Isle of Waves (5 page)

“I’m going to kill him,” Nibs promised, “slowly and painfully, and when I’ve done that, I’m going to revive him and start again.”

Wig gave him a sloppy grin. “Go cook. I’ll make sure you get yours later.”

“Promise?”

“Definitely.” Wig forced himself to let go of Nibs rather than dropping to his knees and blowing him, which was his preferred option. He did linger on the bulge in Nibs’s checks, just so Nibs knew exactly what he was missing.

Nibs groaned low in his throat and backed away, looking down at the mess Wig had made over his uniform.

“Wash your hands,” Wig said. “There’s a fresh uniform in the pile by the tumble dryer.”

“You’re a naked angel,” Nibs said as he washed and dried his hands. “If there was any way I could keep you like that, I would.”

Wig rolled his eyes as Paul threatened to kidnap Nibs’s firstborn if he didn’t hurry up. He got in the shower accompanied by a sharp smack to one arse cheek.

“You’d better hurry up too,” Nibs said, stripping off and throwing his clothes in the hamper. “Sam has threatened to tigger over the entire beach at lunchtime. We’ll need all hands on deck.”

“You saw what he was doing, then?”

“It was hard not to. Sawar looked as if he’d swallowed a lemon as he watched Sam work the crowd. It’s a shame we couldn’t employ him all the time.”

Wig sighed in pleasure as the hot water fanned over his shoulder muscles. “As long as that doesn’t work against us when they’re gone.”

“Nibs, I’m coming up.” Paul sounded at the end of his tether. “If you don’t get your arse down here I’m going to tell Skandik to cook, and you really don’t want that.”

“Don’t you dare come up. My boy is naked. I’m on my way!”

Wig grinned as Nibs bellowed at Paul. “See you down there.”

Nibs harrumphed. “Hurry up.”

Will hummed.
In my own sweet time
, he thought. He wasn’t used to the luxury of being able to take the time off during the day. They’d had to let two of the staff they’d had working for them go and hadn’t been able to replace them.

“I’ll send Paul up here to get you,” Nibs warned.

Wig laughed. “And that’s a threat? Send the gorgeous boy right on up.”

Nibs growled, then left the bathroom, leaving Wig to enjoy the remains of the hot water.

Despite the desire to spend the entire day in the shower, Wig got dressed and returned downstairs within fifteen minutes. It was still only eleven fifteen, plenty of time before the lunch crowd arrived.

“Sam says he’ll be back in half an hour.” Paul rushed past with a tray of drinks. “So we’ve got half an hour of peace before he starts again.”

Wig looked around at the tables, almost three-quarters full. “It looks like we’re doing quite well without him. We haven’t seen it so busy in weeks.”

Paul shrugged. “I’m an Owens,” he said, as if that explained it all, which really it did.

“Who needs what?”

Paul pointed Wig in the direction of the tables that needed waiting, and between them they worked the room, then pressed Sam into action when he arrived and left Liam behind the bar.

For the first time in months, Wig enjoyed working in the restaurant, smiling and joking with the customers and being himself. The old ladies fluttered under Sam’s charm, the teenage girls drooled over Paul, and more than one man and woman blinked when Skandik walked out of the kitchen. Wig laughed under his breath. Six gay men and all of them in love, causing a stir among the tourists.

When the lunch rush was over, he made Nibs shut the restaurant for half an hour to make everyone eat. They took their lunch out onto the decking to enjoy the afternoon sunshine. Wig sat next to Nibs, happy to feel his warm presence against the length of his body.

Nibs raised his mug at everyone. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for us.”

Sam shook his head. “Don’t talk rot. Look at what you did for me and Liam. Don’t you think I don’t know you didn’t charge us for the reception?”

Wig looked up in surprise, as did everyone except Nibs, who was studying his dinner intently.

“Nibs? Is this true?” As far as Wig was aware, Nibs had invoiced Jim and Mattie for the reception. “Nibs?”

Nibs pressed his lips together. “Dammit, Sam, couldn’t you have kept your mouth shut? Now they’re never going to let me live it down.”

“With your reputation?” Paul crowed. “No chance.”

“I know you and Liam have spent all your savings on getting him over here. I just wanted to give you a wedding present.”

“That’s really kind of you.” Liam squeezed Nibs’s hand.

Sam leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Gerrof!” Nibs flapped at his hand at Sam.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Wig asked.

Nibs looked shamefaced. “I thought you’d be angry. It’s not like we’re rolling in money now.” He yelped as Wig punched him hard in the bicep. “What the hell did you do that for?”

