Page 14 of September’s Tide (Island Tales #2)

Chapter Nine

This is a good idea.

The air was warm, but the sea breeze took the edge off it. David’s headache was gone, and he was about to spend the afternoon with Taylor.

That last part was the icing on the cake.

He watched the rigid inflatable boat skim across the bay, bouncing lightly over the waves. A young man stood at the helm, all sun-streaked brown hair and sunglasses, his tanned skin glowing. David and Taylor waited on the sand, Taylor’s cooler at their feet.

“This is where we get our footsies wet,” Taylor said with a grin, kicking off his flip-flops. David followed suit. Farther out in the bay, Eric’s yacht gleamed in the midday sun, sleek and elegant, all white curves with flashes of black. Its sail billowed in the wind like a living thing.

David chuckled. “That’s definitely not a rowboat.”

The RIB came to a gentle stop a few feet offshore.

“All aboard, gents.” Eric’s grin flashed bright white. So much for the myth about British dentistry . Another thing Americans got wrong. He and Taylor waded out, the surf curling around their ankles. Eric offered a hand as David climbed aboard, Taylor right behind him.

David reached for the cooler, blinking as he lifted it. “Good God, Taylor, what the hell did you pack in here? You feeding the Royal Navy?”

Taylor smirked. “You’ve never seen Eric eat.”

Eric gave a theatrical sigh. “Say things like that and I might just toss you overboard.” He adjusted his shades, eyeing Taylor. “You boys brought swim shorts?”

Taylor snorted. “Yeah, right.” He turned to David. “We usually swim out there, but shorts? Please. We skinny-dip, as you Yanks say.”

David grinned. If that was the norm, he was all in. He’d never been shy.

The RIB swung around and headed out.

Taylor squinted toward the yacht. “Did you say Jason was coming?”

Eric nodded, his eyes on the boat ahead. “Yeah, and Shane and Mikey. Mikey’s brought half a brewery with him.”

David raised his eyebrows. “You drink on the boat?”

Eric barked a laugh. “Not me. But this lot? Fair game.” He guided the RIB to the stern, where a black-haired young man with striking blue eyes tossed him a line.

“Not a bad parking job,” the guy called out. Eric secured the RIB, then clambered up the metal ladder. David followed, handing the cooler up to Eric, who groaned under the weight.

“Taylor wasn’t kidding,” Eric said. “What is this, a week’s worth of meals?”

“Watch it or you’ll miss out on Andy’s crab tart,” Taylor warned as he stepped aboard. Four heads turned instantly.

“Andy’s crab tart? You legend.”

“Best news all day.”

Taylor grinned at David. “See? Feed them and they’re yours.”

David smiled, taking in the deck. A long bench wrapped around the edges, where four men about Taylor’s age lounged in the sun. A small covered cabin stood forward, and in the centre, there was a raised hatch with steps leading down.

“What’s below?” David asked as he settled beside Taylor.

“There’s a little cabin,” the black-haired man said, his accent musical and distinct. “Bench seating, kitchenette, and a bedroom with a shower.”

David liked the sound of that voice. Another local, clearly.

“I’m Jason, by the way.” He shot a pointed look at Taylor. “Since someone forgot his manners.”

Taylor rolled his eyes. “We just got here, you pillock.”

Jason snickered. “Our job is to take the piss out of Taylor, and we’re really good at it.”

A red-haired man with freckles leaned over to shake David’s hand. “I’m Shane. That’s Mikey, my less attractive twin.”

David smiled. “Ah, got it now.” One phrase still nagged at him. “Okay, I gotta ask. What does ‘take the piss out of Taylor’ mean? Because to me that sounds… unpleasant.”

They all laughed.

“It means to make fun of him,” Mikey explained with a wink.

David filed it away. Maybe he’d use that in a future novel, provided he got the tone right.

Eric steered the yacht out of the bay. Taylor had told David there was a natural channel at Steephill, and that boats needed to be careful not to hit the reef. Eric obviously knew what he was doing. The man exuded confidence.

David leaned back against the boat, the sun warm on his face. “How do you all know each other?” He tilted his face upward, closing his eyes and listening to the waves as the boat cut cleanly through them. This was heaven. He’d always wanted to go out on a boat and Eric’s was a beauty.

“We all went to school together,” Jason explained. “And we stayed in touch once school was over.”

