All Hail The King

Mike wasn't sure if he should feel special or not that Thomas gave him a second chance. Shit, he would even call it a third chance. He knew that he didn't, particularly, make the best first impressions (especially not nowadays) but he was trying to do better at it. He was quickly understanding that people didn't like to be drilled with questions before anything else could be said, which he couldn't blame them for. It wasn't great. But he was glad that Thomas didn't give up. He truly was having a great time and he wanted to spend more time with the owner post the game ending. Just from their game of twenty questions tonight, there was more to unpack there. Mike as well.

There was something oddly arousing about having Mike admire his body from where he was standing. Honestly, if Thomas were to think back on their first interactions – he wouldn’t have believed that they would reach the state that they were in. The furthest thing in his mind when he met the retired fed was undressing for him and showing off. The frontrunner thought was putting Mike’s feet on a block on concrete and drop him in the ocean. It was entertaining to see how different things had become. From someone who had been nothing more than an annoyance who clearly had the wrong stick up his ass to someone who Thomas ended up sharing details of his private life – something he did only with Alex – all the while undressing garment after garment during a game of poker. As far as surprising turn of events went… this one was probably one of the best. “One of us will see the other naked very soon.” They were reaching the endgame there. The garments they had were the ones most interesting to dispose of – except Mike’s socks – so now the adrenaline between the two of them was reaching the promised climax that was bond to happen since the day Mike accepted this little game. Honestly, Thomas was actually surprised that Mike went along with it. Being so austere in his actions and words during their meetings, the younger King was half-convinced that Mike would back down from it. Not like he also caused a positive impression on the other man… but Mike had met the professional side of him. Not the personal. “I guess I’ll have to burn those calories off at the gym tomorrow.” Thomas looked down to his own bare torso and ran his hands over his abdomen, knowing full well that he had Mike’s undivided attention. Maybe he was putting on a show but who could blame him when Mike also looked like a living, breathing wet dream from across the table? “I go to the gym for two reasons. First – is to look good. I am hot, very fuckable and I intend to keep it that way so that everyone keeps drooling for a piece of this.” Again, he gestured to his body because it was pretty damn obvious. “And second… it helps me deal with my anxiety and pent-up frustration. Pumping irons or punching a bag does wonders for your sanity.” Thomas was sure that Mike understood where he was coming from. Some people meditated… others went loose on a punching bag. “It helps keep my temper under check. In case you were unable to tell… I have a mean temper.”

A smirk crossed his lips at Thomas' comment, and he shrugged a shoulder, "I'm a scrapper." He mentioned. It was one of the reasons why he was he was still alive, he believed. If Mike didn't fight, he probably would have been killed on the field five years ago, "It's fun to have some competition, right?" He asked with a cock of his brow. He didn't think he had been reading the whole night wrong, "I would say I would give up but--" He shrugged, "I think I have a good chance." Mike wasn't much for giving up either. Unless it was giving up his career, then apparently, he was fine with it. In most cases, Mike would fight tooth and nail. But maybe he was just tired of fighting for a while.

