Chapter Fourteen

 

After showering, I stepped out of the bathroom to find an outfit laid out the bed. I stood there in my towel, scratching my chin. Duncan had taken me to his house, but instead of bringing me to his bedroom, he’d led me to a guestroom with a shower and told me to take my time because he had arrangements to make. The bathroom had razors and toothbrushes, deodorant, cologne—everything I’d need.

When we’d cleaned the kitchen and left Mythic it was almost five o’clock, and with the clear skies it promised to be a beautiful summer night. I was surprised Duncan actually had his own vehicle today, no Earl. And I was further surprised to find he drove a nice Jeep Wrangler with big tires. I would have maybe guessed at a fancy, expensive sports car, but that wasn’t really fair. Duncan had money and sophistication, but he also had that off-the-wall, eccentric thing, so to presume to know his mind would be a mistake.

When I mentioned I should probably stop at home for a change of clothes, he told me I could shower at his house, and he once again used that phrase, ‘I’ll give you everything you need.’ I mentioned I probably wouldn’t fit in any of his clothes, that his legs were longer, and he said, “I’ll get you suited up, I know your size from your costume at Mythic.”

I was taken aback, but Duncan was so casual about it, like providing clothing for your date was a normal thing. He seemed determined to kidnap me, and he didn’t want to waste any time, so I decided not to fight him. The outfit laid out on the bed was casual but stylish. Nice tan pants, blue cotton button-down shirt, even underwear, shoes and socks.

A knock sounded on the guestroom door. “Zach, can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

Duncan opened the door, and then paused when he saw me with a towel around my waist. “Oh. Good timing.”

I grinned and approached him. He was showered and dressed in black slacks and a black shirt, and he looked hot as fuck, so I wrapped my arms around him. “You look great, all villainous in black.”

“Thank you, I’m feeling very villainous.” His fingers drifted down my bare sides, making me shiver. “I have to run out for about a half hour, but then we’ll be leaving. Make yourself at home, grab a drink or anything you want from the kitchen, but don’t fill up because I’m taking you to dinner.”

I smiled. “Okay. Wow, we’re really going on a date, huh?”

His hand slid around and pinched my ass. “You’re mine for the whole night, okay?”

“More than okay.”

He left the room and closed the door, and I stood there grinning like an idiot. I felt like a lucky fuck today.

I got myself dressed, and muttered a soft, “Damn,” when I looked in the mirror. It had been a while since I’d been in anything other than jeans, shorts and tee shirts, and I was pleased with the result. I wanted to look good for Duncan. It had been a game of highs and lows since starting this thing with him. Seemed every encounter involved grand romantic moments like this, and him pulling me into his car that night, showing up outside my apartment. And now this spontaneous date night. But all these events thus far had happened with periods of silence in between. When I was with him it felt like things were hot and heavy between us, and I was excited and falling for him more every moment. It was the in-betweens that made me question things.

Not that I needed to be with him every moment, I was past requiring that kind of reassurance from a love interest. We were still kind of carrying on in secret, but at least he hadn’t mentioned Corey. Either Corey had decided to back off after getting my text, or hadn’t bothered to contact Duncan for some other reason. Or maybe he had and Duncan just hadn’t mentioned it. If so, whatever had been said obviously didn’t deter him from me.

I left the guestroom and went downstairs. God, this was a nice house. I got a bottle of water from the fridge, then jumped when the doorbell rang. I peered out the window. Duncan’s Jeep was already gone. Should I answer the door? This wasn’t my house. But who knew what Duncan was planning for our date. Maybe I should get it in case it was a delivery or something.

The doorbell rang again, two in quick succession. I set my water down and went to answer it. A man stood holding a bottle of wine and a single red rose. “Oh. Hi there.”

I nodded. “Hello. Can I help you?”

He looked me up and down. In his forties, sandy blond hair, tanned and fit in a striped polo shirt and stark white pants, blue eyes sharp and pretty. He lowered the arm holding the wine and the rose. “Oh. Um, is Duncan here?”

“He had to run out. Was he expecting you?” I realized I sounded like Duncan’s assistant or something.

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“Probably about twenty minutes.”

“Oh. All right. Do you work for Duncan?”

Shit. I wasn’t sure how to answer. This was no delivery boy. This handsome man was here for Duncan, and my stomach clenched with nerves. How many goddamn people was Duncan dating? And why did they all have to be so fucking good-looking?

To make it easy, I said, “Yes, I work for Duncan.”

“Oh, okay.” His shoulders sagged with relief, and I realized I may have just fucked up. This guy now thought I was the help. “Do you mind if I wait for him? He’s not expecting me, but I just wanted to drop by and see if he was in.”

