Island of Promise

Jim has been lonely since the sudden breakup of his last relationship, and his blah life as a bookkeeper is boringbut when he hits the lottery, his whole life changes. With his newfound wealth, he books a vacation at a deluxe resort on a private tropical island. Aboard the resort's yacht, he meets Anton, a dark-haired European minor nobleman, and falls for him. Not content with the many activities the resort offers, Anton proposes a daring adventure that's strictly against the rules. After the two lovers get lost in the wilds of the jungle and Jim suffers an injury, they stumble upon a secretand some bad guys. Now that the couple knows too much, the bad guys want to do away with them. Imprisoned, Jim and Anton search for a means of escape before the criminals put an end to them. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Contemporary Length: 23,154 words

ISLAND OF PROMISE

Diana Sheridan

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

ISLAND OF PROMISE Copyright 2012 by Diana Sheridan E-book ISBN: 978-1-61926-720-6 First E-book Publication: June 2012 Cover design by Harris Channing All cover art and logo copyright 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers
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Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Diana Sheridans livelihood. Its fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Sheridans right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION
For my good friend Cassandra Pierce, a really hot writer

ISLAND OF PROMISE
Diana Sheridan
Copyright 2012

Chapter 1
It was an ordinary Friday. In a word, that meant boring but with the promised relief of the weekend in sight. Jim Maloney sat at his desk at Erskine & Gordon Manufacturing Concern, pecking at his computer, which was open to a spreadsheet program. At age thirtyseven, he had worked his way up to head bookkeeper, which gave him a modicum of satisfaction, but then, Jim didnt have much satisfaction in his life, so he was glad to take it from wherever he could get it. He ran his fingers absently through his hair, dislodging one sandyblond strand, which fell to his arm, and he absently picked it off and flicked it to the floor. Checking his watch, he saw that it was only twenty minutes to quitting time. With a sigh, he returned to the task at hand. He should be able to finish it up in under twenty minutes and be out the door at the stroke of 5:00. Not that he had anything exciting planned for the weekend. Since breaking up with Erik nearly five months earlier, hed been vaguely depressed and had lost his zeal for life. Jim plodded through his weekends, relishing the break from the daily grind yet not deriving that much pleasure from his so-called leisure activities. Tonight, for example, he planned to attend a concert at the local high school. The tickets were just $5, the venue was conveniently nearby, and the

Island of Promise

program was Broadway show music, which was Jims favorite. Yet he couldnt get up that much enthusiasm when he thought about the plan. Tomorrow he planned to go bowling with a buddy, but that wasnt exactly an energizing prospect for him either. At precisely 4:55, Jim saved his work and powered his computer down, then looked around his desk and very neatly put his pens and a few stray paper clips into a drawer before getting up from his desk and going to the mens room for a quick stop before heading to the elevator. Outside, a brisk wind bit at him even through his overcoat, but it had the clean feel of freedom, and despite his lack of exciting plans, he relished knowing he had two days ahead that he could call his own. He stopped in at the convenience store halfway down the block, where he planned to buy his usual roll of peppermint candies and two lottery tickets. The clerk greeted him, asking, How ya doin, Jim? The usual? Seized by an impulse whose origin he didnt know, Jim surprised not only the clerk but himself by saying, No. Not this time. Instead of reaching for his well-worn lottery play slip resting in his pocket with one hand and reaching for a roll of peppermints from the counter with the other hand, he selected instead a package of cinnamon candies and then turned to where the blank lottery play slips were kept. I think Ill try something different today, Jim said, quickly filling out the play slip with random numbers as they came into his head. Then he handed the clerk his slip and the candies, pulled a $5 bill out of his wallet, and waited while the clerk ran the play slip through the lottery machine. Having recovered his change, his candies, and the play slip, as well as picking up his lottery ticket, Jim wished the clerk a good weekend and headed out the door. Good luck! the clerk called after him as always. Thanks! Jim called over his shoulder as he opened the door and exited the store into the windy early evening.

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His car was parked in a lot nearby. He called his Pinto the Model T, an allusion to how old it was. It actually hadnt given him that much trouble, considering its age and given that he drove it to work and back every day, although his was a short commute. He didnt live that far from the office. He got into the Pinto now, welcoming the shelter from the piercing wind. It seemed that this year March was going out like a lion. Someone up there isnt paying attention to how the March weather is supposed to go. As he drove home, he heard a muffled but repeated noise that seemed to be coming from the engine. Uh-oh. Incipient car trouble? He was grateful when he made it home safely to his small rented house on the outskirts of the business district. It wasnt prime property, but it was a safe mixed-use neighborhood, commercial and residential, convenient to many things, with the monthly rental attractively priced. When Erik had lived there with him, Jim had thought the whole house glowed. Hed thought it was the most comfortable place he could imagine living. Now its luster was lost and its sparkle dulled. Yes, Erik had taken his paintings, his statuary, his plants, and his upright piano with him, but Jim recognized that it was really the absence of Erik himself, more so than his accoutrements, that he missed. Next week it would be April already, Jim realized, and hed better find out what week over the summer his sister wanted him to come and visit. In the past, Jim and Erik had spent one of Jims two vacation weeks visiting Eriks family and one week visiting Jims sister. B.E.Before ErikJim had visited his sister alone. Well, he would be alone again this year. Marcie and her husband owned a beach house at the Jersey shore where Marcie spent her summers with the kids, while Evan joined them on weekends and during his three weeks vacation. The guest room became Jims during his annual visit. He whipped out his cell phone and punched contacts and then M-A. The cell phone displayed Marcies name and number, and Jim punched the send key.

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Marcie answered the phone. Jim, honey! How are you? After the usual chitchat and family reports, Marcie laughingly said, I suppose youre calling to book a room at the Hotel Marcie for your vacation? Jim affirmed her guess and added that he was looking forward to seeing her, which was not mere politeness. Less than two years apart in age, the brother and sister had always been very close. Jim enjoyed his annual week at the Jersey shore as much for the chance to be with his sister as for the inexpensive pleasure of a week by the sea with no room rental, though he did pay for a lot of the groceries while he was there. They made a plan for the second week in July, talked a little longer, and then, out of respect for Jims phone bill, they hung up. Feeling buoyed both by talking to his sister and by planning for his annual vacation, Jim fixed himself a scotch and soda and sat down to contemplate the question of how to spend his second week of vacation, the one he normally would have spent with Erik visiting Eriks side of the family, as they had always put it. Nine years they had been together. Nine years! Once again he wondered at how a relationship of that duration could end so suddenly, so abruptly. Well, he would think of something fun to do on his second vacation week. Something inexpensive but fun. Hed had enough of moping. His finances might be limited, and his options, but his outlook neednt be. In that frame of mind, drink in hand, he proceeded to the kitchen to see about dinner. The week before, hed bought a large rib eye steak and cut it in half, cooking one half and freezing the other. Last night before he went to bed, hed taken the other half out of the freezer. It should be ready to cook now. The question was what to have with it. Though Jim had always enjoyed cooking, it wasnt much fun cooking for just one, and since Eriks sudden departure, Jim had been much less adventurous in the kitchen. Then again, Jim had never been the most adventurous person in any respect. Although not a total stick-in-the-mud, he was a creature of habit, which was one of the many small but ultimately troubling

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traits that had driven Erik batty. Someone else might love you for your solid, dependable ways, Erik had admitted not that long before the devastating weekend of The Announcement, as Jim thought of it. Im not blaming you. Its not a question of fault. But I need to get out. Jim had really thought, after nine years, that he and Erik were solid. It seemed, though, that those nine years were weighing heavily on Erik. I need to make a change before I find myself a doddering old man still living with you because we always have been together and thats the way things are. Yes, our relationship is comfortable, but its not exciting. I want more than comfort. It just isnt enough for me anymore. Jim had been beyond merely stunned, even beyond shocked. Sure, he knew that Erik found some aspects of Jims personality less than totally compatible with his own, but what couple didnt have minor glitches in their relationship? What couple was one hundred percent happy with each other? There were pieces of the puzzle that was their relationship that didnt fit perfectly for Jim, either, yet he never would have thought in terms of ending the relationshipand he never would have expected Erik to do so either. Now, all these months later, he heard along the grapevine that Erik had a new boyfriend. Jim had none, had not even met anyone who intrigued him in the slightest. He blamed himself. In his current dull frame of mind, he probably wasnt very receptive to a new possibility. But he hardly knew how to change that. Now, standing in front of the fridge, he pulled a package of frozen french fries out of the freezer, then thought better of it and put them back. He would make fresh french fries, even if it was for only himself. Eschewing a prepackaged salad mix, he pulled a partial head of Bibb lettuce out of the crisper, rummaged around to see what else he could find, and came up with carrots, celery, some sliced mushrooms, and scallions. In a cabinet, he found a can of black olives

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and a can of sliced water chestnuts. Ahhhthis was going to be a salad worthy of eating. Salt, pepper, herbs, oil, and vinegar. Yes! He poured a goodly amount of oil into a skillet, turned the burner on, and quickly peeled and cut a potato into strips for french fries. In another skillet, he poured just a little oil and turned the heat way up under it. That was for the steak. He liked it bloody rare. It wouldnt take long to cook. While the oil in both pans heated, he started working on the salad. Soon enough, dinner was ready, and he ate with more gusto than he had been lately, then got ready to go out to the concert. The orchestra was surprisingly good and did justice to the music, which included some of Jims favorites. He was whistling as he left the auditorium at the close of the program. The wind had picked up and was stronger than ever, and the night air was chilly. Oh, how he wished it were already the second week in July so he could be somewhere warm right now. His Model T was still making the strange noise, but it continued to run faithfully and got him home in no time. Soon Jim was in bed and, very quickly thereafter, asleep. Saturday, which he devoted to housework, laundry, errands, and shopping, passed by quickly. Hed bought a pork tenderloin and marinated it that morning, and now he popped it in the oven. Hed made enough salad the night before to last two days, so there was only the question of a potato. While a baked potato would have been the easy way, he instead made garlic and sage mashed potatoes, which he put into the oven after the pork had been in for half an hour. Then he rummaged through his movie collection to see what he might like to watch after dinner. It was a little past 10:30 when the movie ended, and Jim wasnt yet ready to go to sleep. He puttered around the house until almost eleven then turned the TV on to catch the news. They were broadcasting the lottery drawing, and Jim perked up, wondering if this would be the week hed finally win it. He wondered that every week,

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of course, and he was disappointed when the first number they announced was four. His lowest number was eight. Then he remembered. He had not played his usual numbers this week. Quickly, he fished the ticket out of his pocket. By now they were calling the third number. He looked. He compared. He had all three numbers they had called so far! Literally holding his breath, he waited while the remainder of the numbers were calledand they all matched! Jim Maloney held the winning lottery ticket! Too excited now to go to sleep, Jim clutched the ticket while imagining that a burglar might break in and snatch up the ticket or the house might burn down and the ticket go up in flames with it. Jim went to the fridge and put the ticket inside. That would be some protection from fires or burglars. Finally he went to bed but was too excited to go to sleep for the longest time. A million thoughts ran through his mind like white mice scurrying through a maze. Had he really won? Was he sure there was no mistake? Might this be a dream? If it was for real, who should he share the good news with? Was it better to call his sister, Marcie, in the morning or wait until he actually had the money in hand? Surely it was too late to call her now, but would it be too precipitous to call before he actually took possession of the money? Could a person really die from excitement? He was not impelled to call any of his friends. Although he had any number of buddies, Jim had no really close friends. If he did call one of his friends, perhaps one of the guys from the office, they might be envious or think he was boasting. The office! Suddenly Jim realized he was liberated from the office. He need never go to work thereor anywhere elseagain. He was a free man! The lotto win had liberated him! Apparently it had liberated him in a number of ways, he realized, as it suddenly occurred to him that he had not for a minute thought of calling Eriks cell phone to share the news with his ex-lover. His life had truly turned a corner.

