The three of them had never seen anything quite like it. Jack, Barry and Brandon were lined up on the blanket watching. For in front of them was a magnificent ocean, stunning and yet ... the two boys cavorting in the shallow water was riveting.

Alan and Bobby played. Dunking, wrestling, and tossing their bodies into the incoming surf ... it was incredible to watch. They acted like children, playmates having a wet afternoon of fun. But no one who watched this scene could ever mistake them for little boys; their bodies were mature and healthy.

Brandon couldn't speak for the others, but he was mesmerized. His eye saw the two young men through the lens, but he held no camera. It would be stupid to capture the moment for posterity; the image would be burned into his mind forever.

Nudity like this had never seemed so natural. The boys were not aroused at their contact, no signs of sexual excitement existed. Here in paradise they were just two friends, learning about one another through competition and play.

"Damn," Barry finally said, putting a label on the view before them. "I never ... "

"And you better not," Jack laughed. "The Greeks wrote odes to bodies like that:"

"Lord, Jack ... where did you learn that?" Brandon asked.

Jack smiled. "I had plenty of time when I was in uniform. We were in the Middle East to bring stability, democracy if you will. And Solon, the Greek poet and politician who wrote that bit, was generally credited for bringing democracy to ancient Athens. I ran across some of his bawdy poetry too, seems he was quite the boy lover as well."

"I wonder what he would write if he saw this," Barry said.

"The beauty of opposites, very compelling," Brandon said.

The boys had been in the water almost an hour, fully aware that they were putting on a show for the men. And now they ran from the surf, and as before they held hands, a sign of their friendship.

Brandon's mind once again slipped into photographer mode. Bobby's skin was shining from the salty water, his body a wonderful shade of cocoa. Slender, maybe too thin. But his eyes were shining and for the first time Brandon realized how startling blue they were.

Both boys stood before them and shook the water from their hair like a couple of wet dogs. Alan's skin was glowing both from the sun and the water. Strands of his hair were stuck to his face while the rest lay in wet clumps behind his ears. Bobby's raven locks fluffed out from the shaking and Brandon could see some of it was beginning to curl.

Both of them stood panting from the effort of their play. Alan's muscular features stood in contrast to the slim waist on Bobby. But by now Brandon could see the signs of sunburn beginning to color Alan's shoulders.

"You're going to burn, Alan ... does Maida have some sun block, didn't you say something about that Jack?"

"The sun cream, I will fetch for you," Bobby said and he sprinted off up the beach.

Alan plopped down and kissed Brandon. Something had changed, Alan was no longer shy about his nudity, and in fact he reveled in it. His eyes wandered to Jack and Barry who smiled at him.

"Nice view," Alan said, the grin on his face belied the innocence of that statement. Of course he was no match for Jack.

"Bobby is a real cutie, you keep good company," Jack flung back.

Brandon laughed, waiting for Alan's retort ... which never came. Instead Bobby returned with a large plastic tub of something. He pried open the lid and Brandon looked inside. The smell was exotic; the concoction looked like nothing more than butter.

"What's in it," Brandon asked.

Bobby grinned, taking a small dab and rubbing it on his cheek. He leaned forward and placed his face mere inches from Brandon's. "What do you smell?" The position the boy maintained bent over like that brought his crotch right into Brandon's line of sight.

Brandon leaned in, almost touching his nose to the boy's cheek as he inhaled.

"Hmm, coconut, aloe and something else," Brandon said.

To be fair Bobby made the same offer to Jack and Barry. By then Alan had a handful of the stuff and was rubbing it on his shoulders. Jack dabbed a finger in the tub and spread it on his arm.

"Shea butter, that's the ingredient," Jack said.

Bobby grinned. "Ya man, you gots it."

"But that's an African tree, does Maida import it?" Jack asked.

Bobby shrugged. "He gets from the market in Nassau, lady sells in pounds."

"Shea butter has amazingly restorative properties, and so does the aloe. No wonder all his boys look so good," Jack said.

"Does it work on white skin, do you know Bobby?" Alan asked.

Bobby laughed. "You skin my skin all a same, vanilla an chocolate, God just want us in flavors."

The boy took over rubbing the cream on Alan's shoulders as he squatted on the sand. The yellow looking stuff seemed to be absorbed very quickly as he worked it into skin. Alan's eyes were closed, his body relaxed and yet Brandon wondered as the boy didn't seem to be stimulated.

