Cruising the Ship

Hi all!

As always, it has been amazing to see the resonance of this story. This is the end of this cycle. I am not sure if it will go on, but please let me know if you have any ideas or feedback.

I have rewritten the beginning and published it on Amazon under the pen name Philip Stone. Feel free to check it out along with other stories. https://www.amazon.com/author/philipstone

Don't forget to support this amazing site at donate.nifty.org.

Happy reading /Stayedhere

Cruising the Ship -- Part 5

When I awoke, I felt stupid. I had fallen for Paul's advances. Again. Would there be no end to it? I decided that I wasn't able to face him this morning. Him, Danielle and Leah. The happy family. I heard the noises downstairs as my parents was getting ready. I sighed and turned around in the bed, my ass still raw from the intense fucking. I spotted the used condom lying on the floor, tangible evidence of what had occurred. With a sigh I snuck to the window and froze when I saw Paul loading up the truck. Good. At least they weren't staying for breakfast. I caught him looking at me through the small window as he walked away, a lingering smile on his lips. I frowned in response, turning away from the window and collapsing back onto the unmade bed. My thoughts were racing. Last night had been a mistake, or at least that's what I told myself. But deep down, I couldn't deny the spark that existed between us. And the sex? It was a whole new level of amazing. I shifted uncomfortably in my bed, feeling a slow burn in my cheeks at the memory. I sighed, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. I couldn't stay in this room forever. It was time to face the day, and the aftermath of last night's encounter.

Downstairs, my parents were busy at the breakfast table. My mom was flipping through a magazine, while Dad was reading the morning paper.

"You just missed them. Paul sure was in a hurry," Dad said, a dash of concern evident in his voice. "He said he had to get back to work."

He looked up from the newspaper and offered me a waffle. I shook my head, still feeling a bit groggy.

"I overslept," I muttered, making my way to the table.

My mom looked over at me, a soft smile on her face.

"Are you okay, Kyle?" she asked, concern flickering in her eyes for a moment.

"I'm fine."

My dad eyed me for a moment over the rim of his coffee mug. I could tell he knew something was off, but he didn't push the issue. Instead, he turned back to his paper, giving me a small nod of encouragement. I took a seat at the table, my thoughts still on Paul's lingering smile from earlier. I shouldn't read too much into it. He had made it perfectly clear that this relationship, whatever it was, had to be a secret.

"I'm a bit worried about Paul's drinking", Mum continued, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil.

I tuned back into the conversation and nodded in agreement, relieved to be off the hook for a moment.

"He's a grown man, Ann," Dad chimed in and put down his paper. "He can make his own choices."

"I guess... But Danielle..." Mum's voice trailed off.

"She scolded him good, and I think that's enough. We should mind our own business."

"You're right. But that girl Leah took a shine to you, didn't she, Kyle?" Mum said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "She asked about you before they left."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She said you were really smart and funny."

"Well, I like her too," I said, feeling a little warmth in my cheeks. "She seems cool."

I didn't want to think about Leah. About the fact her father had fucked me last night in my room while she and Danielle was sleeping in the guest room downstairs. God, I was a mess. I really liked Leah, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt her. She was a nice kid, too young to be caught up in this web of lies. I finished my breakfast in silence, my thoughts still lingering on Paul. It had been a mistake to sleep with him again. I wanted something more, but he had made it clear that that wasn't going to happen. Being his secret affair was not what I really wanted.

I looked at my parents and wondered for the umptieth time what they would say if they found out. My father, particularly, was born and raised a true conservative held a deep rejection for homosexuality. He had made his thoughts on the subject clear, several times over, that he felt it was unnatural. And here I was, his own son, unable to deny my attraction to other men. And I had let it happen over and over again, to a man old enough to be my father. My mother's opinion I was mure unsure of. Still, it felt like an abyss to cross, and I didn't want to think about it right now.

I stood up and removed my plate from the table. I looked at the both of them and forced a smile.

"I think I have to get ready for work."

