Page 12 of September’s Tide (Island Tales #2)

Chapter Eight

David sat in the ‘cave’ at the Beach Shack café, the shady spot under the willow-strewn roof where he’d sat that rainy Wednesday.

What a contrast .

It was a warm, sunny Saturday, and David had ventured out, laptop bag in hand, to have a coffee and greet some of the locals. Okay, so far he hadn’t written a word, but at least he was reading through the first three chapters, which was as far as he’d gotten with Lies and More Lies before….

Nope. Not gonna go there .

David gave himself a mental shake. It had been days since thoughts of Clark had pushed their way into his mind, and David wanted it to stay like that. He’d rather think about Taylor, whom he hadn’t seen for two nights.

That’s no bad thing.

For one, he needed time to recover. Taylor wore him out, but in a really good way.

David had worried he’d find the guy constantly on his doorstep, demanding to be satisfied.

After their first night together, David was seriously considering driving to the pharmacy in Ventnor to stock up on vitamins. Only, Taylor hadn’t been around much.

Maybe this will work out after all .

“David, you staying with us for lunch?”

Richard peered around the corner, a menu in hand. David glanced at his watch. Hell, he’d been sitting there contemplating for the last hour, and it was already one.

“What do you recommend?”

Richard pursed his lips. “We have salads, sandwiches, and two kinds of soup. Today it’s fresh mushroom or crab. Andy makes them, by the way.”

The menu had David trying hard not to drool. “I’ll go with the crab soup, please.”

Richard smiled and gave him a brief nod before disappearing.

This was David’s third visit to the café, but already he was starting to feel at home.

He’d met Andy, the owner, and his wife Cho.

There were also two perfectly adorable kids, except Cameron had to be in his mid-twenties, way too old to be considered a kid anymore.

David had yet to see Andy without his straw wide-brimmed hat as he dashed around the place, greeting new and regular customers in the same friendly manner.

Yet another place where the atmosphere made David feel good.

He gazed at the laptop screen. Already he could spot places where the manuscript needed tweaking and tightening. Having all that time away from it had been a good thing after all. Before he could get down to it, however, his lunch arrived, fragrant and looking delicious.

David dug in. The sea air was doing wonders for his appetite. That first spoonful of soup was a revelation. Delicately spiced with peppers, a velvety texture… The freshly baked bread was sublime with butter, too. He forgot about the book and concentrated on enjoying his fabulous meal.

Not a smear of soup remained. If he could have licked the bowl clean without drawing attention to himself, he would have.

He caught sight of Richard smirking at him as he walked by.

Yeah, it was pretty obvious he’d liked it.

He pushed the empty bowl to one side and opened up the laptop.

He went to the first chapter and began work.

“David. David .”

The insistent voice finally broke through. David looked up with a scowl. Andy stood in front of his table, grinning. “David, we’re about to close.”

David flicked his eyes to the time on his computer screen. It was four thirty. He knew the café closed at four. “Oh, I’m really sorry. Were you guys waiting for me?”

Andy laughed. “You’ve been on another planet this afternoon. We didn’t want to disturb you, especially when you seemed so into it. But we’re about to shut up now.” His expression was apologetic.

David quickly saved his work and closed the laptop. “Thanks, Andy. Today was a really good day.”

The genuine smile on Andy’s face was a delight to see. “Oh, that’s good.” He stood to one side to let David slide out from behind his table. “Will we see you tomorrow?”

“Possibly.” David liked it there. The sound of the waves hitting the rocks was almost hypnotic and he couldn’t complain about the service. And as for the staff, they were a friendly bunch. He shook Andy’s hand and walked toward the little gate Richard unlocked for him.

“See you again,” Richard said with a grin. David thanked him and started along the path past the houses, the small café and the little shop that sold coffees and ice creams. He glanced up at West View, Taylor’s house, and smiled when he spied a familiar figure.

Taylor was pulling a canoe up onto the boat ramp. When he saw David, he waved, his face alight with his customary smile.

“Hi there. You had a good day?”

David returned his smile. “Yeah, I actually managed to work on my book. I’ve not written anything new, but I was able to improve on what was already written.”

Taylor beamed. “Hey, that’s fantastic.” There was no mistaking the look of delight on his face. David was touched. “Maybe your writer’s block is crumbling at last.” He winked.

