KC Kendricks Catching Fireflies (Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea sequel)

ATCHING

IREFLIES

…His hand on my knee snapped me back to the here and now. I

looked around to find everyone hovering over the steaks, sharing
grilling secrets and paying no attention to us.

I tried not to notice the warmth of Aubrey’s palm on my skin, but

failed miserably. At least if I got hard, I was sitting down and my T-
shirt was loose enough to hide it if I leaned forward. Or maybe crossed
my legs. Or sank beneath the glider…or the ground. Thankfully, the
thought of how embarrassed I’d be kept an erection at bay. Barely.

“You know, hon, I like to walk along the water after dinner. Why

don’t you join me?”

I must’ve had a stupid expression on my face. He tilted his head.

“No hanky-panky, of course, being that we just met.”

No one even glanced in our direction, so I leaned toward him.

“Um, sure. A walk would be nice. If I try to hold your hand, are you
going to stop me?”

“That’s all you can hold tonight, sugar. I don’t know anything

about you and I have to make sure you don’t bite before we get to
know each other better.” He looked down, then slowly lifted his
beautiful gaze back to mine. “And you’re hiding something.”

I shivered as the memories of the vicious blows I’d received at the

hands of strangers taunted me.

“I only nibble the occasional earlobe…and my secrets are my own,

Aubrey. There’s nothing in them to hurt anyone else.”

He studied me for a few moments, his fascinating blue gaze

enigmatic. “Fair enough, Dale.” He sighed. “I do have my own.
What?”

“I could stare into your eyes forever.”
Aubrey didn’t blink. “If I had a dollar for every time some tomcat

said that to me, I’d be rich…”

LSO

ENDRICKS

At The Southern Cross

Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea

A Cat Named Hercules

December Promise

Desert Snow

Doors Of Time

Double Deuce

Eye Of The Beholder

Give Me One Night

A Hard Habit To Break

Highway Nights

In The Limelight

Leather Jackets

Netting Neptune

Night Moves

No One But You

Open Roads

Poseidon’s Pleasure

Seducing Light

Shine A Light

Small Town Boys

The Sundown Series

Taming Triton

Tango In The Night

To Hear You Sigh

The Victory Series

What You Don’t Confess

Whispered Confessions

CATCHING FIREFLIES

KC KENDRICKS

MBER

UILL

RESS

LLC

http://www.AmberQuill.com

ATCHING

IREFLIES

MBER

UILL

RESS

OOK

This book is a work of fiction.

All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the

author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales,

or events is entirely coincidental.

Amber Quill Press, LLC

http://www.AmberQuill.com

No portion of this book may be transmitted or

reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in

writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief

excerpts used for the purposes of review.

ISBN 978-1-61124-392-5

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 1

My grandparents moved to Ocracoke Island in the late sixties

and put down roots, although not all their children embraced the
notion of seaside living. It was touch and go for my father—mostly
go because they sent him to stay with his grandparents during the
school year. Because being away from home nine months out of
the year worked for him, my parents thought it would work for me.
It didn’t.

To judge by the stories told about me over the Thanksgiving

table, I was a problem child—wild, reckless, disobedient and
insubordinate. Did I mention my grandfather was retired military?
That’s where the insubordinate figured in. But if my family
frustrated me, and I them, Ocracoke Island made up for it. My
senior year of college I was able to travel and see quite a bit of the
world, and nothing—nothing—came close to the beauty of the
island in summer.

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Unfortunately, time marched on while I was away at school

and college. My grandparents died and my father suffered a
debilitating illness. I graduated from Wake Forest University and
went to spend the summer with my mother in her new home in
Spartanburg.

It wasn’t the same. My home, my refuge if you will, was gone.
I’d taken a job that allowed me to drift. I became a rolling stone

going from place to place, connected to all by the advances of
technology. I became a stranger to my people, and trips to my
mother’s home were few and far between, at least until that one
fateful night.

Some people are blessed with the ability to go through life and

never experience that one single moment that forever changes who
they are. I was not one of them. I’d been minding my own
business—something I was good at—that fine spring day. I eased
my car to a stop at a traffic signal and the world became a shower
of glass and blood raining over me without end.

I learned later from the police that two men, each armed with a

baseball bat, broke out the driver’s window and windshield of my
car. They dragged me from the safety of my automobile, beat me,
then robbed me of everything they could carry away, including the
ability to feel safe anywhere. The sad thing is, had they simply
asked me for the money, I would have given them every dime I
had on me at the time.

It was cowardly of me going forward, but there was a part of

me that was relieved they’d not been apprehended—I didn’t want
to face them in court. I preferred the specters that haunted my sleep
to remain faceless.

I took a leave of absence from my job and spent an

uncomfortable summer under my mother’s roof. Once beautiful
autumn made her approach known, I knew it was time to move on.

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It was then Fate declared her intentions and I knew she wasn’t
done with me yet. I’d lingered too long and my job was gone.
That’s when I knew I had to return to the island, to the one place
where I’d always felt safe.

My cousin Sam had purchased our grandparents house, so I

called him and asked if I could visit for a weekend. Sam jumped on
the opening and begged me to come and stay with him until spring.
He even offered to come pick me up. It seemed there had been talk
through the family and he knew I’d not been able to force myself
to operate a motor vehicle since the robbery. I accepted his offer
because I needed a ride, and it would give us several hours to catch
up with each other while enjoying the trip.

We chattered like magpies until he made the last turn and the

familiar lane came into view. I gawked.

“Holy crap. What happened to the old Bennett place?”
Sam chuckled. “Some rich dude from Charlotte bought it and

fixed it up. Nice, huh?”

Nice didn’t begin to cover it. My mouth dropped open. “And

the Hendershot place? I guess some equally rich ‘dude’ snapped up
that one?”

“You know it. But you’ll like the new neighbors. They’re all

gay, too.”

It was the first time he’d mention the word. “So, you know

about me?”

“C’mon, Dale. All us cousins knew if you weren’t gay, you

were missing a good chance at it.”

“Gee, thanks. I think.” I turned in my seat for a better look at

the rear of the old Hendershot house. As kids we used to run
through the backyard, catching the June fireflies on our way to a
shallow high tide inlet that was safe enough for a group to wade in
after dark. I supposed I wouldn’t take that path again. Sam grinned

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as if he’d read my mind.

“Brett and Mark are really nice. They won’t care if you take a

walk down memory lane before the nights get too cold. After
you’re settled, we’ll go visit and I’ll introduce you.”

The car glided past the row of shrubby pines and Sam’s

house—my grandparent’s house—came into view. My chin
dropped for a third time.

Where once weathered wood siding encased the two-story

dwelling shrouding the inside in storm-protected gloom, new
windows flanked by brightly painted storm shutters now gleamed
in the afternoon sunlight. Wide porches stretched along the front,
upstairs and down, and wrapped around the corners to disappear
from sight. As Sam pulled into the driveway, I glimpsed the
addition to the back of the house.

“Wow, Sam. I’ve been away too long.”
“Yeah, buddy, you have.” He eased the shifter into park and

killed the engine. “Dale, I’m really glad you agreed to come stay
with me for awhile. I hate the way we all drifted apart.”

I smiled at him. We were the same age and we’d been thick as

thieves as boys, enjoying the island every summer.

“I can’t tell you what it means to me, too, Sam. I gotta get my

head straightened out and get on with my life.” I gazed out the side
window and hoped my voice didn’t crack. “I never dreamed it
would be so hard.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “You’ve never been on the island

for the winter. I hope you’ll stay until spring—or longer. I’m
looking forward to having company.”

I took a deep breath and opened the car door. “We’re getting

maudlin and that’s never a good thing on an empty stomach.”

Sam laughed and hit the button to pop the trunk latch. I stepped

to the rear of the car to retrieve my suitcase and froze, mid-stride,

CATCHING FIREFLIES

when I spied him. This was my day for surprises.

Strolling down the lane was the most gorgeous guy I’d ever

seen, bar none. Tall and slender, he moved with a controlled grace
that spoke of wiry strength. His collar-length brown hair shone
brightly in the sun as the ocean breeze teased it. He wore a
skintight white tank top, decrepit cut-off blue jeans, equally snug
below the zipper, and he was barefoot. Dark, reflective sunglasses
hid his eyes. He was simply…

Sam nudged me. “You’re staring at him.”
“I’d have to be dead not to,” I murmured to the universe in

general. I gave Mr. Sexy a little wave. I bet he could make a dead
man’s balls tingle. He certainly had that effect on mine.

He smiled in return as he sauntered past the end of the

driveway and walked on. Christ, what a perfect ass. Sam tapped
my chin.

“No drooling. You think he’s, you know, gay?”
Slowly, I turned my head to look at my cousin and raised an

eyebrow. “No, I don’t think. I know. Is he one of the neighbors?”

“He’s a guest, here for the commitment ceremony.”
I whimpered as the guy disappeared from view. What was Sam

talking about now? Had I missed him telling me something?

“What commitment ceremony? The couple next door taking the

plunge?”

I slung my briefcase over my shoulder and scurried after Sam

as he took the suitcase from me and started to walk toward the
house. He motioned for me to move in front of him.

“The couple in the Bennett house—Chad and Darcy. Actually,

we’re invited. They were very clear on the fact you should be my
‘plus one’ for the party.”

I held the screen door open so he could unlock the house. “Is

there something you need to tell me, Sammy? You know, like what

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team you bat for.”

He snorted as he stepped inside. “It’s not yours, hot stuff.

Which side of the house do you want to sleep on?”

Good question. Did I want morning sun or afternoon heat?

“East. It’ll help me wake up early.”

I followed him up the steps and into the first bedroom on left.

“Holy shit. You knocked out a wall.”

“When I remodel, I do it right.” He tossed my suitcase on the

bed. “Sorry you have to use the hall bath, but at least you won’t
have to share it with me.” Sam squeezed my shoulder. “Relax and
settle in. I’ll be on the deck with a drink in my hand when you’re
ready to come down.”

I nodded as I walked to the window. This room used to be little

more than a closet. Now it had a queen-sized bed, several pieces of
furniture, and a flat screen television on the wall. Sure wish I could
win the lottery, too, but what were the chances I could follow in
my cousin’s footsteps? I figured the odds at zero to none. At least I
knew I wasn’t creating a hardship on him by being his guest for the
winter.

The view out the window had changed, too. The trees were

taller, and I could no longer see the ocean. It was okay. I’d have
Sam introduce me to the neighbors this evening and make sure I
could cut across the corner of their yard. If not, I’d walk around.
No big deal.

A gay couple having a commitment ceremony was, though. I

wondered why they didn’t go to a state where gay marriage was
legal and tie the knot—so many gays did these days. Maybe they
avoided anything too political like the plague. I wouldn’t think less
of them if they did.

A movement next door caught my eye. The neighbors were

gathering on the terrace, and lo and behold, Mr. Sexy was in the

CATCHING FIREFLIES

group. A tall-ish fellow waved and called out, his voice muted by
distance. Sam answered from below my observation point,
accepting what must have been an invitation to join them.

Had it not been for spying Mr. Sexy, I would have begged off

when Sam yelled up the stairs to me. As it was, I ducked into the
bathroom with my travel case, brushed my teeth and combed my
hair, then scurried along behind my cousin, eager to make new
friends.

So much for self-respect, but I’d not felt that spark of

immediate interest in a guy since before…

I paused, swept by the familiar wave of nausea that hit me

every time I allowed myself to get too close to memories
surrounding the beating I’d received. I pushed down the nasty bile
that rose in the back of my throat.

I’d come to the island to get over reacting like this, but how

long would it take? I dreaded the answer for fear nothing would—
could—help me move past it. I didn’t want the pain to be there,
lurking, for the rest of my life, and yet I shied away from grappling
with it. What if it won?

Sam held the back door open, waving me through. I took a

quick glance at the new kitchen.

“Did you have a designer do this kitchen or did you do it?”
He flipped his thumb at the open door. “Neither. Chad did it.

Now, c’mon. Brett has the best booze on the island.”

Whoever this Chad fellow was, he was good. Yes, the room

had all the prerequisite granite, tile and stainless steel of current
fashion, but his use of warm, dark wood softened the look and
gave the room a spacious yet intimate feel. I’m sure it hadn’t come
cheap.

“Sam, are there a lot of gays on the island these days?”
“Probably, but I only know about the neighbors for sure. Are

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you…I mean, do you plan to go looking?”

“We call it cruising, and no I don’t have plans beyond sipping

some of the good liquor you teased me about.”

