Perfect

Ok, here's the newest chapter. I know I took longer that usually do but I found it hard to write this chapter.

People have been emailing been me asking if the flashbacks take place in the same time frame, and the answer is 'yes'. The flashbacks take place in the same time frame as chapter 2, just a few weeks or months separating them, if this ever changes I'll make it clear so no one gets confused.

I would like to thank J for all his help with the editing, and suggestions. I hope you guys enjoy.

Perfect

~ Chapter 7 ~

Flashback Connor's POV

There was a hush in the house now that Gabriel has disappeared. No one seemed to want to talk about him. My dad wouldn't tell me where he went and I was too scared to ask Marie anything.

Today I came home ahead of schedule from school because it was early dismissal but no one was waiting for me at the bus stop when I existed the school bus. I was only 6 years old, so I wasn't allowed to walk home like all the other big kids were, some one had to pick me up. Mrs. Sydney, who lived next door, brought me home with her son, my best friend Joey.

"Marie probably just forget." She said soothingly.

When we arrived at my house, Marie's car was in the driveway so Mrs. Sydney just dropped me off.

When I go inside I heard someone moaning. Afraid some one was crying I went to take a look at where it was coming from.

As I made my way up the stairs, the sounds became louder and so did a banging of something on the wall.

"OH, OH, yes, YES, YES!" came a loud screeching woman's voice.

The door to my dad's bedroom was open with clothes thrown all over the entrance. Curious I peeked inside. A naked man had Marie plastered against the wall with her legs wrapped around his waist. They were naked and the man was sticking his winkie in her. My daddy had told me that when mommies and daddies wanted to make a baby that is what they did. Did Marie want to make a baby with this man? Why wasn't she doing it with my daddy? I was so confused.

"Shit! Oh Yeah, Give it to me." Marie yelled.

I stood shocked not sure what to do. It sounded like he was hurting her and that scared me. What if he were to hurt my dad and me? My body started to shake with fright, and tears filled my eyes.

The man's butt started to move faster and Marie was digging her fingernails in his back, hard. So hard, I saw blood running down his back.

I could hear the phone ringing, not wanting Marie to realize I was there I ran downstairs to pick it up.

Grabbing the phone, I dashed into the bathroom and locked the door. I sat down against door, my back leaning against it.

"He-ll-o," I stammered, still not recovered from shock.

"Connor?"

"Yes," I said sniffling.

"Con, it's me Gabriel. What's wrong?"

Hearing Gabriel's voice released the dam of emotions that I was holding. I started to sob. Nothing made sense anymore. Dad was gone all the time. Gabriel wasn't there anymore. Marie and Dad were always fighting. My mom was dead and I couldn't talk to her. Now Marie was doing baby making stuff with a strange man. I was confused, and just wanted everything to go back to the way things were.

"Shh, Shh, tell me what's wrong." Gabriel inquired.

"Marie's doing bad things." I whispered.

"What kind of bad things?" Gabriel asked, his tone suspicious.

"Baby making things."

"What do you mean?"

"He put his winkie in her, that's what people do when they're making babies."

"Oh!" He was quiet for a minute, so quiet I thought he had gone.

"Gabriel, don't leave me!" I yelled, terrified he that left me alone.

"It's okay Connor, I didn't go anywhere, I was just thinking." He said.

"Yes, you did, you left me. I can't find you anywhere. Where are you Gabriel?" I questioned.

"I had to go away Con to a private school because my mom and I had a fight, but I'll come visit you for Christmas, ok buddy?"

"NO, NO, NO," I said shaking my head. "I want you here. Why can't you come home Gabriel? Just say sorry and everything be all right. Come back please. "

"Connor, you're going have to be strong for me." He said his voice gruff, as if he was trying to keep from crying.

"No, I won't be good. I don't want you to go I want you to stay with me. Who's going to play and watch movies with me? Who's going to read me a bedtime story and give me milk when I can't sleep?"

"Your dad will."

"No he won't he's always at work." I stated.

I loud noise sounded in the background. "Connor, listen to me. Go to Mrs. Sydney's house. Stay there until your dad comes home, ok?"

"When are you coming back?" I asked, being stubborn.

"I can't talk now, I have to go. I promise to call you later. Don't worry, everything is going to be alright." The phone went dead.

"Gabriel? Gabriel?" I called out but he didn't answer, of course.

