Overboard (8 page)

D
uncan gawked
at Sebastian when he finally emerged from the bathroom, dressed for dinner.

Sebastian wore a loose, blue, untucked shirt. Instead of it looking sloppy, like anything Duncan would have worn, it actually belonged untucked. His light tan pants were also loose through the legs and looked very comfortable.

Duncan tugged his own pants up higher on his hips, wishing they weren’t so tight and restrictive. He would be sweaty and uncomfortable as soon as they stepped out into the open air.

“You look good, man,” Duncan managed to say.

“Of course. Is it too gay for your family?”

“Who knows? You look pretty, though. All the ladies will be checking you out for sure.”

“Oh, maybe I should go change into something flannel,” Sebastian joked.

Duncan looked down at his shirt and sighed. “I need some clothes. This is ridiculous.”

“Shopping trip!” Sebastian shouted. “You’ll be my very own Ken doll.”

“Okay. That definitely sounded gay. But I think I’ll take you up on that if you really mean it. Tomorrow maybe?”

Sebastian stepped close to Duncan.

Duncan trembled when Sebastian did it. It was too intimate and Duncan didn’t trust himself to do anything other than stand rigid and hope in equal measures to be kissed and to not be.

Sebastian grabbed one of Duncan’s cuffs and rolled it up past his elbow and then repeated on the other side. Duncan’s skin tingled under Sebastian’s gentle touch. He held his breath while Sebastian undid all of the buttons on his flannel shirt, exposing the green Metallica t-shirt.

Was Sebastian going to make some kind of move again like he had back at the house? Duncan’s dick strained against his pants, trying to get Sebastian’s attention.

Sebastian took a couple of steps back. “There. That will keep you cooler and make you look like you are at least wearing that shirt on purpose instead of because it’s the only clean thing you have. And green looks good on you. We’ll have to remember that tomorrow.”

Duncan finally remembered how to breathe. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes, silly. For the shopping trip.”

Duncan genuinely wanted to go shopping for the first time in his life. Hopefully, Sebastian would be as hands-on with helping Duncan wear those new clothes. He wanted more excuses to feel Sebastian’s fingers again.

He reminded himself that if he really wanted to feel those fingers, he probably just needed to hold his hand out to Sebastian.

But his family.

Shit. His family.

Sebastian fussed with the sleeves again before stepping back with a satisfied nod. “I’m better at rolling condoms then sleeves, but it’s better.”

Duncan sighed in dread at the coming dinner conversations. “Let’s go get this dinner over with.”

W
hile they waited
in the line to get into the dining hall, Sebastian said, “Relax. This is your sister’s wedding. Have fun. Don’t spend the entire time tense and afraid of everything.”

Duncan know the words were intended to be nice, but considering they were coming from the man who was most likely to make him miserable, they didn’t help at all.

A cute redhead led them to three tables in the corner of the large dining hall. Duncan nearly laughed when he noticed her sneaking glances at Sebastian. Everyone fell for him.

Even me.

A dangerous thought as his mother wrapped him in a hug.

“There you are. We were starting to worry you hadn’t made the trip.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Duncan waved at his sister who was trapped in the corner. She smiled and waved back.

“Who’s your...friend?” his mom asked.

“Oh right. Sorry. This is my new business partner.”

Duncan cringed when his dad raised his eyebrows and bellowed, “Business partner? What kind of business are you into these days?”

Did Dad just suggest that I had hired a professional date for the wedding?

His words left Duncan speechless.

“Construction, sir. Duncan and I have some projects lined up together. My name’s Sebastian Walker. Sorry, I can’t remember what Duncan said yours is.”

“George. And what exactly do you do?”

Duncan watched as George gave Sebastian the once over and frowned disapprovingly.

Can he tell that Sebastian is gay? Or is he just suggesting that Sebastian doesn’t look like the kind of guy who knows his way around a construction site?

This is going to end horribly.

“Financial backing and sales, mostly. I’m hoping to get my hands dirty as little as possible. It’s horrible for my nails. Let me sit down and I’ll tell you some things we’ve got lined up. We’re just getting started. Maybe you’ll have some suggestions to help us along.”

