Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Ohhh. Sneaky!
It was a reminder that Noa could keep a secret sometimes.
“They’re both very happy for us,” he promised.
Then we were halfway there. I brushed my fingers over his sun-kissed vacation stubble, and I had to ask—
“I do need your blessing for one thing, though.” He cleared his throat and rested his forehead to mine. “Noa gave me his, but it’s important to me that you’re wholeheartedly okay with it.”
I drew in a breath, having a feeling he was about to beat me to my concern.
“As I told Noa,” he went on quietly, “I’d like to borrow Colt and Lucas’s idea and ask KC for a lifetime engagement.”
An automatic snicker fell from my lips, and I slapped a hand to my mouth. Crap! It hadn’t been my intention to freaking laugh in his face. This was just so poetic—that we were on the same page. The only thing missing was finishing each other’s thoughts!
Master’s forehead creased with confusion. “Is that…funny?”
“No,” I laughed. I was losing my mind. “I’m sorry—it was… Sorry, my mind was just already there, and the moment you said Colt and Lucas, I knew what you were going to say.” I grinned and kissed him quickly. Then I let out a breath and said my next piece with all the conviction I felt. “I love the idea, Lucian. You and KC belong together too.”
He wasn’t used to hearing his name coming from me; I could tell by his expression, but I hoped he knew why I’d done it. Because this came from me, as his partner, as his slave, as his equal, and as his friend.
“Thank you.” He kissed me softly. “Now, get back to calling me Owner.”
“Yes, Owner.” I grinned against his lips. “What about Owner fiancé?”
“Oh.” He thought about it. “It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but I love it anyway. I’ll allow it till the day you can call me Owner husband.”
I chuckled and kissed him once more.
Husband. Fuck yeah. That was a good shiver.
“By the way,” he said. “Daddy and Noa are having a sleepover slash game night with Ash in his room, so we have ours all to ourselves.”
Just when I thought I couldn’t love him more!
Day four
Noa Hayles
Did someone leave?
The distinct sound of the door clicking shut woke me up, and I pushed myself off my pillow and blinked. And squinted. Ugh. Disoriented much?! Someone had opened the blinds, and the sun was pouring in from the balcony.
I rubbed the heel of my hand over my eyes, then glanced around.
Oh right, we were in Ash’s room. Daddy and I had borrowed the second double bed so that Cameron and Uncle Lucian could get their engaged freak on in private.
Daddy and Ash were gone now, though.
I crawled out of bed and took in the destruction of the room.
“What in tarnation…”
Sheets, candy wrappers, and game stuff all over the place. We’d picked up three board games in one of the shops, and I vaguely remembered jumping on the little couch and tossing out Monopoly cards at two AM… Daddy and Ash had listened to ancient hard rock and sipped whiskey.
I shook my head and headed into the bathroom.
I was never having that many Yoo-hoos again!
After freshening up, I spent a few minutes tidying up in the room. Daddy and Ash should be back soon, right? I bet Daddy was working out. He liked having that out of the way first. Also, it was nearly nine AM, and we were supposed to go ashore around eleven.
When I was done, I went out onto the balcony in my undies and saw rolling green, mountains everywhere. Oh wow! So this was St. Thomas! We were slowly but surely moving closer to the port, I guessed. It was very gorgeous here. Sailboats and yachts shared the blue waters with us, and they looked tiny compared to us.
“Mornin’, brat. Should I be concerned you just came outta Ash’s room?”
I spun right and spotted the half-naked Tenley triad having breakfast, and it was a big spread! They must’ve ordered room service. Both their side tables had big trays filled with stuff. Muffins, juice, toast, omelet, pancakes, bacon, yogurt, fruit…
I snuck a little closer. It looked delicious.
“Did someone push his mute button?” Shay asked no one in particular.
I scratched the side of my bed head. “I was born without one. Sorry, no concern needed. Daddy and I had a wild game night with Ash, and I had one too many Yoo-hoos.”
“Heavy stuff.” River side-eyed me and bit into a triangle of toast. “You wanna eat?” He shifted his leg off an ottoman. “Sit.”
I wasn’t gonna say no. I was so hungry.
“Thank you muchly, Sir.” I sat down on the…whatever it was. All the veranda furniture was some kind of dark wicker, except it wasn’t wicker. It wasn’t wood or sticks; it was plastic or who gives a shit. “I don’t know where Ash went, but I think Daddy’s working out.”