Chapter 20
KIERNAN
THREE WEEKS LATER, DUBLIN
T he post-holiday blues was a real thing.
The post-Charlie blues was worse.
The day after New Year’s, my contract was done so I packed up my duffel bag and left Now, Voyager .
But leaving Charlie? Ugh.
It had only been three weeks and I didn’t know how I was gonna survive long-distance.
Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to be home to visit with Ma and Korry. Tonight, I’d gone for dinner at her flat and then Korry and I went out with mutual friends.
Things were going well until we went pub crawling and met some childhood mates that were less than friendly. Old me would have started a fight in the middle of the bar, but I walked away. We all did. Then Korry decided it was the perfect time to hit a gay club.
He even got me out on the dance floor. I took a ton of pictures and sent them to Charlie.
A couple of guys sidled up to me, but I waved them off, leaving them to my twin. Korry soaked up the attention and soon, I was heading home and leaving him to enjoy the rest of his night.
I still had energy to burn so I decided to walk home. It took me half an hour to get to my flat, in Ballsbridge.
Yeah, Charlie had a laugh about that name too.
The neighborhood was nice, and my place was modern and quiet, but the silence of being on me own again was weighing heavy.
So was the grey sky and the cool mist that was January in Ireland.
Instead of moaning about missing my man, and the state of the weather, I slipped into bed and fell fast asleep.
I woke a few hours later and glanced out my window.
A fog had rolled in and was blanketing the neighborhood, so thick I could barely see the buildings across the street.
My phone pinged and I smiled when I saw a message from Charlie.
You were dancing without me lol?
It was no fun. I left after an hour. I miss you, love
I miss you too, baby
Video call?
My phone rang ten seconds later. Charlie’s dimpled grin was the best sight I’d seen in days. He was out on deck, the bright blue Caribbean water behind him.
“So, I have an idea that I wanna run past you,” I blurted out.
“Is this about your job?’
“Yeah, how’d you know?”
“Well, you mentioned before you left that you were thinking of doing something different.”
I nodded. “I’m going to send in my notice.
No more bodyguard work for me. A lot of times I’m bored on the job and while the pay is good and I really like Alex and my colleagues, I need a change.
And I was thinking of working on a yacht.
I have experience on ships so it wouldn’t be too hard to train up. ”
Charlie looked shocked.
A good shock or a bad one, I couldn’t tell.
“Charlie?”
“Uh, sorry, I uh, wow. That’s good. If you’re doing this for you. I mean, I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to give up a job you love.”
“That’s the thing, I don’t love it. The people yes, but the work, no.
But yachting is an idea at this point. I wanted to mention and see what you thought.
If I signed on as a deck crew member, you and I could charter together.
I love being active and out on the sea. And it would eliminate long-distance. ”
“Yeah, I?—”
Or maybe I was moving too fast?
We’d barely been seeing each other. A few weeks. Even though we’d met months ago, was this too soon?
I heard a crash in the background.
“Everything okay?”
“Cade is having a problem hoisting the jet ski. I’m gonna have to call you back, baby.”
“Okay, I?—”
“I’ll call you tonight. Love you.”
The screen went blank, and even though Charlie said he loved me, my mind began to panic.
What if I’d messed everything up?
Instead of lying there, worrying, I got up and threw on my leggings, trainers, and a t-shirt. Heading out for a run was needed.
And the harder and faster I ran, the calmer my mind.
By the time I got back home, showered, and changed, I was feeling better.
Charlie hadn’t called back yet, but I decided to leave it.
I was all in with him but maybe he needed more time.
And working and living together for two weeks was one thing.
Months at a time was another. Me changing jobs was a big step, and I was essentially asking him to move in with me by suggesting the crew job.
I stared at my phone for hours, but it didn’t ring.
Charlie (BVI)
I admit, when Kiernan mentioned changing jobs, I freaked out a bit.
Not because I didn’t want him with me all the time.
I did.
But what if he signed on to work here and a month in, he hated it? Or worse, he resented me for it?
I was used to caring about my own happiness. But now I had to consider his.
Kiernan may be as new to this relationship stuff as me, but I suspected he was a lot better at it than I was.
That man was all in. He was shy about some things, but not his feelings for me. Not since we’d finally decided to make a go of this relationship.
Kiernan loved me. He said it, he showed it, and I knew it.
And he deserved a partner who gave him as much in return.
We could work together and see what happened. And if he didn’t like being a crew member, he could go back to being a bodyguard and we could do long-distance. It wasn’t ideal, but we’d find a way. Once I got my captain’s license, my schedule would change and I’d be able to pick and choose.
And I chose Kiernan.
Next thing I knew, I found myself heading upstairs to the wheelhouse, knocking on George’s door.
“Enter!”
I stepped inside.
“Hey George, I was wondering—” I paused when I noticed Rafe sitting beside him. “Oh, sorry, am I interrupting?”
“No of course not,” Rafe replied and got up, kissing George’s cheek. “I was about to head downstairs to the gym.”
Rafe slid past me and closed the door behind him.
“I’m not due for a week’s vacation until February, but I’d like to ask Derrick if we can switch.”
“If he’s good with it, it shouldn’t be an issue. Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is great, but I—” I paused and licked my lips. “I need to go to Ireland.”
George nodded in understanding.
