Not gonna lie. Real looks cute as fuck when he puts the big goggles and other snorkeling gear on. I was one hundred percent ready to throw down if Trick thought he could move in and snatch him away from me. I’m not usually the jealous type, but Real is mine. That’s just the way it is.
“Last one in is a rotten egg,” he taunts, awkwardly waddling toward the ocean, his flippers catching on the sand and weighing him down before he splashes right in. I follow behind him, feeling light and happy in a way I haven’t in fifteen years. I knew I missed him, but I don’t think I realized how much.
When I woke up this morning with memories of last night consuming my every thought and thepromise of spending all day with him, I couldn’t stop smiling. Not just smiling either. I actually fuckingwhistledwhile I got dressed and made my way down to the hotel lobby to meet Real for the continental breakfast.
I charge into the water, diving face-first as soon as I’m waist-deep. Real already has a head start, swimming a few feet ahead with his face under the surface so he can see all of the sea creatures floating around us.
It’s not as bright and vibrant as I’m sure the Great Barrier Reef is—which no doubt Real has been to, based on all the stories of his travels he told me about on the shuttle bus—but it certainly has its own charm. Various fish dart around us, large round jellyfish joining them. Trick already told us that there would be cannonball jellyfish and not to worry because they aren’t dangerous. A horseshoe crab creeps along the bottom, looking eerie in the murky depths.
Real swims over to me and taps me on the shoulder. I pop up from the water, and he points into the distance.
“Look, look, look.”
It takes me a second to see what he’s pointing at, but a little way out, a dolphin breaches the surface of the water, and then another, and another.
“That’s so cool.”
We float and watch them for a minute or two. They don’t pay us any mind, not getting any closer than the few dozen feet or so they are away. Real’s legs bump against mine under the water, and I can’t stop myself from reaching for him, dragging him closer and shamelessly stealing a kiss. His lips taste like saltwater as he smiles against my mouth, wrapping his arms around my neck and kissing me back.
“Oh my god, something just touched me,” he gasps and then laughs. “Maybe it was one of those turtles that uses this beach to fuck.”
“Or the corpse of Harry Telephone,” I suggest, and he squeals, wiggling away.
“It’s way less creepy to actuallyseewhat’s touching my legs.” He puts the snorkel back into his mouth and dips under the water again.
We spend an hour or so enjoying the water and all of the various creatures we’re able to spot. When we slosh back out of the ocean to return our gear, my stomach is growling and I’m ready for a nap…preferably after taking Real back to my hotel room and sharing a shower.
“Have fun?” Trick asks.
“It was great,” Real says. “Thanks for everything.”
“That’s my job,” he says with a big grin. “And if you guys are looking for any other unique thingsto do on the island, be sure to check out the rainbow carousel.”
“I didn’t see that in the brochure. What is it?” Real asks.
“The brochure focuses mainly on the sex angle of the island,” Trick explains. “Harold Tellinson built it for his partner, George, as an anniversary present. It’s old as fuck, so it only runs about half the time, but local legend says the carousel can reveal your one true love.” He grins and waggles his eyebrows while I fail to hold in a disbelieving snort.
“That’s kind of romantic,” Real says wistfully.
“A rusty carousel can’t tell you who your soulmate is,” I argue.
“It can if it’s magic,” he says, and Trick points to him as if he makes a good point.
“Don’t discount island magic or the power of true love.”
“Ghost love,” I say skeptically.
“Haroldlovedlove,” Trick explains.
“So we’ve heard.” I grab Real’s hand again, both our skin pruned from our time in the water. It’s not like I’m a cynical love-Grinch. I’m just not so sure about all this ghost or magic stuff. What Iamsure about is that I’m starving. I lean down close to Real’s ear and whisper, “Forget the carousel,come back to my room for a shower and some room service, and I’m sure I can find something for you to ride.”
He puts on a faux-scandalized expression. “You, sir, are filthy.”
I grin. “So, is that a yes?”
Chapter 5
REAL
