11. Maria’s Sea Dream: Todd

We started the day earlier than I would have liked. Larry picked me up and we drove out to Hudson's house in Westshore before the sun even came up. Apparently, the boat was small enough that he had it docked beside his house. But when we got there, it still seemed pretty sizeable to me. Not as big as Jax's smallest, though.

Levi and I crawled up on the little bench couch and stretched out on either side as the other two got us going. The coffee I had on the way over wasn't touching my sleepiness.

Levi tapped me with his foot. "It's too early, right? I'm going to sleep."

"Nap is good."

I dozed off but woke to a slight rocking and sat up, looking around. The scene outside the window had changed from dark with nothing to see to bright sunlight sparkling on dark blue water, and the sky was a lighter blue stretching up and up. With a groan and a yawn, I watched a seagull fly by, cawing loudly.

Hudson poked his head in the double doors. "Hey, sleepy heads. You know there's a bed down there." He pointed to the little set of stairs beside the ones he stood on top of. The ones I hadn't noticed before.

Levi sat up and leaned into me. "We're awake now."

Hudson came down into the little room and sat beside Levi, and Larry followed him. "We're anchored for a bit. I thought we could get something to eat. Then y'all can sit on the deck while we tool around after. Sound good?"

Larry stood there, obviously debating whether to sit in the single chair or beside me. I couldn't help feeling like it was my fault he didn't know what to do. I'd given him a strict no-touching rule, and he'd respected it. But we couldn't do that now. The rule was off the table. I patted the spot beside me and jerked my head toward it. He looked like a whipped puppy with its tail between its legs, but he moved and sat. I leaned into him, wanting to comfort both of us. This situation felt more difficult than it should have.

Larry had been nothing but sweet and kind since we started this. Larry the jerk had apparently been replaced by boyfriend material Larry. And it was confusing the hell out of me.

But damn if I didn't like him for real.

Levi yawned, "Yeah, I'm hungry."

Hudson broke out pre-made breakfast sandwiches, and we squeezed around the little booth-style table, my leg pressing up against Larry's on one side and Levi and Hudson on the other.

Levi tugged on Hudson's denim shirt sleeve. "Cut my sammich, Daddy?"

"You can eat it like that, baby," he answered.

"Pwease?" Levi looked up at him with wide eyes and a pouty mouth, lip poking out.

"Okay, hold on." Hudson got up, rummaged around in a drawer, then brought back a knife and cut Levi's sandwich in half. "Is that good?"

"Yes, thank you, daddy." Levi picked up half a sandwich and took a bite while kicking his feet against the banquette.

I'd never seen him go into little head space before. I'd thought it was a private thing, but I figured he must trust us. I glanced over at Larry to see how he reacted to their play. And I nearly burst out laughing. He froze with his sandwich halfway to his mouth. His sparkling green eyes were wide, and both eyebrows were raised. Mouth open.

Hudson growled. "Don't you dare." And I think he kicked Larry under the table.

Larry shoved the sandwich in his mouth.

I wanted to break this up, and since I had a great idea, I swallowed my bite, took a sip of coffee, and spoke up. "Levi, I was thinking. I should bring my gear over to your house one day, and you could play with a puppy."

He dropped his sandwich and clapped his hands. "Yah!"

Hudson snorted. "Don't talk with your mouth full, baby boy."

Levi swallowed and sipped from the chocolate milk carton Hudson had pulled out and opened for him. "Yes, Daddy, but I wanna play with a puppy!" He was as excited as any little kid, and it made me chuckle.

"Okay, baby." Hudson leaned in and kissed Levi on the side of the head. "Now, eat your breakfast."

"Yes, Daddy." His voice was soft and sweet and totally different than his normal speaking voice.

Larry stared at him and then glanced over at me, but when he caught me looking back, he took another bite of the sandwich. He might have been a little stunned and unsure of how to react, but he remained respectful. I had to give him credit for that. All of these kinks were brand new to him.

Something in the back of my head teased me, thinking maybe Larry could get used to it. But maybe he couldn't. I wasn't going to get my hopes up.

After breakfast, we went out and sat in the beanbag-style chairs on the bow. The sun was warming everything up nicely and the water was beautiful. Salt permeated the air, and we couldn't have asked for a better day for a boat trip. Hudson started the engines up again and drove the boat slowly along. We were out a long way from shore but were still in the bay and could see the Tampa skyline in the distance.

Larry stood near the railing, looking out over the water. "Todd! Todd! Come here. Look at this."

I scooted down and joined him at the deck. "What?"

"Look over there." He pointed out to the water, and I tried to follow where he was looking.

Then, two silver-slick bodies bobbed up and then back under the water. "Oh! Oh my! Were those dolphins?"

"Yes."

They jumped up again, and I grabbed Larry without even thinking.

Levi joined us on my other side, and Larry slid an arm around my shoulder. I hadn't let go of his shirt, but the warmth of his arm felt perfect. Felt right. Like home. And I knew this had been a big mistake. I was falling for him, and Larry would never accept me. I wasn't good enough for him. I would never be good enough.

But the wind was blowing through my hair. Levi was laughing. And Larry felt damn good next to me.

Larry took me home and got out of the car to walk me to the elevator. "I had a great time today. Thank you, Todd."

"Nothing to thank me for. I had fun." I was salt-sticky and a little wind-burned, but I felt great.

Larry stepped close to me, and I could still smell the seawater on him, but beneath that was something warmer, like vanilla, and a little woodsy. "Still…"

"Yeah…uh, want to come up?" The invitation practically fell out of my mouth, but I didn't want the day to end. "We could play video games or something."

Larry smirked and opened his mouth to answer, but he said nothing. He leaned in closer like he was going to kiss me. He closed his eyes and moved his head like he was smelling me. So close my glasses started fogging up. Then he stepped back. "Uh, no. Not this time. I need to go. Work starts early tomorrow."

"Sure." I stood there, watching him get back in his car. He waved and drove off.

I stayed in that spot another minute, feeling all kinds of conflicting emotions. Rejected. Let down. Relieved. Fuck!

I went upstairs and got ready to take a shower, dropping my clothes in the hamper and turning the water on. I needed to wash the day off of me. Then my phone dinged, and I made the mistake of checking it before I got in.

Larry texted: Don't misunderstand. I am attracted to you. But I don't want to break your rules or step over the line.

Well, that didn't help anything.

I tossed my phone on the bed and got in the shower. The water was warm, and my cock was rock hard. Fuck!

Everything about him got under my skin. I grabbed the soap, trying to ignore it, but that lasted a whole two seconds. I grabbed my dick with soapy fingers and stroked. When I closed my eyes, I wanted to think of someone else, but I didn't. I saw Larry. I saw the way he had leaned into me with his eyes closed and looking all sexy, making me want to kiss him. And I saw him on the boat earlier in the day, pulling his shirt over his head and smiling at me like he knew how his naked chest made my heart thump. His nipples were a pretty blush against his creamy skin, and he had a little hair between his chest that traveled down to his belly button, then lower until the trail disappeared into his swim trunks. I wanted to lick it, and finger his belly button, and flick his—

My cum shot out hard all over the tiles. At least relief hadn't taken long, but I regretted it. And regretted going on that damn boat with him. And worst of all, I regretted making this stupid deal with him.