Page 39 of Enjoying the Ride

I bite my lip.“But you’re probably thinking that I should do something smarter with all this money, like invest it or something.Instead of spending it on a grand trip to Europe.”

Trek shrugs.“Not really,” he corrects cryptically.“Although now that you bring it up, yes, we should talk about how to invest your money, so that it can double in a handful of months.”

“No, no,” I say, tsking my man.“You can’t change the subject like that.Why would you make a face about me paying for our trip?”

He waves his hand dismissively.“Because why would I let you pay when I’m filthy rich?”

I feel my jaw go slack.

“What are you talking about?”

Trek smiles, a wicked grin that conveys just how much he’s enjoying my astonishment.

“Where do you think all this money came from?”he asks in a casual tone.“The men of Mirago are legit, I assure you.”

“I don’t know,” I muse.“I guess I never thought about it.”

“It’s nothing nefarious,” Trek says quickly.“We just happen to be insanely wealthy.We own this island, as well as several business interests on the mainland.We also lease some of the land on the island to the La Mirage resort, which pays an obscene amount in rent.”

I stare at my man.

“Wow,” I say softly.“I feel like a dummy for not figuring that out before.”

Trek cups my chin in his hand, tilting my head so that our eyes can meet.“You’re not a dummy.We just don’t talk about money, that’s all.It’s always been unseemly to talk about money when you’re living in an island paradise.”

I consider this point.“But what happens to your portion of the money, now that you’re leaving Mirago?”

I hope I’m not putting him out of house and a job, I groan internally.

But Trek seems unfazed.“Nothing.It’s mine to keep.I haven’t been excommunicated, Posey.I just can’t live here anymore because it’s the mating part that marks me as different.I don’t want to be in orgies, take part in orgies, or to fuck other women.I want to mate with you, and only you, sweetheart.”

Mating.

It’s a simple word packed with so much meaning for the men of Mirago.Of course, sons have been born to the men of the island.But mating is a different act all together.It means monogamy, commitment, and maybe children one day.It means a promise of forever, and now, Trek is following me into our own version of the unknown.Into a world and life that we want to build, away from the island.

“I hate that you have to give up your life here,” I say, genuinely sad that I might be causing the man I love any sort of pain.

“Come on, Posey,” Trek says, shaking his head, “I’m not giving up a damn thing.I’m gainingeverything.”

I nod slowly, ready to let the already hashed out topic drop.

“So,” I begin slowly, “who do you think is going to be named the leader of the pack, now that you’re stepping down?”

Trek grins wolfishly.“Stoke.No doubt about it.”

I blush, thinking about Stoke.Even though I’m beyond a doubt committed to Trek, Stoke is a gorgeous man—like all of his brothers.

Of course, my lover notices my change in color.“What’s with the rouge, Red?”he asks teasingly.

I shake my head.“Stoke is the one with dual knots, right?”

Trek chuckles.“Yes, baby,” he answers easily.“And he likes to force them in.Hard.”

Ever since we mated, Trek is incredibly possessive of me, but some of his jealousy has ebbed knowing that I am equally committed to him.Besides, he likes to indulge my interest in his community, which includes knowing how many knots each guy has.

“But why Stoke?”I ask suddenly, confused by this choice.“I mean, I don’t mean to be critical but the man can be harsh, if not downright asshole-ish.Is that really someone who’s leader material?”

“He’s an ideal choice,” Trek says easily.“He’s an ass, sure, but he’s bold and creative.”

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