Nix thinks it might be worth it, because that sounds really, really good, but he’s had his own plans for tonight since Grayson and Rowan volunteered for the Halloween party duty.
“Tempting as that is—and it really is—I have other plans.”
“Then eat, so I can clean up and put on whatever is in that garment bag you left in my room,” Gideon smirks and begins shoveling food into his mouth with a focus that reminds Nix of Rowan.
“Did you leave something for Finn when he comes home?” Gideon asks, taking a sip of his grape juice, unable to hide the grimace.
“He won’t need anything extra for his part,” Nix says around a mouthful of pasta—ugh, how is it so good? “Besides, he won’t want to take time to eat… food, anyway.”
Nix pauses to let that sink in, exchanging his fork for his goblet, and he innocently sips his grape juice while waiting for Gideon to meet his eyes.
For the second time, Gideon stops the fork halfway to his mouth, the food suspended, and a long stray noodle slips off his fork.
Nix doesn’t have to wait long for his mate’s reaction, gently placing his fork on the edge of his plate.
There’s an infinitesimal tensing of his sexy arms and a clenching of his jaw.
Before Gideon can pounce, though, Nix makes a break for the stairs, cackling the entire way. When he doesn’t hear the alpha giving chase—he can’t decide if he’s happy or disappointed—Nix pops his head over the balcony wall to see Gideon standing, arms crossed, chin tilted up like he knew Nix would eventually come looking.
“You have forty minutes, Kitten,” he says, pointing his finger in Nix’s direction. “Better move that sweet ass.”
Not Just a Fantasy
Squeaking, Nix escapes down the hall to his room, with Gideon’s laughter echoing behind him.
He throws his t-shirt and yoga pants off before climbing into the shower, where he washes every nook and cranny twice over. He’s wet in ways that go further than soap and water; the thought of getting this tiny fantasy fulfilled makes it near impossible to keep a grip on his scent or his arousal. He dries off before smoothing glittery body lotion over his belly and shoulders.
He’s just finished drying his hair when the first text comes in. It’s followed by three more in quick succession. Nix giggles because he knows they’re from Gideon. He has undoubtedly gotten a look at what is in the garment bag.
Nix giggles, ignoring what are undoubtedly begrudging complaints, instead taking a few photos for Finn. One is of his belly, still soft from childbirth, and a source of great desire for his partners. Finn had admitted that it reminds him that Nix carried their children, its marks and swell an outward sign that turns him on. Gideon, though, said it’s beautiful, reminding him simply that Nix is well-fed and well-cared for.
Two peas in a pod, those two, but they’d never admit it.
The other photo is of his hard dick through the diaphanous material of his flowy pants. Pinkish-purple pants that match the genie costume he purchased from the same high-end Parisian boutique where Luca had made Gideon’s pirate fantasy come to life all those years ago. Oh, there have been other costumes, including an angel and a devil, for one very memorable birthday party for Jamie. Jamie really did have a deflowering kink a milewide.
He sends both photos without reading Finn’s previous texts, choosing instead to let it build his anticipation.
The genie costume is a replica of one Barbara Eden wears in the vintage television seriesI Dream of Jeannie. Nix had stumbled on it one late night on vacation, when Mari had been well into her night owl stage. Late-night television was a fount of interesting programming, and this was no exception. A sitcom, Jamie called it, and even with the canned laughter and terrible special effects, rampant misogyny, and inappropriate humor, it had quickly become a secret favorite. Jamie thinks it’s probably Larry Hagman, or that Jeannie calls himMaster.
He knew the show had nothing to do with real culture. This was pure TV nostalgia kink—Perry Como and pink chiffon. A tall, grumpy man in a uniform? Bossy and a little too firm? Paired with a sassy protagonist who everyone underestimates and who has magic at their fingertips? Well, anyone would—should—add it to their list of must-see shows.
Despite all that, Nix knows it is mostly because Larry Hagman reminds Nix of Gideon Carnell.
Ugh, not physically, because Gideon is beyond gorgeous, where Larry—sorry to say—is just a regular guy, despite popular opinion of the time. But it’s in the way Major Nelson is with Jeannie. His care, his sharp wit. His sometimes-shock at being outmaneuvered. It planted the seed for this dynamic to be played out in real life, with only one person involved in those fantasies…well, maybe two.
Nix’s long game began by ordering every episode on DVD. Yes, Amazon had delivered all 139 episodes, along with a DVD player that Jamie had requested he hook up to the big screen in the main living space, where he encouraged (or, as Rowan complained, forced) his pack to watch with him whenever it was his turn to pick their show.
That’s why text messages are flying fast and furious into Nix’s inbox. Gideon knows very well what that very expensive, entirely fake US Air Force uniform hanging in his room means.
Finally, at the thirty-three-minute mark, the phone rings and rings.
Gideon would never be late, using his last spare moments to ramp up his campaign as a last-ditch effort to get Nix to change his mind.
Nix ignores it instead, putting on the little red push-up bralette that plumps up his pecs, and attaching the little red fez-style hat to his hair. He takes a few minutes to apply his eyeliner and bright red lip before pulling the little pink veil up and over his nose and mouth.
At the last minute, and just as the phone stops ringing, he attaches the delicate waist-chain to his belly ring and his other surprise for Gideon and Finn.
He takes a precious minute to look at himself in the full-length gilded mirror, taking a few pictures and sending them to Luca, Rowan, and, of course, Finn.
