by Louisa Neil
“More like spending more time on the island but not full time.”
“It just makes sense. I told you people in general annoy me most times. This way I can make my own schedule, and when I’m cranky, I can hibernate.”
“I’m going to take the trip I’ve always dreamed about.” Alan finished the rest of his drink. “Either it will be the best time of my life or a bust. Either way, I’ll stop guessing.”
“Where will you start?”
“I’m heading to England and Scotland, then Italy. Since I have the luxury of time, I’m keeping my schedule open. From there, probably Greece for a while.”
“You’ll send postcards?”
“Probably e-mails.”
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” Eric lifted his glass in a toast.
“So do I, Eric, so do I. When will you make the move?” Alan asked.
“As soon as possible. I’ve given my notice, and I’m getting my retirement package worked out. I’ve put my apartment on the market.”
“Wow, in a few weeks you really made a lot of big decisions.”
“Work made the decision. Word of the merger filtered out, and my department is being completely phased out immediately. Even if I wanted to stay, apparently they won’t have a place for me or any of my employees.”
“That’s a hard hit,” Alan told him, “especially knowing your staff will lose their jobs, too.”
“I’m justifying it that at least they have the facts now. It won’t be a hit to the head after the first of the year.” Eric raised his glass but didn’t drink from it. “We were all dumped out into the world at the same time. I hope the time before the holidays will help some of them find new positions.”
“I wish you luck. But you and Rae seem to have worked out your relationship. I don’t see that being a problem.”
“As long as I remember she’s my boss!” Eric finished his drink. “She needs help down there. This is the first time she’s actually reached out and asked for help, admitted she can’t do it all, especially with Charlie.”
“He’ll never retire, will he?” Alan asked.
“No. He’s never known any other life. He likes giving the impression he’s in charge of it all. Most guests don’t question him on it, so he’ll stay on as a figurehead.”
“Maybe between the both of you he’ll stop trying to get his pet projects pushed through.”
“It’s his ideas for new projects that haunt Rae. Already he’s talking about using the southern side of the island for another hotel.”
“I thought Rae said they shied away from that because of storms.”
“That’s been the general consensus. I think Charlie is using it as a bluff, hoping she’ll give in to his fish hatchery instead.”
“I wish you luck with that,” Alan told him, sipping his beer and shaking his head. “Probably a really good idea that you’re going to look for a home off-site.”
“I agree. So when do you leave for your trip?”
“Next week. I thought to stay until after the first of the year, but I really don’t have a reason to stay.”
“Will you sublet your apartment?” They waited while the waitress placed their hamburger deluxe platters before them.
“No, I’ve decided to just shut it up for a while. If I hate the trip, then I have a place to come back to without any hassles.”
“Sounds like a plan. Will you call Rae and tell her your plans?”
“I figured I’d e-mail from someplace exotic.”
Eric raised his glass in a toast. “I hope you find what you’re looking for, whatever it is.”
Alan raised his glass and uttered, “So do I.”
As they headed outside in the cold night air, they paused and both looked at their shoes. “If you decide to come back, look me up in Brunswick.”
Alan didn’t answer verbally. Instead, he found himself reaching to hug Eric. “Take care of yourself and Rae.”
“And Breakwater Island?”
“That, too. I don’t know what Rae would do if she didn’t have the island.”
“Let’s hope she never finds out.” Alan released him from the hug and didn’t call him back when he thought he might. Instead, he turned in the other direction and slowly walked home.
Alan enjoyed his trip to the fullest. He’d spent three weeks in London playing the tourist, seeing all the revered sights. Then he traveled by train to Scotland. He loved the eerie fog and the people, even though he often had trouble understanding their accents. He’d rented a small vehicle, almost too small to be comfortable, and was finally getting used to their rules of the road, which, he decided, meant he basically got out of the way of any oncoming vehicle. He spent a night or two in small towns, wandering their streets by foot during the day and getting a feel for the way of life.
Occasionally he’d check his e-mail. He got a weekly e-mail from Eric with updates of how his life was going. Occasionally he mentioned Rae, but nothing personal, only that she was doing well. At the end, there was always an invitation to come back and see him. His original mail to Rae informing her about the trip was answered with a brusque note that she hoped he enjoyed his time. He’d earned it.
In the two months he’d been gone, a night hadn’t gone by that he didn’t think about her and Eric before falling asleep. And each night, he understood his feelings would only be returned when she was in the mood. He’d met women along the way and enjoyed conversing with them about their homeland. However, he never considered asking any of them for a dinner date or sex. While several had offered, he’d politely turned them down. Occasionally in a pub, he’d had conversations with handsome men. They, too, had offered vague references to private times, but Alan never considered them, either.
It drove him crazy that each night he masturbated to the memories of Rae and Eric. Those were the only ideas that got him off. He hated them both for imprinting themselves in his mind. He often thought to call or just go back, but he knew Eric was just getting settled in his new home and job, and to Rae he was just another customer who she spent some quality time with.