Hanging up the phone, I dried my eyes and crept out of the bathroom.

Mrs. Sydney answered her door.

"Connor? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Marie is sick." I lied. "She sleeping and I didn't want to wake her, so I came over here."

"Ok, honey come on in." She said, ushering me into the warm comfort of her house.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Present Day- Gabriel's POV

"What's your favorite thing to do in the summer, Adrian?"

I settled back on the varnished oak bench on the sailboat and stretched my arms wide along the edge of the cockpit.

"Take in a Cubs game." Adrian threw him a teasing smile from his seat behind the helm. "And this......there just isn't much better than this."

I turned my face into the wind and closed my eyes, enjoying the peaceful sound of water lapping at the side of the boat, the whisper of air over the sails.

I felt calm, relaxed. I was perfectly content to sit there the entire day, just appreciating the peace and the way the breeze tossed around my hair. "You know, when you said we were going on a picnic, I didn't think it would be on a boat."

Grinning he turned to me. "My friend and I own it, it was always a dream of mine."

I'd never been sailing before, at first the roll of waves and rocking of the ship had unsettled my stomach, but after a few minutes and deep breaths, I felt good.

I glanced up past the sails at the violet-blue sky, where seagulls were floating in the clouds. When we had sailed perhaps a mile out, Adrian locked the wheel in place and lowered the anchor, slowing us to gentle, rocking crawl. I watched him and ate a peach. As he sat down on the bench beside me, I wondered what he would say if I told him about Connor. But I couldn't do that; it would kill the start of this relationship.

I offered him a cube of cheese from the laid out platter. He declined with a wave of his hand, then looked around for the bottle of the wine he'd brought up from the cabin. He found it, then dug about in the hamper for the corkscrew, frowning. I handed it to him with a small smile. He took it from me and stole a kiss.

"Sometimes, when I was a little," he said as he began to force the corkscrew into the cork and turning it, "I used to dream of packing my stuff onto this little boat and sailing away forever. Running away from home. I wanted to explore, go to the Congo and the Far East, but I was stuck here...... unfortunately." He looked sideways at me, his eyes sparkling. "I would probably have died of malaria or been eaten by cannibals after setting foot in the jungle, eh?"

I laughed at him.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm imagining you as a skinny 14 year old pining away for a boat inside of some crush you had on the school's football star."

"Now, Now, I wasn't that skinny!" he protested laughing with me. "And I was great at pining over more than two thing at once. My crush was on the lacrosse captain however."

"So what was so wrong with your life that you wanted to run away?" I asked jokingly.

"I had my problems."

"Like what?" I asked as he pulled the cork free.

"Well, I grew up in a foster home."

"Huh?"

He laughed at my shocked expression. "I'm kidding. You should have seen your face." Giggling, he patted my cheek. "Nothing was wrong with my life expect my parents required a lot from me. My mom had me when she was 42 year old, because she wanted to get to a certain level in her career before she had kids. There was always a degree of achievement I was expected to get and anything below that would be frowned at. I wouldn't be punished or anything just got the silent treatment for a few days."

"That seems a lot of pressure to put on kid." I said scowling, knowing all too well how failing a parents expectations could hurt.

"It did, but it always forced me to do better when I wanted to slack off." He finished pouring the wine and replaced the cork, setting the bottle aside.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes," I blinked at the sudden change of the subject but I guess he was justified. It wasn't as if I was revealing any of my deep dark secrets.

"Well lets see what Jean packed." He said reaching for the huge wicker basket.

"You don't know?" I asked puzzled.

"Nah, Jean's a chef. I just told him to pack me something good."

My mouth watered as we pulled out containers filled with cheese blintzes, a loaf of challah bread that probably came from Wiseman's Bar and Grill where Jean worked. There were crab cakes and checkerboard Canapes that looked like they came from a magazine picture. And then we pulled out baby back ribs coated in plum sauce and a roasted chicken. They looked so tender and scrumptious. We opened another container filled with cut up peaches, pears, and pineapple mixed with whole grapes and seeded cherries; all topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

"Looks delicious." I practically moaned.

He smiled offering me a piece of bread. "Jean's a great cook."

He stuck it in my opened mouth and I chewed in contentment, tasting the hints of garlic and cheese in with soft bread.

"How did you meet?" I asked curious.

