Picture Perfect Love

by Jerry Cole

  When I pulled away, Ryan looked at me with hungry eyes. “Strip. I need to taste you.”

  I complied, and he attacked me with his mouth. Ryan ate away at the remnants of his release in my mouth and bit down my neck as I moaned. My cock was straining against him, and I felt his hand move down to stroke me as he kissed down my throat. His teeth dragged at my nipples and then down my stomach before I felt him wrap his warm mouth around me. He brought me to the edge of an orgasm before telling me to get on my knees.

  Ryan grabbed the tube from the night before, prepping me for his entrance. I felt him ease against me, then inside as I jerked forward. His hand wrapped around my cock as he fucked me, and I pushed back against him. “Fuck. Ryan.” I cried out as I came around his fingers and the towel placed underneath me.

  “So tight,” Ryan murmured as he moved harder, filling me a beat after I came. “You feel so good. I don’t want you to go home.”

  “What?” I asked, as my thoughts came alive in his words. I was feeling the same way, but I didn’t think to say it. I was going to go home and view this thing with Ryan as a fling.

  “Shit. I didn’t mean to say that, but I feel it. I like being with you, Ben.” Ryan dropped back and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t do this shit with people as Leo does. I like you.”

  “I like you, Ryan. I hate that I have to leave in two days. I have no fucking idea when I’ll be back here.” I let it all out as I curled up on my side, working the towel into a ball before tossing it on the floor. “You can’t travel. You have commitments here, and I have them all over the world.”

  “Leo could run the store for a few days if I took a trip. It’s not that difficult, and I’ve done it for him.” Ryan said as I turned to stare at him. “He visits his family.”

  “You work at the restaurant.” I reminded him as he smiled.

  “I don’t have to. That’s just something for me. The store is doing great, and I could do that on its own.” I tried to formulate this plan that he was thinking of as I played my schedule in my mind. It would be tough, but maybe we could do it. “We’ll talk it over the next few days and figure this out. I didn’t mean to spring it on you.”

  “I’m glad you did.” We cleaned up in the shower, and I took him as he pressed his hands to the shower wall. When we finished, we dried off and climbed under the covers to get some sleep. We both knew that I’d be at the beach in the morning.

  I had decided to jog while he surfed to get some exercise in. It worked out well, and we usually had breakfast after. I finished the shoot yesterday and decided to take advantage of the time and car and check out some sites. Leo was cool enough to let Ryan take me, and he showed me his favorite places.

  We had a great day, ending it with dinner at a little bistro on the beach as the sunset. I was leaving tomorrow afternoon, and we were both avoiding the subject, but it was heavy in the room. Ryan was going to stay the night and skip his surfing ritual, which was something I protested. That was a big part of his life. He insisted, telling me that he wanted to cook me breakfast and enjoy time at the house together.

  I agreed, and we went home to go right to bed.

  We were rough and couldn’t get enough of each other. I felt the sadness in his kisses and touches and comforted Ryan with my body, even though I was feeling the same. We fought sleep but passed out a couple of hours before sunrise.

  I woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon and an empty bed. I looked for Ryan, wanting one more time with him and sighed. I used the bathroom before pulling some lounge pants on to join him in the kitchen. He was standing at the stove in shorts, and I took him in for a long, hungry moment.

  I was going to miss him.

  Chapter Four

  Ryan

  I stared at Ben as we ate breakfast on the deck overlooking the ocean. He was chiseled and gorgeous, and I was going to miss him more than I was probably willing to admit. We had a few hours before he took the rental car to the airport and decided to take a walk on the beach. It was a beautiful stretch of sand and rocks, and I made a note to come here when I was thinking about Ben on a hard day.

  We didn’t talk too much for the first part of the walk. Eventually, Ben told me about his upcoming trips, and we synced calendars on our phones back up at the house. We promised to call and text as often as we could but left it as just that. I didn’t want to ask him to be exclusive when he was leaving Belize, even though I knew I’d be waiting for him.