Duncan watched in terror as his dad shook hands and started talking business with Sebastian.

Duncan didn’t get a chance to see how the conversation progressed. He bounced from aunts to cousins to bridesmaids he had never even met before. He never relaxed. During any downtime, he tried to peek at his dad and Sebastian, waiting for the hammer to drop.

None of the bridesmaids tried to talk to Duncan past the mandatory hello, but several could barely keep their eyes off of Sebastian. One even kept twisting the wedding ring on her finger while she stared at him with her mouth open.

You and me both, ladies.

The attention they gave Sebastian frustrated Duncan. He wanted Sebastian and could have him, unlike the ladies who were practically drooling. It was enough to almost not give a shit if his family knew.

“So where have you two been hiding?” Duncan’s mom asked.

“We stopped at the gym before coming here, Nancy,” Sebastian answered for him. “With all the calories on this ship, I figured a preemptive attack would be needed.”

Everyone at the table laughed and started saying they needed to go too.

“No, the place is a real dive,” Sebastian said with a wink at Duncan. “Half the machines are broken. The other half are just shit, pardon my language. And it smells like gross, sweaty men. You’d be better off walking laps around the upper deck.”

Sebastian had saved the moment. No one would have gone more than once anyway, but now they would have the gym to themselves whenever they needed some privacy.

Duncan watched Sebastian. His new friend seemed more at ease around Duncan’s relatives than he ever had.

His family seemed enamored with Sebastian, too. The temptation to pursue something more with Sebastian attacked him again.

Why not? He deserved to be happy and his family surely would accept Sebastian more than they would have accepted some of the guys Duncan had dated in the past.

He pushed the thought away. He’d think about it after wedding.

Thinking of the wedding made him realize the groom-to-be wasn’t at the table.

“Hey where’s...”
Shit. I still don’t know his name.
“Your worse half?”

Katey smiled at his slip up. “He’s back in the room. It seems he doesn’t handle being at sea very well. We bought him some of that medicine so hopefully he’ll be okay by tomorrow.”

Duncan noted the slight worry in his sister’s eyes. He would definitely wait to tell his family about his interest in men. If her fiancé getting an upset stomach had Katey this edgy, he wasn’t about to introduce any other potential stress.

The meal passed quickly. Even Duncan relaxed as he realized just how much Sebastian had his family eating out of the palm of his hand. Duncan half expected his dad to ask when they would be getting married.

Duncan snorted at the thought. As if his dad would ever approve. Besides, Sebastian certainly wasn’t husband material.

“You’ve been quiet over there, son. Are you feeling okay?” George said with a trace of concern that shocked Duncan.

It must be the magic of the cruise.

“Yeah, Dad. Just a little tired I guess. Nothing a little after-dinner nap won’t fix.”

“Not too long, though,” Sebastian said. “We have that ice-skating show to watch later tonight.”

“Oh, right,” Duncan agreed, even though he had no idea what show Sebastian was talking about.

“Ice-skating show?” Nancy shouted a little too loudly. “George, we need to get tickets.”

Sebastian made a sad face at Nancy. “Oh, the tickets are all taken for tonight. You should check for one of the other nights, though. I’ve heard great things about it.”

Sebastian moved to sit beside Nancy and told her the details of the show. Eventually he stood and stretched. “Hey, I could use some sleep, too. We were up last night talking about some upcoming projects. That kid of yours works me late most nights.”

Nancy patted Sebastian’s hand sympathetically. “Just make sure you boys relax on this cruise. Don’t work too hard.”

Sebastian locked eyes with Duncan and flashed that cocky smile that made Duncan dizzy.

“Well, no promises. You never know when a good idea springs up and you just have to get down and dirty and do some hard work.”

Duncan blushed. His beard and long hair were good for covering that up, fortunately. Still, Duncan wanted to get away before they did anything else too obvious.

Was that the only reason he wanted to leave, though? Duncan was confused. He had spent too much time fantasizing about doing a lot of things with Sebastian. But even as he had thought them, he had known they were fantasies he would be better off not sharing. After that day at the speed date, how could he? Sebastian would use him up and leave for the next bauble that caught his attention.