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There were not that many material things he wanted out of life. Jim was not an acquisitive person. His mind didnt immediately turn to thoughts of buying a Mercedes or a yacht or a mansion. It was enough just knowing he could if he wanted to. It was enough just knowing he would soon have all that money. It was enough just thinking that he would soon be freed of his dull job, perhaps even of his dull life. When he finally fell asleep, Jim was feeling exceedingly liberated. Sunday morning, he woke up knowing something wonderful had happened but not immediately remembering what. He reached across the bed to pat the mattress and see if it was that Erik had come home. But no, the other half of the bed was still empty. Then he remembered. He held the winning lottery ticket! Bounding out of bed, he raced to the fridge to make sure the ticket was still there then to the front door to retrieve the Sunday paper and compare the winning numbers, printed there, with his ticket to be sure there was no mistake. But no, the numbers matched. It was true. Jim was a winner! He put the ticket carefully back in the fridge but didnt start the coffeepot brewing. He would begin his celebration by having breakfast out this morning. He went back to his bedroom to get out of his bathrobe and shower, got dressed, and let himself out his front door. The Model T was parked in the carport, and Jim got in it, wary of the strange noise hed heard earlier. The car was still doing it, but it carried him to the diner just fine. Jim slowed down, then thought better of it, sped up again, and headed to an upscale coffee shop instead, stopping at the smoke shop, which also sold newspapers and magazines. There he picked up a copy of Luxe Living. As he sat in the coffee shop, he perused the ads in Luxe Living as if he were reading the Sears catalog. He dog-eared the pages advertising a quality suit, a Porsche to replace the Model T, a box of Kobe steaks, and a gold pendant, nothing too flashy but solid enough that it was definitely masculine. Most of what was advertised on the pages of the magazine didnt appeal to him. He was still, after

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all, a man of simple tastes. But then he saw an ad for Isla Promesa, a resort on a private island in the Caribbean, catering to those who could afford only the best. Wouldnt that be an improvement over visiting the Jersey shore? Of course he would miss seeing his sister, but then he realized he could visit her, too. His freedom was no longer confined to two weeks vacation with pay. He would turn in his notice at work tomorrow. Shunning all the hoopla, Jim tried to be quiet about his resignation at work. Hed decided he wanted to keep mum about his winnings, at least until hed cashed in his ticket, and preferably even thereafter. But it was not to be. When word got around, as it would, that he had handed in his notice, and not even two weeks notice but effective immediately, the questions began. Where was he going to work now? Had he been quietly job-hunting? And then, when he tried to deflect the questions and downplay the news, someone jibed at him, Did you win the lottery or something? Jim felt the telltale flush invade his cheeks. He tried to maintain his equanimity, and his silence, but Angie from the accounting department screamed, Migawd, I think he did win the lottery! Look at him. Hes red as a beet! A goofy, guilty grin spread over his face, and then it was useless to deny his good fortune. Besides, Jim had never been much of a liar. If he thought the hubbub around the office was overwhelming, he was totally unprepared for what happened when he cashed in his ticket and the newspaper and TV reporters got a hold of the story. They were all over him like flies on a honey spill. Given the size of the jackpot, even out-of-state reporters were soon on his tail wanting to know if he had quit his job or was going to, what he was planning to do next, how he planned to spend the money, and how he expected his life to change now. More than merely irked, he barked at one particularly inquisitive reporter, Why dont you ask me what color underwear Im wearing, too? Youve asked me damn near everything else!

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With his winnings now safely in the bank, minus a hefty bite for taxes, he called Isla Promesa and booked a forthcoming week at the resort. There was no airport on the island. Nothing to disturb our guests tranquility. Youll arrive by boat from Puerto Rico, the ad stipulated, so he booked a flight into San Juan for two months hence. That would give him time to sort things out at home, buy a better car, and just generally get used to the idea that he was now, however suddenly, a multi-millionaire. First class! he told the reservations agent proudly. He couldnt wait to experience the luxe life on this lush Caribbean island.

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Chapter 2
He enjoyed flying first class for the first time in his life and ordered champagne to drink on the flight. The transfer to the dock where he would board the huge yacht to the island was accomplished by a limo, sent by the resorts management. There were three other passengers on the yacht. One caught his attention immediately. Anton had pale skin with jet-black hair and ice-blue eyes. Until he smiled, he looked foreboding, but that smile had all the warmth of sunshine at the equator. It did a good job of melting the ice in Jims heart. Although the boats stewardess was handing out more champagne, Jim wanted only to drink in Antons smile. Jim found Antons slight Central European accent charming and was somehow not surprised to learn that Anton was a minor nobleman. They chatted each other up during what might have otherwise been a long ride. Jims gaydar was up, and he was sure Anton was of his orientation. What was more, he was equally sure that Anton was interested in him. He certainly was interested in Anton! Anton found the story of Jims lottery win charming and promised to show him around Isla Promesa, where Anton had spent a previous vacation two years earlier. As he said this, he dropped a hand onto Jims thigh and squeezed. Jim wondered what other delights awaited him besides the ones promised in the brochure the resort had sent him. How large is the resort, if it occupies a whole island? Or is it a small island? he asked Anton.

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Three-quarters of the island is wild, Anton informed him. The resort takes up only about one-quarter of the terrain. The rest is a jungleliterally. There are animals and everything. The resort management stocked the wild portion with jaguars, monkeys, and even dangerous snakes, both venomous and constrictors. Do we go hunting, then? I dont remember seeing that in the brochure, but I may have missed No. No hunting. The only thing Ill be hunting is you. He leaned over and gave Jim a steamy kiss on the lips that promised greater pleasures later. Jim was almost awkward in his response. With a five-month dry spell suddenly ending, Jim experienced mixed emotions of both excitement and hesitancy. He didnt pull back, but he didnt return the amorousness of the kiss, either. At first he simply allowed Anton to kiss him. As Anton continued to press his lips to Jims, however, Jims passiveness slowly evanesced, and he began to return the kiss with growing fervor. The prospect of Anton hunting him began to really get a rise out of his cock. But when Anton finally found it necessary to break the kiss and draw a deep breath, Jim remembered Antons last comment and voiced the question that had occurred to him. No hunting? Then why the animals? And whats to stop them from coming into the resort and endangering us? There is a big, tall fence that divides the resort from the jungle. Theres simply no way for the animals to get through. The fence extends well out into the ocean and has barbed wire on the jungle side. To discourage the animals from climbing, you know. There is an observation tower on the resort side, very tall, glass enclosed, and airconditioned. It even has a bathroom. We can go up to the towerI did it last timeand watch the jaguars, the alligators, the monkeys, and everything else. Im more interested in getting a little wild with you, Jim responded with a wink aimed at Anton.

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His words surprised himself. Was he the same Jim who had toiled so laboriously and lived so dully just two months ago? The thought flashed through his mind that Erik would hardly recognize him now, but then Erik fled from Jims mind as quickly as he had fled from his life. That was then. This was now. And now belonged to Anton, the charming fellow with the bright smile and flashing eyes whose personality had gotten Jim hooked right at the start of this improbable adventure. Jim had always believed that the eyes were the key to a persons personality, and Antons eyes spoke volumes to Jim. Therell be time enough for both getting wild with me and getting up close to the wildlife, trust me. Im booked for a weeks stay. How about you? The same. Good. Anton squeezed Jims thigh again and then, after a quick look around to make sure no one else was watching, he moved his hand up and squeezed the swelling flesh in Jims crotch. Electric charges went off like miniexplosions in Jims balls, and his dick sprang to full hardness. Taking his cue from Antons boldness, Jim returned the gesture, glomming on to the bulge of Antons cock and squeezing insistently several times. Stop! Youre killing me! Lets wait till were settled in, Anton protested. The accommodations are little houses? Luxury cabins? Id hardly called them cabins. Anton laughed loudly. The resort calls them casitas. There is a living room, a bedroom, and two deluxe bathrooms, in case you are traveling with someone. There is a lanai, a hot tub, and a private exercise room. Each casita has its own small swimming pool in addition to the main pool. There is also an alcove off the entryway with a small refrigerator, a two-burner stove, and a coffeepot. The fridge contains not just cream for your coffee but champagne, and the wet bar in the living room is fully stocked as well. If there is anything else you need, call the front desk, and theyll send it right around. I think the only other thing I need is you.

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Youll have your fill of me. I promise. I dont get full that easily. Well, I mean to fill you, Anton said meaningfully. Or are you strictly a top? Im versatile. Good. So am I. This is shaping up to be a much better vacation than Id even dreamed, Jim said. Antons devil-may-care attitude became apparent to Jim as they talked, and it appealed to a side of Jim that was just now evidencing itself. Anton was different from anyone Jim had dated before, but then, Jim himself was different now from the person he had been before. It amazed him how much he could be changed just by winning a huge sum of money, and he cautiously voiced a hint of that amazement to Anton. If Im not being too curious, just how much was the lottery jackpot? It was in the newspaper. Its hardly a secret. I thought it would have been. And? Eighty-five millionbefore taxes. Do you have a good investment advisor? My brother-in-law does. Its a woman, and shes a bit unorthodox, but shes helped Evan get quietly wealthy even during the recession. Ahhh! I may ask you for her name. By turns serious and playful, Anton was a complex character, who made Erik seem one-dimensional in retrospective contrast. Even his past was richly layered, as Jim discovered when Anton told him about his childhood pet, a horse. I loved to ride him, but I often felt guilty at the same time, Anton told Jim. When my papa would give me piggyback rides, hed complain after a bit that his back was hurting him. I used to worry that I was hurting Thunders back the same way. I loved that horse and definitely didnt want to hurt him. When Id go

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for a ride, Id always bring carrots with me and feed them to Thunder after I got off him. I was trying to make it up to him for hurting his back by riding him. So your family was rich when you were a kid, too? I was spoiled rotten. But they made sure I didnt turn into a brat. Mama and Papa could be very strict when they felt it was called for. Jim wondered what Anton saw in him. Yes, they were on equal footing financially now, but under it all, Jim was still Jim, a mere bookkeeper until very recently. He had none of Antons breeding or background and none of the advantages Anton had grown up with. A pet horse? Jims childhood pets, by comparison, had been a succession of hamsters and guinea pigs. What did Anton see in him? Clearly Anton was attracted to him, but why? Another limo met the boat at the dock and drove them to the main building, known as Casa Grande, which contained the front desk and concierge desk, the dining room, a billiards room, a card room, and some rooms for the service personnel, including a laundry room with dry cleaning machines and living quarters for those who worked at the resort. Casa Grande also contained a store that sold everything from clothing to books, suntan lotion to perfume. And if you want something thats not here, Anton told Jim, theyll send a boat to San Juan to fetch it for you. I told you, Jim repeated, all I want is you. They were given keys to their casitas. Jim was in eleven. Anton was in twelve. Looks like were right next door to each other, Jim observed happily. In a manner of speaking, Anton replied. Jim raised a puzzled eyebrow. Everything is very spread out here. For privacy, you know, Anton explained. Were each others nearest neighbor, but theres quite a distance between us. Youll see. After theyd checked in, the limo drove them to their respective casitas. They arrived at Antons first, and he emerged from the limo with the driver carrying his luggage in. Jims casita was next and,

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indeed, was a respectable distance from Antons. Jim made short work of unpacking. He looked around the casita and was debating what to do first when three loud raps at the door caught his attention. As he had hoped, it was Anton. Anton kissed him, then walked in. Have you found the bar yet? he asked. Yes. Good. Why dont you make us drinks? Whats yours? I think youll find a single malt scotch in there. On the rocks, please. Jim poured Antons drink, then poured more of the scotch for himself. Searching for club soda, he found instead some sparkling water and poured a small amount of that. Cheers, he said, raising his glass as he passed Antons glass to him. To a wonderful vacation for both of ustogether. Ill drink to that. If you havent noticed yet, Anton said, there are condoms in the medicine cabinet. Thats good. I didnt think to bring more than the two I carry in my pocketalthough Ive tested negative since my last relationship, and I havent had anyone else. Same here, said Anton, so I guess we can dispense with the condoms. Suppose we shed our clothes and go for a swim in the pool naked. Naked? What if someone sees us? They wont. With the pool being behind the casita, even in the unlikely event that someone knocks at the door, they wont see us. Jim stripped out of his clothes, and Anton did the same. Jim admired Antons body, which was hairy over a well-muscled frame. It was obvious that Anton worked out. Not that Jim had anything to be ashamed of, he knew. His body was good as well, but Antons outclassed his by a mile.

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Antons dick was impressive, too. More than half-hard already, it was mottled, thick, veiny, and hooded. Jim had seen only one or two uncircumcised dicks before, and he was fascinated by the way this one looked. Reaching out, he pulled the skin back, played with it, and jerked it a little. You Americans dont see too many of these, do you? Anton said. Lets get in the pool. We can see what kind of mischief we can get up to in there for starters. Jim felt self-conscious going outdoors naked, but the many trees certainly did hide them from view. Many of those are fruit trees, Anton informed him. Mangos, avocados, bananas, papayas, plantains, guavas This is the banana I want to pick, said Jim, returning his hand to Antons dick. As long as you dont bite into it. Crouching down, Jim took the dick into his mouth and ran his tongue around the bulbous head, whose foreskin was now completely retracted. Swabbing the corona with the raspiest part of his tongue, he hefted Antons balls with his right hand while reaching up to Antons nipples with his left. Oh, yessssss! Anton seethed. For a few minutes, Jim continued sucking until Anton said, I dont want to get off yet. Youd better stop. Im getting pretty close, and I want to make this last. Lets get in. As Jim reluctantly relaxed his suction on Antons dick, Anton jumped feetfirst into the small oval pool. Jim followed him, swimming fast to try to catch him, but Anton was a strong swimmer and obviously in a playful mood. He eluded Jim even when he reached the end of the small pool and had to come back past Jim. Finally, though, Anton tired of the game and headed to the edge of the pool. Eschewing the steps, he hoisted himself to the pool coping with his strong arms so his butt was on the edge. Then he

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swung around and stood up. Lets go in, he said abruptly. Jim was only too glad to follow him. The resorts bath towels were soft, extra fluffy, and absorbent, and the two men were dried off in no time. The bed was king-size, and the linens were the finest Egyptian cotton. Jim had expected silk, somehow, but on feeling the quality of the sheets, he decided he preferred Egyptian cotton over silk. Anton stood next to Jim at the side of the bed, and Jim put a hand on his shoulder then let the hand drift down Antons back and down to his firm butt muscles, cupping his cheek, squeezing. From there, he worked his way around front, cupping Antons balls and then his straining dick. He let out a huge groan of need and longing. Feel good? Jim asked. Yes! he said decisively, nodding his head vigorously. Let me know any time Im not doing it the way you like it. You have good instincts. What do you want to do first? Everything! Anton answered greedily. Suppose I fuck you first, then. Did you bring lube? If not, I have some in my pants pocket. You think of everything, dont you? Anton retrieved the lube and returned quickly. Jim put his hand back on Antons shoulder and guided him down to the bed. Then he rolled Anton over and thrust a cautious finger up his asshole, inserting one finger in his surprisingly tight aperture. The finger glided in with some resistance but no real problem. Jim slid a second finger in to join the first, and then a third finger joined those two. Now he began to move the fingers in and out. Antons hole gripped him tightly and made it difficult to finger-fuck him as rapidly as Jim would have liked. But the more he did it, the more Anton loosened up.