Shane grinned at Taylor. “We were Taylor’s best mates at school.”

Mikey chuckled. “Yeah, someone had to save him from getting beaten up once they found out he was a friend of Dorothy’s.” His eyes danced with amusement.

David snorted. “You lot use that phrase too?” He eyed them. “And I take it you’ve guessed I bat for the same team?”

A round of nods followed.

“And we’re all straight, except for Eric,” Shane said. “He bats for both teams.”

Eric glared. “Since when? Have I ever said that? Well?”

“Ooh, sounds like we struck a nerve,” Jason said with a gleam in his eye. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

“So what if he does?” David grinned. “Hell, it makes the field more interesting.”

Shane leaned in conspiratorially. “So, you and Taylor. You’ve been indulging in a bit of horizontal dancing?”

“Shane!” Taylor sounded mortified.

David laughed. “Hell, don’t apologize. I like your friends.” He turned to Shane. “But I’m curious. How did you know?”

Shane smirked. “Taylor’s relaxed around you. And I know him. He’s a—what do you call it over there? A horn-dog?”

David barked a laugh. Taylor’s cheeks went crimson.

“Oh, come on,” David said, nudging him. “You said as much the other night. And that first night, coming out of the sea... You weren’t just offering hot chocolate, were you?”

Taylor blinked at him, and then laughed so hard he nearly doubled over.

“I like him,” Jason declared. “You can bring him out again.”

David beamed.

“Here’s a good spot,” Eric called. “Anyone for a swim?” The anchor dropped with a mechanical whine, and the engine cut out.

Everyone cheered, stripping off shirts and shorts. David followed suit, grinning as he undressed. The breeze on his bare skin was cool but not unpleasant.

Taylor looked radiant in the warm light, every inch of him kissed by the sun. Only faint tan lines, David noted. This definitely wasn’t his first time.

Taylor climbed the side rail and dived with the grace of someone who’d lived all his life around water. “Come on in!” he called.

David dived in after him, surfacing with a sharp exhale. The water was cold, but it jolted his system in the best way. Taylor swam toward him, his strokes smooth and easy.

David was turned on, more than he expected to be.

He grabbed Taylor and pulled him close. “Anyone gonna care if I kiss you?”

Taylor didn’t even blink. “Go for it.”

David’s hand slipped under the water, closing around Taylor’s cock. Taylor moaned into his mouth as they kissed, oblivious to the splashes around them.

“If we were alone,” David murmured against his ear, “I’d be balls-deep in you right now.”

Taylor’s eyes were glassy. “Later?”

David nodded, stroking him slowly. Taylor shivered.

A wall of water hit them both, and they broke apart, spluttering.

Eric was chuckling. “Thought you needed cooling off.”

Taylor looked sheepish. “Sorry.”

Shane waved him off. “No way. That was hot.”

“Not planning to switch teams,” Mikey added, “but I respect the hustle.”

They swam and splashed for another fifteen minutes. David laughed as the twins launched Eric into the water with a practiced toss.

These guys were born to the sea.

Taylor swam beside him, their rhythm matching stroke for stroke. David turned onto his back, drifting beneath the sky, when a hand brushed over his cock.

Taylor was close again, his eyes smouldering.

“Lunch time, you two!” Eric’s call shattered the moment.

They separated with matching sighs. David nodded toward the boat. “Let’s go. I want to try that crab tart.”

Taylor lingered for just a second longer before flashing him a smile. “Come on then. There’ll be other chances.”

David didn’t doubt it.

Taylor was feeling pleasantly buzzed. A couple of bottles of Wight Gold—Mikey’s favourite island beer—had left him mellow and loose-limbed, the sun warm on his skin, the scent of salt and beer lingering in the air.

The food had gone down a treat. Andy’s crab tarts had vanished in minutes, and Taylor’s enormous salad hadn’t stood a chance.

Good thing he’d over-catered. These boys could eat.

David had gone below to use the bathroom, leaving Taylor alone with the lull of the waves and the low hum of conversation.

He still couldn’t quite believe how well his friends had taken to David.

He’d expected at least a bit of teasing about David’s age, maybe some raised eyebrows. But so far… nothing.

Scratch that.

Shane was sliding along the bench toward him, a familiar glint in his eye.

Here we go.

“He’s nice,” Shane said casually.

Taylor didn’t bother pretending he didn’t know who Shane meant. “Glad you approve,” he replied, his tone dry.