He touched my arm to halt my forward progress. “Listen, Dale.

I don’t care about sleepovers—I have the occasional one myself—
but just be safe. Okay?”

On impulse, I hugged him. “I’m always safe, cuz. But that goes

for you, too.”

“I know, and I am.” He hugged me back, then released me.

“I’m parched. Let’s move it.”

I followed as he walked across the yard and slipped through a

row of pines on a well-trodden path. Sam must make frequent
visits to the neighbors’ terrace.

A group of seven men of all ages was gathered, chatting and

laughing as we approached. Even the two older guys, probably
well into their sixties, were attractive in a distinguished sort of
way. I felt like the ugly duckling in the swan’s brood. I climbed the
steps and a vibrant blue gaze locked onto mine. Full lips bowed
into an inviting smile as he patted the cushion next to him.

“You should come sit beside me, sugar.”
I grinned at him.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 2

Before I could make a move in his direction, one of those

assembled threw his hands up. “Oh, good God, Aubrey, can we at
least do introductions first?”

Aubrey smiled at me. “But what if he gets away?”
I crossed the porch and into his sparkling aura as I sat beside

him on the glider. Up close, I noted the beginnings of five-o’clock
shadow on his chin, but it was his eyes that drew me. Clear blue,
with an almost geometric pattern of sapphire flecks and a ring of
onyx around the iris, they were mesmerizing.

“I’m not going to run—yet.” I looked around and introduced

myself. “I’m Dale.”

The group laughed. Aubrey pointed at the guy who’d spoken.

“Let me go clockwise around the patio. That’s Chad, Darcy, Brett
and Mark, our hosts. I’m Aubrey and you’re Dale.” He looked at
my cousin. “You’re the only straight guy here, so you have to be

CATCHING FIREFLIES

Sam, Uncle Andrew and Uncle George.”

We all gave him a little round of applause. His accent was

more northern than magnolia. I guessed he hailed from the mid-
Atlantic region or maybe even the Midwest. Mark moved to stand
behind the bar.

“What can I get you guys to drink?”
Sam spoke up and asked for a beer. I looked at the pale green

drink Aubrey held. His hands were well-shaped, strong-looking
with large veins to indicate that, in his case, appearances might be
exactly what they seemed.

“I’ll have a mojito, too, but go light on the rum, please.”
“Coming right up. Sam said you haven’t been on Ocracoke for

quite a while, Dale.”

I wondered how much Sam had told them. If he’d given them

the whole story, it would spare me reliving it.

“My last job took me all over the world. When I came home to

visit, it was to my mother’s place in Spartanburg. I’ve missed the
island, and Sam’s offer to come and spend the winter with him was
perfect timing.”

“What do you do, or is that being too nosey?” Aubrey shifted

slightly in his seat to look at me. A shaft of sunlight struck his hair
and gave him a halo. I’d put money down it was the only time he
wore one.

It was also a safe bet everyone was curious, human nature

being what it is. “I was a special assignment journalist. My boss
gave me a loose itinerary, and I went from place to place writing
articles about what was happening there when I arrived.”

Aubrey’s expressive upswept eyebrows drifted toward his

hairline, then dropped to almost come together. “You mean like
war zones?”

Lord, he was the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen. I hoped he

CATCHING FIREFLIES

was as interesting as he seemed to be at first blush.

“No, no. I’d go to the Olympics and look for human-interest

stories among the fans. Or I’d arrive, oh, say in Sidney when some
festival was in full swing and write about that. The magazine was
about traveling and tourism, so I traveled.”

Aubrey smiled and imperceptibly relaxed. “It sounds like a

great gig, hon. Are you on sabbatical or something?”

I took a deep breath and let it out as I looked at Sam. “You

know, that’s a good way of looking at it. I’m taking a much-needed
break.”

Sam nodded and lifted his bottle to me. I sensed Aubrey’s gaze

on me, but to his credit, he didn’t say anything else. Mark handed
me my mojito and proposed a toast to the group.

“To Darcy and Chad. May you guys always be happy.”
Glasses and bottles clinked around the circle and everyone

sipped his drink. Darcy lifted his glass. “Thank you. And to you
and Brett, happy upcoming fourth anniversary.”

I clapped politely and touched my glass to Aubrey’s again. I

sensed beneath his flirty manner, his interest in me was genuine,
and I had some of my own about him, but I didn’t want it to show.
I was a guest here and I planned to act accordingly—at least while
in public.

Brett stepped behind the bar and draped an arm over Mark’s

shoulders. They conferred briefly in quiet tones, then Brett asked
each of us how we liked our steaks grilled, as Mark disappeared
into the house. Sam looked at me.

“Dale, are you okay with staying a while? Not too tired from

the drive?”

“I’m fine, really. You were the one behind the wheel.” I looked

at Aubrey and shook my head. “He refused to let me drive his
fancy car.”

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Aubrey rolled his eyes. “Well, that’s just wrong, hon. I’ll let

you drive mine.”

Chad snorted. “You don’t have a car here. You’re hopping in

my pickup and taking off with it just about every time I need it.”

“One time, Chad. Just one time. I needed sunscreen and I was

gone for ten minutes, max!”

Darcy pressed his glass to his forehead. “Here we go again.”
The group erupted into friendly laughter. It was obvious these

guys liked each other and their banter was all in fun. My mind had
jumped to the endless possibilities Aubrey having access to a
vehicle might provide if we ended up hanging out together.

I itched to get him alone so we could have a real conversation

and did some quick math. The steaks were going on the grill—
twenty minutes or so for them to be done. Then another hour or so
for the meal and after-dinner drinks. Surely within the next hour
and a half I could come find a way to move him a few steps away
from the group so we could chat. The opportunity came sooner
than expected.

His hand on my knee snapped me back to the here and now. I

looked around to find everyone hovering over the steaks, sharing
grilling secrets and paying no attention to us.

I tried not to notice the warmth of Aubrey’s palm on my skin,

but failed miserably. At least if I got hard, I was sitting down and
my T-shirt was loose enough to hide it if I leaned forward. Or
maybe crossed my legs. Or sank beneath the glider…or the ground.
Thankfully, the thought of how embarrassed I’d be kept an
erection at bay. Barely.

“You know, hon, I like to walk along the water after dinner.

Why don’t you join me?”

I must’ve had a stupid expression on my face. He tilted his

head. “No hanky-panky, of course, being that we just met.”

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No one even glanced in our direction, so I leaned toward him.

“Um, sure. A walk would be nice. If I try to hold your hand, are
you going to stop me?”

“That’s all you can hold tonight, sugar. I don’t know anything

about you and I have to make sure you don’t bite before we get to
know each other better.” He looked down, then slowly lifted his
beautiful gaze back to mine. “And you’re hiding something.”

I shivered as the memories of the vicious blows I’d received at

the hands of strangers taunted me.

“I only nibble the occasional earlobe…and my secrets are my

own, Aubrey. There’s nothing in them to hurt anyone else.”

He studied me for a few moments, his fascinating blue gaze

enigmatic. “Fair enough, Dale.” He sighed. “I do have my own.
What?”

“I could stare into your eyes forever.”
Aubrey didn’t blink. “If I had a dollar for every time some

tomcat said that to me, I’d be rich. Okay, get over the eyes. I know
they’re a little different, but blame my parents.”

“How about I thank your parents instead? You sure got an

unusual mix of genetics, didn’t you?”

“To say the least.” He downed the last of his drink and swirled

the ice in the glass, then he looked expectantly at me. That was my
cue to get him another mojito. I set my tumbler down and glared at
him.

“That glass had better have the same amount in it when I get

back.”

Aubrey swiped his index finger over his heart, specifically his

left nipple, up and down then side-to-side. The man was all tease,
and I liked it. I wasn’t ready for anyone serious.

I carried his glass over to Mark and requested another. I

watched as he made Aubrey another drink—virgin. I looked at

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him, questioningly.

“Apparently, Aubrey doesn’t touch anything with alcohol in it.

I’ve no clue why. The man’s a mystery to everyone except Chad.”

I thanked him for making the drink as he handed it to me. “A

little mystery isn’t a bad thing, is it?”

“No, Dale, it’s not. But don’t expect too much. He’s only here

for the commitment ceremony.”

“Thanks. That’s good to know.” I turned and reclaimed my

spot beside Aubrey, handing him his drink as I sat. Brett was
delivering the first steaks to those who liked to hear it go “moo”
when they stuck a fork into it. Aubrey had echoed my preference
for medium-well to well when Brett had asked. I touched my glass
to his again.

“Ah, I’ve learned something else about you. Now I’ve got a

very important question for you. Sauce or no sauce?”

“Hon, I’ve been thinking of nothing but sauce since I saw you

standing in the driveway.”

I grinned at him, appreciating his wicked sense of humor. “You

are so bad. I was talking about steak sauce.”

“If you see me put anything on a steak, you’ll know it was

ruined before it got to me, and I’m pretty sure Brett isn’t going to
do that.”

“I have a feeling you’re right about that.” I sipped my drink,

wondering if I should pry into why he didn’t imbibe. He beat me to
it.

“You’re wondering why I don’t drink.”
It was a statement, not a question, and I gave him a nod. “So

you’re psychic, too?”

“No, but everyone wonders why a man of my comparative

youth isn’t out getting inebriated every night of the week, a
behavior best described as gauche.”

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“That’s not a word I hear often. Hmm…Brett just motioned for

us to get our plates.”

Aubrey batted his eyelashes and smiled at me. I shook my

head.

“Nope. You have to go fix your own plate.” I stood and held

my hand out to pull him up. He sighed and wrapped his fingers
around mine. I was right—his hands were strong.

We fixed our plates with a veritable feast. Steak, grilled

mushrooms and peppers, fresh diced tomatoes in light vinaigrette,
a cold couscous salad, macaroni salad and fresh fruit. I gathered
from the conversation that meals at Brett and Mark’s place were
somewhat potluck. On the spur of the moment, the hosts simply
looked in the larder and presented what appealed to them, along
with whatever leftovers they had in the refrigerator, but it sure
worked. I grabbed the last steak knife and squeezed in at the table
beside Sam.

Drat that flirty Aubrey for parking his very fine little butt

between the two old guys. I’m sure he did it because they fawned
over him—and he was just as bad over them. It was honest and
genuine, and fun to watch even with so many questions hammering
inside my head.

Would he really take a walk with me this evening? The sun was

well on its way toward the far horizon, and I loved being along the
shore at dusk… Crap.

How the hell had this happened? When I crawled out of bed

this morning, all I had on my mind was a long, peaceful, albeit
cold, winter on the island. I was going to rest, relax, rejuvenate—
and not get all hot and bothered over any guy that crossed my path.
But here I sat doing just what I didn’t want to do.

Funny how life constantly gives a person what they think they

don’t want.

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Aubrey smiled at me.
Shit. I’d taken his bait and if I wasn’t careful, he’d set the hook.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 3

The food was delicious, and I over-indulged until I felt stuffed.

Aubrey and I reclaimed our spots on the glider, while the others
dragged chairs and loungers into a semi-circle in the last spot of
sunshine hitting the deck. I leaned back on the glider and rubbed
my too-full belly. Aubrey downed the last of his drink, winked at
me, then patted his flat mid-section.

“My steak was excellent, Brett. I’m going to freshen up, then

Dale and I are going for a stroll.” He rose with languid grace and
disappeared inside. I should have followed him, but I figured I
could find the powder room on my own when he returned.

I groaned as I got to my feet. Sam grinned at me, but Chad

scowled until Darcy nudged him. I felt compelled to explain
myself.

“We’re going for a walk to work off some of that delicious

dinner. I’m not going do anything to him.”

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Chad’s mouth thinned. “See that you don’t. He doesn’t need

any crap heaped on him from someone looking for a trick.”

The conversation around us died as new tension filled the air. I

sensed Aubrey at my side a second before he laced his fingers
through mine.

“I appreciate your concern, Chad, but I’m fine. Dale’s a

gentleman.” I glanced at Sam as Aubrey pulled me away. He
motioned at his house, and I understood it to mean he’d be home
when we returned from the beach. I tugged on Aubrey’s hand.

“If this is a problem…”
“Shut up, sugar. Excuse my language, but Chad is being an

overprotective dick.”

Voicing my agreement about a man I barely knew didn’t seem

like the correct thing to do, so I kept my mouth shut until we’d
reached the grassy lane leading to the water’s edge.