  I kissed him goodbye in the driveway and watched as he drove to the airport. I sensed that he didn’t want to leave but decided to concentrate on just keeping in touch. I glanced behind me at the gorgeous view and got into my car to go in late to the shop. Leo had been great about giving me some time, and I smiled as I walked through the door to see how crowded it was.

  “Sorry, man.” I shot him an apologetic look and stepped up to ask if anyone needed help. The busy day helped me to think a bit less about Ben, and Leo glanced at me later that night as we locked up.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Want to get some dinner? I owe you for the last few days.” I offered, and he nodded slowly. We went to his favorite seafood place, and I told him my plan to quit the restaurant to focus on the store. Leo asked if it was also to visit Ben, and I explained that while it was part of the plan, I wouldn’t take advantage. I still had a life here that I needed to concentrate on.

  “That sounds so much like you. You’ve always been the responsible one out of the two of us.” Leo shook his head, and I chuckled.

  “You work your ass off at the store. We’re making money there.” I reminded him as he shrugged. “You enjoy your free time here, and you should. You’re not hurting anyone, or at least I hope not.”

  “No. I’m candid about what I want. I just see you being this adult and shit.” Leo cracked a smile, and I knew that he was lightening up.

  “I am the one quitting a second job. How adult is that?” I joked, and we both laughed. We finished and he headed off to meet with a girl while I started my engine and stared forward. I could go home, but I didn’t want to. Fuck, this was going to be hard. I didn’t expect to feel this way so fast.

  Ben called on the way home to tell me that he was back and exhausted. I could hear a voice in the background, and he told me it was Jamie telling me hello before everything went quiet. “I miss you, Ben.”

  “I miss you. I’d give just about anything to be at that beach house now with you. My beach isn’t the same.” He admitted in a low voice, and I remained silent. “Shit. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make this worse. How was the shop?”

  I told him about the day and dinner with Leo. Ben was going to eat some leftovers and head to bed, but he’d call me in the morning. I smiled as I parked the car and headed inside to drink a beer before going to bed. It wasn’t my habit, but tonight it might shut my mind off.

  I knew it worked when I woke up on the couch with a slight headache. One beer turned to three, and I reached over to shut the alarm off on my phone. I didn’t feel like surfing today, but I wanted to stick to a routine. I showered quickly and dressed for the beach, rushing out to my car ten minutes later than usual. Leo was already in the water, and I grabbed my board and headed to the shallows to make my way in. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Tired.” I grumbled as he looked me over. “I had trouble sleeping. I think I admire you for your late nights and capability of doing this now.”

  “I enjoy my life,” Leo replied, and I nodded as we glanced behind us. “So do you. You’re just in a weird place right now.”

  “I didn’t expect this.” I saw the wave the same time as he did, and Leo nodded for me to go ahead. I paddled and caught it just at the right time, riding into the empty beach as I searched for Ben. I cursed as I lost my footing, plunging into the water, and riding the current to the shallow part of the beach. I dragged my board to the sand and turned to watch as Leo rode a perfect wave into the shore.

  We grabbed a quick breakfast and went to op
en the shop. I was glad to see that it was busy and hoped that I’d be tired enough to sleep tonight. Leo was going to dinner with someone when we closed, but I told him I was going to head to The Reef to give them my two-week notice. I had a handful of shifts before then and planned to work, but I wanted to free up my schedule for the future.

  I walked in, and Lani waved at me from the hostess station. I grinned and sauntered over, deciding some dinner sounded great while I was here. “What brings you by?” She looked me over as I leaned down.

  “Who is managing tonight?” I asked as she frowned at me. That was not something this woman often did.

  “Steve. He’s in the back barking at them. Are you going to eat?” Lani asked as concern washed over her pretty face.

