11. Chapter 10
Leo
Iwas looking forward to spending time on the roof terrace, relaxing and recovering from last night, but the tension that is coiling in my muscles after what Ria told me is making it difficult.
“Mate, you need to relax.” Kai hands me a bottle of beer.
Seems we’ve decided the best way to get over last night is to keep our alcohol levels up, and I instantly feel relief when the cool liquid hits my tongue.
“We’ve got to go and get ready soon.” He stretches out on the lounger next to me with such a relaxed posture I have the urge to push him off, resentful that he doesn’t seem to have a care in the world right now.
“I know, but God, I hate that man. I’d honestly love to kick him repeatedly in the balls.”
“And you have respect for balls.”
“That I do, my friend.”
“It is a low blow coming all this way when he knows exactly how much everyone hates him, and the ones who tolerate him only do it out of respect for Trixie.”
“Yeah, well, it may not happen this trip but I will crush him.” The anger bubbling in my veins mellows slightly as my gaze lands on Ria, who has just walked back onto the terrace with the girls.
Letting my eyes trail up her beautiful curves, I inwardly groan as my body heats at the sight of her in a perfect navy blue string bikini that looks like it was made just for her.
High on her waist, it makes her toned stomach look tiny, and the material cups her ample round breasts.
I’ve never been jealous of clothing before, but God do I want to replace that material with my hands.
I’ve been working on blocking her out and ignoring this infatuation with her, but fuck, it’s hard when she looks like that.
I suggested they all go to the spa to relax after the bomb Trixie dropped.
In her defense, she didn’t seem too happy about the prospect of her boyfriend showing up.
She knows our feelings for him and would never intentionally invite him.
Jade said she would speak with him and suggest kindly and respectfully that he leave.
Can’t say the same for Hunter. He’s been unusually broody and has been mumbling about entitled pompous dicks.
Normally, I’d try to bring him out of it, but I’ve been off my game today and I know exactly why.
“They look more relaxed.” Kai points his bottle toward the girls, but my eyes are only on Ria. I can tell, even though she’s smiling, her eyes are dull and her body is tense. She is not okay but is putting on a front.
“I guess.”
“Come on, man, we’ve got to get ready.” He slaps my thigh. “The others are already in the suite, and we need to blow their minds.”
“Seriously?” Hunter looks at the clothes I’m holding out to him with a look of distaste.
“I’m always serious, Stone.” I thrust the offending items toward him, and he raises his eyebrow at me. “Okay, you’ve got me there, but yes, I’m serious. Put it on.”
“Boys, back me up.” He spins, only to be confronted by the most fucked-up lineup I think there has ever been. He bursts out laughing as he doubles over at the waist. “What the hell?”
“Not sure I get what’s so funny.” Kai stands, legs spread, hands on his hips and puffing out his chest. “I look fucking fantastic.”
“How did you get Deeks to agree to this?” Hunter finally gathers himself and straightens.
“I agreed to one hour,” Deacon grumbles, as he throws himself down on the couch, growling when the cape twists and nearly strangles him.
Holding in my laughter, I smile at my best friend.
“You met your little Tink when you were in fancy dress, so it felt appropriate to have a night where we all dressed up. And of course, we’re all fucking superheroes so the choice was obvious.
” I gesture to the boys, and I’m impressed with Kai.
He has perfectly fit each of us to the right character.
Deacon is our moody dark knight, Batman. Kai, the Joker, is Deadpool, Beck is Wolverine, Thomas is Flash, Henry is Superman, Noah is Ironman, and Marcus is Spider-Man.
“We all agreed to an hour.” Marcus shifts in his costume. “I’m not wearing this all night, Leo. Dios, my balls are not meant to be confined in such a tight environment.” He squats as he readjusts himself.
“Fine, an hour.” I sigh as I push Hunter toward the bedroom to get changed.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he grumbles.