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Jim had a fully raging hard-on, and he rubbed it up against Antons butt cheek as he worked his fingers in and out of Antons ass, loosening him up for the forthcoming fuck. Jims pulse pounded in his hard-on as he humped against Antons leg. Antons body, too, was moving back and forth now as Jims fingers probed deeper and deeper up his ass channel. Little mewling sounds came from Antons blissedout soul. Jim lubed up his free hand and reached around Anton to grab his dick. Then Jim started sliding his hand back and forth along the thick pole of Antons cock. The saliva slicked up his fat cock cylinder and made it slippery. Jims hand glided up and down easily. Anton shivered under Jims touch as he spread his fingers out inside his ass while continuing to pump his rod with demanding strokes. A sudden gasp from Anton, just before his body stiffened, alerted Jim to the fact that Anton was on the verge of spewing. He jacked him faster, plunged his fingers deeper, and elicited one hellacious major explosion out of his new friend. For just a finger-fuck and jack-off, that was awesome! he said, groaning. Jim chuckled. That was nothing! Waitll I get serious about things. I hope you have some more cum stored up in those balls of yours. Shit, yes! Jim played his hands across Antons pecs and teased his stiff little nipples, toying with the nubbins until they crinkled into even greater and more needful rigidity. Then he squeezed some lube from the tube Anton had provided, reinserted his fingers up into the warm, humid cavern of his asshole, and began thrusting in and out. Antons dick, which had gone half-limp, quickly reenergized and inflated to maximum potential. He was now on his back, and that was just the way Jim wanted him, but for what he had in mind, he wanted Anton to get those knees way up toward his shoulders. He patted the backs of Antons thighs,

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and the minor nobleman took the hint and pulled his legs up, rolling back into position. Then Jim nosed the tip of his eager hard-on against Antons hole and proceeded to carefully push his way in. As his dick prodded Antons reluctant muscle ring, Anton scrunched up his face in a wince of discomfort. Shall I stop and give you a rest? Jim asked. No! It always hurts at first, but I know its going to be worth it. Jim pushed again, and again, and again. Damn, this fellow was tight! One more hard shove, and finally he broke through. Anton emitted a tiny yelp and a whimper, but before Jim could ask if he wanted him to wait a second to let him get used to being stretched like that, Anton urged him, Okay now. Give me more! Gladly obliging, Jim thrust forward farther and pushed more of his thick penile intruder up into Antons channel. The dark-haired stud began to rock back and forth now, hunching his hips and taking in more of Jims sturdy cock. As he did, Jim began a back-and-forth motion of his own, each forward thrust plunging him deeper and deeper. Antons enfolding anal walls clung to Jim as tightly as a latex medical glove. His clinging ass rubbed Jims cock insistently as Jim thrust in and out, in and out, in and out. And then finally he was all the way in, the base of his cock grinding up against Antons ball sac and his tender asshole. Anton was whimpering almost constantly as Jim thrust in and out, but they were definitely not the sounds of pain. His face was scrunched up, but that was not in pain either. It was the look of someone intent on coming, the sound of someone who felt sensations he was enjoying in a big way. Jim grabbed the backs of Antons hairy, strong thighs, held tight, and sped up until he was slamming in and out of him mercilessly. But then, he knew Anton didnt want mercy. He wanted to be fucked hard and fast and avidly. And thats just what Jim was doing to him.

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Then Jim saw Antons hand wrap around his erection. He began jacking himself, but Jim immediately put a stop to that. Dont. Leave it. Let me suck you off after I fuck you. Anton quickly dropped his hand, smiling at the prospect. This assfuck would be followed by his getting sucked. The only problem Jim could see was, from the swollen hardness of Antons dick and the quantity of pre-cum it was leaking, it seemed clear that Anton was getting close to coming off on his own. Jim would have to finish fast if he didnt want Anton spurting his stuff before Jim ever sucked him. Pinch my nipples, Jim directed him. Anton obliged, enclosing each of Jims nubbins between a thumb and forefinger. Jim squirmed at Antons touch on his toughened flesh. Jims balls rumbled, and he knew they were preparing to deliver their load. Jim rabbit-fucked Anton then. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat, he drove his dick deep into Antons asshole, burrowing to even greater depths than he had reached before. He drove hard, fast, and furiously, determined to get off quickly. And he did. His balls suddenly imploded, squirting out what felt like a quart of jizz. As soon as his pulse had slowed and the searing sensations had cooled and calmed, Jim quickly pulled out of Antons channel. Anton seemed truly on the brink. Quickly, Jim began to suck him. As his lips closed around Antons hard-on, Anton let out such a groan that Jim momentarily thought something was wrong. But nothing was wrong. Everything had never been more right. Compressing his lips, Jim slowly worked his way down Antons shaft, sucking harder as he swallowed more and more of Antons dick. Jim trilled his tongue against the flat base of Antons hugely engorged erection until at last he was at the base. As his nose nestled into Antons dark curls, Jim realized he had already worked up a sweat despite having just come out of the pool. The sweat smell was a fragrant perfume to Jims appreciative nose. Backing up off Antons shaft, Jim eased up on the suction until he reached the top of Antons dick. When only the knob of his dick

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remained in Jims mouth, he swirled his tongue around that plummy globe and then sucked harder, swooping down again, and took the entirety of Antons dick into his mouth quickly. Holding Antons overinflated hard-on prisoner in his mouth, Jim sucked hard, released his suction, sucked again, and repeated that action four or five more times before backing off Antons shaft with a whoosh. Back down he went, encompassing Antons engorged shaft and retaining it. Then he felt a pulsation along Antons distended vein, or maybe it was from somewhere deep within his dick. His balls gave up their load, and the warmth of his blasting cum filled Jims mouth and tantalized his taste buds. He continued sucking until Anton relaxed, drained, on the bed. As Jim felt Antons dick begin to soften, he released it from his mouth and licked the residual cum from his dickhead. As Antons dick became more limp, the foreskin once again crept up over his dickhead. Jim watched, fascinated. Now how about you let me suck you off? Jim was only too agreeable. His raging hard-on was demanding relief, and there was nothing that would please him more than to let Anton do the honors. He knew he wouldnt last long. Anton, clearly still totally wiped out from his explosive orgasm, wearily hoisted himself to a sitting position and swung his legs off the bed. Where are you going? Jim asked, a hint of concern in his voice. To get a washcloth. He disappeared into the bathroom, returned with a soapy washcloth and a towel, laved Jims cock and wiped it clean, and then bent down and took it in his mouth. He had no opportunity to show off his finesse. Jim was that close to coming already. At the mere touch of Antons lips encircling his cockhead, Jims balls went into overdrive. Anton slid up and down Jims dick a few times, and that was all it tookwell, that and Antons hand squeezing Jims balls while his other hand toyed with his nipples. Jim

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exploded in a geyser of spewing spume that cascaded down Antons welcoming throat. Still naked, they drifted out to the lanai with the drinks theyd abandoned, where they lay on lounge chairs and got to know each other better. Though they came from vastly different backgrounds, they found they had marvelously compatible personalities and similar worldviews, and they really enjoyed each others company. Both were middle-of-the-road politically. Neither had any patience for the political posturing that occupied so much of American politics today. Although foreign born, Anton was a naturalized citizen of the US, and like many such, he took his citizenship seriously. Some of his comments really made Jim stop and think, but Jim liked that. With Erik, he had often disagreed on such matters, but they had agreed not to discuss them so as not to bring discord into the relationship. Anton seemed to have views that at times agreed with his and at times were at variance, but they were able to discuss their differences without rancor, and Jim found that the conversation truly broadened his thinking. Unlike Jim, Anton had been born well-off, but he never seemed to look down on Jim as nouveau riche or think the less of him for his less-than-noble background. If anything, he seemed to admire Jim for his work ethic and his stick-to-it-iveness. He also expressed surprise that Jim had not let his lottery winnings go to his head. Youre a down-to-earth type. Youre true to your origins. I like that. Jim glowed at knowing that he had met with Antons approval. It meant a lot to him. He was fast becoming smitten with this European nobleman, and it wasnt Antons nobility that had gone to Jims head. He had never been much impressed with wealth or position, and now that he was suddenly and gloriously rich himself, Antons monetary position meant even less to Jim than ever. He reached over and planted a quick, brushing kiss on Antons lips. You could get to be habit-forming, Anton told Jim. Id like that, Jim answered with a smile.

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They lay talking for over an hour, their conversation broken by intermittent silences that were companionable rather than awkward. At length, Anton stirred in his lounge chair and said, Id like another drink, and Id also like to go for dinner sooner rather than later. Im starting to get hungry. Me, too, Jim agreed. They both bestirred themselves and went back into the living room in search of refills for their glasses. While sipping, they languidly got back into their clothes. All the while, they were getting to know each other better, and the better Jim got to know Anton, the more he liked him. From Antons behavior and attitude toward him, it seemed the same was true for him. Jim was very much enjoying the warm feelings that no other man had been able to evoke in him since Eriks departure. When theyd finished their second drinks, they ambled toward Casa Grande in search of dinner. It was a longish walk. Anton explained that one call to the front desk would summon a limo to come pick them up if they wished, but both men agreed they actually preferred to walk. As they walked, they held hands, and Jim felt that Antons touch was broadcasting the warm feelings Anton had for him. Jim had never eaten pt de foie gras before. He had never had truffles, either. When he learned that both were available, he ordered the pt for his appetizer, even though he rarely ate an appetizer under normal circumstances, even when eating out. The truffles topped an asparagus dish that involved prosciutto and a cream sauce. This accompanied smoked pheasant with a chestnut dressing. By the time Jim had devoured all these offerings, he was way too full for dessert. Anton urged him to try the orange cake with walnut glaze, but Jim said, Youd have to roll me home to my casita. Why not stay in mine? Anton suggested persuasively. But how about a moonlit walk on the beach first? They were wearing pants, shirts, and shoes, so a dip in the ocean was not an option, but they beach-strolled under a filmy moon,

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stopping to kiss every so often, and Jim felt that his heart had finally been healed. In fact, he was quickly falling for Anton. He wasnt yet in love, but he certainly felt an awfully strong pull toward the darkhaired minor nobleman. Maybe it was happening so fast because of the magic of this place, but whatever the reason, his heart was flooded with warmth and good feelings. Jim went back to his own casita long enough to get a change of clothes and a toothbrush then hurried to Antons casita, where he found Anton brewing a pot of herbal tea. It will give you strength. You will need it, he told Jim with a smile and a wink. Jim dropped his eyes to Antons crotch and saw that he already had half a hard-on again. I see what you mean, Jim said. Anton passed a cup of tea to Jim. Sugar? Lemon? Cream? Im good. Jim sipped the tea and found it interesting. Did you bring this from home, or does the resort supply it? Its my own. Why dont you bring your cup with you into the bedroom? Do you know how to give a massage? I love getting massaged almost as much as I love sex. The resort has a masseur on staff, of course, but I think its so much more intimate and satisfying to get massaged by a lover. They carried their tea into the bedroom, sipped some, and put their cups down almost in unison. Both men shucked their clothes, and Anton lay facedown on the bed. Jim straddled him and laid his hands on Antons back. Antons skin was smooth, supple, and perfect. Jim kneaded his sinewy muscles, his taut skin, and his tight upper body, and the more he touched Anton, the hotter he got and the harder his dick grew. Both men were sweaty, and Jim decided a shower was in their mutual near future. At length, Jim rolled Anton over and let his hands slip down past Antons shoulders, down the hair-forested planes of his firm chest, and down to the twin nipples that crowned his pectorals and jutted out like twin drill bits. Those nipples were begging for attention, so Jim squeezed each nipple between a thumb and the side of a forefinger,

