Chapter One

 

 

 

Guard changed into a lilac shirt with huge green and yellow flowers on it. He had matching shorts, but they were probably a bit much. Instead, he put on his bright yellow board shorts and his flip-flops.

Grabbing his clipboard with maps, room service menus, keys and stuff attached, he walked down to the water, where the deck ran out into the ocean. Aldo would be here any minute with their medical fetish client. What was his name?

Guard checked his clipboard—it would be better not to call the guy Med Fetish to his face. Names were a good thing and made the clients feel comfortable.

Sage Q. Williams.

Sage.

What kind of name was that?

He’d bet the man’s mother was a hippie. Or at least had been when Sage was born. He would keep that tidbit to himself, too.

The radio on his belt went off and he picked it up. “Guard.”

“It’s Aldo, we’re three minutes out.”

“Thanks.”

He clipped the radio back on his belt and waved to Carmen’s nephew Luis. The kid came trotting over with the wagon for luggage, and they made their way down to the end of the dock together.

“Buenos tardes, Señor Guard. Is the man for cabin D, sí?”

“Sí. He’s Señor Williams.”

“Sí.” Luis nodded, smiled at him. The kid wouldn’t remember for ten minutes, but it didn’t matter. After tonight, no one would see Sage Williams until it was time to fly back to LA.

He heard the motor of the plane and shaded his eyes. There it was. Cool. He was ready to get everyone tucked in and go see J. Maybe tonight was the night. He laughed a little to himself. Right. He had faith, though. He had talked to Damien back at the beginning of this nightmare, and they weren’t fucking letting James just fade off. Not now. Not tomorrow.

The plane eased down, landing in the water with surprisingly little splash before heading to the dock. Guard watched as it came in and waved when he could see their client through the little window.

As soon as the plane stopped next to the dock, Luis grabbed the rope Aldo had thrown, and Guard moved up to open the door for their guest. “Good evening, Mr. Williams. Welcome to the island.”

“Thank you.” Sage was lovely, muscled and tanned, bright blue eyes picking up the colors of the sea.

“I’m Guard, and if there’s anything I can do for you while you’re with us, you just need to hit the pound sign, then three on your phone to get me. Zero gets you the concierge on duty, though, and he can probably help you with most of your needs.” He could see Luis had the luggage ready to go. “If you’ll come with me, please.”

“Of course. I… I was told that everything would be arranged for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, everything’s ready for you. And the kitchen is at your disposal this evening—they’d be happy to prepare whatever you’d like.” He led the man to the little golf cart Luis was loading the luggage into.

“Oh. Okay. Yeah. I’m… I’m a little nervous.”

Guard would bet the farm that Sage was more than a little nervous.

“Everything’s set up to run as smoothly as possible. It’s our job to make sure your fantasy happens just the way you want it. So if there’s anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable…”

“I… I just. I’ve never done anything like this before, you know?”

“It wouldn’t be a fantasy if you had.” Guard had a lot of experience soothing nervous guests. Hell, he knew being nervous enhanced the whole thing for most clients.

Sage’s laugh was warm, self-deprecating. “I guess you’re right.”

“Of course I am.” He gave Sage a wink then turned the golf cart up the long drive to the private bungalow he’d assigned the guy.

“It’s lovely here. Is there a place to swim?”

“You’ve got a pool behind your bungalow.” There was also the entire ocean, but they didn’t have life guards. Besides, most of the guests were looking for privacy, and while there were no outsiders here, there were other guests.

“Excellent. Is it private?”

“Of course. Your privacy is assured.”

“Thanks.” Sage looked around, smiled. “I hope I can sleep tonight.”

“I could have a masseuse brought in, or someone to guide you through some meditation.” Unless he missed his guess, though, the nerves and lack of sleep were part of the fantasy.

“I… Can I think about it? I really need to find my headspace.”

“Of course. You can ring the concierge or me if you need anything at all.”

Sage nodded. “Thank you. I know I’m being a nervous Nelly, I just… This is such a big deal for me.”

Guard pulled up in front of the man’s bungalow and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “It’s the chance of a lifetime, and I hope it gives you what you want.” He wanted to be a fly on the wall, actually. It was amazing what made some people tick. Amazing and captivating, even when it otherwise seemed weird.

