Sea of Sin

Dressing in a pair of cotton sleep pants, he took his scotch out on the balcony. The air was sweet and moist, clinging to his bare skin without the oppressive heat of the day. Below him, the deck was empty of all of the sun worshippers, only a few couples out at this time of night to make use of the semi-privacy afforded by the place. The soft susurrations of water churning away from the hull as the ship cut through the Caribbean whispered in his ears its own soothing melody. Chris took a deep, cleansing breath and used it to blow out his frustrations.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you again until morning.”

So much for relaxing. Chris didn’t turn around. “You don’t sound surprised, though.”
Kieran chuckled. “Actually, I am. I figured you’d spend the evening trying to fight it.”

“Or imagining I was fucking you instead?”

“Trust me, your imagination isn’t that good.”

Still not turning, Chris said, “I’m beginning to think you’re all talk, Kieran. Or you get off on my not getting off.”

The low rumble of Kieran’s amusement was much closer this time, and soon a warm body molded against his, strong arms encircling his waist as a chin rested on his shoulder. “I can assure you, Christopher, I’m plenty of action. When the time is right.”

“Don’t call me that.” Taking a chance, he covered Kieran’s arms with his own, the action undermining the request.

“Why not?”

“Because it drives me crazy.”

“I know. That’s why I do it.” Kieran’s lips caressed his ear deliberately. “I want you thinking about what it will sound like when I call you Christopher in the heat of the moment, how good it’s going to sound in the middle of your orgasm.”

Chris shivered and told himself it was from the breeze. “Why me?”

He meant the question rhetorically, but Kieran answered. “Why not you? You’re confident and sexy as hell and you haven’t been challenged for a very long time. Have you?”
“I don’t come here for a challenge. If I wanted to work for it, I could have stayed home.”

“Admit it, you’re enjoying the challenge. The anticipation is killing you better than any toss-off with one of those kids. And you know when it comes, when you come, it’s not going to be a quick ten minutes and then on to the next one. It’s going to take hours and quite possibly days and it’s going to be the best sex you’ve ever had in your whole fucking life.”

The pathetic thing was he was beginning to believe that. “That’s a lot to live up to.”
Blunt teeth caught at his ear. “I never promise what I can’t deliver.” Kieran urged him to turn and soon they stood nose to nose. “The question here, though, is whether or not you can handle delayed gratification.”

“You aren’t giving me much of a choice.”

“Sure I am.” Lips that had teased at Chris’ ear now brushed over his mouth. “Walk away.

Go back to your casual, meaningless encounters with beautiful young men and forget I was ever here.”

He’d tried that and it had nearly ended in disaster. “Kieran, I—”

The rest of his words were lost as Kieran claimed his mouth, as subtle and smooth as every other one of his actions. Chris fought his natural impulse to take control, take what he’d been wanting since he first set eyes on Kieran, and instead let Kieran continue to lead.

He was rewarded with the faintest of smiles against his lips as Kieran drew him closer, letting him feel the full length of his tormentor’s body while his mouth teased and coaxed with expert skill and patience. Nothing hurried, nothing rushed, just a kiss for the sake of the kiss alone.

Chris couldn’t recall the last time he’d enjoyed such a simple act.

Gradually, Kieran withdrew from the kiss but maintained full-body contact with Chris.

“Was that worth waiting for?”

There was only one answer. “Yes.”

“Remember that.” Then he stepped back, turned, and disappeared back into his stateroom.

Standing there with the taste of Kieran still fresh on his lips, Chris stared at the closed door, dumbfounded. He should be mad. Instead, he felt…anticipation.