“You ass!” Colton hugged Ace’s head to keep himself steady as he sat on the man’s broad shoulders while Ace laughed himself silly. He held on to Colton’s thighs, and started walking. “What are you doing?” Colton squeaked.

  “Going for a walk,” Ace said as if it were obvious.

  “No, you have something devious planned; I know it.”

  Ace chuckled. “Are you doubting me?”

  “Absolutely. Remember the pool?”

  “In my defense, you were being an ass.”

  Colton let out a mock gasp. “Are you using inappropriate language toward your client?”

  “I’ll show you inappropriate.” Ace growled deep in his throat, and Colton shivered.

  “Ace,” Colton moaned. “Please don’t make that sound while my crotch is pressed against the back of your head.”

  Ace stopped moving. Before Colton could ask if he was okay, Ace sank into the water, and disappeared again, leaving Colton standing there wondering what the man was about to do next. One thing was for sure, Ace always kept him on his toes. Hands caressed his legs, and Colton groaned, his eyes closing as Ace slid his hands up Colton’s body until he resurfaced, his arms around Colton and front pressed to Colton’s back. Colton covered Ace’s hands with his and leaned back into him before turning in his arms.

  “We should head back,” Ace murmured, his eyes on Colton’s lips.

  “You drive me fucking crazy, you know that?” Colton huffed. He slipped his hands beneath the water and cupped Ace through his shorts, making him groan. “How about you stop teasing me, take control of these gorgeous balls, and bury yourself deep inside me.”

  Ace cursed under his breath. He opened his mouth to reply, but Colton put his fingers to Ace’s lips and released his hold on him.

  “You know where to find me.” Colton turned and swam back to the shore. If Ace was determined to drive him out of his mind with his sensual caresses, lingering looks, and sultry voice, then it was only fair Colton return the favor.

  Ace was quiet on the way back to the house, and Colton hid his satisfaction. Despite Ace’s sunglasses, his frown told Colton he was seriously contemplating his words. It was clear Ace couldn’t help himself when it came to being in Colton’s personal space. He loved having the man there, but something had to give.

  They took turns rinsing off beneath the outside shower, and as they headed for the cabana, Ace stopped him.

  “After lunch, meet me in the game room. I want to teach you some self-defense moves.”

  Colton nodded. “Sure. Do you need me to wear anything in particular?”

  “Sneakers and workout clothes will be fine.”

  “Sure.” Colton headed inside, aware of Ace remaining several steps behind. Ace seemed lost in thought as he muttered something to Colton about seeing him in a bit. Colton nodded, holding back a laugh. Once in his room, he quickly undressed and showered. By the time he’d dressed in a loose pair of charcoal-gray workout pants, a black V-neck T-shirt, and running shoes, he was starving. He headed down to the kitchen, where he found Ace sitting at the counter staring off into space as Red scooped what looked like beef and broccoli into a large bowl of white rice. He placed it in front of Ace and smiled wide when he saw Colton.

  “Hey. Hungry?”

  “Starving.” Colton went over to the giant now-half-empty pot on the stove. “God, that smells amazing. You know I did offer to have food brought in for you guys.” He took a seat at the counter next to Ace, who nodded a quick greeting before going back to his food. What was this now? Oh, this wouldn’t do.

  “I’m so sorry, Colton. Have I overstepped? We’re kind of used to cooking. We tend to take turns, but Ace is excused, and Lucky’s been busy with the team, so I’ve been doing it. I don’t mind.”

  Colton tilted his head. “Hm, do I mind having a handsome man cook delicious food for me?” He held back a smile when Ace’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. “Nope. I have no problem with that at all. But if you find you’re not able, please just have food brought in.”

  Red nodded and placed a bowl in front of him. “Drink?”

  “I’ll have some of that amazing sweet tea you brewed the other day.”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll get it,” Ace said, jumping out of his chair.

