Theresa was surprised to see them back. "What happened?"

"I can't do it, Theresa. I understand the girls want a star to admire but the scene at Disneyland was too much. I'll do personal appearances, I'll sign a million autographs, but I can't deal with crowds like that."

Brandon was puzzled; Alan hadn't acted like this before. They had left the Disney Park rather than face the crowds, but Alan hadn't been upset like this.

"OK sweetie, we can control this. I'm sorry you didn't have a good time."

"Oh, the photo shoot was fine, I know Brandon got some great shots and then it all went to hell. I need some time to think about this, Theresa. If nothing's going on I want some time off. I need to relax; I don't even feel like smiling anymore."

Theresa looked alarmed and Brandon realized the boy's game. If anyone could get something out of Theresa it was Alan. But as expected she turned to Brandon for answers.

"We were pretty much chased around the park; Alan had to hide from the girls when he got anxious. It wasn't much fun for any of us. I'm not sure where we could go if we did have the time, where could we hide from such a large adoring public?"

Now Brandon felt guilty, he was lending credibility to Alan's ploy.

"Well you better find someplace," Theresa said. "Christmas is coming and there are several engagements Alan will need to attend, not to mention that New Year's event the Teen Star ladies have set up. So go, find someplace to hide for several weeks, get away from the madness. Because when Alan comes back I need that smile on his face, we have business to conduct."

Alan gave her a huge hug and several kisses, and Brandon could swear the woman blushed. Jeez, to quote Alan, he pulled it off. And as they made for the door Theresa yelled after them.

"Call me, I want to know where you are, I'm paying for this after all. Stay safe and have a good time." And then they were gone. Out through the lobby and into the car where Jack and Barry waited.

Brandon laughed. "You don't feel the least bit guilty, do you? Well enjoy it; she won't always cave in like that."

"What, did I lie about anything?" Alan asked.

"'I don't even feel like smiling anymore,' you said. That was rich, look who's smiling now."

Alan was smiling, a devious smile at that.

"So what happened?" Jack asked.

"Alan won us several weeks off, our choice ... any suggestions?" Brandon asked.

"I want an island. White sand, clear water, palm trees and NO GIRLS," Alan yelled.

Jack and Barry both laughed. Then Jack smiled. "I know just the place."

The tiny Canadian Airways jet set down smoothly and they had arrived. They deplaned, walking down the short flight of stairs to the tarmac, and approaching a low white building. Away in the distance they heard the roar of a large jet taking off and Alan looked, the bright sun causing him to squint.

Jack led them into the custom's shed where they were greeted by a tall black man in a tan uniform. "Welcome to Nassau," The man grinned. "Is this your first visit?"

"I was here last year as a guest of Colonel Jenson," Jack said.

The customs agent smiled. "You are a friend of the Colonel's?"

"Not really, we worked together on a case. This time we're here for pleasure."

The agent stamped their passports and waved them towards the door.

"Who's Colonel Jenson," Alan asked.

"Chief of Police, a real asshole," Jack laughed. They waited for their bags to arrive and carried them out to the taxi stand. The cabs waiting at the curb resembled nothing more than a used car lot full of Cadillac's and Mercedes.

"What the hell?" Brandon asked.

"Big market for used luxury cars down here, don't ask why," Jack said and Barry laughed.

They chose a cabbie and the man loaded their bags in the trunk. "Coral Harbor," Jack told the man and they all climbed in.

"Jenson had Barry and I down here a couple of years back to help out with a case he had against an American. The guy used to be in my Army outfit and had asked to see me. At first I thought Jenson was playing games by calling me here, but in truth the whole mess was quite political and he was looking for a way out.

"Seems Steve had stuck his nose into some scheme cooked up by a couple of local businessmen and they framed him to get the guy out of their way. Jensen suspected as much, Barry and I managed to get the crooks to confess to the whole thing and Steve went back to Atlanta.

"After we left a ... um, a source of mine told me Jensen let the crooks go for a piece of the action. Can't confirm that, but it sounds like something he might do."

"Oh, so what have we walked into here?" Brandon asked.

"Nothing, Jensen probably won't even know we're here. He's not an issue, I scare him," Jack laughed.

Alan smiled. "You scare me too. Where are we going?"

"Coral Harbor. A quiet little nook away from the city. We can go into Nassau any time you get bored, there's lots to do there. But you wanted white sand and clean water; we'll have lots of that. No one will bother Alan here; I don't imagine Barry and I will be needed so we all get a vacation. But don't worry; I won't take my eye off the ball."

"Accommodations?" Brandon asked.

"Maida has half dozen shacks spread out along the beach and up in the palm trees. You'll like him, he's one of us."

"No phones, no television and only one radio station," Barry said. "But he cooks up a storm and has the coldest beer on the island. Hope you like seafood."

