MURPHY’S LAW

Penny Brandon

www.loose-id.com

Murphy’s Law
Copyright © July 2012 by Penny Brandon
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eISBN 978-1-61118-979-7
Editor: Sherri Lynn
Cover Artist: Ginny Glass
Printed in the United States of America

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This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might
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the names, characters, places and incidents are either
the product of the author’s imagination or are used
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locales is entirely coincidental.

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Chapter One

“So this is Bondi Beach.”

David stood on the hot sand looking at the bluest

water he’d ever seen. High above, a fierce sun shone
out of a cloudless sky, which seemed to go on forever,
eternal, everlasting, brilliant. David grinned, feeling the
heat of the day pressing against his skin. He wriggled his
toes, the soft grains tickling. The beach was crowded.
People were everywhere—families, tourists, men,
women, both young and old and in various states of
undress. Most men, like him, were in swim shorts, and
whereas many of them were bare-chested, some wore
T-shirts or tank tops.

David’s gaze flitted from one to the other,

occasionally resting on one or two hot-looking guys.
His body tightened a little in awareness and anticipation.
He’d traveled thousands of miles to see this, to be a
part of this, and he couldn’t wait to delve into the
depths of debauchery and abandon coming to Australia
was going to give him.

Flicking the sand with his toes again—so different

from the hard-pebbled beaches he’d frequented at
home—David moved deeper onto the crescent-shaped
expanse. On his right he could see large multistoried
apartment buildings, and to his left there were houses
perched upon cliffs that would give a perfect view of the
ocean. It was a beautiful place, full of life, laughter, and
happiness. Exactly what David was looking for.

Something, or should he say someone, caught his

eye. A tall, dark-haired man stood alone, hands on slim
hips, long legs spread slightly, back straight, shoulders
wide. He was staring out to sea, his face raised just a
little. He was gorgeous in that Yes, I’m gorgeous kind
of way, and for one imaginary moment, David
wondered if it would do him any good to approach him.
He briefly looked down at his pale body and sighed.
Maybe not. There was no way he was anywhere near
that guy’s league.

He glanced around the crowded beach again.

There were other guys out there, and a few of them
could be interested in him. He was just going to have to

start perusing, and making it known he was available
and willing. Still, he couldn’t help taking one last look at
the gorgeous one.

“Don’t bother. I’ve already checked him out.”

The deep masculine voice at his shoulder had

David jerking around in shock. “Pardon me?”

“He’s not gay.”

Trying to retain some dignity in his surprise, David

didn’t let his jaw drop as he eyed the man who had
spoken. A little taller than his own six feet, the guy just
oozed sex appeal. Sun-bleached hair, dark tan, light
blue eyes, wide smile, hot body; he was something out
of a men’s magazine, and again way out of David’s
league, but the guy had spoken to him, actually just
announced he was gay. Well, that’s what David had
assumed he’d done.

Narrowing his eyes against the glare off the sea,

David took another glance at the man they were
discussing. “Are you sure? Seems gay to me, and I’m
very rarely wrong.” That actually wasn’t quite true.
David had little experience in cruising for men, usually

having to rely on making dates via the Internet,
disappointing dates, but he wasn’t going to admit that to
anyone, let alone the man standing so close to him.

A warm pressure against the back of his arm had

David holding still. The pressure increased a little as the
blond leaned in.

“Okay, he’s gay, but he talks like a girl.”

David couldn’t help his sputter of laughter. “So?

That doesn’t make him not worthy of a good fuck.”

“Yeah, well. I don’t think I could stand his high-

pitched squeals.”

Turning to look at the blond, David couldn’t help

but grin. “You’re right. That would put me off too.”

“I assume you don’t squeal, then?”

David felt a bubble of pleasure dance around his

stomach. He was being picked up and he hadn’t even
been in Australia a day yet. He stared back up into
those light blue eyes and saw both anticipation and a
little uncertainty. The man wanted him, but he wasn’t a
100 percent sure if David would want him back. David

decided to quickly assure him he did.

“No, I’m not a squealer, though I do tend to groan

a lot.”

The blond smiled, uncertainty gone. In its place

was nothing but expectation and a whole lot of need.
The look was heady, especially since it was aimed at
him. David couldn’t recall ever witnessing a man
looking at him like that. It was good, really good, so
much so that it was on the tip of his tongue to ask the
guy if he wanted to go back to his hotel room right now.

Luckily he held it back, because the man nodded

toward the water. “Were you going in?”

David glanced at the blue ocean, at the people

splashing about having fun. He was here for fun, and
had flown halfway around the world to have it. The
blond was pressed against his shoulder again. The touch
was distracting, and it took David a couple of seconds
to stop thinking of the other kind of fun he wanted.

“I was thinking of it,” he said, answering the

question.

“Good. I’m Scott, by the way.” Scott held out his

hand and David took it. The hand was warm, strong,
and the grip was confident and full of promise.

“David.”

Scott smiled again. “Well, David, why don’t we

take a swim and then see what happens?”

David smiled back and, letting go of Scott’s hand,

took a step forward. “Sounds good to me.”

Expecting Scott to follow him, David didn’t

anticipate having a warm, steady palm centered in the
middle of his back. Startled, he almost stumbled over
the soft sand.

“Hey, steady.” The hand was replaced by a firm

arm. David gasped.

“Are you all right?”

“Um, yes, sorry, I’m just not used to men touching

me like that in public.”

“You don’t like it?” Scott instantly removed his

arm.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Just that I’m not used

to it.” In fact, he was used to actively discouraging it,

because if the wrong people saw it, it would set off a
string of abuse he was finding ever more difficult to
cope with. But this was Australia; he didn’t have to
watch himself here.

Scott grinned, the blue in his eyes flashing. “Get

used to it. I like touching.” And he proved it all the way
to the water’s edge, keeping his hand firmly on David’s
back.

“You obviously don’t have a problem with people

finding out you’re gay,” David said, glancing at Scott
before testing the temperature of the water with his foot
and wading in a few feet. He’d tried to keep his tone
casual, but he was really curious as he’d rarely been
around openly gay men, and he wondered how Scott
did it.

“Not anymore. Why, do you?” The question had a

slight edge to it, as if Scott just realized David might not
want to be outed.

“Not here. I’ve got nothing to be afraid of here.”

“Afraid?” Scott’s eyes narrowed, and David

worried he might have said too much.

“It’s been a little difficult back home,” he replied,

hoping Scott would drop the subject even though David
had brought it up.

“Yeah, I can understand that.” From the look in

Scott’s pale eyes, he did, and David smiled, relieved.

He waded a little deeper. The water was warmer

than he’d expected, used as he was to the frigid sea off
the Devon coast of England. Scott eyed him before
diving into the surf, his body one long line as it
disappeared beneath the breaking waves. David stood
thigh-deep and waited to see where Scott would come
up, and when he spotted his blond head and grinning
face, he followed suit.

After the blazing heat on his back and shoulders,

the cooler water was a shock, and as David felt the
surge of a wave breaking over his head, he was hard-
pressed not to gasp. Throwing a couple of hard kicks
and pulling with his arms, he soon left the beach behind
him, and when the tug of the surf ceased, he headed for
the surface and popped up inches from where he’d last
seen Scott.

Scott was waiting for him, treading water. “You

can swim,” Scott said, with both admiration and
interest.

“Considering I lived near a beach and surfed

whenever I could, I should damn well hope so. I love
the water.”

“It shows.” Scott reached out and ran both hands

over the tops of David’s shoulders. “You’ve got great
muscle tone,” he said as his warm fingers blazed a trail
down David’s chest. David shivered. It wasn’t from the
water splashing against his skin this time. Being touched
openly like this was a definite turn-on, and the way
Scott did it, with a sexual undertone that was subtle but
nevertheless there, made it even more so.

Thoughts scattered as David focused on Scott’s

touch. He couldn’t actually think of anything except the
experimental wandering of a flat palm over his stomach
and the occasional nudge of a hard thigh against his.

“Hey. You okay?”

David hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes until

Scott poked his shoulder. After he snapped his eyes

open, it took him a moment to focus on Scott who was
staring at him in amusement. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he
mumbled, hoping the heat he felt on his face was from
the sun and not some internal thermometer gone wrong.
Did Scott do that deliberately? Touch to elicit a
response? Or did he honestly like touching just from the
pleasure he gained by it?

Scott grinned and kicked out, propelling himself

backwards. “Come on, let’s swim,” he coaxed. “It may
cool us down a little.” Scott remained on his back,
leisurely slicing his arms to keep moving through the
water.

David followed, though he used the breaststroke,

keeping his face free so he could keep an eye on where
Scott was going.

“God this is amazing.”

“What is?”

“This.” Scott stopped and raised his arm to

encompass everything around him. “I’ve never swum in
the ocean before.”

“No? So where do you swim then?”

“At the local pool.”

“Local?”

“At the town where I live.”

“Which is?”

“A long way from here.”

David didn’t know if Scott was being deliberately

evasive, or whether he wasn’t following what David
was asking. As Scott glanced at him, David quickly
realized it was the former. He gave a slight nod, letting
Scott know it was okay. If Scott wanted to remain
anonymous, that was fine with him. After all, David had
come over here so he could have that same anonymity.
Along with mind-blowing, gut-clenching, uncomplicated
sex. And with Scott, David reckoned he’d be getting it.

He smiled, then stretched out on his back, floating,

arms spread wide, legs dangling loosely in the water.
Waves lapped across his body, cool little ripples that
kept the harsh sun from being too hot. He sensed Scott
floating beside him, and occasionally, as the swell lifted
and dropped them, he would feel Scott’s shoulder or
arm brush against him.

“I’m from England,” David suddenly blurted out,

though he wasn’t sure why. There was no reason to
reveal anything about himself. The same way there was
no reason for Scott to.

“I kind of figured that.”

“From my accent?” David asked, realizing how

different he must sound to the Aussie.

Scott laughed. “Yes, and because you have that

pasty never-seen-the-sun skin.”

Moving closer, Scott lifted his arm and placed it

alongside David’s. The contrast was startling. Where
Scott was gorgeously tanned a golden brown, David
was white. Well, not perfectly white—he was covered
from head to toe with freckles, something he’d hated as
a child but had become oblivious of as he’d gotten
older. There was nothing he could do about them, so
now he never bothered, but as he compared his
coloring to Scott’s, he realized how bad they looked.
He dropped his arm beneath the water.

“Okay, I’m pasty,” he said, deciding there was no

point in denying the obvious.

“I like it.” The soft purr of Scott’s comment had

David staring at him.

“Pardon?”

“I said I like it. It’s what attracted me to you.”

“You like my white skin?”

“Well actually it was your freckles and the color of

your hair.”

“Are you serious?”

Scott glanced at him before gazing toward the

horizon. “Yeah. I saw you coming out of the hotel and
was instantly hooked.”

David wasn’t sure if he’d heard correctly. “If you

saw me coming out of the hotel, then you followed me
to the beach. You stalked me.” David didn’t quite mean
that to come out the way it did, but a little shiver of fear
had his heart racing. What kind of man was Scott? And
was it safe to be out here in the ocean with a man he
didn’t know?

Bright blue eyes darted to his, then Scott turned to

face him fully. “Sorry, it’s just that when I saw you, I

couldn’t help myself.” Though Scott’s words sounded
apologetic, there was nothing sorry about the look he
gave. If anything, David would have said the look was
predatory. But instead of alarming David, as he knew
damn well it should have, it gave him a thrill.

He had to think about that for a moment, and

though his heart still raced, it was now from a different
emotion. His instincts told him to trust Scott, and
besides, the man seriously turned him on, and David
was not going to lose the chance to get a taste of him.

“So do you have a predilection for red-headed

guys with freckles?” he asked, wondering if he was
simply Scott’s type.

“Not until I saw you.” The sincerity in that

statement made David smile. It also made him want to
test Scott further.

“So my freckles are what attracted you initially.

What about now?” David kept in shape because that
was the only thing about himself he had control over,
but he was nowhere near as buff as Scott, and he was
definitely not as good-looking. With Scott’s rugged

face, intense blue eyes, and a smile that went straight to
David’s cock, David was only hoping he could keep
Scott interested for a little while longer.

Scott’s full lips twitched as if he was able to read

what was going on in David’s mind, which wouldn’t
have been all that difficult to do, because David wore
his emotions and thoughts all over his face.

“You have the most amazing green eyes. They

kind of shine and glitter like emeralds when you smile,
yet they turn into a deep moss green when you’re
turned on. And…” Scott hesitated, looking slightly
embarrassed. “Your accent. I absolutely love the way
you talk.”

David started laughing. He couldn’t help it.

Surprised yet delighted by Scott’s confession about his
eyes, he was completely astounded with the accent
remark. Luckily his laughter didn’t offend Scott. In fact,
Scott was smiling broadly.

“Don’t mock it. Your accent is adorable.”

David didn’t want to push the issue. If Scott liked

it, that was good enough for him. He smiled back, then

decided to give a little compliment of his own. “I like
your eyes too, and your smile, but if you want me to be
honest—” He stopped, seeing if Scott would take the
bait. Scott did.

“Be honest.”

“I am so acutely turned on by you touching me.”

“That was kind of the point of me doing it.”

“Well, it’s working.”

The grin he was rewarded with had David glad the

lapping water of the ocean more than covered the
hardening bulge in his swim shorts, and by the look in
Scott’s eyes, Scott was probably glad too.

“Are you up for a few more minutes of

swimming?” David asked, trying to figure out how long
it would take before his erection went down and if it
would do so before he ran out of stamina and started
drowning.

Smirking, Scott nodded but did nothing that would

be classified as swimming. Instead he seemed content
to just tread water, gazing at David with that intent stare

of his.

“I’d really love to kiss you right now.”

David’s stomach twisted a little. “You’ll get your

chance the second we’re in my hotel room.”

Scott nodded again, but he looked decidedly

disappointed. David allowed the pull of the waves to
draw him closer to Scott until they were touching again,
the silky feel of skin on skin enhanced by the warmth of
the water surrounding them. He studied Scott’s profile
for a moment, seeing the slight downward curve in the
set of Scott’s mouth, and the way his jaw was clenched
just a little.

“Did you really want to kiss me now? In public?”

David asked, guessing the source of Scott’s
displeasure. A flick of pale blue eyes told him Scott did,
so he was surprised when Scott shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I can wait.”

David had never really considered himself able to

judge people’s moods or needs, but Scott seemed as
easy to read as David knew himself to be. He inwardly
smiled and decided that as long as they didn’t get

arrested, there should be no reason he couldn’t kiss
Scott now. It wasn’t as if there was anyone around that
could report him back to his family. That was one of the
reasons he’d traveled so far from home.

Taking a chance, he snaked an arm around

Scott’s waist, startling him, and then while gently pulling
him closer so their legs tangled and their hips bumped,
David did something he’d never done before—he
kissed a man in full view of anyone who cared to notice.

Scott instantly slid both arms around his back and

hauled him even closer. A hard chest met his, warm
from the sun and tight with arousal, and the lips that
closed over his were firm and hot and totally
demanding. Though David initiated the kiss, Scott
controlled it, seeking access with his tongue and sliding
it deep when David opened for him.

The taste was salty, but beneath the brine was an

essence that was obviously all Scott. Sultry lips quickly
turned all consuming, and the tongue that invaded
David’s mouth was agile and sinfully keen. Holding on
to Scott with one arm, David slid his free hand through

Scott’s hair, tangling his fingers in the thick, wet mass.
Scott instantly tightened his hold and realigned his hips
so the hard length of his cock brushed against David’s.
David gasped, the sizzle of that touch racing through his
body. It had been a long time since someone had held
him like this, turned him on like this, and the unexpected
buzz had him hooking one leg around Scott’s thigh to
bring them even nearer.

The move had them sinking beneath the waves,

arms wrapped around each other, legs entwined, and
lips still sealed. David didn’t think about the air he was
going to need in his lungs; he just wanted more of
Scott’s taste in his mouth. Too soon, however, the
burning in his chest reminded him he had to breathe,
and as David reluctantly let Scott move away, he
kicked back up to the surface.

Scott greeted him with a smile, a smile that was

also reflected in his eyes as he looked through spiky
golden lashes. “Thank you, but next time we do that, I
want to be in a place I’m not going to drown.”

“You’re the one who couldn’t wait.”

Scott’s smile widened. “Yeah, I know, but I didn’t

think you were going to turn it into something that has
me tempted into doing more than just kissing you.”

David grinned, liking the way Scott was looking at

him. Yeah, if they’d been anywhere else, Scott
wouldn’t have stopped at kissing. Delighted he could
evoke such a response in a man who could have had his
pick of nearly any guy on the beach, David decided he
was finished with swimming.

“Think it’s safe to head back to shore?” If Scott

was feeling the same way, it probably wasn’t, but they
couldn’t stay out here forever, and besides, his skin—
the pasty white freckled skin that Scott seemed to love
—was beginning to prune.

The hot flare in Scott’s eyes told David that

Scott’s mind had fast-forwarded to the hotel room. “It
may not be completely safe, but I’m willing to get out of
here if you are.”

David didn’t have to think it over. The second

Scott had touched him, he’d been more than prepared
to let Scott fuck him. Even though Scott hadn’t actually

said he would, the intent was in every movement of
Scott’s body, in every look in his blue eyes, in every
sensual touch he made.

David turned and began swimming with sure,

strong strokes. Not so fast that he’d get back to waist
level before his erection went down, or to completely
expose himself as the eager man he was, but not too
slow either, because fuck, he was eager.

Scott kept level with him, his expression focused

on what David hoped was the afternoon ahead. Maybe
afterward they could go to dinner together, or better
yet, order in and spend longer in bed. Because his
thoughts were on something far different than the ocean
he was swimming in, David didn’t take heed when he
felt the swell of a wave behind him. Before he realized
it, the heavy body of water picked him up and started
propelling him toward the beach. Too fast and strong
for David to do anything other than go with it, he was
unceremoniously dumped on the wet sand like a
stranded fish.

Gasping as another wave crashed over him, he

managed to scramble on all fours in time to see Scott
comfortably stride out of the surf, his magnificent body
dripping water, hair slicked back, his golden skin
highlighted by the sun, and looking every bit the Adonis
he was.

David suddenly felt inadequate, and the confident

self-image he’d managed to portray in the face of
Scott’s interest drained away, leaving him an empty,
open shell that was quickly filling up with uncertainty
and misery. He pulled himself up and tried to wipe off
the wet sand sticking to his chest and stomach.
Humiliated, David didn’t look up when Scott stopped
and stood in front of him.

“Are you all right?” There was amusement and

concern in his tone. Amusement David was used to, not
so much the concern.

“I’m fine. Just got sand up the crack of my arse.”

Better to make fun of himself before anyone else did.

“We’d better get that out. No way am I going to

get my cock rubbed raw.” There was a smile in Scott’s
tone this time, and as David risked a glance at him, he

saw the smile in his eyes too. It was a gentle don’t
worry about it smile.

David continued to try to get the sand off while

attempting not to look like he’d been affected by
Scott’s kindness. He wasn’t surprised though when
Scott started helping him, using warm, sure hands to
dislodge the tiny grains.

“You’d be better off going back in and washing it

off.”

Yeah, he probably would, but he was enjoying the

attention he was getting from Scott too much to do the
obvious. But after a few ineffective attempts, and with
sand clinging to his shorts, David gave in to the
inevitable.

“Give me a sec,” he said, taking a step back to

quickly dip into the crashing surf. He hadn’t been
looking where he was going. Why would he? All that
was behind him was an ocean. But David stepped on
something sharp. Very sharp.

Cursing a blue streak, David lifted his foot and

then was shocked silent by the brilliant red fluid pouring

out of what seemed to be a shallow cut. Eyes widening
in consternation, he managed one last thought and one
quick look at Scott before the dizziness hit and all
thought stopped. Because that was when he passed
out.

SCOTT’S INCREDIBLY FAST reaction had

been honed over the years through training and
practice, so when he saw David’s eyes roll back into
his head, he had already stepped forward and was
ready to catch David before he hit the hard, wet sand.

Concern flashed deep as he carefully lowered

David, mindful of the small waves still rushing toward
them. He glanced at the foot and winced at the amount
of blood spilling from it. Remembering something he’d
read in a first-aid book about sea water not being the
best thing on an open wound, Scott lifted the foot onto
his knee, keeping it both elevated and out of the sea.
Looking around, he saw no one was paying them any
attention, so Scott just sat there and waited for David to
wake up. He knew what had happened, and though it

wasn’t funny, he found it hard to stop a smile. He’d
seen people faint before, several times, and he’d known
what was going to happen the second David stared at
him after glancing at the flowing blood. His smile turned
into a grin. He couldn’t help it, but when he was on the
point of laughing, because it was funny, David opened
his eyes. There was one momentary cloud of confusion
before the beautiful jade-green eyes cleared and David
frowned.

“Oh, God. I fainted, didn’t I?”

“Yeah. You okay?”

“My fucking ego’s just taken a dive, but yes. I

guess.” Those green eyes closed briefly, and Scott
instantly missed their swirling depths. He sat back as
David rubbed his face with one hand and then tried to
sit up.

“Careful. You might still be dizzy.”

“I’m fine.” But as David went to move his foot,

which was still perched on Scott’s knee, he stopped.
“How bad is it?” he asked, not looking anywhere near
the damage or the slowly dripping blood that mingled

with the surf and the sand.

“Nothing but a shallow cut. Give it a minute and

you should be able to stand.”

David nodded, keeping his gaze averted.

“Do you always faint at the sight of blood?”

“Stupid, isn’t it?” For a second, David’s shoulders

slumped, and then he leveled an intense stare at Scott.
“You still want to go to my room with me?”

There was a little uncertainty in David’s tone, one

which Scott quickly wanted to alleviate. “Damn fucking
straight. You fainting isn’t going to change my mind.”
He paused for a second, then smirked. “Unless you
faint in the middle of sex.”

David’s eyes smiled at him. “Not that I know of.”

“Good. But just in case you do, do I have

permission to keep on going?”

David’s laugh was light and easy, and it freed the

tension that had built in his shoulders.

“Has it stopped?”

Scott glanced down at David’s foot, which was

still perched on his thigh. “Close enough.” Red drops
had coagulated over the cut, however, Scott knew once
David moved, the blood would start flowing again.

David grimaced, though it was short-lived. “Help

me up.” He held out his hand and struggled to stand
while keeping his foot off the sand.

Scott helped, sliding an arm around David’s waist

and pulling David to him. David’s skin was warm and
soft, the muscles beneath fluid and well-defined, but not
bulky. “Walk on your toes,” he advised, watching
carefully for any sign the blood was going to affect
David. David just nodded, glancing at where he put his
foot before looking straight ahead.

“Does it hurt much?” Scott asked as he saw David

wince.

“No. It wasn’t a deep cut, was it?”

“Not that I could tell. But we’ll take a closer look

once we get to the hotel.”

David just nodded again, offering a warm smile.

“Sorry.”

“Could have happened to anyone.” And Scott

knew that from firsthand knowledge. He’d seen
accidents happen and the results from them too many
times to mention. What he was intrigued about was
David’s reaction. Not so much the fainting—he could
tell David was embarrassed about it—but about the
accident in general. David hadn’t even looked to see
what could have caused the cut.

“I’d like to think that’s true, but bad things seem

to keep happening to me.”

“Bad things?”

David slanted semiamused eyes at him. “I tend to

trip over things a lot.”

“That’s not bad.”

“I’ve broken four bones, dislocated my shoulder,

suffered being stitched up about a dozen times, and I
tend to be the stinging target for bees.”

“You serious?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“So that’s why you weren’t fazed by the cut.”

“Not the cut, no. Just the blood. No matter how

many times I see it, I pass out.” David still sounded a
little embarrassed about that.

Without thinking about it, Scott hugged David to

him. There was no pretense of holding him to help him
across the sand. It was a full-blown comforting, don’t
worry about it because I don’t care hug.

David’s grateful smile was worth the stares they

got as they negotiated the sunbathing bodies. Scott
didn’t actually care what people thought of his actions,
and by the look of it, David didn’t seem to mind either.
Which was good, because Scott had been serious when
he told David to get used to being touched in public.
After so long of not being allowed the luxury of touching
a man freely and openly, Scott intended to touch David
as often and for as long as possible.

The distance to the hotel wasn’t far. David

scooped up his sandals and shirt, which he’d left on the
beach. Scott didn’t bother hiding his satisfaction as he
did the same.

“You left your stuff with mine?”

Scott nodded. “I saw where you’d left them. It

seemed silly not to leave them close by.”

“That confident, huh?”

Scott would have liked to say yes. However, he

hadn’t been sure of David, just hopeful. Though Scott
was generally successful in picking up guys, he very
rarely approached a guy in such a public place. For that
same reason, he’d been worried David would not be
receptive to being hit on. Added to that fact was
David’s looks. The man was so striking, Scott expected
David to be swamped with admirers the second he hit
the beach, and he was going to get stuck at the back of
the line unless he got in there first.

“Not so much confident as hopeful,” he admitted.

David gave him a semidubious glance but didn’t

say anything more as they headed to the hotel. Once
inside the cool interior, the stares they received were far
different from the ones they’d collected on the beach.
This time they were not so much curious as
disapproving. Scott expected David to move out of his
arms, but he remained glued to his side and seemed

oblivious to the damning stare of the concierge.

Pulling a plastic card from the waterproof pocket

of his shorts, David passed it to Scott. “Room 214,” he
said, loud enough for anyone around them to hear.
Scott raised an eyebrow. David grinned, his green eyes
sparkling with both humor and mischief. “If they want to
think the worst, we may as well give them something
solid to think about.”

“Is that false bravado, or do you like to live

dangerously?”

“Dangerously? No, I’m not the adventurous sort.”

“Yet you flew halfway around the world for a

holiday.”

“I flew halfway around the world to have some fun

and get laid without having to look over my damn
shoulder to see who’s watching me.”

The confession surprised Scott, but in a good

way. “That’s why I came to Sydney.”

“Good, then we’re both on the same page.”

Scott laughed; he couldn’t help it. David was a

nice mix of honesty and shy expectation. The next few
hours with him were going to be interesting. The room
David let them into was large, much bigger than the
modest room at the place Scott had booked into. He
looked around appreciatively, spying the king-size bed
and the huge plate-glass windows, which gave a
panoramic view of the whole of Bondi Beach and the
ocean beyond. “Nice.”

David shrugged. “I needed to get away, and I

wasn’t thinking of cost when I booked.”

Scott wished he could have said the same thing,

but with his money tied up in investment properties, he
didn’t have the funds for a room like this. He could still
appreciate it though.

After sitting David down on the edge of the bed,

he checked David’s foot. “The bleeding has stopped,
but we should clean that.”

David nodded. “Let me run through a shower.

That way I can also get this sand off.” A light color
bloomed along David’s cheeks, and Scott could easily
guess what David was thinking. He hid his amusement

as David pointed to a small backpack on the floor near
the bathroom door. “There’s some ointment in there, if
you don’t mind getting it out.”

At Scott’s assent, David hobbled into the

bathroom. For a second, Scott thought of joining him
but decided to leave David alone. The man was
obviously embarrassed by having to get sand out of his
ass, and Scott didn’t want to embarrass him further by
offering to do it for him. Though Scott would have to
admit it wouldn’t have been any hardship; from what
he’d been able to see, David had a nice ass.

He unzipped the bag, then rummaged around in

the front pocket, delighted when he pulled out a small
bottle and spotted the familiar logo of a popular brand
of lube. He tossed it onto the bed, then delved back
into the bag. His second prize was a box of condoms.
Finally he brought out a tube of antiseptic cream.
Holding on to it, he waited impatiently for David to
finish his shower.

A few moments later, when David reentered the

bedroom wearing only a towel wrapped around slim

hips, Scott was hard-pressed not to go up to him and
start working on that beautiful body. Damn, but he
wanted to kiss it all over and see if David’s skin tasted
as delicious as it looked.

Restraining himself, he waited until David sat back

down on the edge of the bed, then, kneeling between
his legs, he purposefully lifted David’s slim foot and
gently layered the cut with ointment. “Does it sting?” he
asked as David jerked his foot a little.

“No.”

“Then why the pained look on your face?”

“Because I’m imagining you, exactly as you are

now, between my legs, sucking my cock.”

Scott inwardly rejoiced. “We’ll get there. Don’t

worry.”

“How about getting there now? You touching me

is turning me on again.”

“Really?” Testing David’s confession, and just

because he wanted to, Scott ran his hands up David’s
calf and over his knee, feeling the muscles tighten

reflexively. A light smattering of hair tickled his palm,
and as Scott looked closely, he saw that the fine, soft
hair was the same red gold as the ones on top of
David’s head, and in that brief moment he wondered if
David’s pubes would be the same color. God, he
couldn’t wait to find out.

Flattening his palms on David’s thighs, Scott used

them to push up so he could aim a kiss on David’s
mouth, pleased when David’s instantly opened up for
him. David wrapped his arms around Scott’s neck and
pulled him closer, falling back on the bed, so Scott was
forced to go with him or break the kiss. Scrambling up,
Scott couldn’t miss the unmistakable bulge pressing
against his, and as he wriggled a bit to get comfortable,
David groaned.

“Mmm, love the way you respond to me,” he

murmured as he gently took small bites of David’s
luscious lower lip.

“Love how you make me feel.” David’s mossy-

green eyes were half-closed, but the desire in them was
unmistakable.

Already aroused, Scott felt it escalate, especially

when David took an arm from around his neck and slid
it between their bodies, skillfully pulling at Scott’s shorts
so he could slip inside and curl nimble fingers around his
now straining cock.

“Want you in me,” David said, spreading his legs

and hooking his ankles up onto the small of Scott’s
back.

Though David’s words sent a sizzle down Scott’s

spine, he held back the desire to do just that. “All in
good time.”

David shook his head. “No, now. Need you

now.”

Scott paused and pulled back a little. “I thought

you wanted your cock in my mouth?”

“Later. Inside me first.” As if emphasizing his

need, David pushed up with his hips and gripped
tighter.

“Fuck.”

“Yes please.” David moved his hips again,

somehow managing to get his prick free of the towel,
and he now had both of their hot shafts rubbing against
each other.

Scott hissed in a short, sharp breath and closed his

eyes a moment to relish the feeling. But David’s
increasingly frantic movements didn’t allow him to
delight in it for long. He opened his eyes to see David
was staring at him with something akin to desperation.

“You sure?” he asked, just so he wouldn’t feel

guilty while slamming his cock in the tight ass that was
wriggling like mad beneath him.

“Yes, Scott, fuck yes.” That desperation was now

in David’s voice, and as if to prove it further, he
groaned and bit his bottom lip at the same time he
squeezed his thighs around Scott’s waist even tighter.

Needing no more encouragement, Scott pulled

free and tore off his clothes, watching as David got rid
of the towel and scrambled on all fours to the middle of
the bed. Scott paused at the sight of David’s ass ready
and waiting for him, the firm mounds deliciously painted
with a spatter of freckles.

Jesus.

David glanced over his shoulder, a hurry-up

expression on his face and a plea in his eyes. “What?”
he asked, impatience lacing his tone.

Scott couldn’t help but grin. “Fucking love your

ass.” He reached out to stroke the softest skin he’d
ever had the pleasure of touching, losing himself in the
silky smoothness until David made a low sound in his
throat, reminding Scott he was supposed to be getting
David ready.

He quickly used David’s towel to dislodge some

sand from his skin, then climbed on the bed to get
closer, and after coating his fingers with lube, eased
them between David’s ass cheeks, watching as David
angled his hips to take more of his touch. Holding him
still, Scott pressed against the pink entrance that
seemed to beg to be breached.

Moaning, Scott slid his thumb over and around the

nerve-rich area. He loved this part, that first
penetration, the first feel of silky insides and tight heat.
Savoring the moment, he slid just the tip of his finger

through the clenching muscle, smiling as he heard David
gasp.