He flew from London to Italy and spent a few weeks taking in the local color and flavors. He’d always been a fan of Italian food but was realizing from district to district the differences in their cuisine. He even managed to wander the Vatican City for a few days, marveling at the architecture and history. It was while he was there he picked up a United States newspaper and caught a headline about a storm churning off the coast of Africa predicted to head up the east coast of the US. He knew it was late in the season for this kind of storm, but he knew there was no real rhyme or reason to any weather pattern. As a pilot, he knew weather could ruin any plans without notice. When his stomach plummeted, he knew he had to go back. At the hotel, he scanned channels until he found one in English that gave more details.
With flight arrangements made, he boarded and spent the longest, dullest time of his life. That was when it hit him that was what was missing from his life. He missed being a pilot in any capacity. Finally, he fell asleep, knowing what he’d do with his life when he got back home. He wasn’t sure exactly where he’d settle, but he knew he’d go back to flying.
His dreams were fragments, each a snippet of time he’d spent with Rae and Eric. They were so real it was as if he were living the moments right then. How Eric would swallow his cock, how it felt to fuck him with the cage on his cock. How Rae would straddle his legs and take control of their fuck, moving him inside her until she’d found that one spot that would make her come. He woke with a start and glanced around, thankful the seat next to him was empty. His cock was hard, and he thought to head to the plane’s toilet to relieve the ache but didn’t. More than anything, he wanted to be in her life, and with all the honesty he could muster, he wanted to be a part of Eric’s, too.
Chapter Sixteen
His touchdown in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport was delayed because of bad weather on the east coast. When he finally did touch down, he thanked
the powers above for getting him to land safely. Back at his dusty, dank apartment, he tried to settle in. Unpacked, he flipped channels on the television, watching different coverage on the storm coming up the coast. It was now a category two hurricane, named Ivor.
The doorbell pulled him from the coverage as his pizza was delivered. With the box on the coffee table and a cold beer to wash it down, he continued to watch the coverage. After a quick shower, he lay on his bed, relishing the feel of being home. He pulled out his toys and used them on himself without a second thought. His first orgasm was small, a release his body needed.
Still lying in bed with his cum on his belly, he called Eric. He was amazed he got through, and they kept their conversation short.
“Are you and Rae okay with the storm?”
“I’m okay on the mainland. She sent her guests home early and is going to ride out the rest of the storm on the island.”
“Is she crazy?” Alan asked, and then laughed. “Don’t answer that, I know the answer. Yes, she is, and so am I.”
“She’ll be all right as long as she doesn’t wander out in the storm to check things out.”
“Why didn’t you stay with her?”
Eric laughed at him. “Like I didn’t try! You know Rae. She wanted the island to herself. Charlie is here in town staying with me.”
“Even Charlie left?”
“Yeah, she sent him off with the last of the employees.”
“Is he driving you crazy?”
“Actually, no. He’s down at the corner bar and has everyone’s rapt attention with his stories of other storms he rode out on the island.”
“At least you have some private time. Restaurants are still open?”
“Tomorrow everything will start to shut down. For now, let him stay at the bar. At least he has a poised audience. Once he comes in tonight, we’ll only have a few hours in the morning before we get stuck inside.”
“While he seemed like a nice man, better you than me, friend. I don’t think I could take being confined with Charlie for any length of time.”
“I’m not looking forward to it, but I really didn’t have a choice. He’s still family in a way, so you take the good with the bad. As soon as the storm’s over, I’m going to try and sneak over without Charlie. See if I can help her appraise the damage.”
“Will you get there by the bridge?”
“If it’s still up!” Eric’s tone sounded maudlin to Alan.
“What don’t I know, Eric?”
“Every storm is different, especially this late in the season. I’m afraid from the reports the south side of the island will take the worst of the brunt.”
“Well, on the good side, if it does, it will prove to Charlie putting a fish farm there isn’t a viable option.” Alan chuckled at the irony of the situation.
“Or the new hotel he’s trying to pitch these days.” Eric sounded disgusted.
“Now he really wants a hotel there?”
“I think it’s mainly to annoy Rae in hopes she’ll give him his fishery.”
“Then he doesn’t really know his daughter,” Alan said.
“He knows her all right. He just thinks powering over her will work the way it used to with her mother.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Nothing yet. The storm is due to hit tomorrow night. The whole area is under a mandatory evacuation order.”
“But you’re still in town.”
“Yeah, mandatory means if you stay, you’re on your own. Don’t expect any police or medical services until the storm passes.”
“What about the weather now?” Alan inquired.
“It’s a clear, crisp evening. Almost an eerie calm.”
“I wish I could get back there, although I’m sure Rae wouldn’t be happy.”
“What do you have in mind, Alan?”
“Nothing, just wild thoughts. What time tomorrow will the storm hit Breakwater Island, Eric?”
“Sometime in the afternoon, from what the forecasters are predicting.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow night to check in. Be careful, Eric.”
“I’ll be fine. I have enough alcohol to keep Charlie going, and if he doesn’t drink it, I will!”
