Here for You (20 page)

They held hands as they walked on, finding their way to the back of the gallery. There was a small, intimate garden area, full of lush greenery, pretty bronze sculptures, and a fountain all lit up with colorful lights. Cole inhaled the scent of flowers, and someone must have been smoking a clove cigarette—the spicy scent of it clung in the air. The breeze, humid though it was, rippled the water in the little manmade fountain. Light reflected in it, and imported fish swam around the carefully designed slate-blue tiles.

It seemed as if nobody else had discovered this little area behind the gallery, and Ian and Cole were alone there, no boisterous human voices interrupting them, only the empty, silent garden path, and the soft sound of the fountain’s little waterfall, cascading into it.

They might have been the only people alive.

“Nice here, isn’t it?” Ian said.

Cole fell silent. It was so peaceful, the air filled with sweet fragrances, the sky blanketing them, the fountain with its gentle lights on the water.

“Give me a coin,” Cole said, holding out his hand.

Ian dug into his slacks and found a penny. Cole closed his fingers around it, made a wish, and tossed it into the fountain.

“I suppose you won’t tell me what you wished for?”

For you
, Cole thought as he stared into Ian’s face. What else would he wish for? Only for Ian and for things to never end with him.

“Not a chance. I’m counting on it coming true.” Cole pulled Ian into his arms, and right before he kissed him, Ian’s eyes closed as he anticipated it, his beauty—his strong jaw, high cheekbones, patrician nose—so familiar and so elusive all at once. Cole’s hands slid down Ian’s face as if to learn it, before he took him in a kiss. The touch of Ian’s lips was so right, like a note of perfect music, sweet and true.

When they parted, Ian stared, his gaze hot and heavy, a bit dreamy. Cole knew his own eyes must appear the same.

The whole world seemed like a dream. And even as Ian reached for his hand, his grasp warm and certain, Cole worried it would slip away.

A
N
HOUR
later, Cole took a deep breath at the French restaurant and tried to ignore how uncomfortable he felt with the ambiance. The place was packed to the rafters, and waiters lined up like soldiers in black-and-white uniforms. Conversation could be heard all around them, and Cole felt disappointed that they didn’t have a cute, intimate corner table. He disliked how everybody clearly wanted to be seen more than anything else. But he smiled at Ian and ordered a glass of wine. Cole had never tried most of the things on the menu. When he did order, he didn’t like his dish. It was a crepe, but in a heavy cream sauce and way too rich for him. Cole felt sick after two or three bites.

Ian, who had a much lighter-looking dish, noticed Cole had stopped eating. “No good?”

“No, it’s fine.” Cole wouldn’t hurt Ian’s feelings for anything, not when the “bucket list” date had been his idea and they still hadn’t gotten to Ian’s part of it.

“You don’t like it. I can tell.”

“I like the bread. It’s delicious.”

Ian stared at him a moment. “I’ll get the check.”

“Ian—”

“I want you to enjoy every second tonight. I know we’re both trying new things, but we don’t have to keep going once we have tried it. This isn’t to your liking, right? Then who cares? Cross it off the list, and let’s not waste our time.”

“But,” Cole protested, “you like it.”

“It’s okay. I prefer pizza if you want the truth.”

“Me too.”

Relieved, Cole and Ian settled the bill and left. They wandered aimlessly down the busy street, taking in the bright lights and bustling tourists. A Latino restaurant looked good to them both, but in the end, they found an old-fashioned diner and ordered burgers and thick chocolate milkshakes.

“Your turn next,” Cole said. “Should we head to the ocean?”

Ian shifted in his seat. “Right after eating so much? My mother always told me that was a big no-no. Besides, this area is a little… crowded, isn’t it?”

“A little.” Cole smiled. He’d gone into the water in the nude at numerous parties, more times than he could count really, and in the ocean too. Ian had a fantastic body, but Cole kind of liked that he seemed suddenly shy.

“How about pinball, then? You ready?”

“Let’s do it.”

I
AN
KICKED
his ass at pinball. It was so unfair. His hands worked the flippers like he’d been born to play. The balls whacked back and forth, rounding him up bonus points.

“This shouldn’t be happening,” Cole said. He gave a mock pout. He was down to his last quarter.

“Take that!” Ian thrust at the pinball machine, his thumb pressing the red button like a pro, the ball spinning back to the top of the game.

