by Lily Harlem
He cupped her jaw and turned her to face him. “You can’t believe everything you read.”
“But it’s true about us. We are together.”
He smiled. “Of course. But that other shit, about me being a playboy and late nights partying.” He paused. “You know me, Liv. The real me. Have I done any of that since we met?”
“Well no, but…”
“There’s no but. I haven’t because I’ve been there, done it. Since Candy died it’s all been different. I’ve needed this…you…all of you.”
“I know, I understand.”
“Do you really?” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the center of her palm. “Do you understand how precious it is to me to have people who know me for me and who don’t take any notice of what the magazines say or what’s on Twitter?”
“I think so.”
“Oh, Olivia, please, see it. This is how I want to live. A real life, with real people. A real woman who isn’t after my inheritance.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
He sighed. “Because I know you. You’ve never treated me any different to the others, which is a breath of fresh air.” He paused. “You’ve been strong when I needed you to be. When I’ve had nothing, barely even a scrap of self-respect left, like on the raft and after that wasted flare on the island. You’ve been supportive, a rock, you’ve made me pick myself up and carry on and had faith that I could. None of it was about money—not as if we had any on the island, or had use for it—it was about you, caring for me as a person, a person with feelings like everyone else.”
“Isn’t that how people are supposed to treat each other?”
“But that’s just it, don’t you see?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“When you’re as rich as my family are, it’s so rare to be treated like that. Are friends real friends? Or do they just want the free stuff, the fancy lifestyle they’ll get by hanging out with the rich guy? Does a woman really like me for me? Or is she thinking of marriage, babies, and then a huge divorce settlement?”
“Oh, Harry.” Olivia’s heart broke for him. “That’s an awful way to think.”
“And Candy and me…” He looked away for a second then drew his attention back to Olivia. “We were the same, we got that, being from similar wealthy backgrounds. She was one of the few people who understood me. Even though it was never a romantic relationship, she was more like a sister, we were close and connected and we both understood how hard it is to navigate through friendships when you’re privileged.”
Olivia squeezed his hand. Talking about his deceased friend wasn’t easy, but it was good that he did, sometimes.
“Until you guys came along, and now it’s all changed,” he went on. “I don’t know if my father intended to get me some ‘real’ buddies when he had this idea for The Challenge, but if he did, boy did it work.” He swung his gaze around the guys, who were chatting about Africa. The magazine sat forgotten on the center table.
“Yes,” she said. “If that was his intention, it really did work. There’s no better men to be at your side if you want real.”
“I do want real. Real everything. Real life, real buddies, a real girlfriend, and real love.”
She untangled her hand from his and cupped his face. “You know damn well you’ve got real love from me.”
“I do, I do know that, and it’s made me so happy.” He kissed her, a gentle press of his lips, not a wild, passion-infused kiss, but one that came from the heart.
Olivia melted against him. Harry was sweet and complex, and she understood how much he needed her to keep it all together, keep them all together.
And she would do that.
“And he said,” onto her lips, “I can think of nothing better than getting away from it all by running off to Africa.”
“You like the idea of us being runaways, huh?” She smiled.
“Why the hell not?”
“Ah, beer,” Evan said suddenly. “Great.”
Olivia pulled back from Harry and gave his hand another squeeze before turning to the waiter, who was setting down drinks. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, miss.”
“Just the one, I reckon,” Mason said. “I expect Riley will want us up early to get organized for the trip.”
“Yeah, he already said something about that.” Harry reached for his drink. “Which is good. There’s lots to do.”
“I need to ring Anya,” Olivia said.
“Who’s Anya?” Paul asked.
“We met her when we were fruit picking,” Mason said. “She’s from South Africa.”
“Si, it was her who told us about Kaskum, the poor village she lives in, with no hospital.” Raul tapped the side of his head. “It was her words that gave me the idea of what to do with the money from Vegas.”
“It’s a great idea,” Paul said. “Do you think we can afford to take vaccinations?”
“We should definitely allocate some of the money for that.” Lucas nodded. “Prevention is better than cure.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” Paul sipped his drink. “I’m guessing we’ll need to do a breakdown of cash. Decide how much we need to get there, flights and overland, then fund somewhere to stay and budget so we can eat. We’ll want cash for the actual building materials, and then what’s left for medical equipment.”
“We won’t need transport costs,” Harry said. “Or have to worry about food and board.”
“But where will we stay?” Paul raised his eyebrows. “And what will we eat?”
“Leave it with me.”
“But—”
Harry held up his hand. “Leave it with me,” he said again, a little more firmly this time.
Paul glanced at his brothers. “Oh, okay.”
No one spoke. When Harry said leave something with him, like when they’d arrived at The Luxor and had been given a complimentary suite, it was best to do just that, leave it with him.
Olivia relaxed back with her drink. She was looking forward to speaking with Anya and telling her of their plans. She hoped she wouldn’t be too difficult to get hold of. Her phone was old and temperamental, she’d said.
