James inhaled deeply as he strolled the estate grounds. It had been a while since he had been here; he’d forgotten how much he loved it. He sighed and looked up at the moon before he heard a sound behind him.

“I’m armed.”

“So am I.”

James turned. “You’re getting rusty.”

Theo smiled at him. “What are you doing out here?”

“Getting some air.” James sat down on the rim of the fountain.

“You look sad.”

“Can I tell you something?” James asked.

“Of course. You can trust me, James.” Theo took his hand.

“Tomas and I aren’t together anymore.”

“What? Why?”

“Tomas wanted to get married right away. I mean we were in college, you know? That works for some people but not me. I wanted to have some kind of life before I got married and had kids. Tomas wanted everything right then. He took the job with the security company, and well — you know how that goes. If we’re having a child, we’re raising it together, not me raising it on my own while he takes off on an assignment every other week. So I took the security job too.”

“Are you okay?” Theo cupped his face.

“It’s been months now. I’m doing better with it. We decided we would date other people and if we were meant to be, we would be.” James smiled weakly.

“This is just so weird.”

“Why?”

“Leo and I aren’t together, either,” Theo told him.

“Why?”

“Pretty much everything you just said. He wanted to get married and have kids. I’m not even out of my twenties yet.”

“But you guys are okay? You still talk.”

“Oh, God, yes. We were friends before we became lovers and that bond will always be there. You and Tomas?”

“Yes, we’ve been friends forever and we stayed that way. I mean, it’s weird seeing him go out on dates but I’m okay,” James finished.

Theo studied James. It was funny to see him as a man instead of the eighteen-year-old he had guarded so long ago. He chuckled at the memory of the day James demanded that he buy him condoms.

“What?” James cocked an eyebrow.

“I was thinking about the condom incident.”

“Oh, God.” James shook his head. “That was hilarious! God, you pissed me off so much not letting me go anywhere by myself!”

“Me?” Theo tried for an innocent look, his eyes wide. “You irritated the shit out of me.”

“I didn’t irritate you that much; as I recall you threw me up against a house.” James cocked an eyebrow at him.

“I did do that. I couldn’t stop myself.”

“Well I should thank you for my first kiss.” James got up. “I should go in. We have a long day tomorrow.”

Theo hugged him. “If you need me, I’m here.”

“You always were, Theo.”

Theo watched him walk back into the mansion. James Greco was the one kid who had brought him down. In all the years he had been a bodyguard, James had been the only one he had broken almost every rule with.

Leo was in the gardens, lying flat on his back and staring up at the sky. It was weird to be back at the mansion after all this time. He heard voices and sat up, trying to figure out where they were coming from.

“Hey, I talked to Damon and he told me to give you the room down the hall from him. He was a little surprised you didn’t tell him you and James had broken up.”

“Did you let Jake down easy?” Tomas asked.

“Yes, little coward,” Parker teased. “Can’t even tell your own brother you broke up with your boyfriend. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. It’s been months, you know? I’ve gone out a few times since then.”

“Just because someone doesn’t want to get married doesn’t mean you have to end things.” Parker took his hand.

“It’s not just that. Once we started getting older, we wanted different things. I’ll always love James. Right now, it’s just us trying to see if we were meant to be together.”

“Well, I’m here if you need me.” Parker hugged him.

“Thanks, Parker.” Tomas watched Parker walk back to the house. “You can come out now, Leo.”

Leo wandered out of the bushes. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was actually already out here and then I couldn’t find a way to leave without being seen. How did you know?””

“Really? Leo Scofield, the stealthy guard? I smelled your cologne, asswipe.”

Leo approached Tomas; he hadn’t changed. Except that the hazel eyes were even more beautiful. Tomas had always been beautiful.

“I’m sorry about you and James.”

“Thanks.” Tomas sat down on a bench. “I wanted things he didn’t. Well, not right now, anyway.”

“Like what?”

“I wanted to get married and have a kid. I mean a lot of people we know did it when they were in college, but I guess James wasn’t ready for that.”

“I’m sorry, man.” Leo joined him on the bench.

“It’s okay. We had talked about marriage and kids and it was something we both wanted. James just wants it later in life and I want it now.”

Leo chuckled. “This is so weird.”

