by Beth Bolden
A wild card like Colin who she already knew was in the closet? If Nick had been in Helen’s position, he’d have set someone to watch him, too. Of course, Helen couldn’t have known at the beginning that Colin would reject nearly all the trappings of his position, including his personal assistant, leaving her flying blind.
Colin turned onto the bridge that led them to the island. “What can’t wait, you can text me about. But this is a vacation for me. Away from any coming-out talk, if I can help it. Okay?”
“Yeah, of course. I’ll do what I can to take care of it.”
Colin parked in the front of the house and when they got out, Nick said to him, “You realize that everyone thinks we’re sleeping together, right?”
He typed in the front door code, then glanced over at Nick. “Yep.” He smiled, big and goofy, and it wasn’t that Nick hadn’t realized he was in profound trouble before this moment, but he was in deep shit. How was he going to spend the next week with this fluffy asshole who looked like a model and who had the soul of a golden retriever and then fly home like nothing inside him had fundamentally changed?
Nick really didn’t know how to answer that, so he pushed the thought from his head.
“Right,” he grinned back. “I suppose I should be very flattered.”
“That’s what I keep telling myself,” Colin said, reaching out and grasping Nick’s shoulders with his hands. Pushing backwards gently, Nick’s back hit the closed door. Colin grinned like a puppy and then proceeded to lean in, hold him down, and kiss him with every ounce of filthy skill he’d gathered. Hot, wet, messy kisses, his tongue nimbly searching Nick’s mouth. Pleasure spiked through Nick’s body and he tried to rock up against the hard body holding him against the door, but Colin was just far enough back and just strong enough that he thrust up against empty air.
Nick’s breath was a damp gasp against Colin’s neck when the kiss ended.
“Wanted to do that all day, especially in that hell-spawn meeting,” Colin murmured into his hair.
Nick’s hips finally connected with Colin’s and the pressure left them both groaning. “Then,” Nick said, “you should’ve just thrown me down on the conference table and had your way with me. Everyone already thinks we’re hooking up.”
Colin chuckled, a low, diabolical sound that sent the rest of Nick’s blood straight to his dick. “Now I know what you’ve been fantasizing about with your Sports Illustrated for reference.”
Nick flushed brighter than he wanted Colin to see. He wasn’t ashamed exactly, because desire was a healthy thing, but Colin had ended a little too close to the truth for comfort.
“Does it bother you, that they might know?” Colin asked quietly, like that was the source of Nick’s embarrassment. Which, it wasn’t, at all. In fact, he’d sort of never been prouder that of all the men and women in the world, Colin wanted to be with him.
Pulling back, Nick made sure Colin was looking him straight in the eye. Nick didn’t like the sudden furrow between his brows, didn’t like the way he’d shifted backwards the tiniest bit. Like this was something to be ashamed of. “No,” he told Colin with certainty. Another moment, he might have scoffed like it was silly – which it was – but the serious expression on Colin’s face told him it wasn’t the right time to joke about this. “Not in a million years would it bother me. We could hook up on the table in front of them, and I wouldn’t care.”
Colin’s short exhale of relief told Nick that he’d gone the right route. They might not have defined exactly what was happening between them – at least out loud, because Nick had a terrifying thought he knew exactly what was happening, at least on his side – but that didn’t mean it was just casual between them.
Colin pressed a quick kiss on Nick’s hair and stepped away, heading towards the stairs. Nick looked mournfully down at his partially erect dick as he realized that Colin had every intention of teasing the hell out of them both before they got to the Keys.
He should be unhappier about it, but he realized as he climbed the stairs towards his room that he enjoyed seeing a more playful side of Colin emerge. Not many people had probably ever been privileged enough to witness it.
“I made a call and we’re gonna borrow one of my teammates’ getaway cottages,” Colin said as they headed down the highway towards the Keys. Yet another sign advertising an alligator petting zoo flashed behind Colin’s head. “It’s on Marathon.”
