Page 152 of Full Mountie

Violet and Max are surrounded by a sea of pastel tissue paper and at least three gifts from each person in attendance.

Just as Max starts to muse about loading up the back of their vehicle, the catering staff sweep in and do that for him.

Ellie winks at me. That was my idea, and it’s a good one.

“To the shower planning committee.” Max raises his glass. “Excellent job. And I’m sure Lachlan’s thrilled at the lack of dildos.”

Beside me, Lachlan snorts. “This way we could take pictures.”

Max winks. “Right. Speaking of dildos…” He smiles indulgently at Violet and I try hard not to blush. “I’ve decided to—temporarily—close my basement dungeon. Well, it’s permanently closing in my basement. But I’ve decided to look for a safe and secure separate location. So while we’re naming our baby, maybe you could all put your heads together and think of a good name for a private sex club. Because as my gift to you all today…I’m extending lifetime memberships. If you’d like, of course.”

My mouth drops open, then I look at Lachlan. “Yeah?”

Oh, yeah.

I can’t wait.

55

Hugh

August

Iblamethe continued heat wave for my genius idea go dancing. Lachlan immediately frowns when I stop by his office to suggest it, which just turns me on.

I’m incorrigible.

And because he secretly wants to go out, by the end of the day he’s got the name of a club Oliver recommends.

When we get home that night, we find Beth in the bedroom, talking to Sasha on her iPad. Beth is wearing leather leggings and a lace bra. I approve, but I’m guessing that’s not her complete outfit.

I lean against the doorway to the bedroom and watch as she tears into the closet. She’s taken over most of it. Lachlan’s moved most of his clothes upstairs to the smallest, previously empty bedroom. Mine are slowly migrating here as well.

We haven’t formally talked about moving in together, but it’s happening in an organic way.

Case in point: Beth is so comfortable here that the bedroom looks like a bomb’s gone off in it.

She holds up a bright blue shirt and Sasha shakes her head. “What about a skirt and boots?”

“You’re showing your age, Sasha,” Beth groans. “There is no way I’m wearing a mini skirt. I don’t even own one.”

“Do you want me to bring you some clothes?”

Beth glances over at me and flashes a quick smile. “No, they’re already home. It’s time to go. This is fine. I feel good in these leggings.”

She pulls out a slinky red top and holds it against her body. “Hot?”

Hell yes, I want to say, but I won’t interrupt. I do catch her eye as she spins, though.Hot, I mouth. She grins.

But apparently Sasha disagrees. “Yeah, it’s sexy, but it’s also literally hot. And then sweaty.”

I laugh out loud and Sasha peers around. “Is that a man?”

Beth grins. “That’s Hugh.”

I walk into the camera view. “Sweaty? Gay men haveneverbeen known to like sweat.”

Lachlan saunters in and joins us on screen. “Sweat? Yeah, we like that. Reminds us of sex.”

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