And then there’d be so much to decide. How big could they build the hospital? How would they transport materials to the site? Would there be enough of them to work on the structure and how would they cope in the heat of the African plains?
Excitement began to grow. After sailing on Temptress and then riding the Harley, what could be better than heading off to do more charitable work? It would give them not only a sense of adventure, but also a sense of accomplishment. And her men needed that. None of them were ‘sit about’ guys. They were always doing something be it physical or creative. This would keep their interest, she was sure of it.
She knew it would be a tough job for her to keep them working as a team. They always had a few dicey moments, but so far, they’d figured it out.
Her attention fell on Paul, who was listening to something Evan was saying about beams and roof angles.
He must have felt her gaze on him, because he looked her way. His attention lingered, his expression unchanged.
She crossed her legs and wondered about the wisdom of allowing him to join them.
After flicking his gaze down to her ankles, he returned his focus to Evan.
He seemed to be getting on okay with Evan now, but earlier she’d been genuinely worried Evan was about to throw something sharp at him.
And that wouldn’t have worked out well.
Mason was sitting on Paul’s other side. A slight frown marred his brow, and he was spinning his thumb ring.
Olivia wondered what was wrong with him. She could sense he was worrying. Though after earlier, and their intense love-making, she would have thought he’d be relaxed.
She was just about to go to him, when Paul turned to his brother. He squeezed Mason’s shoulder and appeared to pass on something amusing Evan had just said.
Mason’s hands re
laxed, so did his face. He replied with a smile.
The right decision had been made. Paul was good for his brothers. Her gut instinct to allow him to join them, not just because they needed a doctor, had been right. Mason and Lucas loved him, he was part of their world. Which meant he’d have to become part of hers.
If only he could behave himself.
Otherwise, things could get dangerous.
Chapter Five
With beer finished, the group headed up to the top floor of the hotel.
“Mi niña hermosa,” Raul whispered as they stepped from the elevator. “Bonk up with me tonight. I know you are tired, from long day. But my arms ache to hold you. It is just for sleep, I understand.”
She slipped her hand into the back pocket of his jeans and felt the curve of his taut ass. “I’d like very much to bonk up with you tonight, Raul.” She smiled and leaned her cheek against the top of his arm as they walked. She’d corrected the word bonk before, but it was clear he’d forgotten bunk up.
As Mason paused at the room they’d used earlier, she rested her hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
“Aye.” He stifled a yawn. “Tired, you wore me out.”
She smiled. “I’m knackered, too.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “See you in the morning.”
“You will.” He nodded at Paul and Lucas. “There’s two doubles and a pull out in here.”
“That’ll do us.” Lucas stepped past, dropping a kiss on the top of Olivia’s head as he did so.
“Night,” she said, then pointed into the room. “Can you pass me that bag?”
“Sure.” He picked it up, but Paul, who was just stepping in, took it from him.
“Here,” Paul said, offering it forward.
“Thanks.”
For a moment Paul hesitated.
Olivia knew what was going through his mind. He thought she was going off to have a wild foursome with Raul, Harry, and Evan, and that within minutes she’d be naked and swinging from the chandeliers with three men driving her wild with pleasure.
But it wasn’t like that. She was tired. It seemed like a different lifetime ago she’d woken up in Vegas to drive to LA, yet it had only been that morning.
What the hell. He can think what he likes.
“Goodnight, Paul,” she said, turning away and tugging Raul by his back pocket.
“Er, yeah. Sleep well,” he said.
“Get your head around it, mate,” Evan said.
“What do you mean?” Paul asked, hesitation in his tone.
“Equipment, medical stuff. What you’re gonna need for the hospital.”
“Ah, that. Aye, I will. See you all in the morning.”
The door shut, and Olivia found herself releasing a small sigh. It was going to take a bit of getting used to having a sixth man around.
Raul opened the door in front of them.
“Are you staying with me?” Harry asked, his eyes glinting.
“Not tonight. I’m asleep on my feet.”
“Our woman is tired,” Raul said. “It has been a long day.”
“I agree,” Evan said. “Where’s my room?”
“Only the suite left,” Harry said. “You’ll have to slum it and join me in there.”
“I guess I can manage that,” Evan said. He tucked a strand of Olivia’s hair behind her ear. “Night, babe.”
“Sleep well,” she said, then tried and failed to hold in a yawn.
“Oh dear, you’re past it.” Evan laughed. “Go let Raul give you a Spanish cuddle and get some rest.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Ten minutes later, Olivia was tucked up in a big warm bed with her head lodged in the crook between Raul’s shoulder and his neck. She adored the scent of his skin, the way his long legs tangled with hers, and how his chest rose and fell under her palm.
He was as tired as she was, and within minutes his steady breaths told her sleep had stolen him away. She allowed herself to drift, feeling safe and content in his arms. Raul gave good hugs, and she knew he’d hold her all night.
Her dreams were gentle, and her sleep heavy. When she woke the Californian sun was filtering through the curtains and she was still in the same position.
Raul murmured something in Spanish, and she stroked his bare chest, the duvet having slipped to their waists.
