by Lily Harlem
“It’s not like that,” Lucas said, tipping his chin.
“There’s no smoke without fire.” Victor rolled his eyes. “And you two, well, that’s fire—you’ve cranked up the temperature down here. If I’d been another few minutes, you’d have been going at it like rabbits, wouldn’t you.”
Lucas pressed his lips together, and his biceps tensed.
Olivia untangled herself from him and stepped away. She didn’t like the way Victor looked at her or spoke to her. He made her feel cheap and immoral. As though she was an adulteress, a person who didn’t care about Raul. He didn’t understand the situation, and she had no intention of explaining it, but still, it didn’t help how it toyed with her emotions. And they weren’t pleasant emotions; they made her feel dirty.
“And what the hell are you doing down here, Mason?” Victor frowned at Lucas. “I thought I told you to keep an eye on those current changes, this stretch is notorious for taking ships off course.”
“Yes, Captain. I’ll get back to it.”
“But…but you were up there. How did you get down here so quickly?” He pressed his fingers over his mouth and suppressed a burp.
“I guess I’m just…fit.” Lucas shrugged. “I’ll get back up to the bridge now.”
“Oui, you do that.” Victor touched his huge belly. “And stay there.”
“You okay if I do that?” Lucas directed at Olivia.
“Yes. I’ve finished here.” She grabbed her toolbox. “I’ll go and fill in the maintenance log book.”
“Oui, that is important.” Victor scowled as she walked past him. “And maybe go see your husband in the kitchen, remind yourself what he looks like.” He paused, then, “Tart.”
“What was that?” Lucas swung around to face him.
“It’s okay.” Olivia placed her hand on his arm. “Leave it.”
“What did you say?” Lucas said, his shoulders rounding and his chest puffing up and stretching his vest top.
Victor’s gaze slid down Lucas. He swallowed. “Nothing.”
Lucas was silent.
“Get back to your posts.” Victor flicked his hand at the doorway.
“Come on.” Olivia tugged Lucas’s arm. “It’s hot and airless down here. Let’s get upstairs.”
Lucas hesitated for a moment, then she was aware of some of the tension leaving him. “Okay.”
After climbing to the next deck, Lucas headed not to the bridge, but to the kitchen.
Out of all her husbands, Lucas really did seem to be the one who cared the least about Victor’s temper. He also didn’t seem bothered that he was an illegal passenger on Victor’s ship. She guessed when he could fight the way he could, and had taken on bullies, leopards, and bikers over the years, not much frightened him anymore.
A bloom of love and admiration caught in her chest. Both Lucas and Mason were so damn tough, and she loved that they were hers, and that toughness protected her.
She filled in the maintenance log and noticed several other jobs that would likely need doing over the coming days. Luckily nothing seemed too complicated, and she’d give it all a go if she had the tools necessary.
As the sun slipped toward the horizon, the turbulent patch of ocean they’d been passing through was left behind. She went up on deck and, lured by the sunset, gripped the railing at the edge of the ship.
She breathed deep, enjoying the fresh air and the coolness slipping over her hot skin. The breeze flattened her t-shirt against her body, and she closed her eyes, pleased the day was drawing to an end. She was tired, again, and thoughts of curling up in bed with one of her men were creeping up on her.
A small rumble attacked her belly. She needed food before she went to bed.
The corridor to the kitchen was dark, but light shone from its small round window.
When she got nearer she heard giggling; children giggling.
She paused, with her palm flat on the door, to enjoy the sound, and look in.
Raul was spinning a huge flat piece of dough on his hand, above his head.
Banna, Darius, and Amal were watching him, laughing with their hands held out as if ready to catch it. Both Darius and Amal had streaks of white and red on their cheeks.
On the table before them sat a huge pizza that appeared half eaten, along with tubs of ingredients; cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, ham.
“What are you doing?” she asked, walking into the kitchen. The scent of herbs filled her nostrils.