“Okay?” he asked, withdrawing a little before

pushing farther in.

“You don’t have to be gentle. I can take it,” David

replied, squirming.

“Yeah, but I like doing this.”

David twisted to look over his shoulder. “I like it

too, but shit, Scott. I really need you in me. Seriously,
I’m about ready to blow.”

At Scott’s raised eyebrow, David’s face flamed,

his freckles almost disappearing. “It’s been a long time,
and I swear if you don’t get in me now, I’m going to
start screaming.” The command that tore through
David’s tone was not what Scott expected, but he
reacted to it and gave David what he wanted.

With a skill borne of practice, Scott pushed his

fingers deep into David’s ass, stretching quickly, willing
to do as David asked but not willing to hurt him. With
his other hand, he rolled on a condom and smoothed on
more lube. David moaned, and Scott looked up to see

him watching.

“Ready?” he asked, scissoring his fingers and

wishing David would have given him more time. He
really did like this part. Maybe David would let him play
with him later.

“Never more so. I came here to do this. I need it.

Give it to me, Scott. Fuck me.”

With a demand like that, Scott wasn’t going to

refuse. He pulled his fingers out, then placed himself at
David’s entrance, the heat already enough to make him
moan in pleasure. Gripping a hip in one hand, he used
the other to guide his cock, pushing carefully past the
tight ring of muscle that fought him even though he’d
been careful enough to stretch David first.

“Okay?” he asked again, pushing deeper and

marveling at the heat and muscles that seemed to suck
him in and hold him. David didn’t answer. Instead he
moaned and pushed back. Scott chuckled. Maybe that
was David’s answer. Helping, he increased the
pressure until with a final push, he was buried as deep
as he could go.

“Oh my God!”

“Still okay?”

“Yeah, fucking perfect.”

Scott rubbed his hand over David’s back, loving

how soft his skin was and spotting even more freckles
decorating the taut body. He rubbed a thumb over a
few, eliciting a shiver from David.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, fascinated with the little

reddish-brown dots.

“It would be better if you moved.”

Doubting David knew what his comment had been

about, Scott held back a full laugh, because he wanted
to move as much as David obviously did. He changed
his hold to David’s hips and slowly pulled most of the
way out before sliding exquisitely back inside. David’s
long, low moan told Scott he was doing something right,
but then David gasped and his body stiffened.

“Oh fuck! Shit, I’m coming!”

Surprised at the sudden onset of David’s orgasm,

Scott almost stilled, but instinct had him riding David

through the pleasure, keeping an even, steady rhythm,
though he had to grit his teeth at the intensity of sleek
muscles rippling over and around his cock. When
David’s spasms ceased and his body went lax, Scott
held him for a moment longer, then started to pull out,
disappointed.

“No, don’t.” David gripped Scott’s thigh to stop

him from pulling free, before glancing over his shoulder.
His eyes were lit from within with lust and need. “Don’t
stop. I’m still hard, and I’ll come again.”

Astonished, Scott hesitated. Experience had

taught him that when a man had come after being
fucked, he rarely wanted to continue having his ass
pounded. “Are you sure?”

David grinned at him. “I insist on it. It’s been a

really long time since anyone has turned me on as much
as you do. And I seriously like being fucked.”

Scott wasn’t going to argue. It had been a while

for him too, and he needed this. Settling his hands back
on David’s hips, Scott started up again, setting an easy
tempo that wouldn’t bring him to the edge too quickly

and would allow David to actually enjoy the buildup this
time. He heard David moan and felt the tunnel sheathing
him contract again.

“Yes, just like that, right there.” David’s voice had

turned low and husky, and Scott grinned. He liked a
man who talked during sex, and with David’s soft
English accent it just seemed to give it an extra
dimension that got Scott’s balls riding high on his body.

Keeping steady, Scott watched while David

started to squirm.

“Oh God, so good. Fuck, need this.” David’s

moans got louder, and Scott picked up his pace. He
wasn’t ready to come yet, but he was getting close, and
with David beginning to push back into him, he was
going to get even closer. Half of him wanted to slow
down, enjoy it longer, and the other half wanted to
reach the ultimate goal as quickly as possible and then
go at it again. If he was right, David would let him, but
as he wasn’t about to risk it, he firmed his hold on
David’s hip and measured how they came together. To
help keep David interested, he angled his hips a little to

make sure he was hitting David’s sweet spot.

“Fuck yes!” David dropped his head onto the

mattress, his fingers digging into the sheet. “You feel so
good, Scott, pegging me just right.” Tension built in
David’s body, the muscles tightening under Scott’s
hands.

It was perfect, and without him being aware of it,

Scott started pushing deeper, going faster. He grunted
as David groaned, then gasped as David slammed back
into him before tightening the muscles that enveloped
Scott’s cock on the pull forward.

“Shit!”

When David did it again, Scott had to clench his

jaw against the ball-numbing pleasure, freezing as David
took control for a few more strokes.

“Scott, I’m close.” The words torn from David’s

throat galvanized Scott back into action. Not sure if
David would let him continue after David had come a
second time, Scott strove to reach the same level of
pleasure David was on. It wasn’t difficult. The moans
David were making, the way his body began to tighten

even more, was enough to push Scott to the edge. He
reached to curl his fist around David’s shaft, giving it a
few good pumps while losing himself in the demanding
rhythm David had set.

“Fuck, coming!”

David’s cry, along with muscles clamping around

his cock and warm seed spilling over his fingers,
catapulted Scott to a place he’d rarely been. All his
senses came alive in an explosion of heat and light and
such intense pleasure he worried he was going to pass
out. Nerves tingled, muscles tensed, and every line of
his body turned rigid, strung so tight, Scott wouldn’t
have been surprised if something snapped. Then the
purest sensation reached his balls, and with a complete
lack of control, Scott came hard, fast, and screaming
David’s name.

He fell, dizzy, spent, and completely shocked.

“Holy fuck!”

“Yeah.” David’s half chuckle dipped into the fog

of Scott’s brain, making him aware that he lay on
David, his hand, wet and coated in spunk, still curled

around David’s cock squashed between him and the
bed.

He slid off, just a little, just enough to let David

breathe but not pulling free entirely. He liked holding on
to David, liked feeling his body tucked beneath him.

“Are you all right?” he asked, content to lie there

for a moment before having to move and get rid of the
condom.

“Never felt better. Thanks, that was good.” David

stirred and lifted his head to face Scott. “Hell, that was
great. Just what I needed.” Dark green eyes regarded
him in amusement. “Want to do it again?”

“Now?” Shit, Scott seriously didn’t think he could

move for at least ten minutes, never mind getting it up
again so soon. Not after the way David had just
screwed his brains out.

David laughed. “No, not now. You just screwed

my brains out. Let’s take a nap for half an hour and
then see.”

Smiling because David’s words had just matched

his sentiment exactly, Scott nodded. “A nap sounds

good,” he said. He jumped a little when David
squirreled his fingers between them to remove the
condom and throw it toward the wastepaper basket.

“We can get rid of that properly later. Now,

though, just stay with me like this.” He snuggled tighter
into Scott’s body, and Scott automatically pulled him
closer.

“Comfy?”

“Mmm.” David didn’t say any more, and within

moments, he’d fallen asleep.

Closing his eyes, Scott smiled again. A man who

talked during sex but wanted to sleep after was just his
kind of man.

Chapter Two

Even better was a man who liked to give

blowjobs.

Scott woke with a groan, his body already tight as

the dream he’d thought he’d been having morphed into
a reality so much better. Wet heat surrounded his cock
as warm fingers played with his balls, and as Scott
registered the how and who, his body tightened even
more. He looked down to see David staring up at him,
those gorgeous green eyes filled with pleasure.

“Good, you’re awake. Mouth or arse?”

Still groggy from sleep, it took Scott a second to

understand. When he did, he couldn’t decide. David’s
ass had been perfect, and he’d love nothing more than
to be buried in that tight heat again, but he also couldn’t
help liking it when a guy sucked him off, and as David
seemed eager to continue what he was doing… “Your
mouth.”

David made a sound of approval before slipping

plump lips over the head of Scott’s throbbing cock. A
quick, darting tongue slid over the taut flesh, then
flattened out and stroked the underside as David
starting taking him deeper. The feel was exquisite, the
sight even more so. David’s sinful green gaze never left
his. It actually looked like David was getting off on
watching him.

“Nice.” At Scott’s encouragement, David

increased the attention he was lavishing on the thick
length filling his mouth. Scott groaned. “Better.”

How it was possible for David to grin at the same

time he tightened his lips and sucked up, Scott would
never know, but that’s what it seemed like, and it just
about forced Scott to hold his breath as hot pleasure
took over the warmth that had been simmering through
his veins.

“Oh God.” His back arched, and his hips thrust

up. Not knowing David well enough, Scott wasn’t sure
if he would pull back. He didn’t. He stilled, and when
Scott realized David was waiting for him to do it again,
Scott did.

David took him deep and moaned, the small

squeeze he applied to his balls encouraging more. Not
one to turn down such an offer, Scott thrust again,
lightly at first, but as David seemed okay, Scott thrust
harder and deeper until he was well and truly fucking
David’s mouth.

The wet suction David kept up was very quickly

pushing Scott toward something he desperately needed,
and when David lifted enough to flick his very talented
tongue over the leaking head, Scott was taken to the
edge of that something and flung over.

The orgasm that had turned his body tight, had his

hands clenched into fists, had his breath trapped in his
lungs, released him in one explosive blast that had him
crying out and grappling for something to hang on to,
because it felt like his body had been blown apart.

“Fuck! Shit!” Slowly, so very slowly, Scott came

back together until he felt close to normal.

“Okay?” He opened his eyes to see David

watching him, his lips all sexy and swollen. Scott
reached for him and dragged David up to kiss him,

tasting a little of himself on David’s tongue.

“That was fucking amazing,” Scott complimented

him.

“It was amazing to watch too.” David knelt back,

and it was only then did Scott realize David’s cock was
hard and leaking and wanting.

Realizing how selfish he’d been and surprised by it

because he’d never thought of himself that way, he
reached for the beautifully long, creamy-skinned uncut
shaft. He should have paid attention to it before now,
but David’s blowjob had been so expert Scott had no
thought for anything else. He did now though. Pulling on
it slightly, he coaxed David closer.

“Want my mouth too?” he asked. At David’s nod,

Scott rolled to put David on his back. Positioning
himself between David’s thighs, he slid his palm over
the satiny skin. He watched David for a moment, just
stroking him, enjoying the expression on his face, the
bright gleam in his eyes.

“How do you like it? Soft, hard, wet, lots of

tongue?”

“Yes.”

When Scott realized David meant yes to

everything, he laughed. “Okay.”

“And sucking. I love to be sucked.”

“Anything else?” Scott was quickly coming to

learn that David was a bossy bottom and a lot more
experienced than Scott had initially given him credit for,
but that suited him fine. He didn’t like a passive or an
inhibited man in bed.

“Play with my balls.”

Scott had intended to. Keeping one hand on

David’s cock, Scott moved the other to the large,
heavy sac that was as smooth and as free from hair as
David’s shaft. Which made the thick triangle of dark
auburn curls nestled against David’s creamy white skin
that more stunning.

After bending to run his cheek over the thatch,

Scott inhaled David’s scent. The combination of sweat
and sea was heady, but the sharp tang of David’s cum
that had earlier splashed against his belly and dripped
into the still-damp curls was intoxicating.

David’s green eyes watched him, his want and

need obvious. Not about to let David start begging—
this time—Scott palmed the hard cock bobbing beside
his head and moved to lick at the exposed, slightly
reddened top. Precum already glistened there, oozing
through the open slit. The taste and the slick feel against
his tongue were sensual, and so was the low moan
David released.

Scott glanced up and caught the flash of lust on

David’s face. It made Scott want to explore the hot
length of David’s prick a little further. He licked around
the head, finding the texture smooth and with a little bit
of give to it that he couldn’t help probe at. The tip of his
tongue dipped into the tiny slit and drew out more of the
delicious juice before he slid the flat of his tongue down
to taste the rest of David’s warm flesh.

David seemed to appreciate the move if his groan

was anything to go by, but Scott had only just started.
He greedily licked, nibbled, and sucked before easing
lower to pull one of David’s balls into his mouth. The
hard orb resisted until Scott rolled it with his tongue,

then it became a soft, pliant, and manageable piece of
flesh that Scott lovingly treated like a tasty morsel.

David started whimpering, which Scott had a

feeling wasn’t David’s usual way of communicating his
pleasure. Liking the sound of it, Scott turned his
attention to the other one and was rewarded with
David’s low curse and something else slipping from his
throat that sounded suspiciously like a sob.

Scott had never had so much fun pleasuring a

man, and again wanting more, he took it to the next
level.

“Oh, gonna come, gonna come!”

Scott had barely placed his lips over the bulbous

head before David was cursing loudly and arching his
back. Scott however, had other ideas. Grinning wildly,
he gripped the base of David’s wet prick and squeezed
hard.

“Fuck! You bastard!”

“Hold off for a little longer,” Scott coaxed, his

words mumbled because he didn’t want to let go of
David’s luscious cock just yet.

In answer David let out another string of curses.

Scott could feel the tension in David’s body. He was
shaking, and as Scott glanced up to look at him, he was
met by blazing green eyes that challenged him. Oh,
yeah, Scott loved to rise to a challenge. Although he
wouldn’t stop David from coming again, he wanted him
to wait until he just…

“Holy fuck!” David’s strangled shout was cut off

as Scott opened his throat and took David all the way
to the root. He swallowed, knowing his throat muscles
would massage the sensitive head. The cursing started
up again, but it was quickly broken with gargled gasps
and moans.

Deep throating was one of the pleasures Scott

enjoyed, especially when it was appreciated the way
David seemed to. Then David’s body froze tight, and
Scott could tell he was right on the verge. Scott looked
up at him again. David had his eyes closed, but the need
to come was written all over his expressive face. All
Scott wanted to do then was give it to him. He lifted his
head just enough so when David finally let go, Scott

could catch it on his tongue. And that was when David
cried out, his sharp yell turning into a deep groan as a
thick jet pulsed into Scott’s mouth. He swallowed,
taking every drop David gave him, relishing the rich
taste. At David’s soft sigh, Scott pulled off and grinned.

“You all right?” he asked, witnessing David’s

body turn boneless.

“You’re good,” David replied, a lazy smile playing

about his generous mouth.

“Only good?” Lying down next to David, Scott

relaxed. He’d just given David the best he’d got; he
hoped it was better than good, but maybe David’s
previous lovers had been better…

David’s bright green eyes turned to him. They

were laughing. “No, you’re amazing. That was
amazing.”

“Yeah, thought so.” Scott couldn’t help the smug

tone in his voice, though he hid his relief. He wanted to
please David as much as David had pleased him.

“Arrogant much?”

“I wouldn’t call it arrogance, but seeing your face

when you came certainly boosted my ego.”

“As if it needed a boost.” David’s tone was almost

derisive, but Scott chose to ignore it. To David it might
seem he was a confident man, and in a lot of respects,
David would have been right. But there was one aspect
of his life in which Scott’s confidence took a dive, and
that was dealing with his family’s insistence he settle
down. He was still trying to work out how to say no to
them, and this trip to Sydney was to avoid an awkward
confrontation he didn’t want to handle.

Turning on his side, Scott settled himself

comfortably, then examined David’s face. His eyes
were his best feature. Expressive and intense, they
studied him back with frank honesty and openness. A
beautiful shade of green, David’s eyes would darken in
desire yet flash bright as sparkling emeralds when David
smiled. His nose was relatively straight, though it
sported a tiny bump on the bridge as if it had been
broken at one stage. He had a wide mouth with full lips
that seemed to have a natural shade of pink. His cheek

bones were high and proud, giving strength to his face
so he didn’t look too feminine. Overall not a face that
would draw too much attention, but it wasn’t David’s
face that had initially drawn Scott. What had made him
take notice was the striking shade of his hair and his
creamy skin. What kept Scott interested, however,
were those eyes, and the sprinkling of freckles that
decorated that fascinating skin.

He touched a line that dotted down the edge of

David’s jaw, then paused when he noticed something
unusual. There was a small pattern, just sitting on the
corner of David’s mouth. It was tiny but as Scott stared
he was able to discern what that pattern represented.
Suddenly grinning, he put his lips to the small cluster.

“It’s a love heart,” he said when David pulled

back in surprise.

“What is?”

“Your freckles. They make a pattern like a love

heart.”

David’s expressive eyes widened. “Fuck off.”

Scott laughed. “They do. Seriously, haven’t you

noticed?”

“No.”

“Hmm, I wonder what other patterns you’ve got.”

When David’s eyes narrowed, Scott laughed again,
then before David could stop him, he straddled his hips,
pinning him down with a hand on his chest.

Though David glared at him, he didn’t physically

struggle, and Scott took that as a good sign. He
carefully inspected every inch of David’s chest. When
he didn’t find anything, he shuffled backward and
started on David’s stomach and hips. It was as he was
exploring David’s right hip that Scott spotted
something. He froze, a little shocked.

“What?” David’s question was sharp as Scott

studied the array of oddly placed freckles.

“Um, nothing.”

Obviously not believing him, David twisted so he

could see what Scott was staring at, dislodging Scott
from his legs. “What? I don’t see anything.”

“It’s nothing,” Scott repeated, but even as he said

it, he traced the formation with his finger, mesmerized.
At David’s puzzled look, Scott felt compelled to tell
him. “My last name is Murphy, and these look like my
initials, SM.”

David sucked in a hard, sharp gasp, then quickly

scrambled away from Scott’s touch. Fear flashed
through widened eyes before David seemed to gain
control over whatever had spooked him, and he
stopped at the edge of the bed. “Fuck!” His eyes
narrowed, and he shuddered slightly before fixing a
steely-eyed gaze on Scott. “What the fuck did you say
that for?”

Confused, Scott kept perfectly still. David was

strung tight, and though Scott had no idea why, he
knew one wrong word, one wrong move and David
was liable to snap. Leveling his eyes on David’s face,
Scott kept his voice low and his tone soothing. “Say
what?”

“That your initials were imprinted on my skin.”

Scott stared at him for a moment longer and then

slowly shook his head. “That’s not what I said. I merely

noted that the pattern of freckles on your hip look like
my initials. You have to admit it’s odd, but I certainly
never intended to mean anything by it.”

Troubled green eyes blinked once before David’s

tense body eased up a little. “Yeah, I guess you didn’t.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to overreact like that. It’s just that
I went through some shit years ago, and I just don’t
want to put myself in that situation again.”

“What situation?” Damn, what had hurt David so

badly it would make him freak out like that? For a
second, Scott didn’t think David was going to tell him,
but just as he was going to change the subject, because
it was really none of his business, David sighed and
settled back in the middle of the bed, tucking his knees
under his chin.

“This guy I knew while I was in high school

thought he owned me. Wouldn’t let me go out on my
own or do anything I wanted by myself. He was
constantly at my side, but at the time I was just flattered
to get the attention. I mean, the guy was older than me,
built like a tank, and hung like an elephant, and I was

just a skinny teenager who didn’t know better. It took
me a while to realize how possessive he was, and when
I started to demand a little independence, he totally
went nuts. The fucker got me alone and tied me up.
Kept me a prisoner for three days. Can you believe
that?”

David had kept his gaze lowered while recounting

his story, but at his question he glanced up. Scott knew
he looked shocked; he couldn’t help it.

“How did you escape?” he asked, hoping his

voice didn’t betray the horror he was also feeling. God,
he’d seen some things in his life, but it still sickened him
when he witnessed the effects of one man hurting
another.

“He wanted to mark me as his. Brand me.” David

paused, giving Scott a second to understand why David
reacted the way he had, then when Scott nodded to
indicate he did, David continued. “He got this tattoo guy
to come and ink his name into my skin. Don’t know
what the fucker was thinking, but the tattoo artist took
one look at me, smashed the dickhead in the face with

the bag that held all his equipment, untied me, and got
me the hell out of there.”

David’s green eyes sparkled with a bit of humor

that seemed incongruous with the story he was telling.
“The guy whose face got smashed in ended up with a
broken nose, some missing front teeth, and a scar
running across his cheek. He got what he deserved, but
I wasn’t thinking of that when I saw the blood.” His
mouth curled up into a genuine smile as he glanced at
Scott. “Guess what I did?”

Scott smiled with him, pushing his outrage aside.

“You passed out.”

“Yep. The poor tattoo guy had to half carry me

out.”

“What happened then?”

David shrugged. “He got jail time, and I learned a

valuable lesson. I don’t let anyone push me into doing
something I don’t want, or to act as if they own me.”

Relieved David had come out stronger for the

experience, but still pissed he had to go through it in the
first place, Scott eyed him very closely. “I won’t ask

you to do anything you don’t want, David, and I have
no intention of trying to own you. I’m not the possessive
type.”

David smiled. “Well, you can own my arse for the

rest of today if you want.”

“I want,” Scott replied, smiling back. He moved

closer to David and gave him a hug. David let go of his
knees and hugged Scott in return, then laughed when
Scott’s stomach rumbled.

“Hungry?”

“Yeah. I missed lunch.”

“Do you want to go out or order in?”

Scott thought about it for a second. He wanted to

see Sydney and have a chance to sample and enjoy the
sights, but that could wait. Right now the sight before
him was far better, and he definitely wanted to sample
more of David’s naked body.

“Let’s order in,” he said. “And while we’re waiting

we can try out your ass again.”

DAVID STRETCHED, THEN winced slightly as

muscles he hadn’t used in a long time protested, but
he’d never felt better or so thoroughly sated. He
grinned, recalling the night he’d spent with Scott. He’d
been delighted when Scott had stayed, especially when
Scott proved he liked sex as much as David did. David
knew he’d been demanding, but Scott had easily been
able to keep up with him, even pushing David to his
limits and a little beyond. He was exhausted but
pleasantly so, and if Scott hurried up from the
bathroom, David intended to push himself and Scott
past the level of satisfied and into unable to move.

As Scott appeared and padded across the thickly

carpeted floor, David rolled over, his cock already
halfway to hard.

“Hi, handsome,” David said, spotting the gleam in

Scott’s eyes and seeing it for what it was—appreciation
and a healthy application of lust.

“Morning.” Scott stopped beside the bed, his blue

gaze traveling over David’s body before finally resting
on David’s cock, which had now hardened

considerably.

David smiled and reached down to stroke softly

along his full length. “Want some?” he asked.

Scott grinned. “Not saying no, but I just started a

bath for us.” Scott rubbed his jaw, indicating the
smooth skin. “I’ve just had a shave, and by the looks of
you, you need one too.” He trailed long fingers across
David’s jaw and chin, the edge of his nails scraping the
soft bristles. “Red,” Scott murmured, bringing a knee
onto the bed and leaning closer. “Sexy,” he added.

David stared up at him, watching the light blue of

Scott’s eyes darken. “Maybe I shouldn’t shave then, if
you think it’s sexy.”

“Mmm.” A small smile played about Scott’s lips

as he shortened the distance between them. “Maybe
you shouldn’t.” Then his mouth met David’s, and David
instinctively opened for him, allowing Scott’s tongue
inside and sucking on it until they both groaned.

David pulled Scott down on top of him, their legs

scissored, the warm softness of Scott’s cock swiftly
changing to a hardened length that David, with no other

thought than pleasure, started to glide against. Scott
groaned again. Encouraged, David moved his hips,
grinding harder, his intention now to get off, which
wasn’t going to take long, not with the way Scott was
grinding back with both hips and mouth.

Tangling fingers in Scott’s hair, David arched his

back slightly as the beginnings of a climax started
zapping along his spine. He let sensation take him,
explicitly aware that he’d never been so damn turned on
so often by one man. Scott only had to touch him, and
David was ready to let the man have him. Crazy, but he
felt good in Scott’s arms, and David reckoned he
deserved to feel that way. That was why he’d come to
Australia in the first place. After everything that had
happened to him recently he couldn’t deal with anything
more than just enjoying a man who wanted the same
things he did, and who wouldn’t end up disappointing
him.

Scott slowly released his mouth but then rested his

forehead on David’s. “Fuck, you’re responsive.”

“’Cause you know how to push my buttons,”

David admitted.

“Yeah? How?”

“You just called me sexy.”

Scott lifted his head and gazed down at him.

“That’s because you are.” He smiled, then joined their
mouths together once again, continuing with his slow
grind, bringing David closer and closer to orgasm.

“Gonna come,” he managed to get out before the

hot buildup finally gave way to blinding release. He
groaned, shuddering as his cock spewed thick threads
of cum against his stomach. Scott stiffened above him,
and seconds later, David felt another stream of sticky
seed smear across his skin.

Once again replete, David relaxed, and when

Scott moved, he allowed himself to be pulled into
Scott’s arms and held. He closed his eyes and snuggled
in tighter, sighing as Scott stroked down his back, his
fingers warm, gentle and soothing.

* * * *

“David. David, you’d better wake up.”

David found himself being rudely shaken awake.

“Hey!” He rolled over and focused bleary eyes on
Scott, who stood over him, a grim expression on his
face.

“We have a problem. I left the bath water

running.”

“Huh?” Comprehension first thing after waking up

was not David’s strong point, and he knew he looked a
little blank.

“I left the tap on,” Scott said, trying to explain. “It

flooded the bathroom, and now there’s water all over
the floor.”

At last, dawning understanding had David jerking

out of his sex and sleep-fogged mind. He sat up and
scrambled to the edge of the bed. The thick, deep pile
carpet was soaked, and David could see Scott’s
waterlogged footprints going from the bed to the
bathroom and back again.

“Holy fuck!”

Scott was standing in an oozing puddle, his toes

sinking beneath a thin layer of water, his blue eyes wide

with concern. “Sorry,” he said.

David shook his head, trying to think. “It’s not

your fault. That shouldn’t have happened. Isn’t there a
drain or something in the bathroom?”

“Um, yeah, but I must have dropped a towel on it,

so the water couldn’t flow away fast enough. The floor
in there was under about two inches of water. It’s
drained away now, but what are we going to do about
the carpet? There’s no way we can dry that out on our
own.”

Scott was only stating the obvious, but it suddenly

brought home the mess they were in. David doubted
they would get away with keeping it hidden from the
hotel staff even if they left a DO NOT DISTURB sign
on the door for the next few days. This was just too
much to try to clean up. “We’re going to have to call
management, I suppose. They’ll have specialized
equipment.” He was just about to reach for the phone
when there was a loud banging on the door.

“Mr. Shaw? We need to come in. There’s water

leaking into the hallway!”

Grabbing his shorts off a chair, David cursed and

frantically tried to pull them on. He barely had them
done up when the hotel door opened and three men
entered, looking decidedly pissed.

One of them was obviously the on-duty manager;

the other two looked like maintenance crew. All of
them stopped when they saw David and Scott, both of
whom were still in the middle of dressing. The
manager’s mouth dropped open, one of the
maintenance crew’s face screwed up in a grimace, the
other took a long, slow look around the room and
grinned.

“Mr. Shaw, may I ask what on earth has been

going on here?” The manager’s voice was clipped, and
his eyes were cold as he stared at him.

David met his gaze, a little shocked at the level of

disgust he saw there. “The bath accidentally
overflowed,” David replied, letting a note of apology
enter his tone, but keeping his shoulders straight and his
face implacable.

“Accidentally.” The scorn the manager managed

to inject into that one word got David’s back up.

“Are you accusing us of doing it deliberately?”

David knew there was no way the manager could do
that, not unless he found evidence.

“Maybe not the water damage, but I could accuse

you of deliberately trashing the room.” The sneer across
the man’s face couldn’t be ignored or misunderstood.
David glanced around the room and knew he could
have argued the point because it didn’t look that bad,
but what he suspected the manager referred to was the
cum stains visible on the sheet, the bottle of lube lying in
the middle of the bed, and a used condom hanging over
the edge of the wastepaper basket.

From the manager’s expression, this was

obviously not a gay-friendly hotel, and David suspected
if he asked to be moved to a different room, the hotel
would suddenly and conveniently find they were full.

Deciding he no longer wanted to stay there, even if

they did offer him another room, David grabbed his
wallet from the bedside table where he’d left it and
extracted a business card, thrusting it into the manager’s

hand.

“I’ll have my lawyers contact yours,” he said.

“Now, if you’ll give us the courtesy of allowing us to get
dressed, we’ll be on our way.” Standing resolute, David
dared the manager to say something. He didn’t; he just
took one more disparaging look around the room, then
turned on his heel and left, the two crewmen following
in his wake.

David closed his eyes a moment and took a deep

breath before turning back to Scott. Disappointment
curled around his stomach. He didn’t want to end it like
this. He’d been kind of hoping to share breakfast with
Scott and even another afternoon of sex before Scott
left. Now that wasn’t going to happen. “Sorry,” he said,
feeling a little miserable. Being with Scott had been fun,
and the man seriously knew how to treat him in bed.

“Hey, I should be the one apologizing. I fucked up

by forgetting to turn off the damn taps.”

“But if I hadn’t distracted you, then you wouldn’t

have forgotten.” David’s shoulders slumped. Wasn’t
that just typical? Disasters like this just followed him

around, and this one was going to cause him to
prematurely lose one of the hottest men he’d been with
in a long time. No, retract that. Scott was the hottest
man he’d ever been with.

“How about we call it a mutual lack of focus?”

Scott’s blue eyes were smiling, and though David would
have normally responded to that smile, he couldn’t right
then.

David nodded, then attempted a smile anyway,

knowing it probably looked like anything but. “I
suppose you’d better go. It might take me a while to
sort out the bill. I’d paid for the two weeks, and I’m not
sure if I’ll be entitled to a refund or if they’ll keep it until
the cost of getting this carpet dried out is resolved.”

“Look, I’ll pay for the carpet.”

“No. I’ve also got insurance, so either way, it’s

covered.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. There’s no need for you to stay,”

David said, letting the misery he felt creep into his voice.
God, he was woeful. He’d flown halfway around the

world to have uncomplicated sex, and now he was
making things difficult for himself by not wanting to let
Scott go. This was supposed to be a one-night stand,
but Scott was a really nice guy, and he really knew how
to fuck. As a consequence David had thought of trying
to persuade Scott to spend more time with him, but
under the circumstances there was no chance of that
happening.

Expecting Scott to start gathering his things, he

was surprised when Scott just stood there. “So where
are you going to go?” Scott asked him, surprising David
further.

“I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll find something.” He

held Scott’s gaze, watching the light blue of his eyes
turn dark, and wondering at the swirling whorls of
emotion that flickered within their depths.

Scott stood looking at him for a moment longer,

then he stepped toward him and slipped an arm around
David’s waist, and before David realized what he was
going to do, Scott kissed him. The heat of his mouth
and the firm press of his arm had David melting into

him, and despite the unpleasantness of standing on wet
carpet and the knowledge that this was a good-bye
kiss, David felt himself respond.

He moaned into Scott’s mouth and played with his

tongue, and when Scott pulled him in a little tighter,
David slid his arms around Scott’s neck and just held
on. The taste of Scott, the feel of him; it was all a little
intoxicating, made more so when Scott groaned and
cupped his ass to align their hips. A sharp spark of
desire raced to David’s cock, and by the feel and
sound of it, Scott was experiencing the same thing. This
all would have been good if Scott didn’t have to leave,
and as that cold reality hit David, he pulled back, albeit
reluctantly.

Glancing up, he wasn’t all that surprised to see

Scott’s breathing was almost as ragged as his own.
Damn it, they fit so well together. Why did it have to
end so soon? As if sensing David’s thoughts, Scott
pulled his chin up and gave him another short, sweet
kiss.

“David? Why don’t we find something together?”

David knew he’d heard the words, but it took him a
couple of seconds to digest them.

“You want us to be together?”