I said, avoiding eye contact with my parents, not wanting them to see the turmoil I was feeling inside. I set my plate in the kitchen sink and made my way to the stairs, my steps heavy with unease. I was keeping this dark and dirty secret from my parents, a secret that could shatter their image of me and threaten our close-knit relationship. I closed my bedroom door behind me, cutting myself off from the sounds of them chatting on below. I wanted to scream, or cry, but felt mostly numb as I put on clothes and got ready to get to the bookstore.

My boss had asked me to rearrange the travel section, and I silently welcomed the distraction. As always at the bookstore, I found solace among the rows of dusty books. The irony of going through travel books was not lost on me. The cruise where I met Paul had been my first time abroad. When I had finished the section for Europe, the bell on the door jingled , and Alice walked in.

"Hey, Kyle," she greeted, her eyes scanning the books around me. "Working hard or hardly working?"

"Just organizing," I replied, shifting the books around in my hands.

Alice leaned back against a nearby bookshelf, crossing her arms over her chest. I was a bit apprehensive. When we talked last time, the conversation had been left unresolved.

"I've been thinking about what you told me, Kyle."

"Yes..."

"I was unfair to you."

She hesitated for a moment, then continued.

"I mean, about what you told me. I get it if you don't like to talk about it, but I understand now that you're not just hiding it from your folks, you're hiding it from yourself too."

I said nothing, my eyes fixed on the floor in front of me.

"What do you mean?"

"That you love him."

Alice's voice echoed softly in the narrow aisle, breaking the silence that had fallen between us. I looked up, startled. I wanted to deny it, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I nodded, a small, reluctant gesture that sent a pang through my heart.

"I do. But it's wrong," I finally said, my voice low. "It's gotta be."

"Who you love is not a choice you make. But you got to do right by all involved." Alice tilted her head. "First, you have to talk to Paul."

I frowned, recalling my last encounter with Paul. The disapproving gaze of his wife and daughter flickered at the edge of my memory.

"He won't listen."

"This is about being honest with him and yourself."

Her words resonated with me. Talk to Paul. Be honest. Somehow, when it came from Alice, it all made sense.

"Can I borrow your car?" I asked, already anticipating her answer.

"Sure, where are you going?"

"To Pensacola."

The look on her face said it all. She knew where I was going and who I was going to see. I didn't need to say another word.

"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked, a flash of concern in her eyes.

"No, I think I need to do this alone."

I borrowed Alice's car before I could change my mind. The drive from Tallahassee to Pensacola was a long one, but I was eager to get there. I put on some mix of sixties music and hit the road, feeling the weight of the past few days slowly lift off my shoulders. The voice of The Beach Boys guiding the way as I entered the freeway.

The landscape around me was a blur of green and brown, with trees and hills stretching out as far as the eye could see. I drove past small towns and abandoned farms, feeling the solitude of the road wash over me. I didn't have a clear plan in mind, but I knew I needed to talk to Paul. I knew the name of his company and had googled the address before setting off. I parked Alice's car a few blocks away and walked the rest of the way. I could have called but I needed to do this face to face.

I swallowed and walked the few blocks from where I had parked. There was no clear strategy in my head as to what I was going to say or how I was going to say it. I just knew I needed to see him and to tell him how I felt. When I finally arrived, the office was a small concrete building near a strip mall small, a few workers were milling around. They looked surprised when I asked for Paul, but one of them redirected me to Paul's office at the back of the building. I mustered up my courage and knocked.

"Come in!"

I entered to find Paul sitting at his desk, surrounded by invoices, blueprints, and a large mug of coffee.

"Kyle! How did you get here?"

Paul asked, staring up at me in surprise.

"Took Alice's car."

He opened his mouth, then closed it, a flicker of something crossing his face.

"What are you doing here, Kyle?"

I noticed him glancing at the small window , as if to check if anyone was nearby. I took a deep breath.

"I really needed to talk to you."

He sighed, resting his hands on his desk.

"We both know where this is going."

"I don't think you do," I said, stepping closer to him. "I love you, Paul."