Now had he done that Alan would be erect in a flash, maybe this was a good thing. Brandon began to apply it to his face and arms, marveling at the greasy feel which quickly faded as the cream was absorbed.

Once Bobby was done with back and shoulders, Alan motioned for him to sit in front. OK, this would be the real test Brandon thought, as the boy began to apply the stuff to Bobby. But nothing happened to either of them. Two boys in the prime of life and neither of them was sexually excited ... amazing.

"Maida ought to sell this stuff, "Barry said, applying it to his own arms and legs.

"Guess the formula isn't secret enough," Jack said.

"You swim you need more," Bobby said. "Soon is dark, we party."

They had all made an effort to make sure Bobby was looking at them as they spoke so the boy could read their lips. He caught on to their efforts right away and seemed grateful. Alan had a way of touching Bobby before he spoke, allowing the boy a chance to face him.

They finally heard the sound of pots and pans in the kitchen once again and Bobby smiled. "Chu-chu cook tonight," He said.

"What an odd name," Barry said.

"His real name Eddy," Bobby volunteered. "Boy run from home when he was little man, parents live in Miami that time. Boy go ask many people where is train station, he make sound like Chu-chu and name stay on him."

The Bahamians spoke English as their primary language, although the influx of other Caribbean cultures had an obvious effect. The young it seemed were influenced by the Rastafarian music and culture, thus the broken down English which was still quite clear.

Brandon could understand Bobby's own personal slant, he left out words that he didn't need because he couldn't hear how it sounded anyway. The effect was endearing, the boy's personal shorthand.

"Good story," Alan said, causing Bobby to smile at the praise.

The boy was so eager, so friendly and damn cute; Brandon wondered what else Bobby would accommodate. Not that he would even suggest the boy join them in bed. If Alan didn't have that feeling about the boy Brandon knew he wasn't going to start anything. But somehow he knew Bobby would eventually make his feelings known, and Alan would be the first to find out.

Chu-chu presented them with several choices at dinner. A hot spicy chicken dish, jerked and laid over rice, and then a fish fry smelling of shredded coconut and loads of butter. And another bag of Fritos. Brandon knew at some point he would have to ask about that.

The beer flowed and the boys all got terribly silly. Quite a sight now that everyone had abandoned clothing all together. Theo and Dominic did a little dance, more suggestive than anything Brandon had ever seen. And when they both got so aroused that they couldn't stand it they ran off into the darkness towards the beach.

Maida roared with laughter as the boys went off to take care of business.

"How did they come to be here?" Brandon asked.

Maida seemed to sober up at the question and he frowned. "Theo is my cousin's boy. The boy has been gay since he was born, everyone knew that. But when he was a child my cousin married a stupid man who used to beat him behind closed doors. Since no one knew they could do nothing.

"I went to visit my cousin on the Grand Island; they lived in Freeport at the time. So Theo is just sixteen and my cousin's husband treats him like a servant. The boy was nervous around me and I wondered why. But then he drops and breaks a dish after the dinner and the man jumps in the boy's face, calling him a 'nasty little bugger.'

"This upsets me and the man laughs, saying bugger is not good enough for me because I am the American faggot. I broke his jaw and left, taking Theo with me. My cousin runs to the street where I am waiting for a taxi and hugs me, telling me to take the boy away and to never bring him back. She is a good woman who makes bad choices, but this time she did the right thing for her son.

"Theo met Dominic in Nassau last year. I have never seen two boys fall in love so fast. They are both sixteen and what they share is still illegal here. Even in the UK it is legal for boys of that age, but not here. So they stay with me, I protect them and love them like my own. It is good to have love, may God bless them for it."

And even as Maida had begun his story Alan had slipped his hand across the table and into Brandon's. The look they shared said it all; it was good to have love. And even as he thought that, Brandon saw Bobby watching them passively. Who did Bobby have?

The moon was out when they cleared the tables and sat back to enjoy the view. Jack and Barry began a card game with Maida and Chu-chu. That left Alan and Brandon with Bobby, so they took a walk on the beach.

Bobby was quiet, probably because reading lips wasn't easy in the dark. But Alan maneuvered the boy between himself and Brandon so they could both lay an arm on the boy. Alan had an arm on Bobby's waist, Brandon chose the shoulder. No matter that they were silent, Bobby was happy.

The moon over the ocean was romantic, the silvery-white light making the sand glow beneath their feet. And as they left the lights of Maida's place behind the full range of stars was clear in the night sky. A billion points of light, like distant candles they added to the illumination.

