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Luke: @Noah don’t forget lunch on Sunday

Jack: Yeah where were you last week? Hungover in bed no doubt

Rather than open the app and acknowledge that I’ve read their messages, I dismiss the notification. I’m reluctant to move. I think Olivia is asleep and don’t want to disrupt her. I went pretty hard on her just now. The wet patch we’re lying in and the fact that I still haven’t shifted back is good evidence for that. And I don’t hate the feeling of her in my arms. Her long red curls are spread out over my arm and my pillow, perfuming my bed with the scent of her. My tentacles rove over her skin softly, tasting, caressing, smoothing out muscles which are probably sore from cramping so hard earlier.

I go back to scrolling when another message pops up.

Jack: don’t forget Dad’s due back in Sydney this week for the next round of chemo. I could use a hand around the Inlet Views if either of you have time

Of course I’m worried about Dad. I know my brothers are too. The chemotherapy has been taking its toll on him, you can see it. If I’m honest, that’s one of the reasons I’ve been avoiding family lunch when I can. I hate seeing him hunched over, skin pale and dry, his bald head missing the wild crop of graying hair he’s always sported. He doesn’t look like my dad anymore.

I’m not a complete prick, though. With a sigh, I open the message and type out a quick reply.

Noah: I’ll be there

Jack and Luke both react with a surprised face emoji and I roll my eyes.

Noah: alright you jerks. It’s been busy at The Snapper. OK?

Jack: yeah, you’re right. Where me and Luke are just sitting around with nothing to do

Predictably, Lukey jumps in to smooth ruffled feathers.

Luke: I know we’re all busy. Mia says she can help out on reception the next few weeks and it’s been great being ableto offer dinner vouchers to the guests. Mum says having The Snapper open again is really boosting bookings. I guess what I’m saying is we’re all doing our bit, but I’m sure Jack would appreciate any extra help you could give him while Mum and Dad are away

I’m thinking about how to reply without pissing everyone off. I’ve been trying to be a bit more diplomatic lately. Take a page out of Luke’s book or something. Maybe I’m just feeling more mellow since I’ve been having great sex regularly.

At that moment, Olivia stirs, rubbing her face and blinking up at me. I set the phone aside to deal with later.

“Did I fall asleep? Sorry.”

I try to ignore the way my heart squeezes at her all sleepy and rumpled in my bed. “No, I think that snoring was coming from Mrs. Harrison next door.”

She flushes, then narrows her eyes. “I wasn’t snoring! I don’t snore.”

I laugh. “Sure, sure. All I can say is, it’s a good thing we’re not doing sleepovers. I wouldn’t be getting any sleep with that racket going on.”

Looking indignant, she tries to get up, but I stop her with an arm around her waist. She swats at me uselessly and I grin. “What? Nothing to say to defend yourself, Zeston?”

Olivia hooks a leg over my waist so she’s straddling me, grabs my wrists, and pins them to the bed by my head. She’s cute, so I let her.

“I think the real reason you don’t want me to sleep over is because you snore ten times as loud. Admit it.” As she grins down at me, her hair falls forward into my face. She leans closer until her nose is almost touching mine, and I’m so fucking tempted to lift my head and kiss her that I reach for a distraction.

With a surge of energy, I flip us until it’s Olivia on her back and me leaning over her. My skin has finally dried, and as I do this, I shift back, meaning I need to rely on my hands alone to pin hers to the bed. Not difficult. When I’ve transferred both her hands into one of mine, I reach between us to where her pussy is still slick and most likely tender.

She gasps confirming it.

“I admit nothing. Now do I need to make you come again to shut you up or are you going to be a good girl?”

Her eyes widen, but as I make a cautious movement around her clit, her lips part and she rolls her hips.

I chuckle to myself. I love how constantly hungry for this she is. Always ready. I could get pretty badly addicted. I guess it’s lucky that she’ll be heading home to the States in a few more weeks.

So that’s how I get distracted and forget to reply to my brothers’ messages for hours. When I finally look the next morning, I groan when I see what they sent.

Jack: Could you stop by the store on your way and pick up some burger buns and salad? I know you said you’re too busy to cook so you can deal with my cooking. I’m doing BBQ

It’s already 12. I’m going to be late as it is.