Chapter 23
RAFE
THE NEXT DAY, SYDNEY
L ast minute business trip, my arse.
I stood on the bridge deck aft, watching the activity in the harbor. My dearest brother was about to step on board today, and I was ready for him. Interesting how my sibling and his husband carefully planned everything far in advance and yet this trip to Australia suddenly popped up this past week.
Rowan had texted me a few times, but I’d replied with rather terse responses. I knew he was curious as hell about what was going on between me and George, but really, none of it concerned Rowan.
I didn’t need my family to swoop in and rescue me. There was nothing to rescue me from.
And as much as I loved my family, I was not looking forward to this visit like I usually would.
I was fiercely protective of my time with George, time that I knew was running out.
I was halfway through my trip and who knows where I would be afterwards?
Miami for sure, to pack up my home. But after that? I had no idea.
Well, my heart knew what it wanted, but my brain was telling me to calm down. To be realistic. And most of all, to think of George and what he needed. For once in my life, I wasn’t concerned with what I wanted but what would be best for him.
And I wasn’t sure that was me.
Falling in love was one thing. The responsibility of a long-distance, long-term, relationship was another.
My past dating experience hadn’t prepared me for George and the maelstrom of emotions that he churned up. I was flying higher than ever one moment, and full of self-doubt the next.
“Everything all right?” George asked as he walked up beside me.
Sliding his arm around my waist, he pulled me into his side tightly. No space between us. In this regard, we were perfectly synced. No matter where we were or who was around, we always had to touch each other.
“Just lost in thought,” I replied as I stared at the western edge of the harbor.
“Penny for them?”
“I know why Rowan is down here and I’m ticked off. You and I are none of his business.”
George sighed and squeezed my waist. “Considering how our relationship started off two years ago and what’s happening now, I think he’s curious more than anything. And maybe worried that I’ll break his little brother’s heart. Which is ridiculous. I’m in much more danger than you.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked as I turned to him.
His eyes swirled with a tenderness and passion that still shocked me.
“The past weeks have been the best of my life, and I don’t say that lightly. I know what I want. But I think you need time to figure out what’s next.”
Like he’d read my mind, I stood there in silence, unsure how to respond. I didn’t want to give voice—give power—to my fears and hurt him.
I didn’t have time to reply anyway. I looked over and noticed the golf cart pulling up to the dock. It was Charlie with Ro and Andrew. George and I both waved and headed over to the plank to help them unload.
As always, Andrew insisted Rowan board first and that he and Charlie would take care of the luggage. My brother was fortunate to have such a caring partner, and not for the first time did I envy them their life together.
You could have that with George.
“George, you’re looking very well,” Rowan said as he greeted my captain with a handshake and a bemused grin. “I’ve never seen you smile like that before.”
“Ro,” I interrupted as I walked up to give my brother a hug.
His cheeky grin told me the razzing was just beginning.
The same blue eyes stared back at me, lit with joy but also concern.
We hugged quickly and let go—we’re Brits after all—but not before he ran his knuckles over my hair.
Hard. Bloody tosser, acting like we’re twelve again.
I reached up and yanked on a lock of his blond hair in retaliation.
His hair was getting longer, curling over the edge of his shirt.
“I hope you’re not planning on growing your hair out, Ro. I’m the beautiful one in this family, and I refuse to give up my crown.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll be shaving it all off next month for charity,” Andrew commented as he stepped onto the deck and wandered over. My dark haired, dark-eyed brother-in-law gave me a wink, then ambled over for a crushing bear hug.
Americans don’t do anything by half measure.
“You look wonderful,” Andrew exclaimed as he stood back.
“Don’t I always?”
Andrew shook his head, his brown eyes narrowed. “There’s something different going on. It’s like you’re glowing with happiness. I wonder why?”
“It’s the nude sunbathing; you should try it.”
“Rafe,” George warned in his commanding tone and came to stand beside me.
We reached without hesitation, wrapping our arms around each other’s waist. There was no mistaking our intimacy as we held each other tightly, and we were met with silence as Ro and Andrew stared at us.
“You must be exhausted. Why don’t you have a rest and meet us on the sun deck in a few hours?” George offered.
“I slept on the plane, although now I’m wondering if I’m still asleep or fully awake. Is this really happening?” Rowan replied as he pointed between me and George.
Andrew grabbed my brother’s hand and kissed it. “Come on, Ro, let’s get settled in. Questions can wait until later.”
“But…”
“Go take a nap, you look knackered,” I commented. “If you need us, we’ll be up in our cabin.”
“’Our cabin’? What does that—” Rowan started but Andrew steered him away.
I mouthed a ‘thank you’ to my brother-in-law before they headed inside.
