Page 17

SIXTEEN

Noah

Sunday lunch with my parents is a Wilson family tradition I’ve been trying to escape for years. Somehow my older brothers always manage to guilt me into it. This year, of course, they have extra ammo in the form of Dad’s cancer treatment.

I’m lying on my bed on Saturday night—technically Sunday morning—with Olivia curled up against my side. I’m scrolling when a notification from the group chat drops down.

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 able to 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.

No help for it, though. They’ll be pissed if I turn up empty handed.

I race to the supermarket, cram the first dry, probably stale buns into my backpack, and give the side eye to all the prepackaged salads. Eventually I choose some leafy greens and fresh tomatoes. I’ll make something simple when I get there.

By the time I do, Jack rolls his eyes when he spots me. “So nice of you to turn up, Noah. I thought you might have stayed in bed again this week.”

I push past him on my way to the fridge. “Give it a rest.”

My big brother grabs a pair of tongs and gives me a final icy glare before heading out to the balcony off the living area where Mum, Dad, Luke, and Mia are talking and sipping glasses of wine or bottles of beer.

Promising myself I’ll keep my cool and not start something, I chop the tomato and whip up a dressing for the salad before grabbing a beer and heading outside.

“Hey, Noah. How are you?” Mia, Luke’s fiancé, is standing closest to the door and turns as I step out onto the balcony.

Her polished Sydney accent and mannerisms used to piss me off, but I’ve long since come to terms with the fact that though she can be shy, she’s not a snob.

She leans in to give me a kiss on the cheek, and I return her smile.

“Can’t complain. What about you? Luke says you’re working on the final piece for the new show. ”

She nods and my brother turns, wrapping his arm around his fiancée and giving me a pat on the shoulder. “Hey, Noah. Did I hear you ask about Mia’s show?”

Mia flushes. “Yeah, but I was just going to say it’s coming together, OK. I wish I had time for another piece, but what I have will have to do.”

Luke shakes his head. “Baby, it’s perfect. Trust yourself.”

I simultaneously want to throw up in my mouth at how fucking smug they are together and have to fight off a stab of jealousy at their relationship.

I was pretty anti-Mia at the start, but that’s only because I thought she wouldn’t stick around.

I still worry sometimes if I’m honest, but I can’t argue with how much she’s invested into supporting our family. That has to count for something.

I greet my parents, noting that Dad’s skin has slightly more color today than the last time I saw him. By the time Jack’s finished overcooking the meat and we’re all sitting around the outdoor table together, I’m not feeling too bad.

My phone buzzes and I lift it to see a message from Olivia. I check it under the table.

Olivia: was going to go to the gym today but uh… I think you might have broken me. I’ll be free later if you are

When I look up to see Jack watching me across the table, I make a better effort to wipe the silly smile off my face and type back.

Noah: that’s brave. What if I want to do it all over again?

She adds a flame emoji and I think she’s not going to say anymore, but then three little dots appear as she types.

Olivia: I was kinda hoping you would

I lock the screen, sliding my phone back into my pocket and shifting as my cock twitches at the thought of repeating yesterday’s activities. Do I want to make her come until she begs me to stop? Hell yeah I do.

When I look up, Jack is still watching me. What is his problem?

Everyone’s finished, so I get up and clear the table, stacking all the dishes up my arm to carry them in one go. Just as I drop them in the kitchen, my phone buzzes again in my pocket.

Only this time it’s not a text, it’s a photo. Olivia is lying on her bed with her legs spread. The camera is pointed at her naked pussy and the caption reads: come kiss it better

I quickly turn my phone over when a cough from behind me makes me jump. “Do I want to know who that is?” asks Luke.

“Who what is?” Jack is carrying the tongs and aluminum trays he used for the BBQ. He stops and looks between me and Luke, who unhelpfully gives me a nudge. “Go on, Noah. Enlighten us. Or have you forgotten her name already?”

“Oh, it’s like that huh?” Jack rolls his eyes and sets down the things in the sink. “Is that why you were so late?”

“No. And no, it’s not like anything.”

They both scoff and, fair enough, I’ve probably earned that. I’ve got a bit of a reputation in Kraken Cove.

Look’s expression grows serious. “Look, Noah, as long as she knows what’s going on, yeah?”

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh come on. Don’t play dumb. You know you’re the local pony. Everyone’s had a ride, but I don’t think many of them are ready for how quickly they get thrown off at the end.”

“So?” I fold my arms across my chest.

“Just don’t hurt anyone else, Noah. That’s all.”

What the fuck? “I don’t know what you think I do, but I’m not a liar and I’m not out to hurt anyone. That’s why I steer clear of relationships. Unlike you morons, I realize that’s how people get hurt.”

“So she’s just another girl for you to use and discard?”

I bristle. “You don’t get to fucking talk about her like that. And you don’t get to judge me,” I shout at Jack. From the corner of my eye, I catch Mum opening the sliding door. The last thing I need is her getting in on this.

“I’m leaving.” I wipe my hands on a dishcloth and throw it onto the counter. “Thanks for another stellar family lunch.”

Without waiting for any of them to try to stop me, I storm out of the Inlet Views and straddle my bike. Then I rev the engine and scream up the hill and straight to Bella Vista Bed and Breakfast. I’d much rather be chin deep in pussy than have to deal with their shit a moment longer.