Away in a Tentacle Lair

7. Leo

Chapter seven

Leo

L azing in my hotel room isn't going to help me discover what I need to secure these job. But it is helping me remember the feel of Kai's body pressed against mine.

Okay, my wetsuit prevented me from feeling his skin, but the way he relaxed into me felt good.

Yeah, it was because he blacked out for those few seconds, denying me from enjoying it at the time, but knowing he is safe and well, I can relish in the memory.

Clothed in nothing but trunks, he was a sight to behind, each muscle toned by the sea itself.

My hand reaches inside my shorts, taking my length in a loose grip. My fingers get to play while I close my eyes and remember his bright eyes and confident smile. The passionate look on his face, unfortunately not aimed at me, but instead filled with his conviction for his conservation.

My hand stalls as I remember my dream job being the target of his eco-warrior drive. He obviously doesn't understand the centre's work on marine research and conservation. Ignoring my swollen cock, my mind begins to search for examples I could give him.

I could quote all the prestigious papers the centre is named in and all the research credited to the scientists working there. It was my paper on seahorse reproductive anatomy that got me lined up for this crazy month-long interview process.

But can I think of any ‘ good’ it has done?

One practical application for the information learned?

His dream of cleaning up the bay by hand isn't so naive after all. I still need to ask him what animals could be doing the same cleanup job as him, but on a smaller scale, so that I can get the job I came for.

I could offer him access to the research centre.

Or access me if he thinks my presence is as compelling a reason to stay as he is to me.

Instead of finding pleasure in my memory of today's events, I miss my family. They'd be snuggling under blankets, ready to watch the same movies we put on each year, mugs of steaming hot chocolate and a tin of roses making the rounds.

My favourite is the coconut one, but because no one else likes them, I save the best until last. Then, when all the other chocolates are gone, I'm left with a little pile in the bottom of the tin and the tin itself, which is useful for storing random stuff back home.

Fossils and seashells, mainly.

This may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience before I return home in the new year.

The phone beside the bed rings, and I roll over to answer it.

“Good morning, Mr Rowlands, this is reception.”

“Oh, hi.” A wave of cold heat flushes over me as I panic about my reservation. The research centre is only funding my room for as long as I am in the running for the job. If I've been disqualified for today, I'll have to cover the cost of the room myself for tonight.

“You have a visitor in reception.”

“Ah.” A house call to fire me, perhaps.

“It's one of the Briareus boys, sir.”

“I'll be right down.”

It's either Kai come to… Well, I've no idea why he would come, but the alternative is another family member coming to beat me up over what happened.

The family's closeness and control of the area feels criminal. I'm no expert, but that would make them a mafia family, or whatever they'd call it in this area.

There is only one way to find out.

I head downstairs to the pleasant surprise of Kai waiting to see me.

“I didn't expect to see you again.” It's not the best greeting, but it's an honest one.

“You saved my life,” Kai shrugs. “I had to make sure my folks were okay with…”

His feet twist like he's nervous, and his head drops. “Would you like to come to dinner with me?”

“As a thank you or as a date?” I close the distance between us.

“I've already said thank you,” he whispers. His head lifts, eyes only a few inches below mine.

“I'd love to.” I'd love to lean forward and kiss those plump lips, too, but I resist for now.

“Is it local? I don't have transport?”

“I've brought a spare helmet if you don't mind the bitch seat.”

“It seems you've thought of everything.” I praise, keeping the words good boy from tumbling out of my mouth.

I'm too close. The static between us is making those lips hard to resist, but my step back feels like a barrier. “I'll just grab my phone from my room.”

“Sure,” he shrugs like a lost puppy.

“Did you want to come with me?” Tagging along behind me might be a little less nerve-racking for him than standing alone in the hotel foyer.

“Okay.” He walks with me to the lift, and we wait in awkward silence as off-key Christmas music plays in the background.

I want to talk to him, but I'm torn between asking about the bay's wildlife and whether I can kiss him. Neither is appropriate at this stage of our date.

Showing him my hotel room is also inappropriate at this stage on our date, but this is already the strangest date I've been on, and I've not left the building yet.

Kai seems almost reluctant to be here. There's chemistry, sure. But it feels like he told his family he likes me, and they forced this date on him.

I should be flattered, but it's probably not a compliment towards me, but a lack of other options for him. How many gay relationship prospects live on this remote tropical island?

Would I cancel the date if I knew it was because I'm the only gay man he's going to see this side of the new year? Hell no. I'll let him dictate the pace, but my optimistic mind says this could be the start of something special. My worst-case scenario is that Kai becomes nothing more than a great memory to rake home with me.

Either way, I'm making the most of today.