“Most people are sheep.” Thomas couldn’t care less about the opinion of others. Even surrounded by some of the most powerful and influential men on the planet – he still didn’t care one bit about their opinion. He had always been like that since he was a kid. If he would allow the opinions of others to dictate his future and his journey, he wouldn’t be where he was today. To him… things were simple, really. Either you like it or not. If you did? Kudos for you, there was hope for you yet and if they didn’t? Thomas wouldn’t lose his sleep over that. “I don’t usually give people second chances but…” He gave Mike a shrug but he couldn’t hide the smile that was lingering on his lips. Mike was… persistent when they met and that was something that both annoyed the living shit out of Thomas but also placed Mike on a different level than most people. “Usually when I tell someone to fuck off, they fuck off. But not you. You had more questions to ask and I weighted the pros and cons… and decided to give you a chance.” And he was thankful that he did. They wouldn’t be half-naked in front of each other if they didn’t play that 20 Questions game back at his office. Fingers tapped the table as the words spoken by the former fed rang truth inside Thomas’ mind. They were pretty damn close when it came to score. The only advantage that he had were his shirt – versus Mike who was already showing off his body. And considering how tight the rounds had been, Thomas wouldn’t be surprised if he would be the one naked at the end of it all. Well – if that was the case? So be it. He wouldn’t back down from a challenge. He haven’t before and he definitely wouldn’t now. “Admit it. You want to see me naked just as much as I want to see you.” Thomas could be a flirt when he felt like it but considering how excited Mike was and how casually he just raised his pants into the pot – Thomas knew enough of poker to know that the other man had a good hand. Good enough to collect another piece of his clothes. “Uh.” A pair of Kings and Aces. Defeated by kings against his pair of Jacks. “Not bad, Mr. Reynolds, Not bad at all.” With a chuckle, Thomas leaned down to slip one finger into his socks in order to remove them before standing up and grabbing the hem of his tank top. If he had to undress….? Fuck yes, he was going to put on a show. Thomas took his time peeling the last layer of fabric that concealed his torso, dragging the fabric slowly up his chest so that he could give Mike the best view of the house. Who wouldn’t want to see his toned torso from countless hours at the gym at full display? Thomas finally pulled the shirt off and tossed it to Mike, gently patting his own chest in the process. Might as well give something for Mike to see. “Happy now?” Thomas flexed his arms a bit and licked his lips before wiggling his eyebrows ever so playfully at the other man. “Two items to go for me and three for you – due to your socks. Not for much longer.” He was so damn close that there was no way in hell that he was going to lose this freaking game. His honor was on the line – alongside the chance of seeing Mike butt naked.

His brow raised when Thomas bet his shirt and Mike looked down at what was remaining on him. Not much. Socks and underwear. And he certainly wasn't going to lose those before the socks, "Well, I'll bet the socks then. Save the best for last, I suppose." Mike was pretty confident he'd be keeping the socks this round and then he and Thomas would even keel after that. It was going to really come down the to wire and Mike loved it. He couldn't remember the last time he had a game of poker with so much back and forth. Thomas was a really great player, there was no doubt about that. But even more than the game, Mike was enjoying the company. Even in a place with so many people, he still felt a bit lonely, which was his own fault.

Considering how many items of clothing the two of them still had left, it made sense for them to play it safe for now – leaving the big bets for the last rounds where the ultimate goal would be to get the other one butt naked. Thomas glanced over his cards as well – nothing extraordinary but the game could go either way – and couldn’t help but chuckle at the concept of losing clothes via a poker game. He usually undressed because he wanted to. He saw an attractive man and wanted to have sex with him so his clothes would come out fairly easily when the time came. To lose item by item in a strip poker game was not something Thomas haven’t done before but it was interesting to admire the concept of… if he wanted to be seen naked or wanted to see Mike naked… they were going to have to finish this game. “You are putting up a fight.” Thomas bite down his bottom lip as he pushed his empty beer away in order to collect a new one. He was going to sweat his ass off tomorrow for drinking those tonight but… the price was worth it. “I’m impressed. Most people would be naked by now and I would be walking right out the door with new items for my closet.” Throwing three cards to the center of the table and collecting three more, Thomas could see that his hand hasn’t improved at all. It was just that pair of Jacks and he would have to do the most of it if he wanted to squeeze as much as he could from this round. “Your normal personality is just fine, from what I am seeing.” Thomas’ gaze turned to Mike and the corner of his lips curled into a half-smile. He had no idea how professional Mike was but he could only assume he was an annoying son of a bitch considering how he had succeeded in annoying him over the course of their first two meetings, all of those questions making Thomas want to strangle him and toss his body into the deep sea. “I was not a fan of you interrogating me when we first met but… it was part of who you are and you can’t kick the fed out of the man, I believe.” And look at how far the two of them had come. From annoyance and slightly homicidal tendencies to sitting across a table, sharing things about their past and wanting to see the other naked. Life truly knew when to throw monumental curveballs their way.