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elongating the twin points of flesh as he rolled them and pinched them. Anton moaned and squirmed, groaning so loudly at one point that Jim was afraid Anton was coming off before Jim had even touched his dick! But he wasnt. Anton was simply, Jim realized, a very expressive and uninhibited man who was currently in the grip of a heat that demanded he vent his feelings. His strong muscles tightened totally as he hunched on the bed in the throes of raw passion. Jim decided that, after all, hed better stop molesting Antons nubbins or he would be spurting off prematurely. He gave one last sharp tweak to Antons two nipples then got off the bed and said, Cmon. Lets go take a shower together. Of course, Jim soaped Antons dick first. It had lost some small amount of its hardness as they stepped under the stinging spray, and Jim wrapped his hand around it and cajoled it back to its former state of full erection. Once again taking great delight in exploring Antons foreskin, Jim toyed with the floppy fringe eagerly. Slipping his finger under the cowl of skin, he teased Antons sensitive glans. Anton began thrusting his hips out, bucking back and forth as he stood under the shower, jutting forward and pressing his dick through Jims soap-slicked hands grasp. Jim held him tighter, moved his hand back and forth, and enhanced Antons thrusts with jacking motions. Keep that up and Im gonna Anton started to warn him, but Jim was too quick for him. Dropping Antons dick quickly, Jim sank to his knees under the shower spray and enveloped Antons ball sac in his mouth. He tried to get both orbs in his mouth but failed, so he settled for sucking on all of one testicle and part of the other. He prodded Antons sac with his tongue, sucking on the sweatfrosted skin before the water could wash all the delicious salty sweat down the drain. Anton was emitting a continuous series of moans as he swayed back and forth under the shower spray, barely able to stay

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on his two feet. Jim sucked Antons sac in and out of his mouth, reached up, and once again molested his nubbins. That was when Anton reached for his own dick, clearly too hot to leave himself alone. Pushing his hand away, Jim replaced it with his own hand and began jacking him. Immediately Anton started thrusting his hips out, driving his dick in and out of Jims grasp. Jim jerked him urgently, having decided to whip this first load out of him and get the pressure off his balls so he could enjoy their next go-round at leisure. Stroking rapidly, Jim churned up the load in his balls until Anton was on the verge of firing off. Arching his back into a bow and letting out a Tarzan-of-the-Apes call, Anton stiffened like a glacier-frozen mastodon, bellowed like a bull elephant, and let fly a thick barrage of sperm. Considering that hed already gotten off earlier, he sure packed a big load. Splat after splat after splat shot out of his spewing dick and swirled down the drain with the water. Anton moaned, panted, and finally sagged against the wall, whupped. But he gamely reached out a hand to Jims dick and panted, I want to do you! Rest up first. No! He wrapped a demanding hand around Jims cock. His motions were smooth, sure, and knowing. He got seriously into the rhythm of itback and forth, back and forth, sliding easily, demanding with his hand, speeding up more and more, and finally tugging at Jims hard-on as if he were issuing it an ultimatum. He got Jim to his peak before he really wanted to be there, but there was no gainsaying that well-practiced, insistent hand. Jim felt his sap rising long before he really wanted this shower encounter to end. But the end was almost there. He was about to spurt off and give Anton a handful of cream. Its coming! Jim warned him. Im gonna and then, abruptly, he did, before he could even finish the warning. A gusher of cum spewed from his dicks slit, swirling rapidly down the drain, but he grew only half-soft as Antons hand continued

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jacking him, squeezing him, and urging him to give him more. Well, there was no more in that load, but Jim knew there was more where that had come from. He only needed to recuperate first. Still, he could see why Anton had thought the tea would be helpful. He obviously had big plans for the night. Cmon, he urged Anton. Wash off and towel off. He handed Anton the soap, getting out of the shower and drying himself, then handed a fresh towel to Anton as he emerged from the stall. Both dried, they returned to the bedroom and sank onto the bed. What would you like to do now? Anton asked. Its your choice. I want to fuck you, Jim answered simply, licking his right index finger and probing for Antons ass. It was easy to reachhe was lying on his side, propped up on one elbow, giving Jim an easy target. He wriggled with delight when Jims finger squirmed within his pucker. Jim wiggled it within the humid warmth of Antons ass. You think that feels good? Wait until you feel my dick up there. His anal sphincter was holding Jims finger tight, and Jim remembered how tight a fuck hed been earlier. Although he already knew hed be able to get his thick meat stuffed up Antons tight bum, he also knew it would be a very tight fit. Jims dick was of a respectable but hardly record-setting length, yet its width was definitely something to whistle at. This was once again going to be a tight fit. Of course he managed yet again. Of course he somehow got that tree trunk of a dick of his to fit up that tight and tender butt hole of Antons. It took a lot of trying, a lot of grunting on both their parts, a lot of stuffing, maneuvering, effort, energy, and quite a lot of lube, but at last, Jim got his meaty cock stuffed up Antons back channel. It found its way into the tight confines of Antons rear entrance and began to burrow deep into the farthest reaches of his tunnel. Anton groaned as his asshole and the nerve-rich walls of his anal canal were spread wide, but he clearly loved the feeling of fullness, the thickness of Jims shaft, and the way he felt when Jims fat, wide,

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thick, rampaging dick finally got inside him, plugged his ass, and began feeding him cock galore. He begged for more, even when Jim had no more left to give him. But Jim sure gave him plenty of what he had. Jim stuffed Anton with cock. He plugged his ass. He thrust his cock far up, deeply into his tender ass channel. He filled Anton with his raging erection. He burrowed up his canal as far as he could go. Then he left him feeling full and fulfilled and stuffed and satisfied, and then he rammed him deep and stuffed him plenty and made him feel better than good, better than fantastic, to the best of his ability, using every trick hed ever learned in bed. Anton got off to the tune of a hot load of steaming, creamy cum. After that, Anton sucked Jim off. With his lips compressed in a tight O, he traversed the length of Jims stalk, sucking as he worked his way up and down, flicking his tongue across Jims sensitive corona every time his lips neared the tip. While he sucked Jims dick, he skated a finger around Jims asshole, not entering, not probing inside but teasing around the puckered entrance and tantalizing all the nerves that lived there. His lips glided up and down the shaft of Jims dick, his fuck-finger skidded across Jims sphincter, and Jim felt himself rising to another crest. Then Anton coaxed a major, hefty load out of Jims balls. It felt just as strong as if it had been his first orgasm of the day. Anton was not only good company, he was, as Jim was discovering, one hell of a talented cocksucker, too. They were both wrung out by then, and they curled up together in bed without bothering to turn the living room lights out. Anton reached over and turned off the bedside lamp, and they went to sleep like that, with the lights still blazing in the living room. The hairs on Antons chest tickled Jims chest as they lay face-to-face, each with an arm across the other. Antons breath was sweet and smelled faintly of the herbal tea. Jim felt utterly at peace for the first time in a long time as he drifted off in Antons embrace.

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Chapter 3
Secure in the privacy the situating of the casitas afforded their occupants, Anton and Jim hadnt bothered to close the blinds the night before. Now the morning sun, peeking over the horizon, flooded the world with daylight, which streamed in the east-facing bedroom window. Although the profusion of fruit trees that ringed the perimeter of the casitas yard blocked any direct sunlight from shining in, the daylight was bright enough to awaken Jim. He had rolled over during the night but remained snuggled up to Anton, albeit now in spooned position instead of face-to-face. The first thing he was aware of, as he came awake and stretched, was Antons chest hair tickling his back. He was immediately reminded of where he was and the very pleasant circumstances he was in. As Jim stretched, Anton awoke and murmured a sleepy Good morning, kissing and nuzzling the nape of Jims neck. It was not a prelude to sex but rather an expression of affection, and Jim rolled over to burrow his face into his new lovers neck. Whats breakfast like in this place? he asked, his voice muffled by Antons neck. Get dressed and find out, Anton suggested. When they were dressed and ready, they walked to Casa Grande, where Jim experienced a breakfast like none he had ever had before or even dreamed of. He started it off with fresh-squeezed mango juice, followed by croissants that were served with a honey whose flavor was different from that of any other honey he had ever tasted. Whats it made from? he asked Anton. A secret ingredient. They wont tell. I dont know if its a question of what kind of blossoms the honey is made from or if its

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some kind of infusion. I only know its special to Isla Promesa and a deeply guarded secret. After the croissants, of which Jim ate two despite their generous size, he had a caviar omelet laced with snipped chives accompanied by a glass of champagne. This was followed by a cup of cinnamonflavored coffee. I think Im too full to walk back to the casita, he observed. How do we get a limo to take us? They left the dining room incredibly stuffed but ineffably satisfied. Go back to your casita and get into a swimsuit, Anton suggested as they walked out to the lobby. I need to make a few phone calls, too. Why dont you give me an hour or so. Suppose I come over to your place, and we can go swimming in the pool there or would you rather try out the big pool? The big pool, I think. Very well. Ill come by your place when Im ready, and we can go to the pool together from there. They stopped at the front desk in the lobby of Casa Grande to request a ride back to their casitas and soon were in a limo. Back at the casita, Jim changed into a swimsuit and, feeling sleepy from having eaten so much, brewed a cup of coffee for himself. There was a TV screen with in-room movies and other programming, and he selected a concert of Broadway favorites, which he was still watching when Anton knocked at his door. After a quick kiss, they hit the road to the swimming pool, electing to walk this time. If I dont work off some of the food Ive been eating, Im going to be waddling by the time I check out, he observed. Ive got a great activity for you, Anton suggested. It may not work off many calories through exercise, but youll sweat them off in fear. Whats that? Bungee jumping. They have a facility over at the north end of the compound. Want to try it? Im terrified already, but yes.

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Then after we swim for a bit, well go bungee jumping. They swam playfully, engaging in a game of tag, Marco Polo, and races. Anton won every race. Then they lay in the sun for forty-five minutes, soaking up rays until Anton, who was fairer skinned than Jim, decided it would be prudent to get out of the sun rather than trust the extra-strength suntan lotion hed applied to protect him any longer. Bungee jumping was fun, a novel experience for Jim, though Anton had bungee jumped not only on his previous visit to Isla Promesa but also at various other places he had visited. Jim was terrified on his first jump but exhilarated once he got over his initial fear. From quaking in his figurative boots, he turned into an avid jumper, jumping again and again. Anton applauded Jims repeated jumps, and mentally Jim applauded himself as well. Was this the same man who had once toiled so quietly as a drab and unassuming bookkeeper at Erskine & Gordon Manufacturing Concern? Do they have hang gliding here? he asked eagerly, Or skydiving? Anton laughed and said, So, you like scary challenges? Jim, who had never thought that of himself before, said, Yes, I guess I do. Maybe the old Jim didnt, but apparently this new Jim did. I have another thought, said Anton. What? Ill tell you this afternoon. For now, we have time to do something else before lunch. Somehow you dont strike me as the golf or tennis type. No, Im not. Why? Are you? I can take them or leave them. But why dont we go up in the perimeter tower? And look at the jungle on the other side? Sure, why not? It sounded like tame enough fun. But then, knowing Anton, Jim suspected there might be more to what Anton had in mind than he was letting on.

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Since it was already past eleven oclock, and the observation tower at the perimeter fence was not nearby, they called for a limo ride and arrived at the tower much quicker than they would have had they been walking. They climbed to the glass-enclosed, airconditioned tower but didnt see any animals at all. The view of the jungle on the wild three-quarters of the island was certainly impressive, but Jim felt cheated at not getting to see any wildlife other than three birds and a butterfly! Just wait till later, Anton said with a wicked chuckle, but when Jim questioned him as to what he was planning, he remained mum. They took one last look at the view from the tower before descending to be chauffeured back to their casitas. Whats on the other side of that hill? Jim asked. More of the same, I suppose. Even management doesnt go into the jungle. Youll notice theres no gate in the fence. In the limo, Anton suggested they go back to their respective casitas and freshen up. Meet me at my casita in twenty minutes, and well go have lunch. For lunch, Jim had a rack of lamb with a pears-and-brandy sauce, mashed potatoes laced with truffles, and a Caesar salad. Migawd, its a dinner! he exclaimed, carefully leaving some of everything to take back to his casita in a pooch pouch, the Isla Promesa version of a doggie bag. By dint of conserving some of his lunch, he also saved some room for dessert, which was cherries flamb with a brandy sauce over mocha ice cream. I recommend a nap, Anton advised as they walked home to their casitas. Im taking mine in a chaise by the pool. Jim opted for napping indoors in air-conditioned comfort. He was still asleep when Anton knocked at his door, dressed in long pants and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt. Ready for an adventure? he asked. I recommend you dress as I have. What are we doing? Jim couldnt help but notice the wicked twinkle in Antons eyes.

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Were going to jump the fence and explore the jungle. Isnt that dangerous? Sure it is. Thats part of the fun. Jim wasnt so sure about that, but hed already tried so many new things since arriving at Isla Promesa, a new spirit of reckless daring was upon him. What about the barbed wire on the other side? he asked. Were going to jump from the top, not climb down the other side. Couldnt we get hurt jumping from that high up? Sure, Anton said again, but well be careful. What if we swam around the part of the fence that extends out into the water? Wouldnt that be safer and easier? We couldnt swim well in long sleeves and long pants, and we do want our arms and legs covered if were going to be walking through the jungle. Exploring the jungle. With wild animals. What a far cry from sitting at a computer doing bookkeeping for Erskine & Gordon! Jim couldnt believe how thoroughly his life had changed in so little time! But wont we get in trouble? In the first place, we wont get caught. In the second place, what can the management do to us even if, hypothetically, they do catch us? Were breaking rules, but were not breaking the law. How about one fast fuck before we take off? Youre stalling. Yes, I am. But Im also horny. You turn me on. Its hard to resist an offer like that, but lets make it fast. We want to be back by dinner. Anton proceeded to take his clothes off, and Jim did the same. So far Ive fucked you, but I havent given you a chance to even the score, Jim offered. I didnt bring my lube over with me. Do you have some here? Sure.

