10. Worth

Iwoke up next morning to the bright Caribbean sun streaming through my window. I pulled myself from my bed and opened the sliding door to step out onto the balcony so I could feel the sun.

It was a gorgeous day. The water was that characteristic pure blue. I wanted to get out there in it, but even more I wanted to make sure Laurie was okay.

Memories of last night rushed over me, making my cock start to swell. How the hell was I going to keep my hands off Laurie? Especially when it was so obvious he wanted more. But I'd promised Beck, and he had every reason to think me being anything but a friend to Laurie would be a disaster. Before last night, he would've been right, but something had changed in those moments with Laurie. I could think of nothing but him. I'd dreamed of him, of all the things I wanted to do with him, and not just in bed but things like walking on the beach holding hands.

I remembered laughing when I'd forced Carter to admit he was in love, and he'd told me my turn would come. I didn't think I'd ever feel anything like what he did for Matteo, or Miles for Ben, or Ford for Jay, but I was feeling something that had me completely unsettled. I was desperate for any contact with Laurie, even if it was just him talking to me. I heard movement in the living room, so I grabbed my robe, wrapped it around myself, and stepped out.

Laurie was standing there in nothing but a pair of black briefs. My cock went from mildly interested to ready to bend him over and open his ass again. He was holding a bathing suit and frowning at it.

"Good morning." Laurie jumped. Had he really not heard me come out?

He held the swim trunks in front of his crotch. "I didn't mean to…I thought you would sleep for a while longer. Beck complained about having to drag you out of bed around lunchtime."

"I left my curtains open last night, and the sun woke me up. But this is your temporary home, you're allowed to be anywhere in the villa."

"I know, but if I'd know you were awake, I would've put on something else."

"I'm not going to jump you just because you're in your underwear."

"I didn't mean it like that. If we're not going to do…um…what we did last night, then I should probably be more modest. I just hate putting on wet clothes. I didn't mean to leave these laying on the floor last night, but I didn't think of it again after…."

"After we fucked?"

Color rose in his face as he nodded. I loved how he didn't want to come right out and say it. That innocence combined with the way he reacted in bed was going to kill me.

"Why don't you just wear a different bathing suit?"

"This is all I've got. I left all my clothes when I got away from Tommy. Beck sent me money to buy some more, so I got just enough to get by while I was here."

No way I was going to let that stand. "Get dressed in something other than swim trunks. We're going shopping."

"What? No."

"Yes. If you won't spend Beck's money, then you can spend mine."

"I'm not going to spend anyone else's money, I'm not…."

"You had to walk away from everything you own, right?"

"Yes, except for the clothes I was wearing and the stuff I had in my gym bag. At least I had my laptop and my phone. Beck told me I could wash clothes here. Is that true?"

I sighed. "There's a laundry service."

"I don't need anyone else do my laundry. If there are machines I can?—"

"No. You are coming shopping with me. I have plans for us. Nice restaurants, bars, dancing."

His eyes lit up. "Dancing?"

"Yes. There are some great clubs here, and I have VIP privileges so?—"

"I haven't been able to enjoy a night of dancing in years."

"That man needs to pay for what he's done."

"Beck said that too, but I just want my freedom."

I wanted to give Laurie everything he'd missed. I couldn't make up for what had happened to him, but I could shower him with luxury now. "I will take you dancing every night if you'd like."

He frowned. "I might get tired of it."

"Then we'll dance until you do."

"We?"

"I'm not letting you go alone. Someone needs to be available to drive you home."

He turned away, looking out the windows at the sea. "You don't have to spend your time here following me around."

"I'm going to spend my time taking a delightful, gorgeous man to all my favorite places and the first places you're going to see are the stores where we are getting you a new wardrobe."

"Worth, I'm not?—"

I held up my hand. "I could just go buy you clothes, but I'd rather you go with me."

"You're really not going to relent on this are you?"

"No."

"I was going to lay by the pool."

"There will be plenty of time for that in new dry swim trunks. We can have lunch by the pool after we shop, and I'll introduce you to my favorite cocktail."

Laurie turned back to face me. "You really don't have to take me shopping or be my tour guide."

"You have no idea how much I enjoy buying things for people. I used to do this all the time for Beck before he left for school. Have you had breakfast?"

"No, I was just going to grab something after I'd been at the pool for a while."

"I'll have one of the store attendants bring us something while they show us what they have for you."

"They let you have food in one of the shops here?"

