Church Camp, PT. 1

3 Years Later

Jesse snagged a Coke from a cooler and retreated to the shade. It was a beautiful summer day at the lake. Kids cannonballed off the pier under the watchful eye of their parents and the older kids who were waiting for their turn to ride one of the jet skis that someone had brought. The air was filled with shouts from guys throwing around a football and someone playing a guitar.

He spotted mom sitting sideways on Isaac’s lap near the grill. Isaac hadn’t wanted to request time off to camp with church friends, but his smile said he was enjoying himself immensely. Mom was a good influence on him. In the two years they’d been married, they’d had their fair share of disagreements, but they were still deliriously happy.

“My turn!”

He followed the sound of Violet’s voice and saw her wading toward a group playing chicken. Malcolm, a boy a year older than him, grinned at her. When she stopped in front of him, Malcolm leaned down to whisper something in Violet’s ear, making her laugh.

Malcolm disappeared beneath the surface, so Violet could hop on his shoulders. When Malcolm straightened, he staggered, making Violet shriek and clutch his hair. Jesse’s eyes narrowed as Malcom’s hands moved over Violet, seemingly to brace her. His broad smile said he was enjoying this a little too much for Jesse’s liking.

He started forward as Malcolm and Violet faced off with Marissa, who was on Benny’s shoulders. The guys moved forward so the girls could battle. Marissa was older and outweighed Violet by a good thirty pounds, but if he had to bet on either girl, his odds were on Violet. He was proven right less than five seconds later when Marissa toppled off Benny’s shoulders with a piercing scream.

Violet did a celebratory shimmy. Malcolm grinned and smoothed his hands over her legs as they waited for Marissa to get back on Benny’s shoulders. By the time he made his way over to them, Violet had dethroned Marissa for the second time.

Marissa sputtered as she came up for air. “Your sister’s ruthless.”

When he started to pass, Marissa grabbed his arm.

“You’re taller than Benny. Maybe I can beat her if I’m on your shoulders.”

He didn’t look at her. His eyes were trained on Malcom. Instead of sinking into the water to let Violet off his shoulders, Malcolm coaxed Violet to slide down his front. Jesse’s blood ran hot as Malcolm held Violet close and brushed his hand over her bare back.

“Jesse?” Marissa prompted.

“Maybe later,” he said shortly, and broke her grip on him as he closed the gap between himself and his target.

“Want to ride on the jet ski with me?” he heard Malcolm ask.

“She’s going with me,” he said.

Malcolm raised his head and immediately dropped his hands and eased back. “Hey, Jesse.”

He held Malcolm’s gaze as he gripped the back of Violet’s shorts and tugged her away from Malcolm.

“Violet knocked Marissa down twice,” Malcolm shared.

“I saw,” he said in a flat tone.

Malcolm held his gaze for a few seconds before he looked away. “The boys are waving at me to play football.”

“You better go, then,” he said quietly.

Malcolm cleared his throat before he started toward shore.

Violet shaded her eyes as she looked up at him. “Everything okay?”

He searched puzzled hazel eyes and knew she was oblivious to the liberties Malcolm had taken. As he looked down at her, his blood, already hot, went molten. From this angle, he could see down the front of her swimsuit. It took all his self-control to focus on her face and not the gentle swell of her breasts. The urge to go after Malcolm and put his fist in his face made him clench his teeth.

Violet cocked her head to the side. “Are you mad because I beat your girlfriend?”

“Ex-girlfriend,” he growled and tugged on her strap. “I think you need to pull this up.”

Violet stared at him. “Are you serious? I’m the most covered up girl here. I’m in a one piece and shorts. Did you not see Marissa’s tangerine bikini? I was worried she was going to come out of her top when I pushed her in the water.”

“I don’t care what Marissa’s wearing, I care what you’re wearing.” He tugged on the strap again. “So, can you please…?”

“You’re just as bad as dad,” she grumbled, though she did pull up her top so it covered more of her. “If it was up to you two, I’d still be shopping in the boys department.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” he said and grunted when she put her elbow in his stomach.

The days of Violet dressing like a tomboy were a distant memory. Though she still shied away from dresses, her clothes were now distinctly feminine. She dressed modestly, mostly to please her father, who was uncomfortable when she wore anything too revealing.

“Are you really taking me on the jet ski?” Violet asked.

“Yeah, I’m next,” he said and moved deeper into the water to flag down Logan, who was heading toward them.

“All yours,” Logan said as he and his brother hopped off the jet ski.

He helped Violet on before he settled in front of her.

“You have to hold on to me,” he said.

“Oh.” She scooted forward and obligingly wrapped her arms around him. “Like this?”

“Tighter.”

She attempted to crack his ribs as she tightened around him like a boa constrictor. “Like this?”

“Yup,” he said in an even tone, and felt her arms tremble before she gave up and loosened her hold.

“Are you ready?”

“Hold on.”

He tried not to tense as she shifted behind him to get comfortable. Plastered to his back as she was, he could feel the tiny, hard points of her nipples. His hands tightened on the handlebars. The thought of her wrapped around Malcolm like this, of her thighs gripping him, made his jaw clench. Over his dead body.

**This is a raw draft of the prequel for Corrupt Idol. Please do not share or distribute.

Copyright © 2024 Mia Knight. All Rights Reserved.