"Jean?" At my nod he continued. "Oh, for a few years I wanted to be a chef too, partly as a rebellion against my controlling parents. They wanted me to be a lawyer. After 6 months in school, I managed to burn everything I tried to make. When I finally set the kitchen on fire while trying to make crapes, I gave up, well I got kicked out actually."

I chuckled.

Taking a bite of the chicken he watched me. "You're beautiful when you do that!"

"What?" I asked trying to calm down.

"When you smile your eyes shine. It's very sexy."

I gulped down the rest of my wine. "Thank you."

We finished eating in comfortable silence, sometimes feeding each other pieces of meat or fruit.

As he began to clean up, I stood and leaned over the railing to stare at the clear blue water.

I felt his warmth before his touched me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he laid his chin on my right shoulder, the top of his head just reaching my neck.

"Some thing wrong?" he asked.

"No." I answered. Nothing was wrong, but I felt unsettled like I was doing something wrong. But that was completely preposterous because I didn't have any entanglements, I was a free agent. 'Yeah,' my mind mocked me, 'keep telling yourself, that maybe one day you'll believe your own bullshit.'

"What made you decide to become a teacher?" I asked, trying to evade any further probing.

"I didn't actually. I went to college as a business major, minoring in English. I thought I would open my own restaurant, but fate intervened and Jean got accepted to apprentice to one of the top chief's in Italy. I had to tell him to go, and I didn't want to open the restaurant without him, so I let that dream die. I had to find a job after that and took a night school teaching position. Everything fell into place after that."

"Why didn't you open your restaurant after Jean came back?"

I felt him stiffen behind me. "Life happened and things got complicated."

Hearing the sound of yearning in his voice. "You and Jean were more than friends?" I asked.

"Yeah, but things changed."

"Mmm." I murmured, not wanting to push any further, sensing there was something beyond his simple words, something painful.

"What about you? You never told me what you do."

"I don't know." I answered candidly. I've been asked that question countless times, and always answered the same way, company owner. But truthfully I never thought of myself that way, I was a painter at heart.

"You don't know?" he asked, shocked.

"Well, I own Mosaic Paints, we do house painting, light construction and remodeling, but that's what I do to pay the bills. Don't get me wrong, I love my company and every aspect of it, but I'm a painter."

"A painter? Like on a canvas painter?"

"Yeah, sometimes I do murals on walls for certain customers but mostly I work on a canvas."

I felt him smile against the side of my neck. "Have you shown your work at galleries and stuff?"

"I did when I was younger," I said. "But the art world is very fickle and what's in one minute might not be the next. I'd rather paint for the joy of it rather than having to paint while keeping in mind the whims of the public."

"What about your business? Did you go to school for that?"

"Yeah, part-time in college, along with working for my companies old owner. He hired me basically because he knew I had no other good opportunities available. I worked with him for two years, learning more information from him than in any textbook. When he died he left me the business because he didn't have any family."

"And you made it into a success."

"Yes, it wasn't easy. I had to completely make it over in order to keep up with the changing time. My father left me his savings so I invested most of that into the business."

"I like you." He stated, standing on the tips of his toes to grazing his lips against my ear.

"I like you, too."

"When can I see you again?"

"Next weekend or maybe some time during the week for lunch or dinner. I'm usually very busy during the week." I said, feeling a little guilty that I'd never mentioned Connor. "Why don't you come over tomorrow night for dinner?"

Adrian reached for my wrist, entwining our fingers together and resting our joined hands on my belly. "That sounds nice," he said, has he was moving his other hand up my arm to the back of my neck. "I had fun today." Pulling my head down, he touched his lips to mine. His kiss was like a nice pause in a busy day, a relaxing, sigh, or a dip in a warm pool. So what if his kisses didn't make me crazy? I didn't want a man who made me lose control.

I touched my tongue to his and felt his quick intake of breath. His hands tighten around my waist, pulling me closer into his chest. He wanted more. If this wasn't just our first date, I might have given him what he wanted.

I could come to care for Adrian, and in time, I could see myself falling in love with him. It had been a year since I'd made love. When I stepped back and looked into Adrian's heavy eyes, I thought it might be time to change that. Ignoring my heart, which was screaming for Connor, I forced myself to consider trying again with some one other than the man I loved.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Connor's POV

What should I do now?

I'd been sitting at home for the last 3 hours reading and re-reading the same paragraph from my psychology textbook. I couldn't concentrate.

