Less so is it his job to close the door behind him while Jules pushes his jacket off his shoulders, kissing his neck.
It’s not really his job to let Jules unbutton his shirt and put his palm over his heart while they kiss, quiet and desperate.
And he’s definitely not being paid to lightly push Jules on the bed he so strategically moved into the corner, pull down those swim shorts and suck his soul out through his cock, to keep Jules’ come in his mouth and then share it with kisses when ordered, whispered,everything quiet, all time stolen, it’s not his job, but God damn if it isn’t his reason forbeingwhen Jules gets on top and Lachlan keeps a loose hand over his mouth, and they only have a few minutes but Lachlan isMrFive Seconds Flatso it’s not really a problem, and he fucks Jules from the bottom and Jules’ come spatters lightly over his chest and Lachlan fills the condom, kissing,kissing, kissing so much he’s dizzy and telling Jules how much he loves him, all the things he’d do to keep him safe and it makes Jules moan in a low, dangerous way, makes him beg to hear more things just like that as he rocks back and forth on Lachlan’s still hard cock, both hands planted over his heart, like it’shisto protect in turn.
Full shadow capacity has a little wiggle room for interpretation, after all.
?
The party on that first night stresses Lachlan the fuck out.
It’s a new level of adjustment, having to stand there and watch everyone get drunk on a beach so open it’s practically begging someone to take a shot.The staff construct a massive fire, they set up music, a fully functioning bar as well as a gorgeous sailcloth pavilion.A private chef station, staff in neutral linen, barefoot-friendly teak decking rolled out over sand and lounge islands instead of chairs; the adults treat it like camping.Like they’re living wild off the land when in fact the sand was combed for hours first.
They’re so blind to the danger they put themselves in and it makes children of them in this way.Hopelessly optimistic and trusting, spoiled overgrown brats unable to accept any refusal or adjustment of theirfun.Lachlan keeps his bitter opinions inside, but he’s not friendly with anyone, too focused on watching the water.
He wishes Danya was here, although he’d never ask for it because he wants his best with his little girl and just the thought of her makes Lachlan’s heart ache.He hopes she’s OK and that Blaire and Vasily are making a fuss of her, knows they are.Lachlan touches his tattoo whenever he thinks of her.
A photographer showed up around four hours before the party started.
Lachlan hasn’t vetted him.This isn’t his set up.The guy could be anyone.
The photographer comes with a big bag full of equipment that Lachlan wasn’t allowed to search, despite asking twice.Lachlan knows he’s rapidly pissing Kessler off, but he simply does not care.
Lachlan isn’t here to make friends.
On the beach, Lachlan tries to keep his gaze angled away from the fire to avoid becoming night-blind but it’s a losing battle, Jules is sat right by it, and he needs eyes on every thirty seconds at least.The photographer, a man named Elias Wake, lurks nearby, capturing what he calledmoments.
Lachlan watches him with unearned dislike.
In total, there are ten people on the island.Jules, Savannah, Roman, Mikhail Sorrenko, Alistair Penhalyx, Ariadne Alderwyck, Richard Vale, Thomas Whitlock and the Delacroix twins; Prescott and Madeline.
The twins are new people Lachlan’s not met before and after being in their presence for less than a minute, he hopes he never has to see them again.
If there’s a scale forVilest Rich People, it’s Sorrenko somewhere down at the bottom and these fuckers way at the top.They arrived later than anyone else, complaining non-stop about all kinds of shit, and then fawning over Jules, touchy-feely in the extreme.There’s something markedly off about the twins, siblings in their late sixties.Lachlan suspects, but doesn’t let himself think on it.The way these people live is none of his business, and everyone else seems blind to it anyway.
At the beach party, they’re very drunk.
‘Savvy, darling,’ Madeline purrs, pulling the girl down to sit when she tries to walk past.‘Come sit with us, tell us how you’ve been!’
‘Very well, thank you,’ Savannah answers, sitting between Madeline and Prescott as requested.Her mother Ariadne is sitting with Alistair at the far end of the circle, the pair thick as thieves.Jules is with Roman and Mikhail, the three of them speaking Russian.Lachlan can track multiple conversations, but his focus is currently Savannah.
‘And are you excited for tomorrow?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘We can’t wait to have you come stay with us in Dubai.You’ll love it there, oh, it’s heaven!’
‘That sounds… so nice.’
‘You’ll come when you’re married.Pure bliss, isn’t it Pressy?’
‘Bliss,’Madeline’s twin brother echoes, gaze roaming appreciatively over Savannah in a way that makes Lachlan’s back teeth grind.‘How old is the boy again?’
‘Julian is nineteen.’
‘Oh, not long to wait at all, my love,’ Madeline says, winking as she drinks, smacking her lips and then whispering loudly, ‘It’s always worth the wait.’Savannah doesn’t seem to know what to say.‘Have you courted anyone else?’
‘Courted?’