There was no masking his utterances and moans — explicitly conveying the round of pleasure that was brought about by the magical tongue that belonged to Thomas King. Eyes closed to a fluttered shut, he nearly wanted to collapse and fully enjoy being eaten out. His tight hole was loosening up, relaxing as it remained showered with utmost attention. Arching his back, he angled and bent forward, lowering his center while his ass remained up high, offering for wider and better access.

As Thomas explained what type of role he typically took in the bedroom, Mike focused on shuffling the cards, occasionally looking up towards the man with a slight raised brow. Everything he was saying made total and complete sense to Mike. Just from their conversations, he assumed that Thomas would leave any situation without getting the most out of it. The man was busy. He had to pick and choose and make sure it was the best of the best. That tracked. He smiled a bit at the others question and he nodded his head, "It does. Go with the flow." Mike responded with a nod, "That's a good way to be."

Thomas was definitely enjoying where this night was going. He was learning so many things about the other man – and showing bits of himself as well – that honestly… why didn’t they do this sooner? Mike was actually funny. And flirty. And he didn’t back down from a challenge which was way more than Thomas could say about a large portion of the island. No one would ever want to piss off the Kings and it was that very same fear that kept them all in the role of obedient little sheep. But Mike was… challenging him. Making him work for that win. And now that he was doing that shirtless and distracting Thomas every few seconds or so, even the King had to admit that maybe he didn’t have this game in the bag as he thought he did. And for once? He really wouldn’t mind if he was the one losing. He was already winning in so many other aspects through the night. Bringing his beer to his lips – that one was almost over, so needed to be replaced – he waited for the cards to be dealt and while his hand was not ideal… - a pair of Jacks again – it wasn’t necessarily terrible. And if there was one time for him to go for the throat and attempt to get Mike completely naked… it was going to be now. “I’m just going to go and bet my shirt again.” Thomas patted his chest. He had four garments left. Shirt, pants, socks and underwear. His goal for the round was making Mike lose at least two – since he would be unable to bet all three without going all-in. The all-in saving grace would be for the last round. What better way to end the game then with a spectacular finisher?

“Misery loves company,” he chuckled, though knew that no matter the situations that Thomas had gotten himself in they’d never come close to the mess that Alex was swimming in. It sucked, but perhaps his brother had at least something to tide him over, give him a good laugh so that he’d stop moping around about his piss poor situation. He watched as his brother plopped right down ready to spill whatever fun stories he had, thankful that he could be there for him like this, though as the luau was mentioned he could only groan. The luau was when his entire world imploded, of course he remembered the event, more importantly he remembered his brother messaging him that Steven was back. To hear that Thomas’s night went a lot smoother though, Nathan being someone that Alexander couldn’t quite put a name to a face with, but he had to at least be decent if his brother let him fuck him. That wasn’t the most surprising of news though, it’s what followed, that he actually allowed himself to sleep with the other - he didn’t just leave like usual. Alexander’s eyes widened, mouth actually fell open, “did he slip something into your drink?” He teased, though he liked that his brother could find a man around the island to get comfortable like that with. He needed happiness just as much as Alex did, and that display showed that he was at least open to more intimate moments.

It was nice to just sit back and share all the latest gossip in his life with Alexander – at least provide him with some degree of entertainment from his own issues with both Patrick and Steven. Of course, Alex would have to drop the occasional input regarding who he was doing or how he was doing them – the biggest surprise for him was probably the fact that he had slept with Nathan at the cabanas that one time. “I mean, we were pretty fucking spent and he did a very good job at pleasing me so… why not? He’s quite good too. Not just physically but he has that sort of personality that doesn’t make me want to vomit five seconds after he opens his mouth.” Not to mention that he really knew how to fuck him and definitely knew how to take it like a champ and still say he wanted more once all was said and done. And when it came to Renan? “I mean – if you walked in the office that night, you’d be a spectator. Wouldn’t be that different from me jerking him off in front of the whole club and give him head to finish him off.” Again – Thomas was completely and utterly unapologetic about the things he did. Life was too short to have any modicum of regrets and he would better live it up rather than sulk down on his corner. “Both of them have something that attracts me. The looks, the personality… you can’t blame me for being greedy and wanting them both at the same time. Shit – that would probably be the hottest threesome in the history of threesomes.”

