Jesse sat in the commissary at the base sipping on a Coke. The tears had stopped a while ago, but their tracks still ran down his face.

"If only I could talk with Hunter, I could fix everything," he mumbled to himself. "I've been a coward and I've been a really bad friend." Ever since Hunter went missing, Jesse blamed himself for putting Hunter in danger. If he hadn't blown up at Hunter, his best friend would never have gone on the sailboat. It was entirely his fault. Hunter left to get away … from him.

His stupid reaction to Hunter's confession was inexcusable. He knew he had feelings for Hunter. He knew it, but he'd had a gut reaction of over the top proportions. Jesse knew he was at least bi-sexual if not totally gay, but whatever he was, it was for Hunter, yes Hunter, who he had fucked, NO, who he had made love to on 'The Pearl.' All these thoughts swirled around in his mind. Then his father's voice came at him like the Titanic striking the iceberg.

"Did you tell him you love him, and he rejected you? Is that what happened?" his father said as he put his arm around his son. Jesse slowly turned his head and looked at his father with tear-filled eyes.

"It was the other way around, dad. He told me he loved me and I, I …" Jesse dissolved into a torrent of tears grabbing his father tightly. Max held his son as the tears rained down.

"Jesse, it's okay son. I think I know how to fix this." Jesse's tears slowed dramatically, and he pushed back to look at his father with reddened eyes.

"You and Hunter need to talk. It's that simple. He told you how he feels and now it's time for you to tell him how you feel. The slight problem we have is Hunter has disappeared." The tears started up again. "I know you love him son and I want you to know that's fine with me. I don't care. I love you, period. Your mom and I both love you and who you love is up to you … boy, girl, Zebra, mountain lion" … Jesse snorted … "although I will be honest, I'm not too sure about the bestiality aspect of all that. Jesse looked up at his father and smiled.

"T-thank y-you," he stammered to his father. "I-I love you too."

"Don't you worry. I'm going to find Hunter."

* * * * *

"That's the last grid, Capt'n," Ted said quietly. "Sorry we didn't find the boat." Max banked the Guardian to the right. "Uh, Capt'n. The base is the other way."

"I know. We've got enough fuel for thirty more minutes and I wanna check out a hunch." Ted shrugged his shoulders.

"You're the boss." Ted tried to figure out what kind of hunch his captain had as he continued to scan the open waters of the Atlantic below them.

Max Westphal had been the lead search team captain for almost a decade. In Coast Guard circles, he was revered the best. Grid searches were monotonous, but necessary. Trying to find a lost ship at sea was frustrating at best. Somehow, Max Westphal overcame the frustration and succeeded in finding what others wrote off as a lost cause. His gut instincts were legendary. Many a co-pilot questioned his judgment and his methodology. The celebrated captain often just struck out on an unknown tangent and found what he was looking for.

In reality, Max relied on instinct and a keen understanding of the Atlantic Ocean. Once the grid was covered, he put his mind to work. A sailboat was missing. The storm winds were from the west, pushing the sailboat to the east. The storm had moved from the mainland well out into the Atlantic, past the Gulf Stream. According to all the weather data, the winds after the storm had been calm, but primarily southerly. Without the effects of the north bound Gulf Stream, the sailboat would have been pushed south. The search grid covered the area where the missing boat should have been, given its last course and destination from the AIS data. That was the best place for book-learned men to start. Men with years of experience knew that it didn't always play out that way.

Max flew well south of the search grid. Ted could only scan the waters as his captain followed his infamous hunch. The feeling was familiar. Ted had been on more than one mission when his captain went out on a tangent. It still amazed Ted as to how Max seemed to home in on an unseen and undetected signal, ultimately zeroing in on the missing boat.

The simple fact was that the prevailing winds would have pushed a sailboat south. It was just a matter of figuring out how far out to sea the craft had been pushed before those winds took over. Max counted on the missing sailboat to be pushed toward the Bahamas and its some odd seven hundred islands covering over one hundred thousand square miles of crystal-clear water. Many of those islands were privately owned. That didn't matter. A sailboat with a strong southerly wind would be pushed in the direction Captain Westphal was flying. His many years of experience told him the missing sailboat was close by.