“Call my cell if you need anything. I’ll be in touch.”
“Alan, what are you thinking of doing?” Eric’s tone relayed his concern.
“I’m not sure yet,” Alan said. “Probably something really stupid. I’ll be in touch. Don’t worry.” He hesitated and added, “Eric, I missed you while I was gone.”
“In what capacity, as a friend?”
“Unfortunately for me, all capacities. I’m still coming to terms with all this.”
“You know where to find me,” Eric told him.
“Yeah, I do. I’ll call to check on you tomorrow night if I can get a call through.”
“Be careful, Alan. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’m beginning to think it’s about time I started doing stupid things. All my life I’ve been careful never to take a misstep. Since meeting Rae, my life seems very staid and boring up until I met her!”
“Be safe, my friend,” Eric said, and ended the call.
Alan didn’t waste any time. He made phone calls while packing and managed to beg, borrow, and all but steal a small plane with water-landing capacity. At first light, he was at the far end of the lake, signing papers and taking delivery of his new seaplane. After checking out the systems, he filed his flight plan. He was ready to argue with anyone who tried to stop him, but instead only got a few strange looks. Nobody stopped him.
It felt strange to be in control of the aircraft. It had been over six months since he took the controls. Finally, Alan realized what had been missing from his life. He was a pilot at heart. Selling his company had grounded him. He’d never thought to just buy himself another plane for his personal use. Now he was glad he hadn’t because he wouldn’t have purchased a seaplane and that was what he needed to get to Breakwater Island.
He stopped in the Hamptons of Long Island to refuel and set off for his final destination. There was no reason to call ahead or even try to radio Rae. She would argue with him not to come. Showing up, while unorthodox, was his best plan to actually land at Breakwater. It was almost noon when he was nearing the island, and when he realized the storm was blowing northward quicker than predicted. It hadn’t dawned on him that she might have taken the floating docks up, but it was too late. He approached the island and saw her plane missing, but the two floating piers were in place. After a quick circle of the island, he headed to the northern side and landed his craft on the choppy surface. He managed to tie her off in Rae’s slip. He knew any second Rae would be out there screaming and hollering at him for coming to the island and for not asking her permission.
When the plane was finally tied and as stable as he figured he could get it, he grabbed his duffle bag and headed toward the lodge. As he predicted, the island was shut down and ready for whatever the hurricane would bring. The lodge was empty, shut down. So were the cabins that encircled it. The boathouse was locked tight. She’d even managed to get the horses to the mainland.
“Fuck,” Alan said to the encroaching winds, wondering if she changed her mind and went off island to ride out the storm. But that didn’t feel right. So he continued to walk the paths, ultimately seeing her pickup parked behind her private cabin on a high spot of land. The moment of truth had come.
He saw her before she saw him. She was sitting on the porch swing with a bottle of beer in her hand, the winds blowing her hair away from her face. He understood approaching her would be tricky, especially since she made it clear she was done with him. But he was here, and with the storm closing in, he had no choice. Even he wouldn’t attempt to take off in these winds.
“Rae, company,” he hollered from a few hundred feet away. At first, she didn’t hear him, and he tried again. “Rae, company’s here.”
Alan watched her head snap around. Keeping his pa
ce steady, he was able to see the squint in her eyes and the tense stance of her body. He was prepared for her to be angry but kept approaching.
“What the fuck are you doing here in the middle of a hurricane?” She stood with one hand on her hip and the beer bottle in the other. If ever there was a sight for desperate eyes, she was his. She was all attitude and anger.
“It’s a long story,” he said, approaching the walkway to the cabin. “Got another beer? I’ll trade it for my story.” A gust of wind pushed him to the side, and he stumbled to stand.
“You asshole,” she said, unlocking the screen door and letting him into her private place.” He noted she relocked it behind him to keep the door from racking in the wind. There was no question she was mad. Her expression spoke louder than words could.
“Probably, but here I am.”
“You’re supposed to be in Europe,” she tossed at him.
“Yeah, I was. Now I’m here.” He dropped his bag inside the main living area and walked further into the house, grabbing two beers from the fridge. Alan drew a deep breath and wandered out to the porch where she sat, the winds making her swing move without her help. He took the chair across from her. Rae took the beer he offered and gave him a sour look.
“Why are you here? I specifically cleared the island, even got Charlie to the mainland to be alone, and you show up.”
“Yeah, well, the best-laid plans and all that.” He twisted off the cap of his bottle and took a big swig.
“How the hell did you get here? The mainland roads were supposed to be shut down by now, and I’ve got the gates up at both ends of the bridge.” She sat staring at him, glaring at him, he decided.
Now Alan had to make a decision. He realized at that moment the decision was made long ago. “I flew in,” he said simply, and waited for her reaction.
“Even you aren’t crazy enough to fly in.” She hesitated and settled back in her swing. “That was you circling the island a while ago, wasn’t it? I thought it was just a sightseer or a storm chaser, but it must have been you.”