Fearless (Pier 70 #2) (11 page)

Milly laughed. “Probably true. But still. Once you find that sort of thing, you don’t let it willingly get away from you.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” Cam looked interested now.

“Nope. Not me.” That was the truth. Milly hadn’t had a serious relationship in her life. Mainly because she tended to go for losers. It wasn’t a conscious decision; it simply happened. “And this isn’t about me. It’s about them. Plus, it’s not just heat between those two, although it seems that’s what they’re focused on right now.”

“Probably so they don’t have to deal with the issues,” Cam noted.

“Men.”
Why were they so dense?
“I want to know what happened.”

“No, you probably don’t.”

“I do,” she mused, letting her mind wander. What if the universe had brought them together on this boat for a reason? Could this be their second chance? Second chance romance … she liked the sound of that.

“What do we do if Gannon doesn’t get better?” Cam asked, changing the subject.

“He’ll get better,” she told him, patting his arm. “The guy won’t miss his wedding for anything. Even if it means he carries a bucket up there with him.”

Cam cringed and Milly laughed.

“I hope this works.”

It would. It had to. They had a wedding only four days away, and Milly hadn’t been joking when she’d said Gannon would be there. She knew him. He wouldn’t miss marrying Cam for the world.

“So … what do we do now?” Cam asked, turning around and leaning back against the rail. “While we wait to see if it works?”

Milly chuckled. “Well, you could always show me your penis.”

Cam choked and Milly had to pat him on his back.

She understood her request probably made him uncomfortable, but if Cam didn’t show her his, she might never get to see one up close.

One day she
would
see this man’s pierced penis.

Of that, she had no doubt.

Eleven

Dare sent up a silent thank you to the water gods that breakfast had been uneventful, unlike the rest of his morning. They’d been herded through a buffet line in a room that had been reserved for the wedding party. Not everyone had shown up for the morning festivities, some probably sleeping in, others doing something other than overindulging on soggy eggs and greasy bacon.

Dare didn’t discriminate when it came to food. Soggy and greasy were adjectives his stomach jumped up and down for. He ate like he wouldn’t get the chance to again. Probably more so because he was doing his damnedest to ignore his temporary roommate than anything else.

For some reason, he was hyperaware of Noah. To the point of distraction. And that was saying something considering the crazy morning they’d had already.

Between Noah catching him with his dick in his hand, Gannon being seasick, Hudson and Teague arguing—silently, and about what, Dare didn’t know—and Dare unable to stop thinking about Noah giving him a blow job, he was mentally exhausted.

And the day hadn’t even really begun yet.

At least he was full.

“Have you seen Roan today?” Dare asked as he picked up his glass of orange juice.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve been with you the whole time,” Noah answered around a mouthful of eggs.

Right.

Dare took a drink, watching Noah.

“Why?” Noah asked. “Need him for something?”

“Nope. Just curious.” And doing his best to find some neutral ground. Something to keep his mind from wandering to thoughts of Noah sucking him off in the hallway. It wasn’t easy. It was as though his dick was an antenna and the only station it was tuned to was the Noah blow job channel.

A few minutes later, Noah wiped his mouth and pushed back his chair. He got to his feet without saying a word, and for whatever reason, Dare got up and followed him.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?”

“I’m gonna go check on Gannon,” Noah said as they headed out of the banquet room.

“I’ll come,” Dare told him. “After all, if you’re wrong…”

God, he hoped Noah was wrong, because he seriously was beginning to anticipate those lips wrapped tightly around his dick.

Noah chuckled but didn’t say anything.

It wasn’t easy for Dare to keep quiet—it wasn’t in his nature—but he managed to remain silent for most of the way to their floor. All he had to do was think about what would happen if Noah was wrong. Would he really go back to that hallway, drop to his—

Dare slammed right into Noah’s back when Noah came to an abrupt halt. He looked up to see they had arrived at Cam and Gannon’s cabin. Apparently he’d been much deeper into that fantasy than he’d realized.

Noah slowly pivoted around to face him. And because they were both six foot even, they were nose to nose, eye to eye, swapping air. Dare swallowed hard, suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to kiss this man.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Noah whispered.

“Like what?” Dare asked just as softly.

“Like I’m chocolate cake.”

“I don’t like chocolate cake,” Dare told him. It was true. He didn’t.

“Liar. Everyone likes chocolate cake.”

Dare gave an almost indiscernible shake of his head. “I like cheesecake,” he explained, keeping his voice low, never breaking eye contact.

Noah’s smile was slow and bright, which didn’t ease any of the sexual tension that stretched between them.

Figuring he would go for broke, Dare added, “With
strawberry
sauce.”

Noah’s gaze dropped to Dare’s lips, and that band of awareness tightened around Dare’s chest, making it impossible to breathe.