* * * * *

Max was the first one to try and influence his son. He tried everything he knew to get his son interested in the ocean, boats and ultimately, the US Coast Guard. He tried everything he knew, but nothing worked. His son was just not interested at all in following in his father's footsteps. Max had started early, when Jesse was just five years old and every year thereafter, but Jesse was just interested in his friends and school sports.

Max was transferred from the Coast Guard Station in Charleston to the station in Jacksonville, so he moved his family to St. Mary's when Jesse was nine. His son hated him then, after all, in the young boy's mind, his father had taken him away from everything he knew, including his friends.

Jesse became withdrawn after the move. He had no interest in school, making friends or anything, except reading his books. Max couldn't even entice him with his famous animal shaped pancakes. Jesse told him, with absolutely no expression on his face, that he preferred his regular cereal.

Ultimately, it was Hunter that finally got Jesse interested in something besides sitting in his room all day. Max remembered when Hunter showed up at their door one day wearing nothing but cut off blue jeans and a smile. The kid used a piece of rope for a belt. Hunter introduced himself as their neighbor down the street and asked if their son would like to go sailing. Jesse took one look at Hunter and any hesitation evaporated. By the end of that day, Jesse and Hunter were best friends.

If the kid from down the street could get Jesse interested in sailing and the wonders of the ocean, Max was all for it. It was Max's father that most influenced his own love of the sea. Grandpa John was a sailor through and through. He taught his son every aspect of sailing, including a healthy respect for the great oceans and the power that Mother Nature had over them. It was that respect of the ocean that ultimately led Max to join the Coast Guard.

* * * * *

"Got an island at ten o'clock, Capt'n," Ted said breaking Max from his thoughts. Max nodded and banked to jet toward the island. They raced over the island at three hundred knots, but what he saw was very promising.

"Slow 'er down and make another pass, captain," Ted said without moving the binoculars from his eyes.

Max took a deep breath and banked the Guardian around for another pass. He slowed his airspeed to a hundred-ten knots, just short of stall speed. The coast guard jet flew over the island again. There was a figure on the lagoon beach jumping up and down and waving his arms like mad.

"Got'm Capt'n," Ted said with ever-growing excitement in his voice. "Good goddamn, I can't believe it!" Max wagged the jet's wings from side to side letting those on the ground know that they had been seen. He even went so far as to barrel roll the jet. "Whew we! Now that's what I call a celebration!" Max turned the jet back toward Jacksonville and called in his report. As he finished, a little niggling in the back of his mind, niggled harder. On the first fly over, two boys were embraced on the beach. What did that mean? Was Hunter glad to see someone? Had Hunter taken up with someone else after his falling out with Jesse? How would his son react to this? Max actually started to panic at his son's reaction to the news but caught himself. What he saw wasn't necessarily indicative of anything. The circumstances could be explained in many different ways. Hunter had obviously been lost at sea for days and he would naturally be happy to be found. And where was Captain Turner in all this? He'd only seen two boys on the beach. The discovery of the 'Stargazer' was a plume in his cap, but the questions his discovery conjured up left Max perplexed. He didn't know the answer, but he did know he had to tell his son what he had seen. Coast Guard helicopters were already on the way. Hopefully, Hunter and Captain Turner would be on board a rescue helicopter within the hour.

* * * * *

Brice Throckmorton embraced the stranger in his arms and held him tight. The boy obviously needed the human contact and support. The sudden sound of a jet flying overhead didn't even register as Hunter held on to his savior.

"Thank you," Hunter said with his voice full of emotion. "I've been lost at sea. You're the first person I've seen in days. And, and I don't even know your name," he sobbed. Brice held the boy tightly in his arms. He must have been through a harrowing experience for him to act his way.

"I'm Brice," he said softly. "Welcome to my island." Jet afterburners blasted through the peacefully tranquility of the island paradise. Hunter looked up.

"They've found me," he whispered. He jumped up and danced on the shoreline. "They found me!" he screamed as the jet flew overhead again, wagging its wings to let him know he'd been seen. Hunter was ecstatic and he danced a dance of elation on the shores of Brice's lagoon.

Brice didn't quite know what to think. He did know he was attracted to the young blond sailor, now cutting cartwheels down the beach of the lagoon. He also knew his father hated that he was gay. Brice looked out across the lagoon and gazed at the sailboat drifting lazily in the clear water. What the exiled boy saw was a way to freedom, an escape from his father's oppression. He glanced up and watched the jet do a flawless barrel roll. The clock had started ticking. Brice knew he had a truly short time to convince the boy to take him away.