Aw, fuck. It was too late to slam the door in his face. And I’d already told him Duncan would be back soon. Awkward. “You a friend of Duncan’s?”

He chuckled. “Yes. I’m a friend.” He shifted the bottle to his other hand. “I’m Wes.” He stuck his hand out and I shook it. “Is it okay if I wait inside? I wanted to give Duncan this wine and it’s really hot out. It’s a rare vintage so I don’t want the heat to tarnish it.”

Fuck right off, Mr. Fancy White Pants. “Well, we can’t have that. Do you um…want to come wait in the kitchen?”

“Yeah, that would be great. I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Zach.”

“Thank you, Zach.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Sure, come on in.”

I led Wes to the kitchen, but wasn’t sure if I should hang around and wait with him. I watched as he set the wine and the rose down on the dark wood table. I suddenly suspected that it was this man, not Greg, who’d been in Duncan’s bed last, and I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to flee the kitchen, but I’d let this guy I didn’t know into Duncan’s home, I couldn’t really in good conscience leave him here alone.

He took a seat at the table and smiled at me. “Do you have any water?”

“Sure.” I got him a bottle from the fridge, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. This dude probably thought I was the houseboy. When I handed him the water, I got stuck on his blue eyes. There was something really familiar about his face, and suddenly it clicked. “Wes, you said your name was?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I pulled a chair out and sat. “Did you used to play hockey? Professionally?”

He chuckled, looking coy. “I did, yes. I’m that Wes. I wouldn’t expect someone your age to recognize me.”

“My mother’s a big hockey fan. It was on in my house all the time growing up.”

He nodded. “And what do you do for Duncan?”

I kiss him and I ride his cock and let him spank me and whatever else he wants. “I um…” I tried to answer as honestly as possible. “I do some cooking at Elfy Choices.”

His face lit with a smile. “Ah! The new project. Haven’t been by yet, but I’m sure I will soon.”

“Great.” I forced a smile. I looked toward the window when I heard Duncan’s Jeep pull in.

Wes stood. “I think he might be back.”

I stared at Wes’s profile. He was smiling, all lit up because Duncan was home, and I’d never felt so awkward in my damn life—and I’d had some awkward moments in my time.

The door closed and Duncan called out, “Zach?”

“In the kitchen,” I said.

Duncan came in carrying two paper bags by the handles. He stopped short, and there was no mistaking the ‘Oh shit’ expression when he saw Wes. He recovered quickly and set his bags down, his eyes flicking to me. I gave him a reassuring smile.

“Wes. I didn’t expect you today.”

“I know, I know.” Wes strolled over with the rose in his hand and grabbed Duncan in a hug. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Duncan, I’m gonna go do that thing in the other room,” I said.

Duncan eyed me over Wes’s shoulder. “Thanks, Zach. I’ll be with you in just a few minutes, then we’ll go, all right?”

“Take your time.”

Wes let go of Duncan, and for the first time since arriving, some awareness flashed across his expression as he looked at me.

That’s right, Slick. I ain’t the houseboy.

I hurried out of the room. But there was no way I wasn’t staying nearby…meaning close enough to try and overhear something. I went into the closest sitting room and planted myself on a chair next to a wall of books, putting my feet up on an ottoman.

I could hear voices, but they were speaking softly. Damn it. Sighing, I examined Duncan’s book shelf. It was a wall of classics in nice leather bindings, numbered. The kind of collection you put out because it looks nice, but probably don’t read often. I grabbed one of the books and checked out the cover. The Scarlett Letter. I huffed. “Figures.”

I slid the book back in place and stood when I heard raised voices. Tiptoeing to the doorway, I skulked behind the wall and listened. Duncan’s voice was still calm and somewhat soothing in tone. It was Wes whose voice was raised. I caught about every third word. Something about respect. Something about the weekend. Something about me…I definitely heard my name in there.

Then Wes’s voice rose higher in volume, and the next sentence I heard in its entirety.

“He’s a fucking child, Duncan!”

I winced. Yeah. That was probably about me. I slinked back to the chair and sat, feeling terribly out of place, wondering if I should leave. But no. Fuck that. I was here first. If I had to compete for Duncan, then so be it. I wasn’t about to take myself out of the game.

The argument between Duncan and Wes grew louder briefly, and I was afraid they were coming my way. But then the voices faded with distance, and relief washed through me when I realized Duncan was walking Wes to the door.

I grabbed another book randomly, so I wouldn’t look like the eavesdropper I was when Duncan found me. I opened Wuthering Heights and stared blankly at the first page without reading. Eventually I heard the door close out front, and Duncan’s footsteps.

“Zach?”

“I’m in here.”

His hair was a bit messier when he walked in the room, like he’d been running his fingers through it. He smiled and approached me. “Doing some light reading?”

