Good Times and Tan Lines Read online

  So if I can be there when he experiences something new, something that goes beyond sex and his need for attention, I’ll take the opportunity.

  We take the glass bottom boat out again. It’s the smallest of my fleet and the easiest to navigate. Rainer sits outside, arms spread across the guardrail, as he leans back and takes in the rapidly darkening sky above us. I try not to smile—really try—but he looks so right sitting there that it makes my heart go a bit nuts for a second. I know I’m probably getting a touch too attached here, I know it’s stupid and I’ve been through this before. I also know that once Rainer decides to head home that will be it. Which is fine. Going into this, we both knew what it was.

  Still, these brief moments of connecting with someone as wholly as I have with Rainer are few and far between. I can’t deny getting lonely sometimes.

  I navigate out to the reef and when I drop the anchor, I hand Rainer his wetsuit and pull on my own. Before we pull on the oxygen tanks and weighted belts, we go back over the hand signals I taught him, and cover emergency procedures. Thankfully, he seems to remember the most of it and noting the way he keeps casting apprehensive looks at the dark water, I figure it’s probably best not to delay anymore.

  We test out the tanks, then we’re ready to go.

  Still, standing on the edge of the boat, Rainer hesitates. He’s breathing slowly, deliberately, and the only way he’s going to get past this fear is by diving right in—literally. I briefly consider giving him a nudge, but sense that isn’t the right route to go with him. Instead, I step out and plunge, water rushing up around me before I give a light kick, and my head breaks the surface.

  “Come on.”

  Even behind the mask, I can make out the way Rainer squeezes his eyes shut a second before he jumps. He resurfaces just beside me, and without words, we put in our mouthpieces and dive.

  I switch on the torch attached to my gear, revealing a murky gray world all around us. There’s nothing much to see until we get a bit further down, but that doesn’t stop Rainer swimming close to my side. I can appreciate his fear, and not being able to see far ahead would definitely exasperate it, but I also know these waters.

  He matches me kick for kick until we’re far enough down that the dull light from the surface is swallowed, and it’s almost impossible to tell which way is up.

  Finally, the first signs of the reef appear.

  Small colored fish dart away from the light and soon enough large coral forests start to appear. Browns and greens and muted pinks are the first to pass under the beam of the flashlight. I keep my kicks even and powerful, making sure Rainer is always beside me. Even though reef sharks are unlikely to bite and I’m reasonably confident in our safety, it’s the ocean, so you never really know what’s lurking.

  I lead Rainer to one of my favorite places on the reef: a huge underwater tunnel. It’s covered in barnacles and algae and at this time of night, it’s completely black inside. Rainer must notice where we’re going because he gives my leg a sharp tug. He points to the tunnel and gives his head a solid shake, making his opinion on our location very clear. Too bad for him.

  I reach for his hand and give it a tight squeeze before kicking forward again. He doesn’t let go—which makes swimming harder—but at least he follows with no more complaints. My heart beats faster the closer we get. This is the part I love.

  Complete blackness, except what’s hit by the thin torch beam. The darkness is so deep and impenetrable, it’s like I can feel the adrenaline flooding into my system. Literally anything could be lurking. Anything could be creeping up behind us … reaching out …

  My kicks turn stronger, faster, until the darkness starts to seep away again. When we exit the tunnel and into the reef beyond, the crawling feeling doesn’t ease, especially as I can sense unknown things moving just out of sight.

  Rainer’s grip—already tight on mine—suddenly clenches and jerks with fright. I twist around just in time to see a reef shark dart past and snatch a fish in its jaws. The powerful head shakes side to side, spilling fish guts everywhere and I manage to pull Rainer aside before a swarm of other sharks descend, closing in on the struggle. Even outside the range of mayhem, Rainer is pulling me backward and I laugh a little thinking that what’s behind us could be worse.

  My stomach hasn’t untwisted since we entered the tunnel and as unsettling as it is, I live for it. But I’m familiar with these waters, I can only imagine the sensation is tenfold for Rainer.