"Hey, what is your name?" Brice called out.

"I'm Hunter," the boy called out as he ran up grinning like a mad man.

"Hunter, nice to meet you," Brice said extending his hand. Hunter grabbed the offered hand and shook it firmly.

"Where am I?" Hunter asked.

"This is my family's private island. We're about a hundred miles east northeast of Miami on the northern edge of the Bahamas near Walker's Cay," Brice explained.

"Good God, I've traveled over, ah, well, I started at Jacksonville, but we got hit by a really bad blow."

"We?" Brice asked.

"Captain Turner, well, ah, he was killed when we got knocked down," Hunter explained softly as he gazed off into the palm trees. This news stunned Brice.

"Uh, not to be insensitive, but where is the captain now?" Brice asked quietly.

"I had to bury him at sea," he explained as he looked down to his lap.

"God, I'm so sorry," Brice said as he put his hand gently on Hunter's shoulder. "It must have been horrible." Hunter turned to look at the dark-haired boy. As his blue eyes slightly glazed with moisture, Hunter couldn't help but smile.

"It was pure hell, but now, here I am safe and sound and I have you and your island to thank for saving my life." Brice grinned and gave Hunter a quick hug.

"You should rinse the salt water off and join me for lunch," Brice suggested pointing out the freshwater shower and the stack of fluffy white towels on the adjacent shelf.

"God, I bet I stink," Hunter mumbled as he walked over to the shower. Calmly shucking his shorts, he stepped under the warm water spray.

Brice's heart was thundering in his chest as he watched a naked Hunter take a shower. He intently looked on as the water and soap bubbles cascaded down rippling muscles. Hunter's wet body glistened suggestively in the sunlight accentuating each curve. Perfectly rounded globes of flesh … Brice caught himself and snapped his mouth shut. Running his hand over his mouth, Brice cleaned himself of some drool.

"Master Brice! Master Brice! Are you alright?" the butler called out as he emerged from the path to the house. Brice looked over at Hunter in the shower and then quickly glanced at the sailboat floating peacefully in the lagoon.

"Yes, never been better, Chuck. That is my new friend, Hunter," Brice said gesturing to the shower. "And that is his sailboat," he said nodding toward the 'Stargazer.' "He will be joining me for lunch. If it would not be an inconvenience, please bring another plate." The butler couldn't hold back his surprised expression as he looked the soaking wet guest up and down.

"Master Brice, I do not think …"

"You are absolutely right, Chuck. You are not paid to think. You are paid to keep me comfortable, well fed and happy. Right now, what will make me happy is another plate of food for my guest." By this time, Hunter was toweling off. He sensed the tension and tried to ease the situation.

"I don't want to be any trouble."

"Nonsense," Brice said. "Chuck here was just headed up to get you some lunch, weren't you, Chuck?" The butler stammered a bit then regained his professional demeanor.

"Of course, Master Brice. Right away, sir."

"Thanks, Chuck." The butler turned to head up to the house, then stopped and turned back to face Brice.

"I am well paid to serve this family, sir, but I prefer to be called Charles, if you don't mind."

"Sure thing, Chuck," Brice said dismissively. Hunter watched as the man huffed and then disappeared back up the path.

"You were kinda hard on him, don't ya think?" Brice smiled a wicked smile.

"He tells my father everything I do and I mean everything. He has never given me a break, ever. Dear old dad gets detailed written reports on my every move. I know dad pays him well, but you would think he could show me some leniency once in a while." Hunter pulled his shorts back on, much to the annoyance of Brice, and sat down in the opposite chair. He spared a glance at Brice. A hundred different thoughts were going through his head and 'spoiled brat' was at the top of the list.

Brice took in the look from his guest. He'd seen that look before.

"I may have just come off as a stuck-up rich kid … "

"More like a spoiled brat," Hunter interrupted. Brice grinned and shook his head in agreement.

"Yes, I guess I do act like that from time to time, but that is not the real me." Brice turned and looked at the sailboat. "I have dreamed of someone coming to this island to save me from all this, this … shit." Hunter looked up at the huge house. Then he glanced down at the sterling silver, the bone China and the expensive bottle of wine.

