Colin’s lips twitched at the corners, although his expression remained unchanged otherwise. “Oh yeah, he really does. He was just saying in the car how he always feels so left out of the group affection.”
Jamie fought back his own grin. He and Luc had been in that same car. Fox had said nothing of the kind.
“Oh.” After a moment’s hesitation, Jay held his arms open. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Slayer,” Fox growled, shooting a glare toward Colin and ignoring Jay’s waiting embrace.
Dane clapped Fox on the shoulder. “It’s okay, bro. This is a safe space. You can let the vulnerability out.”
Jamie was distracted from the show when he realized Soren was studying him from across the kitchen island. “What’s up?”
Soren’s gaze tracked Jamie from head to toe. “Just trying to guess what your luxurious beach vacation aesthetic might be.”
“Oh.” Jamie crossed his arms and leaned over the kitchen island. “Depends if Luc’s dressing me or not.”
“And if you’re dressing yourself?”
Jamie considered. “Hm. Slutty grunge? I usually keep it pretty simple. Black swim shorts but, you know, fitted. And salt water makes my hair look amazing. All freshly fucked, you know?”
Soren’s pale eyes gleamed. “Mm-hmm.”
“And then I just basically stay half-dressed the entire time. Maybe throw on a little eye liner, let it get smudged in the water so it looks like I was just choking on di—”
“Flower,” Lucien purred from behind him.
Jamie shot an innocent glance over his shoulder. “Yes, monster?”
“Unless you’d like to demonstrate to all your friendsexactlywhat you mean, I’d stop there.”
Jamie gave him a winning smile, then turned back to Soren. “Choking. On.Dick,” he said clearly.
Soren cackled. Gabe coughed into his drink. The twins grumbled a few expletives. Colin gave the barest hint of a smile. And Jay looked wide-eyed to Alexei, inching closer toward him.
Soren’s cackles died down, but there was a telltale glint of mischief in his eyes. “You just made Jaybird’s day. I assume the vacation orgy starts now?”
Strong arms banded around Jamie’s waist, but Jamie couldn’t sense any annoyance through the bond. Only wry amusement. He must be losing his edge.
“My flower will not be participating, I’m afraid,” Luc said, his breath hot on Jamie’s ear. “Now, which is our room?”
“You’re on the second floor,” Soren told him, his lips pushed in a false pout. “But really, Luc, how cruel to break Jaybird’s heart like that?”
“Brat,” Gabe warned.
“Oh my God,” Danny said, coming in from a door that seemed to lead to the beach. Roman wasn’t with him. Possibly he’d heard the discussion and decided to delay his arrival. “How many times do I have to say ‘no orgies’? Gabe and I arerelated.”
“It’s not stopping those two,” Soren said, pointing to the twins.
“It’s different,” Danny, Gabe, Dane, and Fox all managed to say at the same time.
Luc was already tugging Jamie by the waist, directing him toward the door that led into the rest of the house. “Okay, well—” Jamie gave everyone a little salute. “We’re going to unpack. Strip down. But still keep everything very PG.”
“We won’t,” Luc growled.
“Don’t you want to share your gifts first?” Jamie goaded.
“Gifts?” Jay asked hopefully.
“He brought special wines and everything.”