"No?" He asked and huffed a bit, "That's a bit hurtful." Mike joked and immediately grinned. To be honest, he wasn't in much of a rush to get the other man naked either. However, he did find the aspect of being shirtless a bit more exciting than losing the pants. Simply because there was another article of clothing to go there. The bets were getting good, however. He was curious about the hand that Thomas had and luckily, he didn't have to wait much longer. The man showed his four of a kind and Mike tsked quietly, "Got me." He said, dropping his own hand to the table, "Four of a kind beats a flush." Another round to the King. He was showing to be quite the formidable player. Not that Mike expected anything less.

And that round… was his. And that meant that Mike was about to lose his shirt and quite frankly, Thomas was a bit excited to see if Mike was as good looking from the neck down as he was from the neck up. However, the client halted before he was about to strip and show him the goods in order to give him a proper response to the question posed, something that all by itself brought a monumental smile to Thomas’ face. Honestly, he wasn’t expecting Mike to answer. Sure, they had shared some deep stuff about their past but asking someone else about their sexual preferences was a whole new bag of cats. Mike had always been so reserved about his personal life but throughout that night and during that game were all bets were off, they both managed to reach that comfortable place where no topic of discussion would be taboo. They trusted one another enough to respect the other and provide them with the answers they sought. “You rather do the fucking, uh?” But wasn’t opposed to be on the receiving end? Thomas did love a guy that wasn’t afraid to explore different things when it came to sex. It made things a whole lot spicier and way less boring as well. “Can’t say I am surprised.” He obviously winked back, his own way of telling Mike that he was perfectly comfortable with whatever role Mike would like to adapt. “I’m a go with the flow guy. If I wake up one day and feel like topping? I will fuck your brains out and leave you unable to even remember your name at the end. If I wake up and feel like being the bottom?” Thomas gave a playful shrug but his eyes never once abandoned Mike during that exchange. “I will ride you in ways you didn’t even think they were possible. It all depends on my mood – and the guy I’m with. I’m not picky.” Might as well be completely upfront with it. “Does that reply satisfy your curiosity?” Mike’s shirt was finally coming off and Thomas had to just stop everything in order to admire. Mike was well-built. Not in a very muscular and buffed kind of way but in a defined and flawless sort of built. He had the body of someone who did what he did for a living. Athletic and toned and quite frankly – very easy to the eye. Thomas noticed some of the scars that adorned the other man’s frame, especially the one on his lower abdomen that seemed small enough to be from either a bullet or a knife. But even with those scars – all Thomas could do was remain completely speechless as he took in the sight before him, only to drop the discarded shirt next to the pile of clothes he had already collected. “It goes without saying that you are fucking hot. But I’m sure you are aware of how good looking you are.” No man that looked like that would not be confident on their body. “Can’t wait to get all of the other pieces out of the way too.”

It was pretty obvious to Mike that even Thomas didn't know what he meant by guys like him. Perhaps it was just something to say because he wanted to have some sort of an explanation for why he was the way he was. However, from what Mike was hearing, Thomas had plenty of reasons to fear love or maybe even rejection. Growing up the way he had probably affected a lot of who he was today and as cliche was it was, a shit childhood could really mess you up for the rest of your life. If Thomas didn't experience the love he needed to be nurtured, how could he expect to show that love to anyone else?