“I meant what I said, Aubrey. I fully intend to behave myself.”
“You know what they say about the road to hell, don’t you?”
“Yep. It’s paved with good intentions.” I released his hand and

slipped my arm around his waist. “I think it’s nice to simply enjoy
your company. What’s your story, anyway?”

He didn’t answer for the space of a dozen steps. “It’s not a

pretty one, hon. I’ve not been a good boy in my short, pampered
life.”

I hoped he didn’t think that shocked me. “So, you were some

rich man’s plaything?”

“No. That was Chad, at least until he came down here and met

Darcy. I did much worse.”

I winced inside and shied away from asking the question—had

he worked the streets as a prostitute? We walked on in silence until
we reached the waterline. Aubrey kicked off his worn sandals and
stepped into the leading edge of the incoming surf. He turned and,

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with a smile, invited me to follow suit. I toed off my sneakers and
waded in up to my knees.

The still-warm water of the Atlantic Ocean swirled over my

skin, grainy with sand. The scent of salt was stronger here, and I
closed my eyes against the sudden flood of tears born of boyhood
memories. Life had been so simple then, and I’d stupidly railed
against it. Strong arms encircled my waist.

“You wanna talk about it, hon?”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, sucked in a breath,

and did my best to man-up. “Not all of it. Coming back to the
island has made me realize what a stupid snot of boy I was.”

Aubrey hugged me. “We were all young once. I doubt you

have an exclusive on the stupidity market. Dale, I know you had a
bad…experience. Sam’s worried about you. He…talked to us.”

My eyes burned all over again. Aubrey’s interest in me was

pity-driven. Damn Sam! He should’ve kept his mouth shut. Well, it
was done and there was no taking the words back. It didn’t hurt—
not really—to have the guys all know I had some dark corners that
troubled me from time-to-time.

“We should go back, Aubrey. I’m a little tired after getting up

early and the drive and everything.”

He stepped back and studied me with those too-knowing eyes.

“Don’t run from it, Dale. It’s the worst thing you can do.”

“What the fuck do you know about it?”
I’d snapped at him, suddenly angry some stranger had dared to

put voice to the truth. He reminded remind me what I wanted
most—to forget it ever happened…something I’d never be able to
do. Instead of walking away from me, he held out his hand.

“Take it, or not. It’s up to you. But if you don’t, you’ll always

wonder about the guy you met one beautiful fall day on Ocracoke
Island.”

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I could always walk away from him and refuse to look back,

but I was afraid. Aubrey didn’t know me and yet he had attempted
to make me face my demons. Why would he do that? Had Sam
asked him to butt in?

My cousin, living his charmed life, couldn’t understand what it

felt like to have something as central to existence as a sense of
security ripped away. A wave of total exhaustion swept through
me. I plopped down in the grassy sand and rested my forehead
against my knees.

Why had they singled out me for their attack? What had I

done? I’d loved my job and I’d lost it because of them. And the
police couldn’t even find them! I’d never have justice, and because
of that, I’d never be able to let go of it. I’d never understand two
small words—Why me?

And now I’d just blown it with… Aubrey sank to the ground

beside me and draped his arm over my shoulders.

“It’s okay. You’re not alone with all this, so you just let it out.”
I leaned into him. “I don’t want to start to blubber all over you,

Aubrey.”

“Of course you don’t, sugar. What you want is my very nice

ass. But there are a few things we gotta get past first.”

“Please, don’t make me think about your ass. I noticed it, you

know.”

“I know you did.” He pushed against me, nudging me to make

me look at him. “You don’t stand a chance against my charms,
sugar. No one does.”

I wasn’t the sort of guy who got weepy. At least I hadn’t been

until I’d been beaten. I was the macho, he-man type. Strong and
silent and all that crap. And to have a guy I was interested in know
I wanted to break down and howl with the frustration, angry and
unfairness of it all? Just shoot me now.

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“What is it about you that makes me want to spill my guts to

you, let it all hang out, so you can make it all better?”

Aubrey sighed and turned around to sit facing me, hugging his

knees. “I have that effect on the manliest of men. It’s my cross to
bear.”

I either choked or laughed. It was difficult to tell which, but

when I finished coughing, he smiled at me.

“It’s getting dark.”
I took his hand. “Do you think we can finish our walk?”
His eyes glittered in the fading light. “Or we can sit here and

you can tell me about the bashing.”

I shook my head. “You can’t call it a ‘bashing,’ Aubrey. It

wasn’t a hate crime against me because I’m gay. Those men would
have attacked whomever was unlucky enough to stop at the red
light.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Believe me when I say I

understand the difference. So you really didn’t know them? You
must be uncomfortable around complete strangers.”

“All the questions!” I patted his knee. “I didn’t know them. It

was random. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The cops
never caught them, so I’ll never know why they picked me. And
yeah, I start to shake sometimes around strangers. It’s not pretty.”

“But you’re here with me now.”
I chuckled softly, buoyed by his gentle spirit. “As you’ve

observed, no man can resist your charms.”

He took my hand, his fingers warm around mine. We didn’t

speak…we had no need to. I was more at ease with him than I’d
been with anyone for a long time, and that led my thoughts along
paths that, by his own words, Aubrey wasn’t going to visit tonight.

Maybe his magic extended to reading minds. Aubrey inched

closer to reach out and grasp the back of my neck. He pulled my

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mouth to his in the sweetest kiss I’d ever received.

His soft lips moved over mine without intent to incite passion.

Nonetheless, my cock swelled, in a hurry to embarrass me. Arousal
snapped through me and I opened my lips, inviting him in. Aubrey
pulled away to look at me, his eyes black as the sky above us. He
shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Dale.”
I fought down my anger and disappointment, careful to keep

my voice neutral. “Are you going to tell me you only make love
with someone you have strong feelings for?”

He touched my face with gentle fingertips. “No, I can’t say

those words, not to you. But I need to know you’re making love to
me and not trying to exorcise your demons at my expense.”

I opened my thighs and patted the spot between them. “C’mere

and let me hold you for a bit.”

Without comment, he turned and nestled his back in against my

chest. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his neck. “How’d
you get so fucking smart?”

“Experience, hon. Bitter experience.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I remained silent. I could

have asked, but he’d not said one thing to lead me to believe he’d
be receptive to questions. Aubrey wiggled his butt against my
erection and laughed softly.

“I really am sorry, hon, because I like the feel of that.”
“You little tease. You just wait until my head’s screwed on

better and I’ll let you get up close and personal with it.”

He stiffened. “Hon, I’m only going to be here a week or two.

The commitment ceremony is tomorrow, then Chad and Darcy are
going on a vacation to St. Lucia, while I get to use their house for
some time on my own. Although, if they decide to travel to
London, I’ll be here longer.”

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Maybe he was right and I should keep my dick in my pants.

Spending time with him would be great, while falling for him, only
to have him leave, would suck in a non-good way. I didn’t need an
emotional roller coaster ride in my life right now.

“Just where are you from?”
“Boston, and before that, York, Pennsylvania. Chad and I were

friends in Boston. We moved in the same circles.”

The breeze kicked up a notch, bringing a hint of ozone along

with the scent of the sea. I scanned the sky for any sign of
lightning.

“Were you and he…”
“It’s complicated. He was the companion of a man there. I kept

company with the man before, and after, Chad.”

He didn’t say it—and I wasn’t about to ask—how much money

was involved. It was none of my business. But I was curious about
a few other things.

“So this fellow doesn’t care if you take a vacation away from

him?”

“He would if I were still living under his roof, but I’m not. I

think Chad was surprised when I showed up with Andrew and
George, and not with our mutual ex.”

“You’re crashing the ceremony?”
He twisted to look over his shoulder at me. “Would a decent

southern man do that?”

I snorted. “By your own admission, you’re a Yankee.”
“I’m trying to live down the legacy.”
Our laughter died quickly as he shifted his position enough to

wrap his arms around my neck. He rested his head on my shoulder.

“Chad, being the nice guy he is, was willing to put up with

Sidney to get me here. He warned me about Sid, how much he’d
changed over the years, but I didn’t listen and got involved with

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him again. Big mistake. So I came to the island to get some
breathing room. I don’t think I’m going back to Boston.” He pulled
back and cocked his head to the side to search my face.

“But we’re both guests here, and I’m not sure it’s not the best

thing for either of us to get too friendly.”

Even as he said the words, I heard the hope in his voice I’d

disagree. Maybe we were just what the other needed right now. We
could give each other a chance to take a few steps back to those
parts of ourselves we needed to recapture. It would be a way to
begin to trust again.

I cupped his chin and kissed him. Aubrey moaned softly into

my mouth, then his silky tongue licked into mine. Arousal shrieked
along my nerve endings and my waning erection reasserted itself in
a wonderful, throbbing rush. My pure intentions fled and I toppled
us over, pinning him beneath me. His legs rose and his thighs
gripped my hips. Every cell in my body needed to get inside him,
to feel his flesh open to mine.

Two seconds later, I was on my back staring up at him. The

breeze blew his hair across his face as he cocked his eyebrow at
me.

“Now, hon, you shouldn’t get ahead of yourself like that.”

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 4

“That’s some move you just put on me, Aubrey.” He had to be

a lot stronger than he looked to flip me over like an omelet in a
skillet.

“You know what they say—never judge a book by its cover.”
I reached for him, and he came down into my arms to nestle in

at my side. I got his message, loud and clear. He intended to lead
and if I wanted him, I had to accept his pace. Aubrey wasn’t going
to lose his head and do something he wasn’t ready for. I actually
admired his determination, even though I feared my balls might
turn blue.

“You’re making me crazy. I’m so horny my eyes are crossed.”
He made a dismissive noise. “You’ll survive until you can lock

your bedroom door and do what you need to do. So will I.”

I rolled to face him. “You mean wank off by myself? I have a

better idea. We should go to my room and lock the door and take

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care of each other. Hand job only. It’ll be good for both of us.”

Aubrey sighed. “I’m so going to regret jumping on you this

fast. Okay. Let’s go.”

“W-what?” My pulse pounded in my ears. Had I misheard

him? “Are you serious?”

His lips brushed mine. “Well, you don’t have a beach blanket,

you didn’t build a little campfire, and there’s not a sky full of stars,
so yes. I’m serious. The great outdoors simply won’t work
tonight.”

Sudden doubts swept me. I’d not for a moment thought he’d

agree. Could a man really kick his own ass? “Now I have to step
back and wonder if it’s a good idea.”

His hand rubbed my thigh, trailing heat. “It’s not, but I’m

getting chilly. So the only thing I need to know is whose house do
we sneak into for our assignation?”

“Sam’s. He’s not going to blink an eye.”
Aubrey rolled away from me and onto his feet in an easy, fluid

motion and held his hand out. “C’mon, lazybones. Don’t just lie
there.”

I took his hand and let him give me an assist as I got to my feet.

He slipped his arm around my waist and guided me toward the
hard sand left by the receding tide. I draped my arm across his
shoulders and matched my strides to his. I quickly discerned his
path and approved. We’d circle around and bypass the guys on the
patio, if they were even still outside. From the laughter I could
hear, it seemed some of them were. I squeezed him.

“When’s the last time you went sneaking in and out of a

place?”

“Oh, hon, it’s been a long time. I’m usually pretty brazen, but

not in a bad way, you understand. I am a gentleman.”

“Not a lady?”

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He snorted as his hand dipped into my back pocket to squeeze

my left buttock. “I put on a dress every once in a while for charity,
but while my flame is a little bright, camp isn’t really my thing.”

“I get it, you know. It’s a way to keep people from seeing too

much of the real you too quickly.”

“Smart guys are an incredible turn-on.” He pointed. “If we

don’t cut through there, we’ll have to go all the way around the last
house to the lane, and the last yard is occupied by a big—and I
mean mother-fucking big—dog.”

I grinned at his language, pleased he’d relaxed that much. I

rather liked the idea of him letting his hair down with me,
especially in about twenty minutes or so. “Let’s cut through here.”

Aubrey edged away from me, and I missed his body heat as we

made our way single-file along the narrow path. We reached the
street two houses down from my cousin’s home, but close enough
to see he’d turned on the outside lights.

“Are you sure Sam won’t mind?”
“From his own lips, I have permission for sleepovers provided

I play safe, and I always do.”

“So do I. I’m clear on everything. You?”
“I’m good to go and I plan to keep it that way.” We’d reached

the house and a split second of panic zinged me. I didn’t have a
house key and I’d forgotten to ask Sam if he had one stashed under
a flowerpot or something outside.

