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The sun was high, the waves were crashing, and the soft hum of tropical music drifted through the warm breeze. Darrian and David had finally taken a much-needed vacation, and it was perfect. The kind of lazy paradise where worries melted faster than the ice in their fruity cocktails.
They'd spent the morning snorkeling, the afternoon floating in the resort pool, and now they were kicked back on a pair of loungers under a palm umbrella. Darrian had his sunglasses on, one arm tucked behind his head, looking like he belonged in a travel magazine. David couldn't stop sneaking glances at him.
"I'm gonna grab us another round," David said, brushing some sand off his legs as he stood. "Mango daiquiris again?"
Darrian gave him a sleepy thumbs up without opening his eyes. "Extra cherries, please. Because I'm delicate and high-maintenance."
David laughed. "Yes, babe. Anything for Your Majesty."
He left, still chuckling, weaving his way through sunbathers and beach towels to the tiki bar just up the path.
It took longer than expected. The bartender was chatty, and a wedding party had just swarmed the bar like a pack of tipsy flamingos. By the time David had both drinks in hand and started heading back, he was already plotting how to steal one of Darrian's cherries in revenge.
But his smirk dropped the second he saw what was happening by their loungers.
Darrian was sitting up now, his sunglasses pushed onto his head, and next to him was some guy. Big, tanned, and clearly working hard to be the center of attention. He was leaning way too close to Darrian, muscles flexing under a sleeveless tank, smiling like he just knew he was irresistible.
David slowed his walk, his jaw tightening.
The guy was talking with animated hands, leaning into Darrian's personal space while Darrian leaned—equally—as far away as physically possible. His expression was tight. Polite, but frozen.
David couldn't hear every word, but he caught enough.
"C'mon, just one drink," the guy was saying. "You're here alone, right?"
Darrian blinked slowly, clearly over it. "I'm not. And I already said I'm not interested."
"Then whoever you're here with clearly doesn't appreciate you," the guy said, his voice taking on that cocky bro tone. "You shouldn't be left alone looking like that, man."
And that was David's cue.
He walked up calmly, slid one of the drinks into Darrian's hand, and then wrapped his free arm around Darrian's shoulders, dropping a kiss on the top of his head.
"Sorry I took so long, babe," David said cheerfully. "Bar was packed. Miss me?"
Darrian immediately relaxed under his touch, smiling up at him. "Always."
The buff guy blinked, thrown off. "Oh. You're with him?"
Darrian nodded. "Yep. Very much so."
David didn't drop his smile, but his eyes were sharp. "And I heard you weren't taking no for an answer. That's a bad look, dude."
The guy looked between them, scoffing a little like he didn't believe it. "Well, can't blame me for trying."
"You can try," David said coolly. "But once you hear 'no,' you back off. That's how decent people work."
There was a tense beat.
Then the guy huffed, stood up, and stalked off toward the beach, muttering something under his breath that David didn't bother to catch.
David sat down beside Darrian, his arm still around him.
"Some people," he muttered. "You okay?"
Darrian sipped his drink, then leaned his head against David's shoulder. "I was fine. Annoyed, but fine. Though I have to say, jealous David? Very hot."
David laughed. "Jealous David brings you daiquiris and destroys creeps with a smile."
"God-tier behavior," Darrian said, kissing his cheek. "Thank you."
David smiled, but there was still a little storm in his eyes. "I don't get how someone hears 'I have a boyfriend' and decides that's a challenge."
"Same," Darrian said. "But honestly? You showing up with that arm-around-the-shoulders move? That was sexy as hell."
David wiggled his brows. "I've got moves."
"Don't let it go to your head."
"Too late," David said, grinning as he pulled Darrian into his side. "I'll protect your honor every day of this vacation."
Darrian snorted. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love with you."
Darrian groaned. "You made it cheesy."
"Deal with it."
They clinked their drinks together and settled back under the umbrella. The sun continued to shine, and the only thing either of them cared about now was the taste of mango, the sound of waves, and the warmth of each other.
Because nothing ruins paradise when you're already in it—with the right person.
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