All the Way to Shore

by CJane Elliott

  “Hey.” Marco took his hand. Then his smile dimmed. “What is it? You seem upset.”

  Jonathan marveled at how tuned into him Marco was. “I was thinking about my brother—”

  “Here you are, fearless leader!” Anthony had bounded over to them, Todd right behind. “Lead the way to the snorkeling bonanza!”

  “Hold that thought,” Marco murmured to Jonathan. “I want to hear about your brother. But let me get the snorkeling handled first.” He surveyed the crowd of hopefuls vying for their business. Then he gestured to a kid who couldn’t have been much older than fourteen. The boy hurried over, and Marco waved a twenty at him. “Can you take us to the best snorkeling? It’s in walking distance, yes?”

  “Sure, mon. My auntie has the best surf shack ever only a few blocks from here. She’ll fix you up good.” At Marco’s nod, the boy snatched the twenty and took off, the four of them hurrying after him.

  Auntie’s surf shack appeared to be popular. A group of people already stood in line. As they went to join it, Anthony announced, “Todd and I are going to check out the water!”

  Jonathan gave him a mock frown. “You do that, children. Marco and I will be here in line, adulting.”

  Anthony blew a raspberry at him, and he and Todd rushed away, giggling. Anthony had certainly met his match in the giddy laughter department, Jonathan mused.

  Marco turned back to Jonathan. “So tell me about your brother.”

  “He was three years older, and the way you take care of Sophia made me think about him. He was that way with me. But he died.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Recently?” Marco’s eyes were full of sympathy.

  “No. About five years ago now. I miss him a lot sometimes.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Jonathan shuffled forward with the line, aware of Marco next to him, warm energy giving him strength. “My father never got over his death. And I couldn’t replace him. I’m nothing like James.” He bit his lip at the name tumbling out. But surely Marco wasn’t going to tie a random name to the man he worked for.

  “And from what you’ve told me, you’re nothing like your dad.”

  “No.”

  Marco gazed at the water, and Jonathan’s eyes followed. It shimmered bright blue, lapping at the dock. “I’m nothing like my old man either, thank God. He was a drunk and a mean bastard.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “He died when I was ten. Left Mama having to raise seven kids by herself.”

  “Wait—seven? I thought it was just you and Sophia.”

  “We’re the two youngest. The next oldest was six years older than me, and all of them were gone and married by the time I finished high school.”

  Anthony waved at them from the water’s edge where he and Todd were taking selfies, and Jonathan waved back. “And how much younger is Sophia?”

  “Eight years. She was the surprise baby, still in diapers when the old man died. I’ve always felt protective of her, given it was me and her growing up together.”

  They reached the surf shack, where a rotund woman in a head scarf presided.

  “Hello.” Marco leaned against the counter. “Your nephew said you had the best surf shop on the island.”

  “He’s right. Which one? I got loads of nephews.”

  “I’m sorry, we didn’t get his name before he took off.”

  She laughed. “All the kids around, they call me Auntie, so could be anyone. You want snorkeling gear?”

  “Yes, for four. And can we hire a dive boat to get us out to the reef and back?”

  “Yep.”

  “I’ll go round up Andy and Todd.” Jonathan left Marco to talk with Auntie about prices and walked to the water’s edge. Anthony and Todd were nowhere in sight. He peered to either side, then finally saw them way down at one end of the pier. He waved at Anthony, who waved back, and gave him the “come here” sign.

  Then he turned and stared at Marco, who was gesturing and talking animatedly with Auntie and another man. Tall and handsome, elegant even in bathing trunks, Marco gave off an air of command without even trying. He was an alpha male, through and through. With Frederick as a father, Jonathan had thought he’d be averse to getting involved with an alpha male. But he liked Marco’s take-charge nature. He even liked his protective streak—the way Marco cared about Sophia, the way he had reminded Jonathan to bring a T-shirt for the snorkeling and asked if he was wearing sunblock. It made him feel safe in the same way that James had made him feel safe. No matter who teased him at school, Jonathan had known that when James showed up he’d kick their asses.