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Anton slathered the lube onto Jims tingling asshole, working it in with his fingers. They slid delicately into Jims tight hole, slithering upward as far as they would reach. It felt like he had two fingers up there, or was it three? Jim certainly felt full. Jeez, if Im this full from just three fingers, how am I going to handle that big slab of cock? The fingers eased in and out, spreading the lube, setting Jims nerves on fire, making him hot, hotter, hottest. Anton reached up to Jims prostate then suddenly veered away, deliberately teasing him and tormenting him yet still touching nerves that made flames sear his channel. Periodically, Anton hooked his fingers and pulled them out, catching them deliberately on the rim as they exited, making Jims asshole flame brighter. But each time, he plunged his fingers inside and deep, far, high up within him again. Then one time he left his fingers outside, just strumming Jims rim, circling around the pucker and skating its circumference. The sensation raised his fever, but at the same time, his ass was suddenly empty. Now a yawning cavern, bereft of its previous occupants, it ached to be filled againpreferably by something much more massive than those fingers. He suddenly heard Anton softly asking, Are you ready? Are you sure? Shove it in, he growled. Ive never been readier. Jims new lover gave a feral growl as he positioned his sturdy shaft at the entrance to Jims passageway and pushed. In one clean motion, he broke through Jins barrier and sailed up his chute, plunging so deep that Jim thought Antons cock would come out his mouth. It went deep, far up him, and it spread the tight tissues of his gut as it burrowed up into him. He was filled to the max, and he instantly began to move back and forth in rhythm with Antons thrusts. Bending low, Anton brought his mouth down to Jims neck. Jim thought Anton was about to kiss him, but instead he bit Jims neck like a mongrel fucking a bitch and even growled like a cur as he did it.

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His hips jackhammered like a pile driver. Jim always tried not to fuck too fast at first so as not to risk coming off too quickly, but Anton seemed to have no such reservations. He plowed it home and hammered it in. He drove deep. He thrust hard. He ratcheted back and forth ceaselessly, energetically, like a driven man or perhaps like a runaway machine. And he seemed nowhere near spurting off. He certainly was having one wildly exuberant time, though, growling and groaning and huffing and puffing. He let go of Jims neck with his teeth, but now he bit each shoulder in turn before licking Jims neck and then nibbling his ear. Jims dick was drooling pre-cum like a leaky garden hose. Thick drops of clear, viscous liquid dropped one by one from his jutting dick, which was pointing down at the bed in rigid testament to the searing heat that Anton was spreading through his body. He was a gasping fool, straining to jizz as he bucked on the bed beneath him, so hot that he thought he would incinerate if he didnt get the relief of orgasm quickly. Then Anton grabbed Jims balls and began squeezing, as if he could wring out Jims cum load from his depths by dint of sheer external pressureand it very nearly worked. Jim felt his sap rising and knew he was likely to blow at any second. But just as he felt the first tightening in his balls that signaled the start of his orgasm, Anton pinched the base of his dick and stanched the start of his climax. He groaned aloud at that, and Anton chuckled as he continued to heave his body back and forth, hammering his massive cock in and out of Jims ass. Then his strokes got shorter and harder, he seemed more breathless, his groans spiraled, and Jim realized Anton was delivering a massive load of cum within his ass. Jim was teetering on the edge. He just needed Anton to move inside him a little more. But Anton was holding perfectly still now. Jim could feel Antons pulsating dick discharging its thick and heavy load inside Jims ass, but Anton didnt pull back or push in, just held his position while his arms, which held him up, quivered so strongly

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that Jim expected them to give out, sending Anton toppling atop Jims back. No such thing happened, though, nor did Jim get off. He thought about putting his hand to his dick and stroking off the rest of the way, but before he could, Anton seemed to guess his thoughts and said, Dont touch that thing! Ill finish you off. Just give me a minute. So Jim waited until Anton had spurted his last drop into him, had caught his breath, and was ready and able to pull out and sit back. Once again, Jims asshole felt empty. His rim still quivered where Antons dick had slid out, and his dick quivered, too, in a complementary rhythm, begging for some attention. It wasnt long in arriving, as Antons lips encircled the very tip of Jims dick, then encompassed the entire head and compressed it tightly, then pinched their way down his shaft, farther and still farther until at last his lips were making contact with Jims balls. He was a hell of a lot slower in his sucking than he had been in his fucking. Instead of moving at a jackhammer pace, he worked slowly, tantalizingly, easing up and down Jims shaft with his lips, compressing his dick with a tight grip as he sucked, and using plenty of suction, but doing it all at a snaillike speed. As he worked his way up and down Jims shaft with those tight, teasing lips, his tongue accompanied his motions with some movement of its own, scraping and fluttering against the underside of Jims shaft as if it were coaxing the cum to rise up from Jims balls and follow that tongues direction out of his dick. Jim felt the explosion building. He felt the orgasm on the verge of happening. He felt his nuts squeeze together and then compress out the jizz his balls had been brewing, and he was spraying long and hard into Antons mouth. Anton swallowed, released his mouths grip on Jims wilting dick, licked his lips with relish, and then spoke. Okay, enough stalling. Time to accomplish our objective. So as not to alert anyone to their plan, they walked to the perimeter fence rather than getting a ride in one of the limos. They

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walked quickly, not wanting to waste any time. Remember, we want to be back for dinner, Anton said. The fence was tall, but Jim was agile for a man with his former sedentary occupation, thanks to his workouts in the gym and his habit of doing a lot of walking. Can you get up there? Anton asked as he climbed the fence as handily as a chimp. Yup. I think so. Its getting down on the other side that concerns me. I picked this exact spot for a reason. See that bush on the other side? Were going to jump into it. It should cushion our fall. Should? It will, Anton reassured him. He reached the top first, perched on the horizontal metal piece, aimed at the bush, pushed off, and landed inelegantly but safely. Scrambling down from the bush, he called up to Jim, See? Just like that. Now you do it. Jim took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and followed Antons lead. He wasnt as lucky, however. He landed at the edge of the bush, teetered, toppled, and fell to the ground, catching his ankle under him and twisting it in the process. Ow! he protested as pain shot through the ankle. Are you okay? Anton asked. Not wanting to appear a wuss, Jim toughed it out and said, I just twisted it. Im sure Im fine. He got up and took a tentative step. The ankle throbbed but held his weight. He took a few more steps and found he was limping but could manage. Where do we go from here? he asked gamely, trying not to wince as he put his weight on the twisted ankle. He was still painfully conscious of the difference in their backgrounds, and while there was nothing he could do about it, he was damned if hed let himself look like he was coming up short in other regards. He would not flinch, complain, or let his twisted ankle interfere with their activities.

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Good man! Anton said approvingly. I dont know, actually. Id like to see whats on the other side of that hill, but now that were down on the ground, I cant quite make out where the hill is. Cant see the forest for the trees? Jim was trying to inject a little levity into a situation that was beginning to concern him. They walked a little way into the jungle, stopping to arm themselves with a large piece of deadwood each. It wont hurt to carry a clubjust in case, Anton opined. By now they had lost sight of the fence, and Jim was unsure which direction would take them back home to the resort. He looked up at the sky, trying to get his bearings from the sun, but it was still close enough to midday that the sun wasnt that far from being directly overhead. He couldnt see the fence or the hill. Which way do we go? he asked. This wayI think, Anton said with some uncertainty in his voice. A rustle in the bushes stopped both of them in their tracks. As they froze in place, a very large snake slithered out from between two bushes. Anton raised his club, but the snake, after looking at the two of them, headed off to the side, leaving them alone. Jim was sweating profusely, and he knew it was not from the heat of the day, although the heat was intense, especially given the way they were dressed. A bit farther on, they encountered another snake. This one made straight for them, and the pair raised their clubs and brought them down hard on the reptile. This maneuver only served to anger the snake and cause it to attempt to strike. Jim had been wondering if the snake was a constrictor or of the venomous variety. He decided now it was venomous. Anton swatted directly at the snakes head, and so did Jim. Finally they subdued it, clubbing it a few more times for safetys sake before leaving it writhing on the ground. Nervously, the pair forged on. Now something else moved in the bushes, and once again the pair froze. Through a gap between two bushes, they could see the black

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spots on a golden-tan background that alerted them their visitor was a jaguar. Jim wondered how effective the clubs would be against an animal that size. Fortunately he didnt have to find out. The large cat slunk away without approaching them. By now, Jims ankle was really hurting badly. I need to rest, he said. Its my ankle. If you stop walking, it might swell up and get worse, Anton theorized. Let me see if I can bind it with something. He looked around and collected some leaves and vines and two small but sturdy sticks. From all these he fashioned a brace, with one stick on either side of the ankle, the leaves between the wood and Jims skin for cushions, and the vines to hold this arrangement in place. Now try to walk. Jim did, but the wood bit into his foot, and Anton had to adjust the positioning. It was tedious, unwrapping and rewrapping the ankle, and he had to do it several times before Jim pronounced it okay. He appreciated the tender care and patience Anton displayed as he fussed over the injured ankle, even though the procedure was eating up valuable time. By now the sun was behind the trees. Well, now we know which way is west, but which way is back to the resort, east or west, north or south? Jim asked. Anton had to admit he didnt know either. A fine pair of explorers we are! Jim said glumly. Im not at all sure which way we were walking, and Im pretty sure we didnt make a straight beeline to get here anyhow. Maybe we can find the ocean, spot the fence when we get to the shoreline, walk along the shoreline to the fence, swim around the fence, and get back safely. Never mind trying to get back the way we came. We cant get back over the fence because of the barbed wire. That was never my plan. Of course, if we do find the fence we can follow it till we reach the ocean. So we need to either find the fence or find the ocean. Fine. Which way is the ocean? Damned if I know.

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When will the resort management start looking for us? When we miss dinner? I doubt it. Certainly when we dont check out in time, but I hope they dont wait that long! You dont really think we could be lost here another five days? No, I dont. I was just answering your question. The tone of Antons voice belied the sureness of his words. They walked farther. Jims ankle was worse, the sun was sinking lower, and still they had not found the ocean or the fence. Thankfully, they had no further encounters with wildlife except for a huge tortoise, but other concerns troubled them. When they came to a cave, Anton suggested they hole up in it for the night. What if theres a bear inside? Im sure there are no bears on the island. They made their way cautiously inside, breathing a sigh of relief when nothing leaped out at them. The pair was hungry by now, and there were berries growing near the mouth of the cave. They might be poisonous, Jim cautioned. Anton volunteered to go out and scout around while Jim rested his ankle in the cave, but he was gone so long that now Jim feared he was alone in the jungle, with Anton lost out there somewhere and unable to find his way back to the cave. Anton? he called out. Then again. Anton? And finally he yelled again, Anton! but there was no answer. Jim put his head in his hands and tried very hard to keep it together, but, having no idea which way the resort lay, or the ocean, or where Anton was, and with his ankle throbbing, he was very, very afraid. Just then he heard a rustling outside the cave. Now he was not just afraid. Now he was terrified. He froze, hardly daring to breathe, wondering what type of animal was out there. He felt in the darkness of the cave for his club and raised it, ready to attack. Jim? Ohmigawd! It was Anton!

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Relieved, Jim stood up shakily on his bad ankle and took two faltering steps to his lovers arms. They embraced each other avidly, both relieved to have found each other. It was dark in the cave and twilight out. Clearly they were going to have to spend the night in the cave. Trying to make the best of a bad situation, Anton said, I know what we can do to take our minds off our predicament. You cant be thinking of sex now! Jim exclaimed. Only if your ankle is up for it. Well, that certainly sounded like a challenge! And Jim was not one to fail to take a reasonable challenge. Certainly not the new Jim! The question was, how reasonable was it? Anton kissed him then. His tongue worked its way between Jims lips. They were both standing, so it was an easy matter for them to align their bodies so they were full-on pressing against each other, their swelling dicks blooming toward each other. Lets get our clothes off and lie down, Anton said hoarsely, and for the moment Jim forgot his hurting ankle, especially when he took the pressure off it. Anton was a real producer when it came to pre-cum, a substance Jim loved to lick up from a safe lover. He did it now. His tongue dragged across the smooth surface of Antons warm glans. Anton shivered as Jims tongue tantalized his oozing slit and the flesh around it. Greedily, Jim wrapped his lips around Antons dickhead and began to descend his cock. He had half his fat, spongy shaft in his mouth when Anton said thickly, How about I fuck you? It might be easier on your ankle than you fucking me. Okay, Jim agreed, reluctantly relinquishing the delicious, rigid shaft and getting onto his hands and knees. Anton got behind him and spread his cheeks with his hands, exposing Jims rosebud to him. Then he drew closer until Jim felt Antons warm breath on him. For a minute, all Anton did was blow tantalizing streams of air onto the outside of Jims pucker. Then Jim felt Antons tongue touch lightly down on his ass pucker. At first it was just the gentlest of

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touches. Then he swabbed around Jims circle. And finally Jim felt Antons tongue intrude into the grip of his sphincter, poking within and tantalizing all those wonderfully sensitive nerves. Next Anton began dicking in and out of Jims pucker with his tongue, fucking him with it. Jim squirmed as he felt that wriggly appendage flicking in and out of him, but now he wanted something bigger. He was sure, too, that he was lubed enough now to take Antons dick. Give it to me, he groaned. Youve got it, Anton said huskily, pulling back from Jims asshole and positioning his blunt dickhead at Jims anal entrance, poised to mount him. As he thrust forward now, he spread Jims sphincter wide and then his inner walls. Jim winced at the entry with any lover, there was always a moment of mild discomfortand then Anton was in him, filling him up, spreading him wide, galloping deeper, and charging way up his gut. Do it! Jim urged as the need swelled in him, and Anton started plunging in and pulling back out, plunging in and pulling out, taking possession of Jims channel with his thick monster. Leaning down, he kissed Jims back as he fucked him. Then he reached around and grasped Jims dick and began to jack it. His touch was sure, his stroke smooth and steady. He maintained the rhythm at first, but as he obviously began spiraling higher, he sped up his strokes and, at the same time, sped up the pace of his jacking. Their two bodies bucked in rhythm together, driving toward a pair of much-needed orgasms. Almost there, Antons strangled voice informed Jim. Not that he needed to tell him. Jim had already become so attuned to Antons body that he knew he was nearing his peak. Antons driving strokes carried him deep up Jims channel as he fucked him hard and fast, and soon Jim felt those last few strokes as Anton drove deep then paused instead of pulling back out. When he got down to that rhythm, Jim could tell Anton was about to flood his ass with a hot tide of cum.