Aubrey rubbed my back. “Second thoughts?”
“Nope.” I turned the knob and, thankfully, the door opened to

the quiet kitchen. I felt for the light switch, found it, and flipped it.
“Let there be light.”

He closed the door behind us. “Your cousin has nice digs.”
“Sam said Chad did the kitchen re-model.” I pointed at the

refrigerator. “How about we take something cold to drink upstairs

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with us?”

Aubrey nodded, so I snagged two bottles of water, then led him

up the stairs, my heart pounding with anticipation.

It had been almost a year since I’d been with anyone. It didn’t

matter Aubrey and I agreed to keep the night to simple pleasures; I
ached to kiss him again. I wanted to feel his skin, to have his warm
hands to touch me. To hold and caress another was a need as basic
as breathing. I pulled him to me as we stepped into my bedroom.

“I’m so horny I might just embarrass myself.”
He cupped my cheeks with his palms. “I promise not to laugh.”
For some reason, I doubted it. Maybe it was the minx sparkling

in his gaze and not the moonlight, or perhaps it was the grin on his
face. Somehow, I managed to unsnap his jeans without dropping to
my knees to worship the sizable bulge beneath his zipper. When I
motioned to the bed, Aubrey took a step back and skimmed out of
his T-shirt.

The pale light coming through the window turned him into a

graceful creature of living silver. The moon warred with the night
to cast shadows, hiding his cock from me as he let his jeans fall to
the floor.

My disrobing lacked elegance…I peeled out of my clothes and

let them fall where they dropped before I kicked them aside.

Aubrey was beautiful. His chin lifted as he met my gaze and

turned. I started as the moonlight caught the long, jagged scar that
traced a path from beneath his left armpit to his hip. I prayed my
shock didn’t show, but the look on his face said it did. He didn’t
move.

“I know a little of what you’re going through, Dale. You’re

lucky, you know. To the men who robbed and beat you, you were
just a payday. What happened to me was a hate crime. They
attacked me for the singular reason they knew I was gay.”

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“Jesus, Aubrey, I’m so sorry.” I went to my knees and kissed

the scar before I traced it with shaking fingertips. How could
anyone want to hurt another human being simply because of who,
or how, they loved? The dark musk of his maleness swirled around
me. His cock was full and heavy, cut, a good seven inches, and
larger than I expected given his slender frame. He stroked the back
of my head.

“I lost a kidney, but I’m alive and that’s all the matters. You

know, while you’re down there…”

My mouth watered to taste him, but I looked up instead.

“Where’s the tease, the titillation if I give in to temptation and suck
you our first night together?”

His chest rose and fell. “To hell with all that. I’m ready to beg

you.”

I rolled to my feet and grasped his hips, guiding him toward the

bed. His knees collided with the mattress and he reached behind
himself to pull the quilt down. With a lithe twist of his torso, he
was out of my grip and on his back in the middle of the bed. I knelt
over him, knees spread as I stroked my hard dick. More than
anything I wanted to lift his legs to my shoulders and fuck him, but
I knew better. We had a bond of a shared experience, but it didn’t
mean we were anything more than strangers. I stretched out beside
him, and he rolled to face me.

We settled together in the center of the bed, hands busy on each

other’s skin. His lips found my neck, and I threw my head back so
he could amuse himself. Aubrey worked his way along my jaw line
to my ear. I found his mouth and drew him into a long kiss.

His tongue slid over mine in a leisurely sweep. Easy. Silky.

There was no hurry in him as we took the first steps toward a
deeper intimacy. I envied him his apparent lack of urgency as I
held myself in check, not wanting to push him too fast.

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Our lower bodies pressed together. I had a fleeting thought we

should maybe suit up, then let it go. If our night moved beyond
trading hands, then it would be time.

Aubrey hooked his knee over my hip. “Touch me. Do both of

us if you can.”

I slipped my hand between us and found him, exploring his

length and girth as I found a grip with my thumb and middle finger
that worked. I stroked in a slow, easy motion, waiting for him to do
something to let me know it was good for him. After a few
minutes, he let out a breathy sigh.

“Nice, Dale, but not enough for me.”
I knew what he meant and shifted my hand to fist his shaft. He

jerked and stiffened, a sure sign I had it right. I found his lips and
thrust my tongue in and out of his mouth, keeping pace with my
hand. His breathing quickened, and he mumbled my name against
my lips. A second later, his body gave up its deepest mystery into
my hand. I stayed with him until he whispered for me to stop.
When I did, he went limp against me, but I couldn’t let him catch
his breath. I needed to get off, to release the tension at the base of
my spine.

I kissed him. “Aubrey, please.”
He licked my lips and slid out of my arms, heading south. The

heat of his mouth enveloped me, and I came in a heated burst as he
drove me higher, falling into a velvety darkness where only his
touch existed. I dropped back into awareness, surprised at his
actions. Of course, it was too late to protest and I wasn’t about to
complain. He gave my softening penis a parting lick and crawled
back up to the pillows, joining me in the swath of moonlight
spilling through the window. I stroked his cheek with my knuckles.

“Wow. I didn’t expect that, so thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope I wasn’t too impulsive.”

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I smiled at him. “I think I like your sudden impulses.”
“Not everyone does.” He propped up on an elbow to fluff his

pillow, then patted his shoulder. “Rest your head here for a while,
Dale.”

“Something else unexpected.” I nestled in against him,

determined to enjoy the moment of closeness.

“Like I said. I fool a lot of people, but I don’t need to put on an

act to protect myself with you, do I?”

“Never. Can I ask you something?”
“How long ago was I bashed? Several years.”
I rubbed his smooth chest, wondering if he shaved or if he was

naturally free of hair, not that it mattered.

“Actually, I was going to ask why you went back to your ex. I

mean, there had to be reason why you and he split the first time.”

“We split because he wanted to control my life and I took

exception to his expectations. He’s very generous, but thinks his
money gives him the right to tell his lovers how to live. But after I
was attacked, he came to the hospital and took care of everything.
Then he insisted I move back into his house until I was back on my
feet. It wasn’t pity; it’s just the way he is.”

Aubrey sighed and rubbed my arm. “I stayed with him for far

too long, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

“But you finally left him again, right?”
“Yeah, it was inevitable. So here I am—homeless.”

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 5

Aubrey seemed at ease telling me his story, but I didn’t feel

equally compelled to share, at least not tonight. I still got queasy
when I delved too deeply into my recent past. I didn’t have the
sense he expected it of me, but that he was willing to listen, maybe
even weep with me if I finally let it come. It did bother me I had
nothing to offer him in the way of a roof over his head, being much
in the same situation.

“Maybe we should work out a deal to be roommates

somewhere. I’m sponging off Sam for the winter, but after that, my
only option is to go back to my mother’s house. I’d rather not.”

“Thanks for the offer, hon, but I don’t have a clue where I want

to settle. Sid set me up with a nice little starter fund, but I need to
be very careful with it.”

I thought about that for a moment. Aubrey had left the man, but

it could be the connection there was strong and he’d end up going

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back. I didn’t judge him over it. We all did things not our first
choice when necessity dictated it. The need to survive certainly
took precedence over my pride. I stretched, running my toes along
his calf.

“This is rather nice.”
He kissed a spot under my chin. “I’m not really used to sharing

a bed.”

“Me neither. I lived out of a suitcase for years. If I tricked

someone, I had to boot them out of my hotel room.” I yawned,
which made Aubrey yawn, too.

“Are you going to be upset if I sneak out of here as soon as you

fall asleep?”

“Probably, but I’ll get over it. I suppose you have things to do

for the ceremony tomorrow.”

He rolled on his side to face me. “You cannot imagine! I have

to keep those two from sucking and fucking long enough to greet
their guests and say the words. After that, everyone is on their
own. Lord, they’re horny bastards!”

I laughed, even though I sensed he was serious. “Poor baby.

Call me if you need a rescue.”

“I might.” He kissed me again, a gentle press of his lips to

mine. Instead of arousing, it relaxed me, and the next thing I knew,
it was morning and the sun was up. I ran my hand over the sheet,
but it was cold. He’d been gone a while.

The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee reached my nose. I rolled

out of bed and darted across the hall, making fast work of things. I
hadn’t unpacked yesterday, so I needed to find my flannel loungers
and a sweatshirt before I went downstairs. Cooler weather had
definitely arrived. Sam was at the kitchen table when I strolled into
the warm room. He grinned at me.

“You gay guys don’t waste much time, do you?”

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I mimicked drinking, and he pointed at the cupboard to the left

of the sink. I got a mug and filled it before I sat across from him
and answered.

“Different set of rules.” I blew on my coffee and sipped with

caution. It was hot, but good. “Did you see him leave or
something?”

Sam’s eyes lit with mirth. “Are you trying to figure out how

long he stayed in your bed?”

My cheeks warmed. “Wouldn’t you?”
“Oh, hell, no! He wouldn’t have been there.” He laughed at me,

then lifted his cup in a salute. I wiggled a single finger at him. Sam
laughed louder, so I gave up and moved on to the day ahead.

“Smart ass. So what time is this shindig today? I never asked.”
Sam got up to get a refill. “Champagne brunch at eleven, main

event at one. Then a few select friends will take a sunset cruise on
Brett’s yacht. We’re invited for that.”

“I really don’t have clothes suitable for all that.”
“We’re still the same size. Help yourself to my closet. A pair of

Docker-style pants and a good pullover is dressed up enough for
this. Better choose something with long sleeves you can push up. It
is almost November, you know. They say we have a cold front
moving in tomorrow evening.”

“Thanks, man.” I got to my feet. “I’ll go see what I can find.”
He made a shooing motion at me and then spoke just as I

walked through the door.

“Six-thirty.”
I turned back to him. “Huh?”
“He left at six-thirty.”
Well, well, well. Aubrey had stayed the entire night. Imagine

that.

* * *

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Sam’s closet yielded a pair of black slacks, a lightweight, long-

sleeved camel sweater and a pair of loafers that almost fit. Maybe
no one would notice if I slipped the shoes off now and then to let
the blood back into my toes.

I showered and shaved, then had a leisurely second cup of java

while I browsed a few websites. A rival travel magazine… Oh
wait. Being no longer employed, it wasn’t a rival. It was an
opportunity to take a chance on the photo contest they were
hosting.

I’d always had a good eye, although my best work was a

combination of photograph with the words. But, as they say,
nothing ventured, nothing gained. I dug a backup memory stick out
of my briefcase and located a series of photos from the Rhine
Valley of Germany. I had some really good shots I’d taken for
myself, an ode to the tourist I rarely was. I sent them off with a few
clicks, saying a little prayer they’d help me parlay my way into
gainful employment. I checked the time and set it all aside to dress
in my borrowed clothes, hoping Aubrey would notice I “cleaned
up good.”

Sam and I stepped through the bushes on the edge of Sam’s

property at eleven o’clock on the nose. Where the Hendershot and
Bennett backyards used to be separate, the center row of yews had
been removed to create one large shared space. I looked at the
semi-circle of chairs clustered around the small gazebo in the
center at the far end of the yard and felt like an intruder. I was
touched they’d included me, most certainly for Sam’s sake, but I
was a stranger and I doubted I’d be able to put the feeling aside. It
was a thing of the heart, not the head.

Up on the spacious Paulson/Collier deck, the same group I’d

met last night mingled with several new arrivals. I looked around
for Aubrey as introductions were made, but he was missing. Chad

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sidled up behind me as I sampled a grape from the buffet table.

“Whatever you did to him last night, do it again. He was

singing this morning.”

I looked at him over my shoulder. “I thought you didn’t

approve.”

“I don’t want him hurt.”
“Again. You don’t say it out loud, but it’s there.”
“You’re right. Anyway, thanks for last night.”
I turned to face him and smiled. “Congratulations on your day.

I hope you and Darcy are happy together forever.”

He smiled and reached past for a glass of champagne punch

served in a flute. “Today is the worst, you know. Darcy’s family is
coming, and I don’t want to come off like some stupid ass. I just
have to make it through the day.”

I laughed softly. “You will. Where is Aubrey hiding?”
Chad rolled his eyes. “You turned a trick a mere four hours

after you arrived on the island. You’re not that slow. Inside. Up the
stairs. Second door.”

My mouth went dry. “Tell me he’s dressed.”
He took a healthy swallow of bubbly from the glass he held and

shook his head. “Don’t bet on it.” Chad sauntered off to entertain
his other guests. I got a cup and tasted the punch. It was delicious
and only mildly alcoholic. I snared two full flutes and carried them
inside.

