“Will you?” Raul glanced past him at Joa. “Good. I’m hungry.”
Joa was so innocent sometimes. Raul could be as wicked as he was, which was surprisingly heady.
“I imagine. We should have you fed, and well.” He let his lip curl in what he knew was a filthy expression.
Joa happened to glance over at that moment, his eyes widening. “Balta!”
“What?” Balta chuckled at Joa’s shocked face.
“Uh. Do you want coffee or cocoa?”
Nice save.
“Cocoa. I’m craving something sweet.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Raul chuckled. “Nothing bitter for you, Silva?
“Nao. I will leave that for Joa. He handles that better than I do.”
Joa’s mouth fell open, those perfect lips threatening to make Balta hard right there now that he was warm.
“I think cocoa, too,” Raul said. “I want something smooth. Creamy.”
Eduardo looked at him, rolled his eyes. “He is too easy. Everything makes him peep like a baby chick.”
“I do not!”
Everyone stopped at Joa’s words, then bright laughter filled the air.
Balta let it go, sinking back in the seat and closing his eyes for a moment, the luxury of warmth winning over the urge to be more evil to Joa. He had plenty of time for that after they checked in at the hotel.
They pulled up and the others began to unload bags while Balta tipped the driver generously enough that the man beamed. “Call me anytime. Anytime.”
“I will call this afternoon. We have two more days, huh? We can use you, for sure.” Balta clapped Dave the driver on oneshoulder before tucking the business card Dave handed him in his pocket.
Raul approached, wallet out, but Dave waved him off. “It’s covered. You guys have been wicked fun.” Dave waved and went to help with the last of the bags.
“You didn’t have to,” Raul protested, but Balta waved it away.
“I wanted to. We will use him tomorrow. I will pay—you will tip.”
Raul tilted his head a moment, then nodded. “That works.” Then Raul gave him an uncertain glance. “I need to check in, huh?”
Poor Raul. He’d been with them almost the whole break, sleeping in Joa’s big bed. He saw where Raul was worried.
“You have your own room or were you supposed to share?”
“My own. Eduardo snores.”
“Bah. You are with us, then. I have a suite.” He wanted to stay a few days after and explore. This was a new place, a different place, and Joa was excited to see the history, eat lobster.
Pleasure flooded those light brown eyes, and Raul beamed. “I will cancel my room after the others go up.”
“Bom.” He nodded. “I will get three keys.”
“I—obrigado, Balta. I would feel strange alone.”
“So would we.” Raul needed to know that. Balta would prove it later.
