by E. M. Leya
He shoved his keys in his pocket after locking the door to his apartment and walked toward the beach. He was lucky enough to live only a block away from the ocean. He had debated after his father died on moving across town into his parent's old home, but he liked the area where he lived. When the time came for him to buy his own place, he wanted to find somewhere he liked, and that wasn't the area he had grown up in. His apartment suited him fine for now.
The afternoon sun was low in the sky, but the heat still rose from the sidewalk as he made his way toward the sand. Being a weeknight, the crowds were small and he was grateful for that. He had no urge to deal with people tonight. Nothing ruined a good run along the beach more than having to weave around kids and avoid dogs running after him.
He hit the sand and started a casual jog. The air smelled of salt and the waves were still rough after the storm that moved through yesterday. He wondered how the boy he saved three days ago was fairing, wishing he had a name or way to check up on him.
The whole event seemed almost like a dream. The only reminder he had that it was real was the ruined wallet and wet business cards and the money he salvaged out of it.
As a light sweat broke out over his brow, he increased his speed, enjoying the breeze against his skin as he pushed harder through the sand. He thought about the art show that was coming up. Several of his pieces were to be displayed and he needed to finish a few more before the event. Taking over his father's scuba shop had taken a lot more time than he thought it would. Now that he spent his days working and nights painting, his body was starting to feel the toll.
He hated to sell the place. His father had worked so hard to make it successful, and he did enjoy it somewhat, and needed the money. He wiped his hand over his forehead. Money. That was what it came down to. Could he afford to quit, could his painting carry him? Probably not.
He took a deep breath, and surged forward. He needed to work his frustration out. He frowned at the thought of being stuck at the scuba shop for a couple more years, but it was better than the waiter job he had given up when his father died. Another few months, and if this art show went well, then maybe things would change.
He pushed thoughts of work from his mind and looked out over the water, wishing the waves would calm so he could surf or maybe do some diving over the weekend. Who was he kidding? He needed to paint. Time was running out and he had to finish those damn paintings.
Something rising from the water caused him to slow and then stop as he squinted and tried to make out what he was seeing. He rubbed the sweat from his eyes and looked again, sure he was mistaken as to what he saw.
Breaking though the large waves, a man swam toward the beach. His long black hair flowed around him as strong arms plowed through the water as if the large waves were nothing. Gary moved closer to the water's edge. It was the man who saved the child. He wasn't crazy. He was real.
Gary's heart raced as he stepped into the ocean, his tennis shoes filling with water as the waves swept around his feet. The man reached shallow waters and stopped, staring back at him with an amused grin. He closed his eyes for a moment, and his body teetered for a moment, as if he was losing his balance before righting himself again and began walking toward Gary.
Gary stared in awe, wondering where the man came from and how he had managed to swim through the waves with such ease. Gary gasped as the man's body slowly rose from the water, exposing his muscular chest. His tanned skin was hairless and water rolled down his body, over the swim trunks, and down his thick legs.
The man stopped several feet from Gary and smiled.
"I thought I imagined you. None of the others saw you." Gary stared in awe at the man.
"You didn't imagine me." The man's voice was deep and seductive.
Gary wavered as he suddenly felt weak.
"Easy." The man reached out and grasped Gary's shoulder.
Gary glanced down to where the man touched him. "Where did you go? Why didn't you swim to shore?"
"I shouldn't have been there. It was better for you to save him."
He shouldn't have been in the water? Gary didn't try to hide his confusion. He nodded toward the water. "You shouldn't be swimming now, it's not safe."
"Trust me. I am more than able to swim in these conditions." The man still held his arm. "Come, let's walk." He moved farther to the shore, pulling Gary gently with him.
Gary didn't resist. This man was like no other he had ever met, and the sound of his voice was almost like an angelic choir, easing his mind and wrapping him in its safety.
"What is your name?"
Gary cleared his throat as he fell into step beside the other man. "Gary Pershing, and yours?"
"My name is Sage." He brushed the hair back off his shoulders. "How is the boy?"
"I think he is okay. I never got his name. They took him to the hospital, but he was awake and seemed like he would recover." He bowed his head, ashamed he didn't follow up.
"Good. I am glad."
"I would have never found him without your help." Gary glanced over at him.
"I just happened to be swimming in the right place at the right time." Sage gave him a small smile. "You were the only one brave enough to go after him."
"Maybe not brave, but stupid." Gary shrugged. "I didn't even think about it. I saw him being carried out and just jumped in."
"You come down here every evening?"
"Not every, but when I can. I enjoy it here."
"As do I." Sage nodded to a cropping of rocks. "Sit?"
"Sure." Gary climbed onto a large boulder. He stared at Sage as he sat down beside him, unsure what to think. He wanted to know more about the strange man who intrigued him. "You live close to here?"
Sage reached back, pulled his long hair over his shoulder, and twisted the remaining water from it before glancing over at Gary. "Not too far. I like to swim in this area. What about you?"
"About a block from here." Gary stared at the long black hair, amazed at how it almost shined in the remaining sunlight. He'd never seen hair so beautiful. Sage's eyes matched it. Deep depths of darkness. Gary couldn't see any color, just blackness, yet as dark as they were, they held a glimmer of warmth that caused Gary's body to stir. He quickly looked down, afraid of what this man caused him to feel.