It didn’t take long to find the right door. Thank God, Aubrey

had clothes on. If he’d wanted a quickie, no way in hell could I
have declined the offer. He was just too…Aubrey.

He hopped on one foot as he attempted to put on the other shoe,

growling under his breath as his efforts failed. Dressed in navy
slacks and a powder blue V-necked sweater that accentuated his
slender build, he looked stunning. Sexy. Drop dead fucking

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gorgeous. He collapsed onto the edge of the bed, rammed the shoe
onto his foot and stomped several times as if to settle the issue.

“Dress shoes are the work of the devil.”
I laughed and handed him a glass of punch. “I know your drink

was a virgin last night, but this is very light punch.”

“I know. I decided I’d make the attempt to indulge a teensy bit

in honor of the day.” He tapped his flute to mine and we sipped.
“Hmm. That is barely there, isn’t it? Maybe I won’t toss it back
up.”

I leaned away from him. “Eww. How much warning do you

usually have before the event?”

Aubrey sipped again. “None. It hits bottom and bam! But I can

tell by the way this smells to me, it isn’t going to affect me.” He
grinned. “Is that more than you ever wanted to know about me?”

“Yep.” I set my empty flute down and opened my arms to him.

Hesitation flashed in his eyes, then he placed his glass beside mine
and wrapped his arms around my neck as I held him.

“Don’t get caught up in me, Dale.”
Too late. “I’m not, I swear. But you’re here now, and I’m here

now, and let’s just enjoy a few days together, okay?”

“Oh, my friend, you’re going to end up with a broken heart. I

can see it.” Aubrey slanted his mouth across mine. I slipped him a
little tongue and his lips curved into a smile. He pulled away.
“Enough of that until later, hon. I need to be respectable when I go
downstairs, and I’m not.”

I glanced at his bulging zipper. “Hey, we’re a matched pair.” I

gave him a quick kiss and let him go. He was right—again.

Aubrey lifted a gold chain off the dresser, handed it to me, and

turned around. I fastened it with shaking hands, far too aware of
his heat and scent to do the job quickly. He turned, the warm metal
glittering against his skin.

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“Thanks. Ready?”
I held my hand out to him, and he laced his fingers through

mine. I paused to peek into the room across the hall from his. Call
me nosey, but I’d never been inside this house when I was a kid
since Mrs. Bennett didn’t like us youngsters dragging in sand.
Aubrey pulled me away and down the stairs. Once outside on the
spacious deck, we each fixed a plate, a glass of old-fashioned
southern sweet tea, and found an out of the way corner to share our
goodies. I motioned at the couple with Brett and Mark. Aubrey
looked pensive.

“Don’t hold me to it, but I think they’re from Charlotte, too.

Brett’s lawyer and his partner, or something like that. These guys
are all tight.”

A wave of loneliness swept through me. Except for Sam, I’d

never been “tight” with anyone. I envied people who belonged to a
group and made it family. I hoped someday I’d have that in my
life. Aubrey’s gaze caught mine.

“Me, neither, sugar. I’ve always been a drifter.”
He sounded wistful, or maybe he had his share of regrets, too.
“Reading minds is a handy ability.”
“That sigh said it all.”
I didn’t remember making a sound, but I must have. “I lived on

the road for years. I loved it, but I guess I didn’t have time to dwell
on the fact I didn’t have anyone to share it with.”

He was quiet for a few minutes before he replied. “Why don’t

we bow out of the evening ride on the yacht and take the power
boat around to the little cove? It’s going to get chilly, but they
make blankets every day.”

It sounded like a good idea. I remembered the essentials of boat

safety. Plus, the idea of wrapping up in a blanket with Aubrey held
a lot of appeal, even if all we did was snuggle to stay warm. A

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chance to have a private romantic evening trumped a public party
any day in my book.

“Whose boat? And is your friend going to be upset if you ditch

the yacht cruise?”

“Chad’s boat, of course. It’s a four-seater and has a nice flat

deck in the front. We can spread out a blanket and gaze at the
stars.” He smiled at me. “He won’t be upset at all. Actually, it’s
sort of his idea. He mentioned it this morning.”

After he heard Aubrey singing? The man had definitely

experienced a thaw in my direction. “Stars, huh? I’d rather gaze at
you.”

“Dale, Dale, Dale. Gazing at each other is not the idea.”
I popped a shrimp ball into his mouth.
“Dare I hope what is?”

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 6

I’d never witnessed a commitment ceremony before and, given

the political climate of the times, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Would they say traditional wedding vows? Write their own? I
didn’t think it was something I’d ever want to do, but I was
curious. Aubrey inched his chair closer to mine as we took our
seats.

“Brett’s too tall to see over,” he explained, not bothering to

keep his voice down. The man in front of him turned and grinned.

“Posture is important for a guy my age, youngster.”
Good-natured laughter swirled around us. Sam tapped my

shoulder to let me know he was behind me. Soft piano music
began to play what was to me an unfamiliar tune, but I liked it. As
the notes of the song faded, Chad and Darcy walked past us and
stepped into the gazebo, where they stood framed by a long
garland of red and white flowers.

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I listened to their from-the-heart words declaring their intention

to accept and support each other and to treat each other with
respect, honesty, understanding and gentleness. There were no
flowery phrases or starry-eyed promises, just simply stated
promises. It was two mature individuals who knew true love was
more than great sex and fun times. And it was so beautiful my eyes
burned.

When they exchanged rings, I glanced at Aubrey and found

him equally moved. He leaned into me, shoulder-to-shoulder.
When the happy couple kissed, I heard a few sniffles around the
crowd. Aubrey sighed and rested his hand on my leg.

“That was incredible.”
“Yes, it was.” I watched Chad and Darcy’s friends encircle

them. “Group hug for everyone.”

Sam whispered in my ear. “Are you getting ideas?”
I jerked my head around so fast we bumped noses. “Not on

your life, cuz. Are you?”

“I wish. The money is a problem. Do the ladies see me or my

bank account?”

“A problem I’ll never have.” I squeezed Aubrey’s hand. “Now

what?”

“Mingle. Cut the ‘wedding’ cake. More food, more mingling,

more food, and then the boat ride.” He looked at Sam. “We don’t
have to stick around. We can sneak over to your place and play
card games.”

Sam snorted as he got to his feet. “I’m not going a few rounds

of strip poker with you two characters. I’m going for a piece of
cake.”

Aubrey stood and rubbed his belly, as my cousin walked

toward the festivities. “Well, I need to walk off brunch, hon. Join
me?”

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I studied him for a moment. “You’re afraid of crowds.”
He brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes as the breeze kicked

up. “I’m…different now, hon. Almost dying gives a person a new
perspective.”

“I almost died, Aubrey, and running out on my friends isn’t my

first impulse.”

A sad look came over his face. “It’s complicated, Dale, so

don’t pick at it. I don’t enjoy bleeding over the feelings I don’t
seem to have any longer.”

Something dark and cold brushed the edges of my awareness,

leaving me uneasy with my inability to bring it into focus. Aubrey
hurt in ways I didn’t, and probably never had. I barely knew him,
and he was correct to warn me off prying too deeply into his
personal life. I didn’t have the right.

Nor did he require I give him answers about mine, but I sensed

if I did, I would be the one to benefit. But if we overburdened each
other, even a few days in the sun together would slip away from
us. I didn’t want to risk that. At the end of my earthly stay, I didn’t
want to look back and have any regrets about Aubrey. I squeezed
his hand.

“Why don’t I walk you over so you can give your friend a peck

on the cheek and tell him you need to go make sure the punch isn’t
going to punch you back?”

He smiled. “He’s a little protective of me.”
That was a bit of an understatement. Those two had a history

that went deeper than boinking the same sugar daddy, but it wasn’t
any of my business.

“I’ve noticed. You and Chad really weren’t ever an item? You

can tell me the truth. I’m not about to judge you over anything.”

“We were really close friends once upon a time, but never

lovers. It’s been a surprise that we can be like that again.”

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“I think that’s good.” I slipped my arm around his waist and

gave him a quick hug. “It’s important to have friends at your
back.”

“So you want to be my friend, do you?”
I leaned over and kissed his check. “It’s a role I’d not turn

down.”

He chuckled. “Okay. You win. Let’s get cake and find a quiet

corner. I guess with a friend by my side I don’t need to dodge my
social responsibilities, just because I’m afraid I’ll blubber like a
baby he’s so happy and settled.”

And I’m not.
I heard the words Aubrey didn’t speak. He’d said he was

starting over with the help of some money from his ex-lover, but
hadn’t made any decisions yet. I could understand him feeling a
little rudderless, but I was smart enough to know I couldn’t fix it
for him.

We edged our way into the cake table, and Darcy cut a

generous slab for each of us. Neither Aubrey nor I wanted more
punch, so we made our way to Brett and Mark’s shady terrace and
the cooler of soft drinks. It didn’t take long for the party to shift
our way out of the sun. I enjoyed the conversation, especially when
Chad threatened to tell a tale about Aubrey. Ultimately, he didn’t,
but only because Aubrey informed him turn-about was fair play.
When Brett and Mark excused themselves to go prepare the yacht,
Aubrey had a private word with his friend and returned smiling.

“Go change into something a rugged, seafaring man would

wear. I’ll be at Sam’s door in fifteen minutes.”

In theory, I agreed with him. It was time for a change of venue.

In reality, I had a different plan. Sam was going on the sunset
cruise, ergo, he wouldn’t be in the house, ergo, Aubrey and I
would have an hour or two of privacy. Did I really want to spend

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those hours on a boat or in a bed?

Talk about a no-brainer.
I raided Sam’s closet for an old sweatshirt and laid it on top my

folded jeans in my room, just in case Aubrey had his heart set on
boating. Then I stashed the lube and a couple of rubbers inside a
pillowcase so they’d be handy and folded the covers down to the
foot of the bed, just in case. When I opened the backdoor to let him
in, he lifted a bottle of non-alcoholic wine for me to see the label
and grinned.

“Got ice?”
I pulled him inside and closed the door. “I’ve got whatever you

need, baby.”

“I just bet you do. Do you mind if we postpone taking the boat

up to the cove until tomorrow?”

“You’re reading my mind.” I opened a few cupboard doors

until I found the wine glasses, then filled them with ice. Aubrey
popped the cork on the bottle and poured.

“I remember real wine. Oh, how I loved a good Cabernet. Or

even a good Burgundy.”

“Oh? You used to be able to keep it down? What happened?”
“One kidney happened. The doctors say losing a kidney has

nothing to do with my reaction to booze, but there it is. I was able
to drink before I lost it and not able to after. I figure my body
knows more than any witch doctor does.”

“I wouldn’t disagree.” I handed him a glass. “Shall we take the

bottle upstairs with us?”

He shook his head. “Better stick it in the fridge. We’ll finish it

later.”

I did as he requested, then grabbed his hand and pulled him up

the stairs to my bedroom. Aubrey teased me as I led him, saying
the most outrageous thing on each step.

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“Now he’s going to ravish me. Maybe he’ll spank me. Tie me

up and lick me from head to toe. On second thought, stay the hell
away from my feet, you pervert. I know! He’s going to let me ride
him like he’s a racehorse! Maybe he likes a little erotic
asphyxiation when he…”

“Stop right there on that one, babe. No one is choking

noooobody.” I stopped and motioned him to walk ahead of me into
the bedroom. He laughed and kissed my cheek as he squeezed past
me.

“Gotcha, hon.” He took a sip of his drink. “So can I have a

ride?”

My cock swelled full and hard in three pounding beats of my

heart. I didn’t expect he’d want to be fucked, but then he was
leading this affair. Somehow, I managed to swallow my spit,
instead of drooling it down my chin, and respond to his question.

“Whatever you want, I’m up for it.”
Aubrey rubbed the front of my pants. His smoky gaze locked

with mine as he grasped the tab of my zipper and slowly pulled it
down. “I like the sound of that.”

I grabbed his shirt and yanked it over his head. The flat brown

discs of his nipples were dark against his pale skin. I teased them
with light brushes of my thumbs and watched them pebble under
my touch.

“Tell me what you want, Aubrey.”
A smile teased his lips. “I was serious about the ride. I want

you on your back. I want your hands to be warmer.”

I cupped my palms around my mouth and blew to warm them.

