under this big umbrella. It was the centerpiece of many forts. She would read and rest while I played.” He tried not to let the weight of loss settle over him. “This was a place I was happy.”
“Me too. Different water, but the same kind of fun. I came with the guys, though, and we had the time of our lives. Terrance’s mom would bring us. Looking back, I see it was a great way for three very active boys to run themselves out.”
Tucker nodded. He figured his mom had done the same thing with him. “There were always other kids at the beach, and it was easy to make friends back then, even if it only lasted for the single day.” How things had changed. “Now the only friend I really have is Cheryl.” He turned to Gerome. “I guess I have a tendency to regard everyone else with suspicion. Maybe I should have done that the other day and just turned away. But I guess desperation makes for poor judgment.”
“It can happen to anyone,” Gerome replied and turned to him once more. Tucker met his gaze, and this time Gerome tugged him closer. He went along with the gentle pressure on his lower back, tilting his head as Gerome did the same.
Their kiss was surprisingly gentle, with Gerome holding back on the power Tucker felt banked behind him. His mind short-circuited and the waves and breeze all subsided, his full attention centered on exactly where Gerome’s lips touched his. At that moment, nothing else mattered, as electricity shot up and down his spine in the most amazing way possible. Tucker wanted more; in fact, he wanted it all, everything. He’d have loved nothing more than to have Gerome take the kiss harder, and he pressed closer as a signal. Gerome tasted mildly of mint and heat, which only made Tucker want more. But Gerome pulled back, his gaze only adding to the warmth that suddenly surrounded Tucker like a bubble.
Tucker was speechless. He blinked, swallowed, and stared as Gerome watched him back. “O-kay…,” he whispered. “I guess that answers all those questions.” Tucker had been pretty sure Gerome was interested in him, but he didn’t always read the signs correctly. This time it seemed he had gotten it right.
“Yeah, I guess it does,” Gerome said in return.
Tucker nodded. “Is this something you do often? Kiss the boys, I mean?”
Gerome rolled his eyes. “Far less than I would like, but no. I am many things, some of which aren’t so pretty, but I’m not a letch, and I don’t go around luring guys into my lair.”
Tucker groaned. “So you aren’t the big bad wolf, even if you try to act that way sometimes.” Maybe he was starting to get Gerome, just a little. He was honest, and yet partially hiding behind a thick wall of bravado, prickliness, and attitude. Tucker still hadn’t figured out why Gerome felt the need for this, but knowing it was there was helpful.
“Yet sometimes I am as big a wolf as I appear.” Now Gerome was just being enigmatic.
Tucker patted him on the shoulder. “If you say so.” Two could play that bravado game, and Gerome actually pursed his lips as if wondering if Tucker was playing with him. He liked that he had set Gerome on his toes a little. Maybe it would make him more interesting. Tucker figured Gerome was the kind of man who liked being kept on his toes.
“We should get you back to the house,” Gerome said.
Tucker shrugged. “Did you bring me down here so you could make a move on me?” A smile tickled the edges of his lips. “Not that I’m complaining in the least.”
Gerome actually laughed. “No. I didn’t know I was going to do that until it happened. I just intended to talk to you about our visitor today, but things got away from me.”
“Okay. What do we do about this guy? It looks like he isn’t going anywhere, and I think you can stare the guy down all you want, but he isn’t going to just disappear.” And as long as he was around, Tucker was going to have trouble with him. “I don’t have whatever it is he thinks he can get from me.”
A strange cloud passed across Gerome’s expression. “I believe you.” He looked out at the water once again. “And you aren’t going to do anything. Just let me take care of it.” The stony wall had snapped back into place,