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  “God, Jer,” Reese said, before huddling close to Bart. “I’m just so tired of always watching my back in this place that I wanted to lose myself completely and trust someone totally. I know that sounds stupid.

  “That doesn’t sound stupid,” Bart said. “As a matter of fact, that’s exactly what I want to do right now—lose myself completely in your arms. You’re doing me this time… only I think, I’ll get a condom out of the nightstand drawer. Not that I don’t trust you completely.”

  “I understand… and that’ll be another first for me too,” Reese said

  “Your life’s just full of firsts these days, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, and by the way I did know you were disease free,” Reese said.

  “How did you know that?”

  “I can’t get into details, but we discussed it and other stuff when you were here before. Please don’t ask me any more questions about back then, I don’t want you to get sick.”

  “OK,” Bart said. He decided it was best not to blow James’s story about what the doctor had told him regarding not discussing the past. Looking down at Reese he couldn’t help but wonder if Jeremy had indeed had fun with a cabana boy or rather a lifeguard. Good for him if he did. The thought of Jeremy having had at least one friend in the place… and a good-looking one at that, put a smile on Bart’s face.

  BART DID manage to lose himself completely for an hour or so of lovemaking in bed—and in the shower, before they were back in bed again. Bart reached out and pulled his lifeguard close to him. It was all indulgent of him, but he was well aware of that. He’d done what he felt it took to make sure Reese would watch his back, but he also knew that he didn’t have to take things as far as they went. In no way did he regret what they’d done, though—it was an escape from things for a couple hours, and he needed that.

  “I’m hungry,” Reese said, “and I need to get some clothes from my place.”

  “Borrow some of mine,” Bart said, before kissing Reese’s neck. “It’ll help convince people we’re an item.”

  “But we really are an item, aren’t we, Jer?”

  “That’s right, Reese—you did mention something about wanting to be all mine and only mine.”

  “And I remember hearing you say something like; and I quote ‘I’m all yours, Reese, do it, baby, do it now.’”

  “Did I say that?”

  “Yes, you did,” Reese said.

  Bart made a point of looking around the room in an exaggerated way. “I don’t see anyone else around, so I guess I was all yours, babe.” He laughed, and so did Reese. “So, where would you like to eat, lover boy of mine?”

  “I know a great seafood place on the beach,” Reese said.

  “I hate to leave you, but I’ve got to use the bathroom,” Bart said.

  “I’ll give Simon a quick call while you’re busy,” Reese said.

  By the time Bart returned back to bed, Reese was off the phone. “That was an awfully short call,” Bart said. “Did you actually get to talk to Simon?”

  “Yeah, but he had to be quick, because he was getting ready to meet a client named Mrs. Bauschmann—she’s a total bitch, and tries not to pay if he shows up late for her training. I think she hired Simon just so she could watch him while they exercise. But, she’s actually lost a lot of weight too.”

  “So, what did Simon have to say?” Bart said, nuzzling Reese’s neck before moving on to chewing on his nipple.

  “I had to tell him that you had a plan for getting rid of Mr. Orion, then he was all in—whatever it takes—he’s in, he said.”

  “For the right price,” Bart said.

  “That’s just a given when Simon is involved in anything, but he really sounded like he wanted to get rid of Mr. Orion.”

  “I wonder if Mr. Orion’s putting too much pressure on Simon to deliver the goods,” Bart said.

  “No, that’s not it,” Reese said. “Mr. Orion flaunts what he does too much, and people around town are talking, plus I’d forgotten how much Rachel despises him.”

  “Why does Rachel ‘despise’ Mr. Orion?”

  “No one knows for sure,” Reese said. “In the past, she’s said that Mr. Orion bringing his boys here gives the whole place a bad name and brings shame to her dad’s house—because Mr. Orion and her dad are longtime friends. Is that enough reason to despise someone?”

  “Maybe, but having never despised anyone, I don’t know,” Bart said.

  “Ah, but you can’t be sure you’ve never despised anyone,” Reese said. “You have amnesia, remember?”