  Jonathan knew he didn’t need that kind of protection any longer. He wasn’t eleven and a target of preadolescent boys out to find someone for their punching bag. He also didn’t need someone to help him live his life. The year at the Cape had shown him he could make it on his own and do it well. But having someone be a part of his life—having someone who cared…. He gazed at Marco. Jonathan wanted that more intensely with each passing day.

  “You better keep that shirt on, doll, much as I love your abs.” That was Anthony talking to Todd as they neared him. “You’re as pale as my cousin here.”

  Marco came over to them accompanied by a man in a Yankees cap. “This is Chester, everyone. He’s going to take us out in the boat.”

  “Hiya.” Chester dropped a heap of masks with snorkels, life vests, and fins at their feet. Anthony and Todd snatched up the masks and tried them on.

  “Okay, we are so ready for this snorkeling, aren’t we, Jonny?” Anthony beamed, and it was only when Jonathan scowled at him that his eyes widened at his mistake.

  “Jonny?” Marco laughed. “That’s cute.”

  “Yeah, well, sometimes I get sick of calling him Jonah.” Anthony gave a weak shrug and mouthed “Sorry!” behind Marco’s back.

  “Bring the gear with you, fellas. The boat’s over here.”

  They followed Chester to a shallow skiff with an outboard motor. Nothing fancy, but they weren’t going very far. After piling into the boat with the gear, they held on as Chester started the engine and motored them about halfway to where they could see other snorkelers.

  “Don’t want to get too close and disturb the reef. Mind you fellas don’t disturb it either. Look, don’t touch. Now, get those life vests and flippers on first, then your masks.”

  They complied. Jonathan thought Marco was sexy even with a snorkeling mask on.

  Chester showed them how to breathe through the snorkel. “The ocean right here is shallow enough to stand up in, so hop in and try out your snorkels.”

  “Here’s where I get water up my nose.” Jonathan’s murmur to Marco was almost drowned out by Todd and Anthony’s shrieks as they splashed each other.

  “You can do it.” Marco rubbed his shoulder, and they got in the warm water.

  After a few trials with the snorkel, Jonathan was pleased to discover he could breathe through it fine. They swam the few yards near to the other snorkelers, then adjusted their masks. Jonathan felt his heart beating faster and told himself to chill out. The water was still fairly shallow, there were no waves to speak of, and he had a life vest on. He and Marco gave each other a thumbs-up. Then Jonathan launched himself onto his stomach, floating on the surface with his face angled downward and snorkel in the air.

  He gasped. There, right below them, a magical world teemed with life—a rainbow parade of fish weaving through the coral reef. Marco hadn’t been kidding about the colors: bright reds, oranges, yellows, purples, and blues adorned every shape and size of these aquatic creatures as they swam in and out of the coral formations. Even better were the schools—dozens of silvery fish that darted this way and that, turning together, their movements synchronized as if a conductor were waving a baton.

  Enthralled, Jonathan skimmed along on the surface, mesmerized by the graceful show. Marco took his hand and they swam together as partners, their flippers gently propelling them, moving in sync as naturally as the fish below them.

&n
bsp; Partners. Following the enchanting procession with Marco by his side, Jonathan grew giddy with life’s promise.

  MARCO MOVED along the surface hand in hand with Jonah, somehow not surprised at how easily they fell into a rhythm—one leading and one following, switching back and forth in a dance as effortless as that of the fish below them.

  I bet this is what sex with him will be like.

  Popping a boner made it harder to swim, so Marco didn’t pursue that train of thought. Instead he concentrated on the feeling of Jonah’s hand, the brush of his shoulder, and the colorful pageant of marine life unfolding before their eyes. He let himself be present, for this was paradise, and he didn’t want to miss it.

  After what seemed like hours, Jonah squeezed his palm and tilted upright. Marco surfaced with him. They treaded water, surveying the scene. They had floated a long way from the boat, but it was still in view, bobbing on the gentle waves. Todd and Andy were cavorting and kissing nearby, masks shoved onto their foreheads. Marco and Jonah exchanged amused glances as they removed their mouthpieces.

