Chapter Nine

Case had danced so much, his feet hurt. After each dance, men had handed Case checks with eye-popping amounts written on them, passing them out like tissues. He was proud of himself for helping Zander raise money, and he was proud of Saul for helping put this event together. The four-night pirate-themed cruise was a hell of a lot more fun than any gala. It was possible Case had consumed a bit too much rum, though. He felt Saul's sharp gaze upon him the entire night. Case found himself intentionally trying to be sexy to keep his attention. He leaned his back against the bar and waited for Saul's eyes to swing his way.

"Oh, you're with Saul, right?"

Case's head turned at the words. Light blue eyes waited for his attention. The man was probably fifty, but incredibly handsome. Case didn't think they had met. "Yeah." He held out his hand. "I'm Case."

The man shook. It was a firm, cool handshake. "Cutler Maine."

"Nice to meet you."

Cutler dipped his chin. "Where did you lose Saul to?"

Case pointed toward a group of men across the room where Saul was deep in conversation. "He's there."

Cutler followed his line of sight. "He's a lucky man. Saul has a notorious temper, yet you look… happy." Cutler kept his gaze locked on Saul as he made the accusation. Case was shocked by the words.

"People think Saul has a temper?"

Cutler made a dismissive gesture. "It's just a rumor."

Case breathed easier. He didn't want to insult a guest, but he wouldn't have Saul's reputation sullied. "Oh. Well, there's a lot of those, I suppose. When we first met, I was warned to stay away from him because he makes people disappear." Case motioned toward himself. "Theory disproved," he said with a laugh.

Cutler smiled. "It seems so." Before Case could say anything else, a too drunk guy stumbled into Case, copping a feel in the process.

"You're looking incredibly sexy tonight."

Case fought to keep the distaste from his expression. He had a lot of experience from his club days with disgusting men. This was different. There were no bouncers, and he had learned the elite rich thought they could have whatever without permission.

Still, Case tried playing nice. "Thank you, Rich. You're looking very pirate-y."

Rich made a show of turning in a very unsteady circle to show off his costume. "Thank you. I do believe these clothes are slimming." He didn't give Case time to think of a way to let the comment slide without agreeing or disagreeing. Rich very obviously intentionally stumbled into Case again. Both hands grabbed Case's ass. Case held his breath to keep from getting a second whiff of the guy's rank breath. The night was taking a turn he didn't care for, but Case was good at untangling himself from these situations. He just needed a second to think.

A four-night pirate-themed cruise where everyone got to be their best swashbuckling selves was a much better charity event than a dinner gala. Saul tried not to pat himself on the back too much. While he had come up with the idea, the CEO of Zander's charity had mentioned it to his husband, Edward. From there, the former librarian had gone wild. It seemed the guy loved all things pirate-related. Since it was fun for Edward and work for Saul, he had happily passed along the planning.

Saul savored watching Case charm the crowd in his wild pirate getup. After a year together, Case had truly come into his own, taking up his place as Saul's partner in life. Saul had to schmooze the guests, so Case joined him. An unfortunate number of men were a little too friendly with Case. That tidbit was under his skin. Thankfully, Case's gaze kept finding him in the crowd. Each time their eyes met; a wicked-looking smile touched Case's lips. Fuck. Saul never got enough. Just the thought had Saul's gaze sweeping the crowd for his sexy pirate. A growl rose in his throat when he found the same man who had been bothering Case all week drunkenly pawing at Case while Case tried to gently untangle himself.

Rage carried his feet across the room. People scurried out of his path. Before a single thought flitted through his mind, Saul landed a short but solid blow to the guy's kidney on the sly. He grabbed the man's throat before he could slither to the floor.

Nose to nose, Saul let the man see the evil inside him. "Listen very closely. This is the only warning you'll get. Steer clear of my man or no one will find you. You feel me?"

The guy nodded.

Saul released him and watched him limp away. Cutler Maine, who Saul hadn't seen in forever, had to jump aside to make room for the injured drunkard. With his fury appeased, he realized he had likely scared Case. Saul always kept his deadly side away from the love of his life. Case had nothing to fear from him. He glanced Case's way, expecting anything.

Heat stared back at him. "Fuck. You're so goddamn sexy."

God. Saul had to have him alone. He took Case's hand and headed for the closest quiet veranda. Once he had him alone, Saul still felt moved to apologize. "I'm sorry about that. I promise I'll try harder to keep that side of myself at work and away from you."

Case wrapped his arms around Saul's neck and shuffled close. "Hush. I know who I love. You don't scare me."

It was that blind trust that was the nail in the coffin for Saul. Case was perfect for him in every way. He could search and search—not that he wanted to—and never find anyone better for him. Saul couldn't wait any longer. He pulled the ring from his pocket. Saul had carried it with him everywhere for the past month, hoping for the right moment. This one was as perfect as any. He just needed Case to officially be his.