"Excuse me, but save you from all this?" Hunter questioned as he gestured to the surrounding opulence. Brice frowned.

"Not everything is as it appears." Brice took a deep breath. It was time to convince this boy to take him away. "My father keeps me under his thumb. He watches my every move or has someone watch me," he explained as he nodded toward the house. "I am told how to act, how to dress, how to speak, whom I can socialize with or more importantly, whom I can not socialize with." Brice's gaze turned from the sailboat to his guest. "I am homosexual, ah, gay, Hunter. My father does not like that one bit. He sent me here so he can get rid of the boy I have been, to use his words, canoodling with whilst at school. He will stop at nothing to see that his son is a carbon copy of himself."

Hunter was astounded as he took in the story of his new friend's life. On the surface, Brice had everything anyone could ever want for. Underneath the shiny exterior was a miserable life. It was one of those life lessons that stays with you all your days … money truly does not buy happiness. Hunter could only nod slowly. Brice took the silence to mean his guest was uncomfortable.

"I hope that my being homosexual does not make you uncomfortable."

"Oh, no. That's not it at all. It's just that I always thought if I had a lot of money that I'd be happy. I guess I've just realized that we all have things in our lives that cause us hardship and pain no matter what our net worth. And I've also realized that the two of us have more in common than our 'exterior' lives would lead people to believe." Hunter took a calming breath. "I'm gay too, by the way." He paused and looked directly into Brice's piercing green eyes. "I've only admitted that to one other person, until now." The smile on Brice's face slowly grew into an all-out grin.

"Another plate of lunch for your, ah, guest Master Brice," Charles announced as he emerged from the walkway to the house. Both Brice and Hunter grinned at each other. As Chuck strut back up to the house, the conversation continued.

"You're very handsome, Hunter. I think some boy is going to be very lucky to have you." Brice blushed at his own admission, but his shyness dissolved as a sad look came over Hunter's face. "I'm sorry, Hunter. Did I say something wrong?" Hunter shook his head.

"No, no, it's not you," Hunter said as he leaned back in his chair. "My best friend, or should I say, my ex-best friend and I had a huge fight just before I set sail. I told him I loved him, and he told me he never wanted to see me again. And he punched me in the face to drive his point home." Tears welled up in Hunter's eyes as he thought about Jesse. He glanced out at 'The Stargazer' then looked back at Brice. "We used to sail every weekend during school and almost every day during the summer. He was the first person I ever had sex with. To him, it was just a one-time experimental thing and it never happened again, but I never got over it. I used to dream about holding him in my arms again, feeling his warm skin against mine and touching his wonderful hardness and making him feel good." Hunter looked wistful as his eyes turned back to the sailboat. "I made the mistake of falling in love with someone that could never return that love. When he told me he never wanted to see me again, he ripped a huge hole in my heart that will never heal."

"And he made a huge mistake," Brice said softly. Hunter snapped his blue eyes around and locked them with the intense green eyes across the table. "From what little I know of you Hunter, you are a thoughtful, considerate, kind and caring person. It would take a fool to reject you." Brice threw caution to the wind and prodded on. "I'd never do that to you."

* * * * *

Jesse watched as his dad's jet landed. The good news of locating the lost sailboat and the sighting of a sole survivor filled Jesse's heart with hope of a second chance. Two Jayhawk helicopters had taken flight on the recovery mission as soon as the radio message came in on the sighting. In just a short while, Hunter would be picked up and brought to the Coast Guard Station. Jesse's heart was hammering in his chest. What would he say to Hunter? How could he ever apologize for his horrible response to Hunter's admission? And that's what it was, Jesse told himself. It was a horrific response, but in his own self-defense, the news was like a blindsided punch. Jesse didn't see 'that' coming, not by a long shot.

He knew he had feelings for Hunter, but he wasn't supposed to have 'those' kinds of feelings. He was supposed to fall in love with a girl, get married, have lots of kids and live a happy life. That's what he had been told all his life by his parents, his friends, his teachers and his church, so that's what he subconsciously expected of himself. The messages had been clear in their meaning, but camouflaged as everyday words.