I slid the book back in place and stood. “Everything all right?”

“Yes. I’m sorry about that interruption.”

“Wes seems nice.”

“He’s a good guy, but I don’t like unexpected drop-ins.” Duncan sighed and grasped my shoulders. “I’m sorry about that. Thank you for handling it so graciously.”

I nodded slightly, not sure what to say.

“Tell me something honestly. How am I doing with this, Zach? Not very well so far I’d guess. I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean by ‘this’?”

“You know I see other people.”

I snorted. “Obviously. Nice rose by the way. He too cheap to order a dozen, or did he spend all his money on that rare vintage wine?”

Duncan smirked, and I smiled in return. “Zach. I want to treat you respectfully while I’m getting to know you better, and I’ve not been doing so hot at that. Let me make it up to you tonight, all right?”

“Sure.” I smiled. “It’s fine, Duncan. I’m a big boy. And I want to spend time with you.”

His relief was palpable, shoulders sagging. “Then let’s get the hell out of here.” He checked his watch. “Car should be pulling up any minute.”

“Great. Where are we going?”

“Somewhere nice.” He leaned in and kissed me quickly. “You’ll see.”

I followed Duncan back to the kitchen and he picked up the bags he’d brought in.

“What’s that?”

“Wine and rum and so on. I wanted to bring the good stuff.”

“Not bringing Wes’s wine?”

He paused and raised an eyebrow at me. “No. I’m not.”

“Good.”

He chuckled. “Again, I’m sorry about that.”

“Forget it. Let’s get out of here.”

I followed Duncan outside and he locked up the house. We moved to his Jeep and he pulled two small travel bags out of the back.

“What’s this?”

“Our overnight bags.”

“You packed one for me?”

He shut the back hatch and grinned. “I did.”

“You’re awfully organized in such a short time.”

“I know how to get things done.”

“I guess.” I looked up as a black limousine pulled into the driveway. “Oh. Wow. We’re going in style.”

“Oh good. Car’s here. Help me out?”

I helped with the bags and followed Duncan to the limo. A blond woman dressed in black and white got out and grabbed the bags. “Good evening, Mr. Stengel.”

“Good evening.”

She put the bags in the trunk, then opened the door for us. Duncan gestured for me to go first, so I slid in. Everything was shiny leather, two big bench seats facing each other. A compartment at the center had a bottle of champagne and glasses with an ice bucket.

Duncan slid in and the door closed. He sat down across from me. “Okay,” he said as the car started to move. “We’re off.”

I smiled as I watched Duncan open the champagne. “I did not expect a date this lavish, Duncan. I’m not sure I’ll be able to reciprocate.”

He popped the cork and handed me a glass. “Oh, please,” he said as he poured. “I’m not a snob, I just want to do this with you, the pleasure’s mine, believe me.”

I sipped my champagne as he poured his own.

“Besides,” he said, setting the bottle down. “I had more fun in your tiny little apartment recently than I’ve had in a very long time.”

“Yeah?”

He held his glass up. “Yes. Now let’s get on with that getting to know each other better thing.”

“Sounds good.” I clinked his glass and we both drank. “So,” I said. “What do you do when you’re not supervising centaurs or dating former NHL stars?”

He chuckled and leaned back. “You say you’re fine, but you keep bringing Wes up. Are we going to be able to get past it?”

“I’m sorry. I’m really trying to be a grownup about it. But I like you, and it was right up in my face, so of course it bothered me.”

“I understand. It’s not serious with him, Zach. And after today, I’m not sure it’s anything anymore. He wants more than I’m willing to give. And also, he said some ugly things to me today that I didn’t appreciate.”

“About me?”

His eyes narrowed. “Were you listening?”

“Not until he started yelling. Not on purpose,” I lied.

“I told you some people wouldn’t understand. They’ll take one look at you and think…”

“That I’m some boy-toy, and that reflects badly on you, apparently. Is that what you’re worried about? Your reputation?”

“I don’t care what anyone thinks about me. I just don’t want it to negatively affect you.”

“Thanks. But I know who I am. I know my value. Took a long time to get to this place, no one can take it away from me now.”

He nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. You really saved my bacon today at Mythic. I do hope you’ll reconsider returning permanently.”

“Duncan.” I laughed and shook my head. “We’re dating and you’re seeing other people.” He opened his mouth but I held a hand up. “That’s fine. I know this is all new, but you cannot expect me to be in this situation with you, and work for you too.”

He held my gaze silently for a time. “You’re right. I won’t ask again. For now.”

I smirked. “Okay. I just don’t want things to be awkward. We have enough strikes against us.”

His brow cocked. “Are you saying you’re putting this, this thing with us before the job?”

