Chasing the Horizon

by Scotty Cade

  Justin just continued to fumble with his water bottle. “I know,” he eventually admitted. “You’re right. But I’ve been hoping to get the courage to actually meet him in person. And then I could explain everything to him.”

  “Has he even asked to meet?”

  “Of course.”

  “And…?”

  “I told him I was traveling for work and wouldn’t be back for a couple of months.”

  “Oh jeeze, dude. And he accepted that?”

  “Totally, Hawk. In fact, he said I’ve waited for him for twenty-two months, the least he could do was wait on me for a couple more.”

  “Then what?” Hawk said, throwing his hands in the air.

  “I don’t know yet,” Justin said in a very low voice, looking Hawk in the eye for the first time since they started this conversation. “Hawk, please don’t be mad at me. I really like this guy, and I want to meet him. I really do, I’m just not ready.”

  Hawk exhaled and this time ran both hands over his shaved head. “Jesus, Justin. What am I going to do with you?”

  “Help me?” Justin whispered. “And please don’t make me sorry I confided in you.”

  Hawk dropped to the floor in front of his friend and wrapped his arms around his muscular little body. “Yeah, I’ll help you.” He leaned back and grabbed Justin by the shoulders. “Tell me something. Are all the muscles and constant workouts because of what happened to you?”

  “Pretty much,” Justin admitted with a slight smile. “I hoped that feeling stronger physically would make me feel stronger emotionally.”

  “And has that worked?”

  Justin seemed to be thinking. “I think so, yeah.”

  “Good.”

  Hawk stood again and Justin started clearing up the food wrappers from earlier. “I’m exhausted. I think I’m gonna get out of your hair.”

  “Come on,” Hawk said, grabbing his shoes. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “I don’t need to be walked home,” Justin protested.

  “I know you don’t,” Hawk was quick to agree. “But I don’t feel like going out, but I’m not the least bit sleepy either. Maybe a walk will do the trick. Besides it’s only a few blocks.”

  Chapter 7

  GARNER WAS startled out of a sound sleep by male voices. He raised his head just in time to see Hawk and another guy stepping onto the dock. As they got a little closer, he recognized the guy as Hawk’s date from the night before.

  Garner quickly laid his head back down, not the least bit in the mood for an awkward encounter with Hawk and his boyfriend. He silently waited for them to pass by, and when he no longer heard voices, he released his breath and closed his eyes again.

  Boyfriend? Apparently Hawk was dating this guy, and now Garner felt like a total heel for sleeping with someone else’s boyfriend. He lay there contemplating his situation until his stomach started demanding something to eat. It’s time for a shower and some dinner.

  After a nice long hot shower and slipping into his favorite jersey running shorts and a T-shirt, Garner poured another glass of wine and rummaged through the refrigerator, eventually deciding on a salad, filet, and a baked sweet potato. He cautiously stuck his head out of the companionway door and listened before climbing the stairs. When he didn’t hear any sounds, he ventured into the cockpit to light the grill.

  He finished preparing his meal, poured another glass of wine, and settled in at the banquette. “Cheers,” Garner whispered to himself, holding up his wine glass, feeling a little bit sorry for himself but not really understanding why.

  He finished dinner, carried his dishes to the galley, and dropped them into the sink. He had a good mind to leave them there until morning and go to bed, putting this entire day behind him. Then he decided against it and started washing. He heard sounds and looked out of the porthole, and lo and behold, Hawk and his boyfriend were heading out again. “I guess they’re heading out for round two,” Garner said under his breath. “Good riddance, boys.”

  Garner finished his dishes, left them in the dish rack to dry, and cleaned the galley. He looked around with the dishtowel still in his hand. Now what?

  Still not sleepy, Garner went to his liquor cabinet and poured a single-malt Scotch into a crystal rocks glass. With the threat of seeing Hawk again long gone, he ventured topside to enjoy his drink. He stood in the cockpit and stretched his neck outside the canvas canopy. The stars were still shining brightly, and the three-quarter moon was hovering high in the midnight-blue velvety sky. This is much too pretty to pass up.