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Jim felt Anton erupt inside him and knew he was spray-painting his inner walls with his creamy, white jism. Anton dropped his hand from Jims dick, and Jim took up where Anton had left off, keeping himself close to the edge but not putting himself over. Anton gave a couple of little thrusts as he got the last few spurts out of his balls. Then, when he was momentarily empty and temporarily sated, he slowly pulled back until his half-limp dick flopped out of Jims asshole. Quickly, Jim rolled onto his back, and Anton got between his legs. Wrapping his lips around Jims seething dick, he proceeded to finish Jim off with his mouth. As his lips encircled Jims aching dick, Jim was already nearly ready to shoot, and it took only a few plunges down Antons tight throat, feeling his massaging throat muscles work over him, to bring Jim to the peak he so badly needed. Yes! he exulted as he felt his balls contract and power out a stream of sauce. Anton refrained from swallowing. When Jim had discharged his full load, Anton moved so they were face-to-face, and then he put his lips to Jims. Opening his mouth slightly, with their lips plastered tightly together, Jim let him expel his mouthful of Jims jizz into his mouth. Jim quickly passed it back to him. Soon Jims cum was mingling with Antons saliva and Jims own, as they passed it back and forth and again and again. Finally Anton swallowed, and they separated. Clearly they were going to have to spend the night in the cave. Fortunately it was plenty warm enough, but they were concerned about animals. At first they agreed to sleep in two-hour shifts, with one of them always awake to guard the other, but after each of them had taken a shift and nothing had disturbed or threatened them, they decided to take the chance of both of them sleeping, and they cuddled together on the floor of the cave, sleeping fitfully and restlessly until the light of morning infiltrated the cave and woke them up. Although Jim had hoped his twisted ankle would heal overnight, instead, it had stiffened, and he found himself hobbling badly. I hope I

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dont have to run away from any wild animals. Then they set out again to see if they could find their way to the ocean or back to the fence.

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Chapter 4
Which way is it back to the resort? Anton wondered aloud, not for the first time. North? South? East? West? Which way did your casitas living room face? And which way was it to the perimeter fence from there? The roads around Isla Promesa wind so much that Im not at all sure which way the jungle is compared to which way my windows faced. Im no help either, Jim moaned, hobbling to keep up with Anton as they made their way through the trees and underbrush. Then suddenly the ground seemed to slant upward. Lookthats the hill. That means weve been walking in exactly the wrong direction! Anton agreed with that assessment, but at that point, for both of them, curiosity overwhelmed the need to get home. Since hed first spotted the hill, Jim had wondered what was on the other side of it, the side that wasnt visible even from the observation tower. Was it merely more jungle, or was there anything interesting over there? Anton seemed of like mind and said, Now that we know which way is back home, lets just explore and see whats on the other side. If your ankles not up to it, wait here for me. Ill be back soon enough. The more I walk on it, the more it loosens up. Besides, youre not leaving me here alone! Its not a big hill. We should be at the crest in just a few minutes. It was neither terribly tall nor terribly steep, and even with his bad ankle, Jim found climbing the hill wasnt too arduous a task. When

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they neared the crest, though, they heard movement in the underbrush coming from the other side. Both men froze, wondering what kind of animal was lurking there. Then they heard voices. Human voices. What the fuck? Jim whispered. Were saved! Were rescued! Anton exulted. Jim shushed him. There arent supposed to be any people in the jungle, he reminded Anton, whispering again. We arent supposed to be here either. Well, just be careful. We dont know who it is or why theyre here. They decided to get closer to the voices and see if they could determine who it was, but as they crept closer to the source of the sound, Jim still limping on his bad ankle, Anton stepped on a twig that snapped loudly. Both men froze in place. Lets hope they think it was an animal, Jim whispered. Lets hope they dont try to kill it. As they got nearer, they heard a voice. The boat is coming after dark. The pair circled around and got closer. Peering between the trees, they saw a big wooden building and, nearby, a large open pit. What have we found? Anton whispered. Whatever it is, its certainly something illicit. Its on Isla Promesas land, and Im pretty sure the management doesnt know about it. No. Once they built the fence and brought in the animals, they left nature alone, unmolested by us humans. This shipment isnt gonna be as large as the last one, one of the voices said clearly. Do you think the mines getting played out? Naaah. I think its dwindling, but I bet there are plenty more diamonds yet to be found. Docs gonna be disappointed with the smaller haul.

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Docs a realist. He knew the diamond supply wouldnt last forever. No mine is bottomless. Weve gotten a good run outta this one. Right under the resorts noses and on their land. What they dont know wont hurt them. Or us. One of the men snickered. Just then, Anton sneezed. Jim started. The sound surprised him and also alarmed him. What if those guys heard it? Im sorry, Anton apologized in a whisper. I didnt know I had to sneeze. It caught me unaware. I had no chance to stifle it. Alas, the men had heard it. What was that? asked one of the voices. Aint never heard no monkey or jaguar sneeze. Sure did sound like a sneeze. There was silence then a rustling. Jim looked quickly at Anton. Were the men coming to look for them? How many were there? Should he and Anton make a run for it or freeze? How fast could he even run with his bad ankle? Before he could make any decisions, three men emerged from the trees, one of them carrying a rifle and wearing a gun in a holster. Freeze! one of them said. Thinking quickly, Jim said, Thank God! Weve been found! What are you two up to? Were lost. We sneaked across the resort fence to explore the jungle yesterday and got lost. Weve been wandering around, not knowing how to get back. Can you help us? Jim tried not to show his fear or let on that he knew what the men were up to. Anton stayed mum, letting Jim take the lead. The men, however, werent falling for it. Well have to lock them up till we decide what to do with them, one of the men said. Lock them up in what? We dont have a jail cell or even a locked room.

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Well, stand guard over them with a gun till Doc gets back tonight and decides what to do with them. At that, Anton spoke up. If you harm us, kill us, or prevent us from returning, the resort will start searching for us. Eventually theyll find you andwhatever youre up to. Your best chance is to turn us loose and leave the island. Your game, whatever it is, is up. The three men considered that for a minute. Then one spoke up. Naaah. Theyll think you wandered into the ocean too far, got caught in a rip current, and got pulled out to sea. We left a note where we were going, Jim bluffed. Their captors called his bluff. Youre lying. You were breaking the rules. You wouldnt have exposed yourself like that. Nobody knows where you are. Theyll think you drowned, for sure. Now get moving, the gun-wielding one said, gesturing with his rifle for emphasis. The diamond smugglers ushered Anton and Jim into the building, then into a small room with boxes, which Jim assumed was where they packed the diamonds to ready them for transit. Sure wish we had a pair of handcuffs. We have rope. Thatll do. Good thinking. Tie up that one first, the gunman said, jerking his head toward Anton. Bind his hands behind his back and then his ankles. The other ones hobbling. He wouldnt be able to run as fast. When Anton was tied, the men bound Jim in a similar manner, though they had to work around the improvised splint on his ankle. There was a bench in the packing room, and the pair was instructed to sit down on the bench. By now the sun was high overhead. The diamond smugglers began asking each other about lunch. What about them two? one of them asked. I guess wed better feed them, too. Well have to literally feed them. They cant feed themselves with their hands tied behind their backs.

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One of the other fellows snickered at that. It sounded like the same snicker that Jim and Anton had heard before. By now Jim had mentally dubbed the three men Gunman, Snickerer, and Plaid Shirt. Ill go get some grub going. Theres enough of yesterdays stew to feed five of us. Ill warm it up, Plaid Shirt said. Keep a close eye on those two. He left the room, leaving Gunman and Snickerer to guard Jim and Anton. A little while later, Plaid Shirt returned with two bowls of stew. Theres three bowls on the table. You guys go eat one at a time. Ill eat last. Meanwhile Ill feed these two. Gunman handed his rifle over to Snickerer and left the room. Plaid Shirt fed Jim first, and he compliantly ate the peppery but otherwise flavorless stew. Though thick and filling, it was hardly enjoyable, and not just because of the circumstances under which he was eating it. What a contrast to the gourmet fare he should have been eating at this hour at the resort! It even paled in comparison to what he cooked for himself at home. When Jim had finished his bowl, Plaid Shirt put down the empty bowl, picked up the other one, and moved over to Anton. Anton, rather than follow Jims lead and eat for sustenance, spit the very first mouthful defiantly in Plaid Shirts face. You lousy, motherfucking son of a bitch! Just for that you dont get any more, Plaid Shirt said, yanking the bowl away and wiping the sleeve of his shirt across his face several times urgently. I know the stew tasted bad, but your reaction was a bit extreme, joked Jim, trying to inject a bit of levity into their predicament. Damn bastards! Anton spat out the words as forcefully as hed spat out the stew. He kept wriggling around as he sat there, and Plaid Shirt asked him, suspiciously, What are you doing? Im itchy. Its allergies. Plaid Shirt kept a wary eye on Anton, whose entire body was wriggling and jiggling. From his vantage point, Jim now saw that Anton was working to loosen his wrist bonds. Jim deduced that the

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all-over wriggling was intended so that his arm movements would be less obvious. When Anton had freed his wrists, he kept his hands deliberately behind his back, yawned elaborately, and then seemed to nod off, his head falling down to his chest. Though Jim didnt know what Anton was up to, he hoped he had a plan. Jim was sitting at the end of the bench, up against a wall, and he leaned against the wall now and pretended to go to sleep, too. Through barely slitted eyes, he watched Anton, Plaid Shirt, and Snickerer. After a few minutes, Plaid Shirt tiptoed out of the room, leaving Snickerer holding the rifle. Snickerers attention wandered from the two ostensibly sleeping captives, since there was nothing to look at. At one point, he got up to stretch. It was just the opportunity Anton had been looking for. In a flash, he was on his feet and took one hobbled jump to a position right behind Snickerer, grabbed the rifle from his hands, and hit him hard over the head with the handle. Unfortunately that failed to knock Snickerer out. Hey! he yelled, whirling toward Anton and grabbing for the rifle, but Anton was the stronger of the two. He managed not only to retain control of the weapon but to crash it hard against Snickerers temple. This time he succeeded in knocking his captor out. Okay in there? From the other room either Gunman or Plaid Shirt, Jim couldnt tell which, called out. Okay! Jim yelled back, hoping the duo wouldnt realize the voice wasnt Snickerers. Anton freed Jims wrists quickly and then his ankles, which were easy, since the splint had prevented the diamond smugglers from getting the bonds on securely in the first place. Antons ankles were more of a challenge, but while he worked in vain to free them, Jim found a knife on a shelf and quickly freed Anton. He kept hold of the knife. A gun outclassed a knife, and Gunman still had his gun in his

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holster, but a knife was better than no weapon at all. Then, too, Anton now had possession of the rifle. Plaid Shirt came striding back into the room just then, holding a sharp kitchen knife in his hand. When he saw Anton with the rifle, he lunged at him with the knife. Anton ducked barely in time and just missed being stabbed in the chest. Plaid Shirt whirled and lunged again. Anton quickly shot him with the rifle and felled him. He didnt wait around to find out if Plaid Shirt was dead or merely severely wounded. Lets go! he yelled to Jim, and the two dashed for the door of the packing room. Gunman came running out another doorway into the hall. Seeing Anton and Jim on the loose, he drew his gun and fired but merely nicked Antons shoulder. Anton fired off the rifle but missed. Gunman got off another shot but also missed as Anton ducked. Quickly firing again, Anton succeeded in wounding Gunman, who dropped his gun and doubled over. Lets go! Anton yelled once again. Quickly! Snickerer was out cold but could recover at any time, Plaid Shirt was either dead or injured, but they didnt know which, and Gunman was injured, but they didnt know how severely. There was no time to waste. Anton was bleeding but not badly, and when Jim said, Let me use your shirt to make a bandage, Anton said, Theres no time. Its not bleeding that badly. Weve got to get out of here! Lets head for the beach. If they were expecting a boat, we must be close. We can follow the shoreline around to the fence, Jim suggested. No! Anton countered. First of all, like you said, theyre expecting that other fellow, this Doc. What if he comes in early and sees us? Second, were sitting ducks if we follow the shoreline. If the three guys follow us, theyll see us easily. Were better off trying to make a beeline for the fence, then following the fence line to the shore and swimming around the fence at that point. Are you going to be able to swim with your shoulder?

