Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

after their emotional and physical exertions. When they had finally dragged themselves up and out of bed, they spent the rest of the day just hanging around the cottage relaxing. Cole had made crepes for breakfast while Michael set out plates and utensils and made fresh orange juice. They worked seamlessly together, with an ease and comfort that normally takes years together to create. It was almost eerie how well they fit together.
    Most of the afternoon had been spent enjoying the sun, the beach and the ocean. Their banter had been fun and their mood light. As evening had rolled around, and the inevitable could be put off no longer, that lightness gave way to tension. They ordered takeout sushi from The Shack once again and sat on the deck enjoying the quietude.
    Michael rose from his chair and held his hand out to Cole. "Care to take one last stroll on the beach with me?"
    Cole placed his hand in Michael's. "Yeah. I'd like that."
    They strolled hand in hand along the shore. The tide had receded, leaving stones and seashells in its wake. The warm seawater lapped at their feet as they walked and eroded away their footprints in the sand. Neither Cole nor Michael said anything, both weighed down by their thoughts.
    It was Michael who first broke the standoff. They sat in the dry sand, their shoulders touching, and watched the sun begin to descend below the ocean horizon. "I don't want this to end here," he said. "I'm not ready for it to end."
    "Me either," assured Cole. "To be honest, Michael, I don't know how this will work, or even if it will work, but I'm willing to try if you are."
    "Yeah, I am. If I ace my presentation tomorrow, I'll need to come back in October for the casino's grand opening. I could come early and maybe spend a week with you in Camden." Michael had come up with that plan earlier in the day as he lay drifting in the sea. Sitting here now, he felt self-conscious about mentioning it. What if Cole didn't want to wait for him?
    "That would be great. I'd love it if you came. I could maybe take some time off, show you around town. I'd really like to show you my bakery."
    The silence engulfed them once again, but it wasn't strained or heavy. It was peaceful. They sat there, arms wound around each other, watching the sun go down, each feeling content in the knowledge they were going to do this. Together.
    When the sky was almost completely dark, they wandered arm in arm back up to the cottage. They made sure to exchange phone numbers and email addresses. They friended each other on Facebook. The rest of the evening was spent packing their bags and cleaning up the cottage. Cole had to get back to his bakery and Michael was flying home after his meeting the next day.
    That night they made love. It was slow and sensual. The focus on pleasure, touch and connection rather than barreling toward climax. It was a first for both of them. Cole had never had sex with feeling and Michael never with feelings so real.
    The next morning Michael stood before the mirror straightening the knot on his tie and giving himself one last look in the mirror. He could see Cole hovering in the doorway behind him, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his bare chest, staring directly at him.
    "You look good in a suit. Real good." Cole said before he pushed off the doorframe and sauntered up behind him. He slid his arms around Michael's waist and kissed the side of his neck. It gave Michael goose bumps. His presentation to the casino board was in an hour. He was nervous about the job, but there was an added layer to his uneasiness this morning. It was time for him and Cole to say good-bye.
    Michael searched the reflection in the mirror. His eyes met and held Cole's emerald green ones. Neither moved as they stood there staring at one another in the glass, speaking without words.
    Michael turned in Cole's arms and gathered his face in his hands. He melted their lips together and kissed him deep and languidly. It wasn't meant to stir arousal, just spark intimacy. He put everything he had into that kiss, trying to sear the memory into Cole's brain so he wouldn't forget and his own so he could remember.
    Michael reluctantly pulled away from the kiss. "Thank you for showing me around town and for our first date. And for giving this a chance."
    Cole gave Michael one last squeeze before letting go. "I'm really glad you landed that casino job. I know you'll do great today. And tell Elijah I said thanks. I seriously owe him one."