because?”
“Yep. Because.”
I flip over and straddle her. She squeals and pulls her sunglasses off, flinging them to the side. She looks up at me, and I grin wolfishly.
“What?”
“Why are you sitting on me?”
“I felt like it.”
“You felt like it.”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because.”
“Because?” She raises an eyebrow.
“Yep. Because.” I grab her hands and thread my fingers through hers. Her lips quirk up at one side, and her eyes show the amusement she feels. I stare at her, just watching her, and taking her in.
The light tan on her skin sets off her auburn hair, making her green eyes stand out even more. Her curled lips are plump and shiny, begging me to kiss them.
I do.
I drop my head and brush my lips across hers. Her fingers tighten around mine, and her lips pucker, softly massaging my bottom lip. I pull back, opening my eyes and watching as hers open slowly.
“What was that for?” she asks softly.
“Because I can.”
“Fair enough.” She smiles. “But you can get off me now. You're in my sun.”
I laugh and roll off her, flopping next to her again. She places her sunglasses back over her eyes. My eyes rake down her body, every curve available for my viewing pleasure. And boy, it's a f*cking pleasure all right.
“Stop undressing me with your eyes.”
“Hate to tell you, Angel.” I run my hand down her side. “But there isn't much to undress. Not that I'm complaining.” My fingers gently probe the soft, bared skin under her bikini top.
“Braden,” she warns.
“What?” I move my hand across her ribs.
“Braden!”
“What?”
“There are other people around!” she hisses.
“And?” I kiss her cheek, close to her ear. “I'm allowed to touch my girlfriend.”
“Mmm.” I'll take that as an agreement.
I find her lips again and run my tongue along her bottom lip. She squeaks and opens her mouth in surprise. I take the chance, sweeping my tongue into her mouth. Her hand claps down onto my neck as she kisses me back, her tongue swirling in a way that makes all the blood in my body rush straight down to my dick.
I shift a little, putting my fingers in her hair and running them through to the ends.
“I think you need a cold shower,” she mutters against my lips, running her nails down my arms. All my hairs stand on end at that innocent, yet damn sexy move.
“There's a sea over there. Care to join me?”
“I'm unsure if it's a smart or stupid move, but I will anyway.”
I move and get up, holding my hands out for her. She takes her glasses off, slips her hands into mine and jumps up, grinning at me. I raise an eyebrow and she runs off down the beach, giggling to herself.
I shake my head and take off after her. I'm close enough to hear her loud, high-pitched squeal when she runs into the water. She turns straight away and runs towards me. I laugh and grab her round the waist, lifting her up, and run into the water.
“Braden, no! It's cold!”
“That's the point!”
She kicks and clings to my neck. I wade through the water until we're waist-deep and drop her, letting her slide down my body. Big mistake.
I clear my throat and she glances up at me through her eyelashes. She smiles and shoves me. I lose my balance and fall backwards into the water. I bounce back up, sputtering, and focus my gaze on her. She's so in for it now.
“I'm sorry! No, no!” She holds her hands out.
“No, that's it now.” I shake my head and move towards her.
“No!” She squeals when I tackle her.
We fall into the water, her legs kicking in a feeble attempt to get away. She pushes herself up on my shoulders and as I surface, I cup her ass and hold her against me.
“You-”
My lips on hers silence her. Her hands find my hair and she holds on tightly, gripping it between her fingers. One of my hands comes to rest on her waist, and her feet lock around my waist, holding her in place and tight against me.
My dick rubs against her, making her whimper and press into me tighter. My fingers dig into her ass and back as she rises up slightly, pushing my head back. She kisses me harder, taking control.
She stops and whispers, “People are watching us, aren't they?”
I glance over to the beach and two little boys, about six, are staring at us with their mouths wide open. “Yes.”
She blushes and slowly turns her head to them.
“Ewwwww!” They shriek and run across the beach.
I laugh, and Maddie buries her face in my shoulder. She unhooks her legs and slides down, her hands smoothing the wet skin of my chest. I rest my cheek on her head, still laughing, and she pokes me.
“It's not funny. They probably think they just watched a live porn show.” She moves her head and glares at me.
“Angel, they were little kids. To them, you're a girl and that means you have cooties.”
Her narrowed eyes gleam in amusement. “Do I? Have cooties?”
“I'm not sure,” I shrug a shoulder. “I haven't decided yet.”
“Well, if I do....” She smiles innocently. “You should consider yourself infected.”
She blows a raspberry on my chest and slips from my arms, giggling as she tries to run back towards the beach. I can't help it – a huge laugh erupts from me, and I rub my face, shaking my head. She turns her body, looking at me and covering her mouth with her hand. She ducks, her wet hair coming to rest over her shoulders and shining copper in the sun.
There's a lightness in the way she teases me, the way she can make me laugh so easily. It's a lightness that isn't usually there in her, and I kinda like it.