Last night had been a success; everything had gone along with the plan. I had established sexual contact, and had left my scent on him so he would distracted. I still couldn't believe I had gone through with it. When Hunter had suggested making a move in order to make certain he wanted me, I was sure I would chicken out. Never would I think I could actually be so dominant, so sexually charged. I had loved it, and so had Gabriel. And it was just the beginning. If he thought I was going to back down he had better think again. The battle has yet to begin. I just have to figure out what my strategy is going to be.

It came to me then; maybe my dad could help. We hadn't spoken since our last argument but I knew that since I apologized to Gabriel he would forgive me, but I was still feeling ashamed of my behavior. Although I figure that love is unconditional, I would face any kind of uncomfortable situation in order to gain an understanding on how to progress with Gabriel.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I arrived at Dad's in record time; I went to see Dad, eager to talk. Pushing the door open, I went straight into his study.

He was relaxing in the couch reading. I was surprised at how peaceful and younger he looked at that moment. The worry lines that seemed to have been prominent on his face in last few years appeared to have smoothed away. Maybe he was finally coming to accept the lost of Nick.

"Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to come in?" He said without taking his eyes off his book.

Smiling, I walked over to him taking the seat in front of him.

"You were expecting me?" I asked.

"You're my son, you're stubborn, but you're not stupid. I knew you would come around sooner or later."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you've battered yourself up harder than I ever could."

"But still..."

"Connor..." He knew I was stalling.

"I talked to Gabriel." I blurted out.

"I thought as much."

"He wasn't happy to see me."

"No, I wouldn't think he'd be."

"Have you, umm, talking to him lately?" I asked timidly.

"No, just a few days after the incident, but nothing since, why?" He said finally putting down his book to look at me.

"I went to see him last night."

"And?"

"I, well, Dad this is embarrassing." I moaned.

He grinned at me he eyes devilish. "Tell me what happened."

"I kissed him," I mumbled.

"You what?" he asked surprised as if the thought never crossed his mind.

"I kissed him," I said again a little louder.

"Why?"

"Because I--"

"My God Con, do you know what you've done? Why would you give that boy hope for some thing that's not going to happen?"

"Dad, I love him."

"What?"

"You like that word don't you?" I said smiling, happy that I surprised him.

"This isn't a joke, Connor," he scolded.

"I know."

"You love Gabriel? Since when?"

"I really don't know, I guess its stems from all different feelings that have grown since we were kids."

"Are you serious about this, Connor? You can't play with his feelings?"

I began to recount the events of the last few days, censoring some of the more intimate moments. "I wasn't sure if it would be ok for me to tell him about Nick."

"It's ok, I'd have told him sooner, but I didn't know how to bring it up." He took my hands in his. "Are you sure?"

"Oh, yeah, I love him. I just can't figure out how to let him know it's okay to love me too."

"Mmmm."

"I'm just really scared he's going to get attached to this guy. I'm petrified of losing him."

"Mmmm."

"What do you mean, Mmmm?"

"I don't know if I should tell you."

"Please, Dad, if it can help with Gabriel, please tell me."

He studied me for a few moments, trying to decide whether he should tell me or not. Finally, he said, "He loves you, too."

"Really? How do you know? Did he tell you? Do you think he still does?" I asked rapidly. Not quite believing me ears; I was elated, so happy I thought I would burst.

"Calm down," he chuckled. "I've known since you were in grade school. Marie told me. That's why I let her send him to boarding school. I didn't know you were gay then and I thought that Gabriel would be better off without yearning for a relationship that wasn't going to happen."

"But that was a long time ago. He could have changed his mind, fallen out of love with me." I said worried.

"Why do you think he came here, Stupid? He came to find you, of course, but couldn't face you when he did until he made a success of himself. He wanted to be worthy of you, the sweetheart. Now he's finally mad contact you've hurt him, I think he's hiding, trying to protecting himself from you hurting him again."

"Thanks so much for making me feel worst." I groaned, dropping my head on the chair.

"Well, you need to know what you're facing. If you aren't careful, you might push him into this guy's arms." He said.

"What should I do?" I asked frustrated.

"Go to him, keep telling him how much you love him. Do something outrageous to get his attention, just don't sit and wait for him to come to you because he won't."