It was so interesting to see the impact that words had – a simple I’m sorry when genuine felt amazing. Thomas didn’t see pity of Mike’s eyes or anything. He just saw a man being honest, sharing those small words as some sort of consolation… just like he had done earlier when he kissed Mike and said that exact same thing. Sometimes, that was all one could say, for there was nothing else to say. It meant his afflictions were not easily discarded and that in some deeper level, Mike could relate to them… or even understand them. Funny. Who knew that the guy that had annoyed him so fucking badly over their first encounters would be the very same guy that Thomas would end up pouring his heart out during a game of strip poker? Life truly had a nice way to threw everyone in a loop. What was certain one day – was completely different the next.

“You kind of are misbehaving,” he teased the other, offering up a little wink, “noted though, if it’s a spank you want, do I get to bend you over my knee while doing it?” How fucking hot that would be, bending the damn tree over his knee to spank that gorgeous ass of his, god damn having Thomas around was far too distracting when Renan was actually trying to accomplish getting him into the water on a wave. He just couldn’t help himself, there was just something about the King brother that drove Renan mad, and all he constantly wanted to do when he was around was be near him, touching him, anything to pull that gorgeous as ever smile out of him.

Somewhere along the way – or so Thomas believed – what was supposed to be a surfing lesson was turning into a flirting class, with both him and Renan tossing back and forth innuendos that would make the biggest sluts in the world blush with shame. They weren’t holding anything back at that point and honestly? Thomas fucking loved it. Not only could Renan keep up with his constant innuendos and sexual suggestions but he was doing it so sober, proving to the younger King that what had happened that night at the club and office was not a fluke. Renan could be every bit of a tease as he was and that was such an attractive quality. Thomas did like when someone kept him on his toes. When someone was capable of giving as much as they could get. It made him laugh so much easily, it made the anxiety that had been slowly building inside of him since the day Renan asked him out slowly vanish into… nothing. All they could do was flirt. Drop on lines on how they would want to fuck the other and how Renan would like to spank him and allow him to ride anything he wanted. Not many people had the freedom to say such things. Thomas was aware of how unapproachable he could be to others, not just because he was one of the owners but also due to his reputation of sending people packing within seconds of opening their mouths. But Renan was a nice exception to the rule. The bickering was constant and effortless and Thomas couldn’t remember the last time he actually had some fun with someone else that didn’t involve him being balls deep inside someone. The question of whether or not he wanted to see Renan performing live and doing all those things the other client suggested was left in the air. As Thomas bolted toward the water, he couldn’t help but consider the offer. Yeah, it would be fun to do those things. Maybe get away from the Haus for a couple of days and spend some time with Renan by his side and see the world the way he did. It was obvious that surfing was such a big part of Renan’s life and Thomas couldn’t see a flaw with that plan. Maybe he could say yes. Maybe he could agree to that ‘date’ the same way as he did today. By diving head first without giving things too much thought. If he did…. then the chances of him realizing that the closer he would get to Renan, the bigger the chances the other man had to leave him like so many others did in the past was… unavoidable.

One thing that Renan knew he was phenomenal at was praising and worshiping bodies that were deserving, and Thomas King was most definitely deserving of that attention right now. To have that camera focused on him only made Renan want to perform even better, knowing that what happened would be viewed countless times after this (not even talking from Thomas’s perspective but his own). This was his newfound favorite fantasy, and when he needed to get in the mood it would be Thomas’s face, his gorgeous thick cock, that would come into his thoughts. How wonderful it tasted, his mouth barely wide enough to wrap around it, though a slight shift of his jaw and he could manage. He was so focused on licking and sucking all that he could that he almost had forgotten that he was required to keep looking up, having not even realized that while devouring and worshiping his eyes had came to rest on the prized cock infront of him, though without hesitation he looked back up as he wanted more from the King.

Since Mike had gotten back from his last case, retired, tried therapy and inevitably quit, he had never once told anyone about that regret of his. His therapist tried her best to get him to talk about it but Mike just couldn't. But some reason, telling Thomas...it just came out. It hurt to say. It hurt to remember, and he was sure that was something that was never going to change. But talking about it was...okay. Mike knew that he had to heal at some point and keeping everything bottled up all the time wasn't going to be the way to do it. He just didn't expect to let the bottle open when he was playing strip poker with the owner of the brothel island...

