Page 98 of Second Shot

“Ah, champions,” he says, clapping his hands together. “Then you must have some ouzo for a toast and meze to start.”

Foster frowns. “Meze?”

“It’s like tapas, but Greek and better,” Yannis says with a wink. “Cheese, olives, octopus, dips, little fried things… You’ll eat more than you think. Always happens.”

“And what’s ouzo?” Kincaid asks, looking wary.

The waiter bends down as if he’s telling Kincaid a secret, although he speaks in a normal tone. “Ouzo is a most iconic Greek liquor. It tastes like black licorice. Strong, sweet, with a little bite. Anise flavor, very traditional.” He straightens and shrugs. “You either love it or make a face and I’ll bring you wine instead.”

Niko laughs. “I think you’ll like both ouzo and meze.” He smiles up at Yannis. “We’ll have both. But go ahead and bring a few bottles of wine too, just in case.”

“You got it,” Yannis said cheerfully.

Twenty minutes later, our table is covered with small plates that look like miniature works of art. There’s dolmades stuffed with rice and herbs, grilled octopus that's somehow both tender and smoky, spanakopita with phyllo so flaky it dissolves on your tongue, and tzatziki that's the perfect balance of cucumber, garlic, and thick Greek yogurt.

“Jesus,” Foster mutters around a mouthful of the grilled cheese they call saganaki. “This is incredible. Why does the food taste better here?”

“Because you're eating it in Greece,” Niko laughs, raising his glass of Assyrtiko, a crisp white wine. “Food always tastes better when you're somewhere beautiful with people you care about.”

Marlowe laughs. “Awww, Niko loves us.

“Of course I do. I love all my friends.” Niko takes a bite of octopus.

Kincaid is on his second glass of ouzo, and he looks pink cheeked and a bit tipsy. When his phone buzzes on the table, his expression shifts as he reads the text. Whatever he’s reading, it'snot making him happy. He types back quickly, his jaw tight with frustration.

“Ten will get you twenty that was a text from Tiffany,” I say in Gabe’s ear.

Gabe grimaces. “I wouldn’t take that bet.”

“Everything okay?” Niko asks, his voice casual but his eyes focused intently on Kincaid's phone. He’s trying his best to see the screen, but Kincaid is making sure he can’t.

“Yeah.” Kincaid sets the phone face-down on the table and puts on a big, fake smile. “Everything is justgreat.”

Yannis returns with the main courses, and the conversation falters as plates of grilled branzino, slow-cooked lamb, and moussaka that smells like heaven arrive at our table. The fish is perfectly prepared, crispy skin giving way to flaky white meat that tastes like the sea, dressed simply with lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs.

“This lamb,” Marlowe says, cutting into meat so tender it falls apart at the touch of his knife, “is delicious. I can’t stop eating it.”

The moussaka is layers of eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel that somehow manages to be both rich and light, comfort food elevated to art. Even the simple Greek salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta, tastes like it was harvested minutes before being served.

“To the Seadragons,” Gabe says, raising his glass as the sun begins to set over the harbor, painting everything in shades of gold and orange.

Kincade also lifts his glass once the first toast is done. “And how about a toast to Niko, for bringing us to this beautiful place? I definitely needed this.”

We all nod in agreement and hold up our glasses to toast Niko.

Niko’s cheeks flush and he looks a little embarrassed. Not something he’s prone too. “It’s my pleasure,” he says gruffly. “You guys are my family here.”

By the time we take our hired car back to the villa, we’re all half drunk and as full as ticks on a pig’s rump. We go to our respective rooms, and once in our room, Gabe and I brush out teeth, strip off our clothes, and crawl into bed. The white cotton sheets feel like silk against my skin, but there are too many pillows. Gabe and I toss the navy blue accent pillows that echo the color of the Aegean beyond the windows, onto the floor.

We move together instinctively, our legs tangled. I’m drowsy after so much wine and heavy food. I can feel Gabe’s erection against my inner thigh, but I assume we’re both too full to do anything about it. That is until he turns me on my side and grabs the lube. He presses his chest tomy back, gently working me open, and within minutes he’s pushing inside me.

I groan and push back, loving the feel of his strong arms around me as he takes me from behind. I’m so happy I have Gabe in my life, I could cry. Today was the most perfect day with him. The feel of his thick cock moving inside me and his soft grunts against my ear are heaven.

“I love you, Gabe,” I whimper, stroking my erection. The musky scent of him and the heat of his skin is erotic.

“Love you,” he says hoarsely, his hips speeding up. “Oh, fuck, baby, gonna come inside you.”

I grit my teeth, my climax spiraling through me. We both climax at the same time, me spilling onto the clean sheets and over my fingers, and him thrusting his cum deep inside my quaking ass. He thrusts until his dick is soft, and then he kisses my shoulders and the back of my neck. He doesn’t let go of me and he stays inside me for a while, then he pulls out and trots into the bathroom, returning with a warm wet washcloth and a dry towel.

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