"This is my home, I live for the sky," Bobby said. He turned his head to Alan. "You are more beautiful than the sky."

Alan turned to the boy and hugged him. And even without seeing, Brandon knew there were tears in Alan's eyes. Bobby had that effect, the quiet loneliness of the boy, the simplicity of his feelings. It was all made more tragic because Brandon knew the boy loved Alan, he had known from that very first glance. But Bobby also knew he was standing on the outside watching the love Alan shared with Brandon.

"He's so loveable." Alan said over the boy's shoulder.

Bobby leaned back, putting two fingers on Alan's lips because he could not understand the words. Alan sighed and took Bobby's hand. Brandon followed as they walked back to their shack.

They sat at the table and Alan brushed aside a stray hair on Bobby's face. "You are so loveable I said."

Bobby grinned. "Thank you. May I ask, how did you meet?"

Alan sighed and Brandon sat back to listen. "I was beaten by my father and ran away," Alan began. It took almost an hour for Alan to tell his story, slowly, deliberately so that Bobby wouldn't miss a word.

Bobby cried when he heard about how Brandon had found the boy under a bridge and his eyes strayed to give the man a smile. That little gesture made Brandon understand something, Bobby too had been cast out, and soon it would be time to hear his story.

Alan showed Bobby a copy of the Teen Star magazine and the boy gasped in wonder.

"You are famous like movie star," The boy said.

Alan smiled. "Someday ... maybe. But Brandon takes the pictures; he's the best photographer in the world."

"He is your hero, your savior, I understand. The love you share is so strong, I see this in your eyes," Bobby said.

"Yes, I love him more than anything," Alan said. "In my life it was too hard to be gay, now it is all different. I did not have close friends because I could not tell them my secret." Alan smiled. "But you know my secrets now, I think of you as a great friend."

And now Bobby did begin to cry and Alan grabbed the boy in a hug, the distress on his face said it all, he felt guilty for having caused Bobby's tears. Brandon watched, knowing he could not turn the boy out tonight.

To live in paradise and be alone was the cruelest joke in the world. They didn't know Bobby's circumstances, but it was apparent that he was missing love in his life. There were no houses, no tiny little shacks in the palm trees where Bobby had gone that afternoon, Brandon had looked. Somehow he knew the boy slept on the ground at night, a reluctant loner. Why did Maida allow that?

Finally Bobby stopped crying and stood up to leave, embarrassed at his emotions. Alan grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"No, you stay here with us tonight," Alan said.

Bobby looked over at Brandon, who nodded, it would be best for all of them. Alan would feel sad and guilty; Brandon couldn't see himself getting much sleep after that outburst. But they were dirty, sandy and covered in Maida's cream. Oh God, the shower would feel horrible without the sun to warm them. But they had hot water he remembered Maida saying.

"Take Bobby in the bathroom and each of you take a hot shower," Brandon said.

"Together?" Alan asked, even he seemed surprised at what Brandon was saying.

"Sure, just save me some hot water."

Bobby followed Alan into the bathroom. He was quiet now, unsure of what these two guys had in mind. Alan had left the door open and Brandon heard the water go on. Sure, it would be fun to watch but he wouldn't. If he couldn't trust Alan by now he never would.

Ten minutes later the boys were done and Brandon stepped in the shower. The water was just warm so he hurried, must be a small water heater. He was just finishing up when he heard the giggles; the boys had been watching him.

Brandon smiled. "Brats."

"Bobby thinks you have a super body, his words not mine," Alan said.

"Super, huh? Thank you, Bobby." And with that he reached out and pulled the boy into an embrace. Immediately he felt the boy's body stiffen, that didn't bode well at all.

Brandon led Bobby back to the table and sat him down; it was Alan's turn to watch.

"Bobby ... Bobby what happened in your life?" Brandon asked.

The boy frowned, sadness creeping into his eyes. "I have no family," He said.

Alan gasped. "No one?" And Bobby nodded his head.

"My father leave when I was little boy, he think I am stupid because I do not talk, he is English. Mother find me place in Nassau Red Cross School who teaches me to talk. I come home and she is gone, nothing is left behind. I am ten years old.

"I live in the streets, I go to school. Kind English lady feeds me, buy clothes. I work for her at house. She has son, upper school boy who is kind and I sleep with him. Is how I discover sex, gay sex. But lady finds out, I am told to leave. Now I am twelve, I go to school."

