Chapter 15
Horatio
Horatio had gotten used to sleeping alone, so when he woke up with a warm body in his bed, he almost screamed.
Until he saw who the body belonged to.
Gunner. The sight of him lying there—sleeping peacefully on his side with the sheets low enough to offer a full view of his ass—woke up Horatio like an IV full of caffeine.
A rush of visuals flooded his brain: chocolate eyes peering up at him behind a makeshift shelter.
Sweet lips curled at the corners while Horatio played his favorite song.
Lids heavy, mouth open, hands gripping Horatio’s shoulders as he came hard.
Fuck. I’m obsessed already. Back up, dude. Back the fuck up.
They walked hand in hand to the cockpit. Gunner was still a little breathless from his maiden voyage inside the kinkiest shower in the universe. As they neared the cockpit door, they found two of the crew engaged in a sixty-nine on the living room rug.
“Lookin’ good, boys!” Horatio said with a wink.
Spinner pulled his mouth away from Six’s dick. “Feels even better, Slayer.”
Horatio smiled at Gunner’s stunned expression—a look that intensified when they entered the bridge. Snake and Seven were in their usual seats, backs straight, staring at three computer monitors.
“I’ll never get over this.” Gunner gestured at everything.
Seven patted the empty chair next to his. “Sit here, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know, and maybe a few things you don’t.”
Horatio took a seat and half-listened to Seven’s explanation of the matrix—an intricate GPS system that took decades to create and only a handful of people could navigate properly, Seven being one.
Learning about computers and technology never interested Horatio.
He could drive a car without knowing how the engine worked.
What did hold his interest was Gunner’s wide-eyed enthusiasm.
His cute butt was literally on the edge of his seat as he drank in everything.
His smile, animated gestures, and advanced understanding of the subject—Gunner was in his element, and Horatio loved to see it.
Almost as much as he loved the way his dark blond hair tumbled halfway down his back.
He’d had his fingers wrapped in that hair while he stared into Gunner’s eyes, cock thrusting deep.
“I want you to… fuck me. Right now. Please. I want it so bad.”
It made sense. After all the jarring interruptions of the day, Gunner needed control, but who could have said no in that moment? Not him, especially when confronted by such hunger—such honest need.
“Fuck me, Horatio.”
Usually, Horatio had to apologize for the size of his dick, but not with Gunner. He wasn’t sure if it was the new lube or if he and Gunner were a perfect fit, but he’d never slid inside someone so easily before. Never felt so in tune with another person. It was a weird, life-altering moment and—
You’re doing it again. Stop.
Horatio was hanging from a ledge about to fall, and he couldn’t let that happen.
They were friends. It was casual. Just sex—hedonistic, maybe even tantric—but still just a fuck.
A smooth, tight fuck that satisfied his soul as much as his body.
He’d felt Gunner come—every spasm, every clench—and it ratcheted up his pleasure to god-tier levels. And after?
Gunner had wrapped his strong legs around Horatio’s back and held him captive.
Like he was claiming me.
Seven cleared his throat, breaking Horatio’s trance. “The least you could do is pay attention when I’m giving you shit, Slayer.”
“Sorry. Repeat the dig.”
“I told Gunner he’s going to catch on quick, unlike our last new crew member.”
“Hey, I’ve learned a few things since I joined.
” Horatio waved his hands over the equipment.
“See all this? I’m not allowed to touch any of it, except this.
” He pressed a button, and the windshield covers slid up, revealing a tropical paradise.
“Now you know why pirates keep places like this a secret.”
“How?” Gunner asked.
“Simple,” Snake said. “Pirates are skilled cartographers, but since we’re scallywags, we keep the best spots to ourselves.
” He pointed to the scenery. “Picture this: you’re on deck, salty breeze in your face, and a thick cock up your ass.
” He swiveled towards Seven. “We’ve charted a mostly sea route to Petulia, correct? ”
“We did that once, and it took three days. Can Princess Petal stand to wait that long for her latest acquisition, which is most likely another replica of Horatio’s firehose?” Seven smiled and batted his lashes. “Captain?”
“You’re a fun sucker, Seven.” Snake pouted. “One who sucks the fun out of things.”
“I prefer cum sucker.” Seven wagged his tongue.
“What was that about a replica of Horatio?” Gunner asked.
Horatio shook his head. “A couple of months ago, Princess Petal hired us to steal a dildo from the Queen of Varity. These clowns think it looks like my dick.”
Seven and Snake roared with laughter. “Because it’s the spitting image,” Snake said. “When we’re at the castle, Gunner, I’ll show you.”
Seven checked the map. “We can sail from North to South Environ and then take the wormhole in Tandry’s Bay directly to Petulia. Will twenty minutes of sailing quench your thirst for saltwater?”
