Chapter 23 #2
Dmitri’s face lights up in a giant smile as he passes his bag to Dante, who marches into the bathroom with a grumble.
“You better have gotten him something good,” I say with a grin.
Dmitri’s dimple pits deep as he leans back and soaks in the sun, smug satisfaction radiating off him. The warm light catches his hair and makes him look almost angelic in his mischief.
“Just wait.”
A sudden bellow from inside the restroom nearly rattles the door. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Dante shouts.
Pure evil sparkles in Dmitri's eyes, and everyone is giddy with anticipation as more grunts and slams echo from inside. The door swings open, and Dante’s face pops out, flushed crimson with fury.
“I’m going to get you back for this, Sticks,” he threatens.
“Stop hogging the bathroom and get out here,” Theo yells.
Somehow, Dante’s head flushes even deeper before he stomps out in defiant outrage.
He’s wearing super skimpy, incredibly tight purple trunks.
“Don’t Stop Believing” is printed in glittery, looping script on one leg, while the other has a cartoon unicorn with a rainbow horn.
Dante’s big build makes the shorts cling to his meaty thighs like they’re painted on.
Catcalls and whistles explode around us until Dmitri calls out, “Turn around!”
If looks could kill, Dante’s glare would sink Dmitri to the ocean floor in concrete shoes.
But he turns and reveals a fluffy rainbow tail hanging off his ass.
Raucous howls of laughter burst from the group, echoing over the open water.
Even Dante can’t resist, and a wide smile cracks across his face as he walks to his seat, shaking his head in amusement.
Theo reaches out to pet the tail as Dante passes, and in a rare loss of cool, Dante trips over his own feet. The tail bounces comically behind him as he hurries to sit.
“Alright, Dante, who’d you draw?” Tai asks.
Dante regains some of his usual composure as he hands Tai a package. A few minutes later, Tai struts out of the bathroom with all the confidence in the world, wearing a tiny neon pink speedo.
“Thanks, man,” he says with a catty grin directed at Dante. “Always wanted a pair of these.”
Tai is all lean muscle and smooth, pale skin. He’s skinny, but it works for him, and I watch him give a runway model spin as he saunters to his seat. A low growl in my ear drags a smirk across my mouth, and I bite my lip as I turn to meet Dmitri's gaze, already knowing what I’ll find.
“Playing with fire,” he mutters, and then nips at my ear.
Some very curious eyes turn in our direction as I squeak, and my cheeks flush.
Tai tosses his bag to Theo, who, shortly after, yells from the bathroom. “Tai, I take personal offense to this!”
He exits, arms crossed, wearing swim trunks that are impressively detailed and anatomically correct. Hairy legs and ass cheeks are printed on white fabric to make it look like he’s naked. Underneath the drawstrings, there’s even a tiny, blurred penis.
Indignation is ripe on his face as he gestures down his lithe, smooth torso. “For the record, I am not this hairy, nor is my dick that small.” He points at the fuzzy image that’s no bigger than a baby carrot. “That needs to be documented somewhere.”
More laughter erupts as Theo hands me a package and I take my turn in the dressing room.
He's picked a blue-and-white striped vintage-style suit with vertical lines that run from my knees up to the sleeveless arms, complete with a button-up flap in the back.
They all chuckle as I walk out, and I choke on a laugh as I hand Dmitri my purchase.
He’s going to kill me, and I'm buzzing with excitement.
“Why am I suddenly scared?” he wonders aloud.
I press my lips together to contain my smile. “Just remember you love me,” I tease as he grabs the bag from me, but I freeze when I realize what I’ve said.
Dmitri rumbles a quiet, contemplative hum as I stare up at him, his predatory smirk spreading slow and dangerous. He presses his thumb to my lower lip, the rough pad dragging slightly as he tugs it down and watches it pop back up.
“I’ll try,” he murmurs, voice rough like gravel and eyes burning into mine.
He holds the contact for a heartbeat longer than necessary before walking away, leaving me weak in the knees.
He glances over his shoulder at me before disappearing, and my heart slams against my ribs like it’s trying to escape.
“Oh, my stars,” Theo mutters, fanning his face dramatically.
“Dude,” Tai says from beside me, also staring at the door Dmitri just shut. “It’s a good thing we’re all guys here.”
“Why’s that?” I ask weakly.
“That cloud of sexual tension was potent enough to get someone pregnant. Immaculate conception just from breathing the air between you two.”
I laugh, but I'm distracted. Why can’t I learn to keep my mouth shut? I’m going to spend the next week analyzing what was said—and what was unsaid—between us. Thankfully, my train of thought is brought to a screeching halt when a loud burst of laughter comes from inside the bathroom.
“Eric Samuel Woodard!” Dmitri shouts.
The others raise their eyebrows, and I’m giggling like an absolute maniac now, hands covering my mouth and feet kicking in glee as I wait for him to come out.
His head whips around the door, glaring at me with mirth dancing in his eyes. “You're going to get it for this.”
A flash of neon green has me laughing even harder. Tears build in my eyes that I quickly swipe away, not wanting to miss the grand reveal. “Stop stalling and get out here,” I manage to choke out between cackles.
Dmitri stares at me for a beat longer, lips twitching, before he steps out from behind the door.
He's clad in a neon green monokini that forms a giant V on his torso from his crotch and up around his shoulders. He’s still glaring at me, but my attention is glued to his perfectly sculpted body.
Every ridge of muscle gleams in the sunlight.
“Oh, my god,” Theo breathes, almost reverently. “I think you might win this one, Eric.”
“Turn around!” I squeal.
Dmitri plants his hands on his hips as he spins to reveal his thong-clad ass. The strip of fabric is wedged tight between his toned cheeks. Everyone howls in laughter, the sound bouncing off the water in waves. Dmitri’s face finally cracks, and he beams as he walks over to me.
He leans down, putting all that olive skin in my face as he whispers, “Believe me when I say there will be”—his tongue flicks across my ear—“consequences.”
“Fuck,” I grunt, shifting in my seat. “Don't make me pop a boner right now. I won't be able to hide it.”
“Serves you right,” he mutters. “Putting my ass on display like that.”
“Hey, at least I made sure there was plenty of padding on the crotch for you.”
His eyebrows fly up. “Are you implying I’m lacking down south, Eric?”
“Oh, come on,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “Do you need a confidence boost about the anaconda in your pants, Dmitri? Trouser snake seeking some reassurance?”
He's smug as he leans closer, dragging his lips up the column of my neck and stubble scraping just enough to make me shiver. “That flap in the back of your suit? As soon as I get you alone, I’m going to put that to use, and when I do, I’ll give you firsthand experience with what’s in my pants.”