“What?”

“Theo and I broke up a while back for that same reason.”

“You didn’t want to get married?”

“No, I did. Theo wanted to wait for everything and I just wanted us to start a family.” Leo shrugged. “Funny, huh?”

“It is. I thought for sure Theo would be the one wanting kids and you would be the one holding back.”

“Oh, really?” Leo cocked an eyebrow.

“It’s not a bad thing. I just always figured you as the adventurous type.”

“Because I got it on with chicks and guys?” Leo asked.

“No. I don’t know, just something about you, I guess.”

“You didn’t know me that well.”

“Um, maybe it’s because you were my guard and never spoke to me?” Tomas smacked him.

“Yes, I did!”

“Yeah, you talked to me to let me know you found me attractive and therefore couldn’t guard me.”

“Well, I couldn’t focus.”

“Was it my charming personality?”

“It was a lot of things, Tomas. You were very sweet and I think guarding you became more than a job to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told you that night I cared, and I was telling the truth. It became my mission to protect you from your father — when I lost focus I had to make sure you stayed safe.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do.”

“Tomas?”

Tomas looked up as Jake headed his way. “Oh, great.”

“That’s my cue,” Leo said, rising.

“Can we talk? Maybe tomorrow?” Tomas had grabbed his hand without even thinking.

“Anytime, Tomas.”

Tomas watched him leave. Jake dropped down beside him.

“Are you okay?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking James that?”

“You’re like a brother to me, Tomas.” Jake hugged him.

“Look, James and I still love each other. We just want different things at different times in our lives.”

“So you could get back together some day,” Jake pointed out.

“I’m not ruling it out.”

“Whatever happens, I’ll always be here for you.” Jake hugged him tightly. “Did you talk to Dante?”

“About that?” Tomas smiled. “I thought maybe you could.”

“He’s your brother.”

“He’s your best friend. Please?” Tomas gave his best pout.

“Fine, ya big baby.”

Dominic watched Mason get undressed. God, the man was drop-dead gorgeous.

“Stop staring at my ass. I can feel the heat from your eyes.”

“I can’t help it.”

Mason crawled up the bed and hovered over him. “Damn, Catalano, you are one hot-looking guy.”

“So are you.” Dominic pulled him down.

Mason knew how to kiss, that was for sure. He got a hard-on if all Mason did was touch his lips with his tongue. Dominic sighed when Mason’s tongue stroked down his neck and to his nipples. The man had a God-given talent.

“Mason,” Dominic gasped as the other man licked at his nipple and then bit it softly.

Mason spread Dominic’s legs out, but Dominic pulled him up and Mason straddled his face.

“This is what I want!” Dominic took Mason’s cock in his mouth.

“Merda!” Mason gasped and hung onto the headboard. Dominic took him in deep and he was sure he was about to come that quickly.

The next thing he knew, he was flat on his back and Dominic was inside him. Dominic covered his loud moan as he ravaged his mouth.

“Fuck!” Dominic pushed in deeper. “Damn, babe — you are so tight!”

“Shut up.” Mason pulled him down. “God, I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Their tongues danced and Dominic couldn’t get enough of the man he loved.

The bed rocked against the wall and Mason hung on to Dominic’s biceps; his orgasm was close and he bit Dominic’s lip.

“Babe!”

“I know!” Dominic gasped as he slammed into Mason one more time. They each came with a loud cry.

“Jesus!” Dominic pulled out slowly and rolled to his back.

Mason looked over at him and smiled. “Although I hate being apart when we go on separate missions, God I love it when we come back together.”

“No shit.” Dominic pulled him into his arms.

Mason snuggled against him. They hadn’t gotten married yet but it wasn’t from lack of trying. Every time they thought they had a good date picked out, something came up.

“Babe?” Dominic kissed his forehead.

“Yes.” Mason smiled, running his fingertip over Dominic’s nipple.

“If you keep doing that we’re going to go again.”

“Okay!” Mason pushed Dominic back and started kissing him.

“Merda,” Dominic moaned.

“No shit.”

“Marco?”

“Yes?”

“Did you get bigger?” Antonio asked.

“No, you flatter me.” Marco bit Antonio’s shoulder, thrusting in harder.