“Perhaps you and the pinball machine want to be alone?”

“Jealous?” He nodded to Rambo’s face, blinking each time the score increased. “He is sexy.”

“Maybe you could tattoo his face on your ass.”

“Maybe I will.” Ian lit up the board as his ball landed in a hole. The extra ball sign flashed, and the machine chimed wildly.

B
ECAUSE
I
AN
let Cole take the lead, they’d headed back to Ocean Vista to fulfill the second part of Cole’s plan. He’d wanted to ask John, boyfriend of Andrew and manager of a fancy spa, for a favor that involved skinny-dipping, but had left his phone at his place. Cole’s house appeared quiet as they stepped inside, and Ian wondered where all his housemates had gone. While Ian felt comfortable being alone with Cole, he became self-conscious in front of others at this early stage of their relationship.

“Sorry, I forgot my phone here. Give me one minute to look up John’s number.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yeah. Believe me, this will be better than skinny-dipping in the ocean this late at night. It’s a bit dark and creepy sounding. This will be amazing. Trust me.”

“I do.”

Cole immediately searched the couch cushions for his cell phone. “It’s here somewhere.”

“Why not simply call yourself?”

“No juice. But once I find it, I’ll plug it in and look for John’s number. Oh, hey, I was thinking about your tattoo. What about a Japanese symbol of something? Those are good.”

“No,” Ian said, “too risky. What if you think it means ‘peace’ and then find out it really means ‘screw me’?”

“Ha! Even better.” Cole grinned, pulling his phone out from the last set of cushions. “Success.”

“I know you don’t need a swimsuit, but since we’re at your place, do you want to pick up some things and stay over tonight?”

Cole plugged in the phone to charge it.

“And you could even—” Ian paused and jammed his hands into his pockets. “—you could leave some things at my house. So you won’t have to keep bringing everything you need night after night.”

“Oh.” Cole glanced at him, a slight flush on his cheeks.

“Or not.” Ian shrugged, acting as indifferent as he could.

Cole rubbed the back of his neck, the way he did at times when he was feeling vulnerable, so Ian didn’t push.

“Hey, I thought I heard your voice, Ian.” River came into the living room. Ian did a double take.
Wow, he looks awful
, Ian thought. Normally, River had appeared so strong and well built. Not anymore. His eyes were red rimmed, his firm jaw unshaven, his pants hung nearly past his hips. “I want to talk to you.”

“Me?” Ian asked, surprised. “Sure. What’s going on?”

“I’ve been thinking this over. I want to sue somebody.” River paced back and forth as he spoke, like a caged lion.

“Who?” Cole asked.

“The fucking helmet company. That’s who.” River’s green eyes flashed angrily. “Fucking incompetent bastards. Can you help me with them, Ian? I want to make them pay.”

“River, it can’t replace—”

“I want to sue them,” River growled, cutting Cole off. He looked wildly at Ian. “That helmet was cracked on impact, right? Do I have a case or not?”

“Maybe.” Ian made his voice low and soothing. “I’ll see what I can do. Come to my office tomorrow and let me discuss it with you over lunch.”

“Right. Okay,” River muttered. Then, without a good-bye, he stalked back to his room.

“Jesus.” Cole bit his lip. “This is not like River at all. He’s not money hungry or vengeful.”

“It’s all right. I doubt this is about money, and it’s not abnormal to go through a stage of intense anger.”

“I guess.” Cole’s expression went bleak.

“He’ll be okay in time.” Ian went to him and put his arms around Cole’s shoulders.

“Will he? I’m not so sure. Maybe he shouldn’t be all right in time. Maybe none of us should be.” Cole’s eyes welled with sudden tears. “I feel so guilty, Ian.”

“For what? Being happy?” At Cole’s curt nod, Ian hugged him close. “Listen to me, Brendan was one of the most giving people I’ve ever met. He had a way of lighting up a room, didn’t he? I have to believe that somebody with that kind of love to give, that capacity for joy, would only want you to be as happy as possible. I think he’d say fuck the rest.”

Cole’s mouth curved. “You’re right. I know you’re right. Brendan was big on moving forward, not backward on things. But seeing River….” Cole wiped his eyes. Ian’s heart ached watching him fight to get himself back under control.

“River needs to figure out his own way.”

Cole sucked in a deep breath. “We’re still working on getting him to part with Brendan’s things. He won’t even do that yet. Are you really going to take his case?”