“Olivia,” Darius said, clapping. “We are making pizza with Raul. Look what he can do.”
Raul hadn’t paused in spinning the dough, and it was getting bigger and bigger.
“Wow, looks like you’re all having a great time.”
“We are.” Amal nodded then popped a chunk of pizza into his mouth, spreading the tomato sauce that was already smeared around his lips further.
“Do you want some?” Raul asked.
“Actually yes, I’m hungry, too.” She took a stool next to Banna, who hadn’t taken her eyes from what Raul was doing.
“What do you want on it?” Darius asked. “We have lots of things for pista.”
“Pizza,” Olivia corrected. “Pizza from Italy.”
“Ah no, this is Español pizza. The Italians think they invented it, they did not.” Raul finally set the huge circle of dough on a tray. “And now we put good things on this pizza for Olivia.”
“And for me,” Amal said, slapping a huge dollop of sauce in the center of the dough and creating a scarlet splash.
Olivia giggled and poured herself a glass of juice. “The ocean has calmed down.”
“Si, thank goodness,” Raul said, pausing for a moment. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, thank you. I just need food.”
“That I can do.”
Olivia sat quiet and content as Raul helped the children make three more pizzas. Each one was sliced and nibbled as they came out of the oven, though eventually Raul did have to start putting some aside for the others.
“Aren’t you worried about Victor coming in?” she asked.
“No. Evan said he has drunk himself to sleep, on the bridge. Which is why I went to get the kids. They cannot stay in that room all day with Harry.”
“I agree.” She paused. “And neither can Harry, he’s going a bit crazy with it.”
Raul held up his floury hands. “Harry will put a stop to it if he decides to.”
“I suppose you’re right. He doesn’t tend to do anything he doesn’t want to.”
“Si, you know him well.”
The door opened.
Olivia’s heart flipped over, until she saw it was one of the twins. She glanced at his thumb and spotted a silver ring.
Mason.
Darius slid from his stool. “Look, look,” he said, rushing to Mason. “We are cooking pista for everyone.”
“Pizza, wow.” Mason held out his arms.
Darius launched himself into them, then practically crawled up Mason so he could perch on his hip with his arms around his neck.
Mason grinned as flour floated onto his shoulders along with a splash of sauce.
“Hey,” he said, pressing a kiss to Olivia’s cheek. “You look tired, you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just hungry.”
“And it’s been a chop chop day.” Raul shook his head. “Out there at sea.”
“It has. But we are past that now,” Mason said, “should be plain sailing, or plain motoring, from here on…hopefully.”
“Good, where’s Lucas?” Olivia helped herself to a slice of pizza fresh from the oven.
“On the bridge, pretending to be me.” Mason grinned and also took something to eat.
“But he doesn’t look like you,” Darius said.
“Don’t you think?” Mason turned to the child in his arms.
“No.”
“Most people think we look the same.” Mason bit into his pizza.
“I don’t.” Darius tilted his little chin and pressed his lips
together in a serious line.
“Well luckily Victor, the captain of this ship, can’t tell them apart,” Olivia said, enjoying the sweet taste of Raul’s fresh tomato sauce. “Which means they can take turns steering this boat.”
“Steering the boat?” Darius’s eyes widened. “Wow, that is a hard job.”
“Sometimes, but there’s not too much to bump into out here.” Mason poured juice. “You want some of this, little fella?”
“Yes.”
“Say please,” Banna said, looking up from a complex cheese pattern she was creating on the next pizza.
“Please,” Darius said quickly. “Yes, please. I want some.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Olivia woke the next morning and lay still in Raul’s arms, enjoying the fact the ship was on tranquil water. She hoped Mason was right, and from here on they would have kind seas.
Eventually, Raul stirred and stretched his arms over his head.
Olivia set a kiss in the center of his armpit.
“Hey,” he chuckled and drew his arms down. “I am ticklish there.”
“You’re ticklish everywhere.” She slipped her hands over his waist and wriggled her fingers against his side.