The confusion on his face made me smile. "They let me do whatever I want."

"You really live like this every day? Whatever you want, you get?"

I considered his question. "Whatever I want that I can buy, I get."

"Worth, what else do you want?"

I shook my head. I was not going there, especially not with him. I wasn't even sure what it was I wanted from him or anyone else other than my mother, and I wasn't ever getting her approval. I needed to accept that.

You didn't know before you got here, before you held Laurie, kissed him, touched him all over, buried yourself deep inside him.

I told that evil inner voice to shut up.

Laurie looked around with wonder as we walked through the shopping area of the resort. They had stores for the most well-known designers. They also had stores for some who were lesser known, but in my opinion, some of those had the best quality clothing. I stopped in front of a boutique called Island Breezes, glanced at the inventory, and nodded. "This will suit you perfectly."

When I turned to look at Laurie, his eyes were wide. "How did you know this was my favorite of everything I've seen so far?"

"I know the style suits you. Apparently, so do you."

"I love almost everything I see here. I would never be able to afford anything in the store, but this style is fantastic. I haven't been able to pick out my own clothes in a while."

He was damn well going to get to do that now. "I'm here as a guide, to give you ideas, and offer suggestions, but you're picking out your clothes. You're the one in charge."

"Thank you." Those two words did more to give me a fluttery feeling in my chest than anything we had done the night before.

When I entered with Laurie, one of the sales associates I'd worked with on my last trip clocked me immediately and headed over. "Mr. Chamberlain, it's so good to see you again."

"It's excellent to see you too, Millicent. This is my friend Laurie. We'll primarily be shopping for him today. I was hoping someone could bring us some fruit, pastries, and coffee while you pull out what you think would suit him best."

"Of course." She snapped her fingers and another woman rushed over from where she had been fluffing the scarves on display.

"Gretchen, I need you to go to Alexander's and get a selection of pastries, several fruit cups, and—" She turned back to Laurie. "Would you prefer a latte, regular coffee, or something else?"

"A vanilla latte would be great."

Millicent nodded. "A vanilla latte and a black coffee for Mr. Chamberlain."

"Of course, right away. Good morning, gentlemen."

"Good morning. Thank you," Laurie said.

"Come right this way." We followed Millicent to a curved sofa in front of a round table. "What exactly are we shopping for today?"

"Laurie is in need of an entirely new wardrobe. He's ready for a reset."

"Oh, that's wonderful. I'm assuming you would like some things to wear here."

"Yes," Laurie responded.

"And in the city?"

I answered before he could protest. "All of that. And definitely include some swimwear."

"Of course. Let me gather a selection to show you, and we'll go from there. Do you have any particular requests or color preferences?"

"Cadet blue and pink are my favorite colors," Laurie answered.

She smiled. "Yes, those are both perfect for you. I'll be right back."

Gretchen returned with our breakfast, but Laurie looked nervous to dive in.

"What would you like?" I asked, picking up a napkin.

He studied the pastries. "I'd love that one with the chocolate on it, but I don't want to get chocolate on the clothes."

"You'll be fine. Eat what you want." I placed the decadent puff pastry filled with what I knew would be high-quality chocolate on a napkin and handed it to him. I chose an almond croissant, and we ate until Millicent returned with a rack full of clothing.

She us showed piece after piece. Some of them made Laurie smile. With others he just nodded politely. I'd make sure he didn't feel pressured to try on anything except those he loved.

"Is there any of this you'd like to try on?" Millicent asked.

"Oh! I didn't even tell you my size."

"No need for that. I can tell your size just from seeing you."

"Wow. How do you do that?"

Her smile widened. "It's my job."

Laurie glanced at me nervously, and I nodded. "Pick out whatever you like."

He chose a few outfits and a couple of swimsuits, then disappeared into a dressing room.

I drank my coffee and looked around the store as I waited on him to reappear. When he walked out in beautifully tailored blue suit with a pink shirt, I nearly dropped the scalding coffee on myself.

He would look hot to me in almost anything, but this outfit was perfection. "Yes, we're getting that."

Laurie beamed. "All right then. I'll go try on something else."

"Unless you're not sure…"

"I love it."

"Good. Show me more."

He came out in another outfit that was exactly right for him. As he continued to model more and more things, my excitement grew with his. He was loving this. Being pampered was exactly what he needed. I was thrilled to be able to shower him with things that made him feel good, look good, and be confident.

And I would be happy spending my entire day doing exactly that.