“While we’re on holiday, yes. Why not? We both

came here for sex, didn’t we?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“We both like each other, and you have to admit

we’re pretty good in bed together.”

“I know, but—”

“Both of us know the score. It would make

sense.” Scott stopped as if he’d just realized he was
trying too hard to persuade David, which David,
although a little amazed, was absolutely delighted about.
But then David grinned, and Scott, who almost looked
worried, grinned back.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes.”

“Good, then get your stuff packed, and we’ll go

and pick up mine.”

“Why can’t we stay where you’re staying?” David

had already grabbed his bag and was shoving the few
things he’d pulled out back in.

“I’d only booked a few days at this little place.

Believe me, I wouldn’t want to spend two weeks in it.
We’ll find something suitable for both of us, or better
yet, why don’t we do something completely different?”

“Different?” David was only just getting used to

the idea of spending the next week or so with Scott, so
he was a little thrown when Scott suggested something
else. “What kind of different?”

Scott had pulled on his T-shirt and was looking for

his sandals when he turned back to face David.
“Instead of staying just in Sydney, we could move
around a bit.”

“Travel?”

“Yeah. We can hire a car, well, I’ll hire the car to

make up for causing you to lose your hotel room, and
we can take a drive north or south and stop where we
want and when we want. And we won’t have to put up
with dickheads like that manager.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve had to put up with

arseholes like him most of my life.” The indifferent calm
David had managed to portray in front of Scott during
the confrontation slipped away, and the anger he’d felt
at the time returned full force. “I hate homophobes, they
make me sick!”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Scott grabbed David and pulled

him into his arms, hugging him chest to chest. “Don’t
worry about him. I’m impressed with the way you
handled him, especially when you used that kick-ass
line about your lawyers to get rid of him. I would have
probably just lost my temper and made everything far
worse.”

“You have a temper?” Scott’s strong arms around

him settled David back down, which was surprising.
Generally when he got worked up, it took a while for
him to find composure.

Scott smiled and leaned in to gently kiss David on

the mouth. “Not normally, no. In my line of work I have
to keep a calm head, but that arrogant prick pissed me
off.” For a second David was tempted to ask Scott
what he did for a living but he held back. It didn’t

matter. Like Scott said, they were here for fun and sex,
and that was exactly what David intended to have. He
didn’t want or need to know any more than that.

He smiled back. “We’ll go halves on the car and

everything else,” he said, then leaned forward to kiss
Scott to seal the deal.

Chapter Three

“Oh wow!” David stared out the windshield, not

quite believing the vista ahead. Pure blue sky with not a
single cloud in sight extended as far as the eye could
see. Below it lay an expanse of brilliant aquamarine,
showing only a gentle swell and occasional white caps
that seemed to dance above the surface before being
dragged beneath the heavy weight of the rolling ocean.

“Pretty,” Scott agreed, but David noticed that

Scott hadn’t really had a good chance to look.

“Why don’t we pull over and take a walk?”

Scott quickly glanced at him. “Well, yeah, if you

want.”

They’d been driving for close to three hours, and

David decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea for them to
take a break and stretch their legs. He turned to face
Scott and pointed to the map he had in his hand.
“According to this we should be close to Berry. How
about we take in this view and work up an appetite and

then stop there for lunch?”

“Sounds good.” Scott shot him a quick grin, then

surprisingly dropped a hand from the steering wheel and
rested it on David’s thigh. The intimate gesture and the
immediate heat that seeped through his jeans had David
feeling all sorts of funny in his groin, and his stomach,
and oddly, his chest.

There was a small track leading off the road they

were on, and when Scott spotted it, he turned in,
slowing to a stop as they neared the edge of the cliff
face. The wind was pretty strong as they got out of the
car, and to keep them both steady, David instinctively
threw an arm around Scott’s waist. Eyes watering
slightly against the high wind, they stood like that for a
moment, fascinated by the vista of blue sky and bluer
water.

“I’d never seen the ocean until yesterday,” Scott

said, his words whipped away by the wind but clear
and loud enough for David to hear him.

“No? Why not?”

“I live too far away.”

It was another one of those odd statements of

Scott’s that had David biting his tongue. Scott’s
reluctance to talk about his personal life was something
David understood and respected. They didn’t need to
know much about the other except what each of them
liked in bed, but sometimes Scott revealed a little about
himself that had David intrigued. So he didn’t ask the
obvious question about where Scott lived. Instead he
tried to imagine what seeing the ocean for the first time
would be like.

“Pretty awesome,” he said, leaning in close so

Scott could hear him.

Scott’s pale blue eyes flashed laughter. “Yes, it

is.”

David fitted himself a little better against Scott and

was pleased when Scott burrowed warm fingers into
the waistband of his jeans and pulled him even closer.

“And so are you.” The compliment came a

fraction of a second before Scott’s lips came down on
his. Already liking Scott’s kisses, David accepted the
hot press of Scott’s tongue, though he was still

surprised at the way Scott didn’t seem to care where
they were when they kissed. Of course there was no
one around right then, so it didn’t matter. Feeling free to
be himself, David slid his hands around the back of
Scott’s jean-clad ass and squeezed. Scott seemed to
appreciate the move, because he moaned, but after one
last peck on David’s lower lip, he pulled back, the
laughter that had been in his eyes a few moments ago
now turned to desire.

“God you’re so damn sexy,” Scott said, sounding

a little out of breath and a lot turned on.

“So you keep telling me, but I reckon you only do

that so you can get into my pants.” David had meant it
as a joke, but Scott shook his head.

“No, you’re definitely sexy and don’t let anyone

else tell you otherwise.”

Scott couldn’t have known how much David

wished that were true, but he knew how others thought
of him, and sexy wasn’t it. As a child and teenager, the
color of his hair and his freckles had made him a target
for taunting and ridicule. It hadn’t been particularly easy

to endure, but he had, assuming everything would
change when he became an adult. But that was when he
found his coloring generally put other men off, and they
tended to overlook or ignore him. So he had no illusions
that anyone’s opinions of him were going to change
anytime soon, nor his expectations of them, no matter
what Scott said.

“Shall we go for that walk now?” he suggested,

ignoring Scott’s flattery and deciding he’d be better off
not trying to argue the point or else he’d come across
as looking like the demoralized man he’d been for the
past few years.

* * * *

“Are you sure you want to stop here?”

Darkness had fallen so quickly that David was still

a little disconcerted. Used to the long, slowly
descending twilight of England, he’d been unprepared
for the sudden and abrupt night sky that had emerged
just ten minutes or so after the sun had started to set.
He glanced over at Scott, who had the map spread
over his legs. After their late lunch, they’d switched as

drivers so neither of them would grow too bored or
tired.

“It’s either that or we keep going for another half

hour or so. The brochure said this was a three-star
caravan-and-cabin park.”

David peered through the windshield at the

dubious-looking office and the slightly run-down cabins
standing off in the distance. “It doesn’t look like it,” he
said. Maybe the Australian ratings were different from
the English ones. Either way, Scott was right. He didn’t
feel like driving for another half an hour to try to find
somewhere else that may not be any better.

He turned off the engine and sat for a moment,

contemplating their options. The engine ticked loudly in
the sudden silence, accompanied only by the sound of
Scott shifting in his seat.

“I don’t mind taking over the driving and trying

somewhere else.”

“No. I’m tired, and I’m sure you are too. This is

fine. It’s only for the night.” He smiled to lend weight to
his words, but he wasn’t sure if Scott could see him.

The park was dimly lit, and the moon, barely a slim
crescent in the inky sky, wasn’t giving them a helping
hand.

It wasn’t as if David thought the place looked bad.

It just looked creepy, like out of a set of some second-
rate horror movie. All it needed was something to start
howling and something else to come at them from the
surrounding bushes with a knife and the scene would be
perfect. Well, not so perfect if the knife-wielding thing
was real.

“What the hell are you thinking?”

Startled, David glanced at Scott. David hadn’t

realized he’d been staring out the driver’s-side window
for the past few minutes, or that he’d been gripping the
steering wheel so hard. He grinned at his stupid and
vivid imagination. “Nothing. Come on. Let’s see what
they can offer us.” He climbed out of the compact
sports car they’d hired, and stretched, easing the
tightness in his shoulders.

“Are you all right?” Scott asked as he joined

David on his side of the vehicle.

“Yeah, just easing out the kinks.”

Scott moved up close. “I can do that for you.

Well, actually, I’d like to try some kink with you.”

Just on the verge of stepping onto the path that led

to what he assumed was the office, David stopped.
“What kind of kink?” He didn’t mean to sound
apprehensive, but he wasn’t into pain or humiliation;
Derek had given him enough of that to last a lifetime.

Scott obviously picked up on David’s fear. “I

won’t do anything you don’t want, David. If you’re not
into it, that’s fine.”

Relaxing, David nodded, but his curiosity was

piqued. “What did you have in mind?” Maybe Scott’s
idea of kink wasn’t that extreme.

But Scott shook his head, the rising edge of the

moon adding a silver glint to his blond hair. “Maybe
when you trust me a little more,” he said. He grabbed
David’s hand and, after lightly linking their fingers
together, continued down the graveled pathway.

Still not quite used to the touching, David was

grateful it was dark and nobody could see them, or at

least that Scott wouldn’t know he’d blushed. But he
loved that Scott was comfortable in doing stuff like this,
and more importantly that Scott was comfortable doing
it with him.

The office was the small run-down shack they’d

spotted, and it looked as dilapidated on the inside as it
had on the outside. It didn’t help that the person
manning the desk was a mangy-looking teenager who
regarded them sullenly under long, unwashed hair as
they stepped inside.

“Hi,” Scott said, seemingly trying for enthusiasm as

he pulled David up to the desk with him. “I was
wondering if you had any cabins available to rent for the
night.”

For a second it looked as if the teenager was

either not going to answer, or was going to say no,
when he spotted the way Scott still held on to David’s
hand. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped slightly
and color suddenly infused his pale features. Worried
there was going to be a confrontation, David tried to
pull free, but Scott drew him closer, even going so far

as to put his arm around David’s waist.

“Well, do you?” Scott asked again, keeping his

voice even though David could tell Scott was beginning
to get annoyed.

“Um, yes, of course. The night, the week, longer if

you wish.” The suddenly enthusiastic smile the teenager
gave them was a relief, and David relaxed. So did
Scott. Either the boy was gay, which David now
suspected he was, or he was at least gay friendly.

“We have several of them for you to choose

from,” the teenager added. His smile now held a
desperate edge to it. David wasn’t sure if it was
because the park didn’t get many people stopping by
and he realized he had potential customers, or if it was
because he was now faced with the possibility of two
gay men staying close by.

David didn’t really care which it was; he just

wanted to get into a bed and sleep. Though it wasn’t
late, he and Scott had spent most of the last night
fucking, because as far as they’d been concerned, it
would have been their only night together. That had

changed, but it didn’t change the fact they were both
knackered.

David turned his face to hide a smile, remembering

what they’d gotten up to and wondering what the
likelihood would be of a repeat performance after
they’d had some sleep. Probably very good, as Scott
really seemed to be into him, and David wasn’t shy in
asking for what he wanted.

As he glanced around the office, he spotted a

display of local maps and brochures advertising places
of interest, and David’s external smile turned into an
internal grin. He had a secret fetish and couldn’t help
indulging it by taking one of everything that was
available for free. He had hoards of pamphlets and stuff
at home. Most of the time he never intended to visit any
of the places they advertised, but he just couldn’t seem
to help collecting the shiny, colorful, and informative
brochures. He guessed that one day, in his old age,
he’d sit and go through them and reminisce about the
places he’d been or could have gone to. Loaded with
an armful, he spied Scott looking at him with a raised

eyebrow. David just shrugged. He didn’t care what
others thought of his little obsession, he was going to
take what he wanted. They were free!

Thanking the guy behind the counter, Scott placed

his hand at the small of David’s back. The move was
possessive, which was odd, considering what Scott had
told him last night, but David guessed Scott had done it
for the desk clerk’s benefit, perhaps to warn him that
David had been taken, but Scott needn’t have
bothered. The boy only had eyes for Scott and had
barely glanced David’s way. Typical, but he didn’t
mind, because Scott noticed him and wanted him, and
for the next ten days or so, Scott was going to be his.

The moon’s tiny crescent still failed to give off any

light, and the path to the cabins was not well lit, leaving
it dark and dim, if not a little dangerous. David, all too
aware of the possibility of some sort of disaster
happening to him in these sorts of circumstances,
walked slowly and carefully, then as an extra precaution
grabbed Scott’s arm. He didn’t care that Scott gave
him a puzzled look; he wasn’t going to take any

chances.

“The kid said our cabin is over there.” Scott

pointed to an even murkier section of the park where
black silhouettes melded with the surrounding darkness.
Shadows flickered as night creatures flitted across the
only illumination. In the distance something howled, and
though David knew it had to be a dog, it just added to
the already charged atmosphere.

“Jesus,” David declared, rethinking back to his

moment in the car where he thought this place would
have been the perfect setting for a horror movie. “Could
this place be any creepier? It feels like we’re in the
middle of nowhere with all manner of things skulking
about. All we need now is something big and hairy to
jump out at us with claws and teeth, snarling and ready
to kill.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Startled by Scott’s exclamation, David jumped,

then burst out laughing. “Sorry, I was just thinking how
spooky this place is. I’ve kind of got a weird
imagination.”

“Weird? It’s off the fucking planet.” Scott shook

his head. “There’s nothing skulking about, and nothing
is going to jump out at us.” But then he smiled and
leaned in close. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you if
anything tries to harm you.”

David almost laughed. Despite not looking for

trouble, it seemed to find him wherever he went. It was
part of his life, and he was used to it, but it was nice to
hear Scott offer to keep him safe just the same.
“Thanks.”

Scott grinned in reply. “Anytime.”

Continuing down the path and still clinging to

Scott’s arm, David no longer concentrated on where he
was going; his mind now on nothing but sleep. He was
really tired and had suddenly become more so, his limbs
feeling heavy, and his brain a little fuzzy. So when they
moved into an inky black patch of the graveled
walkway and the stuff of David’s imagination came to
life and burst free from the bushes beside them, his
reactions were more than a little slow—they were
nonexistent. Scott let out a cry of surprise and jumped

back, throwing his arm out, which caused David, who
just barely managed not to scream like a girl, to trip and
land heavily on his ass.

“Fuck!”

“Davey, shit, are you all right?” Scott dropped

down beside him, his expression hidden by the
shadows, but his concern obvious in the way he
grabbed David by the arms and tugged him close.

Heart racing, it took David a couple of seconds to

realized what had happened. Embarrassed, because
quite frankly he thought he couldn’t look more like a
wuss, he glanced around but couldn’t see what it was
that had jumped out at them. “What the fuck was that?”

“I think it was a wombat.” Scott was clearly trying

to make his voice sound calm, but there was a hidden
thread of shock in it.

“What the hell is a wombat?”

Scott sat back on his heels, leaving his hands on

David’s shoulders. “It’s a big hairy creature with claws
and teeth.”

“Are you serious?” David looked around again,

but there was no sign of the wombat or anything else for
that matter. The wan moon was now hidden by a
scudding cloud, and full darkness completely
surrounded them. Something howled again, and just
when David was going to suggest they got out of there,
Scott laughed.

“Yes, but I think it was more afraid of us than we

were of it.”

“Tell my heart that.”

“Are you all right?” Scott ran his hands over

David’s body, and David could only guess it was to
make sure he hadn’t hurt anything. Other than his ego,
and now a bruised ass, David hadn’t been injured, but
enjoying the attention too much to make Scott stop,
David waited until Scott had thoroughly checked over
every inch of him before placing his hand over Scott’s.

“I’m fine,” he said. “Nothing broken, nothing too

damaged.”

“Are you sure? I knocked you over pretty hard.”

“I’m sure. Now help me up.” David put out his

hand, which Scott clasped, but instead of just hauling
him to his feet, Scott pulled David into his chest and
hugged him.

“I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t protect you very well,

did I?”

Sinking into Scott’s arms, David rested against

him for a moment before pulling back. “Well, the big
hairy thing with claws and teeth didn’t rip me to pieces,
so you must have done something right.”

“No, because of me, you got hurt.”

“Not your fault, believe me.” David grinned though

he doubted Scott could see it. “But if you really want to
make up for it, you can kiss my arse better,” he said,
rubbing the spot that probably was going to bruise.

“Can I lick it too?” The softly spoken words next

to David’s ear had him shivering despite the warmth of
the evening. He nodded, allowing himself to be drawn
back into Scott’s embrace. Strong hands slid down his
back before curving to cup the rounded mounds of his
ass. “All of it?”

David nodded again, not sure if his voice wouldn’t

betray the tight thrill that gripped him at the thought of
Scott’s velvet tongue sliding over the entrance to his
body before slipping inside.

“Good. Then let’s find the damn cabin, and after

we’ve had a nice hot shower, I’m going to make sure
your ass is all right before I fuck it senseless.”

INSIDE, THE CABIN was woeful. Even with the

light turned on, it was dark and dismal, and it had that
musty, abandoned rankness that indicated it probably
hadn’t been used for months. One look around the
cobwebbed interior and Scott was ready to leave. This
place really was the pits, but before he could say
anything, David flopped down on the double bed, hung
his head, and sighed.

“God I’m knackered. I think jet lag is finally

catching up with me.”

Scott stared at him for a moment, then despite his

disapproval, decided the cabin would have to do.
David looked exhausted, and Scott didn’t have the
heart to make him search for somewhere else. He

dumped his bag, then checked out the bathroom. The
green tiled area was clean, for which he was thankful,
but it was stuffy. He opened the window, and as he
stepped back into the main room, he scouted for the
air-conditioning switch.

“Is it me, or is it hot in here?” David was lying on

the bed, his eyes closed, one arm flung behind his head,
the other hanging listlessly off the edge of the mattress.

“It’s hot in here.” Finding the remote for the air-

conditioning, Scott pressed a few buttons and was
rewarded with a loud bang and a sizzle coming from the
unit on the wall above the bed.

David didn’t move, but a tired, unsurprised smile

etched his face. “Not working?” he asked.

Cursing, Scott quickly turned off the unit at the

main power and threw the remote down in disgust.
“Three star my ass! David, I think we should go find
another cabin,” he said, changing his mind about
staying. Maybe he could push David into moving to one
of the others nearby, though he suspected they
probably wouldn’t find anything better.

“Do you think it will make a difference?” David’s

question only reinforced Scott’s suspicion that whatever
they did, this was probably the best they were going to
get.

Resigned, Scott didn’t reply but, knowing they

needed some air in the room, opened another window.
When he turned back, David was still sprawled across
the bed, looking disheveled and grubby. A lock of silky
hair had flopped over one eye, there was a smudge of
dirt across the right side of his face, his T-shirt was
rumpled, and his jeans were halfway down lean hips.
But despite how messy he looked, David was just plain
damn sexy, and Scott wanted him. He knelt on the bed
and loomed over David’s delectable body.

“How knackered?” he asked, pushing the lock of

David’s hair out of his face.

David cranked open a dark green eye and peered

up at him. “Give me an hour, maybe two. I need sleep.
Seriously. You start fucking me now, I might just fall
asleep in the middle of it.”

Grinning, Scott shook his head. “That’s not what

I’m really into.”

“Then give me four hours and I promise I’ll make

it worth your while.”

“You can have as much time as you want, babe.

Just be ready to get your ass reamed.”

“Was that reamed or rimmed?”

Scott laughed and quickly bent to give David a

kiss. “Whatever you want.”

“Both. I want both.” David smiled up at him but

then closed his eyes. “Damn, I’m sorry I’m so tired.”

After the day they’d had, Scott was tired himself

and could only empathize. “Come on, let’s get you
tucked into bed.” He slipped off David’s T-shirt and
then started pulling on David’s jeans, but the thick
material stuck to David’s sweat-slicked skin. David
tried to help, but his efforts were more of a hindrance,
so Scott batted his hands away and just kept on pulling
on the denim until they peeled off David’s long legs. To
Scott, the fact that David’s underwear came off at the
same time was a bonus.

He silently admired David’s beautifully freckled

skin, then surreptitiously rubbed his thumb over the
initials on David’s hip. SM. Scott Murphy. Weird, but
not as weird as the feeling he got every time he saw
them. Trying not to think about that too deeply, he ran
his hands back up David’s thighs but stopped short of
cupping David’s delicious assets. It wouldn’t be fair to
take advantage of him while he was like this, but damn
it was tempting, especially as David was now snoring
peacefully, having fallen asleep.

Shaking his head in mock consternation, Scott

stood and peeled off his own clothes, swearing again at
the lack of air-conditioning. Tomorrow they were going
to stay somewhere that had all the luxuries. He got into
bed next to David and turned on his side, watching him
for a moment. Outside, when the wombat had rushed
out at them, Scott had been startled. Understandable
under the circumstances, after the way David had
spooked them both with his talk of creatures skulking in
the night, but in that instant when Scott had thought
they’d been in danger, his instincts had kicked in and
he’d thrown out an arm to keep David back. That

move had knocked David over, and Scott was
seriously pissed he had actually caused David to get
hurt, especially considering he was damn well trained to
protect people.

Vowing to make it up to David, Scott closed his

eyes and worked out how to make the next few days
they were going to spend together something
memorable.

* * * *

“Bloody hell!”

The shout came from the bathroom. Scott bolted

awake and was at the bathroom door in seconds, his
heart in his throat as he sought to find what new disaster
had befallen David now.

“What?”

David stood in the middle of the small bathroom

with soap bubbles clinging to his hair and sliding in little
rivers down his body.

“Friggin’ water went cold!”

There was shock on his face and utter

consternation in his wide green eyes, which normally
would have had Scott sympathizing, but David was
sporting a hard-on that didn’t seem to be affected by its
brush with cold water, and it was that that Scott reacted
to. He laughed.

“It’s not fucking funny. I almost froze my balls

off.” David grabbed a towel and roughly rubbed it over
his hair. “Shit, I’m going to have to rinse this out.” He
glared at the shower that was still spitting out an
intermittent spray.

“Just shove your head under,” Scott suggested.

He was grinning because David was still scowling while
his hard-on still pointed toward the ceiling.

“The water’s freezing!” David protested.

“Serves you right. You shouldn’t have spent so

much time in there doing other things.”

“I wasn’t doing anything. I woke up like this and

decided to get squeaky-clean for you. I’d just put
shampoo in my hair when the water went cold. It was
barely lukewarm to start with, and I was only in there
for about ten seconds.”

The humor Scott had clung to slowly dissolved.

“Oh.” He moved farther into the bathroom. “So you
were getting clean for me?” he asked.

David nodded and wiped impatiently at his hair.

“Yes. I was kind of hoping you still wanted to play with
my arse.”

Scott smiled. “I love how you say that,” he said,

taking the towel from David and putting it aside. He slid
an arm around David’s waist and dragged him into his
arms.

“Say what?”

“Arse. It’s kind of sultry.”

David cocked a red eyebrow. “Sultry?”

“Yeah. Hot and sexy. Like you.” Scott followed

the path of a sudsy trail down David’s chest with his
finger. David’s stomach sucked in, his cock twitched,
and the scowl that had marred his brow disappeared.

“I’ve already offered my arse up to you; you don’t

have to keep complimenting me.”

“I do if you deserve it.” Scott leaned in a little to

kiss David’s mouth, not sure why David didn’t seem to
realize how gorgeous he was. David parted his lips and
let Scott sample the warmth and silkiness inside, and
Scott would have been quite happy to keep sampling
more, but David pulled back.

“Let me get the soap out of my hair. It’s dripping

into my eyes.”

In a brave move, David jumped back under the

shower, quickly rinsed his hair, and cursed every
second he was under there. Scott had the towel ready,
rubbing it through David’s silky length before finger
combing it off his face. David clung to him, shivering.

“Do you think you can warm me up now?” he said

through chattering teeth.

Wanting nothing more, Scott walked David back

to the bed, laid him down, and climbed on top of him.
“How warm do you want to be?” he asked, but he
didn’t give David time to answer before he claimed
David’s mouth again.

David slid his arms around Scott’s neck and

pushed a thigh between Scott’s legs. The shift gave

David command of their position even though he was
beneath Scott’s hard body. It was something that Scott
noticed about David. The man liked to be in control,
and Scott had to admit he admired that. But that was
also his problem. David didn’t like giving up that
control, not even a little. Which was a shame, because
Scott also liked to be in control sometimes.

Maybe, as Scott had mentioned before, if David

could learn to trust him, that could change. But they
were only going to be together for less than two weeks,
and that probably wasn’t going to be enough time for
Scott to persuade David to try out that kink he’d been
hoping for. He grinned as David rolled him over and
then groaned as David started grinding their hips
together. “I thought I was supposed to be warming you
up.”

“You’re taking too long.”

“I wanted to go a little slower this time. Give us a

chance to know each other’s bodies.”

“Right, as if there is that much more of me to

know.” David squirmed against him, and Scott was

tempted to let David take over, but there was
something he still wanted to do, something David had
promised to let him do. He twisted and pinned David
back on the bed.

“Stay there,” he said. He quickly grabbed his bag

and pulled out the bottle of lube. David’s green eyes
watched him, and Scott smiled. Climbing between
David’s legs, Scott spread them. “I want to play with
your ass.”

“You have played with it.”

“I want to play some more.” Coating his fingers

with lube, Scott aimed them at David’s tight hole. He
lightly circled, testing the resistance, pushing just a little.
The skin was so silky soft, and as he teased David’s
entrance and heard him moan, Scott felt the tingle of
arousal start in his own body. Pressing in, Scott gasped
at the heat and smooth muscles that gripped him. He
slid deeper, marveling at how David’s body welcomed
him.

“That’s good,” David moaned.

“Going to get better,” Scott replied. He pulled

back until just the tip of his finger remained inside David
before plunging all the way back in. David’s back
arched, and he spread his legs wider. Encouraged,
Scott added another finger as he slowly began to move
in and out. The muscles holding tight began to stretch,
allowing Scott to twist his hand and curl his fingers and
search for that one sweet spot…

“Ohhh, God, yeah!”

Grinning, Scott rubbed against it again while

keeping an eye on David’s reaction. David groaned and
pulled his legs back, hooking his arms around them.

“Scott, shit, that’s…” David’s voice broke as

Scott added a third and final finger. The beautifully
clutching tunnel held Scott enthralled. He watched as his
fingers slid deeper, as they disappeared into David’s
hot body. He thrust, long, concentrated plunges until
David’s body started to tighten.

“Like that?” he asked, knowing it was a stupid

question. There was one thing he’d already learned
about David; it was that he’d tell Scott immediately if
there was something he didn’t like. David’s groaned

response was no less than Scott expected, and neither
were David’s next words.

“Need you in me, Scott. Want to feel you fill me

up.”

Ready to comply, Scott eased his fingers free,

ripped open a condom packet, and quickly sheathed his
cock. David opened his eyes and stared at him, the
sharp need in those green depths stunning to witness.
David’s response to him was amazing. It made Scott
feel like there was nothing he could do that wouldn’t
give David pleasure. He smiled down at him, then while
leaning in to kiss those sweet lips, nudged his cock
against David’s waiting hole and sank in deep.

His groan was swallowed by David’s mouth as

smoothly as his cock was taken in by David’s body. He
held still for a moment, basking in the snug warmth that
surrounded him. David’s arms came around his back,
and his legs linked over Scott’s waist. Completely
encased by the man, Scott felt wanted, needed,
desired, which was exactly how he felt about David.
Everything about David made Scott want him; his sexy

body, his quirky attitude, and his openness. He was a
perfect combination of everything Scott liked in a man,
and coupled with the fact that David just loved to fuck,
made every moment with him that much better.

“Move. You’ve got to move.” David’s entreaty

was more like an order, and it was accompanied by
David tightening his thighs and shifting his hips. Knowing
he wasn’t going to have much choice in this, Scott
starting rocking, using long, slow, deep thrusts designed
to build the pleasure and make it last.

Burying his face in David’s neck, Scott continued

to move, keeping his pace slow and gentle but making
sure he maintained the same angle so he was giving
David the most pleasure. David groaned, but
surprisingly didn’t try to force the pace, allowing Scott
to dictate how deep and fast.

“Oh God, that’s so fucking good.”

Maybe that was why. There was no point in

changing something that was working. Smiling his
agreement, Scott started nibbling and sucking along
David’s shoulder, finding a sensitive spot at the juncture

of collarbone and throat. So sensitive in fact that David
dropped his arms and arched slightly to give Scott
better access.

Tempted to bring up a mark, Scott restrained

himself, but only because on David’s pale skin it would
show up as the hickey it was, however, he couldn’t
stop from rasping his tongue up the underside of
David’s jaw, tasting a remnant of soap and the
unmistakable flavor of warm male skin. Scott closed his
eyes for a moment and inhaled David’s scent, the
resulting curl of desire hitting hard and deep. He
groaned and began to drive his hips faster, feeling the
tight squeeze of David’s inner muscles. It was exquisite,
pulling Scott into a tangle of need that had him forgetting
about making this last and pushing him to finish it.

David arched a little more into him, his light gasp

telling Scott he was still making this good, but David’s
decision to hold still and let Scott have his way had
obviously come to an end. David dropped his legs,
planted his feet and started to meet each of Scott’s
heavy thrusts with a potency that took Scott closer to

the edge of release.

“Shit yes. Deeper.”

Scott almost laughed considering he wasn’t the

one who was now dictating how deep he could go.
David had once more taken control, but Scott didn’t
mind, and as he drove harder, faster, and ultimately
deeper, just the way David wanted, he could feel the
beautiful way in which David was also beginning to
unravel and come apart.

“Need to come, Scott.” David’s half plea was

edged with urgency, and Scott strove to bring him to
the end he desperately craved. The familiar tingle of
orgasm flared bright at the base of his spine, and Scott
moaned. Oh fuck this is going to be good.

The tight muscles holding him rippled, and Scott

knew David was close. He was reaching between them
to help David out when David stiffened and cried out.
But it wasn’t the cry of orgasm, or the stiffening of
muscles going over the precipice; David’s cry was one
of horror, and his body jerked hard in absolute
indignation.

“You little fucker!”

It took a couple of seconds before his senses

kicked back into place after one hard, rough push had
Scott stunned and floundering on his back. “What the
hell?”

David jumped up off the bed and rushed to the

open window. “The kid was filming us. The one who
booked us in,” David explained. He looked panicked,
and Scott didn’t blame him. If that got out…

Adrenaline drenching his system, Scott had

quickly grabbed his shorts off the floor and was racing
out the cabin door before David had a chance to move.

At two in the morning, it was pitch-black outside.

There was no moonlight to speak of, and the lights that
had dimly lit the area earlier had been switched off.
Scott thought that might have been illegal for the park,
but the legalities didn’t concern him right then; finding
the long-haired greasy little shit who had filmed them
did. Using his experience and training it was easy to be
quiet while following the retreating shuffles of someone
trying to be even quieter. Seriously pissed at being

spied on and having his orgasm cut off at the last
second, Scott listened carefully. A noise to his right had
Scott heading that way. He took a few steps, then
halted when he heard the sharp crack of a twig
breaking.

It didn’t take him long to locate the source.

Zeroing in he spotted a darker patch of black, and
before the kid knew what had happened, Scott dived
into the bushes where the kid had hidden and had him
by the collar, shaking him like some rabid dog.

“What the fuck do you think you’re up to?” he

demanded, gripping the lanky teenager by the shoulder
as he tried to pull free.

“Nu, nu, nuthin’. I was just lookin’.” The

stammered reply didn’t convince Scott. From the kid’s
actions and the frantic way in which he still kept trying
to free himself, Scott decided he’d done more than just
look. Tightening his grip, he dragged the struggling
delinquent back across the dry, heat-affected grass to
the cabin where David was waiting.

