‘Fine.We need to—’ Jules’ previously crossed leg lifts to press in-between Lachlan’s, foot finding the middle of his ass cheeks to perfectly hook him forward.‘Jules.’
‘Bodyguard.’
‘Stop it.’
‘But I need you to take my pulse.I don’t feel so good,’ he murmurs, all saccharine and falsely sweet with that bright glint in his honey eyes that spells trouble.Lachlan’s chest contracts, head swimming as Jules draws him closer, wriggles and manoeuvres until Lachlan is standing over Jules in the chair and then he pulls him downto straddle.‘Aren’t you supposed to keep me safe?’
Lachlan’s lips are parted to provide boundaries and barriers, to shut this shitdownbut Jules seizes the opportunity.Lachlan gasps when their mouths collide.Jules moans softly, his hands roaming over Lachlan’s shoulders, down his sides where it gentles, tracing the three wounds that healed fine, and then Jules’ hand reaches its final destination, rubbing up and down over Lachlan’s cock, the heel of his hand grinding.
Lachlan didn’t even realise he was kissing him back until he feelsthat,and it jolts him hard.‘Stop,’ he mutters against Jules’ lips, already pulling away but Jules doubles down, stands with him and won’t let go.
‘Call mebaby.’
‘This is so fucking—’
‘Just one time so I can get through it.’
Lachlan closes his eyes,sees red and purple behind his lids.
He lightly caresses Jules’ face, his own heart going thumping in his ears as he presses smaller, softer kisses at the corner of the boy’s mouth and says, ‘You’re a fucking brat,baby.’
Jules licks a hot, wet stripe over Lachlan’s mouth and then straightens up.
He winks at Lachlan.‘Your brat.’
Lachlan is so fuckingfucked.
?
The good thing is, Lachlan doesn’t have to tell Jules to behave in front of his father.He automatically embodies the best version of himself he can be for the old man.Subservient, mild and polite.
The lunch is less awkward than it could be but Lachlan suspects that’s because Mimi isn’t here and Alistair doesn’t have to deal with her non-stopfood chatand the happy mess she can make out of absolutely anything.
He insists that Lachlan join them.
‘The upgrades are most impressive,’ Alistair begins when soup arrives.Lachlan can’t really eat at this time of day, his body has a schedule of its own, but he knows he’ll have to consume something to be polite.‘Of all my former security advisors and consultants, none have ever innovated in this way.’He looks at Lachlan who notes with ruthless satisfaction that the last few months have eaten away at whateverglowhe had before.‘I would like to meet with your friend at some point next year,’ he says as if that’s a generous gift and Lachlan should be grateful when in fact the thought of bringing someone he remotely cares about into this sphere fills him with dread.
‘Thank you, sir,’ he answers.‘I’m sure I can arrange it.’
‘I’m told you’ve been asking about arrangements for an upcoming event?’
‘Carrigan mentioned to me that there would potentially be a party for Savannah Alderwyck’s birthday but told me nothing else.I simply want to ensure adequate preparation and safety, sir.’
Alistair takes a sip of his drink from the head of the table.Jules is beside him.Lachlan is opposite Jules.‘Savannah’s twenty-first birthday is an important day, and we will be celebrating, but not here.’
‘Sir?’
‘Ariadne, Mikhail and I own a private island off the Gulf of Mexico.Sable Key.The party will take place there.You will accompany my son, of course,’ he informs Lachlan.‘We should be away no longer than four days.’Alistair then looks at his son.‘This is a very special event.I require an exemplary performance from you, Julian.Photographs will be taken.Not for the public, of course, but as a matter of family record and heritage.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘What do you think of her?Savannah?’
Lachlan isn’t really eating at all, simply going through the motions of it while listening raptly, mind whirring.
Jules inclines his head.‘She’s lovely, father.’
Alistair studies his son and then seems to decide something.‘I was waiting until you were older to tell you, but I know what a smart boy you are, and I think you deserve to know.’He leans back in his seat.‘You will be married to Savannah Alderwyck when you turn twenty-one.’