He seized the opportunity to slide my pants to ankles and free my
rigid shaft. My belly quivered with nervous energy and lust. To get
inside him… I’d not entertained that thought, but it now had a hold
on me. My knees threatened to buckle as he knelt before me and

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licked my cock, tip to balls and back to tip. I buried my fingers in
his soft hair.

“No fair. I don’t know what you taste like.”
“I’m not stopping you.” Aubrey rocked back on his heels and

stood. “I didn’t lie about my status, so you do whatever you’re
comfortable with.”

I wrapped my arms around him and flung us onto the bed,

laughing as we bounced once. A mad scramble to get naked
ensued, one full of pats, pinches, licks and kisses. Breathless, I
dragged him to the pillows and pinned him beneath me. He’d
flushed hot and being skin-to-skin with him was like rubbing
against a flame as he arched and flexed his body to mine. His lips
parted under mine.

The raw need to claim him swelled within me. No more

teasing. No more talking. I hooked my heel behind his knees and
rolled us. His silky hair brushed my cheeks as his tongue laved my
lips. His hips surged to mine as I ran my fingertips along the dark
crevice between his firm buttocks. Aubrey moaned into my mouth,
then rested his forehead to mine.

“Condoms?”
I fumbled with the pillows. He discerned quickly where I’d

stored them and reached to help. In the fading afternoon light, his
smile held promise and mystery. Would I ever really know this
man?

Aubrey straddled my hips and snapped his fingers. I handed

him a foil packet, and he tore it open and unrolled the latex to
cover my hard-on. Before he could deny me the pleasure of
touching him, I squirted a generous portion of lube onto my fingers
and slipped my hand between his spread thighs. His rosebud
puckered as the cool gel spread over it, only to relax as the lube
warmed. I took my time to prepare him, wanting him to get

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maximum enjoyment from what he was about to do. I had no doubt
I would love it.

He finally had enough and positioned himself over me. I held

my shaft steady as he slowly lowered himself onto me, inch by
careful inch. His body was hot and tight around me; the tiny
muscles dancing and leaping with abandon as he impaled himself
on my cock. He took a deep, shuddering breath as I slipped fully
into him. His eyes closed.

“Aubrey?” I ran my hands along the inside of his quivering

thighs.

“Hmm?” He tightened internal muscles and sucked in a quick

breath.

“Are you okay?”
He lifted and eased back down. “Never better.”
I rocked up into him. He shifted forward, his hands splayed on

my chest. I grasped his hips and thrust. It was exactly what he
wanted.

He’d not given me a lot of room to work, but it was enough.

Soft, incoherent sounds drifted out of him, growing more and more
urgent. The heat behind my balls grew, threatening to burst out of
me before I’d seen to his pleasure. I clamped down on it, holding it
at bay until Aubrey fisted his cock and stroked. He tensed, let out
an explosive breath, and his semen spilled across my belly.

I stayed with him until he murmured my name and then I let

the fire take me, emptying myself into him until I was spent.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 7

Late afternoon faded to dusk. I floated somewhere between

sleep and wakefulness, resting in an elusive peace I’d not known in
many months. All that was required of me in this moment was to
breathe and keep my arms around the man lying so quietly on my
chest.

I knew I should move, get up and take care of the used

condom, but I didn’t want to let go of Aubrey. He’d eased forward,
freeing himself from those few inches of flesh that joined us, and
promptly collapsed on top of me without a word. I listened to his
breathing and marveled at the way our heartbeats synced.

“I can hear you thinking, Dale. Stop it.”
I smiled and held him tighter. “So you are still alive. I

wondered.”

“No, you didn’t.” He yawned, stretched, and rolled off me. I

immediately missed his heat.

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“Do you feel like you want a quick shower?”
Aubrey yawned again. “That’d be good. Maybe it’ll help me

stay awake.”

I cupped my “boys” and stood. “Come over when you’re

ready.”

It didn’t take him long to join me in the shower. We didn’t

linger, preferring instead to prepare ourselves for whatever round
two turned out to be and I didn’t doubt for a nanosecond the night
had just begun.

Maybe Aubrey dropping the soap into my palm and telling me

to rinse thoroughly after I washed because he hated the taste of
soap was a good clue he had something more planned. Who was I
to argue? I carried out my orders to the best of my ability.

Clean and fluffed, we wrapped up in a couple of old quilts and

ambled down to the kitchen to finish the pseudo-wine and have a
snack. Aubrey settled in the breakfast nook, while I raided the
refrigerator. He murmured his thanks as I set a plate of cheeses, a
sliced apple, some ring bologna and a few mixed pickles on the
table. I put the chilled bottle in front of him and, since there wasn’t
much left, got a cold beer for myself.

“I used to be a pretty good cook, but Sid always wanted to go

out.” He popped a cube of cheddar in his mouth.

“You don’t like to eat out?”
Aubrey swallowed and reached for his glass. “I love

restaurants. But Sid wanted to go out to show the girls he had a
sweet young thing on his arm.”

“Oh. That would become annoying.” I pulled the quilt in tighter

around my bare feet. Darn, the tile floor was chilly. “So what are
you going to do when you leave Ocracoke, Aubrey?”

He gazed out the window into the darkness. “I really don’t

know. God, Dale, I’m not exactly employable. A Liberal Arts

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degree isn’t a lot of help these days.” Aubrey looked me in the eye.
“But I’m not going back to Sid.”

“What about family? Do you have any?”
Aubrey rolled those fantastic eyes. “Oh, please. They were

happy to see the screen door slam behind the little queer boy’s
butt.”

“Their loss, babe.” I wished I had something—anything—to

offer him. I poured the last of the “wine” into his glass. “I, um,
entered a photo competition this morning.”

He cocked his head. “What’s that mean?”
I noted the suspicious glint in his gaze. “It means I dug up a

few old pictures I took over the years and sent them in to a
different magazine in the semi-pro division. It could mean a job or
it could mean it was a good thing it was free to enter.”

“I hope it opens a door for you, whether you win or not.”
“That’s my feeling about it exactly.”
Aubrey toyed with a slice of apple. “So you’d travel again? Go

be a globetrotter?”

Something in his voice gave me pause. Disappointment?

Maybe my own wishful thinking intruded into foolishness. We’d
had some fun, and might have a little more, but we were far from
becoming a couple. Heck, I didn’t have a clue about having a
boyfriend. How did that work? Fuck the same guy, and only the
same guy for…what? Forever? It sounded impos—

I sucked in a deep breath. Holy God, I was falling for Aubrey.

Really falling for him. This was a potential disaster. I didn’t have a
job or a place of my own. Weren’t we just a fine pair?

“I think my jet-setting days are over.” Even as I said it, I knew

it true. I’d sent the photos in without a lot of conscious thought, but
my subconscious had seized upon the action and simmered it. I
leaned forward.

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“You know, I think I’d like to freelance. I have some contacts.

There’s a market for photos. Heck, I can start with a fresh batch of
shots of the island.”

There was a sad wistfulness to Aubrey’s smile. “Maybe I can

be your muse for a few days.”

I gawked at him, my mouth hanging open, slack-jawed. My

mind raced. He’d said it and it was too perfect. With his looks, he
didn’t need to pose nude. I could probably take a series of him and
land a gallery showing. I blinked at him.

“W-what? Really?”
I’ve read the expression about how people get a “shuttered”

look but I’d never seen it—until now. The animation left Aubrey’s
face as he pulled the quilt around his shoulders, preparing to stand.
I shut my mouth and reached out to grab his hand.

“Hey. Hey, don’t look like that. Don’t go. I was surprised

you’d offer, but it’s a great idea, Aubrey.”

“One you just couldn’t believe,” he replied, his voice

emotionless.

I pushed my chair back and went to my knees beside him. He’d

misunderstood in a big way.

“Not the way you took it to be, babe. I think you just solved

both our problems.”

His gaze flicked to mine, then away, but I’d seen the flash of

hope in his eyes. I slipped my hand beneath his blanket to rest on
his thigh.

“Listen to me, Aubrey. I really don’t want to fly around the

world any longer. I take a pretty good picture, and with a little
practice, I’ll get better. Ocracoke is beautiful. You’re beautiful. We
put the two together and we might each be on a new career path.”

He shook his head. “You’re a dreamer, Dale. I’m not a model.”
“Can we at least take some test shots tomorrow and see how

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they turn out?”

“I’m sorry I said anything. I should go home.” He started to

stand. I hopped to my feet so fast I got tangled in my quilt and
almost fell. My temper snapped.

“Okay. You go home. You run. But you’ll always wonder just

what it was you walked away from. Is it me, Aubrey? Or is it doing
something with your life?”

“Fuck you!”
I let the quilt fall to the floor, leaned over the table, and spread

my legs. “Have at it, hot stuff. Fuck me here, fuck me now, if
that’s what it’ll take for you to calm the fuck down and listen to
me!”

The room was deathly still. I didn’t move, didn’t even dare

breathe. Finally, I heard him move. The quilt he’d used, still warm
with his body heat, draped around me.

“Sit down, Dale. Please.”
I straightened and looked at him. I had no clue what he was

thinking, and it scared me. I’d behaved quite poorly. He didn’t
need to calm down. I did.

I plopped my ass on the chair, and to my surprise, and vast

relief, Aubrey sat on my lap. I wrapped the edges of the quilt
around him.

“I’m sorry, Aubrey. You should’ve reamed me a new one just

to teach me a lesson.”

“I almost did.”
He sort of wilted against me, so I tucked the blanket in tighter

and waited for him to say something.

“You’re right, Dale. Jesus, I can’t think of one thing in my life

I can say I succeeded at. I’m… What are we doing here? You
spouting pipe dreams or do you really have a plan?”

Hell, no. I was still winging it, but I wasn’t going to admit that

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and upset him more. Too much was at stake for both of us.

But it had potential. I knew it did.
“Here’s what I’d like to do. Tomorrow, we go roam around

wherever there aren’t people, and I take pictures of anything that
strikes my fancy, even you. Then we see how they look and go
from there.”

Aubrey shook his head. “You are dreaming, but what else do I

have to do with my day?”

I risked a careful kiss, a light touch of my lips to his. His smile

was my reward.

“This isn’t anything to be scared of, Aubrey. It’s some photos.

You’re not in, like, witness protection or anything, right?”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” He sighed. “I think you should take me

back upstairs. I do my best work in bed.”

“You’re too heavy for me to carry you.”
He rewarded my attempt at humor with a little smile, then

kissed me much the same as I had him a few moments ago before
sliding off my lap. “Another fantasy shattered.”

Aubrey scooped up the quilt off the floor and headed for the

stairs with me on his heels. The bedroom had cooled, but we opted
to add the quilts to the bed and snuggle beneath them instead of
moving the thermostat.

“Are you going to stay all night?” I asked.
“Sure. I don’t want to imagine what’s going to go on over there

with the newlyweds tonight.”

“Same thing as over here?”
He inched closer and slipped his hand between us to caress the

soft bump of my genitals. “No one over here is going to yell ‘Bring
it home to me, Daddy’ at midnight, are they? So, no, things will be
different here.”

We both laughed, a welcome release of the strained tension

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between us. There was a soft knock on the door followed by Sam
saying he was home. We quieted down and I slid my hand over his
hip to squeeze his ass. His questing fingers began to affect my
dick.

Horny or not, I knew better than to turn rutting fool. Maybe he

was just amusing himself. I waited for him to give me a sign as to
his intentions. When he finally pulled my hand to his swollen cock,
I took his mouth in a long kiss.

His tongue was silky warm on mine as our hands stroked skin,

each careful not to race ahead of the other. I tore my lips from his
and kissed my way down his neck, dipping beneath the covers to
go lower. In the hot darkness, the rich scent of male musk filled
my senses, making me breathe in the heady fragrance. Aubrey
pushed the blankets down and coaxed me into position with eager
hands. The taste of his salty male skin made my mouth water as I
licked his shaft, tip to head. I swirled my tongue around the rim,
only to have him echo what I did to him.

There is something incredibly intimate about giving head.

Every lick, each swipe of the tongue is done with the intent to
pleasure your partner. We found a rhythm of giving and receiving
until I was holding on to his ass like it was all that anchored me to
earth.

Maybe it was. Stars danced in my vision as Aubrey slipped a

finger past the tight ring of muscle and into me. He made an
incoherent sound as I massaged his hole, then pushed inside. Hot
semen hit the back of my throat. I stayed with him as long as I
could, but I was out of time, too. I released him, hoping beyond
reason to be able to get a breath, just one lungful of air into my
oxygen-starved lungs before… I fell into the velvety bliss of a
sparkling darkness where all that mattered was the glorious pulsing
in my cock and the soft, tugging pull as he swallowed every drop I

CATCHING FIREFLIES

gave him.