"Thanks, Dad," I said as into my head popped an idea.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gabriel's POV

Adrian stood at the mantle in the living room, looking at the display of photos while he waited for me to finish washing the dishes. I found myself stalling for time, dragging out the simple task for twenty minutes instead of the ten it should have taken to finish.

The evening had been wonderful, full of great conversation and teasing; the whole week had been fun actually. We had gone out four times for lunch; I enjoyed every one of them. We were developing a great friendship.

It was Saturday night. I became more edgy as the evening came closer to an end; I had planned to becoming more intimate with him, not full on sex but some light petting.

"Gabriel?" He called out.

"Coming,"

He was holding a painting of the sunset I made when I was 13.

"You did this?"

"Yes."

"Your very talented," He murmured.

"Thank you."

He walked over to where I was standing in the doorway. He'd dressed in form fitted khaki pants and a turquoise long sleeved T-shirt. He was beautiful, sexy, and intelligent. He was everything I wanted in a man and I was avoiding him. Why?

Pulling me against his chest, and pulling my head down, he rubbed his lips against my closed mouth.

"Do you do portraits?" He asked, his tongue came out to lick my bottom lip.

"Yes." I tried not to feel awkward or guilty.

"Maybe one of these days, if you're good, I pose for you." He laughed at my shocked expression.

"I don't do nudes." I laughed back.

"Oh, but you'd do one of me wouldn't you?"

This was it; he was asking me if I was willing to take this to the next step. I could do this. I could let myself care for some one else besides Connor. 'Yes,' my mind yelled.

It was a surprise then when I opened my mouth and out came, "NO."

"What?"

"Shit," I groaned and dropped my head on the door jam.

"I don't understand, what's wrong?"

"I'm a complete idiot."

Turning to face him, I said, "I can't do this."

"Can't do what? I'm not moving too fast am I?"

"Yes...No... its not it's you me I can't be with you. I like you I really do, I just can't--" I broke off, not wanting to say what I knew was in my heart. I can't be with anyone unless I resolved my feelings for Connor.

"Can't what?"

"I can't be with anyone right now."

"Is there some one else?" He whispered.

"No...Yes...Maybe...I don't know." I stammered.

Silence filled the room after my blurted confession.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I just can't start some thing with you when I have feelings for some one else."

"I'm sorry too." He headed for the front. As he opened it, he said over his shoulder. "If you love him work hard to keep him."

"I don't know what to say."

"You're a great guy," he said. "If you change your mind call me, ok?"

Pausing on his way out he turned back and walks until in front of me, raising up his tiptoe and he kissed me on the cheek.

"Bye."

"Bye." I said softly.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. I had my perfect chance and I blew it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Connor's POV

I stood in the bushes by Gabriel's house, watching the guy leave. Kind of stalkerish I knew but I couldn't help it. It had taken me the whole week to come up with a concrete way to pull off my plan.

Suppressing down my jealously, I gave him a few minutes before pulling out my cell phone. I dialed his number...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gabriel's POV

The moment I pulled my shirt off to take a shower, the phone rang. Snarling with frustration, I stomped into the bedroom. It was my cell, which was tucked in my jacket pocket, pulling it out I answered it.

"Come outside."

"Excuse me?"

"Come outside, baby."

"Connor, is this you?"

"Yes!"

"What do you mean come outside? Why? What's going on?"

He chuckled. "Curious aren't you?"

"What kind of game are you playing?"

"Come outside and find out."

Sighing with resignation I treaded down the stairs and out the front door.

"Walk towards the forest." He said.

"Oh, No," I said. "I'm not going in there."

"Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

"Connor, if you want to talk to me, come here, you don't have to do this, I decided--"

"Please, we use to have so much fun together. Can't we try to have that again?" he asked, there was a note of desperation in his voice.

He probably thought I was going to tell him to go away, but I wasn't.

Lately I'd acting like a coward. I hadn't shrunk from any of the challenges fate had sent my way, and I wasn't going to start now. I couldn't hide from Connor, or my feelings for him. So if he wanted to try, I wasn't going to run away. I'd decided to go see him tomorrow, but I guess this was easier.

"Alright, I'm coming, but if I get eaten by a bear it's your fault," I teased.

"I'll protect you." I could hear the smile in his voice.

The dark trees enveloped me as I entered the woods. This was a part of my property that I rarely went into because one never knew what was lurking in here.

"Where are yo..."