“I do, too. Thank you.” Sage stood up, smiled back at him. “Will…someone come get me tomorrow?”

“Yes. At seven. He won’t speak, he’ll simply lead you to the place where you’ll…see the doctor.”

“Oh. Okay.” The man pinked, but the tent erected in the loose pants Sage wore was impressive.

Man, it took all kinds. It really did fascinate him, the things people wanted. The things people needed. That thought sent his mind back to James, back to those near black eyes, the pointed chin, the brilliance.

He was smiling as he helped Luis get Sage’s bags into his bungalow. “If you need anything at all…” He handed over the keycard and the information pamphlets.

“I… My safe word is on file. My… The doctor will know it?”

“He’ll have your file, yes. Should you use your safe word, everything will stop.”

Sage grinned at him. “That’s comforting. Thank you. I’ll call about my dinner decisions.”

“Terrific. Enjoy your fantasy, Mr. Williams.”

“Thank you.”

Guard made sure his client made it into the cabin, luggage and all, before he left.

He drove the golf cart back to the dock to let Luis off and glanced at his watch. He had about an hour before the next guests came in. Maybe he could go find some flowers to bring with him for dinner.

 

* * * *

 

“Señor James? The men are all in their cabins and settled, and the big house is ready.” Carmen smiled at him, put a huge pizza on his dining table.

James checked the last few items off his to-do list. The main house held the kitchen and housed the staff. He’d make sure the morning alarm would get the staff up early enough to deal with the beginning fantasies, though if he knew Carmen, she already had that well in hand. “Thank you, ma’am. The pizza smells amazing.”

“It does. Whatever did we do to deserve you?” Guard came in and kissed Carmen’s cheek. “And you got me the good cream soda. Thank you.”

“De nada.” Carmen hugged Guard tight. “You boys try to rest, sí?”

“We’ll be fine.” Guard gave her a one-armed hug and turned half away as he locked the door behind her.

James shivered, watching that fine ass. Even if it was covered in the loudest fucking yellow pair of board shorts known to man.

“Everything good?”

“Yep.” Guard turned and brought his hand around in front of him, holding out a bouquet of flowers at him.

His eyebrow rose. “Daisies?” He loved fucking daisies.

“Yep.” There had to be two dozen of them. “I had to drive all over the island to find them.”

“They’re beautiful.” He hadn’t seen any in months.

“I’m glad you like them.” Guard grabbed a vase from the top of one of his bookcases and put the daisies in it, then set it on the table.

James got himself over to the table. “Everyone seems settled.”

“Yeah. Williams is a little nervous, but he’s here without his lover. Or so he thinks. The Vicuna and Nedders pair are ecstatic.” Guard sat in the chair next to him, laser-blue eyes trained on him.

“And our modification man?” He was not going to get hard. Not.

“Already asleep. There’s nothing for us to do but enjoy the rest of the evening.”

James nodded, knowing full well his cheeks were burning, damn it. “Grab a plate.”

“That’s not what I want to grab.”

“What?” His hands slid a little.

“You heard what I said.” Guard was looking at his mouth.

“There’s pizza.” He wasn’t going to do this.

“I’d rather have you.”

“When are you going to give up on this?” He was broken. Permanently.

“I’m going to haunt you when we’re both dead, J.”

“You two would be happier if you just forgot about me.” He waved his hand. They’d had this discussion before. More than once. “Pretend I’m virtual.”

Guard growled and grabbed his hand. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of what’s going to make me happy?”

“Don’t touch me, damn it.” He stared at their joined hands. He couldn’t do this with Guard touching him.

“Why not? Do you know how much I want to do more than touch your hand?” Guard’s voice stayed soft, the note of pleading in it enough to break his heart.

“Guard. Don’t do this. We all decided this was best.”

“No. No, I don’t think we decided anything. You laid down the law. End of story.” Those blue eyes wouldn’t let him look away.

It was all he could do to gulp in one breath after another.

“J…” Guard leaned toward him, moving in slow motion.

“I…”

The rap on the door was loud, sharp, rattling the house. “Let me in, asshole. I smell pizza.”

Damien.

Fuck him.

Fuck him raw.

 

He pushed his hair back over his shoulder, looking over the assholes he had the misfortune to be hooked up with. “Guard. Wheels. Que tal?” Then Damien walked over and grabbed a piece of pizza.

