September Morning

Jagger Davis, JD to his friends, is at a crossroads in his life. He takes a summer sabbatical at picturesque Sandbridge Beach in Virginia to enjoy sun, surf, and solitude while plotting a new direction for his life. Arriving at a rented cottage, JD finds sun and surf, but the cottage next-door houses six fun-loving guys determined to include him in their summer activities. It's quickly evident JD won't have time to feel lonely.

Nate Fischer is one of a group of friends who spend every summer at Sandbridge. An IT specialist, Nate's taking a few weeks off before his next assignment sends him out to sea for months. He introduces himself to the new neighbor and invites JD to the first bonfire of the season.

JD fends off advances from Nate's roommates as the two men become close. But JD harbors a secret in his past, one he worries Nate won't accept. When Nate's job abruptly calls him away, JD realizes his mistake. He hasn't given his summer lover a fair chance. Now he has to convince Nate he'll be waiting when Nate returns - if Nate still wants him.

* * *

My eyes burned. It didn't take a big leap of logic to figure out why and how Nate knew so much.

"You keep saying the exact right thing. Who was he?"

Nate took a quick breath. "His name was Aaron. We were together about three years. It tore me up when he got married."

Somehow I didn't think he meant Aaron married another man. If I didn't ask, the unrequited curiosity would give me hives.

"As in he married a-?"

"Woman. Yes."

"Damn."

"Yep."

"You didn't-?"

"Nope. Had no clue until he packed his clothes and left."

We lifted our cans in unison and both sucked down a long draught of beer. Nate let his arm slide down my back and dipped his fingers beneath the waistband of my shorts. I squirmed away from them.

"Your fingers are cold."

He bumped against me. "Maybe I'm nervous you'll reject me."

"Well, you know I did tell Sven I'd have lunch with him in the not so distant future."

Nate laughed softly. "I'm not worried about Sven. I saw Paddy whispering in his ear and he looked at us. He'll have lunch with you but he won't make a move on you."

"Pity. I've never kissed a Norse god. I might like it."

He growled and tumbled me backward onto the sand. His cool, beer flavored lips covered mine. Not gentle now, he thrust his silky tongue into my mouth and led me into a mock battle. Back and forth we teased, learning secrets few others would ever know.

I clung to him as long-forgotten heat coursed through me. I'd mourned the loss of having someone to touch and touch me, as much as I'd mourned losing Michael. Now my senses flooded with Nate's nearness. I needed to breathe but I would have passed out from lack of oxygen before I'd pull away from him - or let him go.

I jumped at the sound of a voice near my head.

"Ah, someone kick some sand on 'em."