David was livid. The dark look in his eyes and the

high color in his cheeks would have been a dead
giveaway, but he was also holding up a small camera in
a white-knuckled hand, and the second he saw Scott
pull his prize through the doorway, he rounded on him
like a man demented. “What kind of sick fuck are you?
I could have you fucking arrested for this!”

“I didn’t do nuthin’.” The whiny reply didn’t help

matters, and as David glared at the teenager, those
green eyes flashing pure fury, Scott felt the kid cringe in
fear. Scott didn’t blame him. He wouldn’t want to be
on the other end of that anger.

“You think this was nothing?” David brandished

the camera again, his gaze flicking to Scott before
landing full force back on the teen. “How would you
like it if someone filmed you with someone, then posted
it on the net?”

“I wasn’t going to do that!” Realizing his mistake

in confessing, not that he had much of an argument with
the evidence being shoved in his face, the kid fell silent.
David made a noise of disgust and glanced at Scott
again.

“It’s all on here.” He turned the face of the

miniscreen so the frozen picture on the camera was
visible.

Scott stared at it for a moment, the relief that

David had managed to find this before the kid could do
some damage relaxing the tension in his shoulders. “He
didn’t get my good side. You don’t look bad though.”

The kid snorted, and Scott was hard-pressed not

to smack him upside the head. David, however, didn’t
see the humor. Or at least it didn’t look like he had. He
turned away, and after dropping the camera into his
bag, he picked up Scott’s T-shirt and handed it to him.

“We’re leaving.”

Scott agreed. He didn’t intend to spend another

minute at the caravan park, but he hesitated and
indicated the young man still cringing by the door.
“What do we do with him?” Though this affected him as
much as it did David, Scott was satisfied enough just to
know the contents of that camera had been
appropriated, but he wasn’t sure if David wanted to
take this further.

“If he gets out of my sight in the next five seconds,

I won’t press charges. We’ve got his camera—”

“Hey, you can’t take the camera—it’s mine!”

Ignoring the kid’s outburst, David continued,

“Which, once I’m satisfied all traces of us have been
erased, will be posted back.” David’s eyes narrowed
as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Be thankful I
don’t live in this country, because if I did, I’d have your
balls strung up tight for the prank you pulled tonight.
Now, your five seconds are up. Fuck off.”

Biting his lip to stop a full on grin at the way David

said that, Scott pulled on his shirt and shoes and picked
up his bag. The kid had gone, though Scott could hear
him mumbling about something being not fair. David still
stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He was
shaking. “Hey, it’s all right. We’ve got the camera.”
Scott dumped his bag back on the bed, then pulled
David into his arms, holding him. David’s arms came
around him, clinging.

“It’s not that. You rushed out of here without

knowing what was out there. That idiot could have had

a knife or something.”

“He didn’t.”

“But he could have. Shit, Scott, getting that

camera back wasn’t worth the danger to your life.”

“Don’t worry about me, and anyway, I didn’t get

the camera, you did,” he said, pointing out that David
had to have gone outside to retrieve the camera and
could well have put himself in the same possible danger.

“It was just outside the window. The kid must

have dropped it when I spotted him.” David moved so
he could look up at him. The depths of his anger still
shone in his eyes. “I was so fucking close too.”

It took Scott all of two seconds to realize what

David meant, and when he did he couldn’t stop the full-
bodied laugh that burst free. It wasn’t funny, but at least
it showed David did have a sense of humor. David’s
small, responding smile made Scott hug him. Odd how
he’d never hugged men before, but David seemed to
bring that out in him.

“We could finish it off now if you want?”

David shook his head, though the movement was

tiny. “Not here. I really want to get out of here.”

So did Scott. He tightened his arms around David

for one more moment, then let him go. “Come on, we’ll
find somewhere else.” He had his bag slung over his
shoulder when David put out a hand and rested it on his
arm.

“Thank you for going after him. I’m not quite sure

what I would have done if he hadn’t dropped the
camera and had gotten away.”

“Other than the obvious, is there a special reason

why you wouldn’t want those images on the net?”

David seemed to hesitate for a moment and then

nodded. “My family would make my life a living hell—
more than they do already.”

Chapter Four

Dawn painted the sky the color of blood, its

burnished brilliance seemingly setting the clouds on fire,
dripping tendrils of flame from one end of the horizon to
the other. Caught up in the amazing sight, David pulled
over onto the grass verge and turned off the engine
before getting out and just standing there, one hand on
the roof, the other on the edge of the door, his gaze
locked on nature’s method of greeting a brand-new
day.

He needed this, a respite from his thoughts and

emotions. The distraction was perfect, giving him a
moment when there was nothing to think about but the
fierce wonder of the world around him. He stood for a
moment longer, feeling the strain of the past couple of
hours lift off his shoulders, before bending down to peer
into the passenger seat of the car.

“Scott, I think you may want to see this.”

Scott’s long body unfurled in a languid, fluid move

that David unquestionably envied. He knew damn well
if he’d fallen asleep in the cramped space of the front
seat, he would have woken with stiff muscles and
aching joints. Scott, however, seemed no worse for
wear. In fact, he seemed to have found the awkward
position no less uncomfortable than if he’d slept on a
king-size bed with a soft mattress and even softer
pillows.

Blue eyes opened and smiled. “Hey, babe.”

David smiled back; he couldn’t, not in the face of

such warmth. “Hey, yourself. Take a look over there.”
David nodded to indicate the view behind Scott.

Turning, Scott glanced out the side window and

whistled his appreciation. “Wow, that’s not something
you see every day.”

“I know. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Scott pushed open his door and emerged,

stretching just a little before standing as David had
done. David came around to his side and leaned back
on the car’s rear door, simply content to watch, though
the view beside him was grabbing his attention more

and more every minute Scott stood there.

“I’m sorry about earlier.” He’d wanted to say

something before this, but wasn’t sure how much to say
or if anything at all. Scott hadn’t pressed, and for that
David was grateful, but he now felt he should at least
apologize for his previous reaction.

“Don’t sweat it. I was pretty pissed at the kid as

well. I don’t think he would have uploaded onto the net,
but I wasn’t prepared to take that risk. Exposure for
me wouldn’t have been something I could have easily
lived through either.”

“Exposed for being gay, you mean?”

“No, not that. My family and friends know I’m

gay. Actually, everyone in my hometown does, but
having it posted up on the net wouldn’t have gained me
any brownie points.” There was a trace of amusement
in Scott’s tone, and as David glanced over, he could
see Scott was almost grinning.

“No, I guess not,” he said, but curiosity ate at him.

He wanted to know how everyone where Scott lived
knew he was gay and how they’d reacted to finding

out. He wanted to compare it to his own experience.
When Scott turned to face him instead of the morning
sun, David almost dropped his gaze, but though it was
difficult, he managed to hold the cool blue assessment.

“There is no one here who is going to report you

back to your family, David. I’ve never hidden who I
was, and I don’t really want to start now, but I won’t
touch you in public any longer if it’s going to make you
uncomfortable or change your mind about being with
me.”

“Hell no. I like you touching me, and I definitely

want to be with you. I feel safe with you.” David didn’t
quite mean that the way it came out, but it was true.
Scott’s strong self-assurance wrapped David in a
cocoon of self-worth and dignity and gave him the
confidence to be who he should be. He had never
wanted to hide who he was, but his family… Not
wanting to go there, knowing he’d already thought of
them far too much when he was supposed to be having
fun, David leaned into Scott’s warm body and let Scott
enfold him with his arms and his strength.

Scott’s kiss wasn’t a surprise, nor was the hard

length he pressed to David’s hip.

“I would so love to fuck you right now, but that

kind of public display is beyond even me.” Scott’s sexy
grin had David’s heart speeding up a little, and as David
shifted to align their bodies better so they were now
chest to chest, groin to groin, he was delighted to see
Scott’s expression change to one of heated desire.

He smiled, loving how he could get such a

response from Scott. “Really? Do you think I could
tempt you into changing your mind? My arse is feeling a
little neglected.”

The blue of Scott’s eyes darkened, and his pupils

dilated, adding hunger to his gaze. “And if we get
caught?”

“How the hell could we get caught out here?” He

looked around them. They were quite literally in the
middle of nowhere. Other than trees, bushes, and a line
of mountains to the west, there was nothing. No
buildings, no fences, not even a road. The track he’d
been driving on looked better suited to a four-wheel

drive than the low-slung sports car they’d hired.
“Where are we anyway?”

“You’re asking me that? You were driving.”

“Yeah, but I wasn’t paying any attention to where

I was going.”

“You mean we’re lost.” The way Scott said it, like

a statement and not a question, had David bristling.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know, but how come stuff like this happens to

you?”

“Like what?” Though David knew what Scott was

talking about, he didn’t want to be reminded of it.

“Right after we met, you got dumped by a wave,

you cut your foot, the hotel room got flooded and we
got thrown out, we get attacked by a wombat, you fell
and bruised your ass, the shower water went cold on
you, we get perved on by some kid, and now we’re
lost.”

“You flooded the room out,” David defended,

surprised that Scott had kept a tab on everything that

had happened since they met.

“Because you distracted me.” Scott didn’t seem

annoyed, just curious.

David looked at him and sighed, resigned to

explain his run of bad luck. “Have you ever heard of
Murphy’s Law?” he asked, wondering if Scott was
going to think him nuts.

“What can go wrong, will go wrong? Yes, why?”

“That’s my life. I’m not just accident-prone. I’m

everything-prone. If something can go wrong while
around me, it usually does. Though it’s never affected
anyone else before. Not until you.”

“What do you mean?”

David shrugged. “I expect things to happen to me.

I’m used to it and have pretty much accepted it. My
friends think I’m jinxed and think it’s funny, but none of
them have had anything happen to them when around
me. You, however, have been dragged into everything
that’s gone wrong, and I’m getting worried you’re going
to realize it might be easier not to be around me.”

Scott smiled and shook his head. “Don’t worry.

I’m not really bothered by it. I just thought it was weird
that someone could suffer so much bad luck.”

“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Consider me warned,” Scott said, still smiling.

“Now, how about we find our way out of here?” He
reached through the open door of the car and pulled out
the folded map they’d been using, spreading it out on
the bright red hood. “What was the last town you
passed?” he asked, holding on to the edge of the map
to stop the breeze that had sprung up from blowing it
away.

“I don’t know. My mind was kind of on other

things. I know I drove over a narrow wooden bridge
about two hours ago. I’ve not seen a town or anything
even resembling one since, and I can’t remember the
name of the one I did pass through.” The long, odd
look Scott gave him ignited David’s embarrassment.
“Sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? We’re on holiday. It

doesn’t matter where we are, just that we need to

know where to go from here.”

“So what was the odd look for?”

Scott seemed to hesitate for a moment, then his

jaw tightened. “Because you were thinking about your
family while driving, which was why you weren’t paying
attention to what was around you, and I have to admit
that pissed me off.”

“Why the hell would that piss you off? And what’s

it got to do with you anyway?”

“It’s got nothing to do with me, but I can’t stand

the idea of you being afraid. I never took you to be the
type to let others dictate your life, David, but it seems to
me your family rules your actions more than you want
them to.”

Shocked, not so much by Scott’s insight, but that

Scott had actually dared pull him up on it, David stared
at him, wanting so much to tell him to mind his own
damn business, but wanting more for Scott to push the
issue, to show him how he could break free of his
family’s bonds.

“You—”

“Should mind my own damn business, I know.

Sorry, it’s just that you’re a nice guy, David, and it just
seems wrong that you can’t live your life free from
someone else’s hold on you.”

Jesus, it was like Scott was inside his head,

reading his thoughts, his emotions. “Do you?” he
countered, not bothering to deny that Scott was right—
he didn’t live his life the way he wanted; he’d never had
the chance.

“Yes.”

“Because you’re out to all and sundry?” David

didn’t mean that to come out harsh, but it just didn’t
seem fair that Scott was judging him by his own
experiences.

“That wasn’t easy. I was lucky with my family, I

guess, and you’re right, I have no right to criticize you,
but I’ve had to stand up for myself in front of a whole
goddamn town, and then prove to them over and over
again that I won’t get pushed around.”

Curiosity got the better of David. “How did they

find out you’re gay?”

Scott let go of the map he’d been leaning against

and took a couple of steps toward David, his blue eyes
warm and filled with a little bit of humor, a little bit of
angst. “I was caught kissing a guy behind a bar. The guy
wasn’t a local like me, just a backpacker passing
through, but it caused a scandal, and within days I was
the talk of the town. Wasn’t fun, but I lived through it
and wouldn’t let it get to me.”

“And now they accept you?”

“Most do, some don’t. I don’t give a shit either

way. But I keep my head down and my nose clean.”

“And come away on holidays to get some relief

and have some fun.” David didn’t pose it as a question;
the answer would have been obvious.

The irritation dropped out of Scott’s gaze, leaving

just the humor. “Actually no. I still get my kicks from
guys that pass through. I’ve just become less careless
about where I kiss them.”

Envious at the way Scott was so clearly at ease

with the way he ran his life, David couldn’t help but ask
the next question. “So why come all the way to

Sydney? What brought you there?”

“Ah, now, my family actually did have something

to do with that.”

David held back on asking anything else, because

it wasn’t any of his business either, but the question
burned the tip of his tongue. As if sensing his interest,
Scott smiled, a full, sensual smile that put David back
into the realm of pleasure and comfort he felt when
around him, and then Scott answered him anyway.

“They want me to find a ‘nice young man’ and

settle down. I was supposed to spend my holidays with
them and be introduced to a son of my aunt’s friend.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, so I made an excuse that I had to be

away, so of course I couldn’t stay at home.”

“So you came here to get away from your family.”

The irony wasn’t lost on David. He grinned, thrilled that
Scott was sharing this with him and that Scott wasn’t
getting everything his own way.

“I’m not ready to settle down. And I certainly

don’t want my family picking someone for me. Can you
imagine the type of guy they’d pick?” A tiny shudder
ran through Scott’s body, and he grimaced.

Completely relaxed now, David laughed. “And

what type would that be?”

“No one like you.”

The heat that suffused David’s chest was

unexpected, but as Scott continued to stare at him, the
warmth that spread down to his groin, wasn’t. “I’m glad
you’ve set your standards so low,” he quipped, not sure
how to handle that kind of compliment, if that was what
it had been.

“Uh-uh, you’re right at the top of my ‘best guys

I’ve been with’ list.”

“You have a list?”

“And you’re on the top of it,” Scott repeated, as if

David needed reminding.

“Is it a short list?” David held up his thumb and

forefinger and put them close together so only a small
gap was showing.

“You cheeky little shit!” Laughter danced in

Scott’s blue eyes as he grabbed David’s hand. “I’ll
have you know I’m quite successful at picking up guys.”

David didn’t doubt it. With that darkly tanned skin

and sun-bleached hair, his confident attitude and ability
to make people feel at ease, Scott could have his pick
of any guy. It would have surprised David if Scott ever
got turned down. So that didn’t really make him any
different from Scott’s other conquests, did it?

“Hey, why the glum face all of a sudden?”

David glanced up into Scott’s blue gaze. “Why are

you with me?” he asked, confusion and a little self-pity
making David want an answer to something he was
probably better off not exploring.

“Why?” Scott looked astonished. “You really

have no idea how damn sexy you are, do you?” When
David didn’t reply, Scott shook his head. “You turn me
on like no other man I’ve been with. You’re extremely
responsive to my every touch. You have a sense of
humor. You love to talk during sex and fall asleep
afterward. You give the best blowjob I’ve ever had.

You’ve got the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen.
You blush when I give you a compliment, and your
accent is fucking adorable. Is that enough for you, or do
you want me to keep on going?”

Astonished by Scott’s earnest and blatantly

lascivious opinion of him, David didn’t know what to
say, and as he struggled to find the words, Scott smiled.

“You’re blushing.” Scott’s voice had dropped to a

husky whisper, and he moved so he was standing in
front of David. “I like being with you, David. I’d like to
be with you for as long as I can.”

Unable to help it, David leaned in to get closer to

Scott as if it was as necessary as breathing. Scott
reciprocated until their lips met with something more
than just lust and passion, edging dangerously into
longing and compulsion. Scott clung to him, an act
David still wasn’t used to, but God it felt good when
Scott did it, as if he was needed, wanted, desired.

Scott’s clinging hands dug into his ass and dragged

him closer, grinding their hips together. “See? I can’t
seem to keep my hands off you. Why is that?” Scott

asked as his lips grazed down the side of David’s neck.

“Because you think I’m sexy,” David replied,

giddy and aroused and feeling like a million dollars in
Scott’s arms. Moving back enough to look up into
Scott’s beautiful blue eyes, David saw the same
emotions deep in their swirling depths. “Am I tempting
you into forgetting about getting caught?” he asked,
renewed confidence making him bold.

“You’re close. Very, very close.”

David was just on the verge of tearing his clothes

off and making damn sure Scott forgot absolutely
everything else but him when another strong breeze,
cool and coming in from the east, brushed over his skin,
causing him to shiver slightly. Scott frowned, then for no
reason David could see, suddenly started cursing.
Startled, David pulled away and was just in time to
glimpse the map Scott had spread over the hood of the
car being whisked away across the unending greenery
to the west.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Scott went after

it. David remained exactly where he was, fully aware

that it would be better if he didn’t get in Scott’s way,
but after a few fruitless minutes during which the wind
picked up and took the map completely out of sight,
David knew he needed to do something proactive.

Getting back in the driver’s seat, he turned on the

engine, then activated the built-in GPS. Waiting for the
local map to load, David glanced out the window and
saw Scott returning, hands empty, face disbelieving.

“You, you…”

David ignored Scott’s blustering. He’d already

explained that he was jinxed, and Scott had said he was
all right with it, but his old anxiety about how pitiful he
looked when these things happened came flooding
back. He took a quick look at Scott to see if he could
guess what he was thinking, but Scott’s face was now
blank, so David turned back to the screen and waited
nervously for it to show the words he should have
expected.

Map not available.

“Do you have GPS on your phone?” he asked,

trying to sound as calm as he could.

Scott’s groan as he realized why David was

asking didn’t bode well. “No.”

David clenched his jaw. He wouldn’t let Scott see

him so flustered, he wouldn’t. “Right, then get in and
we’ll just keep on going and see where we end up.”

Scott didn’t hesitate, though David wouldn’t have

been too surprised if Scott had refused to get into the
car. Of course that would have left Scott stranded, but
right then, being stranded on his own might just well be
preferable to being stuck with David and the farces that
just seem to befall him. David wouldn’t have blamed
him if he’d picked that route, but a little bit of him hurt
at the idea that Scott might decide to abandon him
when they arrived at the next town, despite what Scott
had said only a few minutes ago.

Before he could put the automatic gear into drive

though, Scott put a warm hand on his thigh. “Get us to a
hotel as fast as you can. Just try not to crash into
anything on the way.” There was humor in his tone that
David was really amazed to hear. However, when he
glanced over to see a smile on Scott’s mouth and

amusement in his eyes, he was thankful. Maybe Scott
wouldn’t abandon him after all.

Forty-five minutes later, David’s chance of

crashing into anything was significantly diminished when
the car’s engine spluttered, stuttered and, despite
David’s cursing and coaxing when he spied the fuel
gauge and figured out why, rolled to a stop and died.

“Don’t say anything,” David warned. “Not a damn

thing!”

“Not going to.” The laughter Scott was trying to

hold in didn’t help matters, but David was seriously glad
Scott was seeing the funny side of this, though he
suspected Scott’s sense of humor and tolerance was
going to be mortally tested before the day was out.

The outside scenery hadn’t changed, and the

monotony of it was a little worrisome. There didn’t look
to be an end in sight. In fact the track they were on
looked to be getting a little worse, and David figured
out too late they might have been better off going back
the way they’d come.

“Can you try your phone, call for some help?”

“Do you think we need it?”

David just raised an eyebrow. “We’re in the

middle of nowhere. Don’t you?”

Scott took a long look out the window. The sky

had darkened; thick clouds were now gathering on the
horizon. “I’ve never run out of gas and ended up stuck
on the side of the road before.”

“I have. Call for help.”

Fishing out his phone from his jeans pocket, Scott

pressed a few buttons before putting the phone to his
ear. David didn’t need to have Scott handing him the
phone for proof of no reception, it was written clearly
on Scott’s face; that I don’t believe this look was
unmistakable.

“Let’s start walking.” David made to open the car

door, but Scott’s firm grip on his arm stopped him.

“We’re supposed to stay with the car.”

“Normally I would agree, but we haven’t seen a

single soul in hours nor any other sign of life. I don’t
think this track’s been used in months, and if we stay

here, we could be here far longer than if we walked.”

“You’ve got this survival thing down pat, haven’t

you?” Scott asked, finally following David’s lead and
getting out of the car before grabbing his bag off the
back seat.

“I’ve had to.”

Not sure where he stood with Scott, David

hesitated before walking over to him. “This is my fault,
and I’m sorry,” he said, feeling that awkward heat steal
up his neck and cheeks and unable to do anything about
it.

Scott didn’t say anything, and David figured it was

because he’d run out of words he could use to placate
him, but then Scott curled a hand around the back of
David’s neck and pulled him into a kiss that was soft
and warm and easy.

“Back the way we came or keep on going?” Scott

asked when he released him.

Those blue eyes didn’t hold humor any longer;

they were filled with trust and confidence in David’s
ability to get them out of here. Pushing down the fear

that Scott’s confidence was misplaced, David decided
to go back. He had no idea where they were, and
apparently neither did Scott, but forward was unknown
territory. At least if they went back, they would
eventually come across the bridge David remembered
crossing. Surely at that stage someone would come
along and rescue them?

Taking a deep breath, David stole a quick kiss

from Scott’s lips and struck off down the rutted road
that was beginning to look more like a cattle
passageway than something a vehicle drove along.
Scott didn’t comment, just walked beside him, but after
a while the lack of conversation began to bug David. It
wasn’t that he specifically liked talking; it was just that
he didn’t like Scott’s silence.

“Your family? You said they’re okay with you

being gay?” It was a question David felt a little
awkward asking, but the way Scott seemed so casual
with his family had David interested.

Scott’s searching gaze rested on him for a moment

before he nodded. “Yes. My uncle is gay, so the whole

family was already used to the idea, and because I had
grown up with knowing being gay wasn’t abnormal, it
was easy for me to tell them.” Scott slowed his steps
and caught David’s hand. “Your family didn’t take it so
well I’m assuming?”

“They were psychopathically and obsessively

outraged.” Though David knew he sounded
melodramatic, he was actually being quite reserved in
his description of the way they’d treated him when they
found out.

The pressure of Scott’s fingers gently linking

through his was comforting, taking the edge off David’s
internal anger—an anger he always felt when thinking of
his family. He didn’t want to think about them, never
mind talk about them, but glancing into Scott’s
questioning eyes, David gave in and answered.

“My mother died when I was fourteen. She’d

been sick for quite some time, but she hadn’t told me.
Until I was thirteen it was just her and me, then she
married this man, and I can only guess it was because
she hadn’t wanted me to be left alone.” David stopped,

swallowing back the pain of loss. It had been fifteen
years, yet he still couldn’t get over missing her,
especially her smile, her laughter.

Scott’s steps halted, but David tugged on his

fingers to keep moving. It would be easier if he didn’t
have to face any sympathy. He didn’t want sympathy,
just understanding.

“The man she left me with didn’t want me. He’d

never hidden that fact from me, though he’d been
careful to hide it from my mother, but then so had I. His
two children from his previous marriage hated me as
well, and they’d insisted I didn’t live with them, so he
sent me off to boarding school.” David looked up and
grinned. “That’s where I found out I was gay. Male
smorgasbord—I was in heaven.”

A smile touched Scott’s mouth, but it didn’t reach

his eyes. “So your stepfamily hates you. What about
your real family?”

“I don’t have any. I know nothing about my father

except his name. My mother was an only child, and her
parents died about five years after I was born. I don’t

remember them, and if there are any relations out there,
I wouldn’t have a clue who they were.”

“I’m a little confused. If you’ve only got a

stepfather and siblings, and there doesn’t seem to be
any love lost between you, why would you be bothered
by their opinion?”

“I’m not.” And he wasn’t. David didn’t give a shit

about their opinion, not anymore; it was the way they
harassed him, physically and mentally, that pissed him
off, and it wasn’t just him, but his clients, his friends,
and the one decent boyfriend he’d tried to have.

Scott tightened his fingers on David’s and pulled

on them hard enough to make David stop and face him.
“Yes you are. You’re frightened of them in some way.
Why?”

David looked into those remarkable pale blue

eyes and saw concern and curiosity, both of which he
found impossible not to respond to. “My family won’t
leave me alone. They hate what I am, and instead of
just simply disowning me, like normal people, they’ve
taken to harassing and threatening me.”

“Jesus, Davey. Are you serious?”

It might have been best not to continue with this

conversation, but David had started it, and deep down
it felt good to be able to release the built-up tension.
“Unfortunately, yes. I can’t go out of the house without
knowing one of them is following me. They hassle me at
work, they’ve sprayed graffiti on my car with disgusting
slogans, and when they found out about this guy I’d
been seeing recently, they threatened to expose him to
his family unless he dumped me.”

“What did he do?”

“What do you think? He dumped me.” Damaging

silence greeted David’s declaration, and as he stared at
Scott, waiting to hear what he was going to say, he
worried he’d said too much. How pitiful did it make him
look that his boyfriend didn’t think he was worth
fighting for.

“Then that was his loss. I would have fought for

you.” Scott’s comment almost had David pulling him
into his arms and kissing him. Instead he just smiled, but
Scott must have known what David was thinking and

hauled him close. His kiss was soft, almost apologetic,
as if he wanted to say sorry for all the dickheads in
David’s life.

“How long has this been going on?” Scott asked,

releasing his mouth but not his hold.

Warmed by Scott’s concern, David responded.

“Pretty much since Derek, that psycho I told you about.
My stepfather was dragged into it because I was a
minor, and he’s never forgiven me for the shitstorm of
bad publicity it caused.” At Scott’s puzzled frown,
David continued. “The family has a high profile. It
embarrassed them to be associated with someone like
me, and they’ve taken it out on me ever since.”

“But haven’t you tried to stop them, taken them to

court or something?”

Shit, this was really getting in too deep. He wasn’t

supposed to be giving Scott his life story. David shook
his head. What could he say that wouldn’t make him
sound like some weak fuck who didn’t have the balls to
claim his own destiny? “Fighting back or standing up to
them isn’t an option. I tried to once. It made things

worse. It’s safer not to stir up trouble.”

“So that’s why you’re so averse to being touched

in public. You don’t want to risk the possibility it’ll get
back to them and give them more ammunition.” Scott’s
insight was both refreshing and a relief. At least he
understood, and by the angry glare in his eyes, he also
seemed to sympathize.

“There’s little chance of that in Australia, which is

why I came here. I needed to get away from the
constant battle of trying to fly under their radar. It was
driving me insane, and after their last stunt, they’ve
pretty much demonstrated there’s no chance of me ever
having an open relationship. I want to be open and free
like you, Scott, but I just don’t know how it’s
possible.”

“Why not move?”

Smiling at the simplicity of that question, David

shook his head a little. “I considered it, several times,
but I’m an architect, so it would be difficult to start up
again, and impossible to hide from them completely.”
Taking a quick glance at Scott, David straightened his

shoulders. “I like what I do. I won’t let them take that
away from me too.”

“So you put up with all their shit.”

Another look into Scott’s stormy blue eyes, which

had grown as dark as the sky behind them, and David
decided he’d done talking. He started walking again,
dragging Scott along with him. He knew Scott wanted
to ask him some more questions, but mercifully Scott
held them in. David just wanted to enjoy what time they
had together, not discuss family or threats or the lack of
a normal life. In David’s mind, enjoyment meant having
sex, so the quicker they got some help to get their car
started, the quicker they’d get to a hotel room where he
was going to persuade Scott to sink deep into his ass,
using cock, fingers or tongue. He didn’t care which as
long as it got rid of the empty feeling inside.

David figured they were about halfway to where

he remembered crossing the bridge when they heard the
thunder. He stiffened and so very carefully turned to see
the huge rolling clouds filling the horizon, all of them
black, all of them heavy with rain. “Oh crap.”

Scott turned with him, his face a picture of

consternation and resignation. “If we get wet…” That
was all he got out before the first big drop landed on his
head, followed seconds later by a torrential downpour
the likes of which left David breathless with both
wonder and surprise.

“Holy shit!” Used to gray skies and drizzle, he

wasn’t prepared for the mass of rainwater that fell in
sheets, blocking out everything around them. Visibility
was abruptly down to a few hundred yards, and they
were soaked to the skin within seconds. Puddles
quickly formed on the dirt road, and the trees that had
stood proud and still were now suddenly bending under
the weight of the deluge. Unexpected, and in David’s
opinion, a bonus, was that the rainfall was warm and
not the near-freezing temperature generally produced in
England. He held out his hands, palms up, watching the
big fat drops bounce off before continuing their journey
to the now- saturated ground beneath their feet.

“Is the rain always like this?” he shouted, ignoring

Scott’s scowl and marveling at the thunderous roar of

both the storm overhead and the falling rain.

“No, it bloody isn’t, but around you, I’m no longer

surprised by anything.” Scott’s reply was almost
drowned out by the overwhelming noise that
surrounded them, but David not only heard the words,
he also heard the very indulgent tone Scott used. He
smiled up at him, then after readjusting the bag on his
shoulder, linked their fingers back together. It was just
then he heard the sound of a heavy vehicle powering up
behind them. David almost let his jaw drop as he saw a
huge lime-green four-wheel drive with a massive bull
bar bolted to the front come rumbling down the
waterlogged track. It was towing their little red sports
car.

“See, not surprised by anything,” Scott said.

“Hey, this is a good thing!”

“I fucking hope so.”

They waited until the truck pulled to a stop, then

when the front window rolled down, they stepped up to
the driver.

“You fellas lost or something?” A grizzled old

man, whose sharp blue eyes seemed to pin them both
to the soggy ground, leaned out of the cab a little. Both
David and Scott had to look up at him because the
massive tires the truck rode on were nearly waist height.

“We ran out of gas,” Scott told him, indicating the

car hitched to the back of the truck.

“Figured that. Don’t reckon you would have

abandoned that beauty otherwise. What I can’t figure
though, was what you were doing on private property.”

Scott’s dark gaze turned to David. “Private

property?”

“Yeah. My spread starts at the bridge you would

have crossed.”

David felt the sting of humiliation and couldn’t

meet Scott’s eyes. “Sorry, it was still dark, and I
mustn’t have seen the sign.”

“Well there ain’t no sign to speak of, so don’t

sweat it. Now, hop on in, and I’ll take you somewhere
to fill her up.”

“We’re a bit wet,” Scott said, pulling David into

the curve of his arm. David snorted. That was a bit of
an understatement, but at the property owner’s friendly
grin, David supposed he didn’t mind. Scott opened the
back door and helped David climb in before getting in
after him.

The rain started to let up slightly, but it was still

bucketing it down when David spotted the colorful logo
of a service station at the side of the road that really
should have been impossible to miss, but he hadn’t
been thinking of fuel when he’d passed it several hours
ago, and once again it was brought home to him how
much his stepfamily was seriously fucking up his life.
David wanted it to change, really, really wanted it to
change, but he just didn’t know how it could.

Once the car had been refueled, Scott took over

the driving. David sat in dejected silence, not wanting to
project his misery but knowing Scott could feel it
anyway. “I’m sorry I got us lost and ran out of petrol
and dumped my problems on you. I haven’t really made
this much fun for you, have I?”

Scott took a quick glance at him before reaching

over to squeeze David’s hand. “I don’t care that we got
lost and stranded, or that you told me about your
fucked-up family. And what makes you think I’m not
having fun?”

“Are you?” David asked, wanting so much for

Scott to say he was, but afraid that with everything that
had happened, Scott was close to throwing in the
towel.