When he murmured again and his hips twitched, she became aware of movement beneath the cover.
She raised her head and looked at his face. Expecting to see him awake. But he wasn’t. His eyes were closed, his long dark lashes almost resting on his cheeks, and his lips slightly parted. He moved his head to the right and mumbled something she didn’t catch.
She drew her attention downward. A knot of excitement caught in her belly. He was hard. Not only that, he was touching himself, masturbating in his sleep. It was the only explanation for the shifting bedding.
Setting her attention on his face again, she slid her hand downward, skimming over his flat belly, then over the hair that ran from his navel to his groin.
He didn’t wake.
His underwear was shoved down, and he had his hand wrapped around his erection.
Again he murmured, then his body shifted against hers.
Checking to make sure he was still asleep, she set her hand over his fist and squeezed.
He groaned and quickened the pace.
A thrill went through Olivia. She’d never joined in with a man pleasuring himself in his sleep before.
She worked him, mimicking his movements. His pace increased, his cock got thicker.
“Mi niña hermosa,” he gasped.
She glanced up. His eyes were wide, his cheeks a little flushed.
“I was dreaming,” he said. “And I wake up and it’s real. Not a dream.”
“Not a dream.” She grinned. “Move your hand. Let me do it.”
He did as she’d asked, flicking back the cover to expose himself.
Quickly, she took hold of his erection and continued the pace. Rubbing him down to the base then up to the tip, over and over. His flesh was hot, granite-hard, and a small tremble went over his body.
“I am going to come,” he gasped after a minute. “I was going to in my dream, and now it is here.”
“Yes. Come.” She squeezed closer to him, enjoying the way his hips were canting to meet her strokes.
He groaned, long and low, then a shot of cum left his cocktip and landed on his belly.
Gripping her close with the arm wrapped around her shoulders, he flung his other hand to the side and fisted the sheet. “Ah, mierda. Si. Si.”
He was in the throes of his release. Ecstasy had claimed him.
Another burst of cum, accompanied by a low guttural moan and an upward thrust of his hips.
Olivia pressed against him, a tremor of pleasure zinging through her body.
“Please…” he gasped.
She kept on going, feeling sure there was more.
A final spurt of glistening liquid landed on his abdomen.
He arched forward and wrapped his hand around hers, stilling her movements. He was panting and his stomach tense, showing his six-pack.
She kissed his chest, just above his nipple, then worked her way upward.
He flopped back and she found his mouth with hers.
His skin was warm and his heart thudding. His breaths came fast for a few minutes then slowed as his body calmed.
“Turn over,” he said. “I’ll start your day off with a bang.”
She grinned. “Thanks for the offer but look at the time.” She nodded at the clock on his side of the bed. “It’s nine, we need to get up. Riley will be banging on the door in a minute.”
“But I am satisfied. You are not.”
She kissed him again. “Let’s just say I was returning the favor from the beach.”
“Ah, the beach.” A smile tugged at his mouth. “You melted in my arms.”
“You could say that.” She slipped from the bed. “
I’m going to take a shower. You might want this.” Tugging a tissue from a box, she let it flutter onto his sticky belly.
He chuckled. “Thank you.”
Olivia showered, enjoying the warm water and the fruit-scented soap. When she stepped out, she wrapped her freshly washed hair in a towel, and after a quick dry pulled another around her torso.
Stepping from the steamy en suite into the bedroom, she realized they had company.
Evan and Harry.
“Good morning, boys,” she said with a grin.
Both turned from where they’d been chatting to Raul, who was still lounging on the bed.
“Hey, babe,” Evan said, allowing his gaze to drop down her body.
“Mmm, I remember the last time you only wore a towel,” Harry said, tipping his eyebrows.
“I’m sure you do.” She grinned and thought of Vegas.
“I need to shower,” Raul said. He leaped from the bed, the duvet slipping to the floor.
Naked, he strutted past Harry and Evan, paused to plant a kiss on her lips, then slipped into the bathroom.
Evan laughed. “That guy.”
“Tell me about it.” She stepped up to the mirror and leaned forward to check her reflection.
Evan came up close behind her. His lips brushed her neck, and he cupped her buttocks over the towel. “I just wanted to ask,” he said quietly. “How your ass is after the other night?”
“I appreciate your concern.” She smiled at his reflection.
“I have great concern for your ass, because for the record, it’s an ass I have huge respect for.” He kissed her again and gently massaged her butt.
“Is it marked from the spanking?” Harry asked, leaning on the dresser next to her with his arms folded over his black t-shirt. He had a wicked glint in his eyes, almost as if he hoped it was still red.
“Back to normal,” she said, swiping her tongue over her bottom lip and remembering going over his knee for a spanking.
He nodded once.
“And what about where I…” Evan said.
“Where you fucked me,” she said, the words sounding lewd in the bright of the day.
“Yeah, where I fucked you,” he whispered next to her ear. “Which was incredible, by the way.”
“It was.” She leaned back onto him. “Because you were gentle. I’m all good.”