Page 45 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

After a while, they made their way over to the pool. Alexander was preparing to dive when Elliot’s voice stopped him.

“I’ve never swum before,” he whispered, sounding embarrassed. There was nothing to be embarrassed about, though.

“That’s okay, I can help you.” He pointed at the shallow end. “Let’s start off over there and work our way down.” He waited for Elliot’s nod before taking his hand and guiding him to the shallow end of the pool. Slowly, they moved down each of the steps, descending further into the water. The pool was cooler than Alexander expected, making his body shudder. Elliot, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by the cool water at all, he just stared down as they moved through the water. When Alexander followed Elliot’s line of sight, he was bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet.

“Can we go all the way in now?” he asked, his voice taking on an almost innocent tone, like a child about to enter Disney World for the first time. Whatever discomfort Alexander was feeling from the cold water fell by the wayside when he realized how excited Elliot was. His positivity was infectious, and soon enough, Alexander was bouncing on his feet along with Elliot. He grabbed Elliot’s hand and quickly led him off the final step. Alexander sucked in a sharp breath at the cold, waist-high water, but he didn’t let it stop him. They walked until Elliot’s shoulders were no longer above water. Alexander smiled down at his love, drinking in the sight of him tilting his head up, beaming ear to ear. “This is incredible.”

Alexander chuckled. “Yeah, it’s pretty great. I’ve got a pool at home, too. We can go swimming whenever you want. I might even teach you to do cannonballs.”

“Cannonballs?”

“Yeah, it’s . . .” Alexander tried to think of how to explain it, but the words wouldn’t come. “I’ll show you.” He pointed at the concrete ledge beside them. “Will you be okay on your own long enough for me to walk over there? I have to be out of the water to do it.” Alexander could tell Elliot was nervous, but the automaton was putting on a brave face. Alexander kissed the tip of his nose. “I’ll only be gone a second.” Once Elliot gave Alexander a nod of approval, he rushed out of the pool. The wind felt like ice against his skin, but he pushed his discomfort down, focusing on Elliot’s smiling face as his head bobbed up and down.

“Hello, Alexander,” Elliot called out, lifting a hand to wave. He was beaming ear to ear, his smile infectious, as Alexander couldn’t help but smile along with him.

“Hey, Elliot.” He returned the wave Elliot was giving him before focusing on the task at hand. “So, a cannonball is just a way to jump into the water. You tuck your knees to your chest and hug your shins, folding yourself into a ball.”

“I don’t think I’m bendy like that.”

Alexander cocked an eyebrow. “Believe me, after what we did in the bedroom, I can say with full confidence that you are.”

Color flooded Elliot’s cheeks, but his smile didn’t fade. “All right, then. Show me this infamous cannonball.”

Alexander took a few steps back, his eyes locked with Elliot’s. “I’m going to aim to the left so I don’t land on you. Just stay right there, okay?” Once Elliot nodded his understanding, Alexander pivoted until he was aimed away from Elliot, then he rushed forward. As he leapt, Alexander pulled his thighs to his chest and hugged his shins, tucking himself into a ball. The water was freezing when he landed, then he was fully submerged. Alexander stared up through the water and Elliot was standing over him, clapping his hands excitedly. When Alexander emerged, Elliot was cackling like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen.

“That looks so fun!” he shouted, bouncing up and down in the water. “Can I try? Please? I’ll be very careful.”

Alexander snorted a laugh as he found his footing and slowly waded closer to Elliot in the water. He wrapped his arms around Elliot’s back and leaned in, his lips parting. The pair kissed for what felt like an eternity, like they had all the time in the world.

“Yeah, sweetheart. Go on. Show me what you can do.”

“I may not be very good.”

“It’s just a cannonball. It’s okay if you mess up.” Alexander pushed Elliot’s hair from his eyes. “It’s okay for you to mess up on anything, baby. I’m not like him. I won’t punish you for not getting things right.”

Elliot blushed. “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

Alexander cupped his cheek. “I think I do. Now, go on. Get that cute little booty up there and then splash me for all you’re worth.”

Elliot rushed toward the steps, and Alexander’s eyes locked on his backside. God. It looked so stunning in the hot-pink Speedo he bought him. Drenched, they clung to him, leaving nothing to the imagination. As Elliot jogged around the pool, his ass jiggled, breathing life below Alexander’s own Speedo.

Elliot paused in front of him, looming over. He turned around and cocked his hip to the side, arching his back. “You really like it? My butt, I mean.”

Alexander licked his lips. “Very much so.”

“Good. I believe I’d like you to . . .” He looked around the deck like someone might have magically appeared out of thin air, relieved when he realized they were still alone. “I’d like you to claim it tonight. To claim me. Would you want that?”

Alexander wanted that, but plans were in motion, and Alexander would need to fill Elliot in soon.

“We can talk about that later, baby. Why don’t you go ahead and show me your cannonball. We’ll get lunch in a minute and we can talk.”

Elliot nodded, walking a few paces back before turning around. “Here goes nothing,” he said nervously, then he was in motion, rushing toward the pool. He leapt, but he made no effort to pull his legs to his chest, just extended his arms and legs like he was stretching as he plummeted into the deep end. Alexander rushed forward to help Elliot above water, but his programming must have kicked in, because despite not knowing how to swim, his legs kicked and his arms tugged through the water as he made his way to the surface.

Elliot looked just as surprised by his newfound aquatic agility as Alexander, and his mouth hung open in disbelief. “I can swim!”

“You can swim,” Alexander shouted cheerfully. “You’re doing so well!”

Elliot paddled forward, and though he would have been able to easily stand on his toes, he lifted his legs, using his arms to keep him afloat. “How was my cannonball? I believe I nailed it.”

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