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Ill have to. Lets head over the hill. Then well take note of the suns position, which will be in the West, and try to walk a straight line away from the hill. That should get us back to the fence. Thats a plan. Making no attempt to be quiet or evasive but every attempt to put as much distance as they could between themselves and their erstwhile captors, and as quickly as possible, they fled through the jungle. For a while, they trudged as quickly as they could, given the condition of Jims leg. Antons shoulder seemed to have stopped bleeding. They kept an eye on the sun, which was beginning to sink lower in the sky. I dont know if well make it to the fence line by dark, Jim worried aloud. Just making it to the fence line isnt good enough, Anton pointed out. We still have to follow the fence line to the shore and then swim around the fence to get back to the resort. We cant be doing any of that in the dark. Just then a huge snake crossed their path. Anton raised his rifle, but Jim said, No! If theyre following us and they hear the rifle, theyll know where we are. The snake advanced toward them. Anton spotted a big rock and brought it down on the snakes head. Then Jim cut the snakes head off with the knife. Shaking from the encounter, he wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. They trudged on. At least, with the sun sinking lower, it was easy to know which way they were headed. Confident about their direction, if not about the lateness of the hour, they continued moving through the jungle. Then, suddenly hearing noises in the underbrush, they simultaneously froze. An animal or the diamond smugglers? Freeze or flee? They decided to stay put, and the next noises they heard sounded farther away, as if whateveror whoeverhad been close had decided to go off in a different direction.

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They were both hungry. Jim had had nothing to eat since the bowl of stew, and Anton had had nothing all day at all. When they came to a cave, Anton suggested, Wed better bed down here for the night. Jim was eager to get back to the safety of the resort and, until they got back safely, to at least put as much distance as he could between them and the diamond smugglers. On the other hand, though, he recognized the dangers in trying to find their way through the jungle in the dark, let alone swimming in the darkness. Hesitantly, he agreed with Anton. There was a mango tree nearby with a few fallen mangos on the ground below it. They had seen it when they spotted the cave. Some of the fallen mangos had already been invaded by insects, but they found four that seemed untouched. Jim cut them up with his knife, and they ate two each. Jim wondered what kind of deluxe dinner they were missing back at the resort. Two mangos could hardly compare with the delights of Isla Promesas dining room, but as hungry as he was, the fruit tasted like a catered banquet. If it didnt fill him completely, it certainly staved off his hunger pangs. As they settled into the cave for the night, Jim reflected on how vastly his life had changed. Was it really less than two months ago that he had been toiling as an obscure bookkeeper with no hopes, no dreams, no life plans, no love interest, damn little money, and a future that looked mediocre at best? Now he had money up the wazoo, skyhigh hopes, and a plethora of plans for the future. That is, if he got out of this mess alive. There were suddenly so many options! He could start a business of his own, if he ever got back to safety, though what the nature of that business would be was a question he had not settled on an answer to as of yet. One thing he was sure of was that he hoped that whatever his future held, it would include Anton. This adventure in the jungle had drawn them closer together, accelerating the development of their relationship. He had felt close to Anton even before theyd hopped the perimeter fence, but they had really bonded while facing together the

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dangers of the jungle and of the diamond smugglers. Impulsively now, in the deepening darkness of the cave, he blurted out, I love you. Youre fun, youre funny, and yet you can be serious and sober when you have to be. Youre caring. Youre patient. Just look at the time you took to wrap and rewrap my ankle. Youre daring and adventurous. You bring out a side of me that I never knew existed. I love you. Good, because I love you, too. Good, because we do have a future together. We are going to get out of this alive. I have no doubt. Jim wondered if either of them was as confident as they both sounded. He knew he didnt believe himself. So many things could go wrong. Suppose whichever of the diamond smugglers wasnt dead had followed them and found themmaybe with that Doc fellow they were talking about? Suppose they got safely away from the smugglers only to be attacked and killed by a jaguar or snake? Suppose they made it safely to the ocean but then drowned? When Anton, who apparently could still make out his face in the semidarkness, asked him what was bothering him, he voiced his fears aloud. But there was one more fear that Jim was reluctant at first to voice. Finally, though, he said it. What if we do get out of here safely and go back to our normal lives when the week is over? You wont be content with my everyday life. You probably live in a mansion. You wouldnt like my little house and my quiet life. Who says you have to live the same quiet life in the same little house? Youre still thinking small. You have millions at your disposal. You can move in with me, or, if you dont like my house, we can look for a new house together, someplace that suits us. I dont even know where you live! It doesnt matter where Ive been living. What matters is where we live now. Together! Pick a place. Anyplace. Anyplace in the country. You have fifty states to choose from. Chances are Ill agree. I

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dont just love you, I like you. I want to be with you. I want to be where you are. We can both afford to live wherever we want, in whatever kind of house we choose to live in. Hell, we can build a house to suit us both, designed exactly to our specifications. Isla Promesa is a magical place. Are you sure youll feel the same about me when were back to a mundane world? I dont have your breeding, your background. Its not your breeding or your background I love. Its you. And the world need never be mundane for us. We both have the money to mold our lives into what we want them to be. The one thing my money couldnt buy for me was a man I could really love. But now Ive found you, and that resolves that one last need. The future is oursand our future is together. If we ever get out of this jungle alive, countered Jim morosely. The more beautiful a picture of their future Anton painted, the more desperately Jim wanted to escape alive, but the more he wanted it, the more he feared it would never happen. Panic rose in his chest, and he clutched Antons hand as his fear overcame him. I know what we can do to take your mind off your worries, Anton said, an edge of wicked playfulness in his voice. Jim knew what that meant. Well, if this might possibly be his last night on earth, was there a better way to spend it than in sweaty sex with the man he now realized he had come to love? Anton reached over and started undressing Jim. Jim helped him along eagerly, then returned the favor and started undressing Anton. Anton, in turn, aided Jim in shucking his own clothes as handily as possible. When they were both naked, Jim stared through the everencroaching darkness to make out the naked form of his beloved. He saw Antons big brown nipples, already jutting out like tiny pointing fingers. He saw the dark-black body hair gracing his muscular body. Best of all, there were his dick and balls. What a glorious sight, even if he had to strain his eyes to make them out. The

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foreskin of that dark, mottled maroon, vein-graced, oh-so-thick dick was already well retracted. Anton was ready for action! Antons hard-on was a wonderful sight for Jim. But he wanted to do more than just see it. He wanted to jack it, suck it, and make it spurt. In short, he wanted to do it all. He decided to start by jacking it, so he wrapped his hand around it and began to slow-stroke the thick erection. I apologize. I havent showered since we left the resort, Anton said. Neither have I, Jim reminded him. But now that were talking about being together for life, wed better get used to seeing each other with our hair mussed, kissing each other before weve brushed our teeth in the morning, and occasionally making love when we really need a shower. Jim wrapped his hand around Antons cock and began pulling his foreskin back and forth along the length of his mottled shaft, feeling that dick swell even fatter, longer, and harder in his hand. Anton groaned, and he fell backward from his sitting position onto the floor of the cave. You ever had a guy jack your dick in a cave before? Jim asked. I havent been in a cave since I was a kid, Anton said, and I certainly wasnt fooling around in those days. I think there are a lot more caves in Europe than there are here in the US, but in those days I was strictly a virgin. Jim hefted Antons ball sac and rolled his stones around in their pouch as he continued to tug at Antons thick dick with his other hand. Uhyoure gonna make meuh Dont worry. I know you by now. Im sure youve got plenty more cum in your balls. Jim chuckled, continuing to fist Antons dick and moving his hand more rapidly now. Jim could feel Antons pouch drawing up into his body, and his whole body had tightened up. Jim sped up his stroking while he talked Anton into giving up his first load quickly.

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Spray your stuff, he said. Gimme that cum. Spray me. Cream me good. Anton was writhing, throwing his body up in the air in desperate lunges, grunting, and moaning. His pre-cum was oozing rapidly from the slit gaping in the center of his maroon dickhead. Using his thumb, Jim spread the thick lube around on Antons taut-skinned dickhead. Then Anton arched his back impossibly, launched himself up almost off the floor of the cave, and sprayed a fountain of jism over Jims still-moving fist. His arm, hand, and parts of his chest were covered in his spermy outpouring. Are you trying to give me that shower I said I needed? Jim laughed. Anton rolled over, still groaning from his orgasm, and hefted Jims jutting erection. Yours feels like its in need, too, he observed. It is! he agreed. What are you going to do about it? Anton showed him, rubbing one hand all over Jims body and stroking him enticingly, while the other hand jacked his ever-enlarging dick. As he did, it grew to full erection and became a hard club in his stroking hand. Soon he stopped concerning himself with the rest of Jims body and concentrated on just rubbing pleasure into his dick. Since both his palm and Jims dick were dry, he spit into his hand to make it slide more easily. As his spit-slicked hand slid up and down Jims hard-on, Jim began punching his hips back and forth in rhythm with his jack hand. While Jim fucked Antons fist, he urged him, Fuck my ass with your finger. Ill be going in dry, Anton warned him. I sure didnt bring any lube on this adventure. He hesitated, then licked all over his fuckfinger and wormed it between Jims taut butt cheeks. Due to the evergrowing darkness and, Jim supposed, to Antons overall nervousness, he missed his mark a few times, but finally he found Jims asshole and insinuated his finger into the clench of Jims tight anal sphincter muscle. Jim clamped tighter around him, and Anton had to work hard

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to burrow deep within him, but finally he had his finger into Jims anal tunnel and began to thrust it in and out. Jim reached out in the near darkness and found that, just as he suspected, Anton was growing another erection of his own as he sat there on the cave floor, jacking Jims dick and finger-fucking Jims anus. Damn, you sure do have a repeater pistol, Jim observed as he felt Antons cock inflate to impressive thickness once again. Anton pumped Jims massive hard-on and dug his fuck-finger deep up Jims asshole until Jim felt his cum load boiling in his balls. Ratcheting his hips faster, Jim drove his dick through Antons tight, dry grasp and tightened his anal sphincter around Antons plunging finger until finally he geysered great gobs of jism to the floor of the cave, where his cum disappeared in the darkness. Now lets have some real fun, Jim said. I thought that felt pretty good! Anton said. You seemed to be having fun, too. You know what I mean, Jim said. He felt Antons dick bob and jerk at the thought of what lay ahead. Whether it would be fucking or sucking, it would surely feel good either way. Reaching for some leaves just outside the mouth of the cave, Jim wiped Antons cock to cleanse it and even scrub it before he attacked it with his mouth. He licked his way along the underside of Antons shaft from his balls to the tip of his dick before encompassing his cockhead in his mouth and clamping his lips around the flange. Then he turned up the suction and worked his way down Antons hard-on. From the sound of Antons groans, there was no question but that he was having a wonderful time. Jim spit-lubed a finger and went questing for Antons asshole, sliding his finger up into Antons tight hole as he sucked his way down to Antons balls at the same time, drawing Antons entire dick into his mouth. Greedy Anton kept trying to feed him more, even though Jim already had it all, but since there wasnt any more to take, Jim worked his way back up Antons shaft until finally he held only the crown

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within his lip-lock. Swirling his tongue around Antons corona, Jim elicited a moan and a few good wriggles out of his totally willing victim. Then he began the exquisitely slow and yet insistent trip back down Antons cock until once again he had it all inside his mouth. Slowly down, very slowly back up again, slowly down, exasperatingly slowly up again, and excruciatingly slowly back down, he kept his motions deliberate and teasing, and he added to the tease by tickling Antons balls as he sucked. Finally it was obvious that Anton could take no more of this slow torture treatment. Suck me faster! he pleaded in a voice laden with agony. So Jim slowly increased his speed, sucking faster, sucking harder, sucking more demandingly, until he was zipping his way up and down, his speed at last quadrupled. Anton wildly bounced on the floor of the cave, flailing around, throwing his pelvis against Jims face, grinding his coarse pubic hairs against Jims lips. Then he was grunting, Uhuhuhuhuh. and Jim knew he was ready to deliver. Jim thrust his fuck-finger up Antons anal entrance once again, and he probed for his prostate and found it. When Jims questing finger made contact with his sensitive prostate gland, Anton screeched and then spewed a massive load of steaming, thick cum onto Jims tongue, where it pooled, warm and heavy. They disengaged from each other, and Anton suggested, Maybe we should try to go to sleep and then find our way to the fence at first light. The cave was comfortably cool though a bit damp in the hot and humid tropical warmth of the jungle. The two men snuggled up to each other and lay there, trying to drift off, when suddenly they became aware of a light moving through the trees and underbrush. They could have gotten back to the resort already, said a deep and unfamiliar voice. What are you going to do, Doc? That voice sounded familiar. They killed Ed and seriously wounded Charlie. If theyre still in the jungle, I want to find them and make sure they dont do any more damage, like telling anyone about our sweet little operation here.