He blinked, surprised.

"Don't say that here, Kyle."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't... because we can't."

"But I think you feel it too."

Paul frowned, looking away. The room became quiet for a moment as we stood there, the only sound the distant hum of construction traffic outside.

"I thought we established this," Paul finally said, his voice softer than before. "We can't be together."

I sighed, taking a seat in one of the rickety office chairs.

"I know, but that is the truth. I can't compromise with this. I know you think you will hurt Danielle and Leah, but aren't you hurting them already?" I asked, leaning forward.

Paul's eyes snapped back to me, visibly startled.

"I mean, you're not being real with them. Keeping secrets and hiding this relationship from them. It's not fair to them. They deserve better."

He looked at me. God, was he handsome. He got out of his chair smoothly, walking around the desk to stand me. I couldn't help but notice the way the muscles on his arms tensed with each movement.

"Kyle.", He said, leaning in closer to me. "Kyle," he repeated, his voice filled with longing and an ache I knew all too well. "God, how much I want you right now."

"Not like this", I murmured.

Paul didn't listen, pressing his lips against mine in a passionate kiss. His hands roamed my body, grazing the skin under my shirt. I leaned into him, melting into the warmth of his embrace. But somehow, somewhere I could hear Alice's voice and find the resolve I needed.

"We need to stop this." I pushed at Paul gently, trying to create some space between us.

He looked at me, confusion and hurt clouding his eyes.

"I have to go", I said.

"Please, baby..."

For once, I didn't listen, but walked out. I was hurt, I was angry, and I needed to be far away from him. I left Paul's office, without caring what the other workers thought. my heart heavy with sadness and regret. The drive back was a blur, and when I parked Alice's car at her place, I couldn't help but feel that I had lost something precious.

The next few days were tough, and I barely spoke a word to my parents. I was distant and lost in my own thoughts. I spent my days in bed or staring absently out the window. My work at the bookstore piled up, but all I could think about was Paul and the love that we shared. The truth was that I had fallen for him, hard, and the thought of never being with him again was almost unbearable.

"Where are you going?" my mum asked me as I was about to exit.

"Just the sinkhole."

I saw she that wanted to say something more. I had been distant and moody lately and I knew she needed an explanation. But I wasn't ready. The wound was still raw, and I felt a swim somehow could cleanse me.

"Just be careful, honey", Mum said, and I nodded briefly.

As I walked to the sinkhole, I realized it was the first time I had visited since I went there with Paul. In some ways, it felt like it was ages ago. I looked down, and the water in the sinkhole was still as mesmerizing as I remembered. The calmness of the shimmering green surface contrasted my chaotic thoughts. I hesitated for a second, then kicked off my shoes and jumped in.

The water was refreshingly cold, and as I swam further, it got deep enough to feel the murky bottom. I looked up and saw the open sky and trees above me. The sinkhole was like a portal to another world. A world where it felt like I from now on, could be truthful.

"Kyle!" I turned around to find Paul standing by the water's edge.

I treaded water, waiting for him to catch his breath.

"I need to talk to you," he said, looking at me with a serious expression.

"What the hell do you want?" I said.

"Just come to shore."

Paul's tone was soft, and I found myself swimming towards him without a second thought. I clung to the rocks at the sinkhole's edge and pulled myself up, sitting next to him. The water dripped down my body and I shivered.

"Why did you come here?" I asked, not bothering to hide my frustration.

"I have talked to Danielle", Paul said quietly. "I didn't mention you, but I told her I needed some time to work things out. To figure myself out. I know it's a lie, but I had to say something to leave."

I stared at him, unsure of how to process that information.

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know yet", he said, looking down at the water. "But I can't go back to the way things were. You were right. I have to be honest, with everyone, including Leah."

"Leah?"

"Yes", he said, meeting my eyes.

"I'll tell her everything, I promise. In time. I want to be honest with her, and with myself. I know it won't be easy, but I can't keep living like this."

I nodded, still in a bit of shock.

"So, what now?"

"I don't know. I just know that I love you too."