  “You’ve got me there,” Bart said. “Now we’d better get ready to go eat.”

  They changed, and Bart stood back to admire Reese in one of his V-neck shirts. The thin blue shirt hugged Reese’s chest, and the tight jeans accented all of his good points… front and rear. He looked so good that Bart, who was dressed in similar fashion, walked up and kissed him.

  “You look great in my clothes, Reese. I’m sorry I have no shoes that fit you.”

  “Don’t worry about it, I’m used to being in flip-flops. Let’s go, though, I am starvin’!”

  “Then let’s hit the road.”

  They walked out the front door, and as Bart locked it, he spotted Alstair down the hallway and waved. “Hello, Alstair, we’re just going out for a bite to eat, would you like to join us?”

  “Yes, thank you very much, Jeremy,” Alstair said, while walking toward Bart and Reese.

  “Good,” Bart said. Now let’s see what we can find out from you, spy boy, he thought.

  Chapter 24

  Spies and Guys

  BART DROVE the three of them in his car, and followed Reese’s directions to the small, historic downtown area which was surrounded by older one-story homes that had been converted into shops and restaurants. Reese pointed toward the smallest home, which had weathered wood siding and wood shutters painted in a variety of bright, bold colors.

  “Geez, is this place gonna hold all of us?” Bart said.

  Reese smiled at Bart, and spoke. “Just take a look at all the cars in the grassy parking area next to the house. Trust me, you’ll love this restaurant… everyone does.”

  “He’s right, Mr. Jeremy, this place is the best,” Alstair said.

  “Just Jeremy will do, Alstair,” Bart said, then drove into the parking area. After pulling into a spot, setting the brake, and taking the key out of the ignition, he looked at the picket fence surrounding the home. Each wood picket was a different color. “God! Instead of a white picket fence, their fence is every color of the rainbow and then some.” Bart opened the door and got out. He was nicely surprised when Reese, who’d also gotten out of the car and was standing next to him, put his arm around him—he really had won him over with their lovemaking. It was to be a dinner of spies and guys with Alstair and himself as not only guys, but also spies of a sort. Alstair was definitely spying on things at the resort for James… and Bart held back a laugh when he thought of himself and his group spying on everyone in an attempt to get at the truth of things. But, in reality, there was nothing to laugh at in his situation.

  The name of the restaurant was The Rainbow’s End, and there was as much color on the inside of the former home as there was on the outside. The interior of the structure had been gutted, and was basically one large space with walls painted in different colors. Against one wall was an open kitchen. There were tables scattered about the space, and Bart was surprised that the color had been saved for the walls. The white tablecloths and napkins on the tables stood out due to their lack of bold color. Directly in front of them was a narrow wooden stand painted in rainbow colors, which Bart guessed was the hostess station.

  A middle-aged, but bubbly and shapely blonde hostess dressed in a short, red halter top dress and high-heeled gold sandals walked up to their group and smiled.

  “Hi, baby, who’ve you brought with you tonight,” the hostess said to Reese.

  “Hi, Bonnie, the dark-haired guy is Alstair, and believe it
or not, you’ve met the blond before—it’s Jeremy,” Reese said.

  “I remember Alstair, he’s been here before,” Bonnie said, then her eyes widened as she looked at Bart. “But… whaaat? Who did you say this guy next to you is? Good Lord, I would never have recognized Jeremy, if you hadn’t told me it was him, Reese. I guess you’ll want a table outside as usual then, huh, Jeremy?”

  “That sounds good,” Bart said.

  Bonnie grabbed some menus from the hostess station, then turned back to the small group. “Just follow me… I’m sure you remember the way, Jeremy. God, it’s so good to see you. You had us all so worried. She walked toward the back of the room and through a door which led to the backyard. There were wood tables with white runners on them set up under an enormous tree, which had paper lanterns hanging from it.

  The group walked down a cement path, past the tree, and what was a private party of diners feasting on a crab boil—featuring whole blue crabs, that had been boiled with potatoes, corn, and various other ingredients then spread out on the white paper runner. The backyard sloped gently downward toward a high wooden fence with a wide wooden gate. The fence was also painted in various colors. Bart laughed when he saw it.

