IslandAffair

swallowed a lot of the pool water.” He ran his fingertips over the
tender lump on John’s forehead, frowning in concern. Despite the pain even that
gentle caress brought, a thrill of awareness shot though him and his cock tried
valiantly to respond. When the hand dropped John wanted to ask to be touched
again, but pushed the thought from his mind. Too soon, far too soon.
    “Och, it’ll be fine. I’ve got a hard head.” One that
feels as if it is going to explode any minute.
    Robin smiled again and rolled his eyes, skepticism clear,
but let it go. “Thanks for trying to stop me from falling in.”
    “It was a daft thing to do, I didn’t even think about it. I
think it’s me who owes you now,” John said ruefully.
    He shook his head. “Let’s just say we’re even then.” He
quirked a brow. “Not to state the obvious but, you’re Scottish?”
    “Technically, yes.”
    Robin’s smile grew wider. “That sounds like a pretty big
technicality.”
    John shot a glance at Dan, who had finally succeeded in
getting rid of their audience and now stood alert, eyes traveling restlessly
over the poolside vacationers. “I haven’t lived in Scotland for ten years.”
Robin followed his gaze and curiosity shone from his eyes.
    “Who are these guys?”
    Now that was something he wasn’t ready to explain. What if
they frightened Robin away? Besides, he had sworn not to tell anyone the who or
whys of it, they felt he was safer that way. Deliberately John let his gaze
roam the length of Robin’s body from his water-slick hair to equally wet
shorts, which now outlined the bulge of what looked like the start of a very
impressive erection, and let his interest show in his face. “Bodyguards,” he
said dismissively. Surprisingly, instead of responding in kind Robin blushed
and looked away, clearly uncomfortable with his appraisal.
    What was Robin doing here if he was uncomfortable with
another man’s interest? Intrigued John leaned closer, catching the scent of coconut
and soap from Robin’s honey-gold skin. A drop of water from his wet hair
trickled down his face to his neck. Robin’s hand lifted to brush it away and
John dragged his eyes back to his face.
    “Bodyguards?” he asked, doubt clear in his tone as he took
in John’s disheveled and obviously fit appearance.
    John shrugged and smiled ruefully. “It’s a long story.” He
caught sight of his fourth shadow over Robin’s shoulder and grimaced. The guard
was weaving his way through the sun-worshippers with a short, portly man in
tow. His black bag marked him clearly as a doctor and made John frown harder.
Robin followed his glare and a tension he hadn’t noticed relaxed out of the
man’s shoulders. He rose smoothly to his feet, the friendly impersonal smile
back on his face.
    “Well, it looks as though the cavalry has arrived. It was
nice to meet you Mr…uh, John.” Robin searched the concrete around him, not
meeting his eyes, and John realized he was looking for his belongings.
    Knowing he planned to leave, John made another rash
decision.
    “Have dinner with me,” John blurted.
    “I don’t even know you.” He blushed again and John knew that
he wanted to find out what else made the man flush with color, wanted to see
him again with an uncomfortable longing. It made no sense and he gave in to it
anyway.
    “You know me well enough to drag me out of the pool. I owe
you dinner for that at least.”
    “You don’t owe me anything. I really don’t think it’s a good
idea.”
    “A drink then,” John coaxed, smiling at him. “What harm
could it do? Please, let me buy you a drink at least.”
    He smiled back. “All right, a drink.”
    “In the hotel bar, at nine. I’ll look forward to it.”
    Robin nodded and turned away, bending to pick up his shirt,
flip-flops and soggy baseball cap. John admired the taut curve of his backside
through the damp fabric. Oh, I am definitely looking forward to it.

Chapter Two
     
    Robin swirled the ice in the bottom of his second double
whiskey and debated whether to order a third. What on earth had possessed him
to get here early? He looked around, taking in the bamboo furniture and the
open patio leading to the lit pool. It was quiet; there were only a handful of
couples sitting at secluded tables. The bartender was polishing glasses at the
far end of the bar where he perched on a stool. Robin absently admired that
slender body whenever the man wasn’t looking. He was pretty, no doubt, but
Robin found