Page 3 of Below Deck Billionaire
Returning his gaze, Ari shook his head slowly. ‘I don’t think so.’
Hmph. That was not an acceptable answer. He’d rather face the wrath of his brother than the disappointment of his grandfather. ‘Oh, come on. Your negotiation skills are second to none.’
Theo was the risk taker, the CEO with wile and cunning and an eye for identifying the deals that would keep the company agile and growing both within the shipping industry and beyond. Ari negotiated the deals. That was the way they worked and as a team, they were formidable.
‘Yeah, well, currently they’re second to you being able to keep your dick in your pants so I don’t see him coming back anytime soon.’
Theo snorted. ‘You think I can’t go without sex?’
Another hearty laugh from his brother, who was clutching his abdomen like the statement was hilarious. When he sobered, he frowned at Theo’s unimpressed face. ‘Oh.’ His brow wrinkled. ‘That was a serious question?’
Theo crossed his arms. ‘Yes.’Malakas.
‘Okay… if current hook-up patterns are any indication, the answer is a big hell no.’
His brother’s absolute certainty rankled. Theo’s hackles rose along with his competitive spirit. ‘Wanna bet?’ He wasn’t some teenager who couldn’t control his urges. Sure, he’d let them have free reign but that didn’t mean they weren’t under his command.
‘Definitely.’ Ari grinned as he held out his hand. ‘I dare you to go without sex for four months.’
‘Four months?’ Theo’s brow dipped. Firstly, ugh. It had been a very long time since he’d gone four days without. Secondly, why four?
‘It’s going to take me another few months to convince him you’re a reformed man. Plus, I do have responsibilities other than trailing after you fixing your fuckups. Like preparing financial statements for the end of tax year, which are due in a few months.’
It was Theo’s turn to laugh. He’d forgotten Ari’s brain was ruled by the four quarters of the tax season. Once a finance guy, always a finance guy. ‘Tell me, do you take your slide rule to bed to impress your wife?’
Wisely, Ari did not take the bait; he just smiled knowingly and kept his hand extended waiting for Theo to shake. ‘Too long, huh?’
Theo hesitated. Four months. Approximately one hundred and twenty days. That was a long-ass time to go without the world’s greatest recreational activity. Maybe too long?
‘Define sex.’ Maybe there was some wriggle room?
‘You need me to tell you about special cuddles?’
Theo would rather cut off his ears. ‘I know you’re a boring married guy now but I’m sure you remember there are myriad ways a guy can have sexy fun times with a woman that doesn’t involve special cuddles.’
Ari dropped his hand. ‘Already working out how to game the system.’ He shook his head. ‘I would expect nothing less, brother.’
Theo smiled. ‘I’m merely seeking to understand the parameters of the dare. Do you mean no sex in the biblical sense or…’
‘How about’ – Ari ticked each point off his fingers – ‘no kissing, no nudity, no penetration.’
Hmph. All the fun things. ‘No kissing? Isn’t that a bit extreme?’
Ari shrugged. ‘It’s a gateway thing, you know that.’
‘A gateway thing?’
‘Name one woman you’ve kissed – on the mouth – that you haven’t had sex with?’
Theo searched his memory banks to dispute Ari’s claim. But even a cursory examination told him there was no name to be found. And the fact his brother knew that about him made him extra pissy. ‘You know I can do all those things in privacy and you’d never know.’
‘Sure.’ His brother shot him a sardonic smile. ‘But you never do. That’s the problem. And if you think I won’t know then think again. There’s a reason I do the negotiating. I’ll know. And besides, I’m calling on your honour as a Callisthenes.’
Goddamn it. Ari had him there. Nothing was more important to a Callisthenes than honour. ‘What do I get? If I win the dare?’
‘The honour of knowing you won?’
Theo snorted. He hated how well his brother knew him sometimes. Didn’t mean he wasn’t going to push him for more, though. ‘That seems like a terrible deal.’