  “What do you think?” Marco asked. “Do you want to go further along the reef or head back to the boat?”

  “Let’s start back. It’ll take us a while to get there, and then we should go get some lunch.”

  “Yes. Good idea. I know of a little place on the island.”

  “I thought you would.” Jonah tilted his head to one side. “I would kiss you, but I don’t want to drown.”

  Marco laughed. “You’re doing great! You’re a natural. Are you sure you aren’t part fish?”

  “Now you’ve done it.” Jonah floated nearer and put his arms around Marco’s neck.

  They angled their faces so their masks didn’t clash, laughing at the awkwardness, and brushed lips. Jonah’s tongue flickered along Marco’s mouth—then he made a face.

  “Kind of salty, huh?”

  “Mm, yeah. Forgot about that. Okay, time for lunch and a beer.” Jonah reinserted his mouthpiece.

  “Right there with you, my fish. I think we need to listen to La Mer tonight.” He laughed at Jonah’s frantic nods. “Debussy it is, then.”

  JONATHAN SAVORED the last of the fried calamari, washing it down with cold beer. Marco hadn’t lied about how good the restaurant was. He sat across from Jonathan drinking his beer from a bottle, and Jonathan followed the motion of his Adam’s apple, longing to lick the drops of sweat glistening on his throat. Their knees touched and feet tangled together under the table. The island breeze stirred the umbrella over their heads. Jonathan sighed.

  Marco, ever attentive to Jonathan’s moods, set down his bottle. “What?”

  “Nothing really. I’m just happy.”

  “Me too, amore.” Marco reached over and traced Jonathan’s lips. “It’s good to see you smile.”

  “I wish this cruise would never end.” He swallowed against the sudden ache in his throat. And you’d never have to find out who I really am.

  “Me either. It’s beautiful in the Caymans. As my old boss used to say every morning we were here, ‘Welcome to another fucking day in paradise.’” Marco stretched and his shirt rode up, revealing brown skin and a dark treasure trail.

  Jonathan stared. “Um. Oh yes, I meant to ask you about that. So you used to come to Grand Cayman for work?”

  “Yeah. The company I worked for before Vallen had some business interests here, so I got to come down several times.”

  “Wow. Nice.”

  “It was okay. I loved being here, but the people I worked with were pretty much assholes. Being here with you is a thousand times better.” He reached out and clasped Jonathan’s hand.

  Jonathan felt his smile grow. “I’m glad.”

  They finished their beers in companionable silence. Then Marco sat back and wiped his mouth. “I’m not looking forward to going back to cold Boston, I can tell you that. Except for seeing Bunny the magical cat.”

  “What’s your apartment like?”

  “Big.”

  Jonathan snorted. “That’s descriptive.”

  “You want to see it? I have pictures. Ashley took them after she helped me redecorate.” He pulled out his phone.

  “Sure.” Jonathan leaned over and studied a series of photographs that showed a living room, kitchen, and bedroom all with stylish, minimalist furniture in varying shades of gray, white, and silver. It didn’t even seem lived-in. “Wow. I’m surprised.”

  “At what?”

  “There’s so little color. And you love color!”

  Marco stared at the photos. “You’re right. Why didn’t I notice that? Ashley was all into making everything sleek and modern. I thought it was cool at the time.”

  “It doesn’t seem like you, though.”

  “It’s not me. I bet your cottage is completely different.”

  Jonathan stroked Marco’s arm. “It’s very small compared to your place. But I like it.”

  Marco ran his thumb softly over Jonathan’s fingers. “You know one thing I really like about you?”

  “No.”

  “You don’t play games. You’re just you. Real. And I really like that.”

  Jonathan felt his face flush. If you only knew. He could barely stand to meet Marco’s eyes, gazing at him so fondly. “I… um, thanks. Um, sh-should we go?”

  “Hey.” Marco tilted his head and gave Jonathan’s hand a squeeze. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. You’re—it’s hard for you to take compliments, I’ve noticed.”

