Chapter 3 - Cleo

I laid back to relax in the sunshine only for Finn to poke me in the belly button making me squeal, and I hear laughter from Wren and Dario, who were sitting close by. A group of us had decided an afternoon by the lake while the sun was shining would be a perfect way to spend some time while Kaleb and Daxton were home from training.

I sat up and scowled at Finn. “You are not funny!”

“Dario and Wren thought I was.” He grinned, and I found myself smiling back, as I always did when Finn smiled at me. His smile was contagious. He was one of my older brother’s closest friends, and a number of years older than me, but Finn had always been there for me. “You like me poking you really” he winked and continued to poke me, making me giggle, before Kai, who was walking back from the lake to where we were laid out on the beach area, slapped him around his head playfully.

“Eww. Did you hear what you just said to her?!” Kai growled, and I could not help the smirk that was playing upon my lips. I swear my older brother, despite being in his twenties, sounded like a teenage boy.

Despite the slap upside his head, Finn grinned up at my brother, clearly not caring in the slightest. “What, that she likes me poking her?” he raised his brows to get a reaction from Kai, and it appeared to be working. “I have yet to hear her complaining!”

I could feel color coming to my cheeks at the hint of innuendos that were being implied by these idiots, not to mention the smirks from our friends. “Ooooh! You naughty boy!” Jorge cheered from his place on his chair with a beer.

Seriously, these were grown men now, all ready to soon be taking on their official roles within our pack, but to listen to them chatting anyone would think they were a bunch of teenage boys. Dirty minded teenage boys at that...

“That is my sister dude. You ain’t poking her.” Kai snarls, and Finn simply laughs, obviously loving the fact he was winding up his best friend.

“Oh, but I am all good for Dario to be doing all he wants with my sister?” Finn asked, nodding toward where Wren was laid in the arms of her now mate Dario.

Dario smiled up at his friend, “Hey, that is different, and you know it is. The moon goddess decided that Wren needed the best, so she hand-picked me for her.”

“Nothing like being modest, is there?” Finn grinned at his sister’s mate and Dario simply smiled in response.

“Modest or not, you know your sister is well cared for, is that not good enough for you? She is happy, safe and more than satisfied.” Dario added with a wink, while Wren slapped him playfully with a scowl.

Finn rolled his eyes in response, likely not appreciating hearing quite so much detail. While Leo came and sat by my other side, dripping wet, having just been for a swim in the lake. He decided it would be fun to try splashing me with the water from his hair, with a grin. “Alright beautiful?” he winked.

“Fucking hell, are you all at it?” Kai grumbled.

I laughed. This was nothing unusual for my big brother, who was always so protective of me. No guy could breathe within an inch of me without Kai or Kaleb deciding they needed to be involved. “Cheer up grumpy. They are my friends, the same as they are yours. And, not to mention you talk to the girls the same.”

“Hmm, well the girls aren’t my sisters.” Kai rolled his eyes at me.

“No, but they are ours.” Luca pointed out, and I grinned at him. I complain about my brothers being protective of me, but I think all the guys within our little family group were incredibly protective of their sisters, and even of the girls that weren’t their sisters. It was just the way we were. We were as close as family, having grown up alongside one another. We were like a second family within ourselves. And, I have to say, as annoying as it could be at times, I loved it.

“Did you tell Liliana we were up here?” I asked, choosing to ignore my brother. “Because I am sure she should be done with her studying now, right J?” I asked her brother, Jorge.

“Should be, she was working in the hospital today, I think, as part of her studies. I lose track.” He smiled, and I nodded. My friend was definitely going to be smart like her Mama, and no doubt she would be a welcome addition to the pack hospital too when she qualified. She had wanted to be a nurse or a doctor, like her Mum, since she was small. And dedicated her studies to that ever since.

“Did you not want to come join me for a swim today, Cleo?” Leo asked, as he laid himself down alongside me. “You know I could protect you from any sharks, right?” he teased.

I slapped him playfully. “Oi! That wasn’t me, that was Ari who said that!” I said to him, and he laughed, as did a number of our friends. Ari had most definitely inherited my Aunt Indie’s lack of common sense, though at times I think Wren had too, goddess help Dario coping with her as a mate! Leo quickly grabbed my wrist, pulling me to him, his deep brown eyes looking intensely into mine.

“You trying to get me again?” he teased, bringing his face a little closer to mine, before snapping his teeth together, and grinning. When I heard Kai groan, sounding once again unimpressed.

“Honest to god, get a room!” he grumbled.

Leo wiggled his brows at me suggestively, and I couldn't hold back the giggle he caused, causing my older brother to groan again. “In fact, don’t bother. Keep your hands to yourself, or I will break your legs, little Leo.” Kai warned, making almost all of our friends laugh.

“Can I help it if I am so irresistible?” Leo gently let go of my arm, and placed his arms behind his head to relax in the sunshine. Putting his toned and tanned body on full display now, as he blew me a kiss. I shook my head gently in amusement at him, as I laid myself back down.

I was sure the time with my friends would be fun as always, especially with my Kaleb and Daxton home. I adjusted my bikini top, catching Finn’s eyes as I did, he smiled at me. That familiar, reassuring smile that always made my heart flutter…