Open Seating (15 page)

The gentle rocking of the boat was soothing, and his eyelids drooped. Succumbing to the need, he managed to slip underneath the tight sheets but felt imprisoned. He couldn’t move freely with Bryce lying on and pinning down his side of the bed. Thankfully, Bryce made a sound and shifted position, rolling over on his side to face Seth.

“Sorry,” Seth whispered. “I tried not to wake you.”

“I’m cold,” Bryce murmured.

“Get under the covers,” Seth said.

“Good idea.”

In one slick move, Bryce was under the sheets and pulling Seth toward his side. “I need some of your body heat,” he said, curling around Seth’s torso. He snuggled closer and inserted his feet in between Seth’s pajama-clad legs, rubbing against him for warmth.

Seth yelped. “You’re freezing! Keep your Popsicle toes away from me.”

“Aw, come on. I’ll warm up in a sec.”

“Ugh. You should consider wearing pajamas next time.”

Bryce snorted against his shoulder. “I haven’t worn jammies in thirty years.”

“You’ve been sleeping half-naked since you were seventeen?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not really, I’m just being nosy. Didn’t your parents say anything?”

“Why in the hell would they care how I slept?”

“My mother would have assumed the worst if she caught me naked in bed. Learning how to beat off without messing the sheets was hard enough.”

“Is she some kind of control freak?”

“Was,” Seth said. “She died about five years ago.”

“Sorry for your loss.”

“Don’t be. She had a good life.”

“What about your dad?”

“He’s in a nursing home in Springfield,” Seth replied.

“Oh.”

“You sound sanctimonious.”

“How did you get that impression by a one-syllable reply?” Bryce asked. “It’s none of my business what you do with your father.”

“Maybe I’m feeling guilty,” Seth explained. “He’s got Alzheimer’s, and I decided I wasn’t capable of watching him round the clock.”

“Understandable,” Bryce said.

“Is it? Mark thought it was selfish of me to pawn my father off on strangers.”

“No disrespect to Mark, but he was full of shit when it came to judgment calls.”

“Are you referring to his suicide?”

“I don’t even know why I brought it up,” Bryce said, sounding regretful. “Let’s try to get some sleep.”

“I’m interested, though.” Seth flipped over so he could face Bryce. It was too dark to make out his features, but he felt more connected in this position. He thumbed Bryce’s generous mouth, yearning for a kiss instead of a philosophical discussion. “Tell me, Bryce.”

“In my opinion, and you should take this with a grain of salt, Mark professed to know it all when it came to medical decisions because he was a pharmacist.”

“I can’t argue that,” Seth said. “He often told me doctors would call him for advice on dispensing meds. It made him feel rather important.”

“That was probably a daily ego boost, but pharmacology is only one aspect of medicine. Mark wasn’t a doctor, no matter what he thought, and he had no right to presume you could or couldn’t handle a medical crisis.”

“He was trying to shelter me,” Seth whispered.

“There was no need,” Bryce said. “You’re much stronger than you know, and he sure as hell didn’t give you the chance to prove it.”

“Thank you for saying that, Bryce. It means a lot to know we’re on the same page with regard to Mark’s choices. I’ll never forgive him for taking away the only chance I had to prove how much I loved him.”

“Hey,” Bryce said softly. “He never questioned your love.”

“But he put a ceiling on my level of commitment. I would have risen to the occasion if he’d let me.”

“Now that I’ve spent more time with you, I can see that,” Bryce said. “You certainly have more substance than fluff, which was my original impression.”

“So, is there a moral to this story?” Seth asked.

“Maybe not in the immediate present, but I think you’ll find your answers down the road.”

“I’m not a fan of open-ended novels.”

“But you’re already writing the sequel, Seth. Give it time.”

“How come you always know the right thing to say?”

“Maybe you bring out the best in me,” Bryce said.

Seth scoffed. “All I’ve done since we embarked on this trip is harangue you for being different. I have no right to impose my archaic beliefs on you.”

“Rooming with me must be one constant shock after another.”

“Some more pleasant than not,” Seth admitted.

Sounding pleased, Bryce said, “Good to know.”

“Bryce?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you think less of me if I went back on my word?”

“About what?” Bryce prompted.