Duncan wanted better than that. He deserved better than that.

But the more he learned about Sebastian, the more he thought the man at the speed date had been a fraud. Sebastian had changed in the last few weeks and in good ways.

Duncan wanted this man. If only he could convince himself that he could trust Sebastian.

Duncan, speechless and confused after all of his second guessing, nodded goodbyes to his family and followed Sebastian out of the dining hall.

Sebastian walked with an easy, confident air that Duncan had no hope of mimicking as he plodded along, trying to catch up to his business partner.

They managed to get into an empty elevator.

“How was I?” Sebastian asked.

Duncan stared at Sebastian while he brushed his hand through his hair.

“You were magnificent. Incredible.” Duncan’s heart pounded. His hands began to sweat. He whispered, “My family has already fallen for you. I think I could too.”

Sebastian smiled, but stayed on the other side of the elevator. “Well, that’s an interesting development. You think you could, or you could? Maybe you even have already?”

“Don’t be an ass. I don’t want to be the prize of some sick game you’re playing.”

The door opened and they started down the hallway.

“Sorry. I’m not trying to be. I’m just curious. Because I don’t just think I’ve fallen for you. I know I have. I’ve just been waiting for you to decide you were ready for more.”

They stood at the door to their room. Sebastian used his key card and propped the door open an inch without entering.

“So, what do you think? Are you merely interested or are you ready for more?”

Duncan couldn’t wait any longer. He’d do what he could to try to avoid anyone else noticing, but he had to have Sebastian. The temptation was too strong. His body ached for Sebastian’s touch. His lips begged for his kiss. His dick cried for release.

“I can’t have my family know. Not this week. After the cruise, I’ll tell them everything. If you can handle that, I’m ready for more.”

Sebastian jumped into Duncan’s arms and wrapped his legs around Duncan’s hips.

“I’ll be your little secret until you are ready to tell the world. Take me and show me what kind of man you are.”

Duncan pushed the door open and carried Sebastian into the room while hungrily meeting Sebastian’s lips with his own.

“
T
hat was crazy
. I think my family likes you better than they like me.”

Sebastian smiled and said, “I don’t care what they think. Impressing your family is easy. You’re who I’m trying to impress. What do you think? Do you like me?”

“Is this some kind of game? Are you trying to trick me to get me into bed?”

“No. That’s what I have to be careful about. This isn’t a game. I really just want you. Simple as that.”

“In that case, I like you a lot. I’m definitely falling for you and can’t wait until this cruise is over so I can tell everyone. I mean, I literally can’t wait. Get over here.”

Sebastian ground his body against Duncan’s chest. “That’s the right answer.”

Duncan hesitated a second before asking, “How do you feel about me?”

“Silly bear. I just told you that I want you. I’ve wanted you since that day we met and I screwed up everything. Being around you has made me want to do something with my life other than use my dad’s credit card. I don’t know how to do anything like that, but I’m hoping that hanging around you will help me figure it all out.”

Sebastian kissed him. His tongue played with his lips before giving them a nibble.

“Lord,” Duncan growled. “I’m done worrying about my family or thinking about...anything while that door is locked behind us. Right now, I just need you.”

“Then shut up and take me.”

Sebastian squeaked when Duncan tossed him onto the bed.

“Oh my God. My heart’s racing so fast right now. Don’t throw me like that ever again. I’m kind of afraid of falling.”

“I’m with you about that. We can talk about that some other time.”

Duncan’s thoughts were a thunderstorm rolling around in his head. His lust took over. He pulled off his shirt and was starting with his belt when Sebastian sat up.

“Hold on. Lay down with me.”

Duncan climbed onto Sebastian’s body.

Sebastian rolled Duncan onto his back and started tracing the tattoos. His fingers ran over a rose, a horse, and an anchor from a Navy ship.

“I’ve tried to peek but rarely got a good look at these back at the house. They’re pretty and manly and sexy and... Were you in the Navy?”

The question sobered Duncan’s lust a little bit.

“No. I tried to get in. A boyfriend joined after high school. I wanted to go to. I didn’t really have a lot of options with my grades the way they were.”