He moved in closer, his hand resting on my soaked shoulder. I caught my breath as he did, those words hitting me harder than the chilly water of the sinkhole. His fingers traced the line of my collarbone, sending waves of longing through me.

"Kyle", he murmured, his breath hot against my neck.

The word sounded like an invocation, dripping with desire and a promise of what was to come. His hand trailed down my chest, stopping right above my waistband. I looked him in the eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation. There was none. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against mine in a gentle, lingering kiss.

"You're mine now", he murmured against my lips, the possessiveness in his voice making my stomach clench in anticipation.

"I've always been yours", I replied, moaning as he deepened the kiss.

His hand slipped inside my boxers, wrapping around my erect cock with a firm grip. I gasped, throwing my head back and exposing my throat to him. Paul's lips traced a hot path down my neck, his tongue flicking against the sensitive skin.

"Goddamn, you feel good," he groaned, giving my cock a tight squeeze.

I arched my back, my hips moving in time with his hand.

"Don't stop," I pleaded, my voice hoarse.

He chuckled against my skin, his fingers teasing the head of my cock before sliding back down to the base. I tightened my grip on his shoulder, needing something to hold onto as he tormented me.

"Paul, please," I sobbed.

"Please what?" he asked, his own need making his voice husky. "Do you want me to take care of you?"

I nodded frantically; my eyes locked onto his.

"Yes," I replied, my voice shivering.

Paul didn't waste any time. He grabbed me by the hips and pressed me hard against the rock wall, his body pressing against mine. I gasped, feeling the cold rock against my back as he kissed me hungrily, his tongue plunging deep into my mouth. His hands roamed over my body, groping my chest and my ass, his fingers digging into my skin.

"Paul, wait," I whispered, but he didn't listen.

He was too lost in the heat of the moment. I didn't want to stop him, though. I wanted this as much as he did. He broke the kiss and nuzzled his nose against my neck, inhaling deeply.

"God, you smell good," he growled. I shivered, feeling goosebumps break out across my skin.

He kissed a trail down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin as he went. He pushed down my soaked boxers in one swift motion. I started to unbutton his shirt, desperate to feel his warm, hairy chest against mine. The buttons came undone, and I could see the solid, muscular chest that I had grown so fond of. My hands traced the defined ridges of his abdomen, feeling him shiver under my touch. Paul's lips never left mine, and I could feel him smirking against my lips.

"You like what you see?" he whispered.

"Fuck yes," I breathed out, arching my back as he grazed his teeth against my neck.

I pushed his shirt over his shoulders , my hands trembling with anticipation. I needed to feel him. All of him. My hands roamed his broad shoulders, feeling the defined curves and edges of his muscles under my fingertips.

"Yes," I moaned, digging my nails into his skin as he traced a wet line down my chest.

Paul's mouth found my left nipple, sucking it into his mouth and swirling his tongue around the nub as he bit down gently. A spark of pleasure shot straight to my cock, making me gasp in delight. I could feel him smiling against my skin as he moved to my right nipple, giving it the same teasing attention. I threaded my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. Paul's lips continued their journey down my body, leaving a trail of goosebumps and whimpers in their wake. My breath caught in my throat as his tongue slipped into my navel, teasing and swirling in a maddening dance. I squirmed against him, feeling a raw need build inside of me. I wanted more than just kisses and feels. I wanted that connection, that moment that defined what it was to be human. My hands gripped the back of Paul's head, urging him to continue his descent. I needed to feel him against me, possessing me and claiming me in every way possible.

"Please, Paul," I begged, my voice panting and needy.

He didn't respond but trailed a line of wet kisses down my stomach, his stubble scraping against my now hypersensitive skin. I arched my back as his tongue reached the point where my legs met my hips. His hands slid down my thighs, spreading them wide as he hovered inches away from my erection.

"Paul, please," I begged, my voice scraped raw from the effort of holding in my need.

He smirked against my skin, his gaze hot and hungry as he looked up at me.