“If Derrick’s good, I am too.”
“Thanks George,” I turned to leave but paused near the door. “What would you say if I told you Kiernan was interested in joining our deck crew?”
George gave me one of his rare smiles. “I would say it’s fortuitous. Cade informed me yesterday that he’s leaving us at the end of the month. And I suppose this is as good a time as any to mention that I’m going to be cutting back on my hours.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When you get your captain’s license, I’d like to split the charters with you, half the year. For your consideration. It means I get to spend more time with Rafe and our family.”
I nodded, shocked. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Think about it. You don’t need to give me your answer now.”
“I’m in! I mean, I’ll talk to Kiernan, but yes, I would be more than happy to captain this ship half the year.”
“Excellent.”
“I’m going to talk to Derrick.”
“Safe travels, Charlie. Give Kiernan my best.”
“I will.”
An hour later, after Derrick confirmed he could swap weeks with me, I was booking a flight to Ireland.
I called my boyfriend but got his voicemail.
“It’s me. Call me back when you get this or I’ll try calling you back in a few hours.”
It was more than a few hours. More like eight.
By the time I got to the airport in Tortola, got a flight to Miami, then checked into a hotel for the night, it was nearing seven my time, after eleven in Ireland.
I video called him again, and finally, he answered.
He was lying in bed, his long hair spread out over his pillow. But it was the smile on his face that got me every time.
And those eyes. Right from the start I couldn’t look anywhere but at him.
“Baby, I’m so sorry for the delay in calling back. I’ve been traveling,” I explained.
“Traveling? Where?”
“I’m in Miami.”
“I thought you weren’t on vacation until February?”
“I switched with Derrick. Tomorrow morning I’m on the first flight out. To Dublin.”
“Are you serious?”
Kiernan covered his eyes with his other hand, and it looked like he was shaking.
“Is that okay? Are you upset?”
He shook his head and moved his hand, wiping his eyes. He was tearing up.
Was it any wonder this sweet cinnamon roll of a man had stolen my heart?
“You’re coming all that way to see me?”
“Fucking right I am. There are things we need to talk about, in person. Our future. And the sooner the better. If you really want to join the crew, I’m all for it. So is George. In fact, once I get my captain’s license, he’s offered to have me split the year with him.”
“That’s amazing, Charlie. I’m so proud of you. And I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone,” Kiernan whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. “More than anything, I can’t wait to have you in my bed.”
“Please tell me it’s king-sized.”
“I thought you liked tight spaces?” he teased.
“True,” I chuckled. “But having more room means we can try new things.”
Kiernan let out a deep growl. “I’m way too excited to sleep now.”
“You’re up, I’m up—” I turned and grabbed two pillows beside me and propped my phone up to free my hands. “Grab that gorgeous cock and show me how much you want me. I need to watch.”
Kiernan groaned and then the screen went dark as he shifted on the bed.
But instead of propping the phone up beside him, he’d placed it at the base of his bed, between his legs. He was resting his back against his headboard, one leg bent, and I had the perfect view of his body including his cock, his balls, and his ass.
He opened a tube of lube and then he was greasing his cock, rubbing up and down and using his palm to stroke over the head. His other hand slipped lower, cupping his balls.
“Slide down the bed and bend both your knees,” I demanded while taking my own aching cock in hand. “Show me your tight hole, baby, tease it real good.”
Kiernan grunted and did as I asked, and I noticed his body seize up when he slid his finger over his asshole.
“That’s it, rub your hole and then push the tip inside, slowly.”
The hand on his cock moved faster and faster, and his moans grew louder. I watched as he slowly pushed his finger into his ass.
“God, that’s so fucking good,” he moaned. “But not as good as your touch. I need you, Charlie. I want you to fuck me full of your cum.”
I jolted. We’d had anal sex lots of times, but I always bottomed. Kiernan loved when I rimmed him and played with his ass, but I was waiting for him to decide if anal was something he wanted to try.
And now I had my answer…
“There’s nothing I want more than my dick in your ass. And that’s what’s going to happen as soon as I get there. We’re gonna fuck, face to face, and when I push deep inside you, you’ll know that you’re mine and only mine. You belong to me. No one else.”
“Yes!” Kiernan cried out as both his hands moved frantically.
He was tugging on his dick and fucking himself with his finger, the sight and sound of his pleasure so hot I was sure that my phone was going to melt at any moment. As it was, my balls drew up tight and my orgasm was just within reach.
“And after I come inside you, I’m gonna lick my cum from your ass.”
“Oh God! Charlie!”
Kiernan cried out and I watched as he came all over his fist, his balls, the cum dripping down his ass cheeks.
Watching this man of mine come completely undone triggered my own release.
I’m sure everyone in the hotel heard my shout of pleasure as I gave my cock one more tug and I released cum all over my stomach.
By the time I finally caught my breath, I looked over and noticed that Kiernan had shifted the phone and I could see his face again.
“Baby, that was fucking intense,” I whispered.
“Every damn time. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
After we finally caught our breath, we caught up on our lives and talked for over an hour.
Until my boyfriend yawned, and I suggested we get some sleep.
“Text me your flight details,” Kiernan said before he blew me a virtual kiss. “I’ll be the one waiting at arrivals with open arms.”
“And I’ll be the one running right into them.”