Chapter 22

Twenty-Two

It’s December on Oahu, and that means surf’s up! Ohana, some of our own are competing this week on North Shore in the youth division. Let’s cheer them on!

MERRY

The warm lighting in the fancy restaurant at the resort made Nolan seem even more glowy than usual. He also seemed infused with extra energy, with more expressive gestures and visible joy. Watching him was my personal joy. I didn’t care what we ordered as long as I could keep staring at Nolan.

“I might love your mom.” Nolan looked a few bites away from demanding the recipe for the coconut shrimp appetizer.

“It might be mutual.” I chuckled and let Nolan have the last shrimp. “Mom said to check the fridge when we get home if you’re unhappy with the dessert selection here.”

“Pie?” Nolan sat up a little straighter. He grabbed the leather-bound dessert menu from behind the wine list. “Oooh, how about we share a dessert here, then have a midnight pie raid?”

“Deal.” I’d let him have three desserts if that was what he wanted. In fact, I let him choose both entrées based on what he wanted to sample. I’d eaten here a handful of times over the years, and the food really was first-class, especially the fish and fresh produce, and Nolan kept making orgasmic noises as he tried everything. After much deliberation, he’d picked the crusted ahi and the local lobster curry. I let him have more of the lobster while I went straight for the decadent coconut rice. And of course, Nolan had to get pics of the food, another reminder he was still in vacation mode.

Finally, Nolan looked up from his food orgy to notice the last of the winter sun slipping away. His expression softened further, the setting sun making his eyes gleam.

“Wow, this view really is spectacular.”

“It is.” I meant Nolan, of course, but he was delightfully oblivious to my appreciation.

Shortly after the sunset concluded, a small quartet of local musicians featuring guitar and ukelele started playing instrumental music with a Hawaiian vibe near the restaurant’s expansive patio. Some couples left their tables in favor of dancing, including a pair of women with matching wedding rings.

“Oh, there’s dancing.”

“You don’t have to look so wistful.” I chuckled, having already resigned myself to being roped into dancing. Nolan upped the ante by adding a deliberate pout and soft eyes. “Or try the puppy-dog eyes.”

“No?” Nolan looked down at his food. “I mean, this music is harder to dance to than some of my playlists.”

“It is not.” I shook my head at him before holding out a hand. “Come on, we can dance.”

Once we were on the patio, and I was leading us in something that might resemble dancing, Nolan made a noise that was a combination of purr and long exhale.

“Did you just happy sigh like a laundry detergent commercial?” I teased him.

“Maybe?” Cheeks turning pink, Nolan shrugged his slim shoulders. “Okay, yeah. But I am happy.”

“I know.” I pulled him closer, savoring our nearness and the way his hand fit so perfectly in mine. “It’s cute. And me too.”

We danced a few songs, then shared a fancy dessert of sponge cake layered with mango and papaya cream fillings. My mom’s generous gift card covered the bill, and we lingered a bit longer, listening to the music and enjoying the breeze rolling in off the ocean.

“What do you say we see if we can beat the boys and my folks home and do a little stargazing from the hammock on my balcony?”

“I love that idea.” Nolan gave another of his patented happy sighs, and we returned to my parents’ place and Barney, who was almost as excited as Nolan. After settling the dog, we headed to the balcony off my upstairs room.

“Alone.” Nolan grinned at me, clearly loving the empty house feel as much as I did. “I feel like I’m eighteen and sneaking someone in, hoping the parents don’t find out.”

“Oh, my mother always found out.” I rolled my eyes at the parade of memories before flipping off the bedroom and balcony lights for privacy and a better chance of seeing stars. “And teased me later.”

“It’s nice how much she cares.” Nolan sucked his lower lip in, eyes turning more distant.

I pulled him to me before he could lose himself in thoughts of his own family.

“It is.” I started undoing his buttons. “And you’re overdressed for stargazing.”

“Am I?” Nolan gave a regal sniff as he glanced over the cotton rope hammock taking up the corner of the balcony. “Does your hammock have a dress code?”

“Yep. No attire at all is requested.” I continued on his buttons until I could push his shirt off before making quick work of his shorts.

“You too,” Nolan commanded, yanking at my new sweater. Once we were naked, he cast a critical eye on the hammock. “How does one get in that without flipping off the balcony?”

“Carefully.” It was actually far easier than it looked, especially since it was a loose weave and double-width, but we didn’t need Nolan launching himself onto the tile floor. “And let me go first. That way, I can catch you.”

“You do keep me grounded.” Nolan gave a smile so fond my chest pinched.

“Are you calling me deadweight?” I teased to avoid getting swamped by emotions.