I stopped. He was standing between two giant oak trees. The moonlight hit his face, outlining its striking structure. His hair fell over his eyes.

"Beautiful," I breathed softly, so soft he didn't hear me.

"Come on, I have something to show you."

I stood frozen with surprise as he walked up the hill, and when I still hadn't moved, he glanced over his shoulder. "Are you coming or not?"

The question might be unconsciously provocative, but that way he dipped his head and looked at me from beneath lowered lashes was not.

Without realizing it, I found myself following him. Connor disappeared over the top, and I hurried, anxious to walk at his side. Then, as I crested the hill, I slowed. His feet were bare against the soft grass. His white button-down shirt seemed to glow in the dark.

Descending the slope toward a stand of trees, he never looked back to see if I was following. He could probably hear me panting, for with every step my arousal grew stronger.

A line of trees crowned the ground ahead, and as he neared them he bent, giving me a glimpse of the round curve of his bottom.

Then, as if the ground swallowed him, he disappeared.

Torn between lust and alarm, I skidded down the incline. He couldn't be hurt; not now, not when they'd just started. Yet... without warning, a small chasm opened at my feet. Only a short distance below, I could hear the splash of water as it tumbled over rocks, and farther upstream I could hear the roar of a waterfall. I tottered on the edge, then plunged off. I fell just five to six feet before I hit the ground, and I stumbled trying to save myself. Falling, I rolled, and when I opened my eyes I found was staring up at a frowning Connor.

"I always thought I were so graceful," he said.

He'd taken off his clothes, in the short time we'd been separated. He was wearing tight white briefs, highlighting his cock, his legs, and between them the soft hair on his thighs. A six pack defined his stomach, his skin was pale and creamy.

"Did you hurt yourself?" He still frowned at me, unaware of the direction of my thoughts.

Speechless with absolute, total pleasure, I shook my head. I hadn't hurt myself falling, but God help me, if my dick got any harder it would explode.

He was basically naked, beautifully naked, and I was staring, my mouth watering.

"I thought you would like this place. My friend found it one day, when he was walking, he lives a few blocks..." He studied me. "You look weird. Did you hit your head?"

I reached up to touch my head, and instead found my hand wrapped around his ankle, which was beside it.

"Gabriel, what are you...?" His voice trailed off; he cocked his head and studied me. Then he spoke, using a sultry tone I'd never heard from him before. "Gabriel, are you looking at me?"

How could I admit it? How could I not?

He inched his free foot closer to my head. The other remained. Firmly planted on the ground, and I could see...more. I could see the hang of his balls, cupped within the cloth. My hand raised to touch him.

"No." As he stepped away, his voice burbled with amusement. "I brought you here to see the waterfall, not me."

As he spun away I grabbed his calf. Giggling, he went down on his hands and knees. I lost my grip and he scrambled away before I could catch him again. With a whoop, he scampered down toward the brook. Surging with energy, I gave chase. An arch of water splashed into the night air as he jumped off a high rock into the pool below the falls. I stopped my toes at the edge. "Connor!"

He flipped in the deep water and dove, and for the second time in the less than a minute, I caught a clear glimpse of his cleft, beautiful round buns, followed by his strong hairy legs kicking toward the sky. He surfaced at the far side of the pool. "Bet you can't catch me," he taunted.

"I'll bet I won't have to," I murmured. I stood above him on that boulder. My wet jeans clung to my legs. Moonlight glistening on my golden skin. Water droplets rolled down my hard stomach, following the contours and then ending in the loose waist of my jeans.

Connor's mouth dropped opened, his teeth caught his lower lip, and he stared, unabashedly.

Swiftly, I made my way down to the edge of the stream, just to where the water gathered itself into a narrow channel to flow down the hill. Here the water was only knee-deep, and I found it surprisingly cold.

I splashed across to the other side and sat on a warm boulder.

Connor swam a little closer. "What are you doing?"

Stretching myself out full length, I rolled onto my side. "Warming myself." I propped my head on my elbow. "Go ahead and swim."

With a shrug, he did, twisting and turning in the water with every evidence of relish. My arousal grew sharper, needier, as with each kick of his legs enticed me to join him. But I would not and closing my eyes, I lay back on the rock, here the air blew over me, and I drifted, waiting for him to come to me.

Instead, I was jerked from my reverie by the splatter of cold water on my warm skin. Rolling onto my side, I saw him treading water and laughing.