  Miserable, locked in his web of lies, Jonathan gulped in some air. “If it’s hard, it’s because I don’t deserve those kinds of compliments.”

  Marco frowned. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because… I’m not really who you think I am.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I—”

  “You guys still here?” As if summoned by some fairy-tale witch to keep Jonathan from screwing it all up, Anthony stood by their table with Todd. They were both wearing large straw hats woven with colorful patterns. “Aren’t these divine? Come on, Jonah. You and Marco have to see the open-air market before we get back to the ship.”

  Anthony put his hand on Jonathan’s shoulder and then gripped it, his fingers digging in, as if warning him not to blow it. At least that was how Jonathan took the sudden pain, and he decided to heed it.

  Pulling his tattered Jonah Persona back together, he gave Marco a bright smile. “Shopping sounds okay. Let’s go see what they’ve got.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? It seemed like you were about to tell me something.”

  Anthony’s eyes widened, then narrowed, and he gave Jonathan’s shoulder one more vicious tweak before letting go. “You boys have all week to talk!” He gazed at the sky with exaggerated concern. “Come on, it looks like rain. Let’s go shopping and get back to the ship.”

  Jonathan checked out the blue sky, which featured only a few clouds. “Okay, okay, we’ll come. You don’t have to go to extremes.” He returned his gaze to Marco. “I really didn’t have anything in particular to say. Shall we go?” He hopped up and reached for his wallet, but Marco beat him to it.

  “My turn to pay.” Throwing some bills on the table, Marco rose and nodded at Anthony. “Your turn to lead the way.”

  “Fab! You’re going to love it.”

  As they fell into step behind Todd and Anthony, Jonathan said in a lower voice, “You’re right that I can’t take a compliment. I was beginning to get down on myself. That’s all. I’m over it.”

  “Good.” Marco put his arm around Jonathan’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “I’m thinking this getting down on yourself is something you’ve had to deal with before?”

  Jonathan uttered a mirthless laugh. “Only all my life. It’s actually gotten way better in the last year. I found a therapist on the Cape, and it helped.”

  “That’s interesting. I’m glad therapy helped you. I’ve thought about it before but never stopped long enough to pursue it.”

/>   “You?” Jonathan swept his eyes over Marco, the perfect man. “What for?”

  “Lots of things.”

  Before Jonathan could pursue the topic of what on earth Marco would need therapy for, they arrived at the open-air market. Dozens of vendors were hawking their wares behind tables of bright island clothing, carved wooden knickknacks, and bottled condiments. They wandered until they got to a booth displaying beautiful silver amulets on leather cords. The dreadlocked young woman sitting in a chair gave them a nod. A circular pendant fashioned into an ocean’s wave caught Jonathan’s eye. As he leaned closer, Marco picked it up to examine.

  “This is beautiful.” He held it out for Jonathan to inspect.

  Jonathan took it from him and held it in his hand, then turned to the woman behind the table. “Do you have another one of these?”

  The jeweler stirred. “It’s funny you ask. I usually make one-of-a-kind pieces, but when I made that one, something told me to make two. Hold on.” She leaned down and pawed through some bags.

  Marco nudged him. “Two?”

  “Yep.” The jeweler produced the second pendant, and Jonathan paid for them. Then he handed one to Marco. “For you. To remember our ocean adventure.”

  Marco broke into a delighted smile. “Thank you. Grazie, amore.”

  “How do you say ‘you’re welcome’?”

  “Prego.”

  “Prego. Um, prego, amore.”

  Eyes on each other, they donned the pendants as the tropical breeze stirred the hanging chimes at the next table into a cheerful cacophony.

  Chapter TWELVE

  JONATHAN STOOD at the ship’s railing watching the sea, a panoply of stars overhead. The wind cooled his brow as he waited for Marco to join him. What a day. He’d thought nothing could top yesterday in the wonderfulness department, but today had gone beyond all expectations. Snorkeling above a coral reef had been magical. And that delicious lunch. And then… matching pendants. A year ago, he’d never have guessed he’d be starring in his own romantic movie. Jonathan glanced down at the pendant glinting on his chest.