AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s…let’s wait-list that one,” I said, sounding like a stuttering fool.
He smirked, but it was a soft, affectionate smirk. “Go ask my Daddy for a lifetime engagement. He loves you so much. I know he’ll say yes, and he should.”
Fuck. Sometimes, this little boy could shell out emotional torture as if he was getting paid to do it. My eyes smarted a little; I couldn’t help it. Those words had struck me as hard as the time he’d given me that bell for my birthday. The one where I could call on Cam to serve me. Inside the bell, Noa had engraved “His love will find freedom in your every call.”
“I love him too,” I murmured. “You and Cam have helped me realize just how much.”
KC too, of course. We had both had problems sharing our deepest thoughts and feelings over the years, but now… Christ, we were closing in on thirty years as best friends. And now he was more vocal. He let himself be vulnerable with me, and I couldn’t describe how that made me feel. Every fucking morning I woke up, I felt like I was falling deeper and deeper.
“That’s good.” Noa smiled impishly and touched my cheek. “You’re cute, Uncle Lucian.” The brat went for his soup again. “You’re also kind of a proposal whore.”
I barked out a laugh that was probably a little too loud for this romantic establishment, but I blamed Noa.
Who knew—maybe I’d get a tattoo with him one day. If I’d do it for one person, it would be him.
* * *
Day two
If it weren’t for Cam and Noa looking forward to the other islands we were visiting, I would’ve been very happy to skip them all.
Once we’d arrived in Nassau, the ship cleared out, and we suddenly had a pool area all to ourselves. Loungers for everyone, a big pool, that burger joint was approximately fifty feet away, same with a bar, and music. Not the best music, but the kind that Cam could break-dance too, and he was always a treat to watch.
He goofed off with the other subbies—some Sadists too—while KC and I sat on the edge of the pool with our legs in the water and frozen margaritas in our grasps. Drinks all around. Lucas was reading on his e-reader and sipping something with an umbrella, Walker was enjoying a large beer and a leathercraft magazine, and Archie and Greer were cuddled up reading the same book.
Greer had shaved before the cruise, whereas Colt had bought a mustache comb.
“Be nice to him!” Cam cried out. “It’s vacation!”
I grinned into my cup as Reese and Ash wrestled Shay closer to the pool, only to shove him in there.
“We’re nice as long as you are,” Reese replied pointedly. Though, not so much to Cam as to the others nearby. “If you notice that we get a little rougher…? Look in the mirror and ask yourself—have I been a good boy lately?”
Cam became puzzled, and I couldn’t blame him. He wasn’t involved in whatever the brats were planning.
“Well, have you?” Kit demanded, staring at Reese. “Have you been a good boy, Sir?”
KC laughed.
The chase was on, this time Reese and Colt against Kit. Poor boy didn’t stand a chance. And Corey didn’t want a chance; he was all too happy to yell, “Again, again!” when Sloan tossed him into the water.
The ongoing banter and that constant push and pull between brats and even brattier Tops would’ve exhausted me, but it was fun to watch.
“Lucian, aren’t you gonna swim?” Noa hollered from the other side of the pool.
I patted my thigh. “Not yet, darling! My trunks are still wet from my last dip.”
He made a fail signal sound, clearly disqualifying my answer.
Kingsley and Tate emerged with sundaes and aimed for a couple loungers in the sun, and I didn’t know who eye-fucked their desserts more, me or Kit. I was definitely ordering one of those later. I wanted mine with hot fudge.
I took a sip of my drink as KC slipped into the water and exchanged a nod with Colt.
Oh boy. I should return to my lounger. I had to talk to Ash at some point too. I needed a favor.
“All right, boys!” Colt called. “How about a friendly game of terrific Tops versus bratty bitches?”
“I object to those names, but yeah!” Corey cheered.
