Chapter Three
As they kissed on the balcony, Neo set about removing Jude’s clothing. He slowly undid each button on his short-sleeve work shirt then pulled it from his pants. He slid it over his shoulders, gently, his palms smoothing on Jude’s skin. The shirt fell to the floor, forgotten.
Jude enjoyed the evening air on his flesh. He was hot and tingly. Every touch from Neo made him crave more.
What was it about this big, strong guy that had gotten him so wound up for it? Anticipation and longing coiled around his insides and tugged like a real, actual thread from his heart to his cock.
“You’re so cute,” Neo said, pulling back slightly and taking in the sight of Jude’s hairless chest.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” Neo ran the tip of his fingers around each of Jude’s nipples.
They sprang to hard points and he stuttered in a breath.
Neo smiled and slid his attention to the buckle on Jude’s belt. Slowly, almost painfully slowly, he undid it. Each tiny movement sent a tremor to Jude’s cock. He was so hard that he was sure he’d have zipper marks on his shaft. He just wanted to be naked, now.
But Neo took his time, slipping the belt from its hook at an agonizing pace.
Jude groaned and clutched Neo’s forearms. They were wide and thick with tendon, solid too.
“Are you hard?” Neo asked.
“What do you reckon?”
Neo didn’t reply. Instead he finally freed the belt from the loops. He held the buckle but let the end drag on the decking. A slow smile spread on his face. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Jude sneaked a look at Neo’s cock. He was hard again already.
“And there’s only one thing we’re going to do next.”
“What’s that?” Jude asked, not that he needed to. He had a good idea what plan was going through Neo’s mind. And he was pretty sure it would involve him bending over the balcony, and offering his ass to the wild and beautiful man who was now undoing his zipper.
His cock got a moment of release as his zipper opened. But then it butted up against his boxers and the need for it to be freed was compounded again.
Neo smiled as if sensing his impatience. “Lose these,” he said, pushing Jude’s smart work pants to his thighs.
Jude quickly toed off his shoes, tugged his socks from his feet then kicked his pants to land on top of his discarded shirt. His erection tented his red boxers.
Neo pushed his hand through his hair and it fell around his dark eyes. The last of the day’s light flashed in his irises and caught in the sheen on his lips.
Jude couldn’t remember ever having such a beautiful man look at him as though he were his next meal. Neo made him feel like prey who’d been caught, or a prize to be enjoyed.
“About this thing we’re going to do next,” Neo said.
“Mmm, that.”
“You’ll need to take off your boxers.” Neo stepped away.
So, they were going indoors, after all. And here was Jude thinking he’d found an adventurous guy who wanted to do it outdoors and risk being seen.
Quickly, he shoved at his boxers. The elastic caught on the tip of his cock and he winced.
“Fuck.”
Neo chuckled. “Not yet.”
Jude gritted his teeth and cast aside his last item of clothing. He straightened and stood before Neo, completely naked.
Neo gave him an approving once-over, his gaze hovering on his long erection.
Jude didn’t have a girth to write home about, but his cock was long and always eager for action, so he figured it all balanced out.
“This way,” Neo said, dragging his finger along the balcony and heading to the set of steps that led to the beach.
“Down there?” Jude asked.
“Sure.” Neo headed down the steps at a trot.
Jude stared at his broad back.
Really? On the beach?
Wouldn’t they need some lube? He hoped he didn’t get sand in uncomfortable places.
But, despite his worries, he still followed Neo. He couldn’t help it, the man was like a drug.
His feet hit the sand and sank deep.
Neo had covered the short distance to the waves. His ass looked glorious cast in shadows with beautiful indents at the sides showing how powerful his muscles were, all over.
Jude walked up to stand next to him, his cock bobbing as he went.
“You coming in?” Neo said.
“What, in there?”
“Why not?” Neo turned to him with a shrug. “Good for the soul, a swim.”
“The sharks feed at twilight.”
Neo laughed. “You’re not afraid of animals, are you?”
“Only ones with big teeth.”
“I have big teeth.” Neo grinned extra wide and pulled back his lips.
Jude laughed. “Yeah, but you’re not an animal.”
“I can be if you want me to be,” Neo called over his shoulder as he stepped into water.
“I’ll hold you to that.” A stroke of goosebumps that had nothing to do with standing naked at the water’s edge attacked Jude. He had no doubt that Neo could fuck like an animal. He was sure he’d be feral, wild, go for what he wanted.
Jude couldn’t wait to get started.
But it seemed he’d have to wait a while. Neo was now waist-deep in the water. As a wave curled toward him, he dived into it, his ass a quick flash of skin before he disappeared.
The water smashed into spray, covering Jude, then dispersed into the sand at his feet.
“Come on, it’s awesome.” Neo flicked water from his head.
“It’s cold.”
“Don’t be a pansy.”
Jude chuckled. The last thing he was going to be called was a damn pansy. He stepped into the water. It was chilly on his ankles, and as he got deeper he resisted gasping.
When a wave enveloped his cock and balls, he gritted his teeth. Damn it, keeping an erection standing high and proud in this wasn’t going to be easy.
Neo swam parallel to the shore, striking out with his arms.