"What do you do for a living, Gary?" Sage pulled his knees up and hugged them to his chest.
This was so strange. Why had the man come back? Had it been just luck he had seen him in the water or had he come back looking to talk to him? "I'm an artist. I paint. I also run a scuba diving store off Jensen Beach."
Sage's head snapped up as he stared at Gary. "You dive?"
"Some. Not as often as I like. I inherited the store from my father. I would rather paint, but for now it helps pay the bills." Gary ran his hand through his short, light brown hair. "I learned to dive as a teen. Do you dive?"
Sage grinned. "Yes. I spend most my time in the water. I enjoy diving."
"Most your time? What is it you do?"
"I guess you could say I am a scavenger. I search the ocean for treasure." He pointed toward the water. "There is so much out there. I love exploring and finding things. The ocean is my home."
"You were raised in California?"
"Yes, lived here my whole life. I have longed to travel to other places, but I work with my family and that demands I stay close." Sage turned so he was facing him. "You are married?"
Gary laughed. "Married? No. I'm single."
"No woman has stolen your heart yet?" Sage's gaze traveled over him.
"And probably never will as I am gay," Gary said cautiously.
Sage's eyes brightened. "So you wouldn't be offended if I tell you that I haven't been able to get you off my mind since we met the other day?"
Gary's pulse raced. He stared at Sage and wondered if a man as attractive as him could really be interested in someone as simple as him. "I wouldn't be offended at all. In fact, I have to admit I have thought about you, too. No one else saw yo
u. They told me I was alone out there, but I could hear your voice so clearly in my head. See your face in my mind. I knew I hadn't imagined you."
Sage shook his head. "I didn't want to be seen. I can't explain now why, but I shouldn't have been there. I just couldn't see the child die."
"He would have if you hadn't helped. I couldn't see anything in the water. Once he went under, there would have been no way for me to find him. I don't know how you managed. You must be one amazing swimmer."
"You could say I was a born swimmer." Sage stretched his legs out and dug his toes into the sand. "I'd like to take you to dinner one night if you would allow me."
Gary swallowed, trying to hide how interested he really was. He hadn't dated a man in a long time. Hadn't even really felt attracted to anyone. There was something different about Sage. Gary wanted to find out more about him and explore whatever this attraction was he had to the strange man. "I would enjoy that."
"Tomorrow?" Sage raised a brow.
"Tomorrow is fine. I work until five." Gary shoved his hands in his pockets. He shifted nervously as he thought about spending an evening with Sage.
"I can meet you at the scuba shop if you like," Sage offered.
"You sure that isn't out of the way?"
"Not at all. I like that area. It's been awhile since I've been there. You enjoy seafood?"
"Of course."
"Good, then we will go to Fredricks. That okay with you?"
Fredricks was a nicer restaurant in the area. Gary had only been once with his parents many years ago, but remembered enjoying the food. He thought about the clothes in his closet, already wondering what he would wear. "It sounds great. My shop is called Dive-In Scuba. It sits just off the Trench Street and Eleventh Ave."
"I know right where that is at. One of my brothers runs the Coral gift shop just down from you." Sage rubbed his hand over his arms as if cold.
"Everest?" Gary was shocked that they might know the same people, let alone have one be his brother.
"Yes. He and I have different mothers. He is several years younger than me." Sage smiled.
"I have known him since I was a boy. He and I used to play on the beach together when I would get bored sitting with my dad. He was always there helping Steven before he retired."
Sage looked sad for a moment as if remembering something he would have rather forgotten. "Steven was a good friend. He died several years back."
"I'm sorry to hear that. He was always nice. He used to keep a stash of candy there for Everest and me. We would sneak in and grab some when he wasn't looking." Gary laughed. "What a small world."
"Yes it is. I have spent a lot of time with Everest. Even filled in from time to time at the Coral shop. I wish we had met sooner."
Gary nodded. "I don't know how I missed you. Though when my father ran the place I didn't come by very often. It was only after his death I took the shop over."
"I'm sorry about your father." Sage reached over and touched his shoulder lightly for a moment.
"Thank you. It was sudden. I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep the shop or not." He tried to ignore the way Sage's touch felt. He rubbed the spot absently.
"You don't like running it?"
"It's not that I don't like it, but my heart is in my art. I want to paint. Right now, it doesn't pay the bills, but there is an exhibit coming up and I have several pieces in. I hope it will help boost my career."
"I'd like to see some of your work."
Gary sucked in a breath. "You would?"
"Yes. I'm curious about everything you do, Gary. I can't explain this draw I feel toward you. It's not like me to feel this way. I am a loner, but there is something about you. I came back to the beach hoping to find you."
Gary smiled as his face heated. "I'm flattered. I admit I'm attracted to you." He bowed his head, embarrassed.
"Don't." Sage reached out, placed a finger under Gary's chin, and lifted his face back up until their eyes met. "I like to hear that. It makes it easier for us both if we know where we stand with each other." He pulled his hand back. "It's been a long time since I have dated anyone. I will warn you now that at times my life can be crazy and I can't get away, but I would like to go out a few times, see if we get along."