“Babe, I’ve had more fun and excitement with you

than I’ve ever had with anyone, and I suspect it’s not
over yet.”

David seriously hoped not. He smiled a little,

feeling some of the warmth Scott emanated seep into
him. “Thanks.”

Scott’s tender smile turned into a wicked grin.

“Oh, you’ll be thanking me all right, and begging me and
crying out my name as you come with me buried deep
inside you. You have a lot to make up for.”

“I do?”

“You know you do. Don’t forget, you were the

one who pushed me off just as I was coming.”

“I was coming too, and I only pushed you off

because I spotted that arsehole through the window,”
David protested.

“I know, but you can still make it up to me.”

Scott’s insistence was heartening, and David

couldn’t help but smile fully this time. “Okay. Anything
in mind?”

“Let’s just do what comes natural,” Scott replied,

his wicked grin turning hot and molten. “And whatever
it is, I’m sure it’s going to be lots and lots of fun.”

Chapter Five

“Hey, Scott? Do you want me to grab your jeans

and throw them in the wash with the other stuff you’ve
left out?” David waited a second for a reply from the
bathroom. When none was forthcoming, he grabbed
Scott’s bag to pull out the jeans anyway, knowing Scott
had intended to wash them. He felt his face grow warm,
remembering how the ice cream he’d been eating had
fallen and landed in Scott’s lap. Scott hadn’t seemed to
mind, but David knew all too well how dried ice cream
stains looked on the crotch of a pair of denims.

Reaching in for the jeans, David encountered

something cold and hard. Curious he pulled it out, then
felt his heart stutter as he saw what he held. Handcuffs.
A pair of shiny steel handcuffs. What the fuck was
Scott doing with handcuffs? But just as he figured out
what they were for, Scott took a step out of the
bathroom.

“What did you say?” His light blue gaze landed on

the curved metal clutched in David’s hand. “Oh.”

“Is this your kink? Handcuffing men?” David

deliberately tried to keep any inflection out of his voice,
but he knew he still came off sounding a little
accusatory.

A dark flush crept over Scott’s cheeks and his

eyes went wide. “No… I mean I haven’t…” Scott’s
words trailed off, and he just stood there, toothbrush in
one hand, toothpaste in the other, and a white towel
slung low around his lean hips. Scott was embarrassed,
David realized, and that knowledge shot a boost of
confidence back into David’s frozen limbs.

“Why didn’t you say something before?”

Scott’s gaze flicked from the handcuffs in David’s

hand to his face. “Because I figured you’d never go for
it. You very rarely release any control in bed, David,
and being cuffed would mean you would have to give
some up.”

“Some? I would be completely at your mercy.”

David started to shake his head. He wouldn’t put
himself in that situation; the horrific memory of being
taken prisoner by that mad dick was still too fresh in his

mind, even after all these years.

“Not if you trusted me, then that control would be

shared. Agreeing to being restrained is different to
having it forced on you.”

“I know that, but I can’t do it.”

Though he tried to hide it, the very, very tiny hint

of disappointment that flittered through Scott’s eyes
was still unmistakable. David felt bad about it, but he
couldn’t do this. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Scott.
After over a week together, he trusted him more than
anyone else in his life, but being bound… He
shuddered, an action Scott didn’t miss.

“I’m not asking you to. I told you, I won’t do

anything you don’t like.” He reached for the cuffs and
threw them back into his bag, then wrapped his arms
around David’s waist and loosely held him. “The last
few days have been great, and I won’t jeopardize what
we’ve got going by making you uncomfortable. It was
just something I wanted to try, but it doesn’t matter if
you’re not into it. Honestly.”

David wanted to ask him if he was sure, but that

would have been just stupid. Instead he nodded,
thankful Scott understood, but the thought of those
shiny handcuffs, and the idea that Scott had actually
thought of using them on him wouldn’t let go. How
much of a turn-on would it have been for Scott? And
after David had left for England, would Scott try to find
someone else to persuade to use them? Searching
Scott’s eyes, David didn’t want to admit the idea of
Scott enjoying someone else’s body, or of someone
else enjoying his, upset him. He pulled out of Scott’s
arms.

“We’d better hurry if we’re going to make the

session time at the cinema.” Planning to see the latest
action movie had been Scott’s suggestion, and David
had been all for it, but now he knew his concentration
was not going to be on the blockbuster, but on images
of being handcuffed to a bed with Scott looming over
him, and then wondering why that image didn’t disturb
him as much as it should.

* * * *

The movie was fun, and David managed to enjoy

it despite his mind’s sporadic digression into the unlikely
possibility of seeing his wrists cuffed together. Heading
back to the car, Scott once again linked their fingers
together, something David was beginning to get used to
and knew he’d miss once this holiday was over. The
night sky was clear, the moon now nearly half full. It
was warm, with a gentle breeze coming in off the ocean
to take the humidity away—a stark contrast to the
freezing temperatures and snow he’d be experiencing
back home.

He’d been feeling happy and relaxed the last few

days since their mishap with getting lost and running out
of fuel. Scott had taken precautions and had bought a
book of maps that wouldn’t get blown away, and they
also kept a spare jerrican in the trunk of the car. They
were still headed south, though they hadn’t planned on
going anywhere special, quite content to let the road
take them where it may. A lot of the time they drove
with the Pacific in sight; other times they headed inland
and submerged themselves in the wild, dry landscape of
tall eucalypt and gum trees surrounded by stunted
bushes and sunburned grass.

This holiday was turning out to be more than

David expected. Scott was more than David expected.
Warm, honest, and easygoing, he never tried to control
what they did and how they did it, but seemed content
to allow David to go at his own pace and to explore
and enjoy as the fancy took him. Scott was certainly not
like anyone David had ever known, and David knew he
was going to miss him when he had to go back to
England. Glancing over to the man walking at his side,
David wondered if Scott would miss him when he left,
or did Scott think of him as nothing more than a
convenient body to play with. Adversely, that reminded
David of his earlier thought about Scott finding someone
else to try the handcuffs on, and regardless of him not
wanting to discuss the matter, he couldn’t help the
question that had niggled since he’d found them in
Scott’s bag.

“Why handcuffs? Why not leather or rope?”

Scott stumbled and stopped abruptly, looking at

David with surprise. “What?”

“I was just wondering what made you choose one

type of bondage over another.”

“What are you thinking about the handcuffs for?”

“How can I not think about them, considering

they’re in your bag and you would have thought of using
them on me?”

“Ah shit, Davey, don’t.” Scott quickly pulled

David to him, holding him as if afraid that David would
suddenly start running and not come back. “I’ll dump
them, okay? I’ll chuck them in the bin, and you won’t
have to feel intimidated by my having them.” Scott’s
tone was so sincere that David couldn’t help but bask in
the knowledge Scott would do that for him, but he
shook his head.

“No, Scott, you don’t have to get rid of them for

me. Anyway, that wasn’t why I was asking about them.
I just wanted to know why hard metal instead of soft
leather.”

“Um…” Scott was blushing again, and where

Scott had thought it was adorable on David, David
thought that on Scott it looked sexy. He grinned and
pulled Scott’s head down for a quick kiss.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I’m actually

going to be trying them out.” But even as he said it,
some part wondered if it wouldn’t be so wrong to give
Scott a chance to put those restraints to use. Thinking
about it, he suddenly realized what a shit he’d been by
flat-out refusing Scott when everything Scott had done
for him had been aimed at giving him pleasure. Feeling
guilty, and knowing he should try to make amends, he
was halfway to fashioning a tentative offer when a
strong, deep pain rolled through his stomach. Thrown
off-balance, he clutched at Scott and then groaned as a
second, stronger pain ripped through him.

“Davey! What’s wrong?”

Thinking back to what he’d just eaten, David

almost started to cry. Not this, please not this! Dizzy
and completely at his body’s mercy, he glanced up at
Scott. “I’m gonna be sick.” He’d barely got the words
out when his stomach heaved and, unable to help it and
with mortification already burning through him, he threw
up all over Scott.

“Fuck!”

Expecting the exclamation to be one of disgust,

David was surprised when Scott didn’t push him away,
but held him gently until the heaving stopped before
helping him to sit on the nearest bench.

“Are you all right?” Scott knelt in front of him,

pushing the damp hair away from David’s forehead.
David tried to nod, but his stomach rebelled at the
thought of doing anything but sit there. He took in a few
deep breaths and that seemed to help, but then another
wave of bruising nausea had him emptying out the rest
of his stomach’s contents.

“I don’t think that hot dog was too good,” David

managed to mumble while holding on to Scott with one
hand and his dignity with the other. Why him?
Seriously, why him?

“I ate one.” Scott’s statement didn’t really help; it

just proved the Gods were not on David’s side.

By the light from the overhead streetlamp, it was

easy to see Scott’s pale blue eyes shining with concern,
a concern, which though gratefully received, wasn’t
really warranted. He’d had experience with food

poisoning before and knew the bouts of vomiting were
going to hit him for about a couple of hours and then
he’d be okay. But he couldn’t stay here for that length
of time. Scott was going to have to get him back to their
hotel room. Just the thought of traveling in the car had
David feeling sick on two levels. He couldn’t risk
puking all over the leather upholstery.

“Can you get me a bottle of water and one of

those giant popcorn holders or something? I’m gonna
need something to sit on my lap.”

“Yeah, of course, babe.” Scott leaned forward

and placed a small, gentle kiss on David’s head and
then stood up. “Don’t move, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think I can just yet.” As

Scott took a few steps away, David called out to him.
“Scott, you’d better do something about your T-shirt.”
Scott looked down at the mess David had made and
gave a slight grimace. He gingerly peeled it off and
stuffed it into a ball, then taking a final glance in David’s
direction, set off back to the cinema.

David stayed sitting on the wooden bench in

abject misery, his stomach still rolling, his head now
hurting, and humiliation eating at the rest of him. Could it
get any worse than this? Getting lost and running out of
fuel was one thing. Being spooked by a wild animal and
getting spied on by some sex-starved teenager was
another. But throwing up all over Scott was in a
completely different league altogether. It was in the
stratosphere of the worst things he could have ever
done. He knew none of this was his fault, not really.
Most of the time he had absolutely no control over what
happened to him, but sometimes like now, he felt guilty
and worthless, and he understood why others treated
him as an object of ridicule. So far Scott hadn’t, but
that could easily change. That thought was followed by
a groan as his stomach attempted to bring up something
that was no longer there. Doubled over he was barely
conscious of Scott’s return.

“Sweetheart? You okay?”

Reaching out to grip Scott’s hand, David hung on

while waiting for the spasm to stop. Scott squeezed his
hand back and, when David nodded, passed him the

bottle of water.

“We need to get you into bed.” Slipping an arm

around David’s waist, Scott helped him to stand. David
leaned into him, not trusting his legs to keep him up
properly. Scott’s skin was warm and moist, and he was
breathing a little hard as if he’d run to get back. He’d
also ditched his T-shirt, which made David feel even
more ashamed than he already was.

“I’m sorry.”

“What for? It’s not your fault.”

“I’m still sorry.”

The sudden grin Scott gave him should have

warned David, but under the circumstances he
reckoned he could have been forgiven.

“I’ll let you make it up to me.”

Rolling his eyes, because it wasn’t funny, David

nevertheless couldn’t stop a small laugh. “Got anything
in mind?”

Scott’s squeeze around his waist wasn’t what

David needed right then, but he definitely wasn’t going

to protest considering it was Scott who was holding him
up. They got to the car without further incident, but
David was forced to use the bucket more than once on
the short ride back to the hotel. Once there, Scott
stripped him, wiped him down, helped him into bed,
then after a quick shower to get the lingering smell of
puke off his chest, climbed in after him.

“Get some sleep. I’ll be here for you if you need

me.”

David nodded, then pulled Scott’s arm around his

chest, giving himself the comfort and safety he felt within
Scott’s embrace. He’d never had this before, that
feeling of contentment and security and reassurance. No
one had ever made him feel that way, not any of the
secret lovers he’d occasionally managed to meet, not
the few friends whom had done their best to help keep
him resilient against his family’s hatred, not even his
mother, the one person he’d loved more than anyone
else, had made him feel this safe.

“Thank you, Scott,” he managed to say, albeit

sleepily.

“You’re welcome, Davey.”

“You keep calling me that.”

“What? Davey?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No. I like it.”

“Good, because I like saying it.” The warm lips

that pressed against the back of David’s neck were soft
yet firm with both promise and need. “I like saying it a
lot.”

“You shouldn’t. You shouldn’t like anything about

me. Not even a little.”

“I’m going to ignore that because you’re sick. But

if you want to have this conversation in the morning, I’ll
be more than happy to tell you why I like you. Again.”

David sighed, the heat of Scott’s chest curved

against his back adding to his body’s drowsiness. His
stomach had settled a little, and he knew if he fell asleep
he might get through the night without throwing up
again. “Okay, and in the morning I’ll tell you why I like

you.”

Had he just said that? He wasn’t sure why his

brain was so fuzzy but guessed that might have
something to do with the way he felt Scott’s mouth curl
up into a smile.

“I’m keeping you to that. And after, if you’re up to

it, you are so going to get a blowjob.”

David turned a little bit in Scott’s arms so he could

look at him. “Just a blowjob? Can’t you fuck my arse
as well?”

“Jeez you’re a pushy bottom.”

“Maybe, but isn’t that one of the things you like

about me?”

Scott’s smile was only just this side of dangerous.

“No, babe. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

* * * *

David woke up alone. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling,

not when he’d gotten used to waking up next to Scott.
Feeling stupidly abandoned, David slipped out of bed
and checked the bathroom. Scott wasn’t there, but

taking advantage of being alone for a few minutes,
David jumped in the shower and scrubbed himself clean
of the smell of vomit and stale sweat. No wonder Scott
had gotten out of bed so early; he probably hadn’t been
able to stand the stench any longer. And looking into
the mirror, David could see another reason Scott
probably hadn’t hung around this morning. Scraping
free the stubble on his jaw, and brushing his teeth,
David felt a little better, but his stomach muscles hurt,
and there was a light headache sitting behind his eyes.

Knowing Scott had mentioned something about

painkillers in his bag, David rummaged through it and
found the little packet just as he realized something was
missing. The cuffs were gone. Frowning, David double-
checked. Nope, the handcuffs were no longer in Scott’s
bag. Had Scott thrown them away as he’d said?

Touched Scott would do that, even though he’d

told him not to, David still couldn’t help feeling guilty
that he’d denied Scott his chance of some innocent fun.
That was when the half-formed offer he’d been about
to make last night resurfaced. Taking a deep breath,

David thought it through. He couldn’t allow himself to
be secured to anything, because he knew that would
freak him out. However, if Scott would agree to just
cuffing his wrists together, then David thought he might
be able to do it. At the least it would give Scott the
illusion he had a man helplessly detained, but if it
became too much, then David knew he could easily get
free.

Decision made, David checked the bin in the

room, and sure enough, the cuffs were at the bottom,
hidden beneath a crumpled-up piece of paper. Pulling
them out with both trepidation and triumph, he
wondered if he should already have them on when
Scott came back, but he kind of guessed that some of
the pleasure for Scott would be to shackle David
himself. Shaking his head because the idea still didn’t
really appeal, David decided to wait for later. While he
still had a headache and his stomach was still sore, this
was not the best time anyway.

He’d just shoved them into his bag when he heard

the door to the hotel room open. Turning, he saw Scott

walking in with a huge grin.

“Hey, babe, are you feeling better?”

Scott threw a bundle of clothes on the bed, and

David realized it was their washing they’d taken to the
laundry room last night. He’d forgotten all about it.

“Yes, thanks. And thanks for looking after me.”

“You don’t have to thank me, David. Isn’t that

what friends are for?”

Friends? Is that what they were? David would

have liked to have said yes, but in a few short days he’d
be heading back to England and he’d never hear from
Scott again. Irritated at where that thought was headed,
David had to stop himself from wishing things could be
different. He’d known from the beginning how this was
supposed to be between them. However, that hadn’t
stopped the way he had started to feel about Scott,
which was as stupid as wondering if Scott had begun to
feel something for him. And to top it all off—Scott
would probably forget David, but David was always
going to remember Scott, because his damn initials
were fucking imprinted on his body.

Grabbing a T-shirt from the clean clothes Scott

had brought back, David started to get dressed. “Are
you ready to go?”

The look Scott gave him was a little puzzled.

“Well, yeah, if you want. But I thought…”

“Thought what?” David threw the rest of his

clothes in his bag, knowing he sounded aggravated but
unable to help it. Why was he starting to fall for a man
who lived on the other side of the world from him? And
why was it that he wanted to tell Scott how he felt? It
wouldn’t do any good. In fact it could well push Scott
into ending their time together, and David didn’t want to
do that; their time was going to be short enough as it
was.

“Never mind.” Scott picked up his own bag and

filled it with the rest of his belongings. As he did so,
David noticed Scott’s gaze slide to the bin he’d thrown
the handcuffs in. Symbolically feeling the weight of
them, David realized that by allowing Scott to put them
on him, maybe Scott wouldn’t be so quick to forget
him. Grinning at that thought, David strode up to the big

blond and kissed him—hard at first but then softer until
the little frown that had built up between Scott’s brows
disappeared.

“Come on, let’s get some breakfast, and then you

can show me some more of this beautiful country of
yours.” He went to move away, but Scott’s hand on his
face stopped him.

“You think this country is beautiful?”

“It’s stunning. The scenery and wildlife are

amazing, and I can’t get over how vast it is. You could
get lost in a country as big as this, and no one would
ever find you.” And wouldn’t that be a great way of
avoiding his family and starting a normal life? Shocked
at where that thought took him, David wondered what
Scott would say if he suggested it.

The light blue of Scott’s eyes suddenly darkened,

and a small smile played about his full lips. “Yes, you
could,” he said. He let David’s face go, but not before
he rubbed his thumb gently over David’s cheek.
“Easily.”

“I THINK WE’RE close.”

Scott glanced over at David, who was navigating.

He had a finger stuck to a point on the map, and he was
gazing out the window. When Scott realized their
haphazard journey had brought them to the state of
Victoria, he’d suggested a sightseeing trip to the famous
Twelve Apostles. After several hours’ driving, it was
now getting late with less than two hours of daylight left,
but there was plenty of time to view the limestone cliffs
and get settled to watch the sunset before they found
somewhere to stay the night.

Following the signs, Scott veered off the Great

Ocean Road onto a dirt track and found a suitable
place to park the car. After a moment he switched off
the engine and turned to David. “You’ve been pretty
quiet all day.”

David’s gaze rested on him, the luminosity of his

green eyes just as fascinating to observe as the depths
of emotion that swirled within them. “I’ve been
thinking.”

“What about?” Scott tensed a little, not liking the

look David gave him. It was too contemplative, which
was how David had been for most of the journey. Scott
hadn’t been all that chatty himself since their
conversation this morning, but he didn’t think David’s
thoughts were alongside the ones Scott couldn’t seem
to get out of his head.

David worried him. He’d never met a man who

was so prone to mishaps, and not all of them, if in fact
any of them, had been his fault. Okay, so maybe he had
gotten lost and had run out of fuel because he hadn’t
been paying attention, but everything else, from the cut
on his foot to getting food poisoning, was just fate’s
cruel joke. The man was a natural walking disaster, but
every time something happened to him, instead of it
giving Scott a reason to walk away, it caused Scott to
feel a massive, overwhelming need to protect him.

But he couldn’t protect David while he lived on

the other side of the world, and it wasn’t likely David
would move over here, though Scott wondered what
would happen if he asked him.

“Something unrealistic and slightly insane and

nothing at all to do about why you didn’t fuck me this
morning.”

Scott wasn’t sure whether to smile or frown. “You

were a little out of sorts this morning,” Scott reminded
him, remembering all too well how David had seemed
edgy and tense, and still a little green around the gills.

David nodded. “I know, sorry, but I was just

feeling a little sorry for myself.”

“I can understand that. You were getting over a

nasty bout of food poisoning.”

“It wasn’t the food poisoning. It…” The green of

David’s eyes flashed for a moment, and in them Scott
could have sworn he saw pain, but then David shook
his head, and the fleeting emotion was gone. “It’s
nothing. Come on. Let’s go and take in the view.”

Before Scott could respond and push the issue,

David stretched over the back seat and pulled the kid’s
camera out of his bag.

“I thought you were going to send that back?”

“I am. I’m just going to put it to good use for now

and take some shots of the scenery. I’ll upload the
pictures I want to keep, delete the rest, and then I’ll
send it back to him.”

“By scenery I assume you mean the views out

there?”

“And you. I want to take some photos of you so I

could have something to remember you by.”

Scott never realized how just a few words could

hurt like hell. “You need a photo to remember me? Am
I that forgettable?”

David’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d

said. “I don’t need one. I’d just like to have one. You
know, as a souvenir.”

Though Scott knew he had no right to feel

offended, because this was just supposed to be two
guys having fun away from the influences of their
families, he still experienced a bitter twist of
disappointment to his gut. He thought David would have
realized he’d started to mean something to him by now.
“A souvenir,” he said dully.

“No! I didn’t mean it like that. Shit, Scott. I won’t

forget you. It’s been great, and I’ve loved being with
you a lot, but I’m going home in just under a week
and… well, I may never see you again.”

Never see you again. The finality of those words

crushed his earlier line of thought. But he’d already
determined it was a stupid idea anyway, because what
man would move halfway around the world for
someone else? “I guess,” he said, unsure now about the
wisdom of the feelings he’d begun to develop for the
redhead. His attraction and his protective instincts for
David were strong, and that he couldn’t deny, but the
other thing, the deeper want and need, he knew it was
stupid to let that in, to acknowledge it, to put a word to
it. It would be painful if he started to feel something
more for David, and David either didn’t feel the same
way or chose to ignore it and go back to England.

“Look, we’ve got some time left. Let’s just

concentrate on spending it having some fun like we said.
I don’t want to think of going home just yet.”

Neither did Scott. God, the thought of it began to

tear up something in his chest. But he didn’t say

anything. He just nodded and then tried not to make a
fool of himself when David leaned over and gave him a
soft, lingering kiss.

When David released him, the green of his eyes

blazed the color of emeralds. He smiled, though it
looked as strained as Scott’s own. “I won’t forget you.
And tonight I hope to give you something that won’t
allow you to forget me either.”

Scott was just about to say he wouldn’t, but held

his tongue, suddenly intrigued by David’s promise.
“Yeah? What?”

“Wait until later.” The sexy grin David threw at

him really had Scott interested, and he wasn’t stupid
enough to either try to spoil the surprise by asking
David again, or doing something that would make
David change his mind.

He got out of the car, and when David emerged

from the other side, camera in hand, Scott locked the
doors and started off toward the path that would lead
them to the cliff edge. They walked together, shoulders
occasionally brushing, David’s fingers sometimes

catching on Scott’s. It was amazing to see how David
had started to come out of his shell and begin to feel
more comfortable in showing his true self in public. He
honestly doubted David would have had a chance to do
that at home in England.

Pushing that thought firmly to the back of his mind,

Scott purposely placed his palm at the center of
David’s back, both because he wanted to and because
he knew it turned David on. And turning David on
turned him on. David glanced at him, the smile touching
his mouth warm and encouraging. It was a smile Scott
was seriously becoming to love and he knew would
miss when David left.

When David left. But that wasn’t yet, and Scott

knew he had to take full advantage of the time they still
had together.

The path they traversed was narrow and dusty

and devoid of anyone else, which suited Scott fine. The
air was warm, though Scott could feel a cool breeze
coming in from the ocean. It smelled damp and salty,
and as they got closer to the cliffs that rose straight up

from the ocean floor, he could also hear the roar of the
waves crashing against the base. Those same waves
that had caused the Twelve Apostles to form in the first
place.

David slowed, then stopped short, turning quickly

to bring the camera up. He grinned as he took a few
shots of Scott before walking backward.

“Be careful,” Scott warned.

“I’m fine. We’re nowhere near the edge.”

“It’s not just the edge I’m worried about. You’re

accident-prone, remember?”

“That’s not funny. I don’t have accidents every

day.” David glared at him, the scowl on his face making
Scott grin.

“No, not every day, but close enough.”

“Oh. You are so going to head for one in a minute

if you keep that up,” David threatened, but his scowl
had been replaced by a grin of his own. He stopped
and waited for Scott to catch up, and then he dipped
his fingers into the front of Scott’s jeans and dragged

him close until they were nose to nose.

“I want to keep you safe,” Scott told him, coming

close to adding how he wanted to achieve that but again
stopping himself, because what was the point? “I don’t
like the idea of you being hurt.”

“I know that, and thanks.” There was definite

sincerity in David’s tone, and Scott was relieved that
David didn’t resent Scott wanting to be there to look
after him. He smiled, and David smiled back. “But you
can’t keep me safe forever.”

No, he couldn’t, and he shouldn’t even be trying

to work out how, but God it was difficult when all he
wanted was to keep David. He stroked his thumb
across David’s cheek, then skimmed it down to rest on
the corner of his mouth, right over the area that held the
little cluster of freckles that made up the heart. He loved
that heart, the same way he loved that his initials were
permanently imprinted on David’s skin. David didn’t
need a photo to remember him by; all he needed to do
was look at his hip and Scott would always be there.
Perhaps that was something he could remind David of.

Leaning in to kiss the same spot where his thumb

had been, Scott then kissed David fully on the mouth.
“We’ve got about an hour and a half before the sun
goes down. If you want to get to see some of what
Australia has to offer, we’d better hurry up.”

“Actually, I’ve already seen some of what

Australia has to offer. Probably the best part.” David’s
grin was cheeky to say the least, but God it warmed
Scott from the inside out. Linking their fingers, he
continued down the path, with David taking pictures of
everything around him. When the path started to slant,
Scott went a little slower, and as they passed through
some dense scrub and were finally able to see the
panoramic vista beyond, they both stopped in wonder
and awe.

Like the Pacific, the Southern Ocean was a deep,

startling blue, but whereas the Pacific seemed to have
large, gentle swells, the Southern had hard-hitting
whitecaps that rolled and smashed against the limestone
cliff face below. The sky was clear except for seagulls
gliding on the heated currents of air, their screeching cry

barely heard above the boom and crash of the cyclic
waves. David pointed to a pillar that stood sentinel a
few hundred yards from the headland.

“Is that one of the Twelve Apostles?” he asked.

“Yes, but there aren’t actually twelve of them.

There’s only eight.” At David’s puzzled look, Scott
explained further. “There were actually nine to begin
with; one large pillar and eight smaller ones. They used
to be called the Sow and the Piglets, but in 1922 they
changed the name to the Twelve Apostles.”

“Even though there were never twelve of them?”

“Yeah.” Scott shrugged. “Don’t ask me why.

Anyway a few years ago one of the pillars finally
crumbled and fell, so now there are only eight.”

“How can we see the rest of them?”

“They’re scattered down the coast. I think we’d

have to drive down to another view point.”

“Can we do that tomorrow?” David had started

down a winding track between two outcrops of rock,
pausing to look back over his shoulder. Scott’s

stomach did a backflip.

“Will you watch where you’re going?” He hurried

to put his hand on David’s arm, staying with him as they
edged out closer to the bluff.

“What do you think I’m going to do, fall and

scrape my knee?” There was a hint of annoyance in
David’s voice, and Scott realized he was taking this
protective business too far. He couldn’t wrap David in
cotton wool, even if he wanted to.

“I’m not worried about a scraped knee; that’s a

one-hundred-and-fifty-foot drop beside you.”

“I know, but you’ve got to understand that I can’t

and won’t live my life being scared of every little thing
around me. I’m careful where and when I need to be,
but there are a lot of random things I can’t control, and
if I woke up every morning worrying about what might
happen, I would never get out of bed.”

Scott bit his lip, realizing he’d been reprimanded,

but knowing he deserved it. He also knew he owed
David not only an apology, but a hell of a lot more
respect than he’d shown. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be. I like it that you want to

look out for me, but please, tone it down a notch.”

“Yeah, okay.”

David looked at him a moment, then pointed a few

feet down and to his right. “How about if we climb
down there, then we can sit in that little niche and watch
the sunset?” The worn trail leading to the cozy lookout
was evidence that it had tolerated many visitors over the
decades, and as Scott took in both the probable
likelihood of David falling and the expectant expression
on his face, he decided to allow caution a little leeway.

Scott nodded but couldn’t help holding out his

hand. “Only if you stay behind me.” David rolled his
eyes, but took Scott’s hand. Scott felt like an
overzealous bodyguard, but the idea of David ending up
on the jagged rocks below terrified him, even though to
actually end up dead and broken he’d have to climb
over a waist-high natural barrier and throw himself off
the edge.

“Any tighter and they’d snap.” David’s voice was

filled with humor, and as Scott glanced over his

shoulder he saw David was grinning.

“What?”

“My fingers. If you squeeze them any tighter,

you’re going to break them.”

“Sorry.” Scott loosened his hold but didn’t let go.

Not even when they reached the small recess in the
cream-and-rust colored wall of the cliff face. Whether
geological in formation or carved by man, the space
afforded them both a haven from the constant wind and
some privacy should anyone take a casual peek in their
direction. Not that Scott intended to do anything, but it
was nice to be in such a beautiful and isolated location
with just David for company.

They sat in silence for a while, just content to

watch the rolling waves and the occasional seagull that
floated past. Scott had never been this comfortable with
anyone before, but then he’d never been with anyone
for so long either. His casual hookups had been not so
much a necessity but something out of choice. When
he’d told David he wasn’t ready to settle down, he’d
meant it, but he’d been thinking more along the lines of

the type of person his family would want him to settle
down with. David was different. He was strong and
independent, and could be even more so if he didn’t
have to worry about the way his family treated him. He
managed to accept what life offered, and didn’t seem
fazed when it threw him a curveball, like his haphazard
mishaps. He was fun, passionate, and with David, Scott
knew he’d never have a dull moment, that each day
would be filled with something unexpected and
pleasurable.

“David—”

“Oh, look!” David suddenly jumped to his feet

and took a few steps toward the edge of the cliff,
bringing up the camera as he did so.

Instinctual fear for David’s safety had Scott

making a move that was as dangerous as it was stupid,
though Scott didn’t think of that at the time. In his rush,
he knocked the camera out of David’s hand. He heard
it clatter away, but his thoughts were on nothing but
David. He curled his fingers around David’s wrist and
yanked him back into the security of his arms.

“Scott! What the fuck!”

David rounded on Scott just as Scott realized

there had been no danger of David falling more than a
few feet even if he had tripped over the brush and
fragmented bits of rock that lay scattered about. Just
beyond the line of weathered limestone that had been
part of the pathway was a flat overhang that was big
enough to accommodate about ten people, if that many
people were stupid enough to stand on it. The angry
blaze in David’s eyes didn’t make Scott feel any better
about it either.

“Sorry, I just…” Not wanting to make a fool of

himself, Scott shut up and waited for David to berate
him again. But David just shook his head mutely, his
look changing from angry to reproachful, and then
prizing Scott’s fingers away from his wrist he took a
step back.

“I’m going to get the camera, and before you say

anything, no, we cannot leave it. I haven’t deleted that
film the kid took, and I’m not going to risk someone
finding it. So stay here, don’t move, and stop freaking

out.” That said, David proceeded to climb over the
protective ridge and head out toward the precipice.

The camera had landed within a foot or so of a

small, sorry-looking bush that had managed to find
crevices in the limestone to plant its roots. David
casually leaned down to pick up the camera, and then
just as he was straightening, he froze as a sound Scott
knew he would never forget for the rest of his life
cracked through the air as loud and as shocking as that
of a lightning bolt striking overhead.

Only it wasn’t a lightning bolt. It was the sound of

the overhang David was standing on giving way.