  “It’s fine, Ace. You’re eating,” Red said, but Ace was already up and removing the pitcher of sweet tea from the fridge. He placed it on the counter before plucking a glass from the cabinet and filling it. After returning the tea to the fridge, he placed the glass in front of Colton, a lemon wedge sitting on the rim like Colton preferred. He checked to make sure Red was turned away before leaning in, hissing quietly.

  “Handsome?”

  Colton shrugged before taking a sip of his tea. He did his best to hide his smile when Ace plopped down beside him and pulled his bowl close, stabbing his food like he was preventing it from attacking first.

  “Mm, que rico. Damn, that smells good.” Lucky strolled into the kitchen and joined Red at the stove. “You make the best beef and broccoli. I was thinking tonight I’d make mama’s carne asada. What do you think?”

  Red moaned. “Yes, please. But you have to make the yuca with the mojo.”

  Lucky grabbed Red’s face and squeezed his cheeks. “For you, bro, anything.” He planted a big sloppy kiss on Red’s cheek, and Red shoved him away playfully.

  Colton chuckled. He loved watching the three Kings interact. He imagined it was how brothers behaved. They argued, laughed, roughhoused like big kids, drove each other crazy, but most importantly, they loved each other. At times Colton wished his parents hadn’t stopped at one child.

  “What is wrong with your face?” Lucky asked Ace, poking his cheek. Ace smacked his hand away and glared at him.

  “Poke me one more time, and I’m gonna break that finger.”

  Colton winced. From what he’d seen, he got the feeling Lucky didn’t respond well to threats, family or not.

  “Yeah? Is that so?” Lucky said, lifting a finger and wiggling it in front of Ace. “This finger? This finger here?”

  Ace seemed to be in a mood, and fearful for Lucky’s life, as well as his furniture, Colton blurted out the first thing that popped into his mind.

  “The dog ate your shoe.”

  Somewhere to his right, Red choked on his food while Ace gaped at Colton. Lucky squinted at him.

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “Your, um, your missing Gucci sandal. Ginger ate it. Well, she didn’t eat it, she chewed on it. Repeatedly. It did not survive.”

  Lucky gasped, his expression one of sheer horror. “My Gucci?”

  Ace doubled over and howled with laughter, his hands on his stomach and his face turning bright red. Red joined him, and Colton tried so hard not laugh. So hard.

  “I’m sorry,” Colton said, his voice breaking from how badly he was trying to control himself.

  “Motherfucker!” Lucky turned pained eyes on his cousin. “Do you think King will—how do you say that? ¿Crees que me reembolsará el dinero? It was a work-related incident.”

  At that, Ace laughed harder. He tried to talk, but when nothing happened, he gave up.

  “I’m serious, bro.” Lucky folded his arms over his chest and pouted. “I loved those shoes.”

  “Oh my God, I can’t breathe,” Ace wheezed. “Please. Please ask King to reimburse you for your Gucci sandals. I need to see that.”

  Lucky flipped him off. “Whatever.”

  “I’m sorry, Lucky. I’ll be more than happy to replace them. Come on, sit down. Have some lunch.”

  “Thank you, Colton, but they were a limited edition. Very hard to find.” Lucky sat next to Ace, mumbling to himself in Spanish. Colton didn’t get all of it, but some words in there certainly didn’t require translation. Red served him up a bowl, and Lucky grumbled a “thanks.” Poor guy. Maybe Colton could have a word with one of his acquaintances in the fashion world and see if someone could track down a pair of those sandals. If not, maybe Colton could surprise him with a little something special to make it up to him.

  Once they’d eaten lunch and helped Red clean up, Ace motioned for Colton to follow him into the game room, which had plenty of space and the carpet would provide a better cushion for the times Colton was sure he’d land on his ass. Ace was back to wearing his black cargo pants, black T-shirt, and combat boots. He stopped in the center of the room and turned to face Colton.

  “Do I get a gun?” Colton asked.

  “Have you ever fired a gun?”

  “No. I’m not really a fan.”

  “It’s amazing how many clients believe we’re going to arm them. Even if you were an expert marksman, you wouldn’t get a gun. You get a pen.”

  Wait…. “A pen?”

