Austin: Hey guys, I’m going to a resort in Hawaii with Chase. I’ve never been there. What do you think I should pack?

Zach: Sunblock! Lots of sunblock.

Jordan: Big surprise that’s the redhead’s first suggestion LOL.

Tristan: Take a good book to read while you relax on the beach.

Becca: While you sip a tropical cocktail and think of your poor friends left in dreary Seattle =(

Elle: Ooh, and don’t forget the speedo! You want to look hot for your man.

Austin: Maybe he should be hot for me

Becca: That’s a given, isn’t it? Chase is a fox!

Jordan: In all senses of the word

Austin: Hey, keep your drooling to yourself! He’s mine!

Jordan: Whatever you say, Cookie 😉

***

Austin

I sat back with a sigh, pleasantly full of crab cakes and lightly buzzed from the craft beer they served as part of our inclusive package on the resort. Beside me, Chase took a bite of his second piece of raspberry-chocolate cheesecake. Not a huge surprise he loved it given his fondness for the raspberry mocha at Muddy Waters.

“How can you keep eating?” I asked. “I’m stuffed.”

“You know I have a sweet tooth when it comes to desserts.” He shot me a wink. “Don’t worry. Bisexual cookies remain my favorite.”

“Bisexual cookies?” Chase’s sister, Camille, asked.

“Inside joke,” he said.

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t push for details, thank goodness. Though judging by the smirk playing around her mouth, her imagination might be worse than the reality.

“They’re just specialty Oreos,” I mumbled.

“Oreos?” Lacy perked up. “Where?”

“Not here, squirt,” Chase said. “Though, they look to have some amazing brownies on the dessert cart.”

She bounced in her seat, making her flower lea dance against her chest, and turned heart eyes to her parents. “Can I have one? Please please please!”

“Thanks a lot,” Camille muttered.

Chase grinned. “No problem!”

Gigi dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “It has been so lovely spending more time with you. Ever since I retired, I feel like we’re all in different places.”

“I gotta say I like these family reunions better,” Camille’s husband, Joel, quipped.

Chase smirked. “Dinner at a Hawaiian resort certainly beats the conference table at an office building in downtown Seattle.”

“Or that time she made us all converge for the Tacoma opening. I believe there was lunch out afterward while she dissected everything that could have gone better.”

“Oh you!” Color mottled her cheeks. “Austin is going to think I’m a terrible person. We did actually have a few dinners at my house. It wasn’t always work.”

“Just mostly,” Chase said with a chuckle. “But we’re just as bad. I can’t remember the last time Camille, Joel, and I spent time together outside of work. And we hardly ever see Reggie now that he’s running the new Olympia location.”

Reggie had been invited, but hadn’t made the trip because of a conflict with his wife’s job.

“It does have a way of invading your life,” Gigi said ruefully.

“This seems like a good tradition,” I volunteered. “A family vacation once a year? Plus, Chase and I have been meaning to host a dinner party. You should all come too.”

Gigi patted my hand. “That sounds just lovely, dear.”

For some reason, Gigi had taken an immense liking to me. While she still got bossy with her grandchildren, she always seemed interested in my point of view. Was I just the shiny new object that fascinated her? Was she just happy to see Chase happy? I didn’t know, but I wasn’t complaining.

Gigi turned her attention to Chase. “Before we all go our separate ways, I just want to tell you all how proud I am of what you’ve built in the past few years.”

Gigi’s decision to liquidate the Fox chain of stores hadn’t been an easy one for the family. There’d been a distinct chill between Camille and her, though Chase had always been a little more forgiving.

“Gigi wouldn’t be Gigi if she didn’t put business first,” he’d said with a shrug. “Besides, she really didn’t have any choice.”

“Not then,” Camille had said. “But if she’d listened to us sooner, not been so proud—”

“Then she wouldn’t have been Gigi,” Chase repeated.

But over time, as Gigi continued to reach out, Camille’s heart had softened. It didn’t hurt that the Fox Entertainment Zone chain—now three stores—was bringing in strong revenue. The broader appeal to fandom, and not just readers, had drawn in a whole new demographic in an era of streaming.

And Chase said that the freedom to run it on their own terms more than made up for the disappointment of losing Fox Books.