“You are very good at that!” Antonio dropped his head back as Marco kissed his shoulder.

“It is because it is you, my love.” Marco lifted Antonio’s leg higher and hit him at an angle.

Marco’s lips covered Antonio’s in an incendiary kiss. The man was an expert in the art of lovemaking and Antonio loved every minute of it. Marco’s hand was stroking him as he continued his thrusts. Antonio was so close to coming; the slow sensual kisses and the deep thrusts were driving him crazy.

“Marco!”

Marco pushed in deeply and Antonio let out a loud cry as he came; Marco lost it. He pulled Antonio tighter to his chest and devoured his mouth. They stayed like that, kissing, for what seemed like hours. Marco pulled out slowly. Antonio rolled over and settled on top of him, smiling.

“You have not lost your touch.” Antonio bit his lip softly.

“If you call me an old man, I will spank you.”

“Promise?”

The first week in Malta was spent with Colin trying to keep Nikolai occupied. His cast was going to come off soon but he couldn’t go in the pool and Colin felt bad for him. They were sitting on a lounge chair and Nikolai was nestled between Colin’s legs with a baseball cap on.

Theo watched James in the pool; the feelings he thought were gone a long time ago were resurfacing as he watched him playing with the kids. They had spoken once or twice since their initial talk but it appeared that James was avoiding him now and he couldn’t figure out why.

He and Leo had breakfast in the gardens that morning and were joking and laughing just like they always had.

“Seeing James again must have been weird,” Leo observed.

“I could say the same to you about Tomas,” Theo pointed out.

“You heard why they broke up?”

“I almost pissed my pants. I know that sounds bad.”

“No, I almost did too.”

They both laughed loud and Leo took his hand.

“I’m glad we can still talk.”

“We were raised together, Leo. We’ll always be together.”

Theo’s poolside thoughts were interrupted by a small missile headed their way

“Uncle Leo!” Jensen came barreling into them.

“What’s up, little dude?” Leo picked him up.

“Can you throw me across the pool?”

“I can do that.” Leo hugged him tight. “Why would you want me to, however?”

“I’m a daredevil.”

“You go, little man.” Theo looked over at Colin and Nikolai in the chair and then turned to Leo. “We need to get him in the water.”

“Plastic bag?”

“Yup.”

They promised Jensen they would throw him later, and got Nikolai in the pool after wrapping a big bag around his leg and securing it. Theo held him, cooling him off in the water. Nikolai smiled at him.

“Thank you.”

Theo hugged him and saw James watching him. Colin came over and asked, “Can I have him now?”

“By all means.” Theo handed Nikolai off to Colin and watched them go to the shallow end.

“He loves that kid so much.” Paul watched his son with Nikolai and shook his head.

“I can tell.” Theo saw Colin kissing Nikolai’s cheek; Nikolai was looking at him with total adoration. “Those two, and those two, will get married someday.” Theo nodded to Tanner and Nico.

Nico was looking into Tanner’s big, blue eyes and he smiled at him. They were swimming in the deep end and Tanner would take Nico’s hand and go further.

“You got really good!” Nico pulled him into his arms.

“I had a good teacher.”

Nico held him tightly. Tanner was so precious to him. The feelings he had for Tanner had never gone away and he was having a hard time processing them.

Theo tried to talk to James but he always seemed to be busy. By the time dinner was over and all the kids had gone to bed, Theo walked the grounds to let off some steam. He sat on the grass and looked up at the stars. The breakup with Leo had been civil — there was no shouting, no crying, and no vase throwing. He and Leo had realized they wanted different things and they had parted as friends.

“Hey.”

Theo turned in James’ direction. “Hi.”

“What are you doing out here?”

“Relaxing.”

“I’ll just leave you alone then.” James turned back toward the house.

“Why are you avoiding me?” Theo stood up.

“I’m not.” James stopped and turned around.

“Yes, you are, James. Ever since that first night, you’ve made it a point to stay away from me. Why?”

“I did not make it a point. I’ve just been busy.”

“On vacation in Malta, you are busy? Doing what, James?” Theo’s voice was accusatory.

As much as James tried, he couldn’t stop looking at him. His heart raced the closer he got; the memory of what it felt like to kiss Theo had resurfaced the minute he saw him again.

