“See you out there,” he says, quickly retreating to his room.
Okay, then.
I beat him outside, and am already on my next beer by the time he finally joins me in the hot tub.
In an effort to alleviate the discomfort I caused him, I thought I’d show solidarity, so after getting in, I promptly removed my swim trunks, which are now floating on the surface in circles, following the current produced by the jets.
“It feels wicked good to let the balls get tickled by the bubbles,” I tell him, mostly serious despite my light-hearted tone.
Damon eyes the trunks from where he stands on the icy deck, wearing a white robe and slippers. “Tell me you didn’t.”
I hold the shorts up with a smile on my face. “Why? You can clearly see that I did.”
“Christ, Li, put your fucking shorts back on.”
“What has you so wound up, man? We barely see each other throughout the year, and the whole time we’ve been here, you’ve been so uptight and grumpier than usual.”
“Tomorrow, remember?” is all he says as he takes a sip of his water.
“Well, if this is how you’re going to be tonight, maybe I’ll just spend it in my room because this isn’t us, D. I feel like I’m on this vacation by myself,” I admit. “I hate being so goddamned needy, but I’m trying to be here foryoufor once, and you aren’t letting me. It makes me feel inadequate, and I already owe you so much.”
Damon’s eyes find mine as he drapes his robe over the back of one of the chairs next to the hot tub.
It’s as clear tonight as it was during the day, and the stars are twinkling brilliantly. It’s pitch black out here except for the lights coming from our own cabin. No other homes are visible from our deck. Something the designers must have taken great care in achieving. It feels like it’s maybe twenty degrees out, and I can see my breath, but the air is crisp, not laden with wetness like the soggy winters back home in North Carolina.
Damon steps into the hot tub and immediately works to set me at ease.
“No one’s keeping score, Li. You’ve always been there for me, and you don’t owe me shit. That’s not how this works. I’d give you mylifeif you needed it.”
“Then what’s such a big a deal that you can’t just tell me?” I ask. The obvious pain on his face is starting to really freak me out. “D, come on. Are you sick? Is that what you’re scared to say? Because I’m stronger than people give me credit for, and I’m not as stupid as people think, either. I can handle it.”
“Hey,” he barks, reaching forward to grip my chin. “I haveneverthought you were stupidorthat you couldn’t handle your shit, you hear me? And no, I’m not sick.”
I nod, fighting to keep my emotions in check when he wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his side.
I go easily, because for Damon to initiate this kind of contact is a big deal.
Then he lets out a half-groan/half-laugh. “I forgot your dumb ass is naked.”
“You should try it,” I tell him, melting into his side.
“I think my dick has been the center of attention enough recently, but by all means, enjoy the ball bubbles.”
“They might actually make me come,” I say, growing serious. “You get them in the right spot, and it’s like being inside a girl’s mouth with a load of Pop-Rocks candy. Do you remember those?” I ask.
“Yeah, but I can’t say I’ve ever had a Pop-Rocks BJ,” he says.
“Honestly, it’s like you were born a sixty-five-year-old man,” I laugh. “Live a little, for fuck’s sake! We’re in this gorgeous place; it’s a beautiful night, and no one can see inside this tub except us. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. I don’t get why it’s suddenly a big deal.”
Chapter 7
Damon
“Li, the last time we were naked together, we were sixteen,” I remind him, leaving my shorts in place.
I remember that night well.
I already knew by then that I was attracted to him, and while he exhibited normal teenage boy behavior, wanting to whip his dick outconstantly,I was enthralled and way too fucking eager to lay eyes on it. He was already starting to put on muscle by then, and I wanted to map every line of his body.
