Page 3 of Castaway Heat

But at the same time, he knew Eirin was coming from a place of love.

Sage, too. They’d always been generous, sometimes too generous , when it came to him.

Even if they were misguided, the fact they wanted to help needed to be acknowledged in some way.

Maybe if he stopped pushing back so hard they’d calm down and let it go.

“Fine. I’ll let you work a little of your magic on me. I repeat, a little .”

Eirin’s eyes sparkled with excitement and a smile slowly spread across his face. Shiloh could already see the gears turning and almost changed his mind.

He pulled his wide-brimmed straw hat off. “At the very least, I need a haircut. I meant to slip in somewhere before we left, but I was working on my thesis proposal and forgot. I cringed when I saw how bad it looked this morning—which is why the hat hasn’t come off today.”

“You are such an egghead. How are we friends?”

Shiloh chuckled. “Blame Sage.”

Eirin reached out and brushed back the sweaty mess.

“Thank heavens you said this was bad. I feared you’d meant it to look like that and was terrified to say anything.

I’ve been aching to break out a pair of scissors and cut it myself.

If the cruise line allowed them onboard, I might’ve clipped it in your sleep.

” Eirin smiled. “Be glad they’re banned because I always fuck up my hair when I get the wild notion I can do it myself.

” He sat back, pondering. “There’s a spa on board.

” He tapped a finger against his chin. “I wonder how quickly we could get you an appointment?”

A refusal was on the tip of Shiloh’s tongue, but he fought it.

He didn’t like them using their money on him.

When he’d been a teenager, it had been easier to give in, but he couldn’t live with his head in their clouds.

If he grew too accustomed to the finer things, he’d end up lamenting his lot in life and not be grateful for what he did have.

They’d practically had to beg him to come on the cruise on their dime.

After they’d claimed there was safety in numbers, and they’d need his level-headedness for a trip to the other side of the world—he’d relented.

All he’d been able to see is the two of them landing themselves in hot water due to their usual levels of insensibility.

If he could prevent that somehow, he was being a good friend, right?

“I’ll put myself in your very capable hands—and let you and Sage pick something flattering.” It was only hair. If he hated the style, he could grow it out. Easy enough to give them that. “Since I’m so horrendous.”

“I meant your hair. Not you . I hadn’t had a chance to smack some sense into you after that comment about being hideous yet, but I hadn’t forgotten.

You’re absolutely gorgeous—and I think you know that.

” Eirin gripped Shiloh’s chin and lifted it.

“Inside and out.” Tears shimmered in his eyes, and he let go, struggling with emotion.

Shiloh reached out and clutched Eirin’s hand, squeezing it. He pushed his sunglasses to his forehead and smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He squeezed Shiloh’s hand back. “If it hadn’t been for you guys last year,” Eirin whispered. “I don’t know how I’d have made it through.” Tears welled. “Especially you.”

Eirin’s papa had passed away suddenly. It had rocked the family to its core, and they’d all been so tied up in grief that Eirin hadn’t had anyone but he, Sage, and Riley for support.

“It’s why I fought so hard to get you on this trip,” Eirin said. “I wanted to repay you for all you gave me.”

“There was nothing to repay, Eirin. Friends are there for you, through thick and thin. When it’s my turn to need help, I know you guys will be there for me.”

Eirin nodded. “Of course we will.” After a squeeze, he pulled his hand from Shiloh’s and dabbed at the corners of his eyes. “So, as I was saying… you don’t seem to know how to highlight your best features. No way you’re going to attract the right attention that way. Sage and I can help.”

Like a dog with a bone. Too bad Eirin wasn’t as easily distracted as Sage. “I agreed to a little polish, but I’m still not starting my search for Mr. Right anytime soon.”

Eirin chuckled. “As if he’ll just drop in your lap. You have to go through a long line of Mr. Wrongs first. Why not have some fun with that? Playing the field will guys give you confidence and make finding the right one easier.”

His gaze flicked to Eirin’s at the mention of confidence.

Perhaps that was another way to gain some—through practical experience.

Studying and applying theories was how he mastered any new concept, so it stood to reason that doing the same might help him get more comfortable around alphas.

He slid his sunglasses back into place and considered how to start.

Sage ran their way and skidded to a stop near Shiloh’s lounger, looking like he was ready to burst.

Shiloh gazed up at him, bemused. “What?”

“You’ll never guess who’s here.” Sage sat down on the empty lounger beside Shiloh.

