Keir laughed. Nobody made that mistake. Their father, in fact, made a point of saying just how different the two of them were, although it had been to point out his perceived flaws of Keir compared to Kade, until recently.
“We share some good traits,” Kade said, keeping the memory of their father’s criticism at the forefront of his thoughts.
Hopefully, Tess would take it easier on Keir. He meant well, living life with humour no matter how bleak the future.
“But I’m cuter,” Keir said. “My dick’s also bigger and my eyes bluer. I fuck the best too, in case there was any question.”
Tess climbed onto Kade’s back.
“You’re adventurous,” Tess said to Keir. Kade noticed she didn’t use the comment to compare him to his brother. “I would have to say last night was nothing like I could have imagined. In a good way.”
He wished he could see Tess’s face. Was she blushing again?
“Interesting,” Bastion called back. “Does that mean you’re open to a sandwich?”
“For lunch?” Tess asked, clearly evading. Surprisingly, Bastion let her. “Sure, but I thought these private islands came with a personal chef, and if I had a million dollars, I would want to try avocado toast and some fancy pureed soup served in porcelain, so I won't mistake it for nursing home food.”
“Soup and toast?” Kade asked, surprised.
“My stomach is still a bit upset. I think I need to take it easy before I start demanding lobster and Kobe steak.”
“Caviar on toast crisps? Some champagne?” Keir asked.
“Ugh, nope, and probably not. I wouldn’t turn down some strawberries though, and how about pineapple? They have to have pineapple here!”
“By itself or on something?” Kade asked. Pineapple seemed like a strange request.
“On pizza,” Tess answered.
Keir made a gagging sound. His brother did not share Kade's love of Hawaiian pizza. Not that it was actually Hawaiian, which made Keir’s dislike of it acceptable.
“Have you tried BBQ pineapple? We could put them on spits and let them get warm and juicy with crisp, brown edges of caramelized sweetness on the outside,” Bastion said.
“That sounds amazeballs,” Tess answered.
“Don’t drool on my shoulder,” Kade teased.
Tess laughed. “You still have your shirt on for protection.”
“Is that a complaint or a request?” Kade asked, feeling his dick’s interest in her answer.
“Neither, but it could be a request. We’re going to the beach, so taking your shirt off is acceptable, right?”
“You put her down, it’s my turn to piggyback her,” Keir said.
Kade weighed the benefits of showing off his naked chest to losing Tess’s soft arms and weight behind him.
“Nope. Gonna have to wait until we get there. You can piggyback her to the house from the beach afterwards.”
“I can walk,” Tess said, again.
“Indulge us, please,” Kade said. “If you let me piggyback you and then don’t give Keir a turn, he’s going to pout the rest of the trip.”
Keir snorted his response to that prediction. “I’m fine hanging back here and getting a good look at her ass in those jeans. Remember, she’s commando under them.”
Tess stiffened up with an embarrassed groan. “Keir, can you really tell I’m not wearing panties?”
“Once you know, you can’t unthink it,” Keir said.
“Pretty much, he’s imaging your butt naked,” Kade said.
He didn’t admit that he would be doing the same once he switched positions with his twin.
“Would you like to share another shower?” Keir asked.
“What if somebody catches us?” Tess said. “We can’t be the only ones on the beach. Mr. Stewart and his guests might show up.”
Bastion stopped walking. “We’re getting closer and Tess is right. There might be other people like Mr. Stewart’s guests, so please act with a little decorum.”
“He means us, Pumpkin,” Keir said.
“She knows that,” Bastion retorted. “In particular, I meant you.”
“Sir Bastard is out in full force,” Keir whispered, coming closer to her and Kade.
Tess sniggered, clearly unable to hold it in. “Behave, or Daddy’s going to spank you,” she admonished Keir.
“You are both going to pay for that later,” Kade warned them.
“Tess already has a private meeting with me booked before dinner. Isn’t that right, Kitten?” Bastion asked, turning back around.
Guess he didn’t need an answer to that summons.
“Is he serious?” Tess whispered into Kade’s ear.
“Bastion is always serious,” Kade replied.
Keir whistled. “Somebody’s on the naughty list.”
“You started it!”
Bastion sighed. “It’s about why you ran away,” he explained. “We have unfinished business between us that has nothing to do with Keir.”
She swallowed dryly, chin bobbing against Kade’s shoulder.
“Oh.”
Her voice was tiny again.
“Are you really worried?” Kade asked, keeping it to a whisper. “Bastion would never hurt you. He’s a bit of a bastard, but his bark is worse than his bite.”
“No, I know that,” Tess whispered back. “I guess everything has been happening so fast that I had hoped we’d moved beyond what happened when Greg showed up, and uh, just before that.”
“I think the just before is the part Bastion wants to focus on, and after when we came to your house and it was empty.”
“I left my phone. You’re the one that brought it back to me.”
“Oh, the phone is definitely a problem. Bastion mentioned you need to work on your communication skills as well as trust.”
Tess did another dry swallow. “Trust?”
“It’s kind of a dominance thing. He tried to explain it to us, but I think the short of it is that Bastion needs your trust if he’s going to have a relationship with you and be himself.”