“I suppose. But I’m putting myself first, mainly. I want to date you. Enough to leave your employ. But I’m doing it for me, because I know myself. I know what I can handle and what I can’t, and I’m trying not to get hurt.”

Duncan sipped his champagne, something like surprise in his eyes as he studied me. Did he not realize I was developing actual feelings for him? He didn’t look disappointed, just slightly cautious. “Then I’ll respect that you can’t work for me right now. Looking out for yourself comes first. And I sure don’t want to be the cause of any hurt.”

“Great. Where are we going?”

“To my boat. And then on to somewhere else.”

“You have a boat? Of course you have a fucking boat. Is it shaped like a giant unicorn or something?”

“It’s just a boat, Zach.” He chuckled. “Just enjoy the ride.”

Duncan’s boat wasn’t huge but it wasn’t small. There were two crewmembers that greeted us, and Duncan spoke to them softly while I made myself comfortable on one of the white leather bench seats in the open back. Duncan returned and sat down right next to me, slinging his arm over my shoulder as we pulled out of the harbor and took to the sea.

“You look amazing by the way,” he said, nuzzling my ear.

“You dressed me well.”

“Hmm. I’m going to undress you well later.”

My cock began to swell. “Damn it, you’re getting me worked up already.”

He took my face with his fingers and turned my head. “That’s okay. Nothing to stop us now,” he said, then gave me a kiss so slow and searing I wondered if he was trying to kill me. When he eased back, I was breathing heavier.

“I like this date,” I huffed.

“Me too.” He gave me another fiery kiss, then released me as one of the young men crewing came back and handed us each a glass of wine.

Duncan thanked him and the guy headed back toward the front of the boat, but not before stealing a back-glance at us. I recognized the vague smirk. I’d seen it my whole life, a reminder that not everyone was okay with two men kissing. Duncan seemed oblivious, and ran his fingers through my hair as he sighed, looking out at the water and the darkening orange sky.

I tried to figure out where we were heading. I knew we’d left Boston, but I could still see land. But soon the boat headed farther out to sea, and I could no longer recognize the landmarks on the shore. “Are we heading down the Cape?”

“You’ll see. Just relax.”

“So mysterious.”

“Allow me to woo you, won’t you? It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited to do so for someone.”

“Well. You just said the right thing.”

He grinned. “So I’m back on the right track again?”

“You’re getting there.”

Duncan kissed me again, one of those slow, intense ones with lots of tongue that had me squirming.

Eventually the boat veered off and we were drifting down a shallow waterway with dunes all around. The boats lights were on and I got up and leaned on the railing. Duncan stepped up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. I leaned back into him, enjoying the cooler salted air. “Weather’s so much nicer out here,” I said.

“Mmm.”

I chuckled softly when he nibbled at my neck. “You’re more affectionate than usual tonight.”

“I like you,” he said, his voice low and husky.

My eyes closed. “I like you, too.”

“Look over there.” He pointed to a beach on a small island just off the shoreline. Overlooking the beach, a pretty little redwood house sat on stilts, a flight of narrow wooden steps leading up to it. The house was shrouded with trees on either side, a small boat tied to a dock out front. On the beach, a long table was set up with glowing lanterns, and two people, a woman and a man, shuffled around it.

“Is that where we’re staying? That island?”

“That’s it,” he said as the boat started that way.

I grinned at him. “You’re fucking crazy.”

“I know.”

“Dinner on the beach? And then we get to stay there?”

“Not just dinner. Dinner prepared by a skilled vegetarian chef.”

I was dumbstruck. It wasn’t that Duncan had the means to do this that impressed me. It was the thought he’d put into this last-minute date. Sure, his means allowed him to make it happen so quickly. But the vegetarian chef thing made me melt a little, because that was all for me. He was officially forgiven for the cold scrambled eggs.

I didn’t know what to say so I just kissed him and put my back into it, sliding my hands down to grab his ass.

Duncan inhaled sharply when I cupped his ass cheeks, giving them a hard squeeze, and I realized I had not yet explored his body that much. The two times we’d had sex it had been a frantic race to get naked and have him inside me as fast as possible.

I’d been being cautious in all things with Duncan, and I realized now that had spilled over into how I engaged with him intimately. I’d been holding back, maybe not physically, but emotionally, and those two things had always been interlinked for me. My nature—when I wasn’t trying to fight it—was to be passionate and let myself go, to let someone else feel the authenticity of how I much I wanted them. I shouldn’t forget that Duncan had a crush on me too, that it wasn’t all about what I was feeling. And based on his reaction to me grabbing his ass, he appreciated feeling desired.

