“Absolutely not!” Frederico’s face was bright red, and his eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his head. “I’ve told you that you don’t need this son of a whore, and I’ve told you that you can do it alone.”

Dominic could feel his own temperature rising as he stood on the front porch of his parents’ house. His father stood between him and the door of the small house and he could just see his mother hovering inside.

It was a small house, similar in appearance to the one Miguel’s parents lived in. In fact, it was only a few streets over from them. This house, however, was in much worse condition. The front yard was overgrown, the paint was peeling, one of the shutters was hanging by a single hinge. Dominic’s mother worked too much to keep up on maintenance and his father’s “tour boat” kept him out of the house frequently as well.

The only time they were ever home together was in the evening, like tonight.

Dominic had taken another night off of work for competition preparation. He’d figured that asking for his parents’ permission to use their kitchen and grill would be better than just barging in in the middle of the night after they were already asleep.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t going well.

“Dominic, I’ll just go. It’s fine,” whispered Miguel. The little omega had disappeared behind Dominic the moment the shouting had started.

Dominic ignored him. “Dad, you told me you wanted me to win this. I need Miguel’s help for that.”

“I would rather see you lose than watch you work with him,” spat Frederico. “As long as you insist on carrying on this stupid partnership, you’re not welcome in my house.” He turned, marched back inside, and slammed the front door with a violent bang that made Miguel flinch.

“I’m sorry,” said Miguel as he slowly emerged from Dominic’s shadow. “I don’t know why, but he’s never liked me. I was hoping you were right though. I didn’t think he’d completely shut you out like this.”

“It’s not your fault,” said Dominic, picking up one of the bags of supplies they’d brought with them. “Whatever the problem is, it’s his fault not yours. He doesn’t know about what happened with Tío so he has no reason to hate you the way he does.”

Dominic turned away from the front door and made his way towards the street.

“Now what?” asked Miguel, skipping to keep up with him.

“I’m assuming the situation won’t go much better with your parents,” said Dominic as he turned up the street.

“I don’t think they’ll yell quite as much, but they certainly won’t be happy,” confirmed Miguel.

“Then we’re just going to have to go somewhere else. The beach at the end of main street has grills.”

“Yeah, crappy little charcoal grills and no prep areas.” Miguel sighed. “I guess we don’t have many options right now. We’re not going to be able to prep for the competition if we can’t find somewhere to cook consistently.”

“Let’s just worry about tonight,” said Dominic, doing his best to push the encounter with his father out of his mind. He honestly hadn’t expected his dad to fly off the handle like that. He knew he didn’t like Miguel, but he didn’t think it was this bad.

Dominic had always assumed that he and Miguel were the only ones that knew the truth about what had happened with tío Isaac. Had his father somehow figured it out as well? If he had, then his anger would make a lot more sense. Figuring out the truth behind that outburst was a project for another time however.

They walked down to the beach without further incident.

A few people were still sitting on the beach or playing in the waves as the light faded. The best views of the sunset were on the western side of the island, however, which meant that this beach tended to empty out rather quickly this time of day.

They located one of the park grills and quickly set to work. Or, at least, Dominic did. There wasn’t much that someone with broken arms could contribute to simple grilling. Because of that, Miguel entertained himself by wandering down to the edge of the water and kicking sand at the waves.

In the fading light, his silhouetted figure appeared even more lithe than Dominic remembered. Even with both arms hanging in slings in front of him, he still looked like some sort of sea nymph as he danced along the water’s edge.

Dominic forced himself to focus on his cooking. It was important that he get this right or else they wouldn’t get the right flavor. They needed to know exactly what they were working with.

Except, Dominic’s eyes kept drifting back up to check in on Miguel. He was piling up sand with his feet now, building a small mound and watching it get washed away by the next wave.

Dominic’s chest tightened as Miguel turned back towards him and began making his way back up the beach. The breeze ruffled his hair and the smile on his face sent butterflies through Dominic’s stomach.

He’d never stopped to allow himself to look at Miguel objectively before. He’d always seen him as an object to be hated and avoided at all costs. Now, however, something was stirring within Dominic. A desire that he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

“Is the food ready?” asked Miguel as he drew near.

“Just about,” said Dominic, pulling his thoughts back to the task at hand. “Can you get the paper plates out of that bag or is that too much for you?” He hadn’t meant that to sound as insulting as it had come out.

“I think I can manage,” said Miguel, narrowing his eyes at Dominic and approaching the bags with a huff. He returned a moment later with the plates in hand. “Here.”

Dominic took them without a word and served up the squid he’d grilled. “Enjoy.”

They sat in the sand together and ate mostly in silence. Savoring the taste and doing their best to try and memorize the flavor profile. Here they were, already nearly a week into their preparation, and they were only just now completing one of the most basic steps. They’d wasted so much time on Mike’s recipe, and they were both keenly aware of just how little time was left on the calendar.

“I think you might be right about the finger food idea,” said Dominic with a sigh as he set aside his empty plate. “The texture seems just about right. We could always provide skewers for people who don’t like the sauce on their fingers.”

“Dominic,” Miguel had set aside his plate as well and was looking over with a somewhat serious look in his eyes. “I think we’ve got this. I think we’re going to win.”

Dominic met his gaze. The same butterfly feeling spun through his belly. His groin tightened as those green eyes stared back at him. What was it about Miguel’s eyes that made him feel as if all of the air had left his lungs? Why did their sparkle make it difficult for him to finish his thoughts at times? For a moment, he forgot everything else. Impulse seized him and he ducked his head forward, claiming Miguel’s lips with his own.