Noah was going to kiss him.

No, wait, he was going to kiss Noah.

Stop the train. Someone was about to get off, because
no one
was going to be kissing
anyone
. Dare didn’t even
like
Noah.

What the hell was he thinking?

Still, he didn’t back away, trapped in Noah’s intense gaze.

Suddenly, the door to Cam’s cabin opened, and surprised, Dare stumbled backward, catching himself with a hand on the opposite wall.

“What’s up?” Roan asked cheerfully, standing in the doorway, a devil-may-care grin on his face.

The guy had obviously planned his little interruption and seemed rather amused by his actions.

“Hey, Roan. Have you met Milly’s stepbrother yet?” Dare asked, not looking at Noah or Roan as he eased around them and into the cabin. He called back over his shoulder, “Noah, that’s Roan. Roan, that’s Noah. Have fun, y’all.”

Fuck, that was close. Two seconds more and Dare would’ve had to turn Noah down and make him feel bad for wanting to kiss him.

Okay, so the lying thing
was
getting a little out of hand.

Noah wasn’t sure what had just happened, but he was thankful for the interruption.

Or maybe he wasn’t. He’d need a minute to think about that.

Right now, though, he found himself nodding at Roan, though an official introduction had already been made by Milly yesterday when he’d boarded the ship.

“Good to see you again.” Roan’s smile was mischievous as he stepped back and allowed Noah to enter the room.

“How’s Gannon doing?” Noah glanced around the cabin, looking for the patient.

“Much better.” Roan nodded toward the balcony door. “He’s out on the deck, getting some fresh air. I think your miracle pills worked.”

“The nurse said he’d need to take them every day.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Guy’s finally got some color back.” Roan chuckled. “A color other than green.”

That was good to hear. It would really suck if Gannon was down for the count and unable to go through with the wedding. Then again, Milly had said he would do whatever it took to marry Cam.

“Where’s Milly?” Noah asked as they headed toward the door to the private deck. Noah could see Dare outside, already chatting it up with Cam and Gannon.

“She went to the spa. Something about a massage, then getting her hair and nails done.”

“But the wedding’s not for three more days.” Why in the world would she be getting her hair done?

“Hey, I don’t question the weird shit women do. I’m just thankful I don’t have to live with one.”

Okay, so Roan had a good point.

The warm ocean breeze drifted into the room when Roan opened the door, the sound of voices tumbling in along with it. Noah diligently followed him out onto the deck.

“So, what’s the plan for the day?” Dare was asking Cam, his full attention on his friend.

Noah found it amusing that Dare didn’t even look his way. After what had transpired between them in the hallway, it was telling. Dare had been a hairsbreadth away from kissing him, Noah knew it. Granted, he’d been hovering on the brink, as well.

It was probably for the best that Roan had interrupted, and there was no doubt in Noah’s mind that Roan had timed that well. He’d known they were out there. Had Dare’s friend waited a fraction of a second longer, there was no telling what would’ve happened.

Noah wouldn’t have resisted Dare. He wasn’t even sure he could.

It was one of those inexplicable phenomenons. He was attracted to Dare, they shared a history, there had been a significant amount of emotional pain at one point in their lives, but right this minute, none of that seemed to matter. At least not to Noah. He didn’t know why, either, because yes, there were still some unresolved issues between them, but surely those had expired by now. Wasn’t there a statute of limitations on that shit? Like an expiration date?

Was it possible for them to start over?

“I vote for getting off the ship,” Gannon announced.

“I’m up for anything,” Cam agreed.

“A few hours on the beach, some Jet Skis, maybe a little snorkeling,” Dare added, still not looking at Noah. “Sounds like a damn good plan to me.”

“I think I’ll forego the water,” Gannon added, his nostrils flaring. “But y’all have fun.”

“I’ve got some things to help Milly with,” Roan told them. “I’ll probably stay on the ship, maybe hang with Hudson or Teague.”

Noah didn’t figure it was his place to make a suggestion, so he kept his mouth shut.

Until all eyes turned to him.

That was when he looked directly at Dare.

“I’m up for some time in the water,” he told them, pulling his eyes from Dare’s face to look at the others.

“Then it’s settled.” Gannon got to his feet, a little unsteady. He was still slow-moving, but Noah figured the guy was dehydrated. “Dare, Noah, and Cam can go snorkeling while I sit on the beach and pray to the sand gods.”

“I’ll hang with you,” Cam told Gannon.

Gannon looked at Roan. “You sure you don’t wanna come?”

Yes, please come. Please don’t let me and Dare spend the freaking day together. Alone.

“I’m good,” Roan told him.

Shit.

Noah noticed that Roan was looking between him and Dare. He wasn’t sure what was going through the guy’s mind, and he definitely wasn’t going to ask.