'Just wait 'til you're grown up and have your own kids,' was a popular one when he was in trouble. 'You'll find someone special someday, settle down and have kids of your own,' was another. He'd heard about Adam and Eve and the story about the garden. He even knew there was an adult bookstore of the same name that he definitely should not know about. 'When you're an adult and have your own kids, you'll understand,' seemed to be a popular message as well. All of these sayings were subliminal messages to be straight, marry and have kids.

The feelings he had for Hunter interfered with those messages and therefore his plans. Hunter's admission literally threw the proverbial wrench into the works and turned Jesse's world upside down. He'd reacted the only way he knew, he'd lashed out, defensively. Admitting to the feelings he had for his best friend was something he was not ready to do. He had to admit them to himself first and that hadn't happened. That was then. But now, things had changed.

Jesse had seen all the signs, but he chose to ignore them. He'd stolen glances at his best friend when he wasn't looking. The way the cutoffs clung to Hunter's skin barely hid the extremely healthy physique beneath. The way goose bumps would come up on Hunter's chest and the resulting perking of his nipples caused a shudder to pass through Jesse's body. The warm touch of Hunter's leg against his as they sat down to dinner in the cabin of 'The Pearl' was enough to increase blood flow to areas of Jesse's body that caused him to blush. Jesse found himself hard pressed to find anyone that even remotely matched Hunter's handsome face. And those were just the physical manifestations of Jesse's feelings.

The emotional side wasn't much better.

During the days Hunter was lost at sea, Jesse's emotions had taken a savage beating. They ran from guilt and remorse to anger and rage and on to loss and desperation.

The huge fight was the source of his guilt. When he remembered that he had actually hit Hunter just before delivering those words … those words that had cut so deep and then the defeated and hurt look on Hunter's face. Jesse was racked with guilt.

The feelings hidden deep within him caused the anger and rage. He didn't understand the strange longings that would appear briefly, seemingly out of nowhere, only to disappear but leave a lasting impression of the feeling with no reason behind it. The anger came from not knowing where these 'feelings' were coming from and having no idea what they meant.

The possibility that Hunter would never return caused the loss and a desperate need set things straight. It was a classic situation. You say something in the heat of the moment, realizing later what you said was wrong only to be denied the opportunity to set it straight.

The thought of Hunter dying while thinking he was hated by his best friend brought tears of remorse. The very thought of Hunter never knowing how sorry he was for saying and doing the things that hurt his best friend was, at times, more than Jesse could deal with. He would dissolve into tears, painful heart wrenching sobs dropping him to his knees and surrounding him in a cold cloak of hopeless grief.

It was natural for two young teenage boys to put their arms around each other and Jesse found himself remembering those times with a bit more than fond affection. He remembered them with a warmth in his chest and a fuzzy feeling in his mind. The constant longing to be close combined with thoughts that stayed with him from sunrise to sunset. Then there was the one time he had given in to all those feelings. That one glorious moment gave his feelings a moment of unbridled passion. They sang out to the heavens when he finally let his guard down and submitted to the long burning desire.

* * * * *

"Jesse! Come on!" Hunter yelled from the cockpit of 'The Pearl.' Hunter's best friend lumbered down the dock carrying an ice chest.

"Aye aye, Captain Bligh!" Jesse yelled back as he handed the ice chest over to Hunter.

"Damn this is heavy. What do you have in here, the kitchen sink?"

"Nope, just dinner and a bit of a surprise."

"Surprise, huh? Lemme see," Hunter said as he tried to open the cooler. Jesse climbed on board and grabbed the cooler.

"Nope, not til supper time."

"Ah, you're no fun," Hunter faked a pout.

"Aye, captain. I can be a whole lot more fun than you can imagine." Jesse realized what he had said as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He immediately turned to the cabin to stow the cooler, all the while blushing furiously.

"Aye, matey, you'd be surprised at what I can imagine," Hunter mumbled under his breath.

"The Pearl" set sail that Friday afternoon and headed down the St. Mary's River with two seasoned fifteen-year-old sailors on board. Their destination was the beach at the south end of Cumberland Island. It was the perfect place to anchor. There was a lot of boat traffic there, but the soft sands of the pristine beach more than made up for it.

A steady fifteen knot wind pushed "The Pearl" down the St. Mary's River at a rock solid seven knots. Hunter glanced at his watch.