It was kind of ironic. I specialized in used records—the exact opposite of the modern fandoms Chase was courting. The idea that we were ever truly competitors was laughable. The Fox store was larger, more intimidating, but ultimately, a different beast.

Speaking of stores and beasts, I hoped Briar was doing okay managing both Black Hole Records and Benny while we were away. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and sent a quick text to check in.

Benny says ruff you bof, Briar texted back. Then she added, That was so lame. Please don’t tell anyone I sent that.

I sent a quick reply: lol you ruff him, don’t you? No worries. Your secret is safe with me!

When I tuned back in, Gigi was speaking.

“You know,I was thinking about that location you chose for Olympia. You would have been better served if—”

“That’s my cue,” I said with a smile. “You all talk shop. I’m going to go walk off this dinner.”

Gigi looked chastened. “Sorry, Austin. I didn’t meant to talk business.”

I waved a hand. “That’s all right. That’s what you Foxes all have in common.”

Joel stood and tugged up a reluctant Lacy. “It’s late. I think I’ll get this one to bed.”

Lacy sighed forlornly. “I’m not tired.”

While they haggled it out, I bent down low by Chase’s ear. “Meet me at the room in twenty minutes? I’m craving a moonlit swim.”

“I’ll be there in ten,” he agreed.

***

Chase

You could take the woman out of the business, but you couldn’t take the business out of the woman. At least, not when that woman was Gigi.

She still loved to talk shop, and I got caught up in her suggestions for expanding our merchandizing beyond Washington. It was a goal for someday, but we had a lot more work to do in our home state first.

“Maybe you should get into another business, Gigi,” I said. “You clearly miss it.”

“Oh, goodness, no,” she said with a laugh. Gigi was two glasses of wine deep, and her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes showed it. I couldn’t remember when I’d ever seen my grandmother so relaxed. “I dabble here and there, but I never want to carry that kind of burden again. You’re welcome to it.”

Camille snorted. “That’s nice.”

“You both learned well,” Gigi said seriously. “I wish Fox Books could have gone out a different way, but I’m glad to know you’ll carry the Fox name into a new era. I hope you won’t mind if I take a little credit for your tenacity.”

“Where else would we have learned it?” I checked the time and winced. “Sorry, I’m supposed to meet Austin for a swim.”

“Oh, that sounds nice.” Gigi stood. “How about I come along? The hot tub is calling my name.”

“More like the poolside bar is calling your name,” Camille teased. “And mine. I’ll text Joel to make sure Lacy’s settled and then we can come too.”

Okay, then. Apparently our moonlight swim was going to be a family affair. That’s what this trip was for, though. Gigi was paying for us all to have a fabulous vacation so that we could spend quality time as a family. I could hardly begrudge her joining us.

“Let’s just swing by my room first so Austin doesn’t think I’m standing him up.”

The resort was laid out as a set of little cabanas, and ours was closest, so it was on the way. We’d spent the day at the beach, and Gigi and Camille had tossed on dresses over their swimsuits. I still wore board shorts and a tee. So once Austin came out, we’d be good to go.

I knocked on the door. “Hey, Austin, you ready to—”

The door swung open.

And there was Austin. My Austin.

In nothing but a teeny, tiny red Speedo.

“Chase, I don’t know if I should wear—” he started before stopping short, eyes widening on the whole entourage at the door.

“Oh, Cookie,” I murmured in a low voice. “Yes, you should.”

His slim, toned body was on display, leading my gaze to sharp hips and a gorgeous package outlined by—

“Well, well,” Gigi said. “If only I were fifty years younger.”

Austin squeaked and dove out of sight.

“Sorry,” I murmured, unable to tear my gaze from where he’d just been standing. “Don’t think we’ll be making that swim after all.”

Gigi laughed. “All right, we’ll leave you to it.” She nudged my sister. “Think if we knock on your door, Joel will answer that way?”

Camille snorted. “No, but I’ll be giving him the suggestion after tonight.”

Their laughter trailed away as they headed back to the path. I slipped in and closed the door behind me.

“Austin?”

He peeked out the bathroom door. “Are we alone?”

“We are.” I prowled across the room. “Let me see that tiny swimsuit.”

His face reddened. “It was a stupid idea. I was just thinking if we went late at night, without your family…”

“C’mon, Cookie, come out,” I urged. “It was a fantastic idea.”

