“He’s the cutest thing when he’s swimming.”
“Which one?” Kendrick glanced at Lane, unsure who he was referring to, brows arching.
“Actually, both, but I meant Monty. We had a pool party last year, and as it’s saltwater, Monty let his otter out. Such fun to watch him play in the water.”
“Was this before we came home? I’ve never seen your otter.” Rue was looking at Monty, pouting.
Kendrick had to pick up his napkin to hide his quivering lips, much the same as Derick.
“It was. If we can find a pool, we’d love to play,”—Monty looked between both of them—“with you both.”
“Won’t that be fun?” Lane looked innocently at them all, but Kendrick didn’t miss Derick’s eye roll or the huffed-out breath as Kendrick choked on his own saliva.
Rue appeared to give in to his own amusement and met Lane’s stare. “You have no idea.”
Kendrick’s lips flapped open as everyone else burst out laughing at the double entendre.
Derick patted his shoulder once he’d got himself under control. “If you can’t beat them, I suggest you join them.”
He could find no fault in Derick’s logic.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Monty
His bear was persistent. “Come on, get a shake on.”
“Where are we going?” Monty had less than four hours' sleep after Kendrick’s return home from his bar shift. The week, with the added pressure of entertaining Lane and staying on top of his work, left Monty with plans of lounging in bed until Kendrick had to go in for his lunchtime shift. How was Kendrick so bright and breezy this early on a Sunday?
“It’s a surprise,” Kendrick advised, giving Monty no clue at the bland expression he was looking at.
He huffed noisily while encouraged out of the house so Kendrick could lock up.
Monty caught Rue’s jaw cracking yawn, but he wasn’t complaining. “Do you know where we’re going?”
His eyes narrowed at the nonchalant shrug before Rue climbed in the front passenger side of the truck when Kendrick hit the fob to open the doors, shaking his head. “Nope.”
Eyeing the large bag Kendrick placed in the trunk, Monty’s forehead wrinkled. “I like surprises, I do, but I’m tired. Can't youtell us what we’re gonna be doing?” He nodded to the trunk as Kendrick shut it. “That bag looks pretty full andheavy.”
Kendrick traced a cool fingertip down the side of Monty’s face, then slid his hand around to cup the back of his neck, squeezing gently. “I have it on good authority that youlovesurprises.” Cool lips pressed against Monty’s. The presence of the orange juice Kendrick had drunk made his lips taste sweet.
Monty slipped his hands into the short, gray silky strands of Kendrick’s hair and clung on, sinking into the kiss.
“Hey, if we’re gonna do the kissy thing, can’t we do it in the house?”
Monty moaned in complaint as Kendrick released him to glance at Rue, who had opened the passenger door and was peering out.
“Sorry, you know how tempting Monty is.”
Rue’s returning smile was all agreement. “Does this mean we’re going back inside?” Now he seemed hopeful.
Kendrick immediately shook his head. “No, I’ve worked hard to sort this out.”
Rue shut his door, and Monty grumbled under his breath but got into the back of the truck.
“Will this be better than sex?” he questioned suspiciously as Kendrick started the engine.
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