"I'd like that, too. I'd like to know you better, Sage." He smiled, enjoying Sage's honesty. It was nice to know where he stood with the man and not spend time wondering what this was between them. Feeling brave, Gary reached out and ran the tip of his fingers down Sage's cheek. "It's as soft as it looks."
Sage reached up and captured his fingers in his hand, holding them. "What is?"
"Your skin. It was one of the first things I noticed the other day in the water. Your skin looked so soft. I wanted to touch it then, but with the child…"
Sage smiled as he brought Gary's fingers to his lips and kissed them. "I need to go. I have a late meeting." He stood. "I will be by the shop around five tomorrow."
Gary pushed up from the rock to stand beside him. "I look forward to it." He curled his fingers around Sage's hand. "I'm glad you came back."
"So am I, Gary. So am I." He released his fingers and stepped back. "I will see you tomorrow."
Gary watched as Sage turned away and broke into a jog. He watched him until he was just a faint dot against the sand before he finally moved from the rocks and started his own walk home, thankful he had chosen the beach over the gym tonight, and looking forward to seeing Sage again tomorrow.
CHAPTER FOUR
Sage looked up from the book he was reading as his father, King Ashwan, walked into the back of the cave where they stored all the history and law books. Sage sat back, ready for another lecture. It seemed every day his father was finding something to complain about. He couldn't understand why his father wanted him to be the next king if he found so much wrong with the way Sage did things.
His father walked farther into the cave and took a seat at the side of large rock desk Sage was using. He brushed back his long greying hair and sighed. "Madson hasn't returned yet. It has been nearly a week. I fear something has happened to him."
Sage frowned. "You have sent out a search party?"
"Yes, two days ago. They returned an hour ago after finding no sign of him near the shipwreck." Ashwan folded his hands on the table. "I'm going to send Heath and his crew to finish excavating the site."
Sage hid his anger. It was his crew. Heath had been forced to take it over when their father demanded Sage train for the throne. He should be the one out looking for treasure and trading with the humans. "I would like to assist. With us not knowing what happened to Madson, it would seem wiser to have more of us out there to keep watch."
"I can't risk your life. The search party didn't see any signs of humans or sharks, but I will send extra men with them. That is four men we have lost in the last month. I haven't lost that many in years." His father looked tired as he rubbed his hand across his face.
"Baston died of old age. That couldn't be helped. You don't know the fate of the others. For all we know they left for another clan." Sage reached for the cup of water beside him. "We have searched the area thoroughly and there is no sign of predators. The sharks and whales we did see paid no attention to us. It's not like them to start a fight unless provoked." He took a long drink and set the cup back down.
Ashwan stared past him, lost in thought. Sage studied him, realizing how old his father really was. At nearly ninety, he was one of the oldest in the clan. Sage bit his lip as he wondered if he might really have to take over as king. His father showed no signs of aging, but very few of his people lived past one hundred.
Sage forced the thought back. Being king scared the hell out of him. He wasn't a leader, at least not of the clan. He could handle a small crew when out looking for treasure, but not ruling over the entire species. He didn't want that kind of responsibility on his shoulders. Didn't want to be tied down and have to live out the rest of his days in the back of this damn cave, dealing with the daily happen
ings of not only this clan but all the others around the world.
"If they are deserting our clan for others, then I am doing something wrong. They are unhappy here." His father shook his head and let out a long breath. "What am I doing wrong, Sage? Why are the others restless? The laws are the same no matter what clan they choose to live with."
Sage took a deep breath. "I know that many are lonely. They are spending more time with the humans. Several dating women they have met. I have heard rumors some of the other clans are allowing them to mate with the females and live on land."
His father made a face. "They do this without permission. Do you know how risky that is? All it takes is one mistake and the humans will find out about us."
"It's a risk others are willing to take to keep people happy. They are going to do it anyway. Isn't it better to know about it, regulate it as best you can?"
"Do you know of others in our clan who are doing this?"
"I do. I know of several who are seeing women they have met." Sage wasn't going to lie to his father, but he wasn't going to tell his father who they were and get anyone in trouble either.
"And they hide this from me?" His father actually sounded more hurt than angry.
"Would you allow it if they sought permission?"
"Probably not."
Sage shrugged. "Then you see why they hide it."
"I'm their king. They should trust me to know what is best for the clan." His father stood and started to pace. "I need to meet with the rest of the leaders. This is something we need to discuss. Will you call a meeting for tonight?"
Sage groaned inwardly. "I won't be able to join the meeting tonight."
"This is important. You are the next king. You must attend."
"Father, I spend every day in here preparing to be king. I have plans this evening. I will be briefed in the morning."
"Sage." His father glared.
"I'm sorry, Father, but I have plans. I'm sure others do as well. You spring these meetings on us all the time without thought that others may have things going on. If you wish me to be here, hold the meeting tomorrow or the next day. Give people some time to plan. You expect us all to drop what we are doing and come at your beck and call. This matter can wait a day or two."