"Jesse, let's make a speed run, tighten the main." Hunter watched the lean muscles in Jesse's back flex as he cranked in the main sail. Pure hormonal lust thumped through Hunter's veins. Blood flow increased as well to the lower regions of Hunter's body. The boat slowly heeled more to port.

"Hunter! Tighten the jib!" Jesse called out. Surprised by his lack of attention to the sailboat, Hunter quickly tightened the jib and balanced the sails. Jesse settled back in the cockpit and put his arms behind his head.

"Where's yer head at Capt'n?"

"Not where it wants to be," Hunter said before he had a chance to think about it.

"Huh?" asked Jesse. Hunter glanced down at his friend's ripped stomach and the happy trail that emerged from the cut off shorts.

"Ah, nothing. Just seeing how fast we can go."

"Oh, okay." Cumberland Island was large barrier island popular with tourists. There was even a ferry that took visitors over. It was known for its unspoiled beaches and wild horses.

"So, what's the surprise?" Hunter asked. Jesse smiled wickedly.

"Once we're around the point, I'll bring it up."

"Oh, come on, Jesse. Gimme a break. What are you hiding from me?"

"My great big ol gigantic hard-on, Capt'n," Jesse said with a smirk on his face. Hunter just about fell off the boat.

The boys dropped anchor at seven o'clock, just in time to take in the sunset. Jesse disappeared into the cabin only to emerge a moment later.

"Surprise!" Jesse called out as he held up to ice cold beers.

"You got beer!" Hunter exclaimed with a broad grin.

It was one of those teenage nights that eighty-year-old men look back on with both fondness and a certain sense of sadness. The fondness for the memories that only teenage boys can make and the sadness for what might have been.

The steaks came off the grill a flawless medium rare. The corn on the cob came off the grill still in the shuck, dripping with the butter Jesse had slathered on just before putting them over the coals. The meal was perfect, and the beer took off the nervous edge that seemed to haunt the two boys over the preceding couple of months.

They shared cleaning up with Hunter washing and Jesse drying. With everything stowed they settled down in the cockpit and enjoyed their full bellies and another cold beer.

"We should take the dingy over to the beach and have a campfire," Jesse suggested.

"Awesome idea. Let's go."

Sitting by a campfire and sipping the last of their beer, Hunter felt emboldened and was fairly sure it was the alcohol. He glanced over at his best friend and found himself filled with an almost uncontrollable urge to kiss Jesse's thick, red, moist lips that glistened in the glow of the campfire. Approaching voices stirred him from his thoughts.

"Cool, it's a campfire," the boys heard coming from the surrounding shadows. Two young men emerged from the darkness. They were arm in arm and were both grinning.

"I told you all the gay boys hang out on this end of the island," one of the young men said. Jesse jumped to his feet.

"We're not gay," he said defiantly. The two young men took in the site before them and nodded to each other.

"Honey, please. You two were made for each other. It's as clear as the big ol' bulge in your pants as to what you're thinking, thank you very much."

Hunter ripped his eyes from the two visitors and zeroed in on Jesse's crotch. Sure enough, the outline of an erection was clearly evident. He gaped at the sight and despite the dim glow of the fire, he saw the deep red blush on Jesse's face.

"You boys do have condoms, don't you?"

"Ah, uh, what?!?" Jesse stammered.

"Condoms. Protection. AIDS. Gotta cover it up before you do the fuck and all that."

"We're not gay!" Jesse affirmed as he stood defiantly.

"Sure, baby. Sure. And Randy here has never sucked my cock." Jesse gaped at the two visitors. "Might wanna close that mouth darlin', unless you wanna wrap those luscious lips around yer boyfriend over there. I'm Adam, by the way and you two look just delicious," Adam said and then turned to Randy. "Honey, we've got that great big king size bed over at the hotel. Don't you think it would just be deliriously sexy if these two boys joined us?" Hunter saw his opportunity and took it.

"Come on, Jesse. Let's get back to the boat and let these two, ah, enjoy the fire."

"We're not gay," Jesse said again as he walked toward the water.

"I hope you've got some lube 'cause your boyfriend looks like he wants to fuck." Jesse's mouth looked like a fish as it opened and closed. "Here' ya go." Adam handed something to Hunter and smiled. "Your boyfriend seems to be in denial, but don't you worry sweetie, things have a way of working themselves out," he said with a wink.