Jude shivered and held his breath as another wave crashed against him. There was nothing for it, he’d have to take the plunge, literally. The last thing he wanted was to look a wimp. It was bad enough being so short on muscles, without moaning about a bit of cold water too.
The next wave that came, he dived into it. The water fizzed in his ears and coated his shoulders. It was dark and a little disorientating. He stretched out his legs and found he could stand.
What a relief.
He looked around for Neo but couldn’t see him. He’d been to the left of the house before Jude had dived. Jude struck out toward where Neo had last been. He was probably under the water, or behind a wave.
His heart beat fast, partly from cold, and partly because he did have a genuine fear of sharks. Not that they’d find much meat on him. He hoped that would make him an unappealing target.
After several strokes, he stopped to check his bearings, and make sure he hadn’t gone too far out to sea. He wasn’t a very strong swimmer at the best of times. Add in waves, and he really did have to know his limits.
Still no Neo.
He placed his feet on the sand and allowed the water to sway his body as he looked around. So much for skinny-dipping together. He glanced at the house. There was movement beneath it. A shadow.
He peered closer. It was a dog, sniffing around the wooden struts that held up the balcony. A huge black dog with a shaggy coat and tail. Jude reckoned that its shoulders would easily come up to his hips.
But whose dog was it?
As he watched, the dog cocked its leg and relieved itself. It then trotted deeper into the shadows and out of view.
Damn it. The dog had gone too. Where was Neo?
He swam back the way he’d come, so that he was in front of Neo’s home again. It was beginning to feel creepy being out in the ocean alone. Far from it making him feel at one with nature, he was freaking out a bit. He swam faster, angling toward the shore. As soon as the next wave passed, he’d put down his feet. He’d feel better then.
“Hey, what you doing?” Jude turned at the sound of Neo’s voice.
He was right behind him, his wet hair plastered to his head and his shoulders sparkling.
“Looking for you,” Jude said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. “Where’d you go?”
“I thought I heard something, up near the house.”
“And did you?”
Neo put his feet down and shrugged.
“I’ll tell you what it was,” Jude said, also standing. “It was a dog, and a damn big one at that. Likely after the bins or something.” A wave pressed against Jude’s torso and he staggered slightly.
Neo was there in an instant, wrapping his strong arms around him. “I would imagine that dog has got better things to do. Why go in the bins when there’s much more to do around here?” He kissed him, his tongue just poking in.
Jude sighed into it, enjoying Neo’s strength. The man was like a brick wall, unmovable, even with the might of the ocean behind him.
Their cocks came into alignment, and despite the cold, Jude hardened again.
“You still scared of sharks?” Neo whispered, running his hands below the waterline and cupping Jude’s ass.
“Not if you’re here.”
“Why? ’Cause I’ll protect you?”
“Nah, I reckon you’re tastier. They’ll eat you first.” Jude laughed.
“Mmm, you have a point. So, why don’t we take this inside?”
“Now that’s a very good idea.” Neo grinned then took his hand. He led Jude out of the water, forging forward through the backflow and tugging Jude with him.
Jude was glad of Neo’s help and his good balance, and when their feet hit dry sand, he was thankful that his night swim was over. Not that it hadn’t been thrilling, especially when
Neo had pulled him close in the waves, but now he didn’t have to worry about sharks. But Jude did still have this man to satisfy. He hoped Neo understood his own strength.
Neo marched up to the house, his strides full of purpose. Water slipped from them and the mild breeze soon began to dry their skin.
“That’s where the dog was,” Jude said as they reached the wooden steps. “Under there.”
“He’s gone now,” Neo said, heading upward.
“How do you know?”
“I just do.”
“Is he yours?” Neo was silent for a moment, then, “Sort of.”
“So, you share him, what with a neighbor?”
They stepped onto the balcony. The inside of the house was in darkness now, the sun having dipped beneath the horizon.
Neo turned to him. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“You don’t give a lot of answers.” Jude placed his hands on his hips and jutted to the side, his cock tapped his belly.
Neo grinned. “Okay, ask me a question and I promise I’ll answer it.”
Jude’s mind went into overdrive. He didn’t want to ask about the damn dog when there were so many other things to find out about his new buddy. “Okay...” He paused, buying time.
Neo raised his thick eyebrows. “I want to know...” Again he paused. “Where you’re from.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep.” No, damn it, there were many other questions. What did it matter where he was from? It was the here and now that was important.
“East of the ocean,” Neo said, stepping up close. He still had a few drips on his skin and several sparkled in his stubble. A trickle of seawater ran from his temple to the angle of his jawline.
“That’s not very precise,” Jude managed. “East of the ocean. Everywhere is east of the ocean from here.” He caught the trickle on the end of his finger then touched Neo’s hair.
Neo tipped his head into the touch. “Maybe I’ll take you one day. Show you rather than tell you. It’s beautiful and very peaceful.”
“I like peaceful.”
“Why?”
“Not being disturbed, it means...”
“That no one interrupts the good stuff, right?”
“If by good stuff you mean fucking, yeah, the good stuff.” Neo leaned close, his cock tip tapped Jude’s hip. “So, shall we get on with it, the fucking?”