Chapter 1
Noah leaned back against the railing on the upper deck, his head thrown back and his face turned up to the bright, hot sun above. The sky was a stunning blue without a cloud in sight and the weatherman was calling for an absolutely clear weekend. A steady breeze pushed his hair back and there was only the rumble of the boat engine and the splash of the water against the hull. He’d been exhausted when they arrived. Rowe had dragged them all out of bed at an ungodly four in the morning to start the four-hour trek down to the Kentucky-Tennessee border. After an hour of paper signing and prep, they were finally on Dale Hollow Lake and he was wide awake, ready to explore on the Jet Skis they’d also rented along with the small fishing boat.
They had three days and nights out on the lake. After the chaos during the winter with Jagger and then Rowe’s efforts to rebuild Ward Security and even Noah’s attempts to finally get settled in Cincinnati, he was grateful for the brief vacation. And Rowe’s idea to rent a houseboat was perfect. He’d heard numerous stories about last year’s camping fiasco. The houseboat definitely seemed safer for this group.
The lake was massive, with tall, tree-covered hills rising up all around them. He had the feeling of being completely isolated from the rest of humanity except for some fishing boats and the random houseboat tucked out in a hidden cove. Here and there, he could pick out secluded cabins with wooden docks and the occasional sprawling resorts. But the rush of the city and the endless ping of emails were a world away.
Stretching his arms over his head, Noah stepped away from the railing with the intention of hunting down his boyfriend. When they’d started out, he’d mumbled something about stowing their gear while Noah explored the six-bedroom boat. He’d barely taken a step when Rowe’s head popped up the stairs to the rooftop deck. The man stopped and looked around, his brow furrowed for a moment until he spotted Noah. A wide grin spread across his face and then he turned back as if he were planning to go back down the stairs.
“Hey! Whatcha looking for, babe?” Noah called, stopping him.
“What? Nothing. Just looking,” Rowe replied a little too quickly. A little too innocently.
Noah pushed down his own smile and waved for Rowe to come over to him as he leaned against the railing again. “Yeah, I don’t believe that for a second.”
He quickly ran through where he’d last seen everyone when he’d ventured up to the top deck. Snow had been happily guiding the houseboat to the quiet spot where they’d drop anchor for the next three days. Jude was putting food away and setting about cooking hamburgers for lunch. Lucas was kicked back on the lower deck, a beer in hand. That in itself was a fucking testament to how much he’d mellowed with Andrei, considering that he was happy leaving boat novice Snow to the navigating. Andrei was unpacking and digging out his swimming trunks. Like Noah, he’d taken one look at the twisting slide off the end of the boat and become an instant five-year-old.
Sadly, Ian couldn’t join them because he was needed at the restaurant. And after Ian’s last couple of camping trips, it was likely that the young man wasn’t willing to head out into the woods with them anytime soon. The gang would miss Ian’s sweet smile, sharp tongue, and skills in the kitchen.
“What?” Rowe came the rest of the way up the stairs, but he kept his right hand low and behind his back as if he was trying to hide something.
“Whatcha got?”
An evil grin spread across his face as he approached. He lifted his right hand and waved back and forth a twelve-inch statue of a merman poised on a rock with a shining orange tail. His bronze skin seemed to glisten in the sunlight as if he’d just jumped from the ocean. There was no missing the way his chest thrust forward or the “come fuck me” look he was leveling at Noah.
Noah cringed at the questionable piece of art. “Where the hell did you find that?”
“In the living room.”
The houseboat was nice for the most part with dark woods and granite countertops. There were several black leather couches and plenty of outdoor seating. The decorating was strange. The theme was merpeople—every picture on the wall was of a mermaid or merman. Every little kitschy statue, bust, and knickknack was a mermaid or merman. And a lot of them were creepy like the one in Rowe’s hand.
“And what’s your plan?”
Rowe shrugged, trying to play it off as if he was completely innocent but Noah didn’t buy it for a second. “I’m just doing a little redecorating.”
“Fuck. Not our room I hope.”
“Nope. Snow’s.” Noah fell back against the railing, his laughter ringing out. He barely heard Rowe continue. “The asshole took the center bedroom so that we all have to hear the sex Olympics he’s got planned against the walls with Jude. I just thought we’d give him a proper audience.” He lifted the slutty merman again to make his point.
Thrusting his hand into Rowe’s hair, he pulled him close and kissed him while they both chuckled. “You’re insane, babe.”
“You love it,” Rowe murmured as he leaned in for another kiss.
Noah moved his lips against Rowe’s, loving the feel of the other man’s weight against him, the hint of his cologne in the air before it was stolen away by the wind. With each passing day, Rowe seemed a little more relaxed, a little more willing to laugh, and a little more playful, as if he were pulling his soul out from the shadow of his wife’s death to embrace living again. Mel was still an intricate part of their lives, but her memory more frequently brought smiles than tears.