Only Alexander and Steven knew about the whole marriage episode. They were present, they saw them exchange vows and they witnessed how blissfully happy he was for a whole damn week before the fear of getting hurt came crashing on top of him like a ton of bricks. Thomas shook his head, his attention returning to the cards he was holding while his brain was still processing the question made by Mike. He didn’t know what guys like him meant and that was another whole box of worms that Thomas didn’t want to open right now – mostly because it involved severe daddy issues that would always be unresolved no matter what. “We still talk. Sort of.” He chose to ignore the first question – not wanting to dump on Mike’s lap the complicated relationship he had with his deceased father. He was already broken enough as he was, the last thing he needed was to open the damn and drown Mike in all the atrocities that his father had said and done while he was still alive. That people like them would only be liked by others because they had money. That love was a fucking weakness that should be eradicated because it made people have poor judgment calls. Not the mention his favorite line of all – that if he couldn’t even get his own father to love him, how the fuck could he expect some random bitch to love him back? So the love he could have for someone else was turned toward the inside. If no one would ever love him, then he would love himself for everyone else. He would be the first person he could depend on ( alongside his brother, obviously ) and everyone else was just someone who wanted something from him. But every now and then – someone would come along and lower his guard. Noah succeeded in doing that. In reminding him that it was ok to let people inside. And then he left. And then there were his friends that dropped by the Haus, people whom he had so many tales with and had so much fun… people who he actually considered friends… and they also left. One by one, everyone left and he was all alone. Why should he even fall for someone else ever again when everyone would leave him at some point? They all did. He would let them in and they would leave and he would be alone.

"It's quite the turn of events, isn't it?" He chuckled a bit, keeping his blue eyes upon the man, watching him strip off the clothes he had wagered. Mike could easily give the man his privacy as he pulled off the articles, but this was part of the game, wasn't it? He noted that Thomas was tossing his winnings over towards him, which was unnecessary, but if that's what he wanted, then so be it. Mike wasn't in the business of keeping the clothes, he doubted they would fit anyway. Thomas a bit taller than him. Different body type too. He smiled at the others comment, "I've never been one to make things easy for myself." Mike bantered before he shrugged his shoulder, "I'll take any victory I can get from the guy who's been playing since he could enter a casino."

This was not the way Thomas was planning the night to go. One thing was playing strip poker, where the ultimate goal was to get the other person completely and utterly naked – something he really wanted to do – but between rounds, the conversation between him and Mike had somehow moved to deeper and more troubled waters. It was perfectly natural that they both wanted to know more about the other. They were just having drinks and playing cards, chilling and not really having to consider any obligations whatsoever other than enjoying where this night would lead them. But with every question, they were uncovering more and more about the other. Not just the funny side – who knew Mike could crack some jokes – but they were slowly learning what made the other tic. Mike was slowly discovering what it meant to be a King for it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows there and Thomas was learning just how complex and difficult Mike’s life had been out there in the real world. They came from complete opposites sides and yet…. they found a middle ground while playing poker. Thomas’ gaze was in his cards as he remained silent while Mike shared what had been his biggest regret. He could feel the tension in every word that escaped the other man’s lips, the sorrow that came with it – for Mike blamed himself for the death of a young woman. Thomas couldn’t even relate to that. And while he could drop one of those typical bland sentences like the fact that she knew what she was getting herself into – that was not really the case for it was not about her. It was about Mike who clearly blamed himself for failing to protect someone. A feeling that while different in origin, Thomas knew it all too well. The feeling of failing and being unable to change something. There was no magical solution that would allow them to turn back time and fix the things they had failed to accomplish. And even despite all of his previous bravado and cocky comments that he usually resorted to in order to keep people away, Thomas could feel it in his bones just how bad that situation had weighed on Mike. To tell someone that they would keep them safe and then be powerless to do so.