Finished, I gave his softening dick a last swipe of my tongue

and rested my head on his thigh. I jumped as he wiggled his finger,
still inside me. I squeezed the muscles around it, and he laughed, a
low, wicked sound.

“C’mon, babe. Give a guy a break.”
He pulled away and smacked my butt. “That was nice.”
What an understatement. I crawled across the bed to flop

beside him on the pillows. “It was, and I thank you for it.”

“You don’t think Sam heard, do you?”
“If he did, he’s over there jerking off. He should thank us for

the inspiration.”

Aubrey laughed again, and I loved to hear it. We had a better

understanding of each other, but it was no guarantee tomorrow
would be all I hoped. I settled the covers over us again and offered
him my shoulder to sleep on.

I hoped he’d still be here in the morning.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 8

I drifted out of a sleepy fog to the sound of quiet voices in the

hallway. Sam was teasing Aubrey, who gave it right back to him. I
listened to my very straight cousin flirt with my very gay lover
with my mouth hanging open.

“Well, you could’ve hopped in, sugar. Dale might have had a

little spasm, you being family and all, but I wouldn’t have
objected.”

Sam could barely speak for trying to not laugh. “I’m on to you,

you little perv. You’d have shrieked and covered your privates, just
like you did when I opened my bedroom door a moment ago and
spied you tip-toeing out of the bathroom nekkid.”

So that’s what woke me.
“Oh, no, you sexy thing. I’d have taken you for a ride on the

wild side. One tumble with me and you’d jump the fence.”

“Okay. Let’s go into my room and you can educate me.”

CATCHING FIREFLIES

Aubrey’s voice rose. “Sam! I can’t cheat on Dale like that.

With family? I might be a slut, but I’m not a tacky slut.”

“You’re breaking my heart, Aubrey.”
“Well, just glue it back together and go downstairs and start a

pot of coffee. I’ll be along in a few minutes to get a cup for Dale.
Shoo!”

The sound of Sam snickering faded as the bedroom door

opened. I lifted the covers so Aubrey could slide back under them
with me. I jerked as he settled down.

“Your feet are cold.”
“Sorry. Did we wake you?”
“It was probably you slinking out the bed. Can I ask you

something?”

His hand drifted across my chest, downward to rest over my

belly button. “Ask me anything. I might even answer you.”

“What’s your take on Sam?”
Aubrey propped up on his elbow and stared down at me. “You

think he’s curious enough to experiment?”

“Now isn’t it funny I didn’t have to qualify the question. You

knew exactly what I’m talking about.”

He shook his head and flopped back down on the pillow. “No, I

think he’s certifiably hetero and just a nice guy. It’s refreshing to
meet a straight man comfortable enough to joke and tease.”
Aubrey kissed me. “I have perfect gaydar, hon. Trust me on this.”

I dipped my head to plant a kiss on his neck. “I gotta piss. Go

get the coffee.”

“You eavesdropped and for that, my friend, you can go get the

coffee. Besides, I bet you have slippers.”

I grumbled a bit, but he had a point. The floor was cold

underfoot. I took care of business, made it to the kitchen, poured
coffee and was back in the warm bed with him in less than five

CATCHING FIREFLIES

minutes. Aubrey pulled the quilt up as far as he could and still get
the cup to his lips.

“So are you really going to take my picture today?”
The note of stress was gone from his voice this morning. I took

it for a good portent for our day. “I am. Can I have a nude just for
me?”

“You jest. No. End of discussion.”
I grinned at him. “That was too easy. Do you have to check in

with the newlyweds?”

“Yes. I think we should take the boat out today, provided the

weather report is for fair seas.” Aubrey slid a stealthy hand up the
inside of my thigh. “After we say a proper good morning and have
breakfast.”

“I knew you’d want to have coffee before you’d think about

sex.”

He grinned at me, unable to keep a straight face. “You’re too

smart for your own good, Dale Langley. Just for that, no blowjob
for you.”

I set my coffee aside and dove beneath the covers, intent on

getting to the goods while he held onto his mug. It worked, and I
was able to suck his soft dick into my mouth before he could stop
me, not that he would. I swirled my tongue around and around as
he swelled, not having much time to enjoy getting him like this
before he reached the point I had to release his cock and refocus
my efforts on the business end. It took all the self-control I had to
keep my hands off my aching rod. I had plans for later and I could
wait.

His fingers fisted in my hair as I peppered his shaft with tiny

sucking kisses and wet licks of my tongue. Aubrey’s butt lifted, a
sure sign he’d appreciate it if I settled down to my work. I lapped
up the salty drop he released and his musky taste bloomed in my

CATCHING FIREFLIES

senses. This man liked a lot of touch, and I caressed his thighs and
sides as I pleasured him.

The tension flowed and ebbed in his muscles, gaining intensity

until my name was a moan on his lips. His cock pulsed beneath my
fingers as the orgasm claimed him. I moved my mouth away as he
shot, his semen filling my hand. Aubrey gusted out a sigh as his
body went limp. I gave his dick one last loving lick and shimmied
up to kiss his lips. He cupped the back of my head and drew me
into a deep, coffee-flavored kiss. In my current state, it was almost
more than I could stand. Aubrey seemed to know and stopped short
of fondling my erection.

“Thank you doesn’t seem adequate. Tell me what you need.”
I tapped his nose. “I’m saving myself for later, even if my balls

turn blue. You can show me your appreciation when we find a nice
sunny spot.”

He handed me my coffee mug. “Oh, I will, sugar. I bet your

coffee is cold.”

It was. I set it aside again. “Why don’t we go find breakfast?

We can check the weather report, too, and see if it’s going to warm
up today.”

We pulled on the wrinkled clothing we’d discarded in such a

hurry last night and went downstairs. The kitchen was warmer and
smelled faintly of cinnamon rolls. I scrounged through the
cupboards until I found the bread drawer and the white-iced
pastries. We didn’t leave Sam a second helping.

The weather report promised another fine late autumn day. We

decided to take the boat out around noon and be back by three,
before the sun dipped too far toward the horizon and the air cooled.
After a second cup of coffee and a few friendly gropes to keep my
interest up, Aubrey scooted out the door to change into more
suitable clothes. I hoped he’d pick something sexy for the pictures,

CATCHING FIREFLIES

but not wanting a confrontation, I left it up to him.

Sam wandered through the kitchen in search of more coffee,

and I told him Aubrey and I planned to take a boat out. He nodded
and said he was going to help one of the island residents finish
painting a tool shed today. His eyes held questions, and worry, but
he didn’t ask or caution me about becoming too wrapped up in
Aubrey, and I could tell that’s what was on his mind. It was on
mine, too.

I liked Aubrey, his smile, and the aura of kindness that radiated

from him. Sure, he had shadowed corners, much like mine, but
everyone has something that plagues them in the dark of the night.

One summer, long ago, a family had come to the island for the

month of July and left behind a small dog. When I realized the
people were gone and the little terrier abandoned, I immediately
carried her home so she wouldn’t starve. The problem was, she
turned out to be a biter. My parents said for years afterward I was
too found of strays, that I wanted to save them regardless of their
problems. Their words echoed inside me now to remind me I’d
once again thrown caution to the wind with Aubrey.

But this was different. I was older with a lot more experience,

and Aubrey wasn’t a puppy. He was a man with his own set of
rules to live by and his own path to walk. Maybe two wounded
souls couldn’t help heal each other. Then again, maybe they could
try.

I was ahead of myself again. I needed to forget about all the

tomorrows and focus on today. Right here, right now was all I
really had. I’d be a fool to squander it with pipe dreams and
worthless musings. Today I’d be a man of action.

I took a quick shower, borrowed more clothes from Sam so I

could dress in light layers to peel off as the day warmed, and made
it to the deck at the Paulson/Collier residence just as Aubrey

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stepped outside carrying a small cooler. He dangled a key in front
of me.

“Hey, sexy, ready for a boat ride?”
I lifted my camera and clicked off a few shots. “Ready to be a

star?”

“I’m so glad I didn’t bother to shave,” he grumbled.
“So I am.” He was jaw-dropping gorgeous with that touch of

scruff on his cheeks. I motioned at the steps. “Lead on.”

“No taking pictures of my ass.”
“I make no promises.” In fact, I planned to get several shots of

his butt. I thought about asking him to pose beside the gazebo, but
decided I’d get better if I just kept it natural.

We hopped over the low retaining wall and followed the

narrow path to the dock. A modest speedboat floated beside a
small yacht. I couldn’t say either was ostentatious, but it was
obvious the owners had money to purchase quality. This was the
crowd Aubrey was at home with. I couldn’t compete on any level
with what I saw in front of me.

Aubrey hopped onto the deck of the boat. I paused to take a

photo of him, and of the name painted on the stern—Chad Said
Yes. I wondered if the “yes” was for the purchase of the boat or the
acceptance of the commitment proposal. It didn’t matter to me as
long as the thing didn’t sink with me aboard. Aubrey motioned for
me to take the seat beside the wheel and proceeded to cast off like
he did it every day of his life. In no time at all, we were chugging
toward a buoy and open water. The breeze lifted Aubrey’s hair,
and I snapped a few more shots.

“Are you ready for some speed?”
I looked around. “Where’s the seatbelt?”
He pointed down. “There are floatation devices under the seats,

but I’m not about to go full throttle in Darcy’s boat.”

CATCHING FIREFLIES

Aubrey no sooner had the words out of his mouth than the

motor revved, the bow of the boat lifted, and we virtually flew over
the water. He grinned at me, eyes shining and happy, so I took a
few pictures. After about two or three minutes, he slowed the boat
to a crawl, his gaze intent on the shoreline. Without a word, he
steered into a small cove, cut the motor, and we glided to a silent
stop with barely a ripple on the still surface of the water.

“This is a great spot, Aubrey. How’d you know about it?”
“Chad brought me here a couple of days ago for ‘the talk.’ You

know, the one where he pointed out to me I have to get on with my
life.”

“Hmm. I’ve had a few of those, too.”
He swiveled his seat around and looked over the side before he

nudged a lever forward. An electric motor hummed as the boat
inched toward shore until it touched the sandy bottom and stopped.
Aubrey tossed an anchor onto the beach. I pressed the shutter
button and clicked off a few more pictures.

“Are you going to do that all day?”
“Yep, so just chill. And speaking of chill, I guess it’s not

actually warm enough for a swim, is it?”

“You’re on your own if you want to get wet. C’mon.” He

grabbed the cooler and a bag from a compartment. Agile as a cat,
he was across the bow and onto the beach while I still pondered
my sea legs. Aubrey turned and held out his hand to me. I took
more pictures. This time he laughed at me.

Let him.
He’d sober up quickly when he saw what I did through the

lens.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

CHAPTER 9

Aubrey chose a sunny spot and smoothed out the sand. The bag

yielded a canvas tarp and we settled down and kicked off our shoes
to enjoy the sun. I asked him to face the breeze and look out to sea
and started to snap more pictures.

He took direction well, turning this way and that, kneeling,

sitting with his arms wrapped around his knees. To my surprise, he
even agreed to bare his chest for me. The more snaps I clicked, the
more I was convinced my plan would work. After about fifteen
minutes, I set the camera aside and peeled off my sweatshirt and
rolled it up for a makeshift pillow. Aubrey folded his jacket into a
square and stretched out beside me.

“Listen to that, Dale.”
“Ah, blessed silence. It’s nice, isn’t it?”
He rolled onto his side and propped up on his elbow. “How

long are you staying on Ocracoke?”

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I picked up my camera and set it to display the pictures I’d

taken of him.

“Sam invited me to stay until spring. Look at these, Aubrey.”
He grasped my hand and moved the camera to a better angle. I

scrolled through the shots without comment. He finally took a deep
breath.

“I barely recognize myself.”
“You’re beautiful, babe. Can I send these to someone I know

for a critique?”

Aubrey looked at me for several long moments. I rolled to my

side and mirrored his pose.

“It’s nothing to be scared of, Aubrey. It’s just a few pictures

and a roll of the dice. Maybe I’ll get a job offer, or maybe you will.
Maybe some of these are good enough for prints and we can sell
them for some pocket change. What do either of us have to lose?”

“It’s not that. I’m sort of awestruck at the way the photos look.