Bobby sighed and looked down at his lap. "Men see me on streets, want sex with me. Many boys do this, I do too. Man treats me bad, rape me, I run away, now no school. I live on beach; ask money from tourists to eat. Kind man from America keep me in fancy house, we have sex all the time but he will not hurt me. He make me go back to school.

"I love this man, he is like father. We have sex at night, one night ... and he dies. I scream and no one comes, man is dead. He has money in suitcase but I do not touch. I go live on beach, I am fourteen. And one day I come here, walking on beach. Maida sees me and says hello.

"Something makes me stay here, Maida is kind, but something else. And then you come and I see the reason. I love the beautiful boy, he is taken by another. But I will be his friend forever."

Even Brandon felt choked up at Bobby's tragic story, Alan was weeping. Bobby rushed to hug the boy and Alan sobbed.

"No crying, my life is good now," Bobby said.

And this time when Brandon hugged the boy Bobby melted into his arms. Men had deceived him; hurt him physically and emotionally. It was no wonder Bobby found it hard to trust. But Alan pulled back the covers on the bed and slid over, Bobby slid in next to him as Brandon turned out the lights.

The three of them could not talk now; it would have left Bobby out. But Alan cuddled up beside the boy and reached across to lay his hand on Brandon's chest. Brandon leaned over and kissed first Alan and then Bobby good night. He felt Bobby lay a hand on his thigh and smiled.

It had been an exhausting day, the first of many to come. Now they knew where everyone stood, who was in love with whom and all that remained was to enjoy their time in paradise.

But somehow Brandon knew their relationship with Bobby wasn't complete. The boy had been abandoned over and over again; he could not be responsible for that happening again, Alan wouldn't allow it.

And that was really the heart of the matter, Alan's wants. For if the boys spent the next few weeks as close as they were at this moment there would be fireworks in this bed. Bobby was a sexual creature, reluctant sure, but he had been through hell.

The boy would never wish to interfere with Alan's relationship, but he was sixteen, hormones ruled the lives of both boys. It was a sure bet that at some point this friendship would become sexual. Nature and paradise would see to that.

Brandon smiled; listening to the faint sound of the reggae beat back in the palms at Maida's. For now he understood the man's wisdom. He had remained silent about Bobby's past only because he knew the boy would tell them in his own way.

All of them had seen the way Bobby adored Alan. But now Brandon knew something the others did not. When Alan finally slept with the boy, not if, but when it did happen, Brandon would be there too.

Morning came and Brandon woke quietly. For several minutes he had been aware that no one was touching him. He rolled over and discovered Alan but no Bobby. Where had the boy gone?

Brandon crawled out of bed and quietly opened the door. The sky was purple, night was gone but the sun hadn't peeked over the horizon. They had lost track of time yesterday, it wasn't important. The beach was deserted as Brandon stepped out, pulling the door shut behind him.

He walked off the planks and into the sand, looking towards the palm grove. Instinct told him that what he wanted was in there. Brandon began pushing through the lower palm fronds and headed into the grove. It was dark in here and this began to seem like a futile act, but then he saw the boy.

Bobby was sleeping in a hammock strung between two trees. No shelter, just the palms above. The kid had no possessions, just the hammock which had probably been given to him by Maida. Brandon approached the sleeping boy, how does one awaken a deaf boy?

Bobby looked so sweet laying there on his back. His cock would be huge when the boy was erect. Lord ... that was not why he was here. Brandon leaned over and kissed Bobby on the cheek.

The boy started awake, a hand coming to his cheek and then he smiled. Brandon took the boy's hand and tugged, Bobby resisted, Brandon tugged again. The boy slid out of his bed and followed, pulled by the hand. Once they were out of the palm growth there was enough light for Bobby to see his lips.

"Why did you leave?" Brandon asked.

"I ... I did not want to be in the way," Bobby said.

"In the way of what?"

"You love, Alan says he love the sex in the morning, I did not wish to stop you."

"Oh God, that's silly. We would never ask you to leave, Bobby," Brandon said.

He hugged the boy and felt Bobby hug back. Then he held the boy off at arms length so there could be no mistaking his words.

"One of these days you will join our sex, I know this. I would never wish to hurt you like those other men, I would never, understand?" Brandon asked. Bobby nodded.

"But you don't have to run off like that. If Alan wants sex alone with me he'll find a way to tell you. For now come back to our bed."

