Standing, Zeke holds his hang out to me. “Come on, let’s try to find some earplugs.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Zeke
Over the next few days, Rax and I have to work, but when we get back, we go out on the town to eat, shop and go sightseeing. On my past trips here, I hadn’t done much but check out the old warehouse, oversee the packaging, and hang out with Rax and Finn. I like doing all these new things with Shane. It’s almost like I’m witnessing everything for the first time with him. We come back home exhausted every day, having had so much fun while we were out.
The day before we’re due to leave, after Finn cooks us breakfast, Shane and I go down to the beach. As promised, I have Shane on the warm sands with no shirt or shoes on, a cold drink in his hands. I rub him down with sunscreen to protect his paler skin and we lie on beach chairs under an umbrella. Shane is a fucking vision, his lean but athletic body, toned legs, and carefree expression. He’s never looked like this when we were in Tennessee and he’s never been so beautiful.
I reach over to him, pushing his unruly brown hair from his face. Since he stopped working at the law firm, he hasn’t added any product to his hair and I fucking love how soft and wild his locks are.
With a soft smile, Shane meets my eyes, pink high on his cheeks that’s not from the sun. “What is it?”
“You just look … you’re breathtaking. Vacation really suits you.”
“Thank you. For the compliment, for inviting me, for giving me an escape so I can figure out what I want to do. This vacation is much needed. Gave me time to think of my next steps.”
I grab his hand, squeezing gently. “I’m glad. What have you come up with so far?”
“There’s this building about ten minutes from your house. By the supermarket?” I nod. The building he’s talking about has been empty for about two years. It used to be a family-owned accounting firm. When the couple that owned it moved away, they put it on the market. “Well, I’m thinking about checking it out. For my practice. It’s a good location and it won’t take me so long to get home if you need me or something.”
“That’s a good plan,” I tell him honestly. Another big plus is I can stop by when I’m on my way home to either check on him or drag him home if he’s working too hard without eating or proper rest.
Shane sips his drink, looking out pensively at the water. “I think it’s for the best that I quit. I was burning myself out. I couldn’t name it at the time, but I was getting more and more tired, waiting for something to change. I thought making partner was what I wanted, but I don’t think that path is for me. Just knowing I don’t have to break my back anymore for a company that has an issue with my private life is freeing.”
With a wry grin, I say, “You were hanging with a bunch of drug dealers and most of us have at least one body.”
Giving me a dry look, he replies, “Yeah, but they didn’t know that.”
Barking a laugh, I grab his hand and pull him to the water. “Come on, Counselor. Let me get you wet.”
His eyes take on a heated look but he doesn’t do more than shake his head with a small smirk. “Not the way I was thinking, but let’s go.”
We get in the water, splashing around like children. We race a few times to some buoys that are about fifty feet away, Shane beating me terribly. I dunk Shane a few times, making him sputter and splash me. It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages.
Once we’ve got that out of our systems, we go back to where we were sitting, collect our things and head back to Rax and Finn’s. The beach is almost a straight shot from where they live, so we don’t have a fear of getting lost.
After we hop in the shower to wash the sand off us, Shane and I head downstairs to hang out with Finn and Rax.
“It’s your last night,” Finn says, planted firmly on Rax’s lap, who has his arms wrapped tightly around him. “Do you want to go out? Diego just opened a club a few blocks away. They have a live band that’s really good.”
Shane shakes his head. “Nah. I’m not a big clubber. I’d rather stay in if that’s okay?”
Rax shrugs. “I ain’t big on clubs either. I just go because Finn makes me.” Finn beams at him, smacking a kiss on his cheek.
“Sounds good to me,” I chime in. “I can cook and we can hang out and catch up.”
After we go shopping for a few last-minute souvenirs for some of the guys, I whip something up for dinner and we sit around the table, laughing and talking. It’s a good time, something I wish we could have at the clubhouse. It’ll never happen, because if Rax steps foot in the US, they’ll cart his ass to prison and there will be no way he can break him out a third time.
Our chat lasts long into the night, and we migrate over to the living room. Finn and Rax sit in the armchair that seems to be their permanent seat and I sit on the couch, Shane’s head on my lap. I run my fingers through his wild hair, a smile tugging his lips.
“This place is great,” Shane says dreamily. “I never want to leave.”
Finn chuckles, nuzzling up to Rax. “I love it too. The best decision I’ve ever made was getting on that plane with Rax.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t count on the kidnapping part first,” Rax says gruffly, though a smile is hidden behind his beard.
“No,” Finn says, “Didn’t count on that. But it all worked out. Now you’re stuck with me forever.” Finn plants his mouth on Rax for a swift kiss that Rax quickly deepens. Rax pulls Finn onto his lap, squeezing his ass.