“Who?”

“Guess, silly,” Sage said, lifting a brow.

“You’ve already said I wouldn’t guess, so let’s end the torment right no—” Shiloh froze, the words dying on his lips.

Over Sage’s shoulder, Shiloh saw exactly who he’d have never guessed.

His mouth dropped open a bit, his heart speeding up, slamming against the inside of his ribcage. “Is that… Is that Ronin?”

Sage glanced over his shoulder. “Damn, he had to walk this way and ruin my fun. Couldn’t wait another five minutes, could he?” He turned back to face Shiloh. “Yes, that is most definitely Ronin.”

“But why would he be here?” Shiloh asked, blinking and wondering if it was all a mirage. Heat exhaustion? Sun poisoning? All of those had better odds than Ronin Drake appearing on their cruise. Another guess came to mind. He narrowed his eyes and glared at Sage. “Did you set this up?”

Sage lifted both hands, palms open. “I absolutely did not.”

From Sage’s tone, Shiloh felt confident it was the truth, but why else would Ronin be there?

His father owned a massive yacht. If Ronin wanted to sail anywhere in the world, he could go in the blink of an eye and live in the lap of luxury—instead of being cramped on a ship with thousands of drunken strangers.

“Want me to call him over and ask why he’s here?” Sage asked, grinning broadly.

“No,” Shiloh snapped.

“If he sees me, he’ll stop by to say hello, regardless. Can’t be helped.” Sage chuckled as he lifted a hand and waved. He raised his voice to be heard over the music playing on the deck below. “Is that you, Ronin, darling?”

Shiloh cringed and sunk lower in the lounger, but not before noticing Ronin’s expression. He wasn’t sure how anyone could roll their eyes without rolling their eyes, but the alpha had pulled it off. He murmured something to the man beside him before striding in their direction.

Heads turned as he passed, but of course they did.

Ronin was a giant at six foot eight with at least two hundred and fifty pounds of perfectly honed muscle.

That commanded attention. His cool confidence and good looks made it almost impossible to look away.

Not that he could see them at a distance, but Shiloh could never forget those gun metal blue eyes with a gaze as hard as iron.

It was as sharp as his cut jaw. Even a hint of dark scruff there couldn’t hide that.

The same raven shade of his stubble appeared in the short, faded style atop his head.

He wore a light blue linen suit that barely hid his tight muscles, with a white button down underneath.

Shiloh had never seen him dressed in anything but dark, heavy clothing prior, though it’s not as if they’d seen each other often.

The few times he’d been in Ronin’s presence, it had been colder calling for the need for sweaters and thicker garments.

Ronin looked good. Way too good.

It had been almost seven years since he’d last seen Ronin and he wasn’t ready to break the streak, especially with no time to prepare mentally or physically.

Shiloh gazed down at his swim briefs, paler than should be skin, and less than toned body before he grabbed Eirin’s magazine, opened it, and lifted it to cover his face.

Better to not be noticed at all than be judged by the hottest alpha on Earth.

Sage snatched the magazine out of his hands. Shiloh fought to recover it—and lost.

“Oh, no, darling… you’ve had a crush on my cousin for far too long not to take this opportunity.”

He’d long claimed to be over Ronin Drake, but there he was, feeling like a stupid teenager again, on edge and ready to make a total fool of himself.

“I don’t have a crush on him,” he whispered hotly.

Sage tipped his sunglasses down and looked at Shiloh over the rim. “Sure babe.”

Ronin stopped at the end of the lounger Sage was sitting on. He grinned, but it appeared forced. “How are you, Sage?”

“Wonderful,” Sage murmured happily. “And you?”

“Hot, but otherwise fine.” Ronin narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask the same,” Sage purred.

Ronin’s nostrils flared and his gaze landed on Shiloh. His body tightened, chin rising. He never took his eyes off Shiloh as he answered Sage. “Dad wants to acquire the cruise line. He asked me to sneak out here and test their level of service.”

“Spying, hmm?” Sage asked. “Work’s no fun, even if masked as a vacation.”

Ronin’s gaze still didn’t move away from Shiloh.

Shiloh swallowed, squirming under that attention. His worried his rapidly beating heart might burst out of his chest like one of those cartoon dogs. He dragged his gaze away from Ronin and focused on the pool. Calm down. He’s just a man with flaws like anyone else.

If there were flaws, there were none he could see. A little age had made him even more attractive, which wasn’t good for Shiloh.