  “Sure. That sounds great. Is my usual free?” I asked, and she glanced behind me before nodding. “I’ll be over there. Bring a beer when you can.” I walked across the room and took in the growing crowd before I slipped into the small booth tucked away in the corner. I noticed that Ben sent a message and responded, telling him where I was. He’d been hesitant about my quitting this job, but he also knew that I’d be fine. I had a lot of money tucked away, and the shop was booming now. I talked him down again and assured him everything was fine. My family was into the idea as well since they could visit based around shop hours and the fact I might be able to get away more to visit the city. When Lani sat down with a beer, I told him I’d message later and looked into her face.

  “You’re quitting, aren’t you?” Her direct question caught me off guard, and I took a long drink from my glass.

  “How did you know?” I asked as she shrugged.

  “I knew you wouldn’t work two jobs forever. I also got the impression that you didn’t have to.” There was a glint in her eyes, and I chuckled.

  “You would be right. I just wanted regular money coming in while we built up the shop. It’s there, and I want some more time to myself.” I glanced up as Steve leaned over the table, taking us in.

  “I’ll give you your dinner break when Olivia comes in. Right now, they need you.” Lani nodded and slid out to head back to her booth, and Steve took her place. “Did you order yet?”

  “No. I know what I want.” I assured him, and he sent what I now called Ben’s plate to the kitchen with his phone. “Thanks.”

  “What brings you here?” Steve asked once we settled. “I’m guessing that it isn’t good for us.”

  “I’m giving my two weeks. I’ll cover the shifts until then.” I shrugged and slowly looked around. “This is a great place, and I’ll still eat here, but the shop is doing well now. I want to focus on that.”

  “I always knew that would happen. You have a lot going on.” Steve nodded and leaned back from his hunched position. He was a relative of the original owner and was on his tenth year working here. I think that he might be a nephew or something like that. “We’ll miss you. You kept things moving around here, and none of the customers minded looking at you.” I held the frown back at those words because I knew he meant them as a compliment. We chatted about the shop and my plans with that, but I didn’t utter a word about Ben.

  “How much of this is about that guy from the other night?” Lani asked as she slipped into the booth with her dinner as I started on mine.

  “Shit, Lani. You don’t waste any time.” I wiped my mouth and sipped my beer as she efficiently cracked the crab claws. She was the one that taught me to do it right. “He has a small part in this. We just met, but we connected. We’re going to figure out what to do from here.” Lani swooned for a long second and stared at my beer as she sipped her water.

  “That is so romantic. I knew there was something between you two that night. I also never saw you leave with anybody before like that.” She continued to eat, and I laughed as I shook my head. “Will you still come in?”

  “Absolutely. This is my favorite place.” I placed a hand over my chest and held a somber expression on my face as she burst out laughing.

  “Good. Want to stay for a drink with me? I’m off at nine tonight for a change.” I glanced at my watch and decided that staying for two hours wasn’t hard. I could eat and drink some more beer while I chatted with Ben some more. It was better than doing it alone at home. Well, mostly, it was.

  I was three beers in when Lani sat down with a drink in her hand. “Finally.” She took a long sip of the red liquid and smiled as she swallowed. “You’re hitting it heavy tonight.” I usually stuck to one beer before heading home.

  “I’m a real wild and crazy guy tonight.” I joked as I took a long drink. “It kills time. That seems to have slowed down for me.”

  “Miss him?” She asked, and I nodded.

  “It fucking sucks. Ben’s in Cali with trips planned all over for work.” I shrugged and sucked in my breath. “I’m here and love it here. I miss him.”

  “Maybe something will work out. Isn’t he a photographer?” Lani asked, and I nodded. “That’s a remote job for the most part and look at this island. It’s gorgeous.” Lani moved out here with an aunt as a teenager ten years ago and never left.

  “That’s true, but he does have a place there. His best friend is around a lot, and I’m assuming family.” We hadn’t spoken of that, and now I wondered what was keeping him in Venice Beach.

  “I don’t know. People move for love all the time.” I raised my brows at Lani. She was just a couple of years younger than I was but believed in romance. Since her aunt moved here for her now-husband, I could see why.

