My heart aches for him, I know how much of a big deal this must be. He hates his papa and to have to go back home where all his trauma stems from must be torturous. “You don’t have to go. I’m sure there is another way. Send someone else to deal with him. You have people for that shit, don’t you?” I watch him, trying to work out another way. There has to be. I don’t want him to go. “My brothers would go for you. Cruz is crazy as fuck, if anyone could deal with your papa, he could.”
His stern expression tells me all I need to know. His mind is made up, and it doesn’t matter what I say, he’s not going to change it. “I have hidden from my problems for long enough, Sloane, it’s time to face him.”
I find his hand and intertwine our fingers, the two of us sitting quietly. “I’ll miss you while you’re gone,” I say eventually when the silence between us gets too much. There is so much more I want to say to him but nothing I know I should. After a week with him, I shouldn’t be having the crazy feelings I am, it’s not normal. And I’m sure they are just exacerbated by the proximitywe have been stuck in. But my heart hurts when I think about him leaving, even if it’s only for a few days.
I feel his burning gaze on me, a weight pressing down, but I can’t bring myself to look at him. The thought of him leaving brings a wave of sadness over me. I have no idea why, I don’t get all worked up over the mushy shit. But I have to bite the inside of my mouth to stop the impending tears. “You will have Onyx and Reef,” he snips, and I know he’s not all that happy about it.
“I like it when I have all four of you.” I feel my cheeks heat at my admission. My mind goes back to last night. I want the impossible, I know I do. All of the men I have fallen for.
His hand finds my chin, and he moves me so I’m forced to look directly into his eyes. I blink away the tears so he can’t see them. “Heartless Sloane Stryker has something still beating in there after all.”
A shaky laugh huffs from my lips. He’s wrong, I don’t have a heart. “Maybe I’m just horny.”
He laughs and it’s the best sound ever. “You really are trouble. Be a good girl while I’m away and do everything the boys say to keep you safe. Promise me you will.”
“Okay,” I promise him with a shrug like I don’t care.
His lips meet with mine again, but this kiss is different. It feels real in a way that scares me. “You’ll have us all again.” I melt into him, my hand wrapping around the back of his neck as I nuzzle closer.
“I’ll make sure of it,” comes Romeo’s voice from the doorway. Orlando and I pull back from each other just a little, and I glance at Romeo. I regret it immediately, when I see he’s just in low-slung sweatpants, his damn chiseled chest on full display, and he looks divine. Like he knows it, his lips twist up into the sexiest damn smile I have ever seen. He moves onto the deck, running a hand through his long hair.
Orlando kisses me once more, then his hand slips from mine and he stands, moving toward his brother. “Our boat arrives at noon, don’t keep me waiting,” he mutters, passing him and leaving the two of us alone.
I stand, moving toward Romeo. He pulls me in for a kiss. “You two better not kill each other,” I warn him, my voice deadly serious.
“I’ll try not to.”
I stare him down, my eyes narrowing, my lips forming a thin line. “I’m serious, Romeo, I need you to bring him home safe.”
His eyes flash, a dangerous fire burning with what looks suspiciously like jealousy. “What the hell happened between the two of you in the last week? You should hate him.”
I take a step back from him, not sure how to explain. “I know. But I don’t. He’s a changed man, Romeo, and he would do anything for me, I already know it.”
Frown lines form on his forehead. “Why do I get the impression you would do the same for him?”
I take his hands in mine, gripping them tightly. “I would for any of you four boys. Call me fucking crazy, but you have crawled under my skin, and I think you’re stuck with me.”
That comment puts the smile back on his face. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, doll face.”
“Can you do me a favor?” I ask with a small cheeky smile, because I know he’s not going to like what I’m asking from him.
“Anything,” he says with absolute certainty.
“Keep an eye on him. He’s been living on this island alone for a long time. Going home to your papa is going to hurt. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I think he’s more damaged than you.”
He raises a brow, as if I have insulted him. “I’m not damaged.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “You know what I mean. Shit was bad for him with your papa after you were left here in America.”
His head drops like it’s what he expected, but hearing it hurts. “I’ll make sure we both come back to you.”
I pop up on my toes and kiss his lips. “Thank you.”
The delicious smell of eggs and buttery toast wafts through the air. “You need to eat after all the physical activity you got in last night.” He smirks cheekily as he swats my ass.
I shake my head as he takes my hand, and we move back inside in search of breakfast. I know if it was up to him, we would be going at it again this morning.
We find the others already up and dressed, waiting at the table. Reef smiles at me, his warm friendly face welcoming me to come sit with him. I take my seat next to Reef, and Romeo takes one to my side, with Onyx across from us and Orlando at the head of the table.