“Come on, Cap.” Kai passes him his Captain America shield. “You’ll fill this out perfectly.” He wiggles his eyebrows at him.
“I must be having a stress nightmare.” Halting, he turns toward me. “And what costume will you be filling out?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Nothing is obvious with you at this point.”
“Well, I’m the one with the biggest hammer, so I’m Thor, of course.” I lift my chin, grinning proudly.
“Of course.” Hunter rolls his eyes as the group groans behind me.
“Hey, fancy challenging me, boys?” I throw over my shoulder, and not one of them says a thing. “Didn’t think so.”
“Mate, these costumes are tight in areas I’m fucking going to need in the future,” Beck shouts as he repositions himself for the hundredth time. We’re standing around the edge of the dance floor of the club which is dedicated to what has to be the best era for music, the ’00s.
“Your jewels will be fine.” I swig my beer, but I have to admit things are a little snug and I’ll be relieved when I can put my suit back on.
“They better be because fuck, this thing is tight.”
“Mine’s quite roomy,” Kai shouts over the loud beat as he lunges next to us.
“At least we’ve worked out who is the smallest of us.” Beck gives him a smug smile as he leans his elbows against the railing, watching the bodies move around the floor.
“What did you say?” Kai frowns.
“I said, did you see that woman by the glitterball?” he shouts, deflecting, and I laugh into my beer.
“I thought so.” Kai turns his nose up as he follows Beck’s eyeline toward the glitterball in the center of the dance floor.
“Is she dressed as a crayon?” I ask just as six more women dressed in various different colors join her.
“Well, that’s a choice,” Beck says.
“Can we really talk?” Noah slides in behind us.
“I guess...” Beck trails off as something seems to draw his attention, and it doesn’t take long for me to see exactly what has him pausing.
Trixie is turning heads in her Wonder Woman outfit, her model-long legs perfectly showcased as the tiny skirt sits mid-thigh, and the bodysuit hugs her tiny waist. But it’s the woman to her right that has me swallowing my tongue and sweat dripping down my back.
The crowd seems to part, revealing Ria. A figure-hugging black catsuit is wrapped around her curves, nipping in all the right places, giving her the perfect hourglass shape.
Her hair is secured up high in a sleek straight ponytail, allowing me, even from this distance, to see her sharp defined cheekbones.
“Well, the girls showed up.” Kai grins as he hugs my shoulders. “They definitely understood the assignment. Marcus, Lily looks good as Black Widow,” he shouts over the loud beat.
“You best not be eyeing up my woman, Harris.”
“You know I think she’s hot; can’t blame a guy for looking.” He whistles. “You definitely are one lucky man.” He pushes his luck with Marcus who just shakes his head before returning his lovestruck gaze to his girl. “Well, well, I think it’s Henry and Thomas who need to keep an eye on their women.”
“What?” both men say in unison as they rush from their spot behind us to lean over the railing.
And I see the moment their eyes see their better halves.
Their jaws hang slack, and their eyes widen so big I think they might literally fall out of their heads.
Olivia looks sensational as Superwoman, and Ada is turning heads as Batwoman.
“Excuse me.” Henry slips away, not taking his eyes off Olivia, and Thomas doesn’t even speak; he just turns on his heel and moves through the crowd to find Ada.
“Do you think you’ll ever be lucky enough to have that?” Kai asks as he watches both men scoop up their ladies and press passionate kisses to their lips, making every woman swoon.
“I don’t think anyone would put up with me for long.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I instantly regret it as Kai moves in closer.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” I grin at him but he can tell it’s fake.
“Don’t kid a kidder.”
“Look, you know me. I can’t sit still; I’m always bouncing from one thing to another. No one would want that. Girls like stability and I can’t give them that. I’m too manic. And I’m okay with that.” I take a swig of my beer, my gaze focused on Ria as she dances effortlessly with Grace.
“You keep spinning that tale. You’re more stable than you realize.”