He was, actually, more than he wanted to admit.

These guys had been his ride-or-die crew since they were twelve.

The first people he came out to, back when he was sixteen and still unsure if he’d completely blow up his life by saying the words out loud.

He’d been terrified—until they’d pulled him into hugs and told him nothing had changed.

Shane had even said they’d all kind of known already. That had stunned him.

Apparently, subtlety wasn’t his strong suit.

“So, no lectures about him being too old for me?” Taylor quirked an eyebrow. “Even if he is just a fuck buddy?”

Shane snorted. “I’d be more surprised if he wasn’t older. Remember Mr. McNamara?”

Taylor groaned. “Oh God, please don’t.”

“Mate, you practically drooled the whole way through Year Eleven English.”

Taylor buried his face in his hands. “I thought I was discreet.”

Shane snickered. “And don’t get me started on Mr. Evans, Year Ten Biology. We were counting on you coming out, and you made us wait a whole year before you got up enough nerve.”

Taylor laughed, half-mortified, half-charmed. “You’re the worst.”

Shane grinned. “You’ve always had a thing for older guys. So no, I’m not shocked.” He inclined his head toward the raised hatch. “He seems solid. The kind of guy who doesn’t play games.”

Taylor hesitated, then nodded. “He is. Solid, I mean.”

There was a pause.

“How much older?” Shane asked, the question light but genuine.

Taylor took a sip of beer. “Twenty years.”

Shane gave a low whistle. “Now that’s what I call seasoned.”

Taylor simply smirked.

“So?” Shane asked, leaning in like a schoolboy trading gossip. “What’s he like?”

Taylor arched a brow again.

“In bed,” Shane clarified with a grin. “Don’t be coy.”

“You’re unbelievable,” Taylor muttered, shaking his head. He was grinning too, though. “Let me have some secrets, for fuck’s sake.”

“Oh, come on. I told you about my first time with Annabel.”

Taylor nearly choked on his beer. “Yeah, and I still haven’t forgiven you for the visuals.” He hesitated, then glanced sideways. Mikey, Jason, and Eric were stretched out on towels across the deck, all back in their shorts, half-dozing in the sun. No one was listening.

“You sure you’re not bi or something?” Taylor teased. “You’re awfully interested in my sex life these days.”

Shane didn’t miss a beat. “I’m a straight man with range.”

Taylor barked out a laugh.

“I did some research,” Shane added, his tone mock-defensive. “In case you ever needed to talk. You know—positions, labels, lube brands…”

Taylor blinked. “You’re being serious.”

“Course I am.” Shane shrugged. “You’re my best mate. I wanted to get it right.”

Something about that hit Taylor square in the chest. He gave Shane a slow smile. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I prefer to think of myself as thoughtful,” Shane corrected, puffing up a little.

Taylor relented. “He’s a top.” Then he grinned. “A really fucking good one.”

Shane waggled his eyebrows. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Taylor’s cock stirred at the memory of the night before—and the promise of what might come later.

“I’m hoping for a repeat tonight,” he murmured.

Shane gave a low whistle. “You dirty dog. You two are going to be fucking like bunnies the whole time he’s here, aren’t you?”

Taylor looked out at the horizon. “God, I hope so. After the dry spell I’ve had, I’m grabbing this with both hands.”

Shane clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. You deserve it.”

A voice drifted over. “You two look as if you’re up to no good.”

David was back, climbing up from below decks, his eyes sliding to Taylor with unmistakable heat.

Oh, hell. How much has he heard?

Taylor’s face grew hot, but Shane didn’t miss a beat.

“Nah,” Shane said breezily. “Just regaling Taylor with tales of my tragically heterosexual youth.”

David smirked. “Sounds traumatic.”

“It was ,” Taylor said, his hand over his heart. “You have no idea what I’ve been subjected to.”

David tilted his head, his eyes gleaming. “Poor baby. I’ll swing by your place tonight, to help you recover.”

That voice. That look.

Electricity tingled its way down Taylor’s spine.

“Sounds good,” he said, a little too breathless.

Shane elbowed him with a grin. “And maybe it’s time to head inland.”

Taylor didn’t disagree.

Not at all.

“Can’t we have another swim first?” David demanded. His gaze settled on Taylor. “I haven’t had this much fun in years.”

Taylor was thinking the same thing.