“More like my anchor.” Nolan patted my cheek. Damn, how I wished I could be that for him all the time, the anchor keeping him steady. Far from wanting to trap him or weigh him down, I wanted to be the sort of belay system I relied upon in climbing, the anchors and ropes Nolan could count on and draw courage from to climb to new heights.

Moving away to hide my complicated feelings, I carefully arranged myself in the hammock, then helped Nolan stretch out next to me. Our bodies pressed together, fuzzy legs rubbing against each other, hands linked, lips more than close enough to kiss, which we did in a lazy fashion, no hurry to get to anywhere other than right here.

“This is cuddly.” Nolan nestled in even closer with a big yawn. He seemed about to drift off into a little nap, but then he lit up with a fresh wave of that Nolan energy, pointing at the sky. “There are stars! I thought stargazing might be a euphemism, but I do see stars.”

“Better make a wish.” I kissed his cheek. I’d seen these stars a thousand times but never through Nolan’s eyes. And in all honesty, there were any number of better spots to see the stars on the island, but Nolan seemed full of wonder nonetheless. He even screwed up his face like he was thinking hard about his wish. “Gonna tell me what you wished for?”

He shook his head, avoiding my gaze.

“What if I kiss it out of you?” My tone was teasing, but I was curious, especially with him acting all shy about it.

“You could try.”

Pulling him close enough to throw a leg over his, I kissed him with a lot more purpose than our earlier leisurely kisses. I used my tongue, lips, and a little hint of teeth, along with everything else I’d learned Nolan liked. He moaned against my mouth, hand coming to my shoulder, gripping tightly.

Deciding he was plenty pliant, I pulled back to ask, “What did you wish for?”

“No fair.” Nolan noticeably didn’t answer, instead tugging me down for more kisses, which I happily gave. “And no fair turning me on when anything more than kissing could end up with us on the floor or worse.”

“Bet I could get you off without tipping either of us.” I raised my eyebrows to issue a challenge, which Nolan seemed inclined to take.

“You think so?”

“I know so.” I snaked a hand down his torso, easily finding his hard and ready cock. Nolan arched up to meet my grip, already breathing hard. Yep. This would be too easy. “The better question is, do you think you could go again if I get you off once out here?”

“Uh-huh.” He kissed me eagerly. The hammock swayed softly, adding to the sexiness of the moment. “I’d sure like to try.”

I started jacking Nolan’s cock, a slow but steady rhythm. He attempted to rock with the motion of my hand, but he tensed every time the hammock moved.

“Okay, this is dangerous and sexy.” His breath came in nervous little pants.

“I’m not gonna let you fall, promise.” I stroked his neck, shoulders, and side with my free hand. I meant the words for so much more than simply a round of hammock sex. The urge to be his anchor and safety net was almost palpable. I wanted to be a safe place for him. “Just let go, Nolan.”

“Trying…” He tensed again, but this time, I sped up my strokes and kissed his neck, and he gradually melted for me. “Oh. Oh. This is good.”

“Yeah, it is.” I sucked on the skin where his neck and shoulder met, leaving a mark his shirt would cover. I’d know it was there, though, and that turned me on and made my own cock throb.

“Why don’t I get to touch you?” Nolan issued the complaint without any real effort, making a halfhearted attempt to get a hand on my cock, but I moved his arm away.

“Safety first, remember?” In actuality, I had one foot ready to counterbalance the hammock if needed and undoubtedly could come if I wanted to. However, my need to draw this night out was greater, and I also wanted inside Nolan again.

“Yeah.” Nolan groaned softly. This time, when he tensed, his expression was one of pleasure, not nerves. I knew he liked things a bit slick when stroking off, so I spit in my palm before tightening my grip. He made an approving noise. “Yeah. Merry.”

“That’s it. Come for me,” I urged in a low whisper. Every small groan and gasp from Nolan turned me on that much more.

“Yes.” Nolan came on a long exhale, and I had to clamp down on the urge to do the same without being touched.

“Okay, now you.” He reached for me while continuing to tremble. The hammock lurched, so I steadied it with my foot and dodged his grabby hands.

“Easy there, tiger.” I chuckled and kissed his forehead. “Remember, we’re still in a hammock.”

“Oh.” Nolan’s mouth formed a perfect circle. “Right.”

“Now, carefully get out and make your way to the shower.” I helped him, holding the hammock steady for his exit. “I’ll grab the condoms and lube.”

“I like this plan already.” Nolan gave a little shimmy on his way back into the house.

“Figured you might.” Following, I gave him a friendly pat on the ass before going to rummage in my bag.