In the next few seconds, during which the

unbelievable became a horror-riddled reality, Scott felt
his heart stop and his blood freeze as he saw the huge
chunk of limestone rock that moments before had
looked as solid as the cliff it was attached to crumble
and fall, taking David with it.

Motion became that of trying to move through

molasses. Fighting it, Scott raced toward David, fearing
he wasn’t going to reach him, but at the same time,

David dived back to safety, both arms outstretched in
desperation. Out of the corner of his eye, Scott saw the
little silver camera tumble into the air, never to be seen
again. Then his focus zoomed in on David as David’s
body crashed into him, but Scott was off-balance and
instead of being able to drag David back, they both fell.
Scott forward, David backward. Arms flailing, Scott
landed on solid ground, but his momentum started him
sliding. Dirt and pebbles slid with him. In a frantic bid to
save them both, Scott dug his fingers in to find some
purchase. For David, however, there was nothing for
him to grab. Scott saw him start to slip over the edge.
Someone screamed, and Scott guessed it was him, but
it cut off when, with one last, desperate, determined
lunge, Scott managed to wrap his fingers around
David’s wrist and stop his fall.

Jerked to a halt, Scott realized his body had

jammed against a formation left behind from the jagged
break of the ledge on which David had been standing.
He clung to it, sheer will holding him there while the pull
of David’s weight on his arm reminded him that his life
was not the only one hanging in the balance.

“David!” Scott didn’t dare move, but he wanted

to know if David was all right, and he risked lifting his
head to look.

“I’m fine. Just don’t let go of me yet.” The only

part of David he could see was his white hand, gripped
firmly by Scott’s own.

“I’m not fucking letting go of you at all!” Terror

the likes of which Scott had never felt before held him
immobile. Even if his precarious position was to fail and
he slipped farther over the edge, he wouldn’t have been
able to make himself release David. He would rather go
over with him, knowing that was preferable than living
with the guilt of having failed him.

“You can, but give me a second.”

The weight pulling on Scott’s shoulder eased, and

Scott realized David had found some purchase of his
own. He felt another shift in the weight, and then he was
just holding tight to David but was no longer responsible
from keeping the other man from falling to his death.

“You can let go now.” The calmness of David’s

voice managed to draw out some of the terror still

pumping in Scott’s veins, but he didn’t lessen his iron-
like grip.

“Never letting you go,” he managed to get out,

though he felt David’s wrist twist within the crushing
circle of his fingers. There was a small sound of rocks
tumbling, a slight curse, then David’s arm came up over
the ragged edge. The movement caused Scott to lean
back, and that was when he realized he could shift his
body. Inching away from the brink, Scott eventually got
far enough to be able to help David the rest of the way.

David collapsed next to him, panting. His hair was

all matted and stuck to his scalp, there was a small cut
on his brow, his freckles stood out like spatters of paint
on a face that had gone white with shock; and the green
eyes he leveled on Scott as he turned his head were full
of fear and anxiety.

“Don’t you ever do anything like that again!” The

anger flooding Scott’s body was fueled by relief and the
remnants of adrenaline. He was shaking, and his heart
was trip-hammering, no doubt trying to make up for
having stopped earlier. The grip he still had on David

remained painfully tight, and though Scott knew he must
be hurting him, David never said anything as Scott used
it to pull him closer. “What kind of fucking idiot are
you?”

David’s eyes widened in both consternation and

surprise. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“No, you never do, but disaster just seems to

follow you around, doesn’t it?”

“That’s not fair! You were the one to knock the

camera from my hand.”

“Because you jumped up and started rushing to

the edge of a fucking cliff!”

“I saw a pod of dolphins and wanted to

photograph them, but you just freaked when you
thought I was going to fall. If you hadn’t been so damn
skittish, I wouldn’t have had to go out there to pick it
up.”

“Oh, so now you’re blaming me for half the cliff

face falling away.”

“Well you seem to be blaming me, and that’s just

fucking stupid!” David jerked his wrist free and got to
his feet, anger and frustration clearly written on his face
while hurt blazed from his eyes. “It wasn’t like I caused
the cliff to fall.”

He’d gotten two steps away before Scott realized

how wrong he’d been. “David, wait!” Spurred by the
fear of David walking out on him, Scott chased after his
retreating figure. He managed to catch up about halfway
to their car. “David, for God’s sake, stop!”

David turned on him. “What for, so you can keep

yelling at me?”

“I’m only yelling at you because I nearly fucking

lost you!”

“And I nearly lost you. How do you think that

makes me feel?” The forlorn look on David’s face
twisted something in Scott’s chest, and everything but
the need to hold him fell away.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He gathered David to his body,

but the last few minutes were taking their toll, and he
started shaking. “But, Davey, you nearly died.”

David stiffened momentarily, but then he slid his

arms around Scott’s neck. Tension melted from his
muscles, and as Scott gazed into his sparkling green
eyes, he saw a deep-seated gratitude. “But I didn’t die.
I’m safe. You saved me.”

“But I can’t keep doing it.” Scott meant to add

that he couldn’t keep saving David if he lived on the
other side of the world; that he wanted David to move
here so he could look after him, be with him, because it
was too late to try and pretend the inevitable hadn’t
already happened. Not anymore.

“I’m not asking you to. I don’t need you to. When

I go back to England, you’re not going to be there for
me then, are you?”

And with those words, Scott’s opportunity was

lost. “No,” he answered, though he was sure he
couldn’t keep from hiding the pain of knowing the man
he’d fallen in love with didn’t love him back. Exhausted,
his mind a swirling mess, Scott wrapped his arms
around David’s back and held him, not sure how long
this was going to last, how long he had before he had to
let him go—permanently.

Sensing the shift of heat on his skin, Scott opened

his eyes to witness the last rays of the setting sun.
Ethereal, they cast a golden glow across the landscape,
but Scott hardly noticed, only aware of needing to get
them back to the car before it got too dark. He stirred,
and David moved back a bit to look at him.

“You okay now?” David asked, stroking the hair

away from Scott’s brow.

No, he wasn’t. His shaking had stopped, but his

heart still ached, and he couldn’t stand the idea of
something like this happening to David again. “Only if
you promise me you’ll be more careful.”

As he stared at him, David’s green eyes dulled,

and Scott could see he’d upset him. Shit, he hadn’t
meant to do that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that to come
out the way it did. I don’t blame you for the things that
happen, David. I know it’s just fate, and not your fault.
Guess I’m still a little shaken up.”

“I understand. And I’d understand it if you wanted

nothing more to do with me. I’ve done nothing but
cause you trouble since you met me.” David let go of

his hand and started to move away. Scott grabbed his
arm to stop him.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

David shrugged. “I don’t know. Somewhere away

from you. At least that way you’d be safe.”

“I don’t want to be safe. I want to be with you.”

Knowing how stupid that sounded, Scott still didn’t
want to retract the sentiment. He pulled David back into
his arms and thought desperately about telling David
how he felt, but he wasn’t sure if it would be
reciprocated. David hadn’t shown the slightest sign of
feeling anything for him other than friendship and sexual
interest.

“Scott…”

“Shh, let me be with you, okay? I don’t want you

to leave me, and I’m not ready to let you go.” Scott
knew he shouldn’t have said so much, but he couldn’t
help it. He also couldn’t shake the idea that if David got
to know him a little better, trusted him, then there could
be a chance of him rethinking his plans of going back to
England. It was a slim chance, but at least Scott would

know he would have tried.

“I don’t want to go either, Scott, but I have to be

realistic. I’m bad news, whichever way you look at it.
I’m either going to cause you some real physical harm,
more than I have already, or you’re going to get fed up
worrying what’s going to happen next. And it’s always
going to be that way.” David shook his head and gazed
out past the headland. “I’m surprised you’ve stayed
with me this long.”

“That’s because I don’t care about you being

jinxed.”

“Well you should. Everybody else does.”

“Then they’re fools.”

“No, they’re just being prudent.”

“Or maybe they just don’t like you as much as I

do.”

The lackluster cast of David’s eyes changed, and

even in the waning light, Scott could see their brilliant
hue shining out at him once again. “Well I know for a
fact no one ever thought of me as sexy, certainly not in

the way you do.”

“And I hope no one ever does.” The funny look

David gave him caused Scott to smile. “Come on, I’m
beginning to hurt. I can feel the sting of a dozen cuts and
scrapes, and my shoulder is killing me. What about you,
are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” But even as David said it, Scott could

see not only the cut on his forehead, but a scrape along
his jaw and a dark bruise forming on his wrist. He lifted
it carefully and rubbed his thumb over it.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“Fuck, Scott, what the hell have you got to be

sorry for? You just saved me from becoming fish food.”
David frowned, an astonished glint in his eyes. “After
what you’ve just done for me, do you think I give a shit
about a bruised wrist?”

Scott continued to caress it softly. “No, I guess

not. It’s probably nothing compared to what you’ve
suffered in your other, um… accidents.”

After what they’d just said to each other, Scott

half expected David to get angry, instead David

grinned, reminding Scott that David rarely stayed
irritated for long and he always seemed to find the best
in everything. “My worst one was when I broke my shin
in three places. I’ve got a steel bar holding my leg
together.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. I’m surprised you didn’t notice the scar.”

Scott had, but he hadn’t really thought anything of

it. He started thinking about it now and felt a hard knot
form in his stomach at the thought of David getting so
badly hurt. In the past or in the future. Shit, David was
right. He was going to constantly worry about whether
something like this was going to happen again, but that
wouldn’t stop him from loving David, and it certainly
didn’t stop him from wanting to be with him. He was
just going to have to find out a way of telling David, and
then proving it.

The occasional headlights from a passing vehicle

on the highway gave them a direction to follow, so they
got to the car without further incident. It was almost
pitch-black by the time Scott revved the engine and put

them on the highway, his thoughts now on the prospect
of a hot shower, dinner, and bed—with David sprawled
out in the middle of it.

The first hotel they came to with a vacancy sign

was big and bright and modern. Its clean lines and full
glass windows told Scott it had been a recent build to
help with the growing tourist trade. He actually didn’t
care; he just wanted somewhere he could have David in
his arms and make love to him. Signed in and with a
key card in his hand, Scott led the way to their room,
fully aware that David seemed to be as impatient as he
was.

“They did say a double bath, didn’t they?”

Scott stopped while pushing open the door. “Are

you willing to risk it? After what happened last time, I
wouldn’t have thought you’d trust me again.”

David raised an eyebrow as he stopped right

behind Scott. “If you don’t move from the bathroom
when filling it, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Smirking, Scott entered the room fully. Like the

outside, it boasted clean lines and glass. One wall

would afford a fantastic view of the ocean when the sun
rose and the sky lightened, but right now it allowed the
stars and the half-formed moon to shine through,
bathing the room in a silver glow. He was just about to
turn on a light when David stopped him.

“Leave it. I’ll order room service, you start the

bath. And Scott…”

Scott turned to face David, delighted to see a grin

on his face. “Yeah?”

“Be prepared for me to make it up to you.”

Chapter Six

As soon as Scott was out of sight, David let his

bag fall to the floor and closed his eyes, willing his body
not to collapse. Until then he’d thought he’d held it
together quite well, but now, with Scott not watching
him, fussing over him… Holding back on the groan that
filled his throat, David couldn’t quite stop the tears from
falling. Shit.

Pain radiated from his wrist, and his hip stung

where he’d grazed it against the limestone rocks. He
could feel the deep throb of a headache, and his jaw
hurt from where he’d smacked it as he’d fallen. But all
that was nothing, absolutely nothing compared to the
god-awful agony he felt at the knowledge that he’d
nearly gotten Scott killed.

“What do you think? Oil or bubbles?” Scott came

out of the bathroom, startling David into looking at him.
He was wearing nothing but a grin, but as soon as he
saw David, his expression changed. “Shit, David! Are
you all right?”

Having forgotten about the tears, David nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” His throat was a little tight, but he’d
thought he’d pulled it off until Scott marched up to him
and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Fuck, I knew you were too calm about what

happened. Look, it’s normal to be shaky after a near-
death experience like that, but you’re safe now.”

Scott’s concern only made David feel worse. “It’s

not me I care about. I nearly got you killed. If I hadn’t
gone after that damn camera…” Jesus, he didn’t want
to think about it, he really didn’t. “I’m not safe, Scott.
I’m dangerous.”

“Hey, don’t think like that. Accidents happen.”

Scott was trying to be reassuring, but David couldn’t
help feel the sting of those words.

“And around me they happen a lot. You said it

yourself, Scott. I’m a walking disaster.” David tried to
pull away from Scott’s touch, but the gentleness in
Scott’s grip changed and held him steadfast.

“I told you I can handle it, and I meant it. Jinxed,

accident-prone, whatever you want to call it, I don’t

care.”

“But you’re getting hurt, Scott. Before, it’s always

been me, and that didn’t matter, but if you get hurt
again…” David tried once more to pull out of Scott’s
grip, though he didn’t know where he’d go once he got
free, but Scott stopped him.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I

want to be with you, David. I won’t leave you, and I
don’t want you to leave me just because you think you
have to.”

Scott wanted to be with him, and he didn’t want

David to leave him. David took a deep breath,
ridiculously wishing Scott meant that for longer than the
time they had left, but despite that being improbable, he
allowed Scott’s comment to ease some of the concern
still gripping him. He nodded, accepting what Scott
gave him—a chance to be with someone who didn’t
care that he seemed to be the center of disasters.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll stay with you until it’s time

for me to go home.” Now why did he add that? Was he
hoping Scott would tell him to stay permanently?

“David…” A strange look passed over Scott’s

face, a sadness that almost matched David’s own, but
then he slipped his hand into David’s and started pulling
him across the room. “Let’s have that bath.”

The black-and-silver-tiled bathroom was already

full of steam, and Scott cursed a little as he quickly
turned off the taps. Water settled about two thirds of
the way up the sides of the white porcelain bath, and as
David watched, Scott picked up a bottle of fragranced
oil and poured out a generous amount before swirling
his fingers through the water to circulate it.

“I haven’t ordered dinner yet,” David mumbled,

wondering why he was thinking of something so trivial
when Scott was quickly stripping him of his clothes.

“Dinner can wait. You can’t. You’re still suffering

from shock, and a warm bath, my body, and some
loving attention will make you feel better.”

David stepped out of his shoes as Scott pulled on

them. “Your body, huh?”

“Yes.” Scott started unfastening David’s jeans.

“And loving?”

“Yes.”

“How much loving?”

Scott’s light gaze flicked to his, held it for a

moment, then dropped. “That depends on what kind
you want.”

W ha t kind? Was he serious? A sliver of

something akin to absolute pleasure warmed David’s
heart before he realized he might be taking what Scott
said the wrong way.

“Goddamn it, we’re going to have to put some

ointment on this.” David had been hardly aware of
Scott dragging his jeans down, but as he looked to see
what Scott was talking about, he noticed the ugly bruise
forming on his left hip. Scott let loose a string of curses,
then gently placed his lips over the damage. The tender
gesture shot through David’s body, so too did the look
in Scott’s eyes as he stared up at him.

“It’s fine,” David said a little dazedly, still trying to

get his thoughts around the possibility that Scott had
started to feel something more for him, but he dared not
say anything. What if he was wrong?

“No, it’s not. I’m not letting anything like this

happen to you again.” Scott’s statement was absurd in
the extreme, because nothing was going to stop David
from getting hurt like that again, but staring into Scott’s
startlingly pale eyes, David wanted to allow himself the
luxury of believing him, in him. Scott stood, his eyes
now fired with a determination David had never seen
before. “Do you trust me, David?”

For some reason David’s thoughts flickered to the

handcuffs he still had hidden in his bag. It was going to
take trust for him to allow Scott to put them on him, and
though he knew Scott was most definitely not thinking
about the handcuffs, David couldn’t help but smile at
what he imagined Scott’s expression would be when he
produced them.

“Yes, I trust you.”

“Good, then let me take care of you.” Scott drew

him closer to the bath and then, holding his hand, helped
him to climb inside.

The water was just this side of too hot, but as

David sank into the lavender-scented depths, he

groaned in appreciation. Scott climbed in after him, and
David wasn’t all that surprised when he sat behind him
and gently pulled him into his arms. With his back to
Scott’s chest, David let himself relax. His body hurt—
muscles, joints, skin—but the water soothed, and it was
so good to just be able to unwind and let the horrors of
the last hour float away.

“Okay?” Scott asked.

David closed his eyes and rested his head on

Scott’s shoulder, feeling the strength of the man who
held and comforted him. There was something special
about the way Scott cradled him in his arms, like he
was treasured and not just desired, like Scott needed
him to be close. “Yes. Are you?”

“I am now.” The arms holding him tightened for a

moment before moving away.

David opened his eyes to watch Scott cup up a

small amount of water and use it to wet David’s sweaty
and dust-coated hair. Scott reached for a bottle of
complimentary shampoo he’d placed on the shelf next
to the bath, and poured a generous amount into his

palm, rubbing it through the dark red strands, creating a
lather that he massaged gently into David’s scalp, his
long fingers a sensual, erotic glide. Goose bumps
formed on David’s skin while tingles started down his
spine. David’s small moan of appreciation seemed to
please Scott, because he leaned down and kissed along
David’s shoulder.

“That’s nice,” David murmured, letting his head

drop forward so Scott could knead the back of his
neck.

“What? The kiss or me washing your hair?”

Scott’s ministrations stilled for a moment, as if David’s
reply was important even though the question seemed
trivial.

“Both. No one has ever washed my hair for me,

and you know I love your kisses.”

“Good.” There was a certain tone in Scott’s voice

right then, one that reminded David of some of the other
things Scott had said and the way he’d said them.
About to crack open an eye and look back over his
shoulder, David felt Scott reach for something. “Hold

still, I’m going to rinse.”

David did as instructed, waiting as warm water

and firm fingers took away the suds. When Scott
finished, David shifted slightly, just enough so he could
feel the hardening length of a cock press against the
crease of his ass, then as Scott used one hand to pull
him closer, David turned his head to press a kiss to the
side of Scott’s neck. Scott’s pulse beat thick and strong
beneath the surface of his skin, its steady tempo
reassuring, calming.

Something tickled down his arm, and David stirred

to witness Scott using a sponge to soak up the oiled
water before squeezing it over his body. Scott did this
several times, then brought the sponge to David’s chest
and very gently stroked it across the puckered edge of
a nipple. David arched his back and moaned. As if
testing David’s reaction, Scott did it again. A sharp
tingle raced down to his cock, and where there had
been a pleasant warmth, there was now a deep needling
heat. As a result, his cock thickened from its
semirecumbent state and made itself known.

Scott’s chuckle misted over his neck. “I didn’t

realize your nipples were so sensitive.”

David glanced down and watched how Scott’s

touch affected him, not at all surprised. “They’re not
normally, but you seem to make all of me respond to
you.”

“No less than the way I respond to you. I’ve

never had a man that turns me on as much as you do,
Davey. You know that, don’t you?”

Oh yeah, he knew it all right, though he still wasn’t

sure what it was about him that did it for Scott, but he
did wonder how much more Scott would be turned on
if he could have David shackled in steel. Deciding he
was ready to find out, David twisted so he could kneel
and face Scott. He bent down and pressed his lips
against the other man’s. It wasn’t meant to be a full
kiss, just something to give Scott a taste of what was to
come, but Scott opened his mouth and begged with his
tongue for something deeper. On instinct, David gave it
to him, linking his arms around Scott’s neck and
readjusting his body to slide onto a hard lap. The move

brought their chests and the long, thick length of their
cocks together.

David moaned into Scott’s mouth, the feel of silky

skin and hard muscle and stiff cock and wet tongue just
perfect. He moved his hips a little, enjoying the glide of
skin on skin, the hot oiled water heightening the
sensation. Scott’s hands traveled down his back,
skimming his hips before settling on his ass. David
almost pushed back into the touch, but that would mean
giving up the hard press of Scott’s cock on his, and he
wasn’t prepared for that just yet. Instead he broke the
kiss and looked Scott in the eyes.

“I’ve never had a bath with anyone before.”

Scott smiled up at him. “Neither have I.”

“It’s kind of sexy.”

Scott laughed. “We’re supposed to be getting

clean, not down and dirty.”

“Let’s get clean, then down and dirty.”

Scott groaned. “You’re insatiable.”

“And you’re complaining?”

“No. Definitely not. I love you exactly like this.”

Ego inflated, David grinned and inched back a

little, wetting Scott’s hair before picking up the
shampoo, drizzling a small amount into the thick blond
strands and beginning a strong, slow massage. Scott
closed his eyes, but instead of sitting still as David had,
he slid a finger in the crack of David’s ass.

“Shit!”

Scott opened those pale blue eyes and looked at

him. “What?”

“Don’t what me. You know what you’re doing.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“Hell no.”

“That’s what I thought.” Scott closed his eyes

again and rested back against the porcelain bath, but he
started playing with David’s tightly puckered hole, not
pushing in, just gently teasing with slow, gentle, mind-
blowing strokes.

A part of David’s brain concentrated on

shampooing Scott’s hair; the rest was focused on where

Scott touched him. Though he tried not to let it distract
him, it was pretty impossible as Scott seemed to know
exactly the right pressure to use to maximum effect. He
moaned, letting Scott know he liked what the other man
was doing.

“Yeah, so responsive,” Scott said, pressing in a

little bit now, wiggling his finger as he did so.

David moaned again, knowing how much Scott

liked to play with him there. The way David’s ass so
easily opened up for him, as if it was made for being
breached by Scott, was something Scott had admitted
he couldn’t get enough of. That and the noises David
made.

“Mmm, good,” David said, careful not to push

back onto Scott’s finger, so Scott could do this at his
own pace. It was hard to give up control like this, but
he had a feeling most of tonight was going to be about
releasing that control into Scott’s hands anyway.

He watched the light nuances on Scott’s face, the

way he drew his bottom lip into his mouth and sucked
in a tiny breath as his finger slid in deeper. David was

hard-pressed not to suck in a breath of his own. He
closed his eyes then, relishing the heated pleasure
Scott’s touch evoked, his body tightening while small
moans slipped from his throat. When Scott started
pushing in another finger, David shuddered as fierce
pleasure swamped him, but he opened his eyes and
shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t want another
finger in his ass; it was just that he wanted to do
something else.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, reaching for the

shower attachment.

Scott’s gaze blinked up at him. “Why? I’m really

enjoying myself.” Scott wriggled his finger again to
prove his point.

David grinned. “I know. So am I, but I want to do

something with you.”

“What?”

“Let me rinse your hair, get you into bed, and I’ll

show you.” The pale blue of Scott’s eyes darkened
again, the desire in them easily readable.

“Has this got anything to do with the promise you

made me earlier?”

“Everything to do with it,” David replied, not

surprised Scott had remembered. “Now hold still.” He
thumbed the nozzle that allowed him to sluice warm
water through Scott’s hair, ridding him of the rich foam.
Once clean, David pulled free and carefully climbed out
of the bath, Scott following close behind.

David grabbed two towels and passed one to

Scott. He then entered the bedroom and, after
switching on the light, went straight for his bag. He had
to do this before he lost his nerve. Drawing out the
condoms and lube, David barely glanced at them before
throwing them onto the bed, but when he curled his
fingers around the cool steel of the handcuffs, his
stomach twisted and his heart seemed to give an extra
beat. Shit, could he do this?

Scott glanced at him, his eyes slightly puzzled.

“Are you all right?” he asked, taking a few steps toward
where David stood. “You’ve gone a little pale.”

Gaze trained on Scott, David took in a deep

breath and nodded in response to both Scott’s question

and his own internal debate. Yes, he could do this,
because Scott would make sure he was always safe.
He pulled out the cuffs and held them out in front of him
in an almost defiant gesture. Scott’s eyes widened.

“Where did you find those?”

“Where you put them.”

Scott stared at him for a moment. “Why do you

have them?”

David’s trepidation turned to a trickle of

excitement as he saw something flash deep in Scott’s
eyes. It was a look he’d seen before, and he knew
exactly what it meant. He smiled. “Why do you think?
You want to try them out on me.”

There was an almost tiny shake of Scott’s head

before he moved toward him. “I’m not using them on
you. I told you I won’t do anything that will make you
uncomfortable.”

David dangled the cuffs from one finger. “It won’t

make me uncomfortable. I trust you, and isn’t that what
this is supposed to be about?”

“Well, yes, but—” Scott stopped as David swung

the handcuffs in a gentle arc, his eyes burning with
shimmering need. David’s stomach twisted a little as his
need for Scott had his body tightening in places that
were already tight.

“You sure? I’m only going to offer once.”

“Jesus, Davey. Don’t fucking tease.” The rough

note deepening Scott’s voice had just the right amount
of lust in it, and David was hard-pressed not to grin.

“I’m not. I actually want to do this.” He took a

step closer to Scott, so they were only inches apart.
“Put them on me, Scott. Restrain me, then fuck me.
Hard.”

Scott’s low groan was the exact sound David

wanted to hear. He held out the cuffs, and though
Scott’s hand shook slightly, he took them, but instead
of using them as David expected, he threw them onto
the bed to land in the middle with the lube and
condoms.

“I have never wanted anything or anyone so much

as I want you right now,” Scott said, sliding his arms

around David’s waist and pulling him in tight. The heat
of Scott’s skin on his was something David was still
getting used to, and admittedly couldn’t get enough of,
but he’d been anticipating something else sliding onto
his skin right then.

David glanced at the bed, at the cuffs. “Aren’t you

going to use them?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m going to use them, and I’m going

to make sure you enjoy every…single…erotic…minute
of it.” The promise was followed by firm lips and a soft
tongue pushing open David’s mouth. David moaned
and linked his arms around Scott’s neck, allowing
himself to be kissed senseless while Scott started
moving him toward the bed.

Scott positioned him in the middle, shoving

everything else to the side as he climbed on and
straddled David’s thighs. As the kissing continued,
David began feeling a little dizzy. This was not how
Scott normally kissed. This had a possessive edge to it
Scott had not shown before, and David wondered if it
was because of what they were about to do with the

cuffs. The thought of being bound and shackled and
used had David strangely breathless and needy. He
tightened his arms around Scott’s neck, but Scott
reached back and pulled them down, pinning them to
the bed above David’s head.

David whimpered and was almost shocked at the

sound that left his throat. His eyes flew open, and as
Scott drew back a little, he was able to see the same
kind of shock in Scott’s blue eyes. Scott pressed down
a little harder, testing him. David didn’t resist, but
arched his back slightly and turned his head to the side
and offered his neck.

Scott’s soft growl sent a deep, dark need in

David. He wanted this, he realized. He wanted to give
Scott his body to do as Scott desired. He wanted, right
then, to give up complete control. He shivered and
closed his eyes again as Scott’s warm tongue and
nipping teeth trailed a path down his throat to his
shoulder.

When Scott’s wandering mouth reached his

nipple, a sudden and sharp desire coursed through his

body. He groaned and arched his back some more,
then tried to twist his hips so he could ease some of the
ache in his groin, but Scott’s weight didn’t allow him
any movement. Groaning again in frustration, David
lifted his head to look down. Scott’s pale blue eyes
blazed back up at him, amusement swirling in their
depths.

“You want something, David?” Scott asked,

releasing the hard nub from his mouth.

“Yes. I’m hard and leaking, and I need you to

touch me.” The demand didn’t sound so much of a
demand when he was pleading, and by the look in
Scott’s eyes, he knew that too.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be getting what you need

soon. Very soon.” Scott paused for a moment, and in
that moment something changed slightly. “If you’re
good.”

The grip on his wrists was released, and David

instinctively went to bring his arms around Scott’s neck,
but Scott quickly shook his head. “Don’t move. If you
move, I’ll have to punish you.”

Punish him? But just then it dawned on David

what Scott meant. He waited a moment, and when
Scott continued to look at him, David raised his arm.
The deep spark of gratitude in Scott’s eyes told David
he’d done right, and he wasn’t too surprised when
Scott reached for the handcuffs.

“If you’re not going to do as you’re told…” Scott

grabbed David’s left wrist and fastened the hard metal
around it. David watched carefully, saw that Scott
made sure it wasn’t too tight before grabbing David’s
other wrist. This one, his right one, was bruised, the
dark purple marks a harsh reminder of what nearly
happened to them not more than a few hours ago.
David eyed them and felt his stomach twist at the
memory of nearly causing Scott’s death. He glanced at
Scott to see his reaction and saw Scott’s face pale and
a dull look of pain fill his eyes.

“Shit.”

Knowing right then that Scott was going to stop,

David reached up and tentatively stroked along Scott’s
smooth cheek. The look of concern on his handsome

face shouldn’t be there, and David felt guilty for having
caused it. He didn’t want his time with Scott to be like
this, filled with bad memories and unease. He wanted
Scott to think of him fondly when he left, or at least to
have one reminder of his holiday that wasn’t steeped in
accidents and misfortune, so if he could give him this,
the one thing he knew Scott wanted, then he damn well
was going to make sure it happened.

“It’s okay. Do it.”

Scott shook his head, his tousled blond hair falling

across his face. “It might hurt.”

“No it won’t. You’ll make sure it won’t.” He

pushed Scott’s hair away so he could see his eyes
clearly. “I trust you.”

“You sure?”

“Am I sure I trust you?” David flashed his bruised

wrist. “With my life,” he said.

Scott stared at him for a long, long moment, one in

which David thought Scott was going to pull away and
refuse to do this. Then Scott lifted up one corner of his
mouth.

“You moved. Again.” He took David’s arm and

once again pushed it above his head. Then David felt
the steel manacle clasp about his flesh, and when he
automatically pulled at the restraint, he found himself
well and truly bound.

He’d expected a sliver of fear to crawl through his

body and had been prepared to tamp it down, but there
was no anxiety or panic at the realization he was in
someone else’s control, just a secure knowledge that in
Scott’s hands he was perfectly safe.

“Oh fuck, that’s hot.”

The look in Scott’s darkening blue eyes when

David tested the cuffs again was enough to have David
almost grinning, but he held back, trying not to destroy
the illusion, even though Scott wasn’t exactly in
character right now, unless you called the tight and
needful shudder of his body playacting, which David
didn’t think it was.

“Want you,” Scott moaned, leaning in close and

taking David’s mouth again, this time a little harder, a
little more forceful, a little less composed. Strong fingers

dug into his shoulders, and David knew there were
going to be more bruises on his skin before the night
was over. But he didn’t care about bruises, so he
kissed back, giving as good as he got. Even when there
was a clash of teeth and his bottom lip got caught in the
middle, he still didn’t care, because that was when
Scott started moving his hips, dragging his hard cock
alongside David’s.

Not sure if he was supposed to move with him,

David held still, not that he had much choice considering
Scott’s weight was still fully on him, but he sensed more
than felt this was how Scott wanted it to be. Slick
precum helped the glide of Scott’s hard shaft, and with
each slow grind, small shocks of pleasure echoed
through David’s body. He moaned into Scott’s mouth,
then gasped as Scott shifted and abruptly pushed
David’s legs apart, spreading him with his thighs. The
new position laid David open, and when Scott knelt
back on his heels and stared at him, his eyes blown
wide with desire, David shivered, feeling fully exposed
and vulnerable, but it was edged with an excitement he
couldn’t deny or hide.

Scott slowly reached for the bottle of lube, his

focus riveted on David’s hands, which David still had
raised above his head. David leveled his attention on the
way Scott’s cock jutted up at an angle from a tuft of
dark blond curls, and the way Scott’s stomach pulled
tight, and the way, when Scott flipped open the cap of
the bottle in his hand, it was unsteady.

With an instinct he could not have stopped even if

he’d wanted to, David opened his legs farther and lifted
his hips. “Am I being rewarded now?” he almost
whispered, worried he was stepping over some kind of
boundary Scott had set, but unable to keep silent a
moment longer.

Scott’s startled gaze flew to his, the deep tangle of

want in his eyes hard to miss, but it was laced with
something else David only got a glimpse of before Scott
blinked it away.

