Page 104 of Diamond in the Rough

“Budge up.”

Maddox slid along the lounger. Jake sat down and threw the duvet over both of them. “Why you out here so early?”

“Taking it all in.”

“What in?”

“The sound of the sea, the birds, the sun—”

“The sun doesn’t make a sound.”

“It does. Close your eyes and listen.”

Jake shook his head but did what he was told. The only sound he heard was Maddox’s lips when they pressed against his cheek. Heat filled Jake’s face, and he smiled and ducked his head.

“Sappy bastard.”

Maddox snorted, then picked at the duvet. “You really should put this back. It doesn’t belong out here.”

Jake glanced at the apartment. “You said this place and everything in it isours.”

“That’s right.”

“So the duvet’s half mine…”

“I guess.”

“And I want my half of the duvet out on the balcony.”

Maddox sighed. “If I was a petty man, I’d get a knife and cut it in two.”

“But we wouldn’t be able to do this…”

“What?” Maddox asked.

Jake pressed into Maddox, and he lifted his arm, wrapped it around Jake’s neck, and tugged him closer. Jake grinned at the kiss to his hair and surged up and kissed Maddox on the chin in reply.

“Snuggle.” Jake sighed.

He ran his hand up Maddox’s chest, following the tattoo, then took a detour along the scar that sliced through it.

Maddox shivered, then lifted his eyebrow. “Sensitive…”

“Can you believe that was months ago?”

“A lot has changed.”

“You’re no longer Maddox, and I’m no longer Jake.”

“I am Maddox, and you are Jake.”

“Yeah, but to everyone here, we’re not. At least in the UK, you kept your reputation. The Mad Dog that torched a prison, escaped the country, and slayed his enemies on a secluded island. No one will dare mess with him.”

“I had help. You, Amber, Tom…Gavin, Frank, Keiron,” Maddox paused and looked down. “Ernie…”

“I’m sorry he didn’t make it.”

“Stubborn old man. The whole place goes up, everyone rushes outside to save themselves, and what does he do? He lies down on a bed in a random cell, tucks himself in, and lets the smoke take him.”

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