  Garner grabbed a cushion and walked out onto the bow. He dropped the pad and stretched out on top of it, looking up to the heavens. He raised his head every now and then to sip his Scotch and was finally starting to relax when he again heard footsteps on the dock.

  This time he didn’t even bother to look up until the footsteps stopped and a familiar voice said, “Hey.”

  Garner raised his head and was shocked to see Hawk standing there with his hands deep inside his pockets, bouncing from foot to foot. “Hey to you,” Garner replied. “I saw you pass by earlier and figured you were out for the evening.”

  “Na,” Hawk replied. “Just walking my best friend home.”

  Best friend! “Would that be the same best friend you were making out with at Aqua last night?” Garner asked.

  “One and the same,” Hawk admitted. “Long story, but not at all what it appeared.”

  “Got it,” Garner said, not knowing why Hawk’s response made him so happy. “Care for a nightcap?”

  Hawk looked at his watch. “Sure, why not. It’s still early. Permission to come aboard, Captain?”

  “Permission granted,” Garner said as he rose to his feet.

  Garner walked along the gunwale to the cockpit with Hawk walking alongside him on the dock. When they reached their destination, Hawk unlaced his boots, toed them off, and climbed aboard.

  “What can I get you?” Garner asked.

  Hawk looked at the glass in Garner’s hand. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  Garner stepped down through the companionway door. “One single-malt Scotch, neat, coming right up.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  When Garner returned with Hawk’s drink, Hawk was stretched out on the starboard-side bench seat, leaning back with his feet crossed at the ankles.

  Hawk accepted the crystal glass and swirled the Scotch around a few times, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. “Nice,” Hawk said. “Smoky and rich.”

  The man knows good Scotch. “Glad you like it,” Garner replied as he took a seat opposite Hawk and stretched out much in the same manner.

  The two men sat awkwardly in silence, sipping their drinks until Garner finally spoke.

  “Nice boat you’ve got there,” Garner said gesturing over his shoulder. “How long ago did you buy her?”

  “Didn’t,” Hawk replied.

  Confused, Garner lifted his head and looked over at Hawk. “Didn’t what?”

  “Didn’t buy her,” Hawk repeated. “She was willed to me.”

  “Ohhhh,” Garner said, feeling very curious but not wanting to pry. “So how long have you had her?”

  Hawk looked up, apparently counting in his head. “A little under seven years now.”

  “Have you been running charters the entire time?”

  “Not really. Not until I got my six-pack captain’s license. And that’s been just over five years now, I think.”

  “Six-pack, huh? I’m impressed,” Garner said. “That’s a very tough test.”

  “You?” Hawk asked.

  Garner nodded. “Yep, but not near as long as you, though. Only about a year now for me.”

  Hawk took another sip of his drink. “Doesn’t matter how long you’ve have it as long as you got the damn thing.”

  “Good point!”

  Silence loomed between them once again.

  Garner was a little amused by the awkwardness. “Look,” he
said. “Earlier today my dick was so far up your ass I think I licked it with my own tongue when I was kissing you. And now the best we can do is small talk?”

  Hawk shrugged.

  Garner chuckled out loud. “A man of many words, I see.”

  “Okay, how’s this for conversation?” Hawk asked. “I loved having your dick up my ass.”

  Garner’s lingering smile turned into a guffaw. “That makes two of us,” Garner choked out when he could finally speak.

  “You’re the one who wanted conversation.”

  “Touché,” Garner said.

  Hawk raised his head and looked over, giving Garner a wicked smile. “Want to do it again?”

  “Hell yeah,” Garner replied, standing and offering Hawk his hand.

  Hawk stood without accepting Garner’s assistance and the two men were toe-to-toe, staring at each other.

  Garner leaned in and gently kissed Hawk on the lips. “The only caveat this time is we do it my way,” he said, taking a step back and sweeping his arm toward the companionway door.

  Hawk paused. “I’m not quite sure what that means, but I’m sure I can handle it,” he said with a slight grin, subtly brushing against Garner as he stepped through the door and disappeared down the stairs.

  Garner caught up to Hawk and put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him as he attempted to pull his T-shirt out of his jeans. “No” was all Garner said.