“Which teammate?” Nick asked, because he was curious which of Colin’s teammates he was on close enough terms with to call up last minute and borrow their vacation home.
Colin shot him a quick slant of a look that made wonder if he’d figured out what Nick was thinking. “Teddy, actually.”
“Then cottage is probably not the right term,” Nick said. Teddy had been playing in the NFL for years and was one of the highest paid defensive ends in the game.
“Probably not,” Colin admitted, and it was his turn to flush. “I could’ve called up a hotel, I guess, but I wanted privacy, and I know Teddy’s place will be nice.”
Nice was likely an understatement. Luxurious and palatial was probably closer to reality.
“You trying to impress me, O’Connor?” Nick asked, trying his best to ignore the frisson of pleasure he felt at the thought.
Colin’s laugh was bright and infectious. “I can’t believe it’s taken you so long to figure that out.”
It was a little too close to all the thoughts that Nick had been having lately. Thoughts like always and forever and boyfriend. And that little four letter word that had never terrified him before, but now with Colin, was throwing him for a loop.
He changed the subject. Picking up the phone Colin had carelessly tossed into the center console of the car, he noted it was hooked up into the car’s sound system. “What’s your password?” he asked. “It’s a long drive, we should put some music on.”
Colin flushed again, hotter this time and a whole lot redder, the color creeping up his neck and settling bright on his ears.
“Is it something really embarrassing?” Nick demanded with a teasing edge to his voice. This was a lot safer ground than admitting that Colin had never needed to win him over. He’d been fairly won in those first five minutes, when Colin’s eyes had matched his polo shirt, and he’d smiled shyly, like everyone didn’t end up speechless and awestruck when they met him for the first time.
Colin shook his head, but his ears grew brighter. “It totally is,” Nick said. “Is it like sexy bottom come slut or something?”
“Oh, god,” Colin said between gasps of hysterical laughter. “No.”
“Then what is it? If you don’t tell me, I’ll just keep assuming it’s something completely deviant.”
“It’s not, it’s just...well, it’s embarrassing, just not embarrassing like that.”
“And?”
“It’s password, okay?”
Nick was more surprised than if the password had been sexy bottom come slut. “Seriously?”
If Colin’s ears got any redder, they might spontaneously combust. Nick thought it was fucking adorable.
“Lindsay needs to use it sometimes,” he said, a touch defensively. “So I wanted to keep it generic.”
“You’re cute,” Nick said as he typed it in. “My grandmother uses that as her password.”
Opening the music app, Nick scrolled through his albums. “You’ve got decent taste in music, though.”
“Imagine my relief that there’s something you can’t tease me about,” Colin said dryly, though when Nick glanced up, he was still smiling.
“Sorry, I know my asshole tendencies get annoying,” Nick said, wishing he’d listened when Jemma had told him once that everyone didn’t enjoy being teased.
“Don’t apologize,” Colin said. “I like it.”
“If you’re sure—”
Colin cut him off before Nick could even finish his sentence. He settled a big, warm hand on his thigh and gave him a bit of a squeeze. “I’m sure. Stop worry
ing.”
It took over two hours to get down to Marathon, and then another fifteen minutes to navigate through the island to find Teddy’s (naturally) beachfront property.
When Colin pulled up to the gate and punched in the code Teddy had texted him, Nick couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Of course there’s a gate and a code.”
The house itself was shielded by the fence and a thick barrier made of tropical vegetation and palm trees, but as it came into view, Nick made a shocked noise.
“Just when you think Teddy can’t surprise you…” Colin said in an awed voice.
The cottage that they’d both expected to have more in common with a mansion, was in fact, a cottage. An unassuming, simple, white-sided building, square and squat, and undeniably small.
“He surprises you,” Nick finished.
“Are you okay with this?” Colin asked as he pulled into the driveway and stopped the car. “I can still call a hotel.”
Nick opened the door and realized as he stepped out that other than the rudimentary driveway, everything else was sand. The house was literally on the beach.