“That makes sense,” Tess admitted. She hugged Kade tighter. “Thanks for explaining.”
“Stop worrying. We brought you here to talk, but also to have fun while feeling safe. War and Bastion worked hard to set everything up, so you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing while you’re here. Try to have a nice afternoon at the beach.”
“Got it, Bluebell. Don’t take things too seriously for one afternoon. Should we take a page from Keir’s book?”
“I think we can all learn something from Keir,” Kade said, giving his brother a glance.
Of course, Keir overhead the unintended compliment.
“About time you realized it,” Keir said. “They say the best things come last.”
“No, that’s not how it goes,” Tess said, sounding much too serious.
Bastion stopped again. They could all see the ocean, sand coming up the dirt path they were walking on to get to the beach.
“Some things are worth waiting for?” Kade asked, trying to find the right saying for Tess.
It was her quirk, but he figured it would bother her now until they got it right.
Tess slipped off his back.
“Last but not least,” she corrected.
“Just remember that you said it,” Keir said.
Tess whipped her head over to look at Keir. Kade caught the look of surprise on her face as he turned around.
“You devious—wow!” Tess exclaimed.
That had been a total set-up for Keir to fish a compliment from Tess.
“Don’t let him know you’re impressed,” Kade advised. “It just encourages more of the same behaviour.”
“Then, I shouldn’t tell him I like it, either?” Tess asked with a smile directed towards his brother.
Bastion laughed. “She’s falling for his charm,” he said.
Keir beamed. “I think this counts as my win. Do I get to take the first stroll with you along the beach?”
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“I want to have a shower,” Tess reminded him. “Maybe a quick stroll, then the shower before we explore further?”
“I’ll call for someone in the house to talk to Jacobson and let him know that we landed safely,” Bastion said. “I can see if they can arrange a lunch set up here instead of at the house, so we can add a picnic to our beach day.”
“Avocado toast, pureed soup, and BBQ pineapple,” Kade said, listing off the things that Tess had expressed an interest in trying for lunch.
Tess waved her hands and shook her head.
“Oh, no. I don't want to be a bother. How do we even know that they have those foods here? it's not like they can walk to a grocery store and get whatever we ask for to be served.”
Kade smiled indulgently.
Tess really had no idea of the kind of wealth War possessed. Even taking her to the island on a private jet didn't really give her the right perception. She still thought in terms of grocery stores, for example.
Their private chef probably grew all the herbs and some of the fruits and vegetables on the island. He would procure fresh meats and seafood directly from the source, be that organic farms or the docks as the fishing boats came in. Their larder was stocked with more than just the basics. Food might be wasted, but it would never be in short supply. That would almost be as embarrassing as not stocking a particular wine that a guest requested.
“I’ll call it in,” Bastion said.
He understood, but like Kade, chose not to make it a big deal of it in front of Tess.
Normally, most of them were comfortable with their wealth. Tess was such an extreme the other way, however, that it was hard to feel like they weren’t flaunting their money when they just wanted to do things to please her.
“Come along, Pumpkin,” Keir said, distracting Tess from the phone call Bastion was going to make.
His brother took Tess’s hand in his and tugged her through the big, sculpted gateway to the beach.
It looked to be made of marble. There was a high-ceiling building beside the gateway with wrought-iron shutters that allowed the air to flow through the rooms, like most tropical-vacation villas. That must be where the showers and kitchen were kept for beachside convenience. The one beach-building alone probably cost more than Tess’s whole house.
“Oh, our shoes,” Tess said as they walked out onto the white beach sand.
“It might be hot at this time of day, even though the sun is playing peek-a-boo with the clouds,” Keir warned her.
“Kade, do you think there are some sandals or swimming shoes that we can borrow at the beach house?” his brother asked him.
“I’ll go check,” Kade offered. “Let’s see how Tess feels about going barefoot first.”
Keir was probably right about the temperature of the sand, but Kade didn't want to miss seeing Tess’s reaction to her first beach. She already looked as excited as a kid at Disney.
Wait until she dipped her toes into the ocean.
“We should be able to get the house to send down some clothes from your luggage to change into after you have a shower. Do you have anything more appropriate for the beach?” Bastion asked.
Tess looked away from the ocean and over to Bastion.
“I didn't know that I was supposed to be packing for a vacation.”
“Jeans should be fine,” Keir said. “It's not as warm as usual today with the wind. We can walk along the beach for now. Later on, we can see if they have any spare suits.”
Tess nodded her agreement. Everyone kicked off their shoes and pulled off their socks. Keir and Bastion both took one of Tess’s arms each and guided her onto the beach, watching her face for her reaction.
Kade followed them, jogging ahead so that he could also watch as she got to feel the soft, giving sand for the first time. Lake beaches with their brown sand and mud weren't the same.
“It’s beautiful,” Tess said.
Her eyes were darting all around, trying to take it in. With the ocean, there was no end to the infinite view of waves and a crisp, blue skyline.
“This is like a postcard. I can't believe I’m here.”
She stopped and spun around, the guys letting go of her to give her the freedom to spin. Throwing her hands up in the air and tossing her head back, so her hair flew around with her, Tess was a sight to behold.