  I’m not in a hurry to get back, yet I understand pushing it for too long might be a bit much for Rainer’s first time at night.

  I quickly shake that thought. His only time at night. He won’t be around long enough for a repeat. The time limit on our fling starts to encroach on my nervous excitement from the dive, and for the first time since I moved to Cala d’Hort, I wonder what might have been. I love my life, I love diving, and my business, and the friends I’ve made here. But—and especially in the off season when I’m not so busy—I’m beginning to really want someone to share all this with. Having Rainer around just intensifies that feeling. That aching want I manage to ignore most days feels rawer, more exposed. I look over at him, barely able to make out his wide eyes behind his mask and a flood of heat surges through me.

  Temporary or not, I’m glad I could share this with him.

  Rainer eventually loosens up a little, excitedly pointing things out to me and even letting go of my hand a couple of times to swim ahead. His enthusiasm reminds me of my first dive, only then, I’d been a lot more scared than I am now. A lot more scared than even Rainer is. It kind of amazes me the way he’s able to so fully engage himself in the present.

  An hour later I emerge from the water, breathing deep, unable to stop the wide smile on my face, and as I climb out then turn to help Rainer back on board, his face is the same. His hands shake as he lifts his mask, blue eyes bright.

  “That was incredible,” he breathes.

  I nod. It was. Going on a dive during the day is enough of an experience, but at night? The rest of the world disappears, and for a moment, it was just me and Rainer and nothing else mattered.

  “You liked it?”

  He shakes his head, clearly not knowing what to say. “It was terrifying. And brilliant. I mean, I’m relieved to be out of the water, and my heartbeat is intense, but I’ll never forget that. Wow.”

  He starts to unstrap his oxygen, still looking like he’s been struck in the face, and I barely manage to hold in my chuckle. For someone who claims to be a mess, he’s oddly in touch with emotion and seems to feel more than most people do.

  I take my gear off and roll my wetsuit down to my waist, the residual water cooling my skin in the warm night.

  “Thank you.”

  I glance back over and Rainer’s stare is unwavering. His eyes are still slightly wider than usual, and even with that deep red mark from his mask across his nose, he’s a sight. He’s practically glowing.

  My feet close the distance between us and I run my fingers down his hairline before resting my hand against his neck. “You’re welcome.”

  The smile he gives me is soft, nothing like the sassy flirtatious ones I’ve been privy to so far. It prompts me to lean in and kiss him. I take my time, each caress of our lips is slow and deliberate, and I’m hyperaware of every time his tongue brushes against my own. I wrap one arm around his waist, but don’t make a move to speed up the kiss. This is exactly what I want to be doing in this moment.

  Rainer pulls back after a few minutes, running his hands over my chest. “Can you take us somewhere private?”

  He doesn’t need to ask twice. I press my lips quickly to his, then steer the boat toward the nearest stretch of beach. It’s completely deserted, and not too easy to access so I’m fairly confident we won’t be disturbed. No words are exchanged as we strip out of our wetsuits, grabs some supplies, and jump into the thigh deep water.

  Rainer follows me to shore and we lay out the tow
els, even though I know they won’t be enough to keep the sand away. I drop the condom and packet lube to the side as he turns to me, sliding his fingers through mine, and his kiss is so sweet it makes my chest ache.

  “How do you want me?” he whispers against my lips.

  “Just lay down. I’m not in a hurry.”

  He complies, and seeing that gorgeous slim body laid out in only his tight swim trunks, makes my dick start to twitch. That flirtatious smile is back as he watches me drink him in.

  “You might need to come down here,” Rainer says, voice hitched with amusement.

  I drop to my knees and his legs automatically part as I stretch out over the top of him. His body is so warm under mine as I pull him closer, wanting nothing more than to feel skin against skin.

  “You are so fucking sexy,” I murmur as I kiss him again. There’s nothing sweet in it this time. My mouth seals over his, tongue reaching as far as it can get, while the sounds of Rainer’s moans meet my heavy breathing. My cock has come completely to life now, and as I grind down into Rainer’s he squirms beneath me.