George went to step away, but I didn’t let go. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Well, I work here so I thought, perhaps, I might do some actual work.”
“We’re docked for the next several days. Except for a fancy party my brother is hosting tomorrow night, you’ve got nothing urgent in your schedule. No routes to plan out just yet.”
“Then what do you suggest I do with all this free time on my hands?” He smiled and bent his head towards me, a lock of silver hair falling over his eyes.
I turned until we were face to face. I brushed his lips with mine and relished his sharp inhale. “I know how you hate to be idle, so I thought we could…exercise together.”
“Exercise?” One dark eyebrow shot up.
“Something to test our flexibility and stamina. Any thoughts?”
“I’ve got a few,” he whispered and led me inside.
Ten minutes later we were in the gym, running on tandem treadmills…
“I didn’t mean literal exercise,” I grumbled as I jogged beside him.
“This is a big day for both of us. We need to get rid of our nervous tension.”
“And we couldn’t have shagged it away?” I asked.
George laughed and shook his head. “I need to face your brother in an hour. Without love bites or beard burn or that fucked-out expression that I’m wearing permanently these days,” he panted as he cranked up the speed on his machine.
I slowed down to a gentle walk so I could watch his round arse in those tiny black running shorts.
“Eyes ahead, or you’re in danger of stumbling and having an accident,” he replied as he caught me ogling. “And bring that speed back up. I want to see those gorgeous thighs of yours glisten with sweat.”
“I’d rather see my thighs over your shoulders as you fuck my brains out,” I responded.
George tripped, grabbing on to the side rails.
“Eyes ahead,” I repeated and winked.
It was getting bloody hot in here, so I threw off my tank top. I cranked the speed up again and noticed George’s eyes shift to my chest. He loved playing with my nipples, and I loved the attention. And I had the love bites to prove it.
George followed my lead, throwing off his t-shirt. We were both panting heavily, sweat dripping down our bodies. I wanted to lick every single part of him.
George was gorgeous.
And mine.
This wonderful man had chosen me.
I looked at our reflection and spied the bench behind us. I considered all the filthy possibilities, since we were the only two in the room. Unfortunately, getting an erection made it slightly uncomfortable to run. I slowed down and adjusted my cock, which was about to tear through my nylon shorts.
George groaned and I noticed his similar state. His shorts were no match for his enormous hard-on. Fuck, I wanted him so badly. With a hunger that was never satiated.
He tapped the controls and his treadmill slowed considerably.
I stopped and got off, stalked over to the gym door and locked it.
Then I toed off my shoes, pushed down my shorts, kicked them off, and walked back over to the bench.
Naked, I straddled it, my heated back hitting the cool leather.
I took myself in hand as I watched him, pumping my cock, using the pre-cum that was leaking furiously as lube.
George stopped his treadmill and stepped off, quickly moving to stand in front of me.
Shoving his shorts down, he stepped out of them.
His heavy cock sprang back, slapping his stomach, the head red and swollen.
I watched him grip his dick, mimicking my movements with urgent strokes.
He crouched down over me, and I was surrounded by his heady scent, and his body heat. I took both our cocks in hand, adding spit to create a smoother glide.
“So fucking good,” George moaned as his hips pumped. “Make it quick and dirty.”
“Yes, sir,” I teased as I worked my hand over both of us. We became a chorus of grunts and sweat and filthy words, our hips thrusting in a frantic rhythm.
“I can’t get enough of you, never enough,” George growled, and his eyes flashed with an intensity that had my climax racing to the finish line.
“I know,” I moaned out as my balls drew up. “I need you so bad.”
One, two more tugs, and I was flying. Hot cum lashed my hand, my stomach.
And then George’s body locked up tight and his cock pulsed in my hand.
More cum drenched me, until I was a total mess.
George lowered himself further, sitting down and straddling the sides of my legs.
He reached out and ran his hand through our combined release as I lay there, still gasping for air.
He rubbed it into my skin, my stomach muscles quivering.
“Look at you,” he sighed. “I’ve never seen anything so sexy, so beautiful.”
I shivered at his words, and then we reached for each other, kissing languidly. His mouth curved against mine, and I tasted his happiness.
Eventually he pulled back and shook his head at me.
“We need to clean up. And air this place out, since it smells like sex,” he said with a wink and swatted my thigh. “Trouble.”
“It’s your fault. You tempted me with those indecent shorts.”
“God, now I have to face your brother,” George shook his head, reached for his t-shirt, and stood up.
“At least we’re relaxed. You were right. Exercise did the trick.”
“I’m never coming in here with you again.”
“Admit it, it’s the best workout you’ve had in ages.”
I didn’t need a response. George’s grin said it for him.