Allyn and Ransom - 3

 

There were advantages to being wealthy, as Allyn and Miranda had found out over the years. Advantages such as sleeping until noon after a night of partying or clubbing—and they did both of those quite often.

 

Having a great deal of money also meant they were able to afford a very large home outside of the city. It sat on six acres of land along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. From the third floor, they were able to look south across the intervening area and see the Mississippi.

 

Allyn awoke the day after the masked ball to sunshine coming through his bedroom windows. Stretching, he sat up, climbed out of his massive bed, and strolled into the bathroom. After taking care of the most pressing business, he drew water in the black onyx and white marble tub, eased in once it was full, and luxuriated in the heat. Only when it started to cool did he get out. After dressing in an old pair of jeans and a comfortable T-shirt, he combed his shoulder-length red-brown hair, binding it with a leather clasp at the nape of his neck. Then he went out onto the balcony off his bedroom. Leaning against the wrought iron railing, he looked down at their Olympic-sized pool.

 

Miranda was swimming laps at the moment, so he waited for her to finish before calling out, "Did you leave me any breakfast?"

 

Laughing, she replied, "Enough to feed a starving wolf. Mrs. Wilcox made us strawberry waffles, eggs, bacon and sausage, fresh mango juice and—" she tapped her chin, "—ah yes, steak and a fresh salad in case we got up late enough to call it brunch, not breakfast."

 

By the time Miranda finished telling him what there was, Allyn was salivating. He hurried down the spiral staircase and through the music room to the breakfast nook—nook being a bit of a misnomer as it held a table that seated six—in a rotunda off the kitchen, with tall windows along the curved walls. He filled his plate with steak, eggs, and waffles, poured a large glass of juice, and settled down to enjoy his brunch.

 

When his hunger was sated, he took his dishes into the kitchen and thanked Mrs. Wilcox for the meal. Then he meandered into the workout room.

 

"Don't you know you should have done this first, before eating?" John—their live-in personal trainer and Miranda's lover—asked, grinning. It was a rhetorical question, since he knew Allyn was never willing to work out on an empty stomach.

 

After Allyn changed into shorts, John ran him through his paces, with Miranda joining them partway through.

 

"So what are your plans for this evening?" John asked when they were finished. "Another night of dissipation?"

 

"Us? Dissipation?" Miranda looked at John in feigned shock. "Never!"

 

"Yes, you, my dear. Both of you." John gave her a hug and a pat on the butt. "Go get dressed, Mandi. You and I are going out on the boat." He glanced at Allyn. "You're invited, of course."

 

"Thanks, but I think I'll pass," Allyn replied. "Watching the two of you making out is not on the top of my to-do list."

 

Miranda and John both gave him innocent looks, Miranda saying, "Now would we do that?"

 

Allyn snorted. "At the drop of a hat. So go. Have fun. I might take off later and go into the city."

 

"To visit Liam?" Miranda asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

 

"That has yet to be decided."

 

"Well, whatever you do, enjoy yourself." She kissed his cheek before dashing off to change for the boat ride.

 

John followed a bit more sedately, adding, "Ditto that," before leaving the room.