  “Fuck, Colton.”

  Mmm. I feel the exact same way. I’m resting my weight on one arm, while the other hand explores the planes of his back before I finally give in and run it lower, past the band of his swim trunks and over his perky ass. I groan into his mouth as I squeeze it tight enough to bruise, and the way Rainer pulls me closer makes it clear he likes it.

  “Enough teasing,” he pants, tugging at my trunks. I chuckle as I reach down to help him out, kicking them somewhere on the sand behind us. Then I look down at his.

  Shifting so I’m kneeling back between his legs, I can’t drag my eyes away from his obvious erection. I run my hands back up his thighs, dipping my fingers just under the legs of the shorts, before I reach up and tug them down. His cock flings back against his stomach, and my own twitches at the sight of it. So long and pretty. It’s thin and pink and as I toss his shorts to the side, I can’t look away.

  Leaning down, I run my tongue over the tip and when Rainer’s cock jumps at the touch, it spurs me on. Swallowing him down in one move, I lift my fingers and run them over his lips. Rainer automatically opens his mouth and sucks them in, running his tongue over them until they’re nice and wet. I pull off his straining dick with a pop and grab the underside of his thigh, pushing it up until his tight pink hole is exposed to me.

  “Fuck.” It’s all I can think as I circle two fingers around his entrance, and then slowly push one inside. There’s a little resistance to get past that first ring of muscle, but once it’s in, his ass sucks me further, like it can’t get enough. I groan, already imagining how he’s going to feel around my cock.

  I lean back down and wrap my mouth around his shaft as I start to work my finger in and out stretching him enough for a second. The taste of precum is salty on my tongue, and I look up to see his chest expanding with each shallow breath. It’s not until his gaze collides with mine that a sharp zing hits my cock, and I have to close my eyes to block it all out.

  “Okay. I’m ready.”

  I don’t look up for confirmation. I can’t. Instead, I pull off his dick and slide my fingers from his ass as I reach for a condom. I can feel him watching me as I roll it on. Then I grab the packet of lube and rub it over my shaft before pushing the last of the lube up his ass.

  “How do you want me?” he asks again, this time sounding almost breathless.

  Giving in to the need, I look back at him, feeling completely trapped under his stare. “Don’t fucking move an inch.”

  I crawl up his body, pressing hard kisses to his stomach, his chest, his neck, until my cock slides over his ass. Propping myself up on one arm again, I reach down to line the head of my dick up against his hole. “You okay?”

  He nods frantically, pulling my mouth down to his as I push forward. Even though I’ve stretched him, every muscle is tight as I ease in. The pressure is intense but the lube helps. Still, I’m careful not to push too far. Rainer’s eyes are closed as he grabs my ass, controlling the speed I move. It’s so tempting to thrust, to bury my cock inside him, but I grit my teeth and wait until my hips push against his ass.

  I press a kiss to his jaw and slide my nose across his cheek until I reach his ear. “Let me know when you’re ready.”

  He breathes deeply a few times before nodding. “I’m ready.”

  I ease out and back in a few times, making sure he’s fully adjusted to my size. Just when I’m ready to start thrusting, Rainer lets go of one ass cheek and brings his palm down on it—hard.

  I gasp at the sting and Rainer giggles beneath me.

  “I told you I’m ready. You don’t need to be precious about it.”

  I find his amused gaze and smile back. “Now you’re in trouble.”

  Pulling out, I grab Rainer’s hip and flip him onto his front. Spreading his cheeks, I spit directly into his hole before plunging back into his ass. His gasp goes straight to my balls. I grab his waist and pull him up slightly before I start to thrust, burying my cock into his tight hole over and over. Rainer’s hands clench the towel in his fists as he starts to push back against me and every time I pound into his ass, it jolts a small moan from him. Hearing him let go heats me up, and I lean forward, pressing my chest to his back.