"I'm gonna make you beg for it, baby," he murmured, his breath hot against my dick.

I groaned, closing my eyes and letting my head fall back against the rock. Paul didn't hesitate. Instead, he pressed his warm, wet tongue against my pulsating cock, curling it around my shaft in a slow, deliberate movement. His tongue molded to the shape of me, and I couldn't help but sob at the overwhelming sensation of pleasure surging through my entire body. With each stroke, my hips bucked against his mouth, my hands clutching the sides of his head as I gripped his hair and held on tight, not wanting to let go. Paul groaned and hummed against my cock like a man starved, making my hips jerk with little spasms that hinted at the oncoming storm of pleasure.

"God, Paul, I'm so close," I bit my lip.

He reluctantly let go of my cock and looked up at me.

"Not yet," he said, a glint in his eye. "I want to make this fucking unforgettable."

He stood up and his hands went to his belt, as he undid it and his pants. He let them fall to the ground and kicked them aside, standing before me in just his black boxer briefs.

I could see the outline of his erection through them, and I bit my lip as my own cock throbbed with need.

"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you, baby?" Paul murmured, a playful smirk on his lips.

"No," I panted, reaching out to touch him, but he moved away.

"Not yet," he repeated, his eyes gleaming with arousal and determination.

He pushed me back against the rock again, and this time he pressed his whole body against mine, completely covering me from head to toe. I could feel every glorious and hard inch of him, from his rock-solid pecs to the throbbing length of his cock. I moaned, my back arching into him as he ground his hips against mine, pressing our dicks together, his legs rubbing against mine.

"Paul," I breathed out.

He hummed against my jaw, tracing it with his lips before his mouth found mine again. He kissed me, desperately and hungrily. It was a declaration of his intentions, his mouth claiming mine as if he would swallow me whole. I whimpered into the kiss, my hips jerking against him. The need between us was palpable, an unstoppable force that consumed every rational thought in its wake. I couldn't think straight, couldn't process anything besides the desire to feel him inside me. I was lost in his taste, his touch, his very presence.

He guided me to a soft patch of grass near the sinkhole's edge, where we lay down together. Paul's body was a delicious weight on top of mine, and our mouths hungrily sought each other's lips as if we had been starved for years. He kissed me with a fierce, undeniable passion that sent flames rippling all over my body. I slid my hands down, gripping him tightly as my fingers roamed his muscular backside, finally grabbing his naked ass.

God, he felt perfect. Paul gasped as I squeezed, pulling him tighter against me like I couldn't get close enough. I wanted nothing more than to have him inside me to feel him completely. Paul leaned back, pulling out of our kiss and staring deep into my eyes, trying to gauge whether it was okay, whether I was truly certain. A single nod from me and his smirk formed. That sexy, confident, devilish smirk that had me melting into his arms from the start. I grinned back, my hand slipping between us and squeezing his rock-hard cock. He groaned and dropped his forehead to mine.

"Fuck, Kyle. Are you sure you want this?" he asked, his voice strained and gruff.

I nodded; my mouth suddenly dry.

"Take me, Paul. Make me yours."

He growled, his tongue pushing into my mouth to tangle with mine in a dirty kiss. He was hovering over me again, his wet and ready cock at my entrance. I could feel his tip, poised for the moment when he would thrust into me. I arched my back, inviting him to take me.

"Fuck me, Paul," I pleaded, my voice cracking with need. He moved away from my mouth and positioned himself between my legs.

"Look at you," he chuckled, his fingers tracing lines up and down my crack. "So ready for me."

"Shut up and just fuck me already," I yelled, spreading my legs wider.

"My, my, aren't we demanding?" He teased, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "Relax, baby. Let me make you feel good."

Paul's voice was enough to calm the storm of frustration and longing within me, as his hot breath tickled the side of my face. His hand left my ass and moved between us, wrapping around both our cocks and stroking them in long, languid movements.