“What are you doing back, man? I haven’t cut you off yet.”

Damien shrugged at James. “Got bored. Also, the dude who’s into the hard-core mods? I wanted to see the end results. I mean, damn. He’s like a fucking romance novel cover model—perfect hair, perfect skin… That’s deeply fucked up.”

“If you’re going to have dinner with us, the least you can do is sit like a decent human being.” Guard looked ticked off. Or maybe put out. Or maybe he just needed to get laid.

“What? I’m not invited?” Damien knew better. James loved him, and Guard needed his ass, his cock, his mouth—all of it. “You got any booze, Wheels?”

“We’re dry this week, Dame. Sit already.” Guard’s eyes followed his every movement. Oh, yeah, the man was hungry.

Damien nodded, his ponytail heavy with the damned humidity. James looked exhausted—stupid fuck, always working. “So, tell me the mod fantasy guy I found is perfect.”

“More perfect than me?” Guard batted his eyelashes and winked.

“For this job? Yeah.” He blew Guard a kiss, grinned. “Tell me there are cameras.”

“Damien,” James stared. “Have you lost your mind?”

Guard just shook his head. “They’re here for their fantasies, not ours.”

Goody Two Shoes, the pair of them. “Jesus, you two are hidebound.” He took another piece of pizza, munching down happily. He’d been busy—of course, he was already plucking out players for scenarios months away.

Guard stuck his tongue out and began to eat.

“So, I’m staying a couple of days, at least. I need to let some things marinate. Can I stay here with you, Wheels?”

James looked at him. “You have a cabin.”

“I get lonely.”

“What am I? Fucking chopped liver?” Guard had stopped eating again to glare.

“Nope. I was hoping you were fucking James.” Not that any of them had done that in a long damn time.

Instead of bitching back at him, Guard sighed. “I was hoping so, too.” The man shot James a look.

“Are we still pretending that we can’t fuck because your legs are messed up?” Damien wasn’t sure if that was it or if it was just Puritan guilt.

“I don’t know if I would have put it quite like that,” growled Guard. The man was always so protective of James and his shit.

“No? It’s true.” Hell, he knew. He’d fucked up. He’d been the one who had brought the crazy fucker that had hurt James here. Still…

“We’ll get there, Dame. You need to be patient.” Guard had more faith than a temple full of monks.

“I’m right here, you shits!” James was hot when he was mad.

“That’s what I keep saying.” Guard grabbed James’ hand. “You’re right here and we’re right here and the bedroom’s just over there.”

“We are not doing this!” Yeah, James was definitely adorable in screaming-idiot mode. Very hot.

“Why not?” Guard demanded. “I’m not giving up on you, and neither is Damien.”

James met his eyes, and Damien grinned, chewing meditatively. “I could just blow you now. Derail the whole conversation.”

“Go for it, J. You remember what his mouth is like.” Guard squeezed James’ hand.

James’ mouth opened, snapped closed again. “Have you both lost your minds?”

Damien pondered that. “Not recently.”

“No. And you haven’t lost any of your appeal, J.” Guard leaned in and pressed a kiss to James’ ear.

Damien grabbed a third piece of pizza, watching.

Guard kissed the same ear, tongue snaking out to lick at the lobe. It was the most he’d seen anyone touch James since it had happened.

James moaned, then wheeled back away from Guard, shaking his head. “Don’t.”

“Why? Guard wants you. You want him. I have a video camera…”

“Fuck off, Dame. Either help me convince him or get the fuck out.” Guard could growl when he wanted to, and the man was just as hot as James when he got going.

“Shit, I’m not going anywhere. Not a chance. This is fucking fun.” Hot.

Guard rolled his eyes and turned back to James, smiled. “Come on, J. Let’s just put everything behind us and go to bed.”

“I…”

Oh, dude. Guard had been working hard. That little hesitation spoke volumes.

Guard leaned in, slowly. James looked up, hands white-knuckled on the wheelchair. Damien leaned back, watching avidly. It was hot. Really.

Guard’s phone started ringing, and James’ computer beeped.

“Shit.” Guard grabbed his phone from his pocket and barked into it. “What?”

James wheeled over to the computer and started typing.

Damien? He just grabbed another piece of pizza.

It was good.

Fucking good.