  Hawk froze. He cocked his head to the side as if he were listening for his next command. Garner wasn’t certain, but his first thought was that it appeared Hawk was preparing for a “Dom/sub” situation, and one he seemed to be perfectly comfortable with. Garner hated to disappoint him, but if that’s what Hawk was truly hoping for, he was in for a huge disappointment.

  Garner put his hands on Hawk’s waist and slowly turned him around. Now facing him in the lamp-lit salon, Garner stood up on his tippy toes and gently pressed his lips against Hawk’s while at the same time reaching down to grip Hawk’s T-shirt and pull it out of his jeans. Without skipping a beat, Hawk lifted his arms over his head and Garner broke the kiss long enough to pull the shirt off and toss it to the floor. Now Garner was able to get a good look at Hawk’s tattooed chest. To his amazement, Hawk’s pectorals were covered with birds, all in various stages of flight. Sparrows? He wasn’t quite sure. He buried his face in Hawk’s neck, kissing and licking all the way down to the man’s broad, bird-covered chest, inhaling a combination of soap, cigarette smoke, and a classic scent like maybe Old Spice or something similar.

  Garner smiled against Hawk’s skin when the image of the sailor coming back from the sea in the Old Spice commercial popped into his mind. How stereotypical that Hawk would be wearing Old Spice. But in actuality, so far there had been nothing stereotypical about this man. If anything he was the opposite. The little that Garner knew told him that Hawk was a living contradiction. For starters, Garner had taken one look at him and thought he was going to be robbed, but Hawk had walked on past him without incident. Later, he had expected Hawk to be the dominant one in the bedroom, but he was actually quite passive. And by his appearance, Garner would have pinned Hawk as coming from a broken home, but he had very tolerant and accepting parents. Garner knew he was overthinking everything, so he turned off his brain and tried to simply enjoy the moment.

  Garner looked at Hawk’s nipple rings. He really enjoyed the sensation of having his nipples tantalized and especially remembered the sudden rush the teasing sent to his groin, so he could only imagine how intense it must be for Hawk. Not wanting to do anything that might be uncomfortable but still wanting to give Hawk pleasure, Garner started by putting the silver ring between his teeth and tugging on it gently. When Hawk stiffened and moaned, Garner tugged a little harder and twisted the ring back and forth. Hawk rewarded him with a little louder moan and grabbed the back of Garner’s neck and pulled him closer against his chest. Garner opened his mouth wider, covered the nipple and ring, sucking on them both and jostling the ring around with his tongue. Hawk was now moaning continuously, bending slightly at the waist and holding Garner’s head tightly against him.

  While repeating the same act on the other nipple, Garner used his free hands to unbutton Hawk’s jeans and push them down as far as he could reach. He released Hawk’s nipple with a plop and knelt in front of him, forcing the man’s jeans down to his feet. He lifted Hawk’s feet one at a time and slipped his jeans completely off, taking his socks at the same time.

  Garner was still on his knees, but his eyes slowly moved up Hawk’s tall, slim frame. He gazed at Hawk’s taut stomach as he tongued his belly button ring, and then his eyes continued up to Hawk’s broad and muscular chest. When their eyes met, Hawk’s normally blue eyes were now a dark steel gray, and his expression was one of pure lust.

  With Hawk on display in front of him, Garner could now clearly make out the tattoos on the rest of Hawk’s body. On his right arm, starting at the shoulder, was a three-eyed dog’s head and what appeared to be a woman’s hand. Below that was some sort of weird butterfly. His elbow had a diamond smaller than the one on his left arm. Running the length from his forearm down to his hand was another dagger, surrounded by an ocean. On his left leg was a rattlesnake that started with its head at Hawk’s ankle and curled around and around until the rattle on its tail stopped at the top of Hawk’s thigh. On his right shin was a female pirate holding a flagpole, waving a skull and crossbones flag that covered his right thigh. Garner stared in amazement at these works of art adorning Hawk’s body and instantly saw how each and every one of Hawk’s tattoos seemed to be a part of him, like a limb or one of his vital organs.

