Their routine changed, although only slightly. There were still quiet early mornings together over a cup of coffee, watching the sunrise. But now they sat curled together on a lounge chair, pressed tightly together, arms wrapped around each other. Words still weren’t necessary, but instead of the simple quite sounds of nature, they let their bodies do the talking. Lips upon lips, hands running along smooth skin, eyes gazing intently at each other. The sounds of nature were often drowned out by the sounds of their heartbeats, pressed against each other, beating in perfect rhythm.
They still walked down their private stretch of beach toward the public beach in the afternoon, but now their hands were grasped tightly together, or an arm was thrown around a waist, pulling each other together, hips pressing, legs touching as they walked. They still talked freely, sharing their hopes and dreams. But they also shared something more, something that ran deep in both of them. They shared what they felt for each other.
In the evenings, they would still sometimes head down to the jazz club and listen to the music, but now they did it pressed close together in the booth, thighs resting together, hands clasped, heads resting on shoulder. It was intimate in a way Justin had never experience before. Nothing was physical between them except for the kisses and soft caresses of skin, but the soft touches were enough. It went deeper than that. It was about more than that to them. The physical, sexual need wasn’t necessary to convey what they were feeling.
On the evenings when they stayed at Justin’s house, Justin would still sit and type while Josh played his music. But now, Josh would stop occasionally and slid up behind Justin, hooking his chin over Justin’s shoulder and pressing his lips against Justin’s neck or jaw. Justin would stop typing and reach back, letting his fingers trail through Josh’s long curls before Josh would move back to his guitar and Justin would resume typing. They stopped sooner than they had been and curled around each other on the couch, whispering softly into the night, lips pressing against skin as they shared secrets, as they shared themselves.
They were very open with what they were feeling for each other, and for that, Justin was greatful. Josh understood that this was all new to Justin, and he was doing everything in his power to make it good, make it right. Justin didn’t understand the feelings he was feeling deep inside for Josh, but he wasn’t going to push them away. Instead, he relished in them, holding them close to his heart protectively. He knew the summer would be over before either of them was ready for it to be and that he would head back to his home, to his other life. And as much as that saddened him, he didn’t allow himself to waste the time or energy on worrying about what was going to happen then. All that mattered was now, that they were together and happy.
*****
Justin awoke to a soft press of lips to his forehead. His eyes opened slowly and he smiled sleepily at Josh, sitting on the edge of Justin’s bed.
“You missed the sunrise.” Josh paused and let his gaze travel over Justin’s warm, sleepy body. “I have a surprise. Come on.” He tugged until Justin climbed out of bed and stretched, resting his lips on Josh’s in a quick kiss before he made his way into the bathroom to shower. When he was done, Josh was waiting for him in the kitchen, leaning against the sliding glass door looking out at the ocean. Justin slid up behind him and wrapped his arms around Josh’s waist, resting his head between Josh’s shoulder blades. Josh leaned back into him, his entire body relaxing against Justin.
He was ready to question Josh, to ask him what he was planning, but before he could, Josh turned in his arms and Justin saw the shimmer of excitement in his eyes. Saw the secret he held and knew that Josh wouldn’t tell him until he was ready. So instead, he leaned in to capture Josh’s lips before taking his hand and following Josh out the door.
They ended up at some docks where a sailboat was waiting for them. Josh jumped on the deck of the boat and slipped his shirt over his head, turning to look at Justin. Justin’s eyes were wide, his mouth opened. Josh knew he had this fear of being out on the water. It wasn’t the boats that scared him, but what could happen if the boat crashed or sank. He knew what kind of animals lived in those deep waters. But here was Josh, half naked, and staring at him intently, waiting for him to climb onto the boat.
“I know what I’m doing, Justin. I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me?” It came out as a question and it only took a moment for Justin to scramble down onto the deck. He trusted Josh completely and was glad to let him know that. Justin moved close to Josh and let his hands trail over the smooth, tanned, sun-warmed skin of Josh’s chest, sliding his hands up to wrap around Josh’s neck as he leaned into him.
“With my life,” Justin replied as he closed his lips over Josh’s.
Watching Josh move around the boat was an amusing experience for Justin. Justin had absolutely no idea what he was doing when it came to sailing and Josh knew this and seemed perfectly content to do all the work himself. Justin had tried to help, asking Josh if there was anything he could do, but Josh refused, told him to sit back and relax. Justin was thoroughly enjoying watching Josh move around the boat, lift sails, lowering other sails, turning them so the wind caught it and sent the boat in a different direction. Josh hadn’t lied. He did know what he was doing.
Josh’s muscles were pulled tight along his back as he worked, shifting and rippling under the skin. Justin was almost mesmerized by the site and it was all he could do not to pull Josh down to him and run his hands and mouth all over those hard, tight muscles.
By mid afternoon they had reached a small cove situated off what appeared to be a lush tropical island. Josh dropped the sails and anchor and sat down on the deck next to Justin. He was tired, physically exhausted, and Justin could see it clearly on his face. So he maneuvered Josh until he was lying down on his stomach, Justin climbing so he was straddling him, legs on either side of Josh, sitting on his ass. Justin let his left hand trail over Josh’s back as his right hand reached for the bottle of sunscreen Josh had brought along. Pouring a generous amount on Josh’s back, Justin used his hands to rub it into the skin, pressing against the taunt muscles in the process.
He worked his way all up and down Josh’s back and arms, kneading the tight muscles and trailing soft fingertips over sun-kissed skin. Josh moaned in appreciation, pressing back against Justin’s fingers as they dug into his skin, massaging him thoroughly. When Justin was finally done, hands and arms tired from the constant movement, he leaned down over Josh, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck before rolling off and sitting up. Josh reached for the basket he’d loaded earlier at the docks and pulled it over to him, opening it to reveal a assortment of food.
“Our own private picnic,” Justin said, smiling up at Josh as he started to remove the food, setting it out around them. They ate slowly, talking and laughing, enjoying the cool breeze blowing across their skin and the warm sun beating down upon them. They sat close, legs pressed together, feeding each other occasionally, lips pressing together after every bite shared.
The wind picked up swiftly, almost dangerously and Josh looked away from Justin and up to the sky, noting the dark clouds off in the distance.
“A storms coming. We should head back.” With one final press of lips, Josh moved to lift the anchor and raise the sails as Justin scrambled around, repacking their lunch into the basket and storing it safely.
They made it back to shore just as the waves started to pick up, just as the wind started blowing fiercely, just as the first drops of rain hit the earth. Tying the boat up quickly, they grabbed each others hand and ran down the beach, headed for the cover of their houses as lightening flashed across the sky and thunder boomed loudly in response. The rain was cold and pelting but they were both laughing, enjoying the summer storm. By time they reached Josh’s deck, they collapsed together onto the lounge chair in a fit of laugher, clinging to each other’s soaked bodies.
Justin couldn't have imagined a more perfect afternoon.