I had to stop being timid and second-guessing myself with him. I had to be myself with Duncan. It was intimidating, knowing he dated men like Wes, but shit, I was no slouch. I had tamed the wild and lascivious Corey Stengel into monogamy when people told me I couldn’t do it. Then when I screwed up, I’d become so ashamed I’d tried to temper everything that was me, and that’s how I’d been living. Like a calmer, paler version of myself. But with Duncan, I was ready to let some of my vigor out of the closet. Some of that unbridled, uncensored passion I’d been trying to hide so I didn’t scare him away.

“Mr. Stengel? We’re ready to dock.”

“Oh, good, thank you.”

I released him. “Sorry. The boat crew’s probably happy to see our pornographic road show leave for the night.”

“I’m certain of it. Let’s go eat.”

The crew helped us out of the boat, then took the bags and carried them up to the house for us. We were greeted on the beach by the chef, a skinny blond man in his thirties with a mustache, and once we were seated at the table, he and the woman began serving food.

I sat diagonally beside Duncan at the head of the table, and he laughed when I dove into the food, but I was amazed by how good everything was, from the walnut avocado salad to the marinated seitan and crispy vegetables. There were breads and flavored oils, tomato with mozzarella, vegan meatballs in sauce, creamy pumpkin soup, it went on and on. “I’m gonna have to step up my cooking,” I said. “This stuff makes me feel very inadequate.”

Duncan’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Your cooking is just fine for my purposes. Say, if I make you a subcontractor, would you train a new cook to replace Chauncy? And I guess another for Steven because he’s clearly not working out.”

I smiled. “Of course.”

“On your days off from your other job, naturally. Or you could always come back full time, that would make it easier.”

“I believe we’ve had this conversation, Duncan. Several times.”

“You’re right.” He pointed to his temple. “I keep forgetting. Old, remember?”

He was wearing his teasing smirk, but I found it both moving and confusing that he wanted me to return to Mythic so badly. I hoped maybe it was because he wanted me to be a permanent fixture in his life, but I wasn’t going to entertain that idea while he was still allowing others to court him romantically.

The chef brought out a creamy banana dessert, and it was just as good as the dinner. But my eyes were continuously drawn to Duncan in his sexy black outfit, my attraction growing stronger by the minute. Could anyone blame me? I was on an island beach with a guy I was heavily into, and I knew I was getting lucky tonight. The sun had set and his handsome face was alluring in the lantern light—nice shadowed jawline, pretty eyes glimmering when he looked at me. He grinned. “What?”

“Nothing. Just looking at you. Admiring the view.”

“You certainly know how to make a man feel good, Zach.”

“Just wait ‘til later.”

Duncan laughed, shaking his head.

“What’s so funny?”

“I suppose I’m still getting used to this openly flirty side of you. You were so grumpy for the first couple weeks after we initially met.”

“I was grumpy? I thought I was nice! Professional.”

“You were rather cautious and defensive. Every time we spoke you’d eye me like you were trying to figure out my angle.”

“Yeah, and I was right, wasn’t I?” I chuckled. “You were trying to get in my pants.”

Duncan grinned. “I was not. Not at the time, I swear. Intrigued, yes. But it wasn’t something I considered might actually happen. If you recall, you were the one that asked me to kiss you in the restroom. Technically, you started this.”

“I suppose I did. Did that surprise you?”

“Good God, yes.”

“Well, I was surprised you actually did it, to be honest.”

He chuckled. “Me too. And afterward I was sure you were going to accuse me of taking advantage. Since you were so upset at the time. About…” His eyes flicked to me. “Well, you know.”

“You can say his name.”

“We don’t have to. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“I’ll say it then. Corey. Corey, Corey, Corey. The elephant in the room seems to have transformed into a fucking mammoth, so let’s talk about it. He’s your nephew, Duncan, not just my ex. I don’t want you to feel like you have to keep part of your life separate from me, that you can’t even bring his name up. What do I have to do to convince you I’m past it?”

He squeezed my hand. “I do believe you’re past it, Zach, honestly.”

I sighed in relief. “Good.”

He shrugged as he scooped up the last bite of dessert. “Corey wasn’t so convinced you were past it, but he’s not the one that’s been spending time with you. I am. He can’t very well judge this from afar.”

My light, vegetarian meal suddenly became a boulder in my stomach. “Corey talked to you about me?”

Duncan set his spoon down. “He did. Stewart saw us leaving together the night of the opening party and apparently relayed this to Corey. Corey questioned me about it.”

“Hmm.” I tossed my napkin aside and took a huge gulp of wine. “Yes. Corey left me a scathing voicemail. I texted him, trying to explain that it wasn’t what he thought. Never heard back. When you didn’t mention it, I assumed he had chosen not to discuss it.”