Hell, as it was, Noah wasn’t sure what to think of all this.

But he knew one thing for certain…

He hadn’t anticipated spending the day alone with Dare. And he only hoped they both made it back to the ship without breaking their pact.

Or wait.

Maybe he hoped they made it back to the ship
after
they’d broken it.

Either way.

Twelve

As it turned out, those religious zealots were right. Hell was hot.

What they hadn’t mentioned was that hell consisted of warm breezes, white sandy beaches, beautiful, clear blue waters … and a fireman with no shirt.

Apparently, Dare hadn’t atoned for his sins, because he’d somehow ended up there.

For the past two hours, he had damn near bitten his bottom lip clear off his face as he’d tried his damnedest to ignore Noah in those black-and-white shorts, with the wide expanse of muscles in his phe-
fucking
-nomenal upper body on full display.

Back when they’d been together, Noah had been slim, a few muscles here and there.
Nothing
like the beefy guy he was now with his thick biceps, washboard abs and well-defined chest, solid thighs and tight fucking ass.

Christ. The guy probably spent hours a day in the gym.

Or he ate his spinach.

Something.

This wasn’t what Dare had thought would happen on this trip. He’d expected to hop on a ship, have a few drinks, maybe drop a few dollars at the craps table, have some laughs with his friends, watch his pals get married, and sleep a little more than usual.

Not the case.

Instead, gambling and sleep were the absolute last things he was thinking about. In fact, his big head was getting very little input in at all. Everything was being filtered through the little man in his shorts.

“You good?” Noah questioned, pulling off his mask as they trekked back up onto the sand.

“Perfect. You?” The lying thing was getting easier.

“That was fun.”

Fun. Yes. Dragging around a granite club in your shorts was fun.

Oh, wait. That was just Dare. He was the one who’d been sporting the hard-on for the past couple of hours, not Noah.

Dare sighed, dropping onto the sand and flopping onto his back, allowing the brilliant sun overhead to heat his skin. He loved it here. The scenery—not including the fireman—was to die for.

Noah eased down beside him, leaning back on his forearms and looking out at the water.

Dare did his best not to watch as Noah’s abs contracted.

“So, how long have you worked at the marina?” Noah asked, his tone curious.

“I’m a partial owner.” He didn’t know why, but he felt the need to clarify that.

“Okay.” Noah frowned. “How long have you
owned
the marina?”

“A while,” he replied.

“I remember you’d mentioned working at a marina when we were together. Summer help, I think. The same one?”

Reluctantly, Dare offered the information Noah was seeking. “No, different one. I met Cam…” Dare was going to say shortly after they’d broken up, but decided not to. “We’ve been friends for a while. I worked at a marina on Inks Lake after…” Again, Dare didn’t mention their breakup. “Anyway, Cam started working there right before he graduated from high school. When Cam decided to open a marina of his own a few years later, I joined in. Pier 70 has been open for a decade.”

“You like it?”

“Best fucking job in the world.” And that was the truth. Dare wouldn’t trade it for anything. He lived and breathed for that place. It was where he felt at home.

“I know the feeling.”

Dare glanced over at Noah. “So this firefighter gig… It finally worked out for you, huh?”

“Yep.”

Dare remembered Noah had wanted to be a firefighter when they’d been together. He had just started looking into it right before they’d split. Noah’s dad was a firefighter, something Noah had admired in the man. He’d been hopeful to one day follow in his father’s footsteps.

Funny how Dare couldn’t remember what he’d had for dinner last week, but he could remember fifteen years ago like it was yesterday. Fuck, he could still remember the day he’d met Noah. They’d been at a party for a guy who’d ended up being a mutual friend. Dare had been just as taken by Noah then as he was now, so he’d started chatting him up. They had laughed, they had danced… And the rest was history.

Then twenty-five months later, life as he’d known it had ceased to exist, and he hadn’t been the same since.

“I bet your dad was proud,” Dare mentioned, shielding his eyes from the sun as he stared out at the water.

Noah didn’t respond, causing Dare to peer over at him again. When it was clear he wasn’t going to say anything, Dare sighed. He remembered Milly’s comment about Noah’s dad dying. Had to have been roughly around the time when they’d broken up since Noah would’ve been twenty-four that August.

Not that Dare had kept track of that or anything.

Based on his lack of response, Noah wasn’t going to share that piece of himself with Dare. And that told him all that he needed to know about where he stood with Noah. Even after all these years.

Wanting to change the subject, he asked, “Think we should head back to the ship? It’s gonna take some time for me to get the sand outta my shor—”

Before the sentence was finished, Dare found himself crushed between Noah’s hard body and the sand, the man’s face blocking the sun. He didn’t even have a chance to ask
what the hell
before Noah’s warm, smooth lips were on his.

