Chapter 18
GEORGE
D riving back to the ship, I wondered what the hell I was doing.
All these crazy feelings for Rafe started bubbling to the surface. And then when I saw that arsehole touching him, my temper ran wild and hot.
Much as I wanted the night to continue, as much as I wanted Rafe’s kiss, I thought a bit of distance between me and him was needed.
Before any intimacy happened, I wanted to make sure this was what he truly wanted. Because I didn’t go into relationships lightly. Rafe was different from me, and I worried that whatever was building between us was only temporary for him, the rush of lust that would fade soon after sex.
Niall and Willem headed off inside, hand in hand, while I stood on the bridge deck with Rafe.
“It’s been another memorable evening. But I’m going to leave you here and say goodnight.”
Rafe’s eyes glistened with disappointment, then his expression shuttered. I quickly took his hand in mine.
“We’ll go diving tomorrow, as promised. And then, dinner, just the two of us.”
Rafe nodded. I lifted his hand and turned it over, placing a kiss on his palm, then his wrist. Memorizing his taste. Feeling his warmth and the rapid heartbeat that echoed mine.
“Sleep well,” I whispered and let go of his hand.
“You too,” Rafe replied.
He slowly walked away, and I watched him until he disappeared.
I walked up to the wheelhouse, but I was far from tired. Too many thoughts ran through my mind. I pulled out my mobile and texted my best mate, Oscar, anxious for another opinion.
Was I was doing the right thing pursuing Rafe or was I in danger of acting like a middle-aged fool?
No matter what, I could always count on Oscar Leeds for his honest opinion.
We’d been shipmates in the navy. Like me, he’d come out after he left the military and now ran charter cruises in Southeast Asia. Unlike me, he was happy with hookups and had no desire to settle down. With anyone, ever.
George: I’m in danger of fucking up my life
Oscar: Again? I thought Aldo was out of the picture for good.
George: Funny. Remember Rafe?
Oscar: The model who confounds you. You talk about him constantly.
George: We were at odds again until recently. I’ve gotten to know him and…I think I’m falling. Am I being an idiot?
Oscar: Why would you say that?
George: There’s this pull between us. It’s more intense than anything I’ve felt. Everything in me says to go for it. But my brain is reminding me that he’s younger. He could do so much better. And we’ve both got careers that offer little stability when it comes to relationships.
Oscar: The age gap is irrelevant. If you say you’ve formed a connection, that’s special for you.
Trust in that. He could do no better. You’re a great bloke.
Loyal, kind, committed. And don’t let your history with that dickhead Aldo rule your life anymore.
Not every man cheats. Or wants to change you.
George: You’re right.
Oscar: I am. Don’t let something good slip away because you’re afraid or worried about potential problems that don’t exist. Trust me, you’ll regret it.
Oscar rarely talked about his personal life except to joke about his sexual exploits. Now I wondered if there was a part to my friend’s past I’d overlooked.
George: That sounds like advice from personal experience.
Oscar: The next time you’re in this part of the world (or I’m in yours), I’ll tell you about it over drinks.
George: Definitely
Oscar: Don’t forget to send me an invite to the wedding
I nearly dropped my mobile over the railing and into the ocean.
I woke up early the next morning with an erection that wouldn’t quit.
Suddenly my big bed felt far too empty.
Rafe’s image was so clear in my mind that it made my already heated body flush all over. With one hand massaging my heavy balls, I spit in the other and wrapped it around my aching dick, giving myself a good tug.
It had been so long since I’d felt such intense desire.
I threw off the covers and spread my legs. Watching myself, not only feeling but seeing my aroused body, always got me going. And there was something about watching my lovers as they found their pleasure that turned me on like nothing else.
I pictured Rafe’s long hair, imagining him sliding between my legs, the soft strands brushing against my thighs.
I’d grip those locks tightly as he licked my dick, teasing me with light strokes until I couldn’t take anymore.
I’d order him to suck me off. And he would.
His beautiful mouth would look perfect around my cock, his blue eyes locking with mine…
Ping.
Not now.
My erection deflated as another ping sounded. I assumed it was work notifications piling up, so I reluctantly reached over and tapped the screen.
Aldo: Please call me, amore mio. I miss you.
My temper snapped. That was it. I was done being nice, and I finally did what I should have done months ago. I blocked his number. It was time.
Putting my past aside, I looked through my other messages, including one from Noah. The A/C unit replacement was done, and he’d attached the invoice.
My morning wank session—or my attempt—was now all but forgotten. I got up, had my shower, and changed. Checking the radar, the wind and swells looked good today.
Then I texted Rafe. I had it so bad that I couldn’t wait to see him.
George: Join me in the wheelhouse for breakfast?
Rafe: Be there in ten
I called down to the kitchen to have two breakfast specials sent up, then I checked the radar and local weather reports.
Rafe arrived ten minutes later. With a tray in hand.
“I didn’t mean for you to bring breakfast to me .” I flushed, taking the heavy tray out of his hands and placing it on my desk.
“I was heading up here anyway. It’s no bother.”
I motioned for him to sit on the bench seat, and I slid in beside him. Our thighs touched, our hips and shoulders. All my blood rushed south, and my morning erection was back, harder than before.
“Good morning,” he whispered and kissed my cheek.
“It is now that you’re here,” I replied and took his hand in mine. “Did you sleep well?”
“Not really. I was restless until about 2 a.m., when I finally drifted off.”
“Something on your mind?”