None of the rest of them were focussed on the beautiful beach or ocean views.
With a laugh, Tess stumbled, dizzy.
Keir caught her. “Careful, Pumpkin.”
“Maybe we should sit down here. The sand is pretty warm,” Tess said.
Keir sat with Tess. Bastion stayed standing and arched a brow at Kade to get him moving. Bossy was damned right. Kade didn't say anything about it, taking off for the small building that would have beach supplies.
He accepted that all of them felt overprotective right now. They were not on their best behaviour. Things could explode if anyone let their egos get ahead of their brain when it came to ensuring that their girl was kept safe.
Above all else, it was important to remember that Tess came first. The rest of the group had to adjust or else she might go running again. They had to work together to make Tess feel comfortable.
Just like their group seduction. This time on the jet was much smoother than the icy game in her basement bedroom. Kade could still clock Bastion in the practice ring out of view of Tess. He would keep track of every arrogant look and snide remark that rubbed him the wrong way. Take out that naturally bristly response against another guy moving in on his girl with Bastion in the ring.
She was theirs. It was still difficult to wrap his mind around. Somehow it seemed more natural to share with his twin than with his friends.
Kade walked into the beach house with purpose. He wanted to get back to Tess.
He found a bunch of flip-flops that were thong style, as well as some light cork clogs. Kade guessed Tess would be about a medium-sized foot. He didn't remember her having particularly large feet. Too big of a shoe could be forgiven, especially with sandals. Too small was an insult.
Girls were picky about the size of their feet, weren’t they?
He grabbed a pair of larger thong sandals and a medium-size of the cork clogs. The sandals went into his back pocket. He could claim they were for him if she didn't need them.
Tess was laughing at something Keir was saying to her as Kade returned to where they were sitting on the beach. Both of them looked quite animated. Bastion was smiling too and he had taken a seat, looking relaxed with his legs sprawled out in front of him and leaning back on his hands.
It was one of the few times Kade had seen Bastion without a defensive pose, more often looking like he was ready to strike at any moment.
Had Tess done that?
Getting away from all the stressors and coming here with Tess let them be themselves as well, without their usual hangups. Bastion looked good smiling.
So did Keir, and this time, it didn't seem forced.
“There’s lots of different sizes,” Kade said to let them know he was back.
He bent down to offer Tess the cork clogs he’d picked.
“Those look perfect,” Tess said.
She quickly put them on her feet.
Kade looked down to make sure they fit reasonably. He offered her his hand to help her up.
“Still a shorty,” he teased her.
“I thought this was the perfect height for kissing,” Tess whispered. She tilted her head back to make her point.
Kade cupped the back of her head. “Oh, I'm not sure about that. We'll have to test it out,” he proposed.
He kissed her lips softly. Both of them had their eyes open, hers still sparkling with humour.
Bastion cleared his throat. “Didn’t we get enough of that on the jet?” he grumped.
Tess answered him without looking away from Kade or leaving his embrace.
“I don't think I could ever have enough. Is there such a thing as an addiction to kisses?”<
br />
“Sex-starved?” Keir teased. “Pumpkin, we found you just in time. It's been a bit of a dry spell for us, too. Don't be embarrassed to ask us to love your body.”
Tess blushed despite his brother’s advice she not get embarrassed about stating her needs.
“Oh, Gawd!” she said. “You make me sound like a succubus, or something.”
Bastion laughed. “In our dreams, hell yeah. I don't think there's any guy our age that would turn down a pretty girl like you. But don't go thinking we're going to give anyone else outside of the Phoenix club a chance. You’re ours.”
Tess finally pulled out of Kade’s arms. “And you’re all mine, exclusively.”
“I think that’s settled,” Kade said, giving Bastion a look that said he’d better ‘shut it’ when they had it so good.
“Let’s go play,” Keir said.
He grabbed for one of Tess’s hands and hauled her out from between Kade and Bastion. Keir was smart.
“You gonna let Keir have all the fun?” Kade asked Bastion, giving him back the raised eyebrow from earlier.
Bastion smirked. “I booked off a time-slot later in Tess’s schedule to spend with me alone, remember?”
Kade took a step forward, lowered his voice. “Yeah, good luck getting her alone. Keir is best at ruining the well-ordered plans of others. He says fun can’t be scheduled.”
Tess was laughing again.
Kade left Bastion to ponder that, shouldering past him as he jogged to catch up with his brother and their girl. The sand was getting hotter on his feet, so he gratefully pulled the over-big sandals from his back pocket and slapped them on.
Bastion passed him as he was bent over.
“Thank you for the advice,” Bastion hollered to Kade as he raced past.
It was completely teasing, a little healthy competition, but one where they would all win in the end, good-naturedly.
Kade loved it. He and Keir would have to plot together how to trip Bastion up, all for fun, of course.
When was the last time they had all just enjoyed being together? The fun of friendship had gotten lost in their fight to solve the mystery of their mother’s death.
Not right now.
Tess was important. Not just for herself but for what she gave back to them. Fun, friendship, and passion.
Duplicity (Victory Lap Book 2) Page 15