"We can drive a buggy into town any time you need something. Otherwise the beach looks out over the finest coral reefs you'd ever hope to see." Jack said.

"Scuba diving?" Alan asked.

"You bet, I'll give you guys a few lessons and turn you loose," Barry said.

"Lord, this sounds like heaven," Brandon said.

"This is where God vacations," Jack said.

The drive across the island revealed a lot of modern development and some large walled mansions set back in the trees.

"Lot of famous folk have a place down here," Barry said.

The paved highway ended and Jack began giving the driver directions. They rolled down a coral track surrounded by palm trees, passing a few houses, what could only be described as shacks ... and then there was the beach.

They were facing south and stretching to the horizon was a sea of startling blue. Alan followed Brandon out of the car and they stared. A mere hundred feet of white sand separated them from all that gorgeous water. It was like nothing either of them had ever seen before.

"So what do you think?" Jack asked as he stood beside them.

"Awesome," Alan said.

They were in a small driveway off the coral road. A path led down to a cinder block building that was painted bright pink. The driver emptied the trunk and Barry paid him off. Now it was just the four of them standing on a small rise above the beach. The only sound was the waves lapping at the shore and the birds in the trees.

"Paradise," Brandon said.

A sudden burst of reggae music issued from somewhere inside the pink building. And a tall slender black man came dancing around the corner. He laughed and then stopped when he saw them.

"Jack ... Barry, you have finally come," he yelled. The man ran over and embraced the men.

"Maida, you old scoundrel ... how's life?" Jack asked.

"Oh I have plenty of fun these days; you must come meet Chu-chu."

Maida stopped and looked towards Brandon and Alan. "These are your friends, forgive me, I have forgotten my manners."

"Brandon and Alan," Jack said by way of introduction. "We're family."

Maida eyed Alan and then smiled at Brandon. "Welcome to you both ... now come, you must meet Chu-chu."

"The bags?" Brandon asked.

"Leave them for now, no one will touch them. Bobby will fetch them to your rooms in a few minutes," Maida said.

They followed Maida towards the source of the music and rounded the building. The front of the place was open to the sea, a low roof covering the long cool patio. A hodge-podge bunch of chairs and tables, several wooden picnic tables and a statue occupied the space. But the view of four young men dancing to the beat attracted their attention, they were damn near naked.

"Chu-chu, turn down the music so a man might think," Maida yelled.

One of the slender young men reached over and turned the knob on a boom box and the patio went silent.

"Good, Chu-chu, this is my old friend Jack and his partner Barry. This is also Brandon and Alan; they are our guests this month."

Brandon watched the boys all look at Alan. OK, this ought to prove interesting. Obviously Maida had a liking for the young gay crowd; Chu-chu couldn't be a day over twenty if he was that old. The others looked a little younger, but still cute as hell. The boys all came in varying shades of brown, announcing the variety of native bloodlines on the island.

They were introduced to Chu-chu, Bobby, Theo and Dominic. The last two looked like brothers or lovers by the way they rubbed against one another. Bobby was a long haired beauty with very light brown skin, a child of mixed race. But Chu-chu was plain of face until he smiled.

Maida sat them all down at a table while Chu-chu went to fetch some refreshments. Beer for the men, a juice for Alan. Then Chu-chu sat in Maida's lap.

"You have a beautiful view," Brandon said.

"My own piece of paradise ... I was born in New Jersey," Maida said, laughing at Brandon's look of surprise. "Yeah, Trenton. But my mother was from the islands, we come here when I was six."

"We're staying in New York for a while," Jack said. "Brandon and Alan are in the fashion industry. It was time to get away and relax; no one knows we're here."

"I know nothing about fashion," Maida laughed. "Here we wear very little if anything at all. I had the boys dress because I knew you were coming. Be careful, the sun will burn such white skin in a jiffy. But if you burn I have the cure."

"Maida makes an amazing skin cream." Jack said. "So are we the only customers?"

"Ya man, it's been a bad year for me," Maida said. "But I have good company and plenty of beer, a good life. Chu-chu is a great cook, even better than me, you will eat well. Bobby will show you around and the boys ... they just get to be whatever they want. They are in love and this is a safe place for them now."

Maida didn't explain any further, but Jack nodded. Gay life can be a challenge, even in paradise. Beers consumed, Bobby and Barry went to fetch the luggage. Maida showed them down a plank walkway to what Brandon had at first considered a shed.

"I think this room for Brandon and Alan, Jack and Barry in the next one. The boys and I live across the road so our music won't disturb you I hope. Young men like to dance the night away, sometimes I let them."

He opened the door and Brandon followed Maida inside, Alan looked dubious at first but then he followed. The outside was a mess, but the inside was neat and tidy. Brightly colored cushions on the chairs, a sturdy kitchen table and a tightly woven palm rug on the floor.