“For being such an idiot,” Wig said indignantly. “You’re such a tight bastard I’d never have suggested it, but you do something wonderful, and I don’t know about it?”

“You’re going to be paying for that for a long time,” Liam said to Nibs.

Nibs pulled a face. “I do something nice, and now I’m the bad guy.”

“Next time you tell your partner, then you won’t be the bad guy,” Wig groused.

A family stood hesitantly on the steps to the decking. “Are you open?”

Sam beamed at them. “Yes, we are. Where would you like to sit?” He got up and guided them inside.

Nibs rolled his eyes. “I’m not paying him to be so eager.”

“It’s Sam,” Liam said, “and you’re not paying him at all.”

“You mean he’s like that naturally? Of course he is, stupid me.” Nibs looked around the table. “Well, while you’re here, back to work, gentlemen.”

Paul gave a put-upon sigh. “Do you ever stop?”

Wig shook his head. “Not ever. It’s a nonstop job.”

“Doesn’t it wear you out?” Liam asked as they went back inside. “When do you get a break?”

“We close December and January to redecorate and get a holiday. Other than that, it’s pretty much twenty-four seven. It was easier when we had the waiters and chefs. Now we haven’t got the customers to make it worthwhile.”

Liam patted Wig’s shoulder. “I remember coming here when I met Sam. I was shell-shocked, and you were all really kind to me. And look at what you and Nibs did with the reception buffet. Now it’s time for us to return the favor.”

“Hmmm.”

“Are you really annoyed about the reception? We can pay for it.”

“Oh hell no. If he’d spoken to me I’d have suggested the same thing. I’m just pissed off that he didn’t tell me. You know Nibs. He’s so tight he polishes every penny until it squeaks. Why did he leave me out of this decision? It’s not like I’d have said no.”

“Perhaps with all the trouble going on he feels he’s losing control. This is the one decision he could make.”

Wig pressed his lips together to bite back the angry response.

“Tell him he screwed up,” Liam said. “Don’t let it fester.”

“Yeah.” Wig grabbed menus and headed to new customers waiting at the door. He didn’t mean to be rude to Liam; he just hadn’t processed his feelings.

A trickle of customers came in through the door, enough to keep him occupied and not brooding for a few hours. Wig smiled at everyone with his usual joie de vivre, chatting to them about lumpy beds and overcooked breakfasts in their bed and breakfasts. Some people could complain about anything.

During a lull, Wig ordered more crockery, plain white and blue as before, not bothering to ask Nibs if that was okay. He caught Liam’s amused expression and poked his tongue out. What was sauce for the goose was bloody sauce for this gander as well, or something like that.

T
HE
B
LUE
Lagoon closed at seven on a Sunday, and Nibs offered everyone dinner in their lounge above the restaurant.

Paul and Skandik collapsed wearily onto the sofa, yawning almost in tandem.

“You look exhausted,” Wig said as he poured them both a glass of red wine.

“I am shattered,” Paul said. “I’ve had six hours sleep in the last three days.”

“What?”

“We didn’t go to bed last night. We contacted everyone we knew to get spare plates and bowls.”

Sam grinned. “He was hassling Julie at the hotel at five in the morning.”

“You’re bloody idiots,” Nibs said bluntly as he held out his glass to be topped up.

“You’re welcome.” Paul knocked back a long slug of his wine.

“Thank you,” Wig said, swallowing back the lump in his throat. “I don’t think we’d have opened again if it hadn’t been for you forcing the issue.” He waited for Nibs to disagree with him, but he kept quiet.

“I can’t imagine you not having the Blue Lagoon,” Sam said. He was nestled in Liam’s arms in one of the large chairs.

Nibs sighed quietly. “If you’d asked me that a year ago, I’d have laughed in your face, but now… I can see maybe it’s time to leave.”

“Is that another decision you’ve made by yourself, or do I get a say?” Wig asked, an edge in his voice.

Nibs looked at him. “You know I wouldn’t do that.”

“Do I? You’ve been making other decisions without talking to me.”

Paul shifted uneasily. “Wig….”

Nibs ignored Paul and pulled Wig into his arms, ignoring his resistance. “I fucked up, didn’t I, babe?”

“You noticed.”

“Next time I’ll tell you when I do anything like that.”

Paul smacked his forehead. “Jesus, Nibs. Are you stupid? You’ll ask, A-S-K, not tell. He’s never going to forgive you now.”

“Leave the man alone,” Skandik chided his boyfriend. “He’s had a hard day.”