The fact that Thomas was actually letting Renan be bold enough to unzip his pants made the client that much hungrier for what was within the restrictive fabric. He could see it's outline as soon as the pants were loose and hanging on his hips, those black boxer briefs hugging his body leaving little to the imagination as Renan nuzzled against it in a longing fashion. He wanted to be fucked in the throat and only when Thomas was satisfied would he want to be fucked equally as rough in his ass. Drunk Renan always turned into a horny little shit, but he had never set his sights on someone so high up on the food chain around here. Fucking hell, he couldn't wait to have another go at this when he wasn't stammering for words and tripping over himself.

"You're the one who doesn't want to come across as a total dumbass," he teased, bringing back the conversation they'd just had, "showboating when you don't even know what to do will certainly do that for you," not that he thought the King could ever look like an idiot, even if he was completely tossed around like a rag doll out there he was certain that Thomas would still be one of the sexiest men on the island. Watching him drop to his knees though, the slow movement that he'd made to situate himself, that damn perky ass of his staying in the air just a little longer than it should - oh he knew that Thomas was fucking teasing him and Renan was absolutely loving every minute. "I have never wanted to be a surfboard more than in this moment," to have the King brother on top of him like that, holy shit this sight was what fantasies were made up. "You keep that ass primed up in the air like that and I might just have to give it a slap," he smirked, watching as Thomas did as he was supposed to moving like he was swimming, leaning with the board the best he could do on the sand.

One thing was drunk Renan – unfiltered and saying everything that crossed his lips without even spending one second to think – and another was regular Renan, who was apparently every bit of flirty as Thomas assumed he would be. Why would he not when he looked so damn hot and he knew it? That allied with the fact that they had sex before was enough to break up the ice between them. Enough for Renan to feel like he could approach him and invite him to this lovely day at the beach and definitely enough for Thomas to agree with it, even if he had no damn clue of what he was doing. Overall, he did like to be kept on his toes. Not many things could surprise him anymore and to have someone that would look past the King name and seek the man called Thomas instead was… it was probably what Thomas had wanted and never truly knew he needed. “A slap? Please.” Thomas grumbled and wiggled his ass a couple of times before he finally sank down onto the board. “Either you spank it hard or don’t spank at all. A slap is what you give to misbehaving brats. A spank is what you give to an ass you want to fuck. Easy.” Renan was being overly flirty – something that Thomas was both finding endearing and at the same time knowing full well that remarks like those were probably given to everyone with a cute face and a nice body around. Not that he needed Renan’s compliments to feel special or wanted since Thomas was already fully aware of how damn hot he was and how lucky anyone would be to have them by their side. “I sucked your dick. I fucked you. I think we are way past the Mr. King thing. Unless you want me to call you Mr. Carvalho too?” His lips curled into a smile as he watched Renan come closer to him, those smooth hands finding his hips in order to secure him so that anything he would try wouldn’t end up with the younger King eating sand so early on the afternoon. “You are making it incredibly hard for me to focus when you’re dishing out so many compliments. Bet you say that to everyone.” Shit, did the same so there was no issue there. But not everyone would have the balls to just come to him and hold his hips just to have him close – and prevent him from a rather embarrassing crash on the sand. “I’m half-tempted to fall just so I can pin you down underneath me… but I’ll behave and focus on learning this.” That was the main reason why he was at the beach. If all he wanted was Renan’s body underneath his, all he needed to do was say it.

As Patrick was mentioned and his brother explained their dynamic Alexander couldn’t help but smile. He was right, every word that he was saying, that Patrick would love him unconditionally, and would never bite the hand that fed him. Alex would never have to worry about loyalties as far as Patrick was concerned because he would blindly follow him to the abyss if that’s what the King wanted. When the dynamic with Steven was introduced Alexander sighed, his brother once again spot on with his take on the entire thing. It was true though, Steven was so much like Alexander that the two of them challenged each other every step of the way, and you’d think that someone like Alexander would hate that but in fact he enjoyed it, came to love that about the other. Nobody challenged him like Steven did, but at the end of the day they were equals and never took things too far, they gave each other only what they knew they could take.