The feeling of his rough fingers wrapped around our erections was almost too much to bear. I groaned, arching my back and pressing my hips against his hand. Paul's grip tightened, and the head of his cock nestled against my entrance, ready to claim me. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the sensations coursing through my body. I was so lost in the moment, so consumed by the need building within me, that I barely noticed Paul's lips brushing against my ear.

"You ready for me, baby?" he whispered with a thick voice.

"More than you know," I managed to gasp out.

Paul's fingers tightened around my cock, and I moaned at the sensation. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

"I love you," he whispered. And with those words, he pushed into me.

The pain was sharp and intense, but it quickly gave way to a wave of pleasure so intense that I saw stars. Paul moved slowly at first, giving me time to adjust to the feeling of him inside me. But as the pleasure built between us, he picked up speed, thrusting harder and faster until we were both lost in the moment.

Paul's hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as he moved inside me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust. The fact that he now was mine, all mine, made my head spin. I yelled, throwing my head back as he plunged deeper into me. My back arched as I met each thrust, our bodies slapping as one. I tightened my legs around him even harder urging him on.

Paul felt like a wild beast, and with each thrust, he growled with sheer pleasure. He was deeper than ever, and I could feel every inch of him filling me up - stretching me beyond the boundaries of comfort. It was overwhelming, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Paul's grip tightened around my hips as he advanced with relentless aggression, gradually quickening his rhythm,

"Fuck, baby. Goddamn, you feel so good!" he groaned.

He continued to thrust into me, hitting that spot that had me seeing stars and my legs shaking with pleasure. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me, our lips connecting in a passionate kiss. Our tongues danced together as we moved in sync, the pleasure between us building higher and higher until it was almost overwhelming.

Paul broke the kiss just long enough to gasp out, "I need to hear you say it, Kyle."

"What? Say what?" I panted, already so close to the edge.

"Say it, Kyle. I want to hear you say it again," Paul demanded again, his hips still moving in firm, measured strokes that kept me just on the brink of release.

"I love you, Paul," I cried out, the words tumbling from my mouth like a prayer.

With that admission, everything between us shifted. As I said those three little words, Paul's movements became more urgent, deeper. Our bodies slapped together, slick with sweat as we reached for each other, trying to get as close as physically possible. I could feel him at the edge, tensing and gripping my hips tighter. I knew he was close and didn't want him to stop.

"Paul, yes. Fuck, yes," I murmured in his ear. "I'm close, too."

"That's right, baby. Let go for me," he whispered back, his breath hot against my neck.

I couldn't hold back any longer. My climax hit me like a freight train, burning through my entire body. I threw my head back and yelled, moaning uncontrollably as Paul continued to thrust into me with reckless abandon. He wasn't far behind. As he felt me tense up beneath him, he pushed deeper into me, his grip on my hips tightening painfully as he reached his climax. I couldn't help but wince as he filled me up, roaring loudly as he finally let go.

I could feel the tremors of his climax deep inside me, filling me up to the brim. Paul collapsed on top of me, his breath hot and heavy against my neck. We lay there for a few minutes, our bodies slicked with sweat.

"You OK?" Paul whispered against my neck, his voice tender and soft.

I nodded, unable to speak just yet. I couldn't believe what had just happened â€" Paul was mine. Completely and wholly mine. The idea was as terrifying as it was exhilarating.

As the afterglow of our first explicit encounter subsided, we laid together on the grass, sneaking glances at each other, the weight of the unsaid hanging between us.

"So..." I began.

"Yeah," Paul replied, his voice low and gravelly.

We were both frozen, unable to move from the spot, our bodies tangled in each other with the remnant sounds of our lovemaking still somehow bouncing off the sinkhole walls. The breeze played softly through his wet hair carrying the scent of damp earth.

"Where do we go from here?" I asked, breaking the silence between us.

Paul looked at me for a long moment before answering. "I don't know," he said honestly. "But I want to figure it out with you."

I smiled at that, feeling my heart warm at his words. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was willing to take on any challenge if it meant being with Paul. As we lay there, our bodies entwined, the moon cast a soft glow over the sinkhole, highlighting the subtle gradations of green and blue in the water.