“Yes.” He stared at me, and I saw my desire reflected in his beautiful blues. “You. Me. Us.”
“Us?”
“I want there to be an ‘us.’ But then, last night, you seemed to pull away again…”
“No.” I tightened my grip on his hand. “Sometimes my brain needs to catch up to my heart. You see, I’m in a bit of danger here.”
“What do you mean?”
There was a time to lay all your cards on the table. And this was it. I shifted my body to face him, and he did the same. I reached up and tucked one stray lock of hair behind his ear, then cupped his cheek.
“We’ve been circling each other since we met. I didn’t recognize what was happening until recently. And now everything’s different. I’ve developed feelings for you. It’s only fair that you should know. But I don’t take sex lightly, I just can’t. I realize you may not feel the same but…”
“I do. Now kiss me,” Rafe ordered.
“You always have to have the last word,” I teased as I leaned in.
“Then find a way to shut me up,” he quipped.
I smoothed my thumb over his morning scruff. It was soft, and his skin beautifully flushed. “Stunning. Inside and out.”
And he was. Gorgeous, funny, amazing. Mine? I wanted him to be mine more than anything.
I leaned closer, rubbing his lower lip with my thumb, tracing its softness, savoring the moment. He let out a deep moan and it was all the incentive I needed.
I claimed his mouth, devouring those sweet lips until he opened for me.
Our tongues tangled, and there was no hesitation as we tasted each other for the first time.
Both of us moaned and a shiver racked my body.
My hand trailed down his neck, cupping the back of his head, tangling in his soft hair.
I tilted his head, deepening our kiss. His taste was more than good, it was addictive. One kiss would never be enough.
A groan of pleasure so intense rumbled out of my chest as we reached for each other. I pulled him over my lap, and he straddled my thighs.
“Don’t stop,” he moaned against my lips when we finally came up for air.
Then he devoured me, our kisses wild and desperate as we strained closer to each other. Frantic in our need, he pulled at my shirt as I reached for his shorts.
“You’re not the only one in danger,” Rafe confessed as he pulled his shirt off and threw it aside.
I ran my hands up his smooth chest, tracing over his pink nipples.
He thrust his hips against mine, and my eyes rolled back as our covered cocks brushed against one another, hard and aching.
“I’ve never felt this way before about anyone, so I’m not sure what I’m doing.
All I know is that I want to be with you. ”
We reached for each other again, our kisses needy and frantic. I wanted inside him, to make him mine.
A sudden ringtone startled both of us. Jesus, cockblocked twice today.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I need to get that, love. It could be important." I leaned back, taking in huge gulps of air as I tried to calm myself down. Rafe slid off my lap and plucked my mobile off the monitor and passed it to me.
“I’m going to use your washroom. You deal with work.”
I ran a hand through my disheveled hair and took a deep breath before answering the phone.
“Captain Bernard speaking.”
“Good morning, George. How are you?”
Rowan’s voice had me sitting up at attention right quick. It also had the same effect as a cold shower.
“Rowan. I didn’t recognize the number.”
I hadn’t looked at the screen at all…
“I’m calling from the office in London. I wanted to see how things are going. Is Rafe okay?”
“Rafe is fine,” I replied, my voice hoarse.
Fine was the understatement of the year. He’s fucking amazing .
I licked my lips and Rafe’s taste was so distracting that I lost all train of thought.
“Are you all right? Your voice sounds off, like you’ve caught a bug or something.”
I cleared my throat. “Or something. And Rafe is better than fine, in fact, he’s here in my office,” I added as Rafe entered the wheelhouse again.
He’d put his shirt back on, but his long hair was still mussed from my hands. And his lips were swollen and red from my kisses.
Mine.
“It’s your brother,” I whispered and passed Rafe the phone.
But not before I gave him another kiss. His lips lingered over mine, a smile forming until he slowly pulled back. He held the mobile up to his ear.
“Ro, why are you calling George at this hour?” Rafe asked.
I leaned my head back and stifled a laugh. That was my Rafe. No polite chitchat. Get straight to the point.
“How many times do I have to tell you I’m okay? Look, I appreciate your brotherly concern, but I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately…personal stuff. That’s why I’ve been quiet…yes, I know…now if you don’t mind, George and I have breakfast that’s getting cold. Talk to you later.”
Rafe placed the mobile on the table and pulled off the domes from our plates.
“I can’t believe our first kiss was interrupted by Rowan. What a pain in the…”
The phone rang again. Rafe rolled his eyes and picked it up.
“What is it now?... Yes, breakfast. George and me…Why? Well, it’s quite simple. We’re together.”
Rafe hung up again and casually passed me a plate, like he hadn’t just announced our relationship to his brother.
“Eat, sweetheart, before it gets cold. We need our strength for later,” Rafe quipped as he leaned over and kissed me.
Like we’d been a couple for ages. Sweetheart?
I’d been dropped into the twilight zone. Or the Bermuda Triangle. Did Australia have one of those?
The phone rang for the third time.
“I’ll get it,” I offered. “I was expecting the third degree, but not so soon.”
“Sorry. It just felt right to tell him. I’m happy, and I want everyone to know.”
His face was glowing as he smiled at me, and I felt my heart expand. I was in so much trouble. I couldn’t deny this man anything.
I picked up the phone. “Hello, Rowan…No, Rafe wasn’t joking…Yes, we’re having breakfast and yes, we’re together. In fact, you interrupted an intimate moment.”
Click. The line went dead.
“I don’t think he’ll be calling back.”