“Hell no,” Nick said. “This’ll be fine.” He grabbed his bag from the back and instead of waiting for Colin to find the code to the front door on his phone, walked around the side.
“I think I found out the reason for the gate,” Nick called out to Colin.
Spread out before them was a gorgeous expanse of pristine, private, white sand beach. The house had a long veranda across the back, with steps right down to the sand. Floor to ceiling windows on the entire back of the house meant that the view would be incomparable.
A single dock stretched out from one side of the beach, and a sleek speedboat was housed under a simple wooden structure at the end of it.
“Wow,” Colin said, walking up behind him. He slung a casual arm around Nick’s shoulders, and even that simple touch made him want to sink into it.
“Wow is right,” Nick echoed. “This is pretty incredible.”
“The house is pretty simple,” Colin said, and Nick glanced back, realizing one of the sliding glass doors off the veranda was open and that Colin had come from inside the house. “But of course, because it’s Teddy, it’s still perfect.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Honestly,” Colin said softly, “I think this is where he and Maria come to get away. Without the kids or anyone else. There’s basically a bedroom with an enormous bed, a bathroom and a tiny kitchen. That’s it.”
Nick had no compunction in dropping his bag to the ground so he could slide his hands around Colin’s neck. “That’s all you need, when it’s right.” He tugged Colin closer and kissed him deeply. It was the perfect moment, the sea breeze winding around them, the smell of the salt water in the air, standing on a private beach. He didn’t even care if he’d given everything away with his words.
Reality didn’t intrude until they were exploring the tiny bungalow together and they discovered a basket full of condoms and lube placed very prominently in the middle of the bathroom counter.
“Uh,” Colin stammered, his face bright red. Nick, fighting down his own embarrassment at how obvious they’d probably been, reached over and flipped open the card sitting in the basket.
“Have fun and be safe, love Teddy,” Nick read out-loud. “Well that’s...something.”
Colin rubbed his neck and shot him a rueful glance. “One way of putting it.”
Nick had forced any twinges of embarrassment aside and was examining the contents of the basket. He was pretty sure Teddy was straight, as he’d been married to Maria for over ten years – an eternity in the world of professional sports – but the items he’d selected definitely had some thought behind them.
The kitchen was more of the same. Not actual lube and condoms, but a case of expensive champagne, lots of fresh fruit, and stuff to make simple breakfasts. Eggs, bacon, bread. And a large tray you’d use to serve breakfast in bed if you were so inclined, resting so helpfully on the tiny kitchenette table.
“He is not subtle,” Colin said, pointing out the obvious.
There was another note posted to the fridge. Some groceries to get you started, it read, and don’t forget a romantic breakfast in bed, Maria loves those. Also I know you know your way around a boat but be careful with my baby. Teddy.
Nick was more the kind of man who took what he wanted, and asked questions later. But he broke his usual rules and asked first because not asking suddenly didn’t feel acceptable. “Are you okay with all of this?”
They’d originally come to the Keys, if there’d really been any intention at all, as a quick getaway to distract Colin from the pressures of coming out. It hadn’t been designed as a romantic getaway, necessarily, even though they’d begun to explore the possibility of sex.
Teddy, whether explicitly instructed or not, had morphed the purpose on his own.
Colin looked surprised at the question. Probably as surprised, Nick realized, as he himself had looked when Colin had asked him if he’d rather stay in a hotel.
“Of course I am. Teddy, well, Teddy has a pretty good idea about how I feel,” Colin said. “Are you?”
Nick felt like he was seventeen again, and he’d caught the cute boy on the track team looking at his legs. He desperately wanted to ask what Teddy has a pretty good idea about how I feel meant, but he wasn’t quite ready to answer on his own yet, so he couldn’t really demand it of Colin.
Instead he answered, “Yeah, of course. This place is amazing. And I’m happy to be here with you.” Nick figured that should make his own feelings obvious enough without stating them absolutely.