“That is true. Oh…” He shifted away. “Stop it.”
“Aww, come here. Keep me warm.”
“Warm, I can make you hot.” He scooted close again and set a kiss over her lips. “But no tickling.”
“Okay, I promise.” She slid her hands to the waistband of his boxers and delved inside.
His cock was hardening, and as she gripped it the solidity grew.
Bang. Bang.
“Hey, you, chef. Get out here and cook me breakfast.”
Raul groaned.
“That man.” Irritation swarmed through Olivia. “Can’t he leave us alone for a minute?”
“I will be there soon, Captain,” Raul called over his shoulder as he cupped Olivia’s right breast.
“No, I want you now. There is much to be done, and you did not tidy the galley last night, it is a mess. Did you have a party?”
“No party, Captain. I will come now and tidy.”
“Stay,” Olivia said, squeezing his cock. “Please.”
He groaned and closed his eyes. “I can’t. I have to go and appease him, otherwise today will be terrible for all of us.”
“He’s a pain in the arse.”
“I know.” He reached for Olivia’s buttocks. “But later, we will have an early night, me and you, si?”
“Yes.” She released him. “I would like that.”
“If you are not too tired again.”
“I won’t be. I promise.”
He smiled and rose from the bed. He grabbed his jeans, dragged them on, then pulled a red t-shirt over his head, pulling it down his long torso.
Olivia propped herself onto her elbow and watched as he moved around the room, collecting socks and brushing his long hair.
“Are you coming?” Victor called, banging on the door again.
“Si, but I need to piss in the morning. One second, Captain.” He went into the small bathroom.
Within a minute he was out again, the faint scent of mint swirling into the small cabin with him. “I will see you later.” He blew her a kiss and opened the door.
Victor loomed there, hands, as usual, on his meaty hips. “Is she in there? Your wife?”
“Of course,” Raul said.
Victor huffed. “Well, you never know where she might be.”
“What does that mean?” Raul said.
“I’m saying.” Victor peered past Raul and glared at Olivia. “That English women are slippery creatures. Do not believe all that they say to you, or that they have the ability to stay faithful for life.”
Raul clasped Victor’s shoulder. “My wife is a very beautiful woman, I expect many men would like their share of her, but you, Victor, just for the record, you are not her sort.” He laughed.
“That is not what I meant,” Victor snapped. “I meant you need to watch her carefully, to see if she is cheating on you.”
“Do not worry,” Raul said, pulling the door up. “I know exactly what my wife is up to, and with who, at all times.”
Olivia flopped back and stared at the ceiling. Sexual frustration burned within her. Quickly, she slipped her hand into her knickers. Her clit was swollen and pulsed against the tips of her fingers. She closed her eyes and breathed in the lingering scent of Raul. Swirling her clit, she drew up her knees and curled her toes. She thought of Harry and Evan kissing, and the way Harry had held Evan tight as she’d given him a blowjob. The three of them had been so connected, in a new way, and Evan’s pleasure was the sole focus for all three of them.
She remembered the frustration of the day before, Victor interrupting her and Lucas in the engine room. Damn it. She’d wanted him.
Moaning, she squirmed on the bed. Images of all her men filled her mind. She wished she were back in the shower with Mason, holding his cock, masturbating him to orgasm. She adored having his big, powerful body at her mercy.
She canted her hips and sped up. An orgasm was hovering within reach.
Groaning, she pressed her head into the pillow and allowed the last steps to release grip her. Then it was there. A swift sharp climax that she had complete control over. Bright lights flashed behind her lids, and she held her breath. Pleasure spread outward from her pulsing pussy.
Trapping her hand between her thighs, she rolled to the side, still touching her clit. She blew out a breath, stilled her fingers, and opened her eyes to the bright room.
All was quiet and calm. The sun streamed through the porthole.