  “Yep. Titanium.” Ace handed Colton a silver pen, and Colton hesitantly took it from him. He held it up in front of him and peered at it.

  “I’m supposed to fend off an attacker with a pen?” Was it a Bond pen? If he clicked the end or twisted it, would it release a toxic gas or set off an explosive? He clicked the end, and the ink nib popped out. Nope. It was just a pen.

  “It’s a tactical weapon,” Ace assured him. “With the right amount of force in the right place, it can cause some serious damage.”

  Colton eyed him skeptically. “You’re messing with me.”

  “No.”

  “What if they have a gun?”

  “That’s a different lesson.”

  Colton sighed. “Okay, show me.”

  “Not if you’re going to give me attitude.”

  “I’m not giving you attitude.”

  Ace held his hand out. “Give me the pen.”

  “No. It’s my pen.” Colton clutched it to his chest. “You gave it to me.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes. This is the only defense I have. You’re not taking it from me.”

  “Colton, you do realize I could take it from you without you even realizing.”

  “Oh yeah, Mr. Hot-Shot-Green-Beret? Then do it.”

  “Colton,” Ace warned.

  “Come on. I want to see your super-secret moves.”

  “I don’t even know what to say to you right now, other than you’re being ridiculous. And I have your pen.” Ace held up a silver pen.

  “What the hell?” Colton gaped at his empty hands before his head shot up. “How’d you do that?”

  “With years of practice. Now, are you going to pay attention?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  “Can I have my pen back?”

  Ace pressed his lips together like he was trying to keep from laughing. The guy was so fucking sexy. Colton wanted to climb him and do terrible things to his body. Instead he took the pen Ace handed him.

  “Thank you.”

  “Okay, put that in your pocket. First I’m going to demonstrate the moves.” Ace pulled his own pen from his pocket.”

  “Ooh, yours is black. It looks very serious.”

  “It’s the same as yours, but black.”

  “It camouflages with your clothes.”

  “Yes.”

  “Does it come in different colors?”

  “You should know that I’m two seconds away from putting you in a sleeper hold.”

  Colton threw his head back and laughed.

  “You shit.” Ace punched Colton in the shoulder, making him laugh harder. “You’re purposefully trying to get a rise out of me.”

  “It’s so easy. You’re easy.”

  “Not until the second date.”

  Colton snickered. “I bet.”

  Ace’s gold-green eyes danced with amusement. “Hey, I expect to be wined and dined before I put out.”

  “Classy lady.”

  “Damn right.” Ace stepped back and held his pen up. “Okay, so I want you to get a firm grip on it.”

  The words were out of Colton’s mouth before he could stop them. “That’s what he said.”

  “Oh Jesus, would you pay attention? I’m trying to show you life-saving techniques here.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right.” Colton was so not sorry.

  “Okay, now grab it firmly, and I swear to God if you say ‘that’s what he said’ at any point during this demonstration, I’m going to dropkick you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Colton said with a laugh. He inhaled deeply, then released the breath slowly through his mouth and schooled his expression. “Okay, serious face. This is me being serious.”

  “I can’t with you right now.” Ace headed for the door, and Colton ran up to him, grabbing his hand.

  “Wait, I’ll behave. I promise.”

  Ace crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Why?”

  “For one, you can’t stop laughing.”

  “This is true.” It was like he was drunk, but he wasn’t. Scratch that, he was. He was drunk on Ace and how he’d never had this much fun with anyone in his life. No one made him laugh like this without even trying. He could tell Ace wasn’t mad, and he’d even go as far as to say the guy might be enjoying himself despite his incredible poker face. Colton held his pen out to Ace. “I’m ready. Show me where to stick it. But be gentle. It’s been a while.”

  Ace groaned and ran a hand over his face. Colton doubled over laughing.

  “What’s gotten into you?”

  “I think maybe Red put something in his delicious beef and broccoli.”

  “Red? You mean handsome Red?”

  Colton smiled wickedly. “What? He is handsome. I think it’s the freckles. I have a thing for freckles.”

  Ace arched an eyebrow at him. “I have freckles.”

