Page 36 of Naughty November
Max automatically followed me into one of the bedrooms, so I didn’t have to wonder if we were gonna share. We usually did, but because we had to. This house was bigger, and he could have his own room if he wanted.
Given it was a brief vacation, I changed into trunks right away before I headed outside with a towel and a beer. We’d bought plenty with us.
A couple of the subs were in charge of the food, and it looked like they were here to please us all. Steaks, potatoes, spicy sausages, burger patties, and only the necessary vegetables. A lot of snacks too, including cheese, chips, dip, fruit, nuts, and charcuterie.
Three of the guys had already jumped into the pool by the time I collapsed in a lounger, and I planned on staying here until I needed to cool off.
This was fucking perfect. No neighbors on this side of the property. The backdrop was all Everglades.
“Aren’t you coming in, Sir?” Garrick pleaded with me.
“Not yet, champ. I’m still defrostin’.” I took a swig of my beer and caught movement in the corner of my eye.
Max had stepped out, dressed similarly to me, and he was busy warding off little Jason and Cas. Not that it would work with that charming smile. Hmpf. I got the sleepy scowls and the grumpy muttering, and the boys got smiles and head pats.
Life wasn’t fair to Sadists.
Eventually, though, he challenged the boys to dive into the pool with their clothes on, and I smirked in approval. Get them into trouble with their Owners. Always a good strategy.
Once the boys were in the water, Max left the scene, satisfied with his work.
He tossed his towel on the next lounger over, then pushed it right up against mine.
Interesting.
“How’s the hangover?” I asked.
“Down with the mother of headaches.” He slumped in the chairand let out a long breath. “I’m not sure it’s just a hangover. I really didn’t drink that much.”
“Mister Jensen!” Cas hollered from the pool.
“Not now, boy,” I said firmly. “He’s got a headache.”
“Oops! Okay! I hope you feel better, Sir!”
That did it. They were good boys.
If Max wasn’t feeling well, the sun wasn’t going to help, so when he threw the towel over his head, I walked back to the barbecue area and grabbed one of the large umbrellas. Then I wheeled it back to our corner.
As soon as our loungers were in the shade, he lowered the towel a bit and squinted up at me.
“I’ll be right back,” I said. Something wasn’t right, and I was starting to worry it had to do with last night.
Back in the kitchen, Carl, Sam, and Rome were standing around the island discussing tomorrow—and I’d join if it weren’t for my bag of misery of a friend outside. The ideas were raining while I put together some snacks. Takedown, hide-and-seek, orienteering, and good ole tag were on the table.
“What do you think, Reid?” Sam asked.
“I’m with Rome,” I said. “Start simple with a takedown. Then we can rest for a day and jump into somethin’ that requires more plannin’.”
I filled a plate with bread, cheese, grapes, and a banana, then went to slice the watermelon.
My grocery list for the trip was short and had been taken care of by Shawn, who was a sweet slave by day and a wicked primal brat by night.
I tossed a couple of cheese cubes into my mouth and filled a pitcher with ice and water before I left the guys and headed back out.
“Look at’chu, acting like a Daddy,” Brad joked. “Is Max okay?”
He was firing up the grill for a late lunch.