Bobby allowed himself to be led back to the shack and they both quietly slipped back in bed. Only this time Brandon cuddled up to Bobby's back, his arm firmly around the boy's chest. Bobby lay a hand on Alan and the boy unconsciously scooted back against his warmth.

Brandon knew the boy was smiling, he could feel the tension ebb from Bobby's body. Sandwiched between two guys who cared about him the boy fell back asleep. Brandon felt the boy ease back against him until his cock was in contact with Bobby's butt. Yeah, try to sleep now, he thought, but he did.

The heat of the full sun woke them one at a time. Alan rolled over and saw Bobby's eyes staring at him. He smiled and leaned over to kiss the boy; Bobby's hand slid down his side and came to rest on Alan's thigh. And when he looked down he saw Brandon's hand on Bobby's stomach.

Brandon could tell that the boys were awake. "Morning," he said. And then rolling Bobby over he kissed the boy's cheek. "Good morning," he said so the boy could read his lips.

Alan reached over and laid his hand on Brandon's, and then grinned. Brandon felt the pressure as Alan pushed their hands down across Bobby's stomach and right onto his cock. The boy started at the touch but he didn't move.

Alan's hand encircled the softness of the boy's cock as Brandon's hand moved down to grasp Bobby's ball sac. Bobby sucked in a breath and moaned as his cock rose into erection. Alan began to rub the foreskin up and down over the cock head and Bobby groaned.

Alan stared into Brandon's eyes as they worked Bobby into a frenzy. They were doing this together for Bobby, their own pleasure denied. And within a minute Bobby gasped, his back arching as he squirted straight up in the air.

The blast was huge and Brandon looked up, expecting to see strings of cum draped over the ceiling fan. But it had all fallen straight down on top of Bobby's body and their hands. The boy groaned as he sank back to the mattress, his smile lighting up the room.

"Good ... Great Morning," Bobby said, and they all dissolved into laughter.

It was already a scorcher as they stepped into the shower enclosure. The cold water revived them and Bobby quietly hugged each of them. Brandon knew it was a beginning, they were all closer now. If anything it complicated matters. One of these days they would have to go home, where did that leave Bobby?

Breakfast was the strongest coffee Brandon had ever had and waffles smothered in fresh fruit compote. Maida was wasting his talents here, but then he already knew that. Nothing could get the man to leave paradise, not even money.

The day began and no one seemed aware of Bobby's new adventure. They planned a trip into Nassau city, a little sightseeing for Alan and Brandon, Maida would use the trip to stock up on supplies. They finished breakfast and went back to their rooms to get dressed.

When they reassembled on the patio Bobby was still sitting there naked.

"Aren't you coming?" Alan asked.

"No, I stay away from the city now. Peoples know my face, I get in trouble."

Maida looked at the boy with a frown. "No one knows him now; he just has a fear of the place."

Alan knelt down before the boy. "I want you to come with us, Bobby. No one will bother you; look at the strong men we have to protect us. Do you have some nice clothes?"

Bobby shook his head and frowned. "No clothes."

Alan smiled. "Come with me ... please?" Bobby came along, pulled by Alan's hand and they disappeared into the shack. Ten minutes later they were back and Bobby looked like a million bucks dressed in the Italian finery.

"OK, now we can go," Alan said.

Bobby still held his hand as they walked across the road to Maida's garage. Buggy indeed, the man had the oldest VW bus Brandon had ever seen.

"Is it safe?" Brandon asked.

"Would I endanger your lives? I would not," Maida laughed.

He got behind the wheel and the engine fired up without exploding. If anything the bus was in excellent mechanical condition, it just looked like crap. The men and two boys filled the rear seats, Chu-chu sat up front with Maida.

The highway into town was paved and lined with gorgeous homes. The old British colonial touch was everywhere, the Bahamian legacy, only now the faces were brown. Bobby knew the city well, and despite his past he seemed energized to be revisiting the sites.

Nassau Harbor was filled with luxury yachts; this was where the wealthy came to play. Fort Charlotte guarded the entrance, another piece of colonial history. The island had been a haven for buccaneers and pirates alike, the history still attracted tourist attention.

They walked the streets of the colorful city and Bobby pointed out places of interest. Brandon treated them all to lunch, and then they went shopping. Maida's choice of markets was in the old quarter, away from the tourist trade and a place only a local would ever find.