Duncan rolled his eyes, then looked into his glass of wine, twisting it on the table. “Oh, he did. You’re acquainted with my nephew. I’m sure you’re aware that staying silent when he’s got a bee in his bonnet is not something he does often.”

“I’m very aware of that, yes. What did he say to you?”

“We don’t have to talk about this now, Zach. It’s not exactly the right setting.”

“I know, and the last thing I want to do is ruin the mood. But I have to say this. Corey doesn’t know me anymore. Not who I am now. So I hope whatever he said to you, you didn’t take to heart. How badly did he assassinate my character?”

“I’m here with you, aren’t I? I’m judging things with my own mind, and that’s what I told him.”

I bit my lip and stared down at the table.

“Shit,” Duncan said. “This is what I didn’t want to happen. Are you upset?”

I met his gaze. “Can I be honest?”

“Absolutely.”

“I don’t date much. I haven’t in so long. I’m excited about you. I’m growing fonder of you. And I don’t want anything to interfere. So if there’s a splinter between us, we need to dig it out. Or it’ll just keep rubbing itself deeper.”

He reached over and touched my face. “All right.” He looked moved, his eyes flicking to my lips briefly. “I’m also growing fonder of you. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

I took his hand in mind. “Then let’s get this over with so we can move on to the making out in the house part.”

Duncan’s head fell forward as he laughed. “Agreed.”

“All right, then. Tell me what happened.”

Duncan linked his fingers on the table and sighed. “Corey felt very betrayed.”

“Shit. By you or me or both?”

“Both, but if I had to guess, I’d say you, mostly. At first. But he’d made all sorts of inaccurate assumptions.”

“Yeah. He does that.”

Duncan huffed, then nodded. “Corey assumed I was an unwilling pawn in your diabolical seduction game. I tried not to be insulted that he assumed I’m so easily manipulated.” He winked at me. “Or that I couldn’t win your affection on my own steam. Though you are rather irresistible, so I’ll give him a pass.”

“People resist me just fine, I assure you. How did you respond to him?”

“I set him straight on that. I asked him to trust my judgement, and I assured him that you didn’t throw yourself at me. I told him I was the one who initiated it, and that you were the one advising caution.”

Relief. I supposed that was true in a way, aside from me asking him to kiss me in the bathroom. But I was tired of being perceived as the resident psycho. “What did he say to that?”

“He was surprised. Said he understood, but that it still hurt because...” Duncan glanced at me, hesitating.

“What, Duncan? What is it?”

“Corey said that despite all that had happened, you still have a big place in his heart, so this is tough for him to accept. Because it’s me, someone so close to him. He said it resurrected a lot of old emotions for him.”

I set my wine down. “I thought he hated me.”

Duncan shook his head. “Corey doesn’t hate you, he wants you to be happy. But he’s not dealing with the idea of me dating you very well at all. The gravity of his objection frankly surprised me. But I told him if he’d rather I didn’t see you anymore, I wouldn’t.”

I scowled, my chest aching. “Oh. Well, I get that I guess. He’s been in your life a lot longer than I have.”

“True, but…” Duncan shrugged. “I didn’t expect Corey to be so damn bothered by it, to be honest. As I told you before, I’d never even heard him mention your name until the night we met, and I reminded him of that. That’s when he reluctantly conceded. When I pointed out that I’d never heard a word from him about you, so how could I have known it would be a hot button issue? Why would I assume...no offense Zach…that you even mattered to him?”

“I’m impressed. It’s not easy to interject logic when he’s off on an emotional bender.”

Duncan laughed. “Not always, no. But as a sidebar, it seems your relationship and subsequent breakup with my nephew was far more intense than I realized. I know he’s had a lot of boyfriends. So in my own mind I assumed you were just one of many past flings.”

I squirmed in my seat, feeling awkward. “Yeah. It was pretty damn intense.”

“I um…” Duncan poked at a bread roll with his finger. “I didn’t know he’d been in love with you like that. So I admit, I had a bit of guilt when he told me. That’s why I said I’d break it off if he wanted. But it’s fine now. We talked it out.”

I nodded and blew a breath out. “It ended so abruptly, and Corey cut me off so completely that I guess I forgot he was hurting too. So he’s…okay with it now?”

Duncan nodded and sipped his wine. “I told him a few things. About you. How I viewed you. Conversations we’d had.”

“Would you care to share?”

“I told him how hesitant you were with me at first. How much you’ve been through, and how adamant you are that you need to be cautious and comfortable with your life choices. How you constantly police yourself.”

I felt my face flush. “You absorbed all that, huh?”

“I do pay attention when you speak.” He smiled. “Most of the time.”

“So how did the conversation end?”

“He calmed down. Softened some. Oh, and he mentioned your text. I believe he intends to apologize to you.”