“Not as hard as I’ll have.” Paul leered at his boyfriend.

“I thought you were supposed to be tired,” Wig said sourly.

“I’m all for a little relaxation before bed.” Paul ran his fingers up Skandik’s thigh, chuckling when Skandik caught his hand before it reached his crotch.

Nibs snorted. “Gag him first, Skandik.”

“He’d like it too much,” Sam said.

“True,” Paul agreed.

Skandik tilted Paul’s head to look at him. “You want me to bind and gag you?”

“Not every time, but I wouldn’t object to an occasional scene.”

“I should have realized I’d have my hands full when I first met you.”

Wig was still trapped in Nibs’s arms. “They’re all hard work.”

“One is enough,” Skandik said.

“I know just how you feel,” Nibs said. “Wig is high maintenance enough. He’s like a ticking time bomb, just ready to go off most of the time. One wrong word and he explodes.”

“No, I don’t,” Wig exploded indignantly.

Nibs gave everyone an innocent look. “See what I mean? Ow, shit! What did you do that for?”

Wig removed his elbow from Nibs’s ribs. “I’m sorry. Did that hurt?”

“Of course it bloody hurt.”

“Good,” Wig said sweetly.

“And you complain about us,” Sam said. “You two are like five-year-olds.”

“Not always.” Nibs winked at Wig. “We play grown-ups just fine.”

Paul yawned loudly. “God, sorry, Olaf, I think the fun is going to have to wait. This grown-up has got to get some sleep if he’s going to be any use to you tomorrow.”

“You sleep in,” Wig said. “Nibs and I’ll deal with the early breakfast crowd as you let us sleep in this morning.”

Skandik got to his feet and held out his hand to Paul. “Let’s go to bed.”

Paul let Skandik pull him to his feet as he yawned loudly again. “I can’t believe I’m too tired even for sex.”

“Thanks for that,” Liam said drily and then blushed as Sam whispered in his ear. “You never are.”

“I don’t want to know. Take me to bed.” Paul leaned on Skandik as they left the room.

Sam stretched, nearly knocking Liam’s nose as he flung out his arm.

“Careful.” Liam ducked from the danger. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”

“You can sleep here if you’re that tired. The sofa pulls out into a bed,” Wig said.

Liam shook his head. “Much as not moving sounds wonderful, I need to sleep in a bed.”

Sam groaned, but he got to his feet and helped Liam up. “We’ll be round tomorrow.”

“Are you going home tomorrow?” Nibs asked.

“No. We’re spending a few days down here with Rose and the parents.”

“That’s not much of a honeymoon.”

Liam shrugged. “We’ll get that later. Now it’s just nice to spend some time with the family.”

“You’re the best, Liam Owens.” Sam kissed him so thoroughly it made Wig fidget, and a quick look at Nibs showed he wasn’t unaffected either.

“Take him home,” Nibs said to Liam. “My boy and I can’t deal with a live porn show. We’re strictly PG.”

“Speak for yourself,” Wig murmured. He was more than happy to have a show.

Liam laughed and wished them good night. “I’m a one-man kind of guy. I leave the exhibitionism to Paul.”

“I have a feeling those days might be over,” Sam said. “I don’t dig Skandik being down with the public performances. He seems like a private man.”

“How did you and Paul end up with two normal guys like Liam and Skandik?” Wig said.

“I don’t know whether to be offended or not,” Liam murmured.

Sam wrapped Liam in his arms. “You’re perfect for me. See you tomorrow, guys.”

The room seemed empty after they’d gone. Nibs looked at Wig.

“And then there was two.”

“Just us.”

“As it should be.” Nibs hauled Wig into his arms. “I haven’t had enough of you over the last couple of days. Shall we go to bed?”

Wig wriggled closer. “We could make out here for a while.” He hummed in satisfaction as Nibs pressed him against the sofa.

“We’re going to kiss for a while, and then I’m going to take you to bed.”

“I’m happy with—” Wig shut up as Nibs’s mouth came down on his.

Nibs kissed him, forceful and demanding, and Wig opened up to him, wrapping his arms and legs around Nibs to hold him close. They kissed, exploring each other’s mouth eagerly, hot and wet and needing more. Nibs’s hands roamed over Wig’s body, his blunt nails grazing over Wig’s skin, sending goose bumps over his torso.

The fabric of the sofa felt rough against his back as Wig’s T-shirt rucked up under his armpits. He ground his hips against Nibs’s groin as he sucked hungrily on his tongue. “Take me to bed.”