"Did I wake you?" he called. Cupping his hands he splash me again.

I sat up and stared at him as I slid my hands over my chest and down my flat rippled belly. The water raced before my hands toward the waistband of my jeans, which hung low on my hips. Our eyes locked as I skimmed the water down each arm. His eyes bounced from my hands back to my eyes. A drop ran down my face. I caught it with my tongue, brought it into my mouth, and then I licked my lips and grinned at him.

"Connor, splash me again." I kept my tone intimate and persuasive.

He looked into my eyes, his mouth agape, and his eyes wide.

"I'm warm, Connor." I shook my hair, the long strands splaying over my body, and droplets flew. "Splash me again."

Mesmerized by my body, he swam toward me. When he reached shallow water, he stood and started walking, and with each inch of skin that rose from the water, my arousal grew.

He stepped onto the boulder; his briefs were transparent, revealing his hard cock.

"What?" His voice was a little hoarse. Droplets of water beaded on his thighs, and glided in an erotic dance down his legs.

"Come here." Leaning back on my elbow, I extended my hand.

Putting his hand in mine, he knelt beside me, his feet tucked under him.

"Caught you." I whispered, tracing his cheek.

"I wasn't running." Leaning over he licked the warm column of my neck, pausing just under my ear to count the racing of my pulse.

"Connor," I moaned, bent my head and my mouth turned to his.

We kissed as if we were drunk, slow, openmouthed, pausing for breath, for a change in angle, for a new dip and draw of tongues. His lips were soft. My tongue licked every enticing curving of his mouth. Then I sucked, sweet, fluttering tugs on his tongue.

Wrenching free for a gulp of air, he stared at me, eyes shining.

He put his pale hands on my tan skin, starting with my shoulders, smoothing them. He stroked my chest, swirling his fingertips around each nipple. He was absorbed in watching his own hands moving over me, exploring the muscles beneath the skin and stroking the springing of dark hair above the waistband of my jeans.

I liked it. More than liked it. My heart pounded, my breath caught. Unable to keep still, I lifted my knee and gripped it with my fist.

My movement seemed to startle him out of his absorption. He looked down at my legs, at the cord of muscle on my inner thigh, and with his fingertip he traced it.

I audibly sucked in my breath. He looked into my eyes and smiled.

Moving to my feet, he sprinkled them with water and his strong hands slid along, up to my ankles, the length of my calves, over my knees. He massaged my thighs, and when I tensed in a silent groan of pleasure, he pressed and kneaded each clearly delineated muscle.

'Wait,' my mind complained, 'we couldn't do this now, it was way too soon. Before I uttered those thoughts, he distracted me again.'

Dabbling his fingers in the water that pooled at the juncture of my hips and belly, he stroked my balls, tormenting me with his light touch. I clamped shut my fists when one fingertip traveled up the length of my erection, then slowly pulling my zipper down, he reached inside. His cool hand on my hot flesh brought me back to my senses. He ran his thumb over the smooth head of my cock, smearing the single drop of semen he found there.

He pulled he hand out and stared at it, fascinated, then slowly brought it to his mouth and touched it to his tongue. "Connor!" Aroused beyond bearing, I forced myself to scrambled away.

Startled, he looked at me confused. "What's wrong?" he asked, his breathing rapid.

"We shouldn't..." I panted out, my cock hurting.

"Why not? I thought, I thought that we were...I thought you wanted me."

I looked down at my cock, which was practically bursting out of front of my jeans. "I do."

"Then why?" He asked, hurt.

Taking his face between my hands, I brought his eyes to meet mine.

"I don't want to jump into things so fast. We need to get to know each other again."

"I know you." He muttered stubbornly.

"You know my past. I want to you to learn about me now."

"I still don't understand why we can make love." That was my Connor, stubborn as a mule when he didn't get what he wanted.

Smiling to myself, I smoothed his soft curling hair.

"Because we need to work up to that."

Taking my hand he brought it down between his legs, cupping it around his hard penis. "I need you."

Tempted, I squeezed, then with a strength I didn't know I possessed I let go.

"I need you, too." I growled. "But do you want to fuck or do you want a relationship."

"A relationship."

"Then I want us to date first, and let things progress from there."

Pressing his forehead against mine, he murmured. "Anything you want, Baby."

To be continued...

Comments? Question? Suggestions?