Duncan had not talked to anyone for ages about his first failed attempt at becoming independent. He couldn’t believe that the bad boy jerk from a few weeks ago had turned into the gentle man that Duncan found himself wanting to open up to.

“I started the process, but then my mom got sick. She had breast cancer. I was afraid to be too far away during that battle so I got a job with a contractor and I’ve been doing it ever since. She got better and I moved up here.”

“I’m sorry about you mom. That had to be a tough decision. Do you regret missing your big chance?”

Duncan’s normal answer to that question was yes. Things had changed in the last few days, though.

“No. I used to.”

“What changed?”

“I met you.” Duncan rolled onto Sebastian. “You’re changing me, too, cutie pie.”

Sebastian’s whole body shook with laughter.

Duncan’s ears got hot from the embarrassment. “What?” Duncan asked.

“Cutie pie? Holy shit. You are not the right kind of guy to call someone cutie pie.”

Duncan tickled Sebastian’s ribs. “What should I call you then, shnookems?”

Sebastian slapped at Duncan’s hands. “Stop. Stop.”

When Duncan finally stopped, he asked, “What do people call you? Sebastian seems so formal. Do you have a nickname?”

“Oh God. I do, but it’s horrible.”

“Tell me, or the tickles will resume.”

“Okay. Okay. Everyone calls me Bastard. Sebastian. Bastian. Bastard. It stuck somewhere back in grade school. I think I grew into it as I got older because it was easier than fighting it.”

Sebastian shrugged.

Duncan frowned. “No. That won’t do. We’ll have to think of something later, cutie pie.”

“Fuck.” Sebastian giggled. “Can we talk about it while we cuddle afterward.”

“Oh no. You’re a talker after sex?”

Sebastian nibbled on his lip. “Only one way to find out. I put some condoms and lube in the drawer just in case a miracle happened. Ooo. That can be your nickname. Miracle.”

Duncan walked to the drawer. When he returned, he said, “Not Miracle. I guess you can figure something better out when you’re talking to yourself while I’m sleeping.”

With a rough tug, Duncan pulled Sebastian’s pants off. His dick bounced free. It was long, fully erect, and ready for Duncan.

Duncan licked his lips.

This is really happening. Sometimes everything in the world comes together for a magic moment like tonight.

“I’ll have to remember that tickling turns you on so much.”

Sebastian covered his body with his hands. “Don’t you dare. Now get over here and fuck me. I’ve been waiting too long for you to be cute and subtle about this. Give me that dick.”

“Oh, you sound like such a bad boy when you talk like that,” Duncan said while rolling the condom onto his sensitive cock.

He spread the lube teased the opening with his finger. Nothing in the world, short of his parents walking into the room with a priest, could have made him stop. Sebastian would be his tonight. He would deal with the morning in the morning.

“I said give me the dick. None of this one finger, two fingers, cock stuff. I need you in me right now.”

“Such dirty words from such a pretty mouth. We’re going to get along just fine.”

Duncan pushed in gently, but insistently.

“Oh, there it is. It’s as amazing as I knew it would be.”

Sebastian raised his legs and set them on Duncan’s shoulders. Duncan grabbed his thighs, marveling at the smooth skin. He had things to worry about outside the door, but in the moment, there was only the two of them. The world outside the four walls of their room faded into a distant memory.

He had wanted Sebastian so badly and he finally had him.

Their bodies smacked against each other. They grunted in unison.

Sebastian stroked his own cock while they fucked. Duncan pushed the hand away. He wanted to be the one to push Sebastian to his orgasm. He wanted to make Sebastian feel as good as Sebastian was making him feel.

Duncan grabbed Sebastian’s cock. He was already slick from his own juices. Duncan stroked him firmly in unison with their slapping bodies.

Finally, Sebastian opened his eyes and said, “Oh Lord.”

“Are you going to come for me, cutie pie?”

Sebastian nodded while saying, “Fuck yes. And fuck you and that cutie pie shit. God, your hand feels so good.”

Duncan squeezed Sebastian behind his balls to prevent him from coming. Sebastian slapped his hands on the mattress and grabbed a pillow to shove over his mouth so he could scream in frustration.