“It was so, so stupid,” he repeated as he slipped into the room, finally letting me feast my eyes on that body.

He wrapped his arms around himself, impeding the view. “Gigi saw! It’s mortifying.”

I grinned. “Gigi can appreciate a good-looking man, Austin. You wear the hell out of that mankini.”

Now I knew why he’d manscaped so well before the trip. I figured he was just preparing for a day on the beach in board shorts, not…this. My man was just too good to me.

He raised his hands cover his face, and I crossed the distance between us, tugging his hands down.

“Babe, seriously, men wear these things on the beach. It’s not like they saw you naked.”

“I feel naked.”

I tugged him against me, sliding my hands down to his ass. “It’s better than naked,” I murmured. “You got sexy for me.”

“Big mistake.”

I dipped down to catch his sulky mouth in a kiss, teasing at his lips until he opened and let me in. “Best mistake you ever made, second right after bringing me to your place the night Wash927 and ShopGuy 24 finally met.”

He made a small, skeptical sound. My guy wasn’t quite over the embarrassment of surprising my whole family with his skimpy swimwear, but I knew how to make him feel better.

I dragged my hand down his chest, feeling the quiver of his muscles beneath my fingertips. “Remember what we did that night?”

“Of course.”

I cupped his dick through his briefs, and he sucked in a breath. “How about a replay?”

His eyes flared with heat. “Do I get to choke you with my dick again?”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

Austin shoved my shoulder, pushing me toward the floor. I sank to my knees and leaned forward to mouth over the erection now distending the fabric of his swimsuit.

“Hurry up,” he ordered, pushing his hips forward.

I hooked my fingers into his briefs and dragged them down. Then I fell on his dick, worshipping him with my lips and tongue, getting him good and wet before I slipped my mouth around him and sucked.

Austin made good on his end, grabbing my hair and thrusting forward until I gagged.

“Fuck, it’s just like that night,” he said with a ragged moan as I took the throat fucking. “You wanted me to punish you.”

I pulled back. “Yes, baby. Punish me for bringing my family back to our room. That was stupid.”

“So stupid,” he agreed, thrusting in again and again, making my head spin with the lack of oxygen, and my own cock throb with the lust roaring through my veins.

I shoved my board shorts down, taking my cock in hand, and Austin groaned. “Yeah, let me see you come.”

I stroked and squeezed, moaning as Austin unloaded over my tongue. Then I came with a shudder at his feet.

There was a metaphor there, I was sure. I worshipped this man.

Austin grabbed my arm and tugged me up, then kissed me softly, gently. He wiped the excess drool from my chin and smoothed my hair.

His eyes were full of affection for me. “Wow, we haven’t had sex like that in a while. I guess the mankini worked.”

I laughed. “I guess it did. Want to put it back on and go for a swim?”

“Not on your life.” He kicked it away and went to his luggage to pull out a pair of swim trunks. “I’m not wearing it ever again.”

“Not even on special occasions?”

“No.”

“How about in the shower? I really want to see how you look wet—”

Austin pulled his shorts up, then shoved me toward the door. “We’re on a tropical island vacation. I just wanted to do something special for you. Don’t make me regret it.”

“Oh, Cookie, it was special. I can’t even begin to tell you…how you looked when you realized Gigi was at the door.” I snorted a laugh. “Priceless.”

He smacked my chest. “If you tell that story to anyone back home, I’m never having sex with you again.”

“Not even if I go to my knees and beg?”

“Not even then.”

I sighed and deleted the text I’d already started to compose to the friend group. “You’re no fun.”

“I’m a lot of fun if you do what I want,” he promised with a teasing smile. “Maybe I’ll even wear the Speedo again. Just for you. In private.”

“That’s where all the best fun happens,” I said, reeling him in for another kiss. “Thanks for wanting to do something special for me. Just having you here is all I need. I love you, regardless of what you’re wearing.”

“I guess I love you too, even though you’re a cheeky bastard.”

“But I’m your cheeky bastard.”

He shook his head with a smile.  “I should have known better than to listen to my friends. Who wears a Speedo in public?”

“Lots of people.”

“Lots of vain douches, maybe.”

I laughed. “Well, maybe I should get one.”

He glanced up, intrigued. “Now that is an idea I can get behind.”