“You’re sure you don’t want to come back with us to New York?” Cody asks.
“Positive. I haven’t seen this friend in a long time. I can go to New York whenever.”
He stares at me, something in his brown eyes telling me he’s trying to decide if he believes me or not. Finally, he says, “All right. Suit yourself.”
I grab the rest of my bags from the bus, hoisting my backpack and duffle up my shoulder, and grabbing the handle to the suitcase.
With all my stuff, I walk through the lot and to the front of the building to wait for my rideshare to pick me up and drive me to the house, which is costing me a pretty penny. But it’ll be worthevery cent when I get to spend the entire week with Aliko Anson, without having to worry about telling Cody where I am, where I’m going, or who I’m with. I’m surprised he isn’t suspicious yet, though I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m just a big old whore who hooks up with someone everywhere we go. Which is kind of true, only it’s been the same person…
The driver is cool as hell, a little older than me. We talk about music and traveling the entire ride, which takes longer than anticipated due to an accident on I-95.
It’s nearing four by the time we pull up to the cottage. Tall trees and bushes surround it, allowing you to see there is a house there, but letting you know that whoever is inside wants their privacy. It’s exactly Aliko.
“Thanks, man. Nice chatting with you,” I say to the driver as he helps me get my bags out of the trunk.
“No problem. Have a great vacation.”
I hike my bags up my shoulder, balancing my suitcase against my leg so I can send him a tip before I forget. He drives off, and I walk up the winding pathway, and up the small porch steps. The door is pulled open just as I’m about to knock.
Aliko is there on the other side, smiling a mile wide. It makes me smile too.
“You made it,” he says.
“I made it.”
He moves aside, giving me space to step in.
It’s cozy, small for what I’d think Aliko would want, but it is a cottage.
“I’m really glad you’re here, Leif,” he says, reaching down to take my suitcase.
“Me too.” I smile. “Show me to the bedroom.”
Smirking, he leads the way through the living room, down a hallway that he barely fits in, and into a bedroom that looks likeit could be the biggest room in the house. The entire left side wall is floor to ceiling windows, giving a beautiful view of the ocean.
“That’s gorgeous,” I say, dropping my bags by the closet door.
“Isn’t it? I can’t wait to get in.”
“Do I get to swim with you?” I ask.
He steps toward me, wrapping me in his arms. “I hope you will.”
I lean up to kiss his jaw, which I just barely graze. “I’d love to. Only one problem.” He raises a brow. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”
Chuckling, he says, “Thankfully this is a private beach. You can go naked. I am.”
“Sounds like the type of swimming I like to do.”
Aliko grips my chin with his fingers, leaning down to kiss me firmly. He pulls back, but then goes in again, letting out a soft sound in the back of his throat. My dick twitches, but I put a hand on his chest and push him back. He hardly moves, but he gets the point.
“Swim first. Then food. Then fucking.”
“We don’t have any food.”
I roll my eyes. “Then we better order some.”
“I was hoping we could go to the grocery store together.”