Maida stocked up on fruits and vegetables and he got Alan involved in choosing the melons. Jack and Barry watched with amusement as Chu-chu juggled oranges and then tried to teach Alan the trick. The bruised fruit the boy dropped went in a bag to become juice later on.

"What no beer?" Jack asked as they packed up their purchases.

Maida smiled. "Beer truck comes to me once a week."

They also stopped at a small stall on the edge of the market where Maida bought more ingredients to make his sun cream. Brandon noticed a drugstore across the street and walked over to make his own purchase.

When the bus was full they headed back. Chu-chu was planning a night of grilling the tuna he had bought; they would eat well this evening. The sun was taking its toll and a siesta seemed to be on everyone's mind.

Jack and Barry excused themselves. Bobby and Alan went back to the shack for a cold shower while Brandon tarried, hoping to catch Maida alone.

"What is it my friend?" Maida asked, setting two bottles of beer down on the table between them.

"Bobby," Brandon said, and Maida nodded.

"Now you know his story I gather. I support him, but he does not wish to get too close. Our arrangement is very loose, he must feel free to do what he wishes or I know he will leave."

"He sleeps under a tree, Maida, that seems a little rough," Brandon said.

Maida shrugged. "He is used to it; this is the way his life has been for many years. He sleeps in the kitchen when it rains or gets cold; I keep an eye out for him."

"He's still a child, by your laws or mine, don't they wonder about what happened to him?"

"So many children are lost; Bobby has found a place here."

Brandon shook his head. "But the boy has no legal status, no identification, and no birth records. Doesn't that bother you?"

Maida smiled. "You have concern for him, it's a good thing. Would you take him away from all this if you could?"

"Yes, but I don't think he'd want to leave." Brandon laughed. "I may not want to leave even when my time is up."

"What would Bobby do in your world? He knows only life here; he lives for the sea and the stars above. I know his mind, leaving here would frighten him."

"He needs to go back to school, to learn a trade, something that will give his life meaning," Brandon said. "Otherwise he will wake up one day and his life will have gone by. He has such a great mind; he needs to see what he can do with it."

"He will suffer when you leave, we both know this already," Maida said. "The way he looks at Alan, the love in his eyes ... I have never seen that before. But I think Alan will suffer as well, what will you do about this?"

"I don't know," Brandon replied. "Alan's life will be busy, his work will take up a lot of time and maybe that will help. But I am exploring the options and so I ask. If Bobby is willing to come home with us, will you let him go?"

Maida took a pull on his beer bottle and set it down. "I know you are a sincere man, my friend. I know that Bobby will share your bed and your heart before you leave our little paradise. If he agrees to go I will support you, I can get him papers. It will be easy to get a student visa because of his handicap if he attends a proper school in the States.

"I will need money to buy him a passport and I can sign a paper as his guardian. But you will have to be the one to make him agree. The Bahamian officials will look the other way for the right price; Bobby will be your only obstacle. Will he live with you?"

Brandon nodded, "I don't think Alan would have it any other way. The boy is going back to face a storm of publicity and fame, Bobby would be of great comfort."

"And if they become lovers, what will that mean to you?" Maida asked.

Brandon smiled. "It will mean I'll have to buy a bigger bed."

Maida laughed. "I see why Alan loves you so much. A selfish man might lose his lover; a generous one may gain another. Two such boys is every man's dream, the ying and the yang."

Brandon laughed. "Chocolate and vanilla as Bobby says, I like both flavors."

"Thank you for what you are trying to do," Maida said. "Bobby is at such a delicate age. The past haunts his thoughts and I think the future scares him as well. To know he has love will change his life, you will change his life."

They shook hands, and Maida hugged Brandon tightly. "You go work on the boy; I will talk to my cousin. Our good fortune, she's a clerk in the passport office."

Brandon walked back to the shack and found the boys toweling off from a shower.

Alan shivered. "I think it's even colder today, my cock shriveled up."

Brandon looked down and smiled. "Oh? It looks fine to me."

Bobby laughed. "You funny, good joke."

Alan yawned. "Nap time I guess."

"OK, you guys hop in bed while I shower. Chu-chu is already marinating that tuna and it smells wonderful," Brandon said.

"Sleep, and then swim," Bobby said.

And maybe a little lovin in between, Brandon thought as he stood under the cold water. His last sexual encounter with Alan had been the morning before they boarded the plane. That was over twenty-four hours ago, not like Alan at all.