My eyebrows rose. “Really.”

He grinned. “I know how to reason with my nephew, maybe better than anyone. I believe he’ll get used to the idea. Now let’s change the subject, yes?”

“Yes. Definitely.” I gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

Duncan looked surprised by the thank you, but my heart was full that he’d not only defended me to Corey, but that he seemed to know my mind, and trust my sincerity.

The chef came over and we thanked him and the woman working alongside him. I asked him questions about some of his recipes, pleasantries were exchanged, then they left on the small boat tied to the dock. The boat we’d come in on was also gone, leaving us completely alone. I assumed we’d be retrieved tomorrow, but I didn’t care if we weren’t. I had no problem being stuck here on an island with Duncan. Now the awkward Corey discussion was over, I was free to enjoy this amazing date.

“Come on.” Duncan stood. “I’ll show you the cottage.”

I got up and followed him across the sandy beach to the stairs. “Do you own this place?”

“No, it’s a rental.”

“But you’ve been here before I bet.”

He opened the door. “I have.”

“Is this your exotic slut pad?”

He shot me a smirk. “One of them.”

And just like that, my old friend jealousy showed up to crash the party. Okay, so I wasn’t perfect yet. But then Duncan could have spared my feelings and lied about that.

I followed him into a neat, cozy room with wooden beams across the ceiling and unique beach house smell. We passed a cute kitchen, then moved down the hall, and he led me into a bedroom and flicked on a lamp. The room was decorated in navy blue and white with paintings of anchors and other nautical décor. There was a big bed and a hot tub in the corner. Our bags rested against the wall. “Hot tub,” Duncan said. “For if we get cold after skinny dipping in the ocean.”

I laughed. “We’re going skinny dipping?”

“At some point, obviously.”

“Obviously.” I eased him against the wall next to the bed. Duncan’s lips parted and I could see in his eyes that he liked what I was doing. “Do you know I think about you all time?” I asked softly, my fingers tangling in his hair as I nuzzled his neck. “Do you know that?”

“You do?”

“All the fucking time, Duncan. And I don’t even jerk off because I want to save it all for you.”

I had him pinned so tight I could feel his cock swell down below, and a breath hissed out of him. Okay. I’d revealed myself a little with my words, and he hadn’t recoiled. If anything, it seemed to be turning him on.

His hands slipped around and squeezed my ass as I kissed his neck and behind his ear, relishing the taste and smell of him. “Is that true?” he asked. “That you’ve been saving yourself for me?”

“It’s true.” I maneuvered him to the bed, getting him on his back and climbing on top. I straddled him, working the buttons on his shirt. I got his shirt open and smoothed my palms over his bare chest. “You want more truth, or have I gone too far?”

He nodded, lids heavy as he quickly unbuttoned my shirt. “Yes. More truth and fewer clothes.”

I shrugged my shirt off, and he did the same with his. Then I let my hands trail down his belly and started undoing his pants. “I hate the idea of anyone else touching you,” I said.

He’d been stroking his fingers down my belly when his hands paused. He shivered and took a deep inhale. “You do?”

“I do.” I got his pants open and stroked the bulge in his briefs with my palm.

Duncan’s lips curved as he sat up with me on his lap. “Aren’t you full of surprises,” he said, tracing my lips with his finger.

I reached into his briefs and found him hard and thick. “And what is so surprising?”

“About you?” His hips flexed and his cock thrust up into my hand as his eyes locked on mine. “Everything.”

I used one hand to push him onto his back again. Then I slid down his body, kissing along his warm skin until I found what I wanted and took his cock into my mouth, sucking him deep.

Duncan’s fingers threaded through my hair and he whispered, “My God.”

If he was invoking deities just from being in my mouth, he was in for a treat, because I knew my way around a cock, and I intended to show him my skills. He smelled clean down there, and he was thick and heavy in my mouth. When I drew back, dragging my tongue along his length, his fingers tightened in my hair.

I could hear his breathing grow heavy, but he remained silent while I licked all sides of him and applied gentle pressure to the head of his cock with my fingers. I alternated that—tonguing him in all the places I knew felt good—and sucking him so deep he grunted. Sliding one hand underneath him, I squeezed his ass cheek and let my fingers drift close to that magic spot while I sucked his cock with gentle enthusiasm.

My finger applied gentle pressure to his entrance while my lips and tongue gave more attention to the dome of his thick length. I was surprised when he tugged my head off him, dragging me up by my hair. I looked up the length of his body, and Duncan appeared rapt, his eyes glassy, cheeks flushed, but he shook his head and smiled. “No way,” he said. “I’m not coming yet.”

“Why not? Let me do this for you. We’ve got all night.”