A full body tremor attacked her, and she enjoyed the vibration through her muscles. It was time to get up, but now, post orgasm, she felt relaxed and heavy again. As though she could sleep all day and wait quite happily for Raul, or one of her other husbands, to join her in bed.
But she couldn’t do that. She had things to do. The last thing she wanted was Victor banging on her door. So she dragged herself out of bed, flicked on the shower, and set about getting ready for the day.
She didn’t fancy any breakfast, she’d gorged on pizza the evening before, so headed straight for Harry’s cabin.
“Morning,” she said, putting her head around the door.
Evan was sitting on the side of the bed, helping Darius with the buttons on a shirt covered in smiley yellow faces.
“Olivia!” Banna grinned down from a top bunk which had been lowered on its chains. Olivia hadn’t noticed it before.
Amal’s face appeared next to hers. “We slept here, all night.”
“That’s nice.” Olivia reached up and touched his cheek. “Better than the floor.”
“Yes, and Harry and Evan said they’d look out for monsters,” Darius said. “So we didn’t need to worry about keeping watch.”
“Harry and Evan are very good at that,” she said. “This shirt is nice.”
“Thank you. Evan got it for me.” Darius paused. “Do you know where Mason is?”
“Mason. He’s on the bridge, making sure the boat is going the right way.”
“Can I go to the bridge?”
“Not really, buddy,” Harry said, scrubbing his hand over his chin. His beard was growing back.
“Why not?” Darius asked.
“Because you’re not really supposed to be on this boat, remember.” Olivia ruffled his hair.
“We’re hiding,” Banna said. “In here.”
“But I don’t want to.” Darius frowned. “I want to see Mason. I want to steer the boat. And you said…” He turned to face Harry. “That there are whales and dolphins out there. I want to go and see them.” He paused. “Please. Please. Please.”
Olivia pulled a face at Harry. It did seem a shame that the children had to be cooped up in the small cabin when there was a huge boat for them to stretch their legs on.
“Perhaps later we can go and look at the sea,” Harry said.
“When the captain is resting,” Evan added.
“Yes.” Harry stood and went to the porthole. “We’ll get some fresh air and see what’s out there.”
“Yes.” Darius did a little jump on the spot.
“Hey, hold still,” Evan said. “One more button to go.”
“Sorry, Evan.”
“It’s okay, mate. There you go, all done.”
“Thank you.” Darius whizzed across the cabin and scooted up to join his sister and brother. “Are we going to eat more food soon?”
Harry laughed. “You just polished off a pile of sausage and bacon sandwiches.”
“Yes, but soon I will be hungry again.” Darius rubbed his flat stomach.
“Don’t be greedy.” Banna frowned at him.
“It’s okay, Banna,” Olivia said. “It’s natural for him to wonder when his next meal will be when he’s been so hungry in the past.” She turned to Darius. “Raul will make more food for you at twelve o’clock lunchtime, then some more at six o’clock, dinner time.”
“I have no clock.” Darius looked crestfallen.
“I have.” Harry held out his wrist. On it sat his hundred thousand dollar Rolex. “You can look at mine whenever you want to.”
“Will you teach me?”
“Of course.”
“Can I wear it?”
“Er…not really, buddy. It was a gift from my father.”
“You have very rich father,” Banna said, studying the heavy silver.
“He’s also very kind and generous.” Harry smiled then looked away.
“Do you miss him?” Olivia asked, sensing a sudden sadness in Harry.
“Sure, he’s my buddy as well as my father. But I’m sure I’ll see him soon.”
“Huh, I don’t miss mine,” Evan said, standing.
“You don’t?” Olivia asked. It was the first time Evan had mentioned his father to her.
“No, he’s a foul-mouthed bully.”
Harry glanced at her, then bit on his bottom lip.
“I’m sorry.” She reached for Evan’s hand.
“Not your fault, it’s just how he is. I don’t know how my mother puts up with him.” He stroked her knuckles. “I have to go. Victor’s left a list of things for me to do.”