“I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to give you my answer.”

“Is that right?”

“Kiss me.”

“And if it leads to more—?”

Seth thought about his answer for a second before he boldly agreed, “I won’t stop you.”

“Are you comfortable ditching these clothes?”

“Yes,” Seth whispered a little shakily. Now that they’d crossed the line he’d drawn across the imaginary sand, he was suddenly terrified. What if he didn’t measure up? Would Bryce shove him away in frustration?

Bryce tugged at his T-shirt, and it was over Seth’s head and on the floor in seconds. His bottoms came next, and as Seth slid them off his legs, he could feel Bryce doing the same with his briefs.

When they were both naked, Bryce asked, “Any restrictions?”

“I don’t… we’ve never had… you know…. Mark and I… we don’t… didn’t….”

Bryce silenced him with a surprisingly tender kiss that went a long way to ease Seth’s anxiety. Although he seemed just as eager to bypass the waiting period, Bryce was taking his time, and Seth was grateful for his understanding, knowing instinctively that rushing would end in disaster. Seth caressed Bryce’s cheek while they kissed, and the rough stubble was another reminder that he was no longer with his smoothly-shaved partner, but with someone new and exciting. Bryce reached for Seth’s hand and slowly licked his palm, sending a bolt of pleasure straight to Seth’s groin. His low moan seemed to encourage Bryce, who began sucking on his fingers one by one. After a few seconds of this simple but effective foreplay, Seth was comfortable enough to move on to the next phase.

He pulled his hand away, and in a throaty whisper he barely recognized, Seth said, “Kiss me again.”

Bryce moved without hesitation and crushed Seth’s lips with a lot more heat this time, humming his pleasure as he aggressively explored the soft contours of Seth’s mouth. Instinct took over, and as his eyelids drooped, Seth relaxed and embraced the pleasure, shutting out the nagging voice in his head urging caution. He was too far gone to care. When Bryce rolled onto Seth, he was more than ready. Once again, Seth couldn’t help but note the difference in sensations as Bryce’s heavier—and definitely woolier—body stretched out on him. Thoughtfully, Bryce braced himself on his elbows, and Seth spread his legs invitingly. He felt a burst of heat as Bryce dragged his heavy cock against Seth’s own erection, and he twisted and arched his hips to get more friction. Bryce held Seth’s head between his hands and kissed him again, swallowing the needy sounds pushing up from Seth’s throat as the need to come grew unbearable. Seth bent his knees, bracing his feet on the mattress to get more leverage while Bryce continued his relentless roll, grind, and drag. Thankfully, he stayed away from Seth’s asshole, which was probably a good thing, because, in truth, he was so into the guy, even
that
was within the realm of possibility. Bryce didn’t even ask, another huge plus in his favor. When he took both their cocks in his big hand and started pumping rhythmically, Seth almost cried with relief.

The mechanics of the act were no different from what he and Mark had done in the past, but Bryce kissed him hungrily while he was grinding on him, and his unique taste and smell combined with the passionate urgency changed the entire experience from mundane to extraordinary. Bryce cried out hoarsely when he shot his load, and the pulsing heat splattering on Seth pushed him over the edge, his own orgasm barreling out of him in an explosive rush that made him light-headed and euphoric.

Seth tried wriggling out of Bryce’s tight embrace and was pleasantly surprised when he was pulled back.

“Don’t go,” Bryce said gruffly. “I want you right here.”

“You don’t mind the mess?”

“Heck no,” Bryce said. “We’ll take a shower in the morning.”

Clinging to each other after sex was another first for Seth, and something he thoroughly appreciated. Mark practically jumped out of bed the moment it was over and headed straight for the bathroom to clean up. It was a sore subject, and one Seth complained about routinely. Comparing the two men, which he’d sworn not to do, was unfair, but this moment just crystalized how much he’d hated it when Mark wiped his sperm away almost instantly, as if Seth had a major case of cooties. Bryce didn’t seem to give a damn if they were sweaty and sticky, cuddling even closer, and it raised him another notch in Seth’s estimation.

“Bryce?”

“Huh?”

“Thank you,” Seth said. “This could have gone tits up if you’d been more aggressive.”

