Page 36 of Hearts Colliding
A swimmer came into view, effortlessly cutting through the calm sea. Alex shielded his eyes and squinted, but they were too far out for him to see clearly.
The swimmer was good, fast and strong, and Alex followed their confident progress, so different from his own ungainly thrashing about. They turned and headed for shore and Alex groaned. He’d come here to escape the claustrophobia of the house and his thoughts, remembering the cove was a quiet, lonely place, the steep, rough, crumbly path down making it difficult for most, dangerous for some. Perhaps it was time to go. Bracing his arms to push himself to standing he froze as the swimmer emerged from the waves and stalked towards him.
Ryan raked his dripping hair out of his eyes, and Alex was powerless to stop his gaze travelling down the younger man’s body, across the muscled chest adorned with the ink he’d traced with his fingertip, over defined abdominals, over…Oh, god.Soaking wet trunks clung to Ryan, outlining the bulge that just a couple of nights before—
“Thought I was on my own. Only locals come here, and hardly any of them. Ah, but I forgot. You are a local.”
“Once, maybe.” Was that croak really him? Alex coughed away the sudden dryness in his throat. “I needed to get out of the house, and I remembered this place but I was about to leave so you'll have it to yourself.” He scrambled for his towel, his movements clumsy as he ended up throwing sand all over himself. He was as awkward and ungainly as a teenager, and heat throbbed in his cheeks.
Ryan shrugged. “No need to go on my account.”
“There’s every need.” Alex didn’t even try and stop the groan escaping him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so—”
“Uptight? Snotty? Rude? But why use one word when all three’ll do?”
Alex’s shoulders sagged. He’d asked for that. “Yes, well I suppose… Look, I’m sorry, okay? But I really should be going.” Grabbing his towel, he stood up.
Ryan laughed. “Where the fuck did you get those swimming trunks?”
Alex looked down at himself, at lemons dancing with oranges around pink palm trees on a bright green background.
“At a beach shop, on the way. It was either these or ones with unicorns.” God, they really were horrible. “Glad you think they’re funny.”
“It’s because they are. Ever thought of applying to be a style icon?” Ryan shook his head, his laughter now a low, rumbly chuckle.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Alex wrapped the towel around his middle, covering the hideous trunks. Reaching for his neatly folded clothes on top of a large boulder, Ryan’s words stilled his hand.
“You don’t have to go because of me.”
Oh, I really think I do.“I’ve—” His words were cut off by a loud gurgle from his stomach.
“Got to have something to eat by the sounds of it.”
“Yes.” Alex pulled the towel tighter. He should go, but instead his toes scrunched into the sand, anchoring him to the spot. He glanced up at Ryan through his lashes. Why the hell wasn’t the man feeling as damn awkward as he was?
Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze seeking out something over Alex’s shoulder, the tightness in his face at odds with his easy, breezy tone. Alex’s own nerves calmed. Despite his apparent confidence, Ryan was as uncomfortable as he was.
“I brought some sandwiches with me. Stashed them behind a rock.” Ryan nodded further along the little cove. “Happy to share them.”
“Are you inviting me to have lunch with you?”
“They’re just cheese and pickle, and some chicken pie. From pie night.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
Ryan stopped rubbing at his neck. Frowning in confusion, his gaze rested on Alex’s. “What do you mean?”
“Eating with the enemy.”
“Why should it be when I’ve already slept with him?”
Alex jerked, his face pulsing hot and cold.Thiswas why he had to go.
“I’m sorry. That just… I thought I was being flippant, but it was… Oh, fuck. I’m sorry, all right? For being a dick. Don’t suppose you’re interested in a cheese and pickle now?” Ryan’s lips twisted in an awkward, embarrassed smile.
“No, I’m not” He absolutely needed not to be interested, but his stomach grumbled in disagreement. “I—Well, I suppose I could be tempted.” High above, a gull screeched, sounding too much like mocking laughter.
Ryan grinned and rushed off along the short beach before Alex could change his mind, disappearing behind one of the many boulders scattered around, returning moments later with a pile of clothes, and a cool bag.