Saul dropped to one knee.

Confusion crossed Case's features before realization obviously struck. He covered his mouth.

"I've been completely obsessed with you since the moment we met. That's the one constant in my life I know will never change. I need to know you're mine forever. Please put me out of my misery and marry me."

Case nodded. "Yes." It was such a quiet and choked up answer that Saul knew he had been forced to push that single word past a swollen throat.

Saul shot to his feet. Their mouths met with the same burning passion they'd had from their first kiss. "I'll give you the best life," Saul whispered between kisses. He needed Case to know he would always be spoiled.

"You already do that. All I want is you."

"Awww. Congrats, guys."

Saul startled as Zander and Maverick appeared from nowhere. "Fuck, guys. Where in the hell did you two even come from?"

Zander laughed. He didn't look the least bit guilty. "We were already hiding out here when you two appeared."

Maverick nodded. "We kind of slunk back into the shadows when you two looked like you wanted to be alone."

"Plus, we were making out," Zander added.

Maverick nodded again. "That too."

Saul couldn't stop smiling. It was the happiest moment of his life, but he still found himself hoping Case and he were still like Zander and Maverick after years of marriage. He wanted to know he still wouldn't keep his hands from Case in twenty years.

"We're truly thrilled for you two," Maverick said. "We're headed for our room before anyone sees us get away. Congratulations again." Maverick hugged Case while Zander shook Saul's hand.

They didn't look each other's way again until they were alone. Then Case crowded his space. "Where were we?"

"We were celebrating."

Case shuffled him toward the railing. "That's right. Celebrating. Can anyone see us out here?"

Saul looked over Case's shoulder. "I'm sure they could if they looked hard enough."

Case unzipped Saul's pants and pulled out his cock. "I suggest you keep watch, then." He held Saul's stare as he massaged Saul's dick on the sly. Case used his large body to hide his actions, leaving Saul to swing wildly between watching him and looking out for interlopers.

"You're shameless."

A wicked-sounding chuckle caressed Saul's ears. "You love it."

Saul's gaze met Case's stare. "I love you."

A sweet smile touched Case's lips. "I love you too. Now let me watch you come."

Saul rode Case's palm while trying to hide his actions. Case made him feel so fucking alive.

"Hey, guys. Everyone is looking for you."

Case didn't stop stroking Saul's erection, even as the words were shouted from the door.

Saul cleared his throat, hoping to sound normal. "We'll be back inside in a moment."

The door closed again, and Saul nearly sagged in relief. Case's hand felt too good. He didn't want to stop.

Case watched him like he stared at the man he loved. It was such an addiction. An involuntary moan escaped Saul. He bit back the sound. Case pumped faster. "That's it. I need my sexy future husband to come for me. Let these people see who owns you."

Saul clung to Case's shoulders. He was weak. Case's words added a level of sexiness to the situation that ratcheted up Saul's lust. He wanted everyone to watch. They all needed to see he was the one Case touched. This beautiful man had chosen him.

"Everyone is watching you get jacked off by your future husband. They all know I'm yours. They can see I'll do anything for you."

"Fuck, Case." Saul couldn't even keep watch any longer. He was too close to the edge and now he kind of wanted an audience. His toes curled inside his shoes.

A sexy, evil chuckle rumbled from Case. "Yeah, fuck Case. You'll be doing that later. Right now, you're about to spit jizz on this deck. Let them see what I made you do."

A strangled cry ripped from his throat. A jolt of pleasure snaked through him as cum shot from him. As promised, Case shook Saul's cum onto the deck. Saul didn't doubt for a second that at least one person saw. He was too far gone to care. Saul was too busy breathing through the powerful orgasm.

When there was nothing left to massage from Saul, Case tucked Saul's dick back into his pants. "That was hot. Now just imagine how much else I can do for you before we get too old to do anything but hold hands."

Saul tried rubbing two brain cells together to think after having his mind blown. "I'll never be too old to do anything except hold your hand. Just give me a few minutes to recover. I'll prove it."

Case kissed his ear and held Saul tight, making Saul's eyes burn with emotion. "You have nothing to prove. Even if we never had sex again, this would be enough for me. You have no idea how much I love you. I think about that first late night dinner at the diner all the time and thank God for the way you saw me when everyone else left me to drown. You've made me the happiest man alive tonight."

Saul buried his face against Case's neck and inhaled. It was as if the rest of the world disappeared. "You saved me that night." That was one truth Case would never fully grasp. Saul had gone into that club that night at rock bottom. No one had known how weary he was of life. He had been done. All the money and power wasn't saving him. He no longer wanted to wake up each day. Then Case had given Saul his real name and looked at him as if he saw Saul. From that moment on, Case had never stood a chance against him. Now Saul would make sure Case never regretted him.