Fucking hell.

Dare knew he should push Noah away, tell him that he was years too late for this, but holy mother nature and all things water related… He couldn’t bring himself to do it. Wrapping his arms around Noah’s neck, Dare thrust his fingers in Noah’s wet hair, holding him as though, any second, he would disappear. He met Noah’s tongue with his own, no hesitancy whatsoever.

“Fuck, Dare,” Noah whispered, his fingers twining in Dare’s hair, tugging tightly. “I… Aww, hell.”

Noah’s words were cut off when their tongues collided once again. Dare tilted his head, getting a better angle as he kissed Noah for all he was worth. This man undid him in ways he’d never thought he’d experience again. He ached for him, and nothing—not even blessed air—was better than the feel of Noah’s mouth on his.

When Noah finally pulled back, putting a breath of space between them, Dare squinted up at him.

“You know, it’s probably a crime for two men to kiss on this beach,” Noah mumbled softly, his eyes never leaving Dare’s.

“Probably,” Dare agreed.

Honestly, he didn’t really give a fuck.

About anything.

Wasn’t sure if he ever would again.

Noah had no clue why he’d done it, but one instant, he was reclining on the beach, watching Dare, the next, he was hovering over him, kissing him with years’ worth of pent-up passion, attempting to make up for the fifteen since the last time he’d kissed the man.

And now, although he’d managed to wrangle a fraction of his self-control, he didn’t really want to stop. But he was serious about this possibly being illegal. Though they’d legalized marriage in the States, that didn’t mean it was legal for two men to make out on a beach in the Bahamas. Hell, it very well could be, but he really didn’t know. Last thing he wanted was a confrontation with anyone about it.

Not to mention, a little privacy would be nice.

As he stared down at Dare, he watched the storm clouds fog his usually clear hazel eyes. Whatever moment they’d shared was gone, and Noah was losing Dare to the past once more.

When Dare pushed at his chest, Noah relented, sitting up and allowing Dare to get to his feet. With a sigh, Noah stood, brushed the sand off his legs as best he could, and then started after Dare as he headed back toward the ship.

Yep. Moment definitely gone.

As he followed, he tried to think of something to say.

I’m sorry for trying to inhale you.

Was that kiss as good for you as it was for me?

When we get back to the room, can I help you get the sand out of your shorts?

None of those were appropriate questions, and based on the rigidness of Dare’s spine, he wouldn’t find the humor in any of them, so Noah kept his mouth shut. Putting one foot in front of the other wasn’t easy when he was preoccupied with admiring Dare. His eyes were drawn to his beautifully sculpted physique—that perfect ass, the narrow waist, wide upper body—as well as the script inked on his shoulder.

We only regret the chances we didn’t take
.

Perhaps it was a little presumptuous, but Noah had to wonder if that had something to do with him. Did Dare regret walking away from him? Had he thought about him since then?

Noah damn sure regretted letting Dare walk away and not only because he was in the position he was in at the moment. He’d thought about the man plenty in the years that had separated them. Granted, he’d never thought they’d be face-to-face again, and he damn sure hadn’t anticipated kissing Dare.

But he had. And now he wasn’t sure he would be able to walk away without getting some sort of closure.

Before he knew it, they were back on the ship and walking into their cabin. Noah narrowly missed getting hit in the face with the door when Dare released it, the damn thing swinging closed.

He didn’t get a chance to say anything before Dare had stormed into the bathroom and slid the door shut, effectively putting an end to a damn near perfect morning.

Right up to the point when Noah had fucked it all up.

Not that this was the first time. Noah had a track record of screwing shit up where Dare was concerned. Back when they’d been together, Dare had been the attentive one, always ensuring Noah was taken care of. There had never been any doubt in Noah’s mind that Dare had loved him back then. And in the years since, Noah had always compared every man he’d met, every potential relationship he could’ve had, with that one. No one had ever lived up to Noah’s expectations. No one but Dare.

And now here they were again, fifteen years later. The sexual tension was a living, breathing thing. Something Noah couldn’t ignore no matter how hard he tried.

For some reason, he had thought they were on the same page, which was why Noah had kissed Dare.

He peered up at the closed bathroom door.

Apparently he’d jumped to conclusions where Dare was concerned. The wrong conclusion.

Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his shoulders. He had to fix this. He had to find a way to apologize.

Not wanting to wait, Noah took a step toward the bathroom. He stopped before his hand was on the door. He had two choices. He could pursue this and risk being rejected by Dare, which would hurt. Or he could ignore the attraction and let Dare slip through his fingers once again.

Having spent the last fifteen years wishing there had been a different outcome where he and Dare were concerned, Noah knew there was only one right answer.