  Their hostess opened the gate, and the group walked out onto a wooden deck on the beach that had a thatched roof overhead and several round, wood, tables set up inside. At one end was a small bar. Bonnie saw them to a table, laid out the menus, then addressed Bart.

  “Jeremy, honey, Reese tried to let us know how you were doing, when you were in the hospital, but he couldn’t find out much. How are you doing? You look incredible.”

  “Thanks,” Bart said. “I feel good, but I’m suffering from amnesia at present.”

  “That’s horrible about the amnesia, Jeremy,” Bonnie said. “Maybe being back in town will stir up some old memories and help you get better.”

  “I hope so,” Bart said, sitting down.

  “I’ll go ahead and take your drink orders,” Bonnie said. “I remember you always liked the pink lemonade, Jeremy. What will you have tonight, Alstair?”

  “The pink lemonade sounds very good to me, thank you,” Alstair said.

  “Make it pink lemonades all around,” Reese said.

  “Alrighty, then,” Bonnie said. Before leaving, she gave Bart a hug. “It really is great to have you back.” She kissed his cheek, then left to place their drink order.

  “Wow,” Bart said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she says she remembers my favorite meal.”

  “She doesn’t need to,” Reese said. “I remember that… it’s steak and shrimp.”

  Looking at Reese, Bart smiled for a long moment before responding by squeezing his hand discreetly. “If we weren’t in public, I’d give you a big, wet kiss for that comment. Go ahead and order for me, I’m going to look out over the water.” He stood, then walked to the end of the dock.

  There was a slight breeze, but it was warm, not cool. Reese was right about steak and shrimp being one of Jeremy’s favorite meals, and that made Bart feel good. It was clear Reese and Jeremy had eaten together at this restaurant on more than one occasion—and the place did have a look that Jeremy would’ve loved. It was now more than obvious to him that Jeremy had taken Reese under his wing. Bart was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t hear Alstair walk up to him. The man was still dressed in a resort uniform of sorts, which was similar to what James wore, only he was wearing Birkenstock sandals.

  “You and Reese got along well when you were here before… you were good friends to one another,” Alstair said.

  “Thank you,” Bart said. “Nothing escapes your eyes, does it, Alstair?”

  “I’ve been trained to notice everything in order to see where I might be of use to a resort and its guests.”

  “Do you miss working at the island resort that James ran?” Bart said.

  “Yes, but we’ll be there again soon enough,” Alstair said. “You’ll be taking over operations here, won’t you?”

  “Yes, I will,” Bart said. “Alstair, I know I have no right to ask this, but I will anyway. Can you tell me something that will help me?”

  “Alright, Jeremy,” Alstair said. “Mr. Orion has many enemies here… more than he knows. No one will be sad to see him go, and nobody wants to see him ever return. That doesn’t mean his enemies are your friends, though. All it means is there are reasons why people want to see him gone… powerful people.”

  “Which people?” Bart said.

  “Even if I knew who they all were, I wouldn’t be at liberty to say—not if I want to return home safe and sound. Still, I will say that getting rid of Mr. Orion may earn you some powerful friends, whose existence you may not even be aware of yet.”

  “Interesting,” Bart said. “Thank you. I suddenly feel famished.”

  “So do I,” Alstair said.

  The two walked back to their table and enjoyed a delicious meal with Reese while the Jimmy Buffet song “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitudes” played overhead. Bart found it oddly appropriate, and couldn’t help but smile.

  Chapter 25

  Night Moves

  BART AND Reese walked barefoot along the beach after they’d finished dinner. Alstair had run into some friends, whom he’d left with moments earlier.

  “It’s nice out here,” Bart said, with his arm around Reese’s waist. “If it was a little more private, I’d show you some of my night moves.”

  Reese laughed, then gave Bart a quick kiss. “You can show me some of your ‘night moves’ on the dance floor in a bit.”