At first, the omega seemed resistant and then he opened his mouth and returned the kiss. A growing heat rose between them as Dominic slid closer. He wrapped his arms around Miguel and drew him in. They broke the kiss, breathless, and stared into each other’s eyes. Both of them seemed to be waiting for the other one to protest.

When neither of them spoke, they kissed again.

Pure desire rose with Dominic’s chest. He broke the kiss and gently pressed Miguel back down onto the sand.

The sun had set, and the area around them was bathed in darkness. They were hidden from the road by a small rise in the land and most of the beach goers had abandoned the sandy shores by this point. They were alone, but the sounds of laughter, music, and celebration echoed from the main street only a short distance away.

A thrill ran through Dominic as he slid a hand across Miguel’s groin. He gripped the omega’s arousal through his jeans and grinned to himself as Miguel inhaled sharply and released a somewhat tortured moan.

“I can stop if you want,” teased Dominic, withdrawing his hand.

“You started this,” said Miguel, looking up at him with a glare and a pout. “You’d better finish it.”

Dominic said nothing as he straddled one of Miguel’s legs. He leaned forward pressing his thigh into the omega’s growing erection.

Miguel struggled upwards, meeting Dominic’s lips and kissing him firmly as he ground his hips against the alpha’s leg. Desperation and need surrounded him like a mist that clutched at Dominic. How long had it been since either of them had been intimate with someone?

Dominic ducked his head forward, pressing a series of kisses across Miguel’s neck.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, his sense of reason was screaming at him to stop. Years spent hating and despising Miguel flashed through his brain in an effort to get him to cease his actions. But he was undeterred. In this moment, the only thing driving him was physical need and unchained desire.

His hands fumbled for a moment with Miguel’s belt. He paused in his kisses to concentrate. His hands were trembling in anticipation, he steadied them as he caught hold of Miguel’s pants and dragged them down.

Miguel’s slender, well-muscled body was breathtaking. For someone that had spent nearly every single day of his life climbing trees it wasn’t unexpected that he’d be fit. What caught Dominic by surprise, however, was the way that the smoothness of his skin made his mouth water with desire.

“You don’t have to stare so much,” breathed Miguel, blushing slightly and looking away.

“Sorry,” said Dominic leaning in and kissing him again. “It’s been a while.” He tugged Miguel’s pants completely away. “What’s this?” he asked, as catching sight of the ankle belt where Miguel’s epipen was safely tucked out of sight.

“Just...you know, in case of my allergies. It’s really not sexy.” Miguel chewed on his lip in embarrassment.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed,” said Dominic, kissing Miguel’s calf. “It’s good to know.”

“Can we maybe get back to this?” Miguel asked, looking up at Dominic with a shy smile.

Without another word, Dominic climbed up Miguel’s body. There was no hesitation in his movements as he captured Miguel’s erection in his mouth and suckled eagerly. His hands and fingers caressed his partner’s body, coaxing and preparing him for what was to come next.

Dominic could feel his own erection growing, straining to be free of his pants. However, the happy, satisfied moans Miguel was making from all of this attention encouraged him to linger a little longer.

“Dom, Dom I...I can’t. If you keep up like that I won’t last,” pleaded Miguel.

“Already?” Dominic asked, raising his head in disappointment. “We’ve barely gotten started.”

“My arms are useless. I haven’t been able to let off any steam recently.” Miguel’s face was flushed as he looked down at Dominic through the growing darkness. “I can’t help it.”

“I guess we’re just going to have to move on then.” Dominic sighed and gave Miguel’s erection a playful tug. Nervous anticipation flooded through him as he unfastened his pants and slid them downward.

His erection sprang free and a chill ran through his body as the cool ocean breeze danced across his naked flesh.

“Are you ready for this?” asked Dominic as he positioned himself between Miguel’s legs.

“Just take it slow, it’s been a while for me too.” Miguel shifted his legs slightly to give Dominic better access.

Dominic’s heartbeat hammered in his ears as he pressed himself against Miguel. His chest felt tight during that moment of slight hesitation and then relief and pleasure flooded through him when at last they connected.

Their breathing was shallow as they froze for a moment. Their bodies had tightened up from the suddenness of it all. Slowly, very slowly, they adjusted to one another. Their grip on one another loosened and Dominic began to move his hips.

Miguel moaned softly, doing his best to keep his voice down and failing terribly.

“Shhh, you’re going to get us caught,” Dominic chastised him.

“Can you just shut up and do me?” pleaded Miguel, arching his back up off the sand and squirming in pleasure.

“Fine, but if we get arrested it’s your fault.” Dominic straightened his body, took hold of Miguel’s slender hips, and thrust into him. He deepened his strokes as he increased his pace. Every thrust was answered by the bucking of Miguel’s hips.

Eagerly, they dove forward. The risk of exposure, the thrill of the outdoors, and the sheer pleasure built their arousal. Neither of them was going to last for very long. They clung to one another, kissing deeply, as a final stroke triggered a final rush of pleasure for them both.

Dominic collapsed onto the sand beside Miguel, gasping for breath. His skin was covered in a layer of sweat, his strength was spent, but he felt satisfied. He pushed away the complicated knot of emotion forming in the pit of his stomach that tried to make him feel guilty for enjoying himself so much. None of this, none of it, changed anything that had happened in their past. But at least for the moment he could let himself forget.

“That was unexpected,” said Miguel with a laugh. “Now I’ve got sand everywhere.”

Dominic took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as he fixed his pants. “We’ll go back to my place. You can use the shower.”