“I’m not avoiding you,” James denied.

“Are you afraid to be alone with me?” Theo was standing in front of him now.

“No.” James backed up a few steps and looked into Theo’s eyes.

“You and I have not been alone for a week, James. You’ve been avoiding me. Now, tell me why. I thought we were friends.” Theo searched his eyes.

“We are friends.” James backed up.

“You’re doing it again. Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?” Theo took his hand.

“I — I can’t be around you. I’m sorry.” James ran for the house.

Theo caught him and pulled him around. “What is wrong, James?”

“I don’t trust myself with you, okay?” James tried to get loose.

Theo looked into his eyes. “Then, don’t.”

Theo grabbed him by his hair and pulled him to his lips. There was a loud moan and Theo took James’ mouth hungrily. James’ hands gripped his hair and he picked him up and walked them into the woods. They hit the ground and James let out a loud grunt, pulling Theo’s shirt off.

The minute Theo kissed him, James was transported to the time he was eighteen and he’d pushed Theo a little too far; the older man had pressed him against a tree, rubbing his cock. Theo was kissing him and his hand was traveling up his chest under his shirt.

“Theo,” James breathed as his hand found Theo’s hard cock. He squeezed it.

“Oh, God.” Theo broke the kiss and looked into his eyes. As long as he lived, he would never forget James Greco’s eyes — how blue they were and how, at this moment, they were looking at him with lust.

Theo took his mouth again and his fingers were working James’ shorts. He got the button undone and then his hand slid in, gripping the rock-hard cock. The loud moan that came from James went straight through Theo, who was busy stroking him. James returned the favor, slipping his hand into Theo’s shorts.

 

James couldn’t stop. He’d never felt Theo like this and it had been months since he had been with anyone. He loved the feel of Theo on top of him, touching him and kissing him.

 

Theo was trying his best to stay in control. He and James had never gone this far when they were dating and Theo wanted him — he wanted to make love to him. James pulled his shorts down and stroked him faster. Their lips were glued together and Theo searched James’ mouth, loving his taste. He hadn’t been with anyone since his split and feeling James’ hot body beneath him was driving him crazy.

Theo tore his mouth away and took James’ shirt off. He stroked his tongue down his stomach and back up to his nipples, licking and biting them softly. He worked his way back down James’ stomach and pulled his shorts aside, taking his entire cock in his mouth with one swift movement.

“Fuck!” James moaned and gripped Theo’s hair.

Theo’s mouth had James moving his hips into the hot cavern automatically — the licking, sucking and soft biting had already brought him to the edge of orgasm. Theo licked and sucked the tip of James’ cock then moved back to his mouth. He licked James’ bottom lip, biting it softly and then slid his tongue inside to explore further.

They broke from the kiss and James finally got a good look at Theo’s body — he was built better now than he had been years ago. James ghosted his hand down Theo’s chiseled abs, looked up at him, and cupped his face.

“I feel eighteen again,” James whispered.

“You don’t look eighteen.”

Suddenly, James pulled away, jumped to his feet, and yanked his shorts up. “Oh God, we can’t do this!”

“Why not?” Theo demanded.

“You know why.” James pulled his shirt on.

“Look, we’re not together with them anymore. We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“This is just — it’s too close to home, you know what I mean?”

“No, I don’t. Do you want me?” Theo took his hand and stopped him from moving away.

James looked in his eyes. “God, yes!”

“I want you, James.” Theo stroked his thumb over his bottom lip.

James closed his eyes, loving the feel of Theo’s hands on his face. “We can’t. As much as I want you, Theo. I just can’t.”

“Wondering what they will think isn’t fair to you or me. I want you.”

“I want you too. I’m sorry, Theo.”

Theo watched him walk back to the house and sat down. “Fuck.”

Tomas was looking through the kitchen cabinets. For some reason he was hungry and his stomach was growling. He opened the pantry and found Leo on the floor, eating out of a box of cereal. He covered his mouth and laughed.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

“I was hungry and I didn’t want to wake any of the cooks. I can fend for myself.”

Tomas took the box of cereal from him. It was kids’ cereal and Tomas stuck his hand in and grabbed a fistful. He handed the box back to Leo and joined him on the floor.