  The sudden need to touch Hawk was overwhelming. He leaned forward and buried his head in Hawk’s underwear-clad crotch and cupped his muscular ass cheeks. The aroma of laundry detergent mixed with Hawk’s unique scent filled his nostrils. Garner inhaled deeply again and again, unable to get enough of the clean, pungent scent while he massaged and squeezed Hawk’s tight ass.

  Garner bit down on Hawk’s length through his underwear and ran his teeth lightly up and down, coaxing a groan out of Hawk’s lips and sending him up onto his tiptoes. Hawk ran the fingers of both hands the length of Garner’s hair, pulling lightly through the shaggy parts, tightening his grip, and then running them through again. Garner moved his attention down to Hawk’s balls and nibbled and bit at them through the cotton briefs until Hawk was rocking on his feet. In one quick move, Garner hooked his fingers in the waistband of Hawk’s underwear and yanked them down to his ankles. Hawk needed no coercing and stepped out of them immediately, kicking them to the side and grabbing Garner under the armpits, pulling him up until they were again face-to-face.

  Hawk plastered his lips to Garner’s and tried to force his tongue into Garner’s mouth. Garner didn’t open to him and pushed back gently. “My way, remember?” he said to Hawk, earning himself a royally pissed-off look.

  “I promise you won’t be sorry,” Garner said, taking Hawk’s hand and leading him to his stateroom. When they reached the cabin, Garner urged Hawk to sit on the foot of the bed. He took a step back and slowly pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. He seductively ran his hands over his chest and stomach, pinching his nipples a few times before moving down to his crotch. With one hand he rubbed his crotch repeatedly, while running his other hand through his hair.

  Hawk watched him intently, pulling on his nipple ring and playing with himself the entire time.

  When he was fully erect, Garner pulled down the waistband of his running shorts just far enough for Hawk to see the outline of his cock through his thin cotton briefs and slid his hand in and pumped himself. That action drew a moan from Hawk’s lips, and Garner felt inspired to do more. He slipped his shorts all the way down to his ankles, stepping out of them and kicking them to the side while he continued to pump himself under his briefs.

  Hawk stood and took a step toward Garner, but Garner stepped back, held his hand out, and pointed to the bed. Hawk backed up
and sat down again, but didn’t look very happy about it.

  Figuring he couldn’t keep this up too much longer without Hawk blowing a gasket, Garner sped up the process. He pushed his briefs down until his dick popped out, and hooked the elastic of his briefs under his balls. He pumped himself a few more times before pushing the briefs down and stepping out of them completely. Now totally naked, Garner continued to run a hand over his chest, up and behind his neck, through his hair, and back down to his abs, all the while pumping his dick slowly but deliberately.

  Hawk stood again, but didn’t make a move in his direction. Garner stepped up to him, went up onto his toes, and lightly brushed his lips across Hawk’s. Hawk opened for him, but Garner withdrew. “Softly,” he whispered. “Slowly.” Again he brushed his lips over Hawk’s. Hawk was now trembling, and Garner knew he was succeeding.

  He leaned in once more and ran his tongue over Hawk’s lips, licking softly, but this time Hawk didn’t open. Instead, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and lifted his hand, gently stroking Garner’s hair. Hawk leaned in and softly brushed his lips over Garner’s, then kissed his way down to Garner’s chin and then neck, tantalizing the sensitive skin with bites and kisses. While still nuzzling Garner’s neck, Hawk slowly ran both hands down to Garner’s thighs and just as slowly brought them back up again, lifting Garner’s arms over his head. Hawk then buried his head in one of Garner’s armpits and inhaled deeply, kissing and sucking one underarm and then the other.

  Hawk kissed his way over Garner’s chest, and Garner threw his head back when Hawk took one of his nipples into his mouth and sucked on it, bit softly, and then licked the sting away. Garner felt that rush he’d remembered and arched his back and hissed when Hawk did the same to the other.

  Raising his hand and gripping the back of Hawk’s neck, Garner forced Hawk’s head into his chest. Hawk pulled back and stopped. “Softly,” he said. “Slowly.” Then he again brought his lips to Garner’s nipple.