“Great,” Colin said, leaning in to kiss him again, his hands reaching up to bracket Nick’s face, his fingertips brushing the contours of his features. It was soft and slow and sweet, but Nick couldn’t tear his mind from the enormous bed with its wrought iron headboard and miles of fluffy white sheets, or the basket sitting in the bathroom.
He wanted Colin stretched out on the bed, all golden skin against the stark white of the sheets, face blissed from pleasure.
“Let’s go to bed,” he murmured against Colin’s lips. “I want to see you.”
Colin didn’t say a word but nodded, letting himself be easily tugged towards the big bed. Nick pulled off his shirt and his fingers made quick work of the button and fly on Colin’s cargo shorts. Colin’s hands echoed his movements, pulling Nick’s clothes off with clumsy but effective movements.
Naked, Colin fell onto the bed and Nick stood in the space between of his legs. “Come here,” Colin said, no doubt trying to use his seductive voice.
Nick almost told him that seduction was unnecessary. Having him spread out on the bed this way, gloriously and gorgeously naked, that was all the seduction he needed.
“What do you want?” Nick asked. He knew what he wanted, but he wanted to make absolutely sure Colin was on the same page.
“Anything you’ll give me,” Colin said, honesty glowing out of his face.
“Okay,” Nick said unsteadily. “Don’t move.” He walked the few steps to the bathroom and grabbed the basket of supplies.
He saw Colin go a little white at the sight of them in his hands, and he laid a reassuring hand on his leg. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we’ll go slow. Nothing you don’t want to do.”
Depositing the basket on the nightstand, he climbed on top of Colin, and couldn’t help but moan shamelessly as their mouths met and their hard cocks brushed together for the first time.
“So good,” Colin gasped as they moved together, skin to skin, their kisses intense and slick.
Kissing Colin was so good it was hard to stop, but Nick knew he couldn’t wait forever. His lips cruised downward, and he relished the taste and the scent and the feel of Colin’s skin under his mouth, the tremble of his muscles, and the quiet moans that kept escaping.
Sucking Colin’s cock was just as good the second time. He let his hand drift lower, and then lower still, brushing
his balls and then searching with one spit-damp finger.
When he found it, Colin moaned shamelessly, pushing back against Nick’s finger as it traced the furled edges of his hole. “You want this?” Nick asked, breathless and on fire.
Colin’s eyes were impossibly blue as their gazes met. “Anything,” he panted.
“We’ll go slow,” Nick said quietly, reaching over for the lube.
They definitely went slow, not just because it was Colin’s first time, but because he was so sensitive, so incredibly responsive, Nick had to keep stopping. His lips poised at the crown of his cock, his fingers buried inside of him, as Colin fought off orgasm. He’d re-center himself, and then Nick would continue, the way his body flexed tightly around his fingers painfully pleasurable. He was so turned on it would be a miracle if he actually got inside before coming.
Three fingers in, Colin flushed and panting, sweat slicking up his chest, Nick let his instincts take over. He slid Colin’s cock back in his mouth, instead of merely teasing the tip, and sucked hard, sending Colin’s body into a tense arch. He pressed in with his fingers, searching for the spot that would send Colin off the cliff, and barely had any warning when it happened, Colin letting out a fierce yell as he spilled onto Nick’s tongue.
His own skin was almost unbearably sensitive, Nick realized, as he reached up to smooth a shaky hand along Colin’s torso.
“God,” Colin said, his voice wrenched. “Now come here and let me return the favor.”
Nick made a token protest. Colin overruled him by literally picking him up and settling on top of him.
“Done arguing?” Colin asked smugly.
“Maybe you could use something to shut your mouth up,” Nick teased.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Colin said, taking it seriously and carefully and deliberately slipping the head of Nick’s cock into his mouth.
It was clearly his first blowjob. There might have been awkwardness or hesitation, but Nick was out of his mind with want and didn’t care. He only cared that it was Colin and Colin’s mouth, and that what he might not have in skill, he easily made up for in enthusiasm.