“This is good.”

“You scared me. I thought I was the only one up.”

“I think it’s safe to assume that at three in the morning most people are sleeping.” Tomas took another bite as he looked around the pantry. “What else can we get into?”

“There are some crackers on that shelf.” Leo pointed.

“I like the cereal better.” Tomas took the box.

“Get your own, Russo.” Leo pulled it back.

“Share, ya big baby.” Tomas claimed it again.

They struggled with the box and it tipped over, landing in both their laps; cereal went everywhere.

“Look what you did!” Leo laughed.

“Me?” Tomas smacked him.

“Ow!” Leo hit him back.

“Oh, it’s on!” Tomas jumped on him and they were rolling around the pantry floor. Tomas rolled him into the wall and Leo hit his head.

“Ow! Damn, Russo!” Leo massaged his head.

“Aw, poor baby.”

Leo couldn’t stop staring at his lips. Tomas was straddling him, and Leo was getting hard. He caught Tomas looking at his lips.

“Okay, well I better get back to bed.” Tomas got up and turned around, trying to reposition his cock without Leo noticing. He began to open the door and Leo’s hand flattened against it, closing it.

“Are you sure you want to leave?” Leo was right up on his ass, speaking right into his ear.

“I think I’d better. Don’t you?” Tomas pressed his forehead against the door.

Leo smoothed his hands down Tomas’ ass and leaned in further. “I would hope you would stay.”

Tomas leaned back into Leo, whose hands came around to the front, stroking up his thighs to his stomach. His shirt slid up as Leo rubbed his hands over his chest. Tomas looped his hand behind Leo’s neck and then Leo’s hands went back to the waistband of his sweats. Tomas let out a loud moan as Leo’s hand slipped inside; Leo turned him around, and then pushed him against the door before taking his mouth.

“Holy shit!” Tomas gasped.

Leo was all over him. Tomas closed his eyes as Leo swept his tongue sensuously around his mouth, inviting Tomas’ to join him. Tomas pulled Leo’s shirt off.

Suddenly, Leo’s sweats were down and Tomas had one leg out of his own. He wrapped his legs around Leo’s hips as the other man looked frantically around the pantry for something to use as lube. “Canned frosting?” Tomas shook his head and Leo tossed it over his shoulder. “Peanut butter?”

“NO! Dude, it’s extra crunchy! The last think I need up my ass is peanut bits! What if I had an allergy?”

Leo panicked. “Do you?”

“No, but I don’t need to be farting fresh-roasted peanuts for a week!”

Leo’s eyes lit up. “Ah ha! Extra virgin olive oil!” He held it aloft triumphantly.

“Will that make me a virgin again?”

“Let’s find out.”

The next thing Tomas knew, Leo eased inside his passage. “I feel delicious!” Tomas chuckled.

“Quiet, my little salad,” Leo whispered.

Leo slid into him and Tomas closed his eyes. “God, don’t stop! You feel so fucking good!”

Tomas held onto the shelf above him and brought himself down on Leo’s cock; they were kissing feverishly and Leo was trying to tamp down his orgasm. He wanted to hear Tomas, so he thrust up hard, loving the sounds the younger man made.

Tomas couldn’t stop kissing him. He hadn’t had sex in months, and Leo’s cock was stretching him to the fucking limit. He lost it when Leo stroked him, and came with a loud cry. Leo followed seconds later.

“Oh, my God.” Leo pulled out slowly putting Tomas back down on the floor. He glanced at a shelf nearby, picking up a box. “Croutons?”

Tomas slapped the box from his hands and grabbed a pull-top can of black olives from the back.

“My room, now,” Tomas ordered.

 

When they got to Tomas’ room, Leo shut the door and locked it. They piled into the bed with the can of olives. “These are so awesome!”

Tomas looked up and froze. Leo had an olive on each finger, wiggling them at him. “Where’s that olive oil?”

Tomas knocked him over and gobbled down the olives.

“Hey!”

“That’s what you get for being greedy.”

“Yeah, but that was the best salad ever.”

 “Leo?”

“Yes.”

“Will you stay with me tonight?”

“I’ve been alone for a while now, Tomas. I would love to stay with you.”

“Good.”