Page 13 of Riding the Tide

“That’s a promise I’m going to hold you to.”

Blair sincerely hoped Marcus would as they cleaned up.

“I guess we better get you topside. I’m sure they’re in a panic on the boat since they can’t find you.”

Blair groaned, beating his head against the sand. “Shit. Shit. Shit. I completely forgot about that.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Blair peered up at Marcus. “You should.” But that didn’t excuse the fact he’d forgotten there were probably people ready to tear this island apart looking for him. “Dammit. I need to get back before some stupid shit gets started.”

Marcus stood and helped Blair up. “Do you have a way to call someone? And you might want to change back into your clothes.”

Blair walked over to where his clothes were laid out on the rock and picked them up. He wore a pair of khaki shorts and a nice shirt on the cruise. They were both still wet, but no longer dripping. Good. There was nothing grosser than drippy, soggy clothes. He stuck his hand in the pocket his cell phone in and wasn’t surprised to find it missing.

“I’ve lost my cell phone, and yuck, I’m not looking forward to putting these things back on, but I guess I’d better. I’m sure it would raise all sorts of questions if I showed up in a pair of swim trunks.”

Marcus nodded. “Most likely.”

Blair hesitated when it became pretty obvious Marcus wasn’t going to turn around. Blair shrugged. He wasn’t overly modest, and Marcus jacked him off a couple minutes ago, so why not? Blair struggled into his wet clothes, and yup, what a gross feeling that was.

“I guess I’m ready.” He started up the beach holding the pair of trunks he’d borrowed then stopped. “Here.”

Marcus returned the item to the waterproof bag then hurried back to Blair where he nonchalantly took Blair’s hand. Together they started up the beach toward the back of the cave.

“By the way, what about this date you mentioned?” Blair asked. “I lost my phone, and you obviously don’t have one. How are we going to do this?”

“I assume you’re staying at a resort.”

“Yes.”

“Which one?”

“Um, the name is Blue Waters Resort, I think. I checked in yesterday.” Marcus’ laughter surprised Blair. He had no idea why Marcus would find that so funny. “Okay, what?”

“I know that resort. I won’t have any trouble finding you, trust me. What room are you in?”

Blair told him. Later, he promised himself, he’d find out what Marcus found so funny about that.

Marcus escorted him to the path that took them out of the cave. “Stay here please. I’m going to shut the lanterns off, and it’s going to get dark in here. I can see better than you, so hang tight.”

“No problem.”

Blair watched as Marcus extinguished the lanterns one after the other. He was right. As the lights went out, the cave grew darker. Soon only moonlight lit the cave, but he waited patiently.

“Okay. That’s the end of that. I’m coming toward you now.”

Blair was glad Marcus spoke to him once the lights went out. Maybe because they were close to the water and moonlight caressed the beach there, but he didn’t remember it being this dark. A moment later he felt Marcus next to him.

“Okay, let’s go.” Marcus took Blair’s hand again.

Blair followed Marcus up the winding path. Once they were out of the cave, he glanced around. They weren’t far from the ocean, but the exit was clearly in the jungle. He still had no clue where he was.

“We’re not far from the resort, but it is a little bit of a walk. I’m only going to go halfway with you, is that okay?” Marcus asked.

“Oh. I assumed… That’s fine. Once I get my bearings, I’ll be okay. You don’t have to come, if you don’t want to.”

Marcus laid his hand own Blair’s arm. “It’s not that I don’t want to come with you, but keep in mind I’m not human. I’m not exactly sure what’s going to happen when you return, but if the authorities get involved and start asking for ID… Do you see what I’m getting at?”

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