I’ve never seen myself this way.” He licked his lips. “Why do you
see me like this?”

“That’s like asking me why the sky’s blue. It just is that way,

Aubrey.”

“Don’t get too wrapped up in me, Dale.”
It was too late for me to avoid it, but I didn’t dare say the words

to him. He’d bolt.

“Babe, you need to relax. The world won’t end if someone

cares for you. So how long are you going to stay on the island?”

He looked at me, his eyes restless with worry. “I don’t know

for sure.”

“Maybe now isn’t the time to angst over it.” I cupped the back

of his neck and pulled his lips to mine. He was suddenly against
me, chest-to-chest, pressing as close to me as the skin separating us
allowed.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

His hands worked my T-shirt up and over my head. I had a

fleeting thought that we couldn’t make love on the beach where
anyone could bring in another boat or walk over the small dune
and see us. And then I didn’t care.

Aubrey’s lips seared my skin as he kissed every spot he could

reach. His fingers tugged at the snap of my jeans, impatient to
complete their mission. I tried to help him and retrieve the
condoms I’d stashed in the back pocket at the same time, which
didn’t work well. He figured out what I was after and ceased
kissing me long enough to pull the two packets out.

“Oh…my…God…” He mumbled between kisses, then pulled

back to focus on me. “You brought lube. You think you’re going to
do me here?”

“Or you can do me. Wanna toss a seashell since I don’t have a

coin?” I didn’t know if he liked to top. It wasn’t his vibe, but I
suspected he’d learned how not to show a lot of what he felt.

“When I’m ready to top, I’ll just flip you over.” With those

words, he rolled me onto my belly and pinned me beneath him.

The skin across my ass prickled with anticipation as his fingers

teased deep in the dark crevice between my buttocks. I flexed my
pelvis forward to rub my aching dick on the cover for some relief. I
should have gotten off this morning because just thinking about
him fucking me gave me a hair trigger. I hoped I could last until he
got inside me.

I held the lube packet up, and he told me to open it since he

was getting busy with a condom. I did as ordered, then jumped as
the slick gel wet intimate flesh. His lips teased my ear.

“Do you bottom much?”
“No, but I have, so just go slow and ignore me if I start calling

on the saints.”

He rubbed my hip. “On your side. Let’s not be too obvious

CATCHING FIREFLIES

about this.”

I settled back against him, into the curve of his body, panting to

stay with him and not shoot. The blunt tip of his cock slid over
lube and pressed for entrance. I fisted my shaft and closed my
eyes, trying to forget the building heat deep in my groin.

The burning stretch ripped a moan from me. I’d forgotten how

intense the mix of pleasure and pain could be. The sensation was
fleeting; the moment of pain passed more quickly than a single
breath, as my body took him in, but it almost made me come. My
only anchor was Aubrey’s voice in my ear.

“Stay with me, Dale. Just for a few more moments. Wait for

me.” He rocked into me and my world flashed hot with a white
heat.

Aubrey moved within me, slowly at first, then with more

deliberate purpose. He whispered a steady string of encouragement
in my ear, telling me how good it felt to fuck me. I didn’t hear all
of it—I was too far gone. His possession of me, the earlier arousal
that had simmered since this morning, the sheer thrill of fucking
him out in the sunshine under a blue sky. I rode a knife-edge of
building sensation, hoping it would never end and praying it would
and I’d still be alive.

His pace quickened as his grip tightened on my hip. His voice

was strained as he said the two simple words I desperately wanted
to hear. “Dale. Now.”

I reached down to the burning spot at the base of my spine and

flung myself into velvety bliss. Aubrey was with me in the
darkness, calling my name, then all I knew was breathlessness until
his hands stroking my side brought me back to awareness.

I couldn’t move. Aubrey was quiet behind me, his hand

questing between us, then his body slipped from mine and he
rolled away. I immediately regretted the loss of our connection and

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of his warm skin touching mine.

He kissed my shoulder. “We’ve done it now. It’s either in the

water or be sticky until we get home.”

“Are those my only options?”
“I’m afraid so.”
I flipped over onto my back and smiled up at him. To my

surprise, he grabbed my camera and pointed it at me, clicking off a
few shots. I held out my hand for the device, and he snapped a few
more before finally placing it in my open palm.

Aubrey wrapped his arms around his knees again, looked at the

water, and tossed his head to get the hair out of his eyes. He looked
so happy, so relaxed sitting there, I knew I had to take his
picture—just for me.

“I’ll never share that one, Aubrey.”
His chin lifted. “Why not?”
“I don’t want anyone else to share the way we are in this

moment.”

He swallowed, then cleared his throat. “Wow. That’s the most

romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I mean every word. Talk to me. Tell me whatever is going on

between us isn’t just a handful of days because we’re both gay and
in the same place at the same time.”

“You know it’s gone beyond that, Dale. Even if it did start that

way.”

“Aubrey, how long are you going to stay here?”
He rocked back and forth a few times, his gaze focused on the

blue horizon. “Darcy said I can stay as long as I like and for Chad
to shut up about it.” He looked at me.

“I don’t know what to do, Dale. A man should work. He should

do something productive, not sponge off his friends or let some
sugar daddy take care of his every whim.”

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“I agree, babe. I can’t stay with Sam forever.” I put my arm

around his shoulders. “I don’t know what the future holds. None of
us do. But I do know I’d like to give whatever this is we’ve got
going here a chance.”

“Me, too. The guys did decide to go to England for a couple of

weeks after they go to the Caribbean, so I’ll be here at least until
they get back. That may not be enough time for me. I might want
more and then what?”

My heart did a strange little flutter-flip-flop series of beats. I

sensed him holding back, as if he was afraid to give too much of
himself away. I had to tread carefully to reassure him I didn’t
expect promises from him he’d be unable to keep. I’d accept what
he could give me today.

“Who knows, Aubrey? But we can hang out, have some fun,

and see what unfolds, okay? Heck, we’re both old enough to know
we have something more than a new friendship between us.”

He slipped his arm around my waist. “Thanks, Dale.”
“For what?”
“For saying the right things, and not saying you love me and all

that crap.”

I tumbled us over so we could stretch out in the sunshine and

enjoy the simple pleasure of being together for a while longer.

Now is all any of us have. I planned to enjoy it and let the

future work itself out. And I had a feeling mine would be coming
up Aubrey.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

EPILOGUE

Eight months later…

The month of June equates to freedom in my mind. It was

when I always returned home from school for a summer on
Ocracoke. Come June, the scent of the ocean is on every breeze
and the taste in everything on the dinner table. When I was a boy, I
lived in gratitude for June. This year, the bounty of my favorite
month surpassed all I’d known before. I rolled over and gazed at
my napping companion in the fading evening light.

Aubrey and I were still together, but I’d known we would be

even if I didn’t say the usual relationship words aloud to him. I’d
started to a few times, and he’d shushed me, telling me not to
tempt fate. Lately, though, he’d been the one talking about us
getting our own place and scaring me into silence. One blue eye
popped open to gaze at me.

CATCHING FIREFLIES

“I’m awake and I feel you staring at me.”
I ran my hand up the inside of his thigh. “What else do you

want to feel me do?”

He rolled over on his stomach and wiggled his butt at me. I

smacked it. “Forget it. I already gave you that, barely an hour ago.”

Aubrey laughed and sat up. “We have to stop sneaking up here

every afternoon for nooky. It’s putting us behind schedule.”

I snorted. “Never gonna happen. We’ll always make time for

this.”

Actually, he had a point, but why have your own thriving start-

up if you couldn’t stop to enjoy life?

“We need to get last week’s orders shipped, you know. We can

still get them on the ferry if we hustle.”

“Tomorrow, babe. I asked Sam to drive us over to the mainland

so we—”

“Since when are we going back to Sam driving us anywhere,

hmm?”

Aubrey had pushed me until I’d gotten behind the wheel of a

car and driven again. Nothing bad had happened and I’d realized
how I’d foolishly allowed the residual fear from the attack to rule
me, to my own detriment.

“Didn’t your mother tell you it’s rude to interrupt?” I smacked

his ass a second time because I knew he liked it. “I saw a nice,
roomy SUV for sale online. I want to check it out and maybe drive
it home. We can pack a lot of boxes and supplies in a vehicle like
that.”

“Oh. Sam should drive us, then.” Aubrey flipped over and

reached for his briefs.

“I knew you’d see it my way.”
“Don’t I always?”
I turned slowly to stare at him, my mouth open. “Like hell!”

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Aubrey laughed and tackled me. We rolled around on the bed

like a couple of lunatics until some unknown signal broke us apart.
His hand found mine and our fingers laced together.

“Can we afford this car, sugar?”
“If they don’t want more than ten grand for it. It’s not new,

unfortunately. I’ve salted away a thousand a month earmarked for
wheels since December sales took off for us. It’s got to be in the
shape they say it is and affordable, or we’ll have to keep muddling
through the way we have been for a little while longer.”

He gusted out a long breath. “Who knew so many people

would buy photos of the island?”

What really amazed him was when people bought the photos of

him. It embarrassed him, too, so we didn’t talk about it much. We
just took the shots and posted them on the website and filled the
orders when they came in. For two guys who’d been virtually
homeless and without prospects when they met, we were doing all
right.

We still had a few hurdles to overcome, mainly a house of our

own, although between Sam’s house, the Paulson/Collier house
and the Houston/Matthews house, we didn’t lack for living
options. Whenever anyone had to leave the island, we were roped
into housesitting. Not a bad arrangement—in fact, it had a lot of
perks—but lately it wasn’t the same for either of us. We needed
our place.

It would come. We worked hard and chain store buyers had

begun to find their way to us. Not wanting to touch Aubrey’s nest
egg if we didn’t have to, Sam had loaned us the money to purchase
good equipment and the investment had paid off in a quality end
product.

I squeezed his hand. “Come on. Let’s pop the cork on a bottle

of your fake wine and go down to the gazebo. The last twenty

CATCHING FIREFLIES

frames can wait another hour.”

We both found jeans and T-shirts and dressed in silence. I

grabbed my camera on the way out of the bedroom. I’d learned to
keep it close at hand. We’d tarried upstairs so long it was almost
dark, but we knew the way. Aubrey curled up on the bench, arms
wrapped around his knees in a familiar pose. I stretched out on a
lounge chair.

Aubrey lifted his arm, palm up, smiling. “Look. The first firefly

of the season.”

I picked up my camera and snapped as the small creature

landed on his hand and lit.

I was a lucky man.

ENDRICKS

KC Kendricks makes her home in Maryland with her partner of
twenty years. Living in a rural area, KC enjoys most outdoor
activities except those that require snow. In warm weather KC
might be found walking the dog, biking on the C&O Canal
towpath, planting delicacies for the deer, playing in the creek with
the youngest generation of her cousins, or lazing on the patio with
a Kindle reader or a laptop.

An administrative assistant by day, and best-selling author by
night, Kendricks’ is a 2008 Amber Heat Wave Winner. Her work
has also been nominated for a CAPA from The Romance Studio,
the Elisa Rolle LGBT Rainbow Award, and Best GLBT Story at
Love Romance Café. Her contemporary gay romances celebrate
love and hope for mature readers.

For more information about KC, please visit her website at
http://www.kckendricks.com, and her personal blog, Between the
Keys, at http://kckendricks.blogspot.com.

* * *

Don’t miss Between The Moon And The Deep Blue Sea

by KC Kendricks,

available at AmberAllure.com!

Chad Collier’s had enough of providing stud service to rich men.
It’s true he’s had more fun than any one man deserves, but now it’s

time to make a plan for the rest of his life. At the urging of a
mentor, he takes a leap of faith and breaks with his old ways. Yet a
job interview lands him smack in the path of Darcy Paulson, the
sort of rich man Chad vowed to avoid.

Darcy Paulson came of age as the prodigal son in a wealthy
manufacturing dynasty. Every man he’s ever met has been after his
money, until Chad Collier shows up on his doorstep. Darcy finds
Chad prickly, standoffish, and utterly irresistible. Smitten by
Chad’s dark good looks and determination to stand on his own two
feet, Darcy is happy to give him an opportunity. It doesn’t take
long for them to figure out that some private, no-strings fun is what
they both need.

An unexpected event brings them face-to-face with the truth. The
magic that happens between the moon and the deep blue sea is
something a man can’t own, and it can be fully experienced only in
the arms of a lover…

MBER

UILL

RESS

LLC

OLD

TANDARD IN

UBLISHING

UALITY

OOKS

OTH

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