  “I’ll be happy to,” Bart said.

  WHILE DRIVING to Club Zanzibar, Bart thought about his clubbing days. There was a short time in his life when he’d done the club scene… it wasn’t his favorite thing to do, but he had a knack for it. Jeremy had told him it was because he was naturally cocky, and had an attitude that manifested itself in those surroundings—an attitude the club crowd found hard to resist. Bart tried to get back into that old mind-set, before deciding to just act natural and let things ‘happen on their own.’

  The parking lot of the club was already full by the time Bart and Reese arrived. Driving past the entry door, Bart spotted Jenna and Frank waiting outside. Frank was wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

  “Oh, man, check out Jenna—I thought you told her to dress down for Rachel’s sake,” Reese said.

  Jenna was wearing a snug, white leather sheath with rhinestone-covered stiletto heels. Her hair was worn half up and half down, and she wore more than her usual amount of eye makeup.

  Bart waved at Frank and Jenna, then headed to a parking space he saw someone backing out of. As he waited for the other car to leave, he listened to Reese.

  “Dude, that Jenna looks super hot.”

  “For your information, I did tell her to dress down,” Bart said. “And for her… that is pretty dressed down.”

  “Did you see her, man? That leather dress clung to her curves—just how much older is she than you and Frank. I know she’s older, but she… she’s just a total babe.”

  “Frank told me we don’t mention Jenna’s age as a rule,” Bart said. “He said she might kick our asses if we did.”

  “It would be an honor, and a great pleasure to have my ass kicked by that goddess,” Reese said, as Bart parked.

  “And here, I thought there was a chance we’d settle down together,” Bart said.

  “Come on, Jer, you’d have to give me a little leeway. I’m all for monogamy, but sometimes—”

  “Reese, I was joking. Besides, you don’t stand a chance with her.”

  “I don’t?” Reese said. “Why not? Wait a minute, how would you know? She told us you two and Frank went back a ways. Because they were there for you at the hospital, you wanted to help them get jobs here, and Lisa honored that, but you still have amnesia.”

  “Look at her, big guy,” Bart said. “That’s not faux leather she’s wearing, and those shoes aren’t Kmart specials. And you’re in flip-flops.”


  “Oh, she’s looking for a moneybags kind of guy.”

  Bart kissed Reese on the lips, and was kissed back passionately. He sucked hard on Reese’s tongue before stopping to talk. “You’re a great guy… just not Jenna’s type. You’re more of a free spirit, and she’s the type to be settled with a businessman kind of guy, I think. You don’t want to be settled yet, do you?”

  “No, I guess not, but you’re really tempting me,” Reese said. “We’d better head inside.”

  “After you,” Bart said.

  “I DIDN’T think you two were ever gonna get out of that car,” Jenna said.

  “You look great, Jenna,” Reese said.

  “I know,” Jenna said, then smiled and gave Reese a demure kiss on the cheek.

  “Hello there, Reese, old buddy,” Frank said.

  “How’s it going, dude?” Reese said.

  “Good, but we’ve been waiting for you to arrive and get us into this joint,” Frank said.

  “OK then, come follow me into the magical land of Oz. Or, as we call it here—the Club Zanzibar,” Reese said. He walked up to the burly doorman, who recognized him immediately and opened the door for the group to enter.

  As soon as the door was opened, loud music could be heard. The place was crowded inside, and dark; so, Bart followed closely behind Reese.

  “I love this song,” Reese said, loudly enough to be heard. “How’s about a quick dance, Jer?

  Bart allowed Reese to lead him onto the crowded dance floor, where they danced to the song “Tonight is What it Means to be Young” by Fire Incorporated. Frank and Jenna danced together next to them.

  “Oh, my God, I remember watching the movie this song is from, when I stayed up late one night nursing a broken heart,” Jenna said loudly to the group.

  They all had to speak loudly enough to be heard over the music when they talked.

  “Someone actually broke your heart?” Reese said.

  “It is hard to believe,” Frank said, then he spun Jenna.