“Yes.” Scott’s rough voice betrayed the need

crawling through him, and as he coated his fingers and
pressed them lightly against David’s ass, it was he who
gasped and moaned, not David. Gentle fingers

explored, but didn’t push in, content to simply play the
nerve-rich entrance like a maestro playing an
instrument. David was used to this from Scott, and had
even expected it, but Scott was taking this to a whole
new level, the tease in his caress escalating David’s
need until he started squirming in an effort to get Scott
to penetrate him.

“Oh, Scott, fuck, please.” David was riding on a

plane of pleasure that wasn’t going anywhere, and it
was driving him insane. He narrowed his eyes at Scott,
who looked back at him intently, and then when David
was almost sure he was going to have to beg again, or
take matters into his own hands, Scott finally pressed a
finger inside him.

David groaned, the rumble in his throat almost

drowning out Scott’s low moan as the finger slid nice
and deep. Tightening his muscles around it in a reflexive
action, David groaned again, hearing Scott swear at the
same time Scott blissfully pulled partway out before
pushing in once more. Holding on to the clench, David
sighed gratefully when Scott plunged a second finger

alongside the first. It was a relief to feel the burn and
stretch, more so when Scott eventually slipped in a
third, and David knew Scott was beginning to open him
in earnest.

“Feels good,” he murmured. “Want more.”

Scott’s warm summer gaze flicked up to his

before he dropped it again to watch what he was doing.
“I’m going to give you more, Davey, I promise.” Low,
husky, the scratch of Scott’s voice skittered along
David’s skin. He bit his lip to stop from begging again
and closed his eyes to take away the sight of Scott
watching the way his fingers were fucking David’s ass.

He tried to relax, tried not to let his body tighten

too much, but it was becoming impossible when with
each plunge, Scott was nudging up against that single
most pleasurable spot, which was quickly taking him
beyond any maintainable control. “Scott.” It was a
warning, a plea. He wanted Scott’s hard length deep
inside him before he came, and if Scott didn’t pull his
fingers out and get his cock in, it was going to be too
late.

Thank God Scott seemed to understand, because

he withdrew his fingers, repositioned his body, and after
a bit of fumbling, which David assumed was Scott
slipping a condom on, he pushed David wider and then
in one slow, silky move, sank in all the way to the hilt.
Taking him with a murmur of pleasure, David risked a
look up at Scott, smiling as Scott stared back at him,
his own pleasure clear on his face.

“Better now?” Scott asked.

David grinned. “Much. And it would be even

better if you moved.”

Scott shook his head slightly and rolled his eyes.

“A pushy bottom even when handcuffed. You just can’t
help it, can you?”

Knowing it wasn’t an admonition, not with the

look of amusement glinting in Scott’s eyes, David still
felt as though he wasn’t playing the part he was
supposed to, so applying a look of contrition, he shook
his hands. “I’m trying to be good.”

Scott’s amusement suddenly turned to a deep and

singular desire, sparked no doubt by David’s act.

“Jesus, you know how to push my buttons, don’t you?”

“Apparently.”

Scott leaned over him, placing his hands on both

sides of David’s head. “Not apparently. You know
what you do to me. You know that around you I’m
completely under your spell.”

Letting Scott’s words sink in, David couldn’t help

but add them to the list of other things Scott had said,
all of which were hinting at something far more than
their temporary enjoyment together. He searched
Scott’s beautiful eyes, looking for confirmation, hoping
to find it, wanting it so damn fucking much, but was he
looking for something that just wasn’t there?

Scott stared at him for a moment as if he was

waiting for David to say something, but David wasn’t
sure what to say. The moment stretched, David’s
uncertainty stretching with it, then Scott smiled.

“I’m going to move now.”

The gasp torn from David’s throat was nothing

compared to the deep groan that rumbled up from his
chest as Scott started to withdraw and thrust, forging a

rhythm he’d perfected to make this last as long as
possible. But there was a difference between this and all
the other times they’d had sex. Scott was more
involved, more focused, and that focus transferred
itself to David.

His skin tingling, his toes curling, his blood heating

from the inside out, David shut out everything around
him but the physical pleasure that inevitably consumed
him. Scott continued to kiss him—slow, sweet strokes
of his tongue that ramped up David’s desire to a level
he’d never been on before. He moaned into Scott’s
mouth and strained against him, seeking more.

Scott reached up and linked their fingers tightly

together, and the pace he’d first set changed to a
deeper, harder, more intentioned pitch of his hips that
was designed to bring an end to the now desperate
need fostered in both of them. Shards of electrical
currents zapped along David’s nerves; the slow build he
had earlier now replaced with an urgent pressure that
was quickly going to blow him apart.

Unable to stop himself, David arched his back, his

fingers tightening with the ones entwined with his.
Scott’s deep groan followed David’s own, and when
Scott dropped his head onto David’s shoulder, his
body shuddering, David knew he was ready to come.
Gathering himself, David closed his eyes, concentrating
solely on the incredible pleasure racing through his
body. God, no man had ever made him feel so good, so
wanted, so…

“Love you.”

The faintly whispered words said against David’s

skin barely registered before Scott, with one last, rough
pitch, cried out, slamming hard into David and biting
down on the tense muscle at his neck. Scott’s climax
triggered David’s, irrepressibly pulling him into a
maelstrom of physical ecstasy and mental shock. The
breath he’d been holding exploded from his lungs,
carrying Scott’s name, while his body absorbed the
impact of Scott collapsing on top of him.

It was several moments before David could collect

his scattered wits, and once he had, he just lay there,
not believing for one instant Scott had just said he loved

him. No matter how much he might have wanted it,
he’d never expected Scott to say it. But it didn’t stop
those two little words from burrowing themselves into
his heart and making a home for themselves.

“Okay?” Scott asked a few moments later as he

gently eased free to remove the condom and grab a
damp towel to clean them up.

David nodded, then awkwardly sat up and

brought his arms around his bent knees before fiddling
with the little links that held his wrists together. He eyed
Scott carefully, wanting Scott to tell him he loved him
again, wanting to know that Scott actually meant it.

“You sure? You look a little tense.” Scott reached

for him, a worried frown now replacing the happiness
that had been in his eyes a moment ago. “Did I hurt
you?”

David quickly shook his head. “No, of course

not.”

“Then what’s wrong? Is it the handcuffs?”

David shook his head again, then looked away,

knowing he shouldn’t be disappointed that Scott didn’t

seem to realize what was wrong, but feeling it anyway.
Scott obviously hadn’t meant what he’d said; he
probably hadn’t even realized he’d said it. Curling his
hands into fists, David tried not to show how incredibly
hurt he was by his own wishful thinking.

“David?”

Almost holding his breath, David glanced back at

Scott, willing himself not to wince when Scott said
something offhand or flip. “Yes?”

“Is it because I just said I love you?”

Chapter Seven

Something painful flared at the back of his skull

while low murmured voices floated up from the
darkness that seemed to surround him. Scott moaned
and instinctively tried to pull away from whatever it was
that was causing his head to hurt, at the same time
realizing he was lying on something hard, and not the
soft, comfortable bed he’d been sharing with David.

Confused, disoriented, Scott tried to open his

eyes, worried when he found it difficult, worried more
when the thought of David caused his chest to tighten
and his stomach to clench in fear. Where am I, and
what the fuck happened?

“David?”

“It’s okay. You’re going to be all right.” The

voice, though softly spoken, wasn’t David’s, and
Scott’s fear ramped up another level. He resisted the
hands he now felt on his chest, pushing them away and
fighting the panic that had started to share a place with

the fear in his heart.

“Hey, it’s fine.” Definitely not David’s voice, and

as Scott finally managed to get his eyes open, it wasn’t
David’s face that hovered over him either.

“Who the fuck are you, and where’s David?” Not

waiting for an answer, Scott shoved the man aside and
sat up, instantly regretting it when nausea and pain hit
him simultaneously. He groaned and reached out to
grab hold of something, suddenly recognizing where he
was when his fingers closed over the same sheets he’d
recently made love to David on.

“Scott!” David’s frantic voice punched right

through Scott’s need to lie back down. “Shit, will you
let go of me!”

“Take it easy.” Another voice, this one rougher,

and by the sound of it, not too nice.

Grasping what he could both physically and

mentally, Scott pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the
edge of blackness that crept into his vision and focusing
on David, who sat in one of the chairs on the other side
of the room, a man looming over him.

“What the hell is going on?”

A hand on his arm tried to ease him to sit, but

Scott wasn’t having any of it, not when he saw a
shaking David trying to stand but getting pushed back
down. Scott had never seen red until then, had never let
anger get in the way of logical thinking, but at the sight
of David being manhandled, Scott didn’t even try to
hold back the fury that bubbled to the surface.

“Get away from him!” Lurching across the room,

Scott was barely aware of the thin blanket wrapped
around his waist. David tried to stand again, but the guy
stopped him, and it was only when Scott got close
enough and was about to raise his fist, did he
understand why.

A uniformed policeman was standing guard over

David, and fortunately it only took Scott a couple of
seconds to work through the fog of both anger and pain
to stop from making the situation into a bigger farce
than it already was.

“David, honey? Are you all right?” Better to make

it clear right from the start that the cops had got it

wrong. He hastily knelt beside the chair and slid his
arms around David’s body, hugging him tight and
planting a kiss on trembling lips. Pulling back he saw
David’s own anger, fear and pain filling the emerald
green of his eyes.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.” David’s tear

streaked face spoke volumes, and though Scott still
wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, he was quickly
beginning to form an idea.

“It’s okay, I know you didn’t.” He leaned in to

give David another reassuring kiss before turning to the
cop who was looking at them with both comprehension
and annoyance.

“See, I told you.” The comment came from the

medic who had been attending Scott, and as Scott met
his eyes, he saw a gleam of amusement chasing away
the concern he’d seen in them a few minutes ago.

“Well, I had to be sure, didn’t I?” Looking a little

embarrassed now, the policeman reached for something
on his belt, and when Scott saw it was a set of handcuff
keys, embarrassment of his own flooded in.

David glanced at him, his normally creamy skin

now flushed, and as he lifted his wrists, Scott knew
why. He bit back a small groan and tried not to show
how mortified he was as the policeman undid David’s
cuffs, especially when he saw the fresh, raw welts
marring David’s wrists.

“Sorry if we’ve caused you any problem,” he said,

realizing he should stand but knowing he couldn’t. Not
only would his legs not hold him, but he didn’t want to
let go of David.

“Yeah, well. Maybe you shouldn’t play it so

rough, and maybe your boyfriend here should be more
careful about where he put the key. You’re lucky I
could use mine to get the cuffs open.”

Scott nodded, daring a glance at David’s

frightened face before turning his attention back to the
man impatiently standing at his side. “I’m all right,” he
said, hoping the medic would get the hint and leave.

“Don’t think so. You’ve got concussion, and you

need to get to the hospital.” The guy pulled out a
penlight and shone it into Scott’s eyes. Scott drew back

as pain flared deep in his skull, blinking as his world
temporarily went white.

“I’m fine. I’ve had concussion before. I know

what to do.” He was trying to hold on to his patience,
he really was, but David was shaking like a leaf, and all
he wanted was to hold and reassure him, but he
couldn’t do that if no one would leave them alone.
When the guy reached into his kit to find something else
to no doubt torture Scott with, Scott snapped. “I’m
fine!”

“Scott.” David’s softly spoken admonishment was

like a cold, hard slap. Scott turned to him and shook his
head, wishing he hadn’t when dizziness sent the room
swaying. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a
deep breath, determined to stop what David was going
to say next.

“No, I’m not going to the hospital. I’m not going

anywhere without you.”

“I’ve had concussion as well, Scott. It can be

dangerous.”

“But you’ll be here to look after me. Won’t you?”

Torment deepened the green in David’s eyes, and Scott
hated the sick feeling that entered his stomach as he
recognized why it was there.

“You’ll be safer at the hospital,” David whispered,

barely keeping eye contact.

“I want to be with you.” God his head hurt. He

wanted to lay it down on David’s lap and have David
run cool fingers through his hair. He wanted David to
hold him, soothe him, and tell him he wasn’t thinking of
running away. “Please, David.” And he wasn’t above
begging for it.

When he saw David glance at the medic and felt

warm arms wrap around him, Scott sighed in relief.

“I’ll look after him. If he shows any signs of

regression, I’ll bring him in.”

Obviously not happy with the situation, but

knowing there was nothing he could do about it, the
medic packed up his stuff, and after a few quick words
with his partner who stood at the entrance to the hotel
room, he left.

The policeman looked at Scott and David again.

The expression in his eyes clearly said he didn’t
understand why two guys were together but it also said
he figured it wasn’t his business. He nodded once
before heading to the door, and it was only when it
closed behind him did Scott give in to the pain lancing
his head and the worry puncturing the rest of him. He
slumped forward, grateful that David caught him before
he tumbled completely to the floor.

“Shit, Scott!” Strong arms held and guided him

back to the bed, where Scott gratefully lay down,
closing his eyes once more and intending to leave them
that way for a while.

“Hey, you can’t sleep.” The bed dipped, and

Scott supposed David was climbing on with him.

“I’m not going to. I’m just trying to stop from

throwing up.” He opened his eyes to see a concerned
David staring down at him. Dredging up a smile, he
reached up to stroke his fingers down David’s cheek.
“I’m okay, David, really.”

David nodded though he didn’t look convinced.

He pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around

them, his body rigid, even when Scott pried one hand
free and linked their fingers together. This was not
good.

“How did I end up on the floor?” Scott asked

gently. He didn’t remember anything after telling David
he loved him, but he was sure that hadn’t got anything
to do with what happened, had it?

David slanted him a look, then drew his bottom lip

into his mouth. For a moment it didn’t look like he was
going to say anything, then he scrubbed his free hand
over his face. “I hit you, and you fell back and smacked
your head against the corner of the bedside table.”
David glanced at him. “I couldn’t wake you…” He
faltered, his breath becoming shallow, his bottom lip
trembling.

Needing to reassure the man who looked as

miserable as Scott was now beginning to feel, Scott
carefully sat up, intending to put his arms around him.
However, David’s small flinch stopped him. Alarmed,
because this wasn’t like David at all, Scott tugged on
the fingers he still held. “David? Are you angry with

me?”

David shifted and finally met Scott’s eyes. “Why

didn’t you tell me you were a cop?”

Guilty heat spread over Scott’s cheeks as he saw

the wounded look in David’s normally shining eyes.
“I’m sorry, babe. I was going to when you asked about
why I wanted to use handcuffs instead of leather or
something, but then I realized how that might come
across. You were already freaking out about it, and I
didn’t want to look like some loser who got off on using
police authority. Then after that, I just forgot.”

Inching a little closer, Scott fought to remain calm

while inside he was fighting a losing battle with panic.
David must hate him, and he wasn’t sure how he could
turn that around. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I should
have said something.”

Full lips compressed into a thin line. “It would

have helped. I might have been able to explain things
better. At first the cop thought I’d been beaten up and
abused and had managed to knock you out and call for
help, but when I tried to tell him why I had bruises and

why you were unconscious, he got a little confused.
When he got hold of your wallet and saw your
identification however, he became guarded, because
that’s when I had to admit I didn’t know you were a
cop.” David dropped his gaze and absently rubbed his
wrist. “I felt like an idiot, and no matter what I said to
him, he wouldn’t let me up to see if you were all right.”

Feeling sick at the slight wobble in David’s voice

and at the sight of the fresh damage on David’s skin,
Scott inspected the red welts. “What happened to the
key?” he asked, though he was sure he already knew
the answer.

David regarded him cautiously, his face flushing a

dull pink before he sighed. “I couldn’t find it. I had
assumed it was in your bag, which was really fucking
stupid of me considering there was no point in you
keeping it.”

Scott’s heart sank as he realized his thoughtless

act had humiliated David. Swearing he’d never do that
to him again, Scott brought up David’s hand and softly
kissed his bruised wrist. “That was my responsibility,

David, not yours. I should have made sure you had the
key before I put the cuffs on you.”

“So I’m not responsible for my own actions

anymore?” David’s tone dipped, and his eyes
narrowed.

Shit. “Of course you are, but that wasn’t your

fault.”

“Of course it was my fault. If I hadn’t forgotten the

cuffs were on, I wouldn’t have hit you. I was trying to
hug you.” David deliberately unlinked their fingers and
started to get off the bed, but Scott managed to grab his
arm and stop him before he got too far.

“Davey, things happen. You of all people should

know that. You can’t blame yourself for them.”

“I fucking knocked you unconscious! There’s no

one else to blame but me!” The anger expressed on
David’s face was aimed at himself, but Scott felt the
lash of it just the same.

“You didn’t do it intentionally,” he soothed,

suppressing a wince as he probed one very tender egg-
shaped knot at the back of his head.

“It’s never intentional, but that doesn’t stop it from

happening. I can’t take you getting hurt anymore,
Scott.” The agony in David’s voice reverberated
through Scott’s body, turning it ice-cold. But the look in
his eyes… God, they were so full of anguish it
physically pained Scott to look at them.

“Is that what’s upsetting you?”

“Of course it fucking is! How could you love me if

at nearly every turn, I nearly get you killed?” David
drew his bottom lip into his mouth, teeth biting down so
hard he turned the edge of the skin white, but that still
didn’t stop it from trembling.

Fuck! Not caring that David was still holding

himself stiff, Scott pulled him into a hug, hoping to say
with actions what he couldn’t say with words, because
he hadn’t got a clue what to say. Pushing David’s soft
hair away from his face, Scott took a deep breath.
“Love holds no bounds, David. I’m not going to stop
loving you because you accidently trip me up or drop
something on my foot or mash my fingers in a door. I
don’t care about things like that.”

“Well you should, because I care about things like

that. I care about you!”

Scott’s stomach tumbled a mile before he caught

it. “How much?” He held on to a breath as he waited
for David to answer, slightly terrified he wasn’t going to
hear what he wanted to hear.

Obviously realizing what he’d just said, David

tried to retract it. “That’s not the point—”

“That’s the only one I’m interested in right now.”

Gripping David’s hand, Scott tried desperately not to
let his apprehension show, but he knew his face was as
easy to read as David’s. “Do you love me?”

Beautiful green eyes locked onto his, the

puzzlement and skepticism in them fading away to be
replaced with a suppressed but undeniable truth that
had Scott’s heart skipping a beat and his throat
tightening with a sentiment he’d never thought he’d feel.

Overjoyed, he practically threw himself on David,

sealing his mouth with a kiss, plundering it with all the
pent-up emotion he’d been trying to hold back in fear
David would reject him. He knew David hadn’t come

over here to have a man fall in love with him, and Scott
had certainly not started out on his holiday thinking he
was going to fall in love with anyone either, but it had
happened, and Scott had every intention of keeping it
that way.

He released David to look into his eyes again,

happiness pulsing through his veins. “When can you
move over here? I know it’ll take a while with you
having to sort out your job and everything, but I want us
to be together, and I damn well can’t wait to start.”

“Move over here?”

“Well, yeah, it makes sense. You certainly

wouldn’t want to stay in England would you?” For a
split second, Scott worried he was expecting too much,
but after what David had said this morning, he’d
assumed David would gladly jump at the idea.

But David was shaking his head, pain filling his

eyes once again. “I can’t.”

“WHAT DO YOU mean you can’t? Do you

mean you can’t move to Australia? Why?” Scott stared

at him, confusion written clearly in every line of his face,
and David knew Scott had every reason to feel that
way. He’d made it clear how he felt about the life he’d
been living in England; there should be no reason why
he wouldn’t want to move to Australia.

“Scott…”

“Don’t, for fuck’s sake, don’t you dare stand

there and tell me you’ve not thought about moving over
here. You said it yourself this would be a perfect place
to get lost in.” Scott’s confusion was quickly being
replaced by uneasiness, something else David
understood all too well.

“It’s complicated,” he said, inwardly wincing even

as he said it. Jesus, could he not sound any more lame?
Gently pulling out of Scott’s unresisting arms, David
stood, putting some distance between them while a
sick, painful knot formed in his stomach. “It’s not as
simple as me just moving over here. There are factors
you don’t know about.”

Scott’s mouth turned down at the edges, and his

eyes narrowed. “What factors?”

“My family…”

“Your family? Are you fucking kidding me?” The

sudden and sharp anger cracking through Scott’s voice
shocked David into taking a step back. He had
expected Scott to be upset, to question him, but he
hadn’t expected the kind of fury glittering in his eyes.

Not sure how to answer Scott, because he wasn’t

sure what could be said, David took another step back.
“Let me get some ice for your head,” he muttered,
needing a moment to think, to come up with something
that Scott would understand. He hunted the phone, then
dialed room service, trying desperately hard to control
the instinct to throw himself back in Scott’s arms.

Fuck, this wasn’t fair! He’d never thought this

would happen to him. Never thought he’d have a man
look at him the way Scott did. Never thought he’d have
a man who would love him. And he definitely never
thought he’d turn down what that man was trying to
give him.

Squeezing his eyes shut to stop a fresh wave of

tears from slipping down his face, David concentrated

on ordering up some food and a bucket of ice, not at all
surprised it took him two tries to get the request out.
Somehow, after Scott told him he loved him, he’d
allowed the fantasy he’d been building all day to blind
him to the cold, harsh reality of his life, and in that
fantasy, he’d forgotten a happily-ever-after wasn’t his
to have. But then he’d knocked Scott out, and reality
crashed back down around him, shattering his fantasy
into a million pieces, and he couldn’t see a way of
putting it back together. Nor could he think of a way of
explaining to Scott the inescapable hurt both of them
were going to suffer if he tried.

After he hung up the phone, David straightened his

shoulders, knowing he was going to have to confront
Scott but still needing a moment to garner the nerve. It
was only when he couldn’t put off the inevitable any
longer did he turn to face Scott’s disappointed stare.

“David, will you please tell me what the hell is

going on? What has your family got to do with us?”
Scott’s tone was calmer, but it still held a thread of
distress.

David moved back toward the bed and sat heavily

on the edge, feeling awkward and inadequate once
again. Shit, was there ever going to be a time when he
felt as if he knew what the hell he was doing? Waiting
through a couple of thick heartbeats, David tried to
work out a way to put into words what he knew Scott
would accept.

“I told you that my family hates me, and why, but

there is more than one reason behind it.” David could
see Scott wanted to say something, but David needed
to get through this before it became impossible. He
reached over and curled his hand into Scott’s, seeing
Scott relax as he did so, which really didn’t help David
any, because this wasn’t going to have the conclusion
Scott was looking for.

“As you know, when my mother died, I was sent

to boarding school. It was actually a great time for me,
until the fiasco with Derek, because that’s when my
stepfather found out I was gay, and that’s when the
abuse started. At first it was just letters, which were
bad enough, but when it escalated to malicious phone

calls, I couldn’t take it. So during one of the holidays, I
made my way back home. I just wanted to talk to him,
ask him to stop. I even promised…”

Never expecting to have to recount that

conversation, David struggled with how to explain the
pain and humiliation he’d felt at the treatment of his
stepfather. Scott hadn’t had to go through something
like that. His family had accepted.

“What did you promise?” Scott’s fingers tightened

on his, giving him both reassurance and the courage to
go on, though with each word he uttered it was going to
take him further away from Scott.

“I promised I wouldn’t be gay anymore.” At

Scott’s sharp intake of breath, David glanced at him. “I
know. Stupid, wasn’t it? But I was a fifteen-year-old
child who didn’t know how to cope with that kind of
hatred, and I thought if I didn’t give him any further
reason to hate me, he would stop.”

“But he didn’t stop, did he?” The anger in Scott’s

voice made David feel a little better, but only a little.

“No. And after I graduated from college it got

worse, because that was when my stepbrother and
sister joined in.”

“Shit, David, why? From what you’ve told me,

you’d done everything you could to appease your
stepfather. So why the hell would they bother or even
care? It wasn’t as if you were deliberately flaunting
yourself in front of him every day.”

David had to stop himself from laughing right then,

though God knew it wasn’t funny. At Scott’s sharp
look David knew he had to explain further. “You’re
right. Up until then I’d kept out of his way, but after
college I got a letter from my stepbrother. He warned
me to stay away from the family.”

Scott’s look was slightly askew. “What would be

the point? It’s not like you’d want to be anywhere near
them.” When David didn’t respond immediately, Scott
frowned. “David, what did you do?”

“I moved back home.”

“What? Why the fuck would you do that?” Scott’s

pale blue eyes widened in shock, and David knew why.
To outsiders it would have seemed like the most idiotic

thing to do, but to David it had made perfect sense.

“My mother is buried there.”

“Oh.”

David smiled, silently thanking Scott for at least

understanding that part. He squeezed Scott’s fingers,
but there was still something left to say. “After I settled
in town, I started a company, and a few years ago, it
took off. I started getting new clients, big contracts. I
went from a small one-man firm to a large enterprise
with nearly twenty staff. I didn’t expect that. I’d been
content to just get by, but my architectural designs won
awards, and I became popular.”

“Which I bet pissed off your stepfather, but I still

don’t understand what any of this has got to do with
us.”

Us. God, that was the second time Scott had said

it, and it sounded so good, but it just wasn’t going to
happen. “I’m getting to that.” Thrusting the fingers of his
free hand through his hair, David tried not to think about
the moment when Scott understood why they couldn’t
have a life together. He also tried not to think how

unbearable his life was going to be from now on. Scott
had shown him what being loved felt like, and it was
painful to know he wasn’t going to experience it again.

“As it turned out, my success affected his. I was in

direct competition to him, and the more I grew, the
smaller he became, until he lost his business.” David
tried to keep inflection out of his tone, tried not to show
how devastated he felt at causing his stepfather’s
downfall.

“That wasn’t your fault. David, please don’t tell

me you think you’re to blame.”

David didn’t say anything. The thing was he’d

started out wanting to show being gay didn’t stop him
from being worthy, but it had backfired on him in
spectacular style, all because he’d moved back home to
prove a point instead of staying away like he should
have done.

When David continued to remain silent, Scott

made some sort of grumbling noise in his throat. “You
feel guilty about it, don’t you?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Not to the point where it would stop me from

being with the one I loved. And that’s what’s going on,
isn’t it? You’re putting your family over me.”

The sadness in Scott’s tone almost did David in.

Damn it, he didn’t want to do this, but Scott had to see
that it wasn’t just a question of dropping his old life and
starting up a new one, because his old life would
invariably come with him.

“I’m not putting my family over you, Scott. Not

even close. If I could wipe my hands of them, I would.
I’d even gladly hand my business over to my stepfather
if I thought it would solve the problem, but it won’t,
because that wouldn’t be the end of it, not by half.”
When Scott looked at him, confused, it just proved he
had no idea what David was trying to explain.

“I told you what they did to the last guy I’d been

seeing…” At the flicker of dawning comprehension in
Scott’s eyes, David almost smiled, but this wasn’t
anything to smile about. Almost tucking his knees under
his chin, he played with the edge of his shorts instead,
and let Scott say what should now be obvious.

“You think they’re going to do that to me, don’t

you? Try to push me away, get me to dump you?”

“Yes. As soon as they find out where I am, whom

I’m with… They won’t just give up because I live in a
different country, Scott. Their hatred of me goes too
deep, and a lot of it has to do with what I did to my
stepfather’s business. Maybe, eventually they would
have stopped if all they had on me was being gay, but
now they have another, more understandable reason to
hate me.” David searched Scott’s eyes, wondering if
Scott was now regretting saying he loved him, but
Scott’s blue gaze held steady with his, and though a
grim line formed around his lips, his eyes smiled. It was
a smile David didn’t expect to see.

“They can try, but they won’t succeed. They

won’t push me away, David.”

David wanted to believe him, but he knew better.

“You don’t know what it’s like. They won’t just be idle
threats. They’ll put adverts in papers, send letters, make
phone calls. They’ll try to embarrass you and your
family, get you fired from your job, do everything they

can to make you wish you’d never met me.” David
glanced at their hands, still entwined, still holding on to
each other. It was a simple connection that held so
much meaning, but it was easily broken. “I can’t let you
go through that, or put your family through it.”

“David, homophobia isn’t something your family

has full dibs on. My family and I have had to put up
with that kind of bigotry from others before. We got
through it once; we’ll get through it again.”

“But you shouldn’t have to. And I can’t ask you.”

Was Scott seriously considering allowing himself to be
persecuted, for him?

“You’re not asking me. I understand your

concerns, David, I do, but my family, my friends, my
whole town know I’m gay, so they’d have no leverage.
And if they did try to keep harassing me, harassing us,
I’d make damn sure they’d soon regret it. I’m not some
spineless moron who’d let some assholes dictate who I
live my life with.” Fresh anger flared in Scott’s eyes,
and for a moment David thought Scott was talking
about him, because that was exactly what David was

doing. He was allowing his family to push away his
chance at happiness because he was afraid of the
consequences.

As if sensing what was going through his mind,

Scott’s mouth softened and the anger in his eyes
lessened. “David, please don’t let your family stop you
from living the life you want. I know it’s not going to be
easy, but we can work this out together.”

Together. Again, another word that had David’s

heart beating harder, but even as he wanted to say yes,
he knew he should say no. Eventually Scott would get
fed up of having to deal with his family’s hatred, and
David would be left with having to cope with being on
his own, again.

“I—” A knock on the hotel room door gave

David a respite, and grasping it, he shoved off the bed
and away from saying something that was going to
make him look like the pathetic man he was.

The staff that stood on the other side of the door

was a young man with a cheeky grin at the ready. His
quick perusal started at David’s eyes and stopped at his

crotch before moving back up again in a more leisurely,
appreciative way. Though David recognized he’d just
been checked out, he didn’t pay much attention, his
thoughts still on Scott’s promise. He stood aside and
allowed the waiter to push in a trolley laden with the
food he’d ordered and the bucket of ice. Grabbing the
bucket, determined to get the ice into a towel and onto
the back of Scott’s head, David vaguely pointed to an
area for the waiter to leave the two laden plates, and
headed toward the bathroom.

On the way back, towel in hand, David suddenly

stopped short when he saw the waiter sitting on the
bed, talking quietly to Scott. Jealous indignation hit
David hard, so too the knowledge that it really would
be safer for Scott to find someone else, someone
better, someone not liable to get him killed. That didn’t
stop the hurt though, or the feeling that he wanted to rip
the waiter’s head off.

When Scott looked up at him, David noticed a

worried frown marring his otherwise gorgeous face. The
look said help me, and David rushed forward, intent on

protecting him from whatever it was the waiter was
doing or saying. Focused on Scott, David didn’t see the
trolley that had been left at a sloppy angle at the foot of
the bed, and his knee caught the corner, sending him
sprawling across the floor.

The towel went flying to land in the middle of

Scott’s bare chest. The ice, already melting in the heat
of the room, started trickling freezing water down
Scott’s stomach, and through it all, David was trying
hard not to start cursing a blue streak as he rolled to his
back and clutched his newly bruised leg.

“Oh, are you all right?”

Expecting the panicked voice of the waiter to be

aimed in his direction, David was surprised, and pissed,
when he spotted him looming over Scott, wiping his
hands all over Scott’s torso. Gritting his teeth against
both the pain and the need to yell at the young man,
David got to his feet and not so subtly pushed him out
of the way.

“He’s fine. You don’t need to maul him.” His

growl was low key but there, and the waiter blinked up

at him before quickly scrambling to his feet. David
ignored him, hardly even noticed when he left, his focus
on Scott as he rescued him from a wet and near-to-
frozen groin. Avoiding Scott’s eyes, David picked up
the bits of ice and shoved them back into the now
sopping towel. Maybe he should have used a plastic
bag. “Sorry,” he mumbled, knowing he wasn’t just
apologizing for the state of Scott’s current condition,
but for everything.