Rowe broke off the kiss and stepped back. Reaching into his other pocket, he pulled out a little tube and held it out to Noah. “I’ll let you help.”
Noah groaned when he discovered that Rowe was holding superglue. “Oh fuck. I hate when you make me the voice of reason, but I really don’t think Lucas was planning on buying a houseboat this weekend.”
A loud snort escaped Rowe as he shoved the glue back into his pocket. “He won’t have to buy the place because I superglue a few figures to the tables.”
“He’ll definitely lose his deposit.”
Rowe rolled his eyes and took a step toward the stairs. “Lucas learned a long time ago that when we all stay together, he loses his deposit. You in?”
Noah didn’t even have to think about it. “Yup.”
They descended back to the main floor without saying a word. For the next hour, they worked in tandem. One person ran interference, constantly keeping Jude or Snow distracted, while the other scooped up some knickknack or tacky figure and disappeared into Snow and Jude’s bedroom. They were a perfect team, making every movement and comment seem so damn casual. Except it wasn’t perfect.
Just before Jude called for them to eat, Noah looked up to find Lucas watching him through narrowed eyes. His gaze darted off to the bedrooms and then back to Noah before he tipped his beer at Noah in silent salute. The damn billionaire knew something was up.
They made one last swap and Noah barely held in his laugh when he saw the bedroom. There had to be well over a dozen merpeople statues scattered on the one dresser and two nightstands in the small room. All of them were superglued down and their faces were turned so that their eyes were staring directly at the bed like an army of voyeuristic fish people. Noah didn’t even want to ask how Rowe managed to get two more mermaid pictures on the walls in that room. It was insanely creepy…and perfect.
As Jude called them together for lunch, Noah and Rowe schooled their features, pretending as if nothing was up. Lucas threw a questioning look in their direction but said nothing. Snow and Andrei had just finished getting the boat anchored in a partially shady cove in what appeared to be a quiet part of the lake with deep water.
They happily ate the burgers and chips, making plans for the weekend. There’d be exploring the lake on the Jet Skis and some quiet fishing. They’d acquired enough tackle and bait to see them through two weekends. It was going to be great.
“I think I’m going to try the Jet Ski,” Snow said, stretching his arms over his head. “Who’s with me?”
“I’m in,” Jude quickly chimed in.
“Lucas and I will take them out when you get back,” Andrei added.
“Yeah, go throw on your swim trunks. I’ll clean up,” Lucas offered, already grabbing the bag of chips and folding the opening closed. Snow clapped Lucas on the shoulder and nodded before heading off to the bedrooms, Jude following behind him. Rowe and Noah helped gather up their trash and clean up the kitchen area from Jude’s cooking. Noah’s heart was pounding in his chest as he wait—
“Fucking Ward!” Snow roared, his loud voice echoing through the houseboat.
Rowe busted out laughing and immediately darted for the stairs to the rooftop deck, not that he really had far to run. They were all trapped on a boat. Snow reappeared a half second later, his face flushed. He glared at Noah for a heartbeat before charging straight for the stairs. Rowe’s cackling could be heard along with Snow’s swearing.
“What the hell did he do?” Andrei demanded, his gaze darting from the stairs to the bedroom.
“They put all those creepy mermaids in our bedroom and then glued them down.” Jude growled, coming out of the bedroom.
“Rowe thought you’d appreciate an audience this weekend,” Noah replied.
“I—”
Jude’s comment was interrupted by a loud shout from both men and then a splash.
They all ran for the open deck area on the first floor to find Snow and Rowe treading water next to the boat, splashing each other while laughing.
“Hey! You’re supposed to wait an hour before swimming!” Jude called at them.
“He pushed me!” Rowe cried, splashing Snow.
Snow laid back and kicked water at Rowe while swimming toward the ladder. “And you pulled me in, asshole!”
A heavy hand landed on Noah’s shoulder and he looked over to find Lucas standing next to him. “Superglue, huh?”
Noah winced, his grin turning more into a cringe. “Yeah. Rowe thought they were a safety hazard if they weren’t glued down. Waves, you know.” Not that there was a chance in hell a big enough wave was going to rock the massive houseboat hard enough to knock over all the statues.
Lucas glanced down at his watch, a thoughtful expression on his handsome face, and then he looked up at Rowe as he climbed back onto the boat. “Congratulations, Rowan.”
“Why’s that?”
“Two hours and five minutes. That’s got to be a new record for losing me the deposit.”
To Noah’s shock, Snow threw his arms over his head and whooped loudly before tossing one arm around Rowe’s neck, pulling him in close. Both men laughed, dripping wet, their clothes clinging to their muscular forms. “Congrats, ass!”
“Yeah, well…you inspire me.”
Snow patted Rowe’s stomach. “Payback’s a bitch.”
Noah had no doubt in his mind that Snow and Jude would be plotting their own prank that would crop up at some weird time during the next three days, but it didn’t matter. Rowe was happier than he’d been in a very long time. He was with his family, and they were in for a hell of a vacation.