He'd bought condoms at the drugstore just in case. Between himself and Alan there was no need for protection, Bobby was a whole new equation. His life on the streets dictated they be cautious for oral or anal play.

Should Bobby agree to return with them a medical checkup would be the first order of business. It would give the boy a sense of stability; it would also remove that barrier. He didn't think Bobby would play around; all the sex he could handle would be right at home.

What would Theresa think? But Brandon had an answer for that. The image of ebony and ivory side by side was just too good, too appealing. His photographer's eye could already imagine the photo shoot. The Italians would buy into it, he was sure. A brown face would only add to the market appeal.

Bobby might become just as famous as Alan, he certainly had the looks. But would this be exploiting the boy? Bobby had a right to make his own way in the world; modeling would give him the means. Yeah, now Brandon knew he had to shoot them together here in paradise.

Brandon went back to the room and found the boys asleep, arm in arm. He could do a whole book on them in the nude, but he wouldn't. Even clothed they would be a sensation. But he would have to be careful. Any gay implications would shatter the market value. It would be something they all needed to discuss.

Brandon crawled in bed and lay on his back watching that damn fan again. This would be the biggest modeling venture he had ever stage managed, or the biggest fiasco. Some how he had to make it work, for both boys.

It would mean loving them both, not necessarily on equal terms, Bobby would certainly have to understand Alan's place in his heart. But this was an opportunity, one that Bobby certainly deserved, one he should not miss. And somehow he knew Alan could make it all happen.

As before the cool breeze of late afternoon woke the boys. Alan looked over at Brandon sleeping so peacefully. Bobby was still holding him, only now the boy's erection was pressed against his thigh.

Alan looked down at that brown cock and smiled. "You need something I guess."

Bobby shook his head and looked over at Brandon. Alan knew the boy was concerned, he didn't have to be.

"We can share a lot, Bobby, and I think the best part is that we can share it with him."

Bobby looked over at Brandon. "I wish to be with you, what will he do to me?"

Alan hugged the boy, running fingers across his cheek. "Brand is a wonderful lover, so kind, so thoughtful. Nothing would please me more than to share him with you."

"But he is your man, not mine ... I do not look for a man," Bobby said.

"Then you don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Brand and I share love, which makes all things possible. You are my friend and I have love for you too, Bobby. Just be here with us for a while and you will learn to love him too."

Bobby smiled. "For you I will do anything."

"Then let's go swim," Alan said. He leaned over and kissed Brandon who smiled as he responded. "Come lover, let's go swim."

The three of them hit the water and played in the surf until even Brandon began to feel like a kid again. Bobby was attacking him with the same playful ease that he felt with Alan and Brandon did his best to fight back. But it was two against one and he was knocked off his feet time and time again, finally he surrendered.

"You win," Brandon said, his breath coming in gasps. "We have to get out, I am starting to burn and Alan looks like a lobster already."

Bobby ran to fetch the cream which he handed over. Brandon sat with Alan between his legs and began to apply the goo. Bobby reached around and took a handful, slapping it on Brandon's shoulders. His fingers pushed it around and then he began to spread the cream with his palms.

As Brandon worked on Alan's back, Bobby did the same to him. The hands did more than cover him with cream, they caressed his body. It was the sign Brandon had been waiting for, Bobby had feelings for him now and this is how he expressed them.

For Brandon had not been asleep as the boys talked, he'd heard every word. The doubt on Bobby's part was well founded; he didn't want to come between his two friends. But Alan would be the catalyst, and Brandon knew he had to be patient.

And as he finished covering Alan the boy leaned back and kissed him. Bobby hands withdrew as they kissed. But then when he was done with Alan, Brandon reached back and grasped Bobby's neck, pulling him forward and giving him a kiss as well.

The boy fell over his shoulder, landing with his head in Brandon's lap. And their eyes met.

"In time we will learn to share love," Brandon said. "I know you find this hard to understand, it is all so new to us both. Alan needs us to be close; we are the source of his love."

Bobby lay there and Brandon could see his mind was working to grasp what this all meant. And then Brandon saw tears in the boy's eyes and knew Bobby had come to some conclusions.

"You would love me?" Bobby asked, his voice almost a whisper.

Brandon nodded, afraid of the emotion that was rising inside. Alan leaned down and gave Bobby a kiss, a long and sexy kiss. Then he pulled away and looked at Brandon, sadness in his eyes.

"You're doing this for me, aren't you? I ... I understand but ... but then you'll make me leave