Scott tucked firm fingers under his chin and made

him look up. “Don’t be sorry. This isn’t over yet. I’m
not letting you go, Davey, no matter the circumstances.
I know you don’t believe me, but we’ll work through it.
Just don’t dismiss how much I love you.”

Every time Scott said that, a small shiver lit up

David’s spine. It also opened a link in the chain of fear
he’d tied himself up with, but he still held back on
allowing himself to be freed from it completely. He
wanted Scott, but he didn’t want him to be hurt, and if
his accidents didn’t do it, then his family would.

“Scott—”

“Don’t, please don’t say no. Let me prove it to

you. Just give me some time to convince you.” Scott’s
blue eyes bore into his, the intensity in them matching
the tone of his voice. “Please, Davey, I just want to be
with you.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Scott. I

think that bump has scrambled your brain.” As
arguments went it wasn’t very effective, because Scott
grinned and pulled him down to the bed.

“I know exactly what I’m saying. I love you, and I

know you love me, because if you didn’t, you would
have just walked out of here and you wouldn’t have
even bothered telling me why you think you should.”
Scott’s logic burrowed through David’s defense, but it
didn’t break it down completely.

“Being in love is not enough.” As soon as he’d

said it, David could feel the sting of those words, but
Scott just smiled.

“But it’s a start.”

Staring into eyes filled with both love and

confidence, David felt his resolve melting slightly. “You

really mean that, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I’m going to fight for you, Davey. I want

us to be together, and one way or the other, I’m going
to make sure that happens.”

Scott was going to fight for him. The promise in

those words had David almost ready to believe in that
happily-ever-after, but Scott shouldn’t have to fight for
him. In fact, as David allowed himself to be pulled into
Scott’s arms, he realized it was about time he stood up
and fought for himself.

* * * *

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” David hitched

his backpack higher as they trekked down toward the
sandy cove nestled between the towering limestone
cliffs.

“Yes. I’m not spending the little time I’ve got with

you before you go back to England stuck in a hotel
room.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that was a bad thing.

We could be doing some pretty funky things in bed right

now.” David turned to look over his shoulder, catching
Scott’s startled expression.

“Damn, Davey, why didn’t you say that before

we’d hiked down here?”

David grinned, despite not being in the most

cheerful of moods. He’d hardly slept last night. Mostly
because he’d watched while Scott slept, but also
because the conversation they’d had kept replaying in
his mind.

Scott was adamant they were going to be

together, but the only way David could see that
happening was if he could persuade his family to leave
him alone, and though it was necessary if he wanted any
future with Scott, it wasn’t a conversation he was
looking forward to having. He already knew what his
family would say, how they’d react—with the same
scorn and derision they’d employed the last time he’d
tackled them.

Pushing the upcoming confrontation and its

possible consequences firmly to the back of his mind,
David turned his attention to Scott. “We can always

turn back. I’ll give you a blowjob.” Though David
offered it as an incentive, backing it up with a suggestive
smile, he could tell Scott wasn’t going to take him up on
it, not if the glance he cast toward the ocean was
anything to go by.

“As tempting as that is, can we take a swim first?”

“A swim? Oh, no, you didn’t say anything about

going swimming.” Already wary about allowing Scott to
come down to the beach, he was not going to let Scott
put so much as one foot in the water.

“David, I’m fine. You can’t keep me locked up

forever.”

“It was only for this morning, and that’s a bit rich

coming from you, considering you think I should be
wrapped up in cotton wool for the rest of my life!”

The warm flush creeping up Scott’s tanned skin

was testament to his embarrassment. “I never said that.”

“No, but I know you’ve been thinking it.”

“So this is payback?”

“No. You have concussion. I’m just being

careful.”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but I want to go

swimming.” Scott turned his face into a pouty frown that
looked so cute David instantly, though regrettably, gave
in.

“Oh, all right.”

Scott’s returning grin had David groaning. “You

just played me then, didn’t you?”

“Don’t know what you mean,” Scott replied, but

there was satisfaction shining in his eyes, the same
satisfaction he’d been displaying since last night, and
though David couldn’t see what Scott had to be happy
about, he didn’t want to take it away from him either.

He shook his head in consternation, then took

Scott’s hand and started back down the rocky path that
led to the beach. Looking around, he spotted several
people lazing under the hot sun, several more in the
water, and David had to concede it would be nice to
take a swim with Scott, because who knew when he’d
get the chance again.

Forcing himself to relax, David dumped his

backpack, took off his shoes, and stripped out of his T-
shirt, watching as Scott did the same.

“Here.” Bottle of suntan lotion in hand, Scott

turned him around. “You burned slightly the other day.”

David snorted. “Where? I’m still as pasty white as

when I got here. No one is going to believe I went to
Australia for a holiday.”

“I like your skin like this. It’s sexy.”

The slow and deliberately erotic way in which

Scott spread the white liquid onto David’s shoulders
had David hotter than the sun above. “It’s freckly,” he
countered, trying to ignore the throbbing ache starting in
his groin. Damn, it was hard not to respond to Scott’s
every touch, every caress, every smile. Even when
Scott wasn’t touching him, smiling at him, David wanted
him.

“I know.” Scott’s warm lips pressed against

David’s nape. “Sexy. Not to mention your freckles
make some interesting patterns.”

Giving up on arguing, because he was never going

to win that fight, especially when he knew Scott

seriously loved a couple of those patterns, namely his
initials and the cluster next to his mouth that looked like
a heart, David suffered through a couple of minutes
more before he swiveled back around.

“My turn.” However, applying the suntan lotion to

Scott’s back and shoulders was just as much an erotic
experience as having it spread on him. “I think I need to
get into the cool water, fast.” Not waiting for Scott to
agree, because he hadn’t missed Scott’s reaction either,
David hurried to the water’s edge and waded in up to
his hips. The water was colder than he expected, and
David had to take a couple of breaths as the lapping
waves started splashing up his chest.

“Shit, that’s fucking cold!” Scott’s exclamation

made David feel better, but he couldn’t help teasing
Scott.

“It’s not that bad. Don’t be a wuss.”

“I’m not, but if you want to see any action tonight,

I’m not going to be able to stay in this water for long. I
think my balls have gone to visit my rectum.”

David couldn’t stop his grin, and some of the

tension he'd been holding on to eased a little. “Come
on. One quick swim, and then we can lie out on the
sand and warm up again.” He took a few more steps,
then waited for Scott, brushing up against him as they
braved the not so friendly temperature.

Scott pointed to a couple of surfers farther out.

“No wonder they’re wearing wetsuits.” The men were
lying on their boards and looking over their shoulders,
no doubt waiting for the perfect wave. David watched
them for a moment, and when he saw them paddle and
jump up on their boards with a grace he envied, he
moved in a direction that would keep them out of one
another’s way. He knew firsthand the perils of
swimming near surfers.

“We’re not going too deep. Make sure you can

keep your feet on the bottom,” David instructed,
transferring his attention to Scott.

“Yes, babe.”

“I mean it. I don’t want you getting out of your

depth and then suddenly becoming dizzy.”

“I haven’t been dizzy since last night, which is why

you allowed me out here.”

Guilt spread through David’s chest, tightening it,

but he wasn’t going to let it stop him from looking after
Scott. “Still, I don’t want to take any chances, so keep
close, and if you feel the slightest bit light-headed, we’re
heading back to the beach.”

The roll of Scott’s eyes wasn’t missed, but neither

was his indulgent smile. “My mother is really going to
love the way you fuss over me.”

Scott’s mother? Fuck, he hadn’t even considered

how Scott’s family would react to him. Would they
even accept him, the man who’d nearly gotten Scott
killed twice?

“David?” Scott was looking at him, puzzlement

darkening his expression.

David affected a smile. “I’m not fussing. I don’t

fuss,” he denied, thrusting his fears aside, putting them
away with the others mounting up inside. Shit, he
needed to get his mind off the what ifs. He never used
to dwell on them, had always lived in the moment and
not really worried about what his future would bring,

but with Scott, that was all he was thinking about.

“Come on.” Taking a deep breath, David plunged

beneath the waves and swam a little deeper, striking out
so he was parallel to the shore. Scott kept up, proving
his head injury was not causing a problem, but David
continued to keep a careful eye on him, watching for
signs of fatigue or lack of coordination. After several
minutes, David noted they were heading out farther than
he intended. He stopped swimming and tested the
depth, dropping his legs so he could feel the sandy
bottom. The little waves lapped at his chin, but as Scott
was a couple of inches taller than him, they only came
to the tops of his shoulders.

“Okay?” David asked.

Scott’s smile was his answer, so too was the way

he pulled David close. “I’m fine, seriously. You don’t
have to worry about me.”

“Like you don’t have to worry about me.”

“That’s different. I’m going to worry until you’re

back in Australia and in my arms for good.” The way
Scott said that, as if it was a done deal, made David

inwardly flinch. He couldn’t promise Scott it would
happen. He couldn’t even promise himself it would
happen. He had no fucking idea, and no matter how
much he wanted to be here, he wouldn’t risk the fallout
to Scott if his family ever caught up to him.

“Scott—”

“Oh, here we go again. Are you really going to tell

me you’re still afraid of your family?”

Tamping down the impatience Scott’s lack of

understanding evoked, David counted to ten before he
spoke. “I'm not afraid of them, but I can’t have a life
with you while always looking over my shoulder,
wondering when my family is going to start an attack.”

“I don’t care—”

“So you keep saying, but I do. I let them scare off

one boyfriend because I wasn’t man enough to stand up
to them. I’ll be fucked if I let them do it again, not to
you.”

“They won’t.” Scott's confidence should have

soothed David, but it didn't.

“I can’t take the chance, Scott. It’s not a matter of

you believing they won’t. I need to believe it. I need to
know they won’t even try.”

“And how are you going to achieve that?”

“I’m going to confront them, tell them to leave me

alone once and for all.”

“And what if they don’t? What’s going to happen

then?”

The roll and pull of the waves against David’s

body was like the roll and pull of his emotions, tugging
him in two directions. One moment he was riding on a
high of expectation and hope, and the next he was being
dashed into the darkest depths of futility and despair.

“I don’t know, Scott. I just don’t know.” David

tried not to let the hurt in Scott’s eyes affect him, but
when Scott pushed away, a sound of disgust tearing
from his throat, David almost broke apart.

He watched Scott go, then after a few moments in

which he knew he’d just fucked things up, he slowly
followed. Focused on Scott, he only spared a quick
glance toward the surfers again to make sure they were

not drifting into their path, but that was when he spotted
the fin.

Startled, and not quite believing what he’d just

seen, David stopped swimming for a moment, putting
his toes to the ocean floor to keep himself steady. A
wave lifted him up, allowing him to see the trough in
which the fish had been moments ago. Almost on the
verge of deciding he hadn’t seen anything, David
glimpsed both fin and tail, and then seconds later, Scott
cried out.

“Fuck!”

“Scott, don’t move! Stop swimming!”

Scott turned to him, a look of disbelief on his face.

“Something hard and rough just bumped into me.”

“Don’t move. It’s a shark!”

“What?” Scott turned in a circle as if to determine

for himself what David said was true. David began to
panic as he saw Scott was treading water. Ignoring his
own advice, David quickly pushed up from the bottom
and swam to Scott. He didn’t know much about
sharks, but enough to remember they usually circled

their prey before coming up from below to take a bite,
and anyone moving on the surface was a far easier
target than someone who wasn’t.

So David had just made himself into a target.

Whether Scott understood what David was doing

or not, David barreled toward him, and just as he came
alongside, he felt a sharp burn in his calf accompanied
by a hard tug that pulled him under. Instinct had David
twisting and kicking out, his free leg connecting with a
hard, broad snout. Air escaped his lungs, and David
had to fight the impulse to breathe, but when he was
dragged deeper and the pain in his leg became
excruciating, he had to fight the impulse to scream.

Struggling, arms flailing, David didn’t know which

way was up or down. He saw a quick flash of
something in his peripheral vision, and then something
wrapped around him. In the split second before David
realized it was Scott, he’d had visions of being ripped
apart, his body torn in two, or three. He gripped
Scott’s arm and slammed his foot one more time against
the mouth holding him. Fire streaked up his leg, but then

he was free, and Scott was pulling him to the surface.

“You idiot! You fucking idiot!”

David coughed up water, his lungs burning, his

ears ringing, his leg… Groaning, he heard Scott
swearing, felt a hard slap against his back and rough
hands dragging him across wet sand. He tried to
protest, tried to open his eyes.

“Don’t look, baby. It’s okay, but don’t look, the

blood…” A warm mouth touched his, and then he was
being picked up, carried.

Someone screamed. David knew it wasn’t him,

though he felt like echoing those high-pitched cries.
“Scott?”

“Shh, I’ve got you.”

“How bad?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Scott cursed under his breath,

his arms becoming tight bands around David’s body.
“Why, Davey? Why’d you do that? You fucking risked
your life for me. Why?”

David wasn’t sure he could answer that, mainly

because he wasn’t sure why Scott was asking. He
knew damn well Scott would have done the same for
him. Had done the same for him. But maybe Scott
didn’t think David was allowed to return the favor. Not
anymore.

Somehow, the sharp pain in his leg turned to a dull

ache, but then someone touched it and the shriek he’d
been holding in nearly escaped. Scott’s arms loosened
from around him, and others took their place, but David
needed Scott, desperately needed Scott’s arms to still
hold him. But Scott was no longer there, and the last
thing David saw of him was those pale blue eyes
looking at him in anger. Or was it fear?

Chapter Eight

Scott sat slumped in the chair, eyes barely open,

body tired, mind ready to shut down. How was he
supposed to do this? How was he supposed to cope
seeing David all battered and torn and looking like he
wasn’t going to wake up?

Throat squeezing tight, Scott barely managed to

stop the low moan of anguish that had threatened since
David had come out of surgery. He’d managed to let go
of the anger he’d felt when David had put himself in
danger, but anger was easily discarded. The pain of
what had happened to David was going to stay with him
forever.

Lifting his head, he stared at David’s pale face, at

the needle sticking in his arm, at his mangled leg, at the
blood-stained

bandages.

Seventy-two

stitches.

Seventy-fucking-two! And each one was like a barb in
Scott’s chest.

At the cliff, when David had warned him he was

always going to live in fear of something like that
happening again, Scott had thought he’d meant he’d
worry about what could happen. He hadn’t realized
David meant how he’d feel after it had happened. Now
he understood. It wasn’t the prospect of an accident
that grounded a person in fear; it was the guilt that ate at
them if someone got hurt. How the hell did David deal
with that? How was he going to?

Watching the steady rise and fall of David’s chest,

Scott slowly pulled on his failing reserves of inner
strength. He was going to need everything he had to get
through the next few hours. He’d yelled at David—at
the man who’d risked life and limb for him, and that
was going to take some serious apologizing. He was
also going to have a fight on his hands proving to David
that this latest disaster was not going to affect the way
he felt about him.

The silence of the room was broken only by

David’s soft breath pushing past dry lips, and whether
unconscious or not, Scott matched that constant
rhythm. In sync, he noticed when David’s pattern subtly

changed.

David shifted and pulled in a deeper breath, a

frown forming on his brow. Scott moved closer, his
mouth going dry at the same time his heart started
hammering. He gently stroked along David’s cheek, his
finger scratching slightly across the red-gold stubble that
had sprouted since just that morning.

“David?”

Thick eyelashes fluttered open, revealing confused

emerald eyes that gazed at him for a moment before
they slowly focused, but instead of the smile Scott
hoped to see, apprehension settled in their depths.
Scott didn’t want to admit the look in David’s eyes
scared him. It matched too well his own concerns.

Schooling his features, Scott curled his hand

around David’s and squeezed tight. “How are you
feeling?” he asked, realizing as he said it he sounded
like an idiot. He knew damn well what David would be
feeling, and it wouldn’t be good.

David’s grave eyes stared at him, as if searching

for something. The green in them darkened, casting a

shadow on their familiar bright shine. “Like I’m being
dragged through a nightmare that’s never going to end.”
David glanced at their hands and pulled his free. “Why
are you here, Scott? Why are you even bothering with
me?”

“Because I love you.” It was the first thing that

came to Scott’s mind, and it would be the singular,
most important truth that was going to hold him
together. He knew where this was headed, and though
he’d tried not to dwell on the possibility, he hadn’t been
stupid enough to ignore it. “And before you say
anything, it’s more than enough.”

“Damn it, Scott, you can’t still mean that.”

Frustration pulled on David’s brows. “Have you even
considered it could have been you in here instead of
me?”

Scott would have swapped places with David in a

heartbeat. At least then he wouldn’t be feeling so damn
guilty, but he doubted David would appreciate it if he
said so. He also didn’t think David would appreciate it
if he continued to say he didn’t care about the

accidents, because one, it would be a damn lie,
especially if hospitals were the outcome, but also
because David was too fixated on it, and nothing Scott
was going to say right now would change his opinion.

He edged a little closer to the bed, then fingered

the plastic hospital bracelet circling David’s wrist, not at
all surprised when David almost pulled his arm out of
reach.

“It wouldn’t make a difference. I’m going to keep

on loving you no matter what.” When David didn’t
comment, Scott sighed. “I spoke to my mom while
waiting for you to wake up. I told her about you.” The
flicker of surprise through David’s expressive eyes
almost had Scott smiling.

“You told your mom about me? What for?”

“Because I wanted her to know I’m in love with a

courageous and selfless man who’d just saved my life,
and who, for some reason, won’t accept that I love
him.”

David’s eyes narrowed and a pinched line touched

his mouth. “Did you also tell her that I nearly dragged

you off a cliff, and when that didn’t kill you, I then tried
to bash your head in?”

Melodrama didn’t suit David, but Scott went with

it. “Yes, I told her about you being a little accident-
prone, but she didn’t seem fazed by it. In fact, she can’t
wait to meet you.”

“No. You still don’t understand.” David pulled his

arm free and closed his eyes. His withdrawal was
obvious, and it stirred an anger inside Scott he knew he
shouldn’t be feeling but couldn’t help. Nerves that were
already stretched tight seemed ready to snap.

“What don’t I understand, David? That no matter

how much I tell you I love you, you don’t believe me?
That you seem to think it’s okay to keep me at arm’s
length while I flounder—not fucking knowing what the
hell is to become of us? Well, yeah, you’re right. I don’t
understand. Why isn’t loving me enough? Why the hell
don’t you trust me and tell your family to fuck off,
because that’s what this is down to again, isn’t it?”

“I can’t.” David had turned his face away, but

Scott could see how much David was trying to hold

himself together.

“Jesus, Davey, why?”

“What if it gets too hard?”

Too hard? Seriously, after everything he’d said,

did David still think he’d let some assholes frighten him
off? Pushing both hands through his hair, Scott tried to
control both his temper and his confusion. Why didn’t
David believe him? What had he done to have David
mistrust him so much?

“It won’t,” he said, not even sure if David was

listening to him, but hoping somehow his plea would be
heard. “It’ll never get beyond that point. Not for me.
I’m here, David. I didn’t walk away when you thought I
would. I’ll never walk away.”

David looked back at him, his eyes fresh pools of

tears, his bottom lip all bloody. “What if I do?”

“You?” Stunned, Scott stared into luminous green

eyes filled with doubt and confusion, but this time Scott
could see David’s fears were aimed at himself. “David,
you’re the strongest, fiercest, most resilient man I know.
You couldn’t walk away from something you believe in

without fighting with everything you’ve got.”

“But how long do I have to keep fighting? I want

what you’re offering, Scott, but what if they won’t let
me have it? I’ve caused you so much pain and hurt, and
you keep coming back and telling me you love me, and
I do believe you, but I don’t know if I’ve got the
strength to keep doing this.” Scott had never seen
defeat in David’s eyes before, and he never wanted to
see it again.

“I think that’s the drugs they’ve pumped into you

talking. My David wouldn’t give up so easily.”

“What if they don’t stop? What if it never stops?”

Watching a tear slip down David’s cheek, Scott

was hard pushed not to pull David into his arms. “Then
we fight them together. Or we ignore them together. I’m
not discounting how much you need to have them out of
your life, but if we can’t find a way to make that
happen, then we find a way to live with it.”

“That’s not going to be as easy as it sounds.”

“I don’t expect it to be easy, not for either of us,

but damn it, David, we have to try. I’m not going to

give up on you. Please, please don’t give up on
yourself.”

David closed his eyes again, his red-tinged

eyelashes clashing sharply with a face too pale, while his
freckles looked like forgotten spatters against a canvas
of translucent skin. Scott studied him, wanting to
smooth away the creases on his brow, wanting to
thread fingers through the unruly mop of russet-and-
copper-colored strands, wanting to run a thumb across
the little heart at the corner of his mouth, all the while
worried if his chances of seeing that beautiful face every
morning were slipping away.

Clear green eyes opened to stare at him. “You’ll

stand by me?” The plea in David’s voice carried more
than the weight of his fears; it also carried his hope.

“God yes.”

“No matter what?”

“No matter what.”

“Even with all the crap I seem to cause?”

“Especially with all the crap you cause.”

David’s gaze flicked to Scott’s mouth for a

second before resting back on his eyes. “I love you.”

“I know you do. Why do you think I’ve been

taking all this crap off you today?” David’s smile,
though small, managed to fill up the hole in Scott’s chest
he’d begun to think would always remain empty.
Unable to stop himself any longer, Scott gathered David
into his arms, resting his face in the crook of David’s
neck. “I love you too, but can we try, just maybe, not
to see the inside of a hospital for a while?”

“Fuck off.”

Scott laughed, feeling the stress of the last few

hours ease away. He tugged David into a kiss, being
careful not to hurt his cracked and swollen lips.

“When can I get you out of here?” he asked,

anxious to have David someplace else. He really didn’t
like hospitals, and after this he liked them even less.

As if knowing what Scott was thinking, David

linked their fingers and gave them a reassuring squeeze.
“A few days. They want to make sure no infection sets
in.”

Scott nodded. “I can stay with you until then. I

suppose you’ll want to head back to England after
that?”

A cloud formed across David’s face. “No. I don’t

think I’m ready.” David worried his bottom lip, wincing
a little as he drew blood again. “I’m going to have to
decide what to do with my company, and then I’ve got
to find a way of starting a business over here, unless I
join a firm. Maybe I can start looking up some
prospects before I make up my mind.”

Not sure if David was putting off the inevitable, or

if he was just working out a plan that suited him, Scott
agreed. “Why don’t you come home with me? You can
check out the town and meet my family, get to know
them?”

“Oh.”

“Oh what?”

“What if your family doesn’t accept me?”

If David hadn’t looked so vulnerable right then,

Scott would have thought he was joking. “Of course
they will. What made you think they won’t?”

“You said it yourself they would never pick

someone like me.”

“Oh, baby, I only said they wouldn’t pick

someone like you because they wouldn’t have believed
I could attract someone so vibrant or strong or as sexy
as you.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think they’ll take too kindly

to meeting the man who’s nearly gotten you killed,
twice, not to mention the hassle they’re going to have to
put up with if we’re together.”

“David, anyone who puts a halt to my

‘philandering ways,’ as my Mom calls it, would be
welcomed with opened arms regardless of the
circumstances. But they’ll love you for who you are,
just as I do.” When David didn’t look convinced, Scott
pulled David’s hand into his lap and rubbed his thumb
gently across the back. “I know my family. You will
never have to worry they’ll reject you or hurt you or not
want you. That’s not who they are. You’ll see that
when you meet them. Okay?”

David nodded slowly. “Okay. I just don’t want

you being disappointed.”

“I won’t be. You can never disappoint me. Unless

of course you forget something, like my birthday or our
anniversary, then I’m going to be seriously
disappointed, and boy, will you have to come up with
some monumental ways of making it up to me.”

“Monumental?”

Scott grinned. “Epic.”

Suddenly, David’s face lit up, and the sparkle

Scott was used to seeing in David’s eyes was back.
“Well, Officer Murphy. As I now know why you like
handcuffs instead of rope or leather, I’m sure I can
come up with something epic for all those very rare
times I disappoint you.”

“Handcuffs?” Scott couldn’t help it. His groin

tightened and his imagination went into overdrive. “Are
you sure?”

“Unless you have a different kind of kink you

like?”

Scott could think of quite a few things he’d like to

try with David, but handcuffs were a start. A really
good start.

Epilogue

“Are you sure this is the best way to go?” David

glanced around the interior of the small airplane with
caution. “You have remembered I have a tendency to
have bad things happening to me?”

“That’s not funny, and anyway, statistically, flying

is a lot safer than driving.”

“That’s for big planes, not little ones like these.”

David didn’t want to sound like a pessimist, because
normally he wasn’t one, but after everything that had
happened to him and Scott recently, he didn’t want to
take chances.

“You want to get off?” Scott looked worried, and

that was the last thing David wanted to make him feel.

“No, I’m fine. Just…” He shrugged, then offered a

watery smile. “I’m fine.”

Scott reached across the seat and closed his hand

over David’s. “I love you, and I wouldn’t put you in
danger. You know that. We’ll be home in a couple of

hours, which is better than a two-day drive.”

“I know, but if this plane crashes, I’m going to

blame you.”

Scott grinned good-naturedly. “You can put ‘ This

was Scott’s fault’ on your tombstone.”

“I will, don’t worry.” Relaxing slightly, David

looked out the miniature window beside him. The sky
had darkened somewhat since they’d left the hospital,
but David wasn’t sure if that meant a storm was on the
way or not. Australian weather wasn’t something he
was used to yet. He turned to glance at Scott and
impulsively leaned over to kiss him. The feel of Scott’s
lips on his relaxed him even further, but under the
circumstances, there was something he wanted to say.

“Thank you for loving me. I never thought I’d get

the opportunity to live my life any other way until I met
you.”

His confession obviously surprised Scott, even

though he didn’t say anything, but then he didn’t need
to; the warmth shining in his eyes told David that Scott
knew how he felt.

When the sound of the engines intensified, David

trained his attention back out the window. The runway
started to fall away beneath them, and as the plane
gathered speed, he felt Scott’s hand tighten on his.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m with you, of course I am.”

“Then in two hours you can show me how much.”

It didn’t take any imagination for David to understand
what Scott meant. He moved his leg a little. The stitches
were out, and the prognosis was good. The shark’s bite
hadn’t gone too deep. In fact, the steel bar in his leg
had probably saved him from losing it, but David wasn’t
sure how ready he was for the kind of sex he and Scott
enjoyed.

Whether what he was thinking was showing on his

face or not, Scott seemed to know. “By allowing me to
give you the longest, slowest, most stunning blowjob
you’ve ever had,” he whispered, his voice set so low
David knew no one else could have heard, but his face
bloomed with heat at just the thought of someone
knowing what Scott had just offered to do to him.

Scott chuckled and sat back. “Oh, by the way, I

got you these.” Pulling something out of his back
pocket, he handed them to David. “I thought you might
like to add them to your collection.”

David glanced at the pamphlets and colorful

brochures Scott had given him, and his face flamed
even hotter. “You got these for me?”

“I knew you’d missed an opportunity, so I took it

for you. I think the concierge at the hotel thought I was
nuts, but I got one of everything.”

Smiling, David hugged them to his chest. “Thank

you.”

Scott smiled back at him, and right then David felt

as if things just might work out. That was, until a couple
of hours later when they were about to land and the
captain suddenly called out to get into the crash
position. Panic ensued around them, but David just
looked at Scott, who looked resignedly back.

“Really?”

“Not taking the blame for this one. You’re the one

who wanted to travel by plane.”

“Get into the position,” Scott said, following his

own advice, bracing both hands on the seat in front and
resting his head on them. David did the same, but he
reached over and pulled one of Scott’s hands into his.

“Love you,” he said.

“Tell me that again when we’ve landed and can

walk away from here.”

David didn’t get a chance to reply. The earsplitting

whine of an engine filled the cabin seconds before
David was slammed against the seat in front of him,
knocking the air from his lungs. Tightening his hold on
Scott, David tried not to think about what the sickening
screech of metal grinding along concrete meant. The
drawn-out sound pulled on David’s nerves, though it
probably didn’t last any longer than it took him to drag
in a couple of breaths.

Stop, God, please stop.

But just as he began to feel the momentum drop

off, and he thought the worst was over, the plane
suddenly pitched sideways. David didn’t even have time
to register the stomach-churning roll before everything

became still and eerily quiet, except for the racing of his
heart and the sound of blood rushing in his ears.

For a second, David felt disoriented, not knowing

which way was up or down, then he spotted the little
window beside him. It was smashed, but instead of the
gray sky David had noted as they started their decent, it
revealed gouged and scarred dirt.

Twisting in his seat he saw Scott staring at him,

blood dripping from a gash above his eye.

“Scott, fuck, are you all right?”

“Yeah, but I think I hit my head.”

“You’re bleeding.”

Scott gingerly touched his brow. When his fingers

came away wet, he frowned, but then he glanced back
up at David. “You’re not fainting.”

“I don’t have time now.” Quickly undoing his belt,

David fought gravity to help Scott with his. “I need to
get you out of here.”

Scott’s light touch stopped David’s frantic

fumbling. “Are you all right?” Scott’s concern and the

way he held David’s face to look at him took some of
the chill from David’s limbs.

“Yes, I’m fine,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if

the slight tremor in his voice actually helped convince
Scott.

“Is everyone okay? Is anyone hurt?”

The pilot’s voice carried back into the cabin, but

David didn’t reply, concentrating entirely on Scott.
Wrapping an arm around him and holding him steady,
he got both of them standing, but with the angle of the
plane, their position was precarious at best.

“The emergency crews are on their way. Please,

everyone remain calm and stay where they are.”

“What happened?”

The question came from someone else, but it had

David wondering the same thing. It also had him
wondering why they weren’t immediately evacuating.
He peered behind the top of a seat, which was acting
more like a partition, and saw the pilot bracing himself
against the roof of the cabin. He looked pale, and he
was holding his left arm against his chest. From the way

he was cradling it, David guessed it was broken.

“The landing gear didn’t deploy. We had to come

down on the belly of the plane. We lost a wing, which is
why we’re on our side.”

“And why aren’t we trying to get out of here?”

queried the same person as before.

Before the pilot could answer, the sound of sirens

broke through the strained atmosphere. David heard
someone sob, and he hoped it was from relief, because
he had to admit, even if someone else was hurt, he
wouldn’t leave Scott’s side.

“You still okay?” he whispered into Scott’s ear,

feeling the fear that had flooded his veins the second the
pilot had told them to brace themselves begin to ease a
little.

Scott’s loose hold around his waist tightened. “I’m

fine, and I’m sorry. Maybe we should have traveled by
car after all.”

David grinned and looked into Scott’s crystal-blue

eyes. “Land, sea, and air. I think we’ve exhausted all
avenues now. There can’t be much else we can fall

victim to.”

The laughter in Scott’s eyes matched the smile on

his face. “Trust you to look on the bright side of this. At
least this time no one got hurt.”

“You’re still bleeding.”

“And you’re still not fainting.”

“I think I might later.”

“And if you do…?”

David leaned into Scott, the safety he always felt

in his arms increasing tenfold. “You have my permission
to keep on going.”

Loose Id Titles by Penny Brandon

Blind Passion

Bringing Him Home

Choices

Murphy’s Law

Penny Brandon

Penny’s been a lover of books since before she

could read and a maker of stories before she knew how
to talk properly, so it was only natural that she started
writing when she could hold a pen. From fairytales to
teenage romances to the hot, erotic stories she writes
now, she’s always held the same belief; to love what
she puts down on paper. Which means she doesn’t love
cooking, cleaning or weeding the garden. She does,
however, love to travel and has lived in England and
Ireland and now resides in Australia, where she intends
to stay and discover all that she can of this beautiful
country.

Penny would love to hear from you and can be

contacted at

[e-mail]

. She also

has a blog address where you can read her comments
and

story

ideas

in

progress

at

http://pennybrandon.blogspot.com

.

Table of Contents

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
Loose Id Titles by Penny Brandon
Penny Brandon