I made sure to send Bishop an invitation, but strangely, he didn’t come.
Chiara finished high school and made it into cosmetology school, which she will finish this summer.
And me? I’m happy to work alongside Sophia, doing what I’ve always wanted. Loving the free time I have for myself and my guys every evening after work and enjoying the fuck out of the simplicity of having a regular day, a consistent sleep schedule, and weekends off.
The sun blazes down, making the pool shimmer invitingly. I stroll alongside it, feeling the warmth on my skin. As I walk, I spot Howie floating on a pink flamingo floatie. “Your Coke, sir,” I announce, crouching beside the pool.
Sophia swims over on her blue pool noodle, takes the Coke from me, and holds it aloft as she swims back to Howie to hand it to him. He lifts the glass adorned with the tiny umbrella, toasting me.
“To vacations!” he cheers, and I can’t help but smirk at his pastel pink swim shorts and the sunglasses adorning his face.
“When you’re done with that, we’re swapping again, Howard. I want my flamingo back,” Sophia chimes in.
The two of them have become the best of friends. If I weren’t so happy for them, I might get jealous. They now do everything together, from visiting jazz clubs, baking cakes, and having movie marathons to shopping. I even heard that Howie got a pedicure with her before the vacation. It’s a good thing I have my own three best friends, but I make sure that he and I still have our burger dates from time to time.
After all, he is, and always will be,myHowie.
Across the pool, Chiara and Leo are deep in a water fight, laughter filling the air as water splashes everywhere. Suddenly, Leo lunges at Chiara, wrapping his arms around her. “Got you, doll!” He cackles, and I chuckle at their antics. It’s cute that they are still together and so in love. They even plan to move into a new apartment together after Chiara has finished school.
My gaze shifts to the sun loungers lining the pool’s edge. Four loungers are there. One is empty—mine. On the other three, my men relax.
Joshua, with his pale skin, lies shielded under an umbrella. Beside him, Clay basks in the sun, his skin glistening. Xander lounges on the last chair, his fingers brushing against Clay’s upper arm.
As I get to my chair next to Xander’s, I bend down to place the tray of water bottles on the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Xander slaps my ass, and I jump, shooting him a mock scowl. “Really?”
His eyes twinkle with mischief. “How about we head to our bungalow? Take a little break from this sun?”
Clay immediately chimes in, “Hell yes!” and I hear Joshua snicker.
I grin. “All right. Let’s go.” I start walking away, adding an exaggerated sway to my hips.
The sound of Joshua’s appreciative groan follows me, and I smile even wider.
The last five years of our relationship have done wonders for my self-esteem and confidence. Having three hot men doting on you all the time and doing dirty, dirty things to you will have that effect.
Clay once told me that he can’t silence the mean voice in my head, but they will make sure to tell me every day about how fucking crazy I drive them. I must say, it’s helped.
As I sway my hips on the way to our fancy-ass beach bungalow, I feel the butt plug rubbing against me, and I have to take a deep breath to suppress a moan.
“Come here, pumpkin,”Xander says as he sits on the closed toilet, patting his knee in invitation. I am standing in front of the bathroom mirror, fastening my bikini top.
“What are you…” I start, furrowing my brow.
The tiny curve to his lips is pure mischief while he holds out a purple butt plug to me.
Xander loves preparing me for Clay so he can fuck my ass later. Xander says his love language is gift-giving, and what better gift for his boyfriend than their stretched-out and prepped girlfriend?
“We’re on vacation with the family and in the pool the whole day,” I tell him, not believing that he wants me to wear a plug while wearing next to nothing.
“Exactly.” He grins at me, the glint in his eyes hungry.
“You know what, you wear one too, and I’ll think about it.” I stand in front of him and tilt my chin back, my eyes meeting his with clear challenge.
Xander gives me a slow shake of his head, dragging his thumb slowly over my lower lip like he is allowing me to dial back the sass.
He should have known better, though. I just take it as a challenge and double down. “You know I could help you with that. Purple is your color.”
Xander’s eyes narrow at me, and in a fast move, he spins me and pulls me over his lap, his hand coming up to grip me around my throat.