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What if theyve already gotten back to the resort? Fucking shit! Were really in for it then. Maybe wed better give up, head back, and pull up stakes. Theres plenty more diamonds left yet. I dont want to give them up. But, Doc, if theyve already blown the whistle Lets look around a little longer. They could have holed up someplace. Look. Theres a cave over here. The perfect place for them to spend the night. Shine the light inside. Fear gripped at Jim. As he and Anton cowered in the back of the cave, inspiration born of desperation struck Jim. In the deepest, fiercest, most animalistic voice he could summon, he uttered a loud, ferocious snarl. Crap! Theres some kind of animal in there! Maybe it ate them! Maybe it wants us for dessert. Lets get the fuck outta here! The hasty scramble with which they took their departure was evidenced by the careless and hurried sounds of their retreating feet through the underbrush. Anton chuckled quietly at Jims ingeniousness and boldness, and he embraced him tightly in a victory hug. Wide awake now, they lay together in the far end of the cave, listening for any further footfalls or rustlings, but all was quiet except for the chirping of a bird that didnt seem to know it was nighttime and time to sleep. At last, Antons breathing became heavy and regular, and Jim surmised he had drifted off. Jim himself fell asleep not long thereafter. They slept undisturbed. Jim awoke any number of times during the night, chiefly because of the hard and pebble-strewn ground on which he was sleeping, but he snuggled up to Anton and went right back to sleep, secure that there was no imminent threat to their safety.

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That still, however, was far from a guarantee that they would get back to the resort safely and be able to start the new life together that they had talked about. Then, too, in the back of Jims mind, there remained some residual concern that Anton would not be happy with a man like Jim who didnt share his background.

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Chapter 5
They awakened before first light. As soon as its light enough to see our way, lets make a run for it, Jim suggested. Our pursuers may still be looking for us. Im surprised the whole resort staff isnt out searching, too. They probably dont even know were missing, Anton speculated. They may not keep track of who shows up for meals, and even if they do, they may think were just holed up in our casitas, eating leftovers to sustain ourselves and doing who knows what in private. They probably wouldnt do anything about looking for us unless we failed to check out in time. Thats not a very comforting thought. I was hoping we might be met by a search-and-rescue party. I doubt theyd think we jumped the fence even if they realized we were missing. Theyd be more likely to think we drowned in the ocean. Come on. Im sure the fence is that way. Lets get moving. Once we reach the shoreline, were out in the open. Sitting ducks. I dont relish the swim around the fence. They trekked through the jungle, disturbed only by a monkey throwing a papaya at them, and as the sun reached high in the sky, they finally spotted the fence line. Jim let out an incautiously loud whoop. Too bad we cant just climb the fence, Anton said with a sigh, looking at all the barbed wire. I doubt I could make it over with this ankle anyhow. Jims ankle was feeling better, but he was still favoring that foot as he walked. I

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expect swimming will be a challenge, too. The kicking, you know. But climbing would be far less possible. Buoyed by having reached the fence line, they set off to follow it to the ocean. Maybe one of the guests or resort personnel will see us and help us? Jim suggested hopefully. Maybe we should stand here and yell for help? I hate to be a wet blanket, but I doubt they have a ladder tall enough for us to climb, and I cant think how they would get it over the fence to our side, even if they did. Besides, if Doc and his cronies are still out looking for us, they might hear us before anyone from the resort does. Jim felt his shoulders slump in defeat, but then he rallied and said, Lets go, then. To the ocean! To the ocean! echoed Anton. They slogged on. They walked awhile, trying to guesstimate how close to the shoreline they were. Suddenly they heard a rustling in the underbrush. Was it an animal, or was it Doc and his men? Once again they froze where they stood and listened fearfully as the rustling got nearer. The relief that washed over them was beyond description when a monkey appeared, chasing another monkey on the ground, then hurriedly followed the other monkey up a tree. The rustling stopped. The perceived threat had been no threat at all, and they were free to continue their escape toward the ocean. In fact, they were closer to the ocean than they realized. Just a short distance later, they caught the glint of blue-green waters sparkling in the sunshine. Jim thought it was the most heartwarming sight he had ever seen. Were going to have a tough time swimming for it, Anton warned him. You can see that the fence extends some way out into the ocean, and with these heavy clothes on, and our shoes, its going to be rough.

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Maybe we should strip down to our underwear and swim that way? I dont fancy walking back to our casitas in our underwear, and Im sure the management would frown on it. This isnt a nudist colony. Under such extraordinary circumstances, surely theyll make an exception. I want to be able to come back here again. I like this place. So do I, but Then swim for it with your clothes on. Who do we report the diamond mine to? You realize reporting it means admitting we climbed the fence? We broke a rule, not a law. Besides, we apparently killed the guy we shot. We have to tell them! Lets go! The two walked into the surf, following the fence. At first they simply waded through the water, but there was a sharp drop-off a little way out, and at that point they had to swim. Jim found it rough going, his ankle complaining every time he kicked in the water, but he gritted his teeth and persevered. Anton, even without the disadvantage of a bum ankle, was clearly struggling, too, but at last they reached the end of the fence, swam around it, and headed back to shore on the resort side of the fence. Weary and waterlogged, they dragged themselves up on the shore. Lets change clothes first, Anton suggested. They walked back toward their respective casitas without encountering anyone. We could have walked back in our underwear after all, Jim said. Ill be happy to get out of these waterlogged clothes. What I really need now, though, is a shower. Of course, but what I need even worse is a nap! Im too wired to sleep. Knock on my door when youre awake again, and well go round and talk to management.

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The first thing Jim did was strip out of his wet clothes, but the next thing he did was go to the bar in the living room and pour himself a stiff drink. He took three hefty slugs of the warming liquor, which immediately went to his head. Between his empty stomach and his sheer relief at getting back safely, he was overcome by the liquor in no time. Taking the half-drained glass with him, he looked at his watch to see what time it was. Although the watch had been advertised as waterproof, he had never worn it into the water before and was actually surprised to see that it was still running. It was well past lunchtime, but he rummaged in the fridge for the leftovers from two days ago and had a hasty snack before taking a long, warm shower. Deciding that a nap wasnt a bad idea after all, he gulped down the rest of his drink, lay down on the bed, and was out cold in no time flat. He slept soundly for forty-five minutes, awakening only when he heard a knock at the door. Groggily rising from the bed, Jim pulled on a clean pair of shorts just in case his visitor was anyone but Anton, but no, it was his lover, showered and shaved and combed and freshly dressed and presentable looking. Together they went to Casa Grande to seek out someone in management. Is there a problem? Mr. Harris, the assistant manager, asked when his secretary led them into his office. Yes, I guess you could say that. Its a problem for you. You have a diamond mine you dont know about on the far side of the island and smugglers mining the diamonds and exporting them on a boat, Anton blurted out. Diamond mine? Smugglers? How do you know all this? We climbed the fence, Jim spoke up. You climbed the fence? Jim looked down at his lap. Yes, he said quietly. Why? For an adventure, Anton responded.

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To see the jungle, Jim answered simultaneously. You knew it was against the rules? Yes, they chorused, Jim sheepishly and Anton boldly. The management would not have been responsible if anything had happened to you. If anything had happened to us? If? Jim sprained his ankle, I got shot atAnton stopped to pull up his polo shirt and display his superficial bullet wound, now healing nicelyand we damn near got ourselves fucking killed! His voice rose to dramatic registers and volume. Mr. Harris stood up. Gentlemen, Im sure you realize the resort was in no way responsible for Mr. Harris, I assure you that neither Jim nor I hold Isla Promesa responsible for the results of our misadventures. Our visit to your office is neither a fault-finding expedition nor a prelude to a lawsuit. We broke the rules, we climbed the fence, and we will take full responsibility for our actions. We also need to report that, in the process of escaping the smugglers, I believe we killed one of them. He pulled a knife on me, and I shot him with his own rifle. I dont know of any police force on this island, so I assume the resort management is the best authority to report this to. Now, I recognize that all our misfortunes resulted from our breaking a rule when we jumped the fence, but I would think you would be interested in the presence of lawbreakers on the other side of your island, not to mention the presence of valuable mineral resourcesdiamondson the property you own. Well, yes, agreed a mollified Mr. Harris. Would you mind signing a legal waiver to the effect that you dont hold us responsible? And would you be amenable to returning to the, uh, scene of the crime and showing us where this diamond mine is? Wed approach by boat and come in from the far side of the island. We wont go through the jungle, of course!

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Jim and Anton gave their dubious consent, although Jim was worried that they might encounter the smugglers once again. He also didnt relish seeing the body of the man they had killed, if the smugglers had not removed it. Mr. Harris arranged for a motorboatnot the yacht that met inbound guests at San Juanto ferry a party to the far side of the island almost immediately. Jim shuddered at the prospect of returning to the site of their recent imprisonment and the possibility of a showdown between their party and the bad guys, but when Jim, Anton, and the five members of the Isla Promesa staff, all well armed, arrived at the site on the shore that seemed to have been the docking point for Docs boat, there were no boats tied up and no unwelcoming party to meet them. They made their way through the little bit of jungle that separated the landing point from the edifice and the diamond mine, but they encountered no adversaries along the way. It seemed that Doc and his cohorts had prudently cleared out. It also seemed that, whichever of their party had been killed, they had also removed the body. Jim and Anton showed Mr. Harris and his associates the diamond mines themselves. Harris was properly impressed and assigned a cohort of three men to guard the mines until a further decision could be made regarding what to do about the diamonds. Hopefully the three of you will keep each other honest. No filching! Harris ordered. Then he and the remaining staffers, along with Jim and Anton, returned to the boat and motored back to the Isla Promesa dock. I think it would be best if you kept this little adventure to yourselves, Mr. Harris said as they were en route over the open waters back to the resort. Yes. Of course, Anton said. Agreed, Jim echoed. Were going to notify Interpol about the smugglers. Their fingerprints must be all over the cabin. Surely Interpol can bring them

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to justice. But we want to do it quietly, without upsetting the other guests at the resort. Were prepared to comp you each a full weeks future stay at Isla Promesa, Harris went on. We certainly hope you wont publicize your misadventure herewhich, after all, occurred only when you broke the rules and climbed the fence. Of course, agreed Anton. Certainly, agreed Jim. Have you fellows eaten since your, um, stay in the jungle? Not really, Anton spoke for them. Let me have the chef whip up something special for you. Its nearly dinnertime, but why should you wait? Lets get you fed. Thank you! said Jim, meaning every word. Will you both come back for another visit? Mr. Harris asked nervously. Certainly, they both chorused. Well have two of the finest casitas available for your stay, Mr. Harris said unctuously. That wont be necessary. One casita for the two of us will do, Anton replied. Mr. Harris never raised an eyebrow. Very well. One casita. Deluxe accommodations. While the chef worked up an impromptu dinner for them, Jim and Anton relaxed with drinks Mr. Harris had thoughtfully provided. Are you sure my humble origins are no impediment to our future happiness? Jim queried Anton with concern. On the contrary, my love. Ive had my choice of men over the years and really havent found any of them to my liking. If theyre not stuffy theyre pretentious. If theyre not pretentious theyre boring. If theyre not boring theyrewell, they all have their faults, and I ascribe most of those faults to their wealth. You, on the other hand, are a breath of fresh air. Youre down to earth, youre genuine, and

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you dont have an ounce of pretentiousness or stuffiness or boringness to you. Jim marveled. He surely would have described his former life and his former self as boring. But yet he knew that Anton was right. He no longer was the boring old Jim of before. As for the rest of it.he supposed it was possible that, compared with most of the men who moved in Antons social circles, he was a breath of fresh air. Hmmmaybe the plans they had made for the future werent constructed of fantasy and wishes and dreams. Maybe they really did have a solid footing. The doubts that had been nibbling and gnawing at Jim began to lose their teethhold on him and recede into the background. The chef prepared seared mahimahi with truffles, glazed sweet potatoes, and jicama slaw. But for Jim, the best part of the meal was having Anton sitting at his side and knowing that the next time they returned to Isla Promesa, it would be as a committed couple. He didnt know yet for sure what he was going to do with his lottery winnings in terms of starting a business, but he did know that he was going to do something meaningful with his life. No longer would he be a lowly bookkeeper in someone elses office. He also knew that in their new house, wherever it was located, Anton would live with him, live with him and love with him, love him and make love to him, and that when they returned to Isla Promesawhich assuredly they wouldit would be together, as a couple, partners and lifemates. They had already been through a lot together. But their life together as a committed couple was really just starting.

THE END
WWW.CYNTHIAMACGREGOR.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

No stranger to male/male stories, Diana Sheridan edited gay male sexzines for the better part of two decades under the nom de plume of Dan Maxwell. Though Diana Sheridan isnt her true name either, it does reflect her true gender. In her own name, she has had numerous books published both in print and as e-books, is an accomplished editor of both books and magazines, and is comfortable switching gears to go from serious nonfiction to erotica in her work. Diana lives with her Significant Other, who is fully aware of and supportive of the many facets of her career.

Also by Diana Sheridan

Siren Allure ManLove: Finding Mr. Wright Siren Classic ManLove: Mating Michael Siren Classic ManLove: Caught in a Web of Intrigue Siren Classic ManLove: Hitting the Hot Notes Siren Classic ManLove: Trents Torrid Tempter Siren Classic ManLove: Casting Call for a Lover Siren Classic ManLove: Damians Lost Lover Siren Classic ManLove: Survivors of the Virus Storm

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com