Xavier (Vigilance 4)

I considered for a moment. “Thomas in public, X around the team, and Xavier when we’re alone.”

“I think I can remember that.”

“I know you can because you’re so very good, so very right for me.”

“Mmmm. Keep talking like that.”

Instead, I kissed him. He wrapped his arms around my neck and straddled me. Soon we were lost in a haze of lust, and I showed him just how deep my love for him went.

37

Epilogue

Three Months Later

Xavier

I glanced over at Emilio. He was wearing the black speedo Dalton had picked out for him. I grinned as I remembered the evening a few months ago when Emilio had met Dalton and Walsh.

After much discussion about the clothes Dalton had sent to the island, Dalton suggested they go shopping for some cold-weather clothing. Emilio allowed him to explain all the ways he could improve Emilio’s wardrobe and how Emilio was hiding his beauty in jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies, but he declined the invitation. Dalton assured him the offer was always open.

They’d ended up friends by the end of the evening, despite their differences. Walsh was an interesting man, and I had a lot of questions for him, especially since he was also someone who lived a double life. We were looking forward to spending some time with them on the island later in the year.

Right now, though, I wasn’t going to think about anyone but Emilio. It seemed strange that it had been less than a year since I’d seen Emilio for the first time and started to question if I was attracted to men.

Since then, I’d done so many delicious things with him and to him, but there was one thing I’d yet to try, and I’d decided I was going to remedy that.

I let my gaze roam over the long lines of his body. He was stretched out on a towel on the beach where I’d taken him the first night we spent together.

We’d spent much of the morning playing in the water and had even gotten to see a pod of dolphins swimming in the warm water closest to shore. When Emilio had decided he was ready to rest, we’d settled on the sand.

I watched the water glistening on his skin and thought about how he was even more beautiful now than when I’d first met him. He was so much more relaxed and comfortable.

It had taken a bit of a fight, but I’d convinced him there was nothing wrong with using my money to support his siblings. God knew I have plenty of it, and helping his chosen family have a better future was a very worthy cause.

I leaned over and lapped at some of the water droplets on Emilio’s stomach. He opened his eyes, lazily looking down his body at me.

“Feel free to continue.”

“Oh, I will.” It wouldn’t be the first time we’d had sex on the beach, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last, but I needed him showered and free of sand for what I wanted to try.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’ve got that look.”

“What look?”

“The look that says you have plans for me, and you’re contemplating how best to carry them out.”

“I’m not sure I like how well you know me.”

He smirked at me. “Deal with it.”

“I’m also not sure I like how you get sassier every day.”

“Do you need to punish me for it?” he asked, his tone low and sexy.

That was definitely tempting. “We’ll see, but right now I want to—”

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my backpack.

“It’s Samson.” He was one of the bodyguards I’d hired for the new division of Vigilance, Vigilant Security. Actually having bodyguards and security consultants working for me lent more legitimacy to the company. If anyone questioned what I was involved in, I could now point to the completely legal work my employees did.

“Don’t answer that,” Emilio said.

“But what if he—”

“He’ll call Leo.”

Leo had promised to take care of that side of the business for me, even though he was still furious I’d sided with the doctor who’d forbidden him to take part in the takedown of our New Orleans enemies while he was recovering from injuries.

“He shouldn’t be calling you anyway,” Emilio reminded me.

“What if he tried Leo and didn’t—”

“Do you hire only the best?”

I blew out a long breath. “Yes.”

“Then he’ll figure out a way to handle the situation, even if he can’t reach Leo or someone else higher up.”

“Damn, you’re a tough boss.”

Emilio rolled his eyes and reached for my phone. “Turn it off, or I’m throwing it in the ocean.”

“That’s asking too much, but”—I tapped the screen—“there. I declined the call.”

Since I’d come out both as bisexual and as the owner of a security company, Emilio had been pushing me to delegate more and take more time for myself. It wasn’t easy for me to step away from work. I still got jittery when I tried to relax, but I was learning.