“We do have all night.” He tugged me up and rolled me onto my back, then made quick work of my fly, tugging my pants open. “But I want to taste you first.”

He slid down the mattress and got my pants and briefs off. I laughed. “How is this fair? I wanted to experiment on you.”

His eyes were dark as he looked up at me, his mouth hovering over my erection. “You’ve been saving it up for me, you said.”

I nodded, my cock stretching tighter at his words. Seemed he’d liked that little detail. “Yes. Saving it all for you.”

“Then it’s time I relieve you of that burden.” He licked me from base to head, never taking his eyes off me. “So give me what’s mine,” he said and his head dropped, sucking me so hard I hit the back of his throat.

“Ah fuck,” I hissed, my eyes closing. “Definitely not fair.”

Duncan pressed his hand down on my belly like he was afraid I’d try to get away, then his mouth began to pulse as it bobbed on my cock. Unlike my slow approach to pleasuring him, Duncan took me with a quick rhythm and suctioned pressure that left me helpless to slow my arousal, the pleasure sharp and building way too fast.

“Oh God, what are you doing to me?” I gasped, squirming on the mattress as frissons rolled down my spine and through my belly.

My cock slipped out of his mouth and he blew on it. “I want to see how fast I can make you come,” he said, and started again.

I groaned, trying not to ponder how many cocks he’d sucked in his life to get this good at it. It was like he knew exactly what pressure points to hit, when to go hard and when to soften his tongue, and soon I was stampeding toward the edge. The first jolt of impending climax threatened way before I was ready for it.

Damn, I’d been too cocky, because Duncan was better than I was at this. He’d said he wanted to taste my orgasm first, and he was about to, so I warned, “Too fast, too fast, Duncan…”

But Duncan’s mouth was relentless, and soon I exploded into that suctioning heat, unable to hold back my howl of ecstasy any more than I could hold back the gushing of my cock. I’d never exactly been a quiet person in bed, but this was the first time I’d ever full-on screamed during climax, and my dick was like a malfunctioning shaving foam can, just kept shooting and shooting until I thought I’d pass out.

It was so much I worried I was going to choke Duncan with my fluids, but he took most of it, only easing back when my body twisted and I rolled onto my side as the orgasm finally ebbed and his ministrations became too much for my sensitive dick.

I fell back and lay there panting and boneless, my limbs akimbo. I was hanging half off the bed, one of my legs twisted at an odd angle beneath me. I must have looked like some primordial twitching squid because my muscle control seemed to have fled with the climax, and I couldn’t move. And my brain and mouth weren’t working too well either, because when Duncan jumped out of bed and said, “Let’s go to the beach!” I scowled up at him and mumbled something that sounded like ‘Blarch?’

“Yes, beach time.” He kicked off the pants still hanging around his ankles, then stood there completely naked, his cock still erect. “Come on. Get up.”

“It’s not beach time. It’s dark out.”

“That’s the best time to go to the beach.”

I groaned and sat up with effort. Duncan stood with hands on his hips, thick cock still pointing at me. “Duncan, you didn’t get off yet. Let me do something for you.”

“Don’t worry.” He grinned and gave his cock a tug with his hand. “I’ll make you come with this later. I enjoyed making you scream, that’s enough for now.”

“I did scream, didn’t I?”

“Oh yes. I’ll hear that sound in my dreams.”

“But Duncan, you’re still hard.”

“This?” He swiveled his hips and I howled with laughter as his erection slapped back and forth against his thighs. “This will rise again later, trust me.”

I managed to stand then watched as he went to a closet and opened the doors. He handed me a pair of thick beach towels, then he dug a bottle of rum out of his bag. I laughed. “You’re serious about this beach thing, huh?”

He started out of the room and paused, turning back. “We’re going swimming, come on. And bring the towels.”

Stark naked with his bottle of rum and lingering erection, Duncan left the bedroom. With towels in hand, I followed after him. Suddenly, music with a heavy bass blasted through the house, so loud I jumped. A gravelly blues voice sang as I made my way out the door to the descending stairs.

‘I love the way you walk…’

I could still hear the music when I stepped across the sand and found Duncan on the moonlit beach, taking a slug of rum. I glanced out at the dark, rippling water and set down the towels. “Do you always play John Lee Hooker at this volume while you’re running around naked?”

He handed me the bottle and smiled. “No neighbors. We can do whatever we want! Come on, let’s go swim.” Duncan ran toward the water.

“This is how Jaws started!” I shouted after him. Taking a pull off the bottle, I winced and looked at the label. This was some strong Jamaican shit.

I watched Duncan’s nude body disappear, a flash of his white ass as he dove into the waves. Chuckling, I dropped the bottle and started after him.

I was right. Dating the fuck out of Duncan Stengel was turning out to be a wild ride.