  “I am not going to hold my breath. We still need to plan a visit when we can.” I smiled as the waitress brought a fourth beer, feeling the alcohol coursing through my veins. Lani started on her second drink, and we began to reminisce about the few months I worked here. Some good times were drinking at the bar after closing, even if I did keep it conservative. I made friends, and I’d miss them, but a few were customers at the shop now. I was too wasted to get home and Lani got us an Umber. She went with me to my house to help me in, scolding me for getting so drunk as I leaned on her small frame.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Lani asked as I stumbled to the bathroom to throw up.

  “I just need to sleep. I’ll send Leo a text before I crash,” I mumbled before leaning forward again. I was vaguely aware of someone helping me to bed and then blacked out.

  My head was throbbing in the morning when I woke up to the sun. I groaned and covered my eyes with my hand as I tried to figure out what time it was. Did I miss surfing? Was the shop okay?

  I smelled coffee and stared toward the cracked door, wondering who was here. Maybe Ben was out there waiting for me. I rose to use the bathroom and pulled on some shorts, splashing cold water on my face before heading down the hall. I turned and saw red hair, pausing as Lani cursed at my old stove. “Lani?”

  She turned her head and smiled. “Hey. You were a bit of a mess last night, so I crashed on your couch. How do you feel?”

  Last night came rushing back to me. There was a lot of beer and throwing up. “I have a hangover.” Lani poured me a glass of orange juice and handed me some pills, watching as I took them gratefully.

  “I think you have some messages, and Leo said to take your time getting in. You don’t work at The Reef tonight, right?” Lani said, turning to pour something into a bowl. “Oh, Ben called a couple of hours ago. He wanted to catch you before you headed to the beach. I think I caught him off guard in a big way.” She wrinkled her nose and looked down. “I made some eggs.”

  “I’ll try to eat. I need something in my stomach after last night.” I shuddered at the pieces of memory from the night before and took a long drink of the juice. This shit wasn’t going to be a regular thing. “I’ll call Ben after I eat.”

  Chapter Five

  Ben

  I tried to edit some shots from a wedding I shot in Jamaica as I waited for Ryan to call me. I told myself that I wasn’t waiting for him, but my heart was racing. I called him today before he usually headed out to surf to
tell him to have a great day, and a girl answered the phone.

  The logical part of me knew that he was not sexually involved with the woman. I even felt relieved when I found out it was Lani, though I wondered what happened to get her there. They worked together but didn't seem that close.

  The distance started to eat away at me after that. I knew going in that this wouldn’t be easy, but I missed him. I wanted to see Ryan, and I pushed away my laptop, reaching for my coffee to take a long drink. I had a deadline of two weeks to get the wedding shots edited and sent to the happy couple, and I opened my email on the computer.

  I had one that was just for bookings and scanned them slowly, still marveling at my success as I did. I paused at one and opened it, reading the offer slowly as my mind went into overtime. It was for a shoot in Belize with a woman wanting engagement photos since the wedding would be taking place there. I checked the date to my calendar, seeing it free and then the pay. It offered the usual hotel and car, and while it wasn’t the most money I had earned on a job, it wasn’t bad.

  I responded and checked that off my calendar as we worked out the details. It was for a month from now when Fall was kicking in here. The weather there would be pleasant, and I decided to add a couple of days to the trip.

  My phone rang when I finished with that, and I glanced over to see Ryan’s name on the screen. I sighed and picked it up, hearing a weak voice on the other end. “Ryan? Are you okay?”

  “I drank a lot last night. I went in to give my notice, and one beer led to another.” I raised a brow, knowing that wasn’t like him. “Lani answered because she helped me last night. I was a mess, and she just wanted to keep an eye on me.” I thought I heard the panic in his voice and felt sympathy, replacing the irritation I was feeling earlier. “I missed surfing and I’m going to the shop late. I’m pissed at myself.”