  “You like me fucking you?” I whisper against his ear.

  “Oh, god, yes. I’ve been thinking about it all week.”

  “Thinking about what exactly?”

  He pants on my every thrust. “Your gorgeous cock pounding into me. Fucking me until I can’t see straight.”

  I shift my angle and drive into him, making Rainer arch up.

  “Yes. Yes. Right there.”

  Hearing his moans encourages me to keep pegging that same spot, over and over, “How’s the vision?” I grunt.

  “Still in tact,” he moans. He reaches around to grab my ass. “Harder. Fuck me harder.”

  I manage a chuckle as I bury my nose into his hair, breathing in the smell of his sweat as I grip his shoulders to hold him steady. My hips slam into him. My breathing gets deeper, louder, and sweat pricks up over my skin, as I start to lose touch with the world.

  “Oh, fuck,” I grunt, feeling a tingling spread over my balls. I reach around for Rainer’s cock, rolling my palm over the precum dripping out, before grasping his shaft in a tight grip. I start to jerk him with the same force as my thrusts and when his whole body starts to shake beneath mine, I know he’s as close as I am.

  “Colton. Shit, I’m almost …” He doesn’t finish his sentence before he comes, shooting out over my hand. I jerk him through it and when I’m sure he’s done, I plant my hands either side of him and fuck him into the sand. All it takes is Rainer clenching his ass around my cock for me to explode, filling the condom with my mind-blowing orgasm.

  “Damn …” I groan, falling against him. I feel rather than hear his laugh, before he goes still again.

  “You can say that again.”

  “So have I changed your mind about outdoor activities?”

  He buries his face into his arms and I hope he’s trying to hide a smile. “I will not dignify that with an answer.”

  I grin into the back of his neck. You can’t fake chemistry, and since I first saw him, I knew I wanted him under me, but even I couldn’t have pictured just how hot it would be. He arches up a little, a wordless request to move the hell off him. I reluctantly slip out of his ass and slide the condom off, tying the end before dumping it to the side.

  Rainer rolls onto his side, away from the mess he made of the towel, and I wipe him clean before I lie down next to him. I’m not sure his thoughts on cuddling after sex, but I’m all for it, so I pull him closer, arm tightening around his waist as I press light kisses to his collarbone.

  “Tell me we get to do that again before you leave,” I say.

  He hums and when I look up at him, his eyes are closed and his cheeks still hold a light flush. “I’
m here until you’re sick of me.”

  I stiffen slightly at his words, hand going still on his back. I’m torn, both at how much I wish he’d stay, and at his tone. Like he’s used to people getting sick of him.

  “You can’t hide out here forever.”

  “Why not? All that’s waiting back home is my job, which I don’t need, and my ex-best friend, who doesn’t need me.”

  “Have you spoken to him since you left?”

  This time Rainer stills. “No, obviously.”

  My post sex high ebbs a little. “Well … he’s your best friend. Don’t you think he’d want to know where you are?”

  “It’s not like he cares.”

  I barely manage to hold back from rolling my eyes. “That’s mature.”

  “Oh, fuck you.”

  “Little late for that.” Rainer starts to sit up but I quickly pull him closer. “Okay, settle down. We don’t have to talk about it.”

  Rainer sniffs, drawing my attention to his eyes and how they’ve gone all shiny. “I’m so scared. If I talk to him and he still doesn’t want anything to do with me, that’s it.”

  “I’m sorry.” I am. I shouldn’t have brought it up. My arms close around his slim shoulders and I hug him to me. “I need to learn to keep my mouth shut.”

  Thankfully he doesn’t cry, and after a minute he pulls back, resting his head on my bicep. “Maybe. But either way, you’re right. I am hiding.”

  “How long have you guys been friends?”

  “Me and Elliot? At least six years. We were college freshmen together.”

  “Six years is a long time. And you’re clearly sorry. Maybe he’s over it now.”

  “That’s the thing, he just might be. Elliot is one of those rational people, but the longer I put it off, the longer I get to hope.”