Page 80 of Finley

“No. But sounds like a good place to me,” Daniel said as he covered Brantley’s hand and slid it higher up his thigh. “Why’s it called Lover’s Key?”

Brantley turned into a parking lot and stopped the car. “Back in the day, the only way to reach the island was by a boat, and lovers would steal away to go there for privacy.”

“Ohhh…I’m liking this place more and more,” Daniel said. Then he leaned across the console to press his lips to his professor’s. When Brantley chuckled and took his face between his hands, Daniel groaned in protest.

“Hold up there,” Brantley said when he pulled his mouth free. “It’s no longer ‘private,’ and you have to behave yourself.”

“Well, where’s the fun in that?”

“Out,” Brantley said as he shoved Daniel away and pointed to the car door.

“Fine, fine,” Daniel grumbled, and climbed out of the car. When he shut the door and started to untie the kayak, he looked over the roof and said, “Admit it. You brought me down here to do bad things with me. Didn’t you?”

Brantley didn’t answer, but the slight twitch at the side of his lips gave him away. “Just untie the front end, Finn.”

“Sure thing, professor,” Daniel said, and pulled the rope free. When it was dangling between his fingers, he held it up and asked, “Should I keep this for later?”

Brantley groaned. “This is going to be a long day, isn’t it?”

BRANTLEY PULLED INTO a vacant spot,and once the two of them were out of the car, Daniel reached into the back seat to grab their backpacks. As he put them on the hood, he looked over in Brantley’s direction and began to untie the kayak.

“I can’t believe you still have the same boat.”

“Why not? It has…sentimental value.”

Daniel hummed his agreement as they finished pulling it down from the roof. “Is that right?”

“Well, you made sure of that by personalizing it.”

Daniel ran his finger over the inscription he’d carved with his pocketknife the first time they’d gone there. When he raised his eyes, the look there had Brantley catching his breath.

“It’s still true, you know.”

“Stop…”

“What? It is. And they even sell buttons with that quote on it. You really should be careful, professor, or I might get sued for copyright infringement.”

Brantley picked up one of the backpacks and slung it over his shoulder. “I think you’re safe. You weren’t using it in quite the context they mean it.”

Daniel grabbed the second pack and slipped it on. Then they each took an end of the bright yellow kayak and headed across the sandy bank to the ramp that led into the estuary.

Once they’d placed it down into the water, Daniel kicked his flip-flops off and bent to shove them in the end of the boat. When he looked back over his shoulder and caught Brantley staring at his ass, Daniel grinned, and Brantley made no attempt to hide his smile.

Hell, he was pretty sure Daniel knew at this stage he loved everything about him. What did he care if he was caught staring at his ass?

“You gonna get in, professor? Or stand there and ogle me all day?”

“Not a bad way to pass the afternoon.”

Daniel pulled his shirt over his head before tossing it into the boat. “I’m glad to hear it. How about I give you a better view?”

Brantley refused to look away, and instead walked over to the kayak and took his shoes off. “You won’t hear me complain.” He, however, decided to leave his shirt on.

“Not going to enjoy the sun today?” Daniel asked as he turned his face up into the warm rays.

“I think I’m good, but I’m glad you’re partaking in the activity.”

“Well, someone told me I was looking pale.”