“Tell me to call you cutie pie,” Duncan ordered, enjoying feeling like he was in control for once.

“Please. For God’s sake. Call me cutie pie.”

Duncan released his suffocating grip and started pumping his fist again while he continued to fuck Sebastian’s ass.

Sebastian covered his face again with the pillow again while he screamed, this time in pleasure. His body locked in place while the orgasm swept over him.

Duncan almost forgot his own needs while watching Sebastian’s load shoot high onto his chest.

I made him do that.

It felt important that Duncan had made his lover come so strongly. If they were going to risk fucking, Duncan wanted it to be amazing.

When Sebastian removed the pillow and blew a kiss at Duncan, Duncan remembered his own needs and started thrusting again. Soon after, his body shattered as the long-needed orgasm exploded from deep inside his body.

He had no idea how long he stayed there, fucking Sebastian to squeeze out the last drop. He never wanted to pull out. He never wanted to leave Sebastian.

When he collapsed on the bed next to Sebastian, he asked, “Did I scream there at the end? Was I too loud?”

In the afterglow, he knew he should care. He thought he might have shouted something that Sebastian would find funny, but maybe that had only happened in his head.

“No. I mean, you were loud, but I don’t think anyone heard anything.”

Duncan turned to face Sebastian and propped up on his elbow.

“You are an evil man, Sebastian. You’re scrambling my brain. I’m not thinking straight.”

Sebastian ran his fingers through Duncan’s chest hair. Duncan had never liked his chest hair, but with how much he loved Sebastian’s fingers, he thought he might be willing to go shirtless more often.

Back at home. After the cruise.

What is this guy doing to me? I’m going to make a mistake around someone. I can’t possibly be careful around him for the entire trip.

But I have to try.

“Hey, you’re going to think I’m an asshole, but I need to say it again. What’s happening here has to stay between us.”

Sebastian pretended to zip his lips and throw away the key.

After another kiss, Duncan said, “I’m not too good at this stuff. What’s going on between us? Are we dating? Is this just a vacation fling?”

Sebastian said, “Your guess is as good as mine. I’m not good at relationships, either. Do you want us to be dating?”

“I want us to sneak kisses in the shadows and fuck like animals in our room. But I think I want more than that too.”

“Such as?”

Duncan rolled onto his back with his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, trying to find the words.

“I want us to learn more about each other each day. Even if it’s just little shit. I want us to do things together so we’ll have inside jokes. I want to lean on each other when we are hurt. I want us to be able to sit in a room without talking and not worry that the other thinks we have lost interest in them.”

Sebastian rolled and laid his head on Duncan’s chest. “That sounds like dating. And it sounds wonderful. I’m worried, though.”

A moment of silence passed. Duncan heard Sebastian’s desire to say more battling with his fear of being more vulnerable.

He was waiting for Duncan to say something.

It felt like a critical moment. The budding relationship could fall either way depending on Duncan’s response. The pressure nearly made Duncan withdraw into himself. That’s how he normally handled emotional vulnerability from others. He didn’t want that with Sebastian. He wanted to be a rock for him to rely on. He needed to find a way to say the right words. Or at least some words.

“I’m here for you. Let’s talk it through. We’ll figure it out together.”

Sebastian kissed Duncan’s chest and said, “I’m worried because I’m shit at relationships. I fuck them all up. I like you too much for that. Don’t let me fuck it up.”

“Hey, don’t worry. I’m a relationship mess, too. Let’s figure this out together. If one of us makes a mistake, let’s both work to fix it. Teammates.”

“Team Gay.”

“That’s right. Team Gay. At least in this room. Outside, we’ll be Team Best Friends.”

“Okay. That’s good. Maybe being forced to tone down in public will slow us down enough to help us not do anything too fast. We can take our time.”

Duncan’s eyes got heavy. “Mmm hmm.”

“Are you falling asleep on me?”

“Mmm hmm. Night, boyfriend,” he mumbled.

Sebastian laughed. Duncan smiled even though his brain had fallen deep enough asleep not to know what was happening around him.

All he knew was he was with Sebastian, they were happy, and he had an amazing boyfriend.