“Are you really okay?” Bryce asked, smoothing away a lock of Seth’s hair that had fallen over one eye. “Not planning on a meltdown in the morning?”

“I’m good.” Seth kissed Bryce gently and scooted closer.

THE ROCKING
of the ship had changed in feel and intensity, waking Seth from a sound sleep. He could feel Bryce breathing against his neck, and he smiled, recalling last night’s lovemaking. There was too much feeling on his end to file their session under random and meaningless sex. It might not be love in the storybook sense, but there was mutual respect, and their newfound friendship was deeply satisfying. Sunlight was seeping through the tiny opening in the curtains where they hadn’t quite drawn together, and he could tell by the shafts of light that it would be a glorious day.

Just then, there was a sharp rap on the door, and Bryce groaned, in tune with the slightest sound. “That better be coffee.”

“I’m sure it is,” Seth said, getting out of bed and grabbing one of the white robes provided by the cruise line. He threw it over his naked body and opened the door. It was the guy from room service with the breakfast they’d ordered the night before. Seth watched as he set it up on the small round table in front of the veranda doors and then walked out of the room. Bryce hadn’t budged.

“You can get up now,” Seth said. “Unless you want coffee in bed?”

Bryce cracked open one eyelid. “You’d do that for me?”

“It’s not exactly a hardship, as I’d only have to walk a couple of feet.”

“Way to burst my bubble, Seth. I thought you were being extra nice because last night was special.”

Seth blushed. “It
was
special.”

Bryce sat up, and the sheet fell away from his upper body, leaving him fully exposed for Seth’s hungry eyes. God, he was so hot.

“You’re eating me up with those big brown eyes of yours,” Bryce teased.

“Am I?”

“You want to see more?”

Seth smiled and poured Bryce his first coffee for the day. He handed him the cup with a steady hand and looked him in the eye. “Here you go.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Of course I want to, but that’ll mess up our timing. How about a raincheck?”

“I’m going to have to teach you to be a little more spontaneous.”

“You do that, Bryce. In the meantime, hop to it.”

JEANNIE AND
Andrew were already on Deck 5 among the guests waiting to be tendered to shore to begin their separate land tours. They greeted Seth and Bryce warmly but didn’t say much else as the line inched toward the gangplank. There were several crew members assisting passengers on and off the tenders. They bobbed on the choppy sea as, one by one, people stepped gingerly over the small divide between vessels.

Bryce watched anxiously when Jeannie reached the head of the line. She looked unsteady this morning, and he wasn’t sure if it was due to her illness or the rockiness of the boat. They were on the English Channel with the fickle and somewhat dangerous North Sea on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Movement was to be expected according to those in the know. Bryce wished he could be part of the small team helping her into the lifeboat, but he knew it would be presumptuous of him to act like they needed his help. Her husband seemed more than capable, as was the experienced crew, but there was something about the woman that made him extra vigilant. He was relieved when she disappeared down the steps without mishap.

Seth wobbled slightly when it was his turn, and Bryce lent him a steadying hand, which he grasped with a heartfelt thank-you.

When they were seated on the uncomfortable wooden benches, Seth leaned over and commented softly, “Getting on and off these things is challenging on a normal day. Can you imagine how terrifying it would be in the event of a true emergency?”

“I hope we never find out,” Bryce said.

“If given a choice, I’d rather die in a plane crash,” Seth said. “One explosion and it would be all over. Drowning or being eaten by a shark isn’t exactly appealing.”

Bryce snorted. “What’s up with the Morbid Marvin routine?”

Seth shrugged. “Ever since… you know… death creeps into my mind at the oddest times.”

“We’re here to celebrate life in every sense. If you want to dwell on something obsessively, let’s talk about sex. That’s always uplifting,” Bryce joked.

Shaking his head, Seth retorted, “Let’s not.”

A little concerned by the cool reply, Bryce asked, “Didn’t you have fun last night?”

Seth turned to look him in the eye, and Bryce caught the blush he was starting to recognize as Seth’s endearing default whenever sex crept into the conversation.

In a low voice, he said, “It was wonderful, Bryce, but now isn’t the time or place to discuss it.”

“What would you like to talk about?”

“Why don’t we enjoy the scenery?”

“Okay,” Bryce said easily.