"There is plumbing, I have new septic tank. The bathroom is there and this is the bedroom," Maida said. And what a bedroom. Again bright colors, handcrafted cabinets and a large bed.

"You have hot water, but mostly we wash outside to keep the sand out of the rooms. The enclosure between buildings has the showers. You may have a refrigerator if you want, but I urge the guests just to walk into the kitchen. Help yourself to a beer or juice, day or night I leave it open."

"This looks great," Brandon said.

"So when can we go for a swim?" Alan asked.

"The beach is yours. We have neighbors to the left, but not so close. To the right we have the trees and nothing for miles. You will find some private places that way. Bobby will show you. He does not hear, he is deaf, but he speaks just fine.

"And if you wish to venture out on the reef he will go with you. There are dangers, the coral is very sharp. There are also some fish you will not touch, but many of them are harmless. Now I will show Jack to his room. Are you hungry? I will have lunch ready very soon"

"OK, we'll get settled in and see you in a while," Brandon said.

Maida left them, closing the door behind him.

"So what do you think of this little paradise?" Brandon asked.

"It's got everything we need doesn't it," Alan replied.

"Cute boys, huh?"

"If I wasn't here which one would you take to bed?" Alan asked.

"Oh Lord, I am not going to answer that question. I have you here," Brandon said.

"I came here to be with you."

"And which boy do you like ... wait ... let me guess ... Bobby?" Brandon said.

Alan blushed. "Yeah, he's handsome, how can you tell if he's really deaf?"

"He'll read our lips as we talk and the sound of his voice will be different. Deaf people learn to talk phonetically by sounding out the words. If he's going to be our guide around the island then I guess we'll find out more about him."

There was a knock on the door and Alan opened it.

"Bags," was all Bobby said as he carried the suitcases into the room. Brandon tried to give the boy a tip but it was waved off.

"No money, what I need money for?" Bobby laughed. His voice did sound different, but he spoke quite well.

Alan reached out and patted Bobby on the shoulder. The boy looked down at the hand and smiled. Then his eyes met Alan's. "You number one good looking I think."

For the second time in five minutes Alan blushed and Bobby laughed, returning the pat to the shoulder. "Come eat soon, Chu-chu make food," Bobby said, and then he laughed himself out the door.

"OK, so now you have another fan," Brandon said.

"I didn't mean to encourage him," Alan said.

"No kiddo, everyone admires you, he's a handsome boy too. He's not shy, but I think he's not that aware of his own beauty and I wonder why," Brandon said.

"We'll have to find out. I guess we will, we're gonna be here a long time. Are you hungry?" Alan asked.

"Yes, I could eat. I just wonder what they make in that kitchen. Suppose we better find out."

They walked back to the patio where Dominic and Theo were still lounging about. The sound of pots and pans rattling in the kitchen caught their attention.

"You have been to the Islands before?" Theo asked.

"First time," Brandon said.

Alan smiled as Bobby appeared, "You want a beer while the food is cooking?"

"Sure," Alan said. Bobby ran off to fetch them.

"OK, so you're drinking now?" Brandon asked.

"Just the one," Alan said. "Is that OK with you?"

Brandon shrugged. "Knock yourself out."

Bobby had made a definite impression, Alan was interested. It wasn't a bad idea; the boy needed someone his age to pal around with the next few weeks. Coming here to be alone with Alan had been a good idea, but he couldn't monopolize the boy.

Bobby was definitely a looker, the product of a native and European mix. And from the way things looked Bobby would be spending a lot of time with them, did Maida understand what he was doing?

Jack and Barry arrived fifteen minutes later, just as Maida and Chu-chu were delivering dishes to the table. Jack looked over at Alan swigging off the beer bottle and raised an eyebrow. He looked over at Brandon who shrugged, knowing Jack would ask him later.

The food was incredible. A seafood stew over rice, a platter of fresh fruit and a bag of Fritos. The latter seemed to be something that Maida just couldn't do without. The meal took them several hours to consume between the conversation and the beers, Alan had three.

Bobby sat across the table from Alan and Brandon could see the adoration in the boy's eyes. Their conversation was about the ocean and how the Bahamian life depended upon it. The subject seemed safe enough ... educational.

For his part Alan seemed just friendly, drawing Bobby out, exploring the options for having fun the next few weeks. It was Bobby who seemed to have the fixation, and Brandon watched the boy with amusement.

Of course Jack and Barry were aware something was up, they were always aware where Alan was concerned. The beer finally caught up with Brandon and he excused himself from the table to use the bathroom. Jack was waiting when he came out.

"Oh I get it, it's a vacation and he wants to drink beer, or is it that a raven haired beauty keeps feeding them to him?" Jack said.