God, David certainly hoped so.

Taylor finished tying up the canoes and straightened. “Listen, I’m going out for a dive tomorrow morning. Would you like to join me? I’ve got a wetsuit that will fit you, mask, snorkel… what do you say?”

Now that really pressed David’s buttons. “Oh wow. That sounds great. I’ve love to.”

“Cool. How about you come over here eight-ish for a light breakfast, and then we’ll get out there ASAP. If there’s enough light, I have a camera I can take underwater shots with. I can take a photo of you while you’re down there.”

David liked that idea. “Okay.” He looked Taylor up and down, taking in the firm biceps, his tattoo rippling as he lifted the board that displayed his prices.

He looks even better naked.

And just as quickly he dismissed the idea of getting together with Taylor that evening. He wanted to be alert for their swim in the morning, and a night spent fucking Taylor wasn’t exactly conducive to waking up fresh as a daisy. Ironically, he watched Taylor’s gaze travel the length of his body.

Yeah, you’re having the same thoughts, aren’t you?

“Another night,” David murmured quietly. Taylor’s expression of disappointment was adorable. He opened his mouth to retort but then closed it abruptly.

“Yeah, you’re right, I suppose.” Taylor’s eyes danced with mischief. “But tomorrow night? That’s a different story.”

David laughed and waved a hand at him as he walked toward the house. Tomorrow night that cute little ass would be all his.

Taylor went into the house and closed the door behind him.

Damn .

He knew David was only being sensible, but Taylor had spent the last two nights deliberating about whether or not to pay the Lighthouse a visit. Each time he’d come down on the side of caution.

I don’t want him to get sick of the sight of me.

I don’t want to outstay my welcome.

And while abstinence was the last thing on his mind, Taylor accepted that playing it cool was the best way to go.

And let’s be honest here. How wrecked would I be if we fucked three times every night? Okay, so I’m only twenty-six. There has to be such a thing as too much sex, right?

Right?

Maybe he needed to stock up on energy drinks.

The following day

Taylor checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Nine-thirty. Still no sign of David.

This isn’t like him.

Taylor hadn’t known the man long, but even in that short time, he’d gotten the sense David was punctual, dependable.

Besides, he’d seemed genuinely keen about their breakfast plans.

Taylor didn’t have a mobile number for him, not that it would’ve helped, given the patchy reception around the cove.

He tossed his phone onto the sofa and picked up the novel he’d been reading the night before, but the words barely registered.

His mind was at the Lighthouse.

More specifically, it was focused on the man inside it.

Taylor liked David. He’d liked him before they’d even slept together, but that night had sealed the deal.

The man had a great cock, sure, but more than that, he knew how to use it.

After too many encounters with straight guys fumbling their way through sex with all the enthusiasm of a drunk tourist asking for directions, it was a relief to be with someone confident, deliberate, and in command of his own desire.

Taylor had always been versatile, but most of his flings—awkward, rushed encounters in quiet corners—had cast him in one role. That was what those men had wanted, needed. With David, though, it hadn’t been about playing a part. It had simply worked .

Four times, to be exact. And every single one had left Taylor wanting more.

Still... he couldn’t help but wonder.

Has David ever bottomed?

He doubted it. The man practically radiated Top energy.

He probably didn’t even know what it felt like to be the one on his back, begging.

Taylor smirked to himself, letting his mind wander into more illicit territory, imagining what it would feel like to sink into that tight, muscled body, David gasping beneath him, his eyes wide, his voice wrecked.

God, yeah.

A child shrieked in the street below, breaking the spell. Taylor glanced at the clock again. Nearly ten.

He’s not coming.

He tried to shrug off his disappointment. Maybe David had got caught up in something. Maybe he’d changed his mind. But a quiet tug in Taylor’s gut told him it was something else.

Something wrong.

That was all it took. He grabbed his keys and left the house at a brisk pace.

The cove was still quiet, with only a few early-rising families staking out patches of sand.

The tide was ebbing, the rocks by the café beginning to push through the water’s surface.

Taylor walked quickly along the coastal path toward the Lighthouse, scanning the deck as it came into view. No movement. No sign of David.

He passed through the gate and stepped up onto the deck. Still nothing.

He cupped his hands to the glass and peered inside. The sofa was empty. On instinct more than anything else, he tried the door.

Unlocked.