Thomas remained silent as he granted Alex the time to process the words being spoken to him from an outside party. He honestly did not care with whom Alex would end up as long as it would be with someone that made his brother happy. To find someone that special that was worthy of fighting to keep them close was such an incredibly rare thing and Alex had two men that loved him more than words could possibly say – even if they both had different ways of showing it. He played no favorites. He liked Patrick because he was loyal and he would always keep Alex’s safety and needs first and Steven…? He was every bit as relentless and cruel as they could be so there was no need to pretend to be someone they were not. In the end, the choice was Alex’s. One of them trumped over the other and his brother would hopefully find his happily ever after in the end. At least… one of them would. With his phone returned to his possession, Thomas shrugged and gave Alex a curious look. “So you want to know what I’m up to so that my misery can distract you from yours? How kind of you, big brother.” Regardless, Thomas chuckled and crashed on the couch yet again, thinking about all the things he had been up to recently so that he could give Alex some entertainment and distraction from his own issues. “Remember the opening party? The Luau? I let Nathan fuck me at the beach that night simply because I was in the mood for it. And after I won the auction to get him – I fucked him in one of the cabanas and spent the night with him. As in… sleeping.” That would be enough to give Alexander a nice laugh since he didn’t exactly sleep with anyone.

His luring almost worked. He could see the wheels turning in Thomas' head and in the end, the man betted his shirt, his belt and both shoes. Not too bad. His blue eyes casted down towards the table as he threw down his pair of sevens, earning a soft 'aw' from Mike as he revealed his Jack and Queen, "A solid showing." He offered with a small smile before he stood up, "I'll be right back." Before Thomas offered his little show of slight stripping, the retired agent wandered into his kitchen, and he opened up the fridge to grab out a six pack of beer. He had purchased it for the evening just in case, and it seemed that it was good because they had knocked back that bottle of wine pretty quick. Returning back to the table, Mike set the six pack down as he sat and he nodded, "We're about even, at this point. I haven't a game like this in a while."

Fingers tapped the table as Thomas waited for Mike to return with beers this time around – it was all Renan’s family fault for making such good wine – and the younger King couldn’t help but chuckle at how trivial their night was being. Nothing like playing poker, sharing their deepest, darkest secrets, and getting naked in the process. “If someone told me I would end up undressing for you during a poker game, I would have fucking laughed in their faces.” Still, Thomas stood from his chair and pushed his shoes under the table to Mike’s side before grabbing the hem of his shirt and peeling it from his torso. Luckily, he had a tank top underneath – one of those that hugged his chest a bit too nicely. One had to come prepared for the eventuality of losing their clothes in the process right? “There are far easier ways to get me naked but this is by far the most entertaining.” With a shrug, Thomas undid his belt and wrapped it up gently before pushing it over to Mike’s side of the table. They were one-for-one. “The game is just getting good, handsome. Enjoy this little victory while you have it.” Returning to his chair, Thomas reached out for a beer, and his gaze… was far away from that present moment in time. Talking about being a good person and providing for so many people who now worked there. Thomas had never really seen it that way. When they took over the business, every staff member under his payroll were just tools that had a multitude of functions. Heck, he still treated them as whores when he was alone with Alexander – but now that Mike mentioned that positive side of what he was doing, Thomas had to admit that he had never actually considered that. “It’s just business.” His long fingers reached for the deck of cards and he started to shuffle them, not wanting to see the gaze on the other man’s face. “They are merchandise but at the end of the day… I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to them. Not only because if they happen to be damaged means less money but…” If they didn’t trust the ones running the show… then who would? “Maybe I care about them. Just a little tiny bit. Unless they are braindead and completely stupid – like one time this bitch called me DUDE like I went to school with him and… well, it was not pretty.”