Chapter 19 #2
“Oh.” I glanced up at him for a second. “It’s a little house right down the beach from here. It’s cute—all blue and white, big New England vibes. It’s really small, but it’s available.”
Tiago’s brows furrowed, and then his eyes went wide. “Oh. You mean…”
“Yeah. So I can fuck you silly,” I murmured, then grabbed his chin and kissed him.
He groaned and knocked the phone out of my hand as he yanked me onto his lap.
I kissed him harder, deeper, though I didn’t let myself go the way I wanted to.
God only knew when someone was going to come through the front door.
“I have some really gorgeous lingerie I want you to get your hands all over,” I whispered.
“And I don’t want to have to keep gagging you for necessity. ”
He let out a trembling breath. “We don’t have that much time left out here.”
“I’d do it for twenty-four hours if it meant you could ride my dick all night.”
Shuddering, Tiago kissed me, hiding his moan against my tongue. “Call them. Use my credit card.”
“I’ve got this one, my sweet boy,” I murmured before biting his jaw. “Just say yes.”
He pulled back and grinned at me. “Fuck yes.”
We had just enough time to make out and then pull apart before Ankita and Soma came home, arms loaded with groceries.
I didn’t bother asking what they were for in spite of the fact that the kitchen and cabinets were all full of supplies, because on their heels came Manisha and the tall, librarian-looking man who must have been her husband, and then her son, who might have turned my head if it weren’t for Tiago.
Trailing them was Ferris, who took one look at me and brightened, and Quinn was just behind him, leaning heavily on his cane with one hand, the other on Ferris’s waist.
“You’re here!” Ferris said. He frantically dug into his pocket and pulled away from Quinn, who was smiling softly. He uncurled his palm when he was within touching distance, but it wasn’t for me.
He was holding a small crocheted polar bear wearing a Legends jersey and holding a white cane.
“I made this for you.”
I nudged Tiago. “It’s for you. It’s a blind hockey-playing polar bear.”
Tiago held up his palm, and Ferris dropped it so Tiago could squeeze gently around it. “This is amazing,” he murmured. His voice was a little tight, and I didn’t know if it was the nerves of having all of these people over or something else.
Either way, I shifted a bit closer and curled my fingers around his wrist. Tiago let out a sigh and leaned in.
“Thank you.”
“I lo—uh. You’re welcome.” Shit. I was about to say two extra words I had no business saying right now.
Tiago didn’t seem to notice. He ran his fingers over the shape of the bear, then set him on the table beside his phone as Ferris and Quinn headed outside. I figured they’d be out there most of the time, considering Ferris was autistic and liked when places were quiet.
He wouldn’t have much peace, but he was also South Asian, so he was probably used to how it was going to go and had a system to keep himself calm. Just like I had a system to cope with chaos and my ADHD.
“It’s about to be a lot in here,” I told Tiago.
He nodded. “Yeah. Actually, my head is pounding. Do you mind if I go lay down for a bit?”
“No, honey. I have meds in my bag if you need something.”
He hummed and pulled me into a soft, chaste kiss. “Thank you. Anyone else in the room right now?”
“Just us.”
He nodded but didn’t clarify why he wanted to know. Instead, he got up and used the wall as a guide to take himself to the hallway, and a moment later, I heard our bedroom door shut.
Just as I sagged back against the couch cushions, the front door opened again, and I jumped. Everyone I knew that was anywhere near this fucking island was already here, so…
“Aravind.”
The sight of my dad almost broke something in me. I was a grown man, and I was good on my own. I’d been good on my own for years and years. But I hadn’t realized just how desperately I’d wanted to see him and hug him until he was there.
He smiled as I shot up from the couch, and he didn’t hesitate for even a second as he dropped his cane against the wall and then wrapped me in his arms.
“Are you alright?” he murmured.
I usually didn’t hug him like this, so the question was fair. “It’s been…interesting. I missed you.”
“Everything’s okay with Nadeau, right?” he demanded, pulling back.
I rolled my eyes. “Please call him Tiago. Don’t do that weird hockey thing with my boyfriend.”
His eyes flashed wider for a second. “Boyfriend?”
“Kind of? I think? It’s been…”
“Interesting?” he finished for me, echoing my word earlier. “Maybe we can go for a walk later and talk.”
“That would be amazing.” I hesitated, then said, “I have to go make a quick call, but I’ll be back in a couple minutes.” That vacation rental was still calling my name.
My dad nodded. “Yes. I want to say hello to everyone anyway. But don’t take too long, okay? I have something for you. Something you’ll be excited about.”
“I hate surprises.”
He laughed. “I know. Now, go make your calls.” He took up his cane and wandered toward the kitchen, so I used that moment to slip out the front door and punch in the number for the rental agency, hoping that cash and my charming personality would get me what I wanted.
My heart was hammering by the time I got back from the phone call.
It took nearly an hour, so the walk took me to the edge of the cove and back again.
But I had a new credit card charge and a door code in my email, and permission to go over after six that night, once the housekeepers were done dusting the place.
I felt lighter on my feet, and I took a moment to watch the sunset before heading back to the house. Through the back doors, I could see everyone outside. One of my aunties was setting the table, and it looked like my dad was sitting by the pool, having a chat with Quinn, Ferris, and Ferris’s dad.
Sneaking down the hall, I slipped into the dark bedroom where I could only just make out the shape of Tiago on the bed, and I hesitated. If he was asleep, I didn’t want to wake him, but I also wanted to share the good news about the rental.
“Come here,” Tiago said, his voice a little rough.