  Colton stepped up to him and pretended to inspect his face. “Hm, well, what do you know. You do. They’re very faint, but they’re there.”

  “They’re in other places too.”

  Colton hummed. “Is that so?” He lifted a finger to tap Ace’s nose when suddenly he found himself with his back pressed to Ace’s front, Ace’s arm around his neck, and his free hand on Colton’s waist.

  “Now, how about we get started.”

  Something told him he was going to enjoy this demonstration.

  Chapter 8

  “Colt!”

  Laz came bounding over and threw himself into Colton’s open arms, making him groan. Last night’s demonstration had left him sore, and not in a fun way. What Colton had hoped would lead into some sexy-times turned into an intense lesson in self-defense. Though being able to throw Ace over his shoulder had been oddly satisfying.

  “It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever,” Laz said, smiling brightly. He might be all grown-up at twenty-eight years old, and a well-known photographer traveling the world with his infamous model boyfriend, but to Colton he was still that scrawny kid who’d show up at their dorm room to play video games and annoy the hell out of his big brother.

  “It’s so good to see you, Laz.” Colton held him out at arm’s length, smiling at the übertrendy haircut he was sure hadn’t been Laz’s idea. He ran his fingers through the long black curly fringe, the sides styled in a high fade. “Nice do.”

  “Thanks.” Laz shrugged. “It was Bryan’s idea.”

  Of course it was. Colton tried not to frown at Laz’s too-thin frame. Laz had always been slender, but at just under six feet tall, he looked underweight. Bryan— long-legged, blond, and with cheekbones sharp enough to cut someone—sauntered up to them, blue eyes sweeping over Colton.

  “Hey, handsome.” Bryan flung an arm over Laz’s shoulder, and Laz made to scratch the back of his head, forcing Bryan’s arm off his shoulder. What’s this now? Had something changed since Colton had last seen these two?

  “Hi, Bryan.” Colton motioned down to Bryan’s barely-there white swimsuit—if it could be called that—and the shimmering, sheer white coverup that failed miserably at its only objective. “Ready for the pool, I see. Where are your friends?”

  “Outside changing. I don’t see why we need to bother with clothes anyway. You don’t allow photos, and it’s a private party.”

  “It’s still my home,” Colton said politely. “And I’d rather not have anyone’s bare ass on my furniture.” He needed to thank Ace for strategically placing security personnel around the house, including upstairs near the bedrooms. Bryan’s friends had the habit of getting drunk and searching out the nearest place to get laid, and that was so not happening in one of his rooms.

  Bryan scoffed like a petulant child before something shiny caught his attention. “Ooh, who’s that?” Bryan bit down on his lower lip.

  Colton rolled his eyes and shook his head before turning to see who Bryan was trying to eye-fuck, despite his boyfriend standing right next to him, and Colton’s jaw clenched. He turned back to Bryan, eyes narrowed.

  “That’s Ace. He’s my personal security.”

  Whereas Laz’s expression turned concerned, Bryan’s turned interested. The little shit.

  Laz put his hand on Colton’s arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Colt? Is everything okay? Since when do you need personal security?”

  “It’s a long, boring story. Trust me,” Colton said, waving a hand dismissively. Laz didn’t look convinced. “Really, Laz, it’s no big deal. Dad’s overreacting, and I’m letting him be all fatherly. After his heart attack, he’s supposed to be taking it easy, so I’m letting this play out.”

  “Can we meet Mr.…?”

  “Sure.”

  Ace turned, as if sensing Colton’s eyes on him, and headed in his direction. Colton couldn’t fault Bryan for his interest. Ace was even more handsome and imposing than usual in his all-black suit and black shirt, which Colton would guess was his intention. No one could mistake his role at the party. The suit emphasized the breadth of his chest and shoulders. He walked with confidence, exuding power and an air of danger.

  “Ace, this is Laz, a good friend, and his boyfriend, Bryan.”

  Ace took hold of Laz’s hand and shook it, his smile wide. “It’s nice to meet you, Laz.”