Page 19 of Beach Bats

Nix nodded. “So me. That means that my Daddy is planning something good. He just needs me away from the house to set it up.”

Vin hummed. He would not confirm or deny. “Does that mean that you’re going to let Aries win?”

Nix hissed. “Never!”

“You better get started”—Vin nodded in Aries’s direction—“He’s already building a wall.”

“Cheater!” Nix yelled and rushed off.

“Play nice!” Vin called back. He settled onto his ass to watch over the boys. The sun shone down on him and Vin was glad that all the myths and rumors about vampires were wrong. How awful would life be if Vin could never sit on a beach in the sun as two sweet young men laughed and teased each other.

Last summer Vin spent the time alone. He’d known that new hotshot rookie was headed to his team but Vin had no idea how much Aries would change his life. Vin had found his beloved. The person that would forever be his.

A wave crashed onto the beach, covering the mounds of sand Nix had formed as Nix was too close to the water.

Aries laughed and cheered as Nix smacked at his ruined attempt.

Vin found himself smiling. The grumpy vampire he was a year ago nowhere to be seen. He wasn’t a new man or some ridiculous bullshit like that. Vin was just a man in love with a boy that made living such a long life worth everything.

Luka

The house was gorgeous.

In all the years that Luka had played in the NHL and the PAHL, he’d never had a true offseason vacation. His parents expected him home when he wasn’t playing. They needed, no wanted, updates to the house, or to show Luka what they’d done during his season.

Luka ignored the photos of his family on vacations that he’d paid for but hadn’t been invited to. They told Luka it was because it was cheaper to go during hockey season. Since when had they ever cared about how much of Luka’s money that they spent? Only when it came to leaving him out.

It had been remembering those photos placed around his parents’ house with all of Luka’s siblings and not one with him that had helped Luka tell his mom that he was not going home for the summer. Even when she’d called as Luka was already at the airport.

His mom was still upset. His father angry. And Luka hadn’t heard a word from any of his siblings. Not that he’d expected to. For the first time his mom’s guilt trip hadn’t worked.

On bare feet, Luka walked through the house that Gem had rented for them. The sounds of the waves could be heard through the open windows. It was nice and cool inside the house. Everything would be perfect if he could just find his damn man.

Luka had been checking out the gym when his sir had disappeared. With the open concept of the place, Gem shouldn’t be too damn difficult to see. Since Luka could see all around except the bedrooms, he headed toward the back where their bedroom was located.

He froze in the doorway as he spotted Gem sitting in a chair that he must have moved into the corner. From his position, Gem could see Luka arrive, as well as having the prefect view of the king-size bed.

“What’s going on?” Luka asked as excitement lit his nerves.

“Undress,” Gem ordered quietly. “I need to check your cage.”

A hard shudder rocked his body. Luka slammed his palms on the doorframe.

“I’m waiting,” Gem said.

Luka had to force his legs to move. He toed off his shoes and socks, leaving them by the door. His hands were already on the waistband of his pants and he pushed them to his knees.

“Stop,” Gem commanded.

He froze.

“Shirt first,” Gem said.

Luka whipped his shirt off in a rush.

“Flex.”

Gem did like Luka’s muscles. Spending a few moments showing off was not a hardship. Gem was never shy about praising him. Luka had never had that before. “Good boy.”