“Only if I fall overboard.” Snake took off his coat. “I’ll meet you boys on deck. Grab a bottle of something for the trip.”
“He’s all fired up now, Seven.” Horatio hit the intercom. “Avast all you seadogs, we’re going up top for a cruise.”
Horatio followed Gunner up the narrow ladder that led from the bridge to the deck and resisted the urge to bite his butt. While sea travel wasn’t his thing, he did enjoy seeing Snake at the helm with a toothy grin and a hard-on straining against his fly.
Six and Spinner were dashing about, adjusting the sails and rigging, dicks bobbing through the openings in their trousers. Once finished, they’d head back inside for more sex. Such was pirate life onboard The Frances—where pleasure was a priority, and clothes were optional.
He sauntered up behind Gunner, who was watching Snake fondle the ship’s wheel. “We’ve spotted something rare: a wild space pirate in his natural element,” Horatio narrated in a whispery tone. “If you watch closely, you’ll see him attempt to steer the ship with his ridiculously long dick.”
Gunner laughed. “This is pretty spectacular, although I feel like an ant. The ship’s enormous from this angle.”
“The Frances is majestic. Part truck, part ship, all badass.”
They were already a mile from shore. Fish leapt in their wake and were quickly snatched by shrieking gulls eager for a fresh meal. Light winds shook the metal sails and sent wispy clouds scattering across the sky.
“I’ll bet there are freaky creatures hiding in the depths. Ever spotted a mermaid?”
“No, but there is a giant squid that frequents this area. Snake likes to jump overboard and wrestle with it. Dude has a ferocious tentacle kink.”
Gunner’s jaw dropped.
“That was my reaction when I found out.”
“Snake lets a giant squid put a tentacle up his… ass?”
“Sometimes multiple tentacles.”
“Is that a kinky vampire thing?”
“No, it’s a kinky pirate thing. And I mean all pirates. It’s a sport to them. ‘Squid riding,’ they call it. Snake’s old pirate buddy, Scully, is the grand champion. He took four tentacles at once and claims it was the greatest orgasm of his life. He even won a trophy.”
“A trophy?” Gunner paused for a beat. “Who judges the competitions?”
“The official tournaments take place in giant tanks with officials and referees, like sporting events back home. Can you imagine the play-by-play for that?” Horatio deepened his voice. “‘Contestant 54 has three tentacles up his hole, Chet. Do you think he can take another?’”
Gunner joined in. “I think he can, Bob. Contestant 54 has the widest ass in the universe. He could probably pack six of them in that giant trunk of his.”
Horatio wiped tears of laughter. He couldn’t remember meeting someone who shared his weird sense of humor before. A rush of possessiveness squeezed his heart, and suddenly, being Gunner’s fuck buddy left him feeling hollow.
“Has Snake ever competed? I imagine he’d win all the trophies.”
“No. He says squid riding in the wild is the only way to go. Just him and nature. Kind of poetic, really.”
“Would you?”
“In the creepy ocean? Fuck no. I can’t even eat sushi.”
Gunner looked past Horatio. “What’s that?”
Horatio turned. A dark speck was visible on the horizon. “A tiny island?”
“What if it’s a giant squid?” Gunner clung to Horatio’s arm. “Big enough to tip the ship over and suck us out through a porthole?”
“The squids out here are only interested in your porthole.” It was Gunner’s turn to cry-laugh, the sound of which made Horatio throb with angst.
Seven sauntered over, carrying a brown bottle. “Six and Spinner set us up for a nice cruise.” He took a sip and passed Gunner the bottle. “How do you like sailing so far? Kind of boring if you ask me.”
“The stories are anything but.” Gunner tipped back a generous shot and handed the bottle to Horatio. “My head is going to pop off.”
“Squid riding? Someday I’ll knock back enough liquid courage to give it a try.” Seven pointed in the same direction Gunner had. “See that blob in the distance?”
The object was slightly closer but still a blurry splotch. “Might be a dead palm tree floating around out there.” Horatio squinted.
“Let’s not mention it to Snake, or he’ll dive overboard to investigate,” Seven said.
Gunner chortled. “Tentacles. Slimy tentacles.”
“Not so much slimy as slippery. Slender at the tips. Gentle, I’ve heard. They tap against your ass and ask permission. I know I’d say yes.” Seven cleared his throat. “Pass me the rum.”
The visual of Seven riding a tentacle got Horatio fired up. “I’m getting sweaty.”
“The sun is hot.” Gunner nodded toward the horizon. “It’s closer. Maybe a boat?”
Horatio waved at Snake, who hustled over.
“Did you see a mermaid?” Snake asked.
“No. A boat.” Horatio turned Snake’s face in the direction of the vessel.