“No, that’s not my area, but I’ll point him in the right direction, guide him on it. Maybe taking an action will help him through. Who knows?” Ian rubbed Cole’s shoulders.

“I get why he’s doing it. I don’t agree that it’s the helmet company’s fault, not based on where Brendan struck his head and everything, but I get it.” Cole gazed away a moment. “It’s like you just want to have a piece of Brendan, any way possible.”

Ian hesitated, wondering, not for the first time if he were making a mistake not telling Cole about Brendan’s long-lost brother. He wavered, trying to decide. Should he tell Cole about the brother?

“I am tired of hurting so much and seeing my best friends hurting too.” Cole shook his head. “Come on. We’re on a big date, right?”

“Right,” Ian said slowly.

“So, then, let’s have a good time. I’ll even grab those extra clothes and toiletries. I—” Cole touched Ian’s arm. “Wait here.”

“Okay. Don’t be too long.”

“I won’t.” Cole headed for the stairs.

“And don’t forget the phone again,” Ian reminded him with a smile. “Better yet, call your pal John right now. I’m ready to skinny-dip.”

Ian’s smile vanished when Cole was out of sight. He hoped he was making the correct decision.

J
OHN
AGREED
to let them use the infinity pool out back at his spa, as long as they promised to “use it, not abuse it.” Ian was grateful he wasn’t about to strip naked and get into the dark ocean waters, or that it wasn’t some seedy motel pool filled with murky green water and who knows what kinds of germs. No, the spa was top of the line, lush with tropical plants, the pool private and clean.

Cole had already taken his clothes off and dived into the deepest end of the pool. He emerged, shaking water from his head and grinning. “Come on, Ian. You’ll love this.”

After removing his shoes, Ian slid out of his shirt. With Cole watching, he wiggled off his underwear and pants, ignoring Cole’s wolf whistle, although in truth it flattered him. He neatly folded them onto a lounge chair. He approached the ladder, feeling Cole’s hot gaze on him as he lowered down, rung by rung. The water, even at night, was as warm as a mild bath. He met Cole’s eyes.

“Stay right there.”

With those words, Ian swam underneath the water, pumping his arms and legs. It felt wicked and free, swimming in the buff. He didn’t stop until he reached Cole. His skin slick with water, Ian came up for air, and Cole was waiting.

“Well?”

“God, it’s nice. I don’t know why it’s so much better without a suit, but it is.”

“Yep.” Cole pulled Ian close. They treaded the water in sync. Above them, the moon was full and round, the stars bright.

“I know you promised John no sex or crazy stuff in his pool, but how about a little necking?”

“Necking? Ian, that’s so 1950s of you. Do you want to go steady?”

But Cole obliged him. He snaked his arms around Ian’s neck. Their feet worked hard, kicking to stay afloat as their lips met. Cole’s tongue delved past Ian’s lips. Before Cole, Ian could have happily skipped kissing and often did. Cole’s taste, his mouth, was in a category all by itself. Ian could kiss him all night long and not hurry. Cole had stopped treading water, his long legs wrapping around Ian’s waist, and Ian held him that way, his own legs strong enough to keep them both above the water. Cole’s hands dug into Ian’s ass and gripped it tightly as Ian continued to tread the water with sure movements.

Cole laughed. “You tease! I can feel every flex of your ass muscles, and you know it.”

Ian merely smiled.

He pressed their tongues together, cradling Cole even more tightly to him, rocking them as the water tenderly lapped their skin.

“God!” Cole pulled back. “I’ve got to stop or pretty soon we’ll be doing more than kissing.”

“So?” Ian gently nipped Cole’s lower lip. He buried his hands in Cole’s wet, dark hair.

Cole groaned. “So, I promised John.”

Ian liked how Cole always kept his word. He broke off the kissing, but carried Cole along with him in the pool to where he could stand. “Relax, I got you.”

“Relax, but don’t you dare do it?” Cole chuckled.

“Exactly.” Ian grinned back. “Maybe that should be my tattoo.”

“No way, I’m not having a boyfriend with a Frankie Goes to Hollywood tattoo.”

As Cole flipped onto his back and began to float, Ian’s heart cherished his casual words. Cole rarely made comments like that one, and Ian longed for him to claim him, call him his boyfriend, his partner, claim him as “the one.” Because that was how Ian felt about Cole.