"We're not gay," Jesse said again as he put his hands on his hips.

"You two enjoy yourselves," Adam said with a wink. Jesse and Hunter climbed aboard their dingy and Hunter rowed them back through the dark waters back to 'The Pearl.' Once tied up and back on board, Hunter shucked his shorts and jumped in for a quick swim. He needed to cool off. Jesse followed him by jumping in sans his shorts too. After a quick skinny dip, they both had a quick freshwater shower on the swim platform. They headed below wrapped in towels to change clothes.

"What'd he give you?" Jesse asked as he pulled on a clean pair of boxers. Hunter pulled out a condom and a plastic tube of lube. Jesse took the lube from Hunter.

"What's this?" he asked as he examined the small tube.

"Lubricant. It's used for fucking … butt fucking." Jesse blushed. "You do know what this is, what it's for and more importantly, how to use it?" Hunter asked holding up the condom. Again, Jesse blushed.

As the full moon made its way across the star filled night and the waves of ocean inlet lapped gently at the hull of 'The Pearl,' the two boys reached for each other and gave in to irresistible hormonal urges. Warm lips met warm lips and all of Jesse's worries went out the window. Hunter helped roll the condom on Jesse's erection. With his feet against the cabin top, Hunter groaned as Jesse eased himself into the hot flesh of his best friend.

* * * * *

Jesse blushed as he remembered that night. It was magical. He did not want to be gay, but the feelings he experienced left him confused. What they had done could not happen again. It was just too much to comprehend. Being gay was not something Jesse was ready to admit, despite the huge crush on his best friend. In spite of all his efforts, the memories of that night were at the forefront of every self-pleasuring moment.

Jesse tried repeatedly to think of the girls he found attractive, but eventually, when the up and down motions of his hand reached a fever pitch, his thoughts turned to that night on 'The Pearl.' Hot spurts of teenage spunk sprayed across Jesse's stomach as he thought of himself tightly sheathed inside his best friend.

Hunter's frustration grew from the fact that Jesse never once mentioned what took place. It was never brought up. It was as if it had never happened. Hunter's memories told him otherwise. Jesse had made love to him that night. It was a memory that was forever etched into his young mind - a memory he wanted to relive again and again.

And then, there was the awful day when Jesse punched Hunter.

Jesse's conflicted thoughts were broken by the sound of an approaching aircraft. The Guardian Jet slowly taxied to a stop on the tarmac. The jet's engines wound down and finally the aircraft's navigation lights were turned out. Jesse found himself holding his breath as the door was finally opened and he saw his father step out.

* * * * *

"I'd never do that to you," Brice said softly.

"What do you mean by that?" Hunter was intrigued.

"You're a handsome young man, Hunter. I'd be lying if I said I didn't find you attractive." Hunter looked at the dark-haired youth across the lunch table. The boy called Brice was certainly gorgeous and Hunter found himself attracted to not only the boy's beauty, but his declaration of intention. The opportunity presented itself and Hunter found himself interested. He took another bite of lobster and followed that with a wonderful mouthful of delicious wine.

Hunter considered all that Brice said. He considered the possibilities. He didn't consider Jesse, who was far away from the handsome rich boy seated across the table from him.

"Brice, would you like to visit my sailboat."

"I'd love to." The two boys abandoned their lunch table and dove into the lagoon headed for Hunter's sailboat. They both climbed onto the swim platform and took their clothes off. Hunter turned on the freshwater shower and turned the nozzle toward Brice. He quickly rinsed the saltwater off the boy and turned the nozzle on himself. Hunter stowed the shower nozzle and handed Brice a towel. They exchanged looks and headed below without a word.

A brief time later, Brice found his feet on the cabin top as his new friend, with each earth-shattering thrust, slowly erased the innocent memories of his times with Tyler. He replaced them with the very real emotions and feelings of being made love to by the blond-haired god that had sailed into his private lagoon. Brice smirked as Hunter drilled into his ass.

"If only daddy could see me now," he mumbled as the blond god's cock brushed against his prostrate.

* * * * *


On to Chapter Six
"Not Gonna Happen"

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"Throckmorton Island"

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