"He needs a friend, Jack. Bobby seems like a nice kid."

"He looks about ready to eat Alan, unless you guys are suddenly into kinky sex."

"I'm not jealous; I don't think Alan is ready for another sex partner. I think the idea hasn't entered his mind," Brandon said. "We'll be spending a lot of time together, they need to get along."

"Your call," Jack said.

When they returned Alan and Maida were having a raucous conversation, no doubt fueled by the beer they had been drinking.

"Maida thinks we ought to shower and take a nap," Alan laughed, his words slurring a bit.

"Life is a party here after the sun goes down and it cools off. It is best to sleep away the heat of the day and stay up at night, but Alan thinks it is silly," Maida said.

Bobby and the others were laughing at the argument, but it made sense to Brandon. Besides, Alan needed to sober up a bit anyway.

"I think we all need to get out of these traveling clothes, a shower and something more comfortable sounds good to me," Brandon said. "Can we swim later on?"

"Oh yes, the water is wonderful after the sun begins to fade," Maida said. "OK, my lovelies, let us leave our guests to clean up." He gave Brandon a wink, they understood one another.

Jack and Barry headed back to their room, while Bobby escorted them back to theirs.

"I will see you when the sun fades," Bobby said. He grinned, "I go sleep for a while." He headed off into the palms and disappeared in the dense growth.

Alan watched the boy go and then suddenly realized what he was doing. "Uh, a shower would be nice," He said.

The outdoor shower facility reminded Brandon of summer camp. It was divided in two halves, theirs and Jack's. Wrapped in towels Brandon led the boy into the wooden enclosure.

"Warn you, the water is cold," Jack said from the other side of the wall.

"It feels wonderful," Barry added.

Alan hung his towel on the back of the partition and Brandon turned on the shower head. The boy yelped as he jumped out of the stream of water.

"I'ts damn cold," Alan laughed.

"Pumped from hundreds of feet underground," Brandon said. "Get back in there and get cleaned up."

But even he shivered as the cold water splashed against his chest, it felt wonderful. The Islands could be very hot in summer, and even now it was in the low nineties on the beach. Alan finally managed to get soaped up and groaned under the rinse. But both of them felt refreshed and a little more sober as they rushed back to their room.

And despite the earlier protest, Alan did fall asleep. The air travel and beer finally taking its toll. Brandon lay beside him, watching the fan spinning lazy circles below the ceiling. The windows were shaded with awnings, enough to keep the sunlight out and allow the breezes to flow in from the palm grove.

Alan had been right, if he had come here alone Brandon would have been very attracted to Bobby. He was the opposite of Alan, but only in looks. Brandon had never thought of being attracted to a black boy before but these islanders were so different.

And Jack had been right as well, what if Alan did want something to happen with Bobby? So far it was all based on looks; the boys were just discovering one another. Brandon knew that if Alan wanted more than the friendship he wouldn't stop it.

Passion would bring the boys together; reality would separate them at the end of the month. And then Alan would be ashamed for having cheated, for going back on his word. And Brandon didn't want the boy to feel guilty ... it would kill that winning smile.

The easy way out would be to bring Bobby into their sex life, Alan would feel no guilt if the man in his life was involved. But then there was Bobby to consider, what he wanted was just as important. Would he sleep with an older man?

Too many unknowns ... and Brandon finally fell into a fitful sleep. The sun kept its course across the Bahamian sky, finally heading towards the horizon, soon to extinguish its heat in the expanse of blue ocean. The breeze from the palm grove cooled the room further until Alan woke up.

The distant sound of music from Chu-chu's boom box got him out of bed and he went to the door to look at the ocean. The first thing he saw was Jack and Barry stretched out on a blanket in the sand halfway to the waterline. It took only a moment for his mind to register that both men were naked.

The second thing he saw was Bobby lying on the plank walkway a dozen feet away, he was nude as well. Alan eyes traveled up the boy's slender brown body, not missing the fact that Bobby was well hung and uncircumcised. And then their eyes met, for Bobby was awake and had been waiting. Only then did Alan realize he was also naked.

The urge to rush back inside gripped his mind, but it was too late, the boy had seen him naked. And from the look on Bobby's face everything was perfectly fine between them.

"Come ... swim with me," Bobby said, holding out his hand.

Alan looked back in the room, Brandon was still asleep. He should ... he ought to ... oh hell, why not. And Alan turned back to Bobby, watching the boy rise to his feet, extending his hand. Alan reached out and took that proffered hand, and together they ran down the beach towards the water.

Jack propped himself up on one elbow and watched the boys hit the water. Hmm, wonder where this is going, he thought. Looking back over his shoulder at the shack, he saw Brandon standing in the doorway.

On to Chapter Thirteen

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