CORA
Summer Vacation
“Can someone remind me why we’re traipsing around this museum?” River grumbles.
“Because Cora and Alden are art bores and the rest of us have to suffer,” Danny says.
He’s staring up at a monumental stone sculpture of Ramesses II, his face forming into the same impassive expression worn by the ancient pharaoh.
“Is it too much to ask that we do something cultural on vacation?” Alden says, shaking his head with a level of exasperation that only a big brother can muster.
I am somehow managing to ignore the grumbling as I look over the ornately decorated canopic jars that would have been placed with the pharaohs in their final resting places. Egypt was my choice for our first vacation destination, and the Carlton men were mostly happy to go along with it when they took a look at the gorgeous hotel we’ll be staying in by the red sea. All of them want to try snorkeling and maybe diving to see the reefs and colorful fish.
I’m less interested in the wildlife and more fascinated by the culture. My phone is filled with inspiring images that I know are going to help me make my new ceramics collection appealing.
“Cultural is fine,” Mark says. “But I feel like we’ve been trapped in here for days.”
“It’s been an hour,” I say. “An hour to go through the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts anywhere in the world.”
“The mummies were cool,” Tobias says. “I still can’t believe they have eyelashes and fingernails after so many years.”
“That’s good preservation for you,” Danny says.
I bend to look closer at the hieroglyphic engravings, then snap another picture. The script forms such interesting shapes, and I’m certain I can replicate them in a new and interesting way.
“Anyway, we don’t leave for Sharm El-Sheikh until later,” Alden reminds his brothers.
“Exactly. If we get back to the hotel room, we’ll have time for some vacation sex.” River wiggles his eyebrows.
“We had some vacation sex this morning,” I say, with extra exasperation for effect. “Seriously. You guys need to remember that I’m only one woman. You don’t want to wear me out.”
“It hasn’t happened so far,” Tobias says. He wraps his arm around my waist from behind, tugging me against his big muscular body and bends to press a kiss to my throat.
“I only have so much love to give.” The resigned sigh I make sets all the Carltons into fits of laughter.
“No, baby,” Danny says. “You have unending amounts of love to give in the right hands.”
“And I suppose you’re the right hands,” I say, looking at his big palms and long fingers.
“You know what these hands can do.” He slides a hand up the outside of my thigh, under my white cotton mini dress, to prove his point.
“I know what those hands shouldn’t be doing in public.” I swat him away and struggle out of Tobias’ grasp. “Anyone would think you only love me for only one thing.”
“We love you for all the things,” Danny says.
“Well, love me for the next hour while I seek inspiration, and then I’ll love you for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Sounds like a good deal to me.” Mark smiles and watches me drift over to another cabinet filled with gold jewelry. It’s so intricate, and I’m certain the designs would still be popular now. The women of the past were not so different from the women of today. We all have the same fundamental experiences; family, relationships, children, learning to love ourselves, and learning to be loved. I can almost imagine the woman who would have worn the necklace and how pretty she would have felt. I touch the chain at my throat and find the lovely heart charm that the boys bought me as a gift for my birthday. Was the necklace in the glass case a gift, given with love? Did the woman who received it keep it safe because of who gave it to her?
“That would look really pretty on you,” Danny says, leaning closer to get a better look.
I glance up, and our eyes meet, and I’m filled with the same fluttering butterflies that each of the Carlton brothers sets off in my stomach every time they’re near. Time doesn’t change the way I feel about them. Some things are just eternal.
After an afternoon of some of the hottest sex ever, we jump on a plane to make the short flight to the Red Sea resort that will be our base for the rest of our vacation.
To say the hotel is luxurious is an understatement. The boys booked a family suite, so it’s big enough to comfortably accommodate us all. It comes with its own private pool too, which is where we go first, even though it’s late.
“I’ve ordered room service,” Alden says as he slips from the tiled side into the warm water.
I swim to him and wrap my arms around his strong, capable body. “You’re always looking after us,” I say softly.
“That’s my job.” He kisses my forehead as I snuggle closer. It’s such a gentle gesture, but beneath the water, I can feel his cock harden against my belly.
“Alden has a knight-in-shining-armor complex,” Danny says, moving closer so he can press against my back. Sandwiched between two Carlton brothers, I feel totally safe and secure.
“I’m good with that,” I murmur against Alden’s chest, my body stirring as their hands explore and begin to push at the fabric of my swimsuit.
Danny’s lips press against my neck, hot against my cool, wet skin. “All it takes is a finger on your…” He pauses as he slides his hand down my stomach. “…clit, and you’re good with anything.”
He’s not wrong.
There are days when I look at my life, and I can’t believe my luck—days when I wonder how the men I hated have become so dear to me. I’ve learned that first impressions can be so misleading and that holding hatred inside is like poison to a person.
I’m so joyful that these men have shown me how to become a happier and more successful me, and I know, with every passing day, that our lives are only going to get better.
That night, I pretend that I’m Cleopatra, and my men take on the role of an invading Roman force. Let’s just say I’m sure I provided a warmer welcome.
And after, as I lie in their arms, I send out a silent prayer of thanks that my house hates have become my lovers. I know they’ll always keep me safe, whatever happens in our future.
(c) Stephanie Brother 2022