When I arrived in the attached bathroom, Nolan had already started the shower and laid out towels for after. And as soon as we were in the shower, which was double the size of my apartment one, Nolan started rubbing up on me and reaching for my cock.

“Someone’s still hard.” He made a happy sound before attempting to sink to his knees.

“Oh no, you don’t.” I hauled him back upright. “You suck me, and this is gonna be over in three seconds.”

“Okay, okay, ruin my fun.” Nolan pretended to pout.

“More like extend it.” I pulled him in for a long kiss, steamier than the shower water, using my tongue to show him exactly what I planned to do to him. Once he was breathing hard, I started squeezing and massaging his ass.

“That’s one way to distract me from my oral mission.” Eyes heavy with pleasure, he grinned.

“Yep.” I pushed lightly on his shoulder. “Spin.”

“Oh yes.” Nolan groaned as I started opening him with lube-slick fingers. He was tight and hot, and it had been far, far too long since my fingers had made the acquaintance of his prostate. And there was no need to guess with Nolan. His low fuck let me know I’d found the right spot.

Hot water streamed over us, and the air was steamy and thick, scents of soap and sex mingling. Nolan hadn’t been kidding about loving any and all prep, and it wasn’t long before he was riding my fingers, cursing and panting. I had fun with him, alternating stretching with deep thrusts and shallow teases, keeping him guessing.

“Now,” he begged. “Come on, Merry, before the hot water gives out.”

“Okay, okay.” I faked being put out by his demand even as I reached for the condom and more lube.

“How do you want me?” Nolan braced his arms against the shower wall, but I had other ideas.

“Trust me?”

“Always,” he chirped as I had him spin so his back was against the shower wall. As soon as I lifted him, though, his expression sobered in a hurry as he clamped his legs around my waist. “Eep. Okay. Trusting. Trusting you.”

I angled us so the water gently misted our shoulders and sides, keeping us from getting too chilly.

“Relax, Nolan.” I kissed him slow and sweet instead of attempting penetration right off. What I was after was deeper and more elusive, and I was willing to put in the time to make him feel safe and secure, even in the precarious position. “I’ve got you.”

“Okay.” He didn’t sound like he believed me, so I kissed him some more, little sips, while I tightened my grip on his thighs, letting him feel my strength. And the position also let my fingers slip over his slick rim. “Oh.”

His eyes drifted shut, neck and face relaxing, hands on my shoulders going from a death grip to something more romantic. Sensing his readiness, I shifted his weight enough to let my cock nudge his rim, slowly, oh so slowly, lowering him.

“That’s it,” I coaxed. “Let me in.”

“Oh, Merry.” Nolan exhaled hard, eyes opening back up as my cock filled him. I started subtle rocks of my hips, and he answered with a moan. “I see stars.”

I chuckled, glancing skyward. “There’s a skylight.”

“Oh.” He seemed far more focused on my thrusts than any lighting arrangement, which was how I liked it. Making sure to brace my feet, I rocked into him, aiming for that spot. Sure enough, he gave a demanding moan. “Do that again.”

“This?” I thrust harder.

“Yes. Oh yes.” Not waiting for me to direct him, he wiggled a hand between us to hold his cock, which had returned to a full erection.

I gave a triumphant laugh. “Yeah, you’re so going to come again.”

“Bragging gets you…” He trailed off on another moan as I pushed him more forcefully against the wall. “Okay, it gets you everywhere. More. Please.”

I loved him like this, delirious with pleasure and demanding. I loved his hair slicked back from the shower and the way droplets of water made his skin look even more edible. It was entirely possible I loved him, but I forced my brain to stay focused on the sex.

“Fuck, you’re hot, Nolan.”

“Harder. Harder.” His commands became more urgent as he stroked himself in short bursts, knuckles dragging against my abs until he stiffened. “Oh God, coming.”

Considering the way come geysered out of his cock, splattering me and the shower door, I didn’t need the warning, but his needy noises put me right on the edge as well.

“Nolan.” There was so much I wanted to say, but I settled for his name, putting all the meaning into those two syllables. I thrust hard and fast, riding out the last of his orgasm and triggering my own. “I’m there.”

My head fell back and my grip on him tightened as my knees wobbled. Nolan pressed a kiss against my neck. He was utterly glowing with his double orgasms, making my heart twinge.

“Now to untangle.” He laughed, far more trusting now. “Carefully.”

That would be the trick on so many levels. I had absolutely no clue how to untangle our hearts.

Long after Nolan had dozed off after our midnight pie raid and quick check on the sleeping boys and the sky had darkened then started to lighten again, that question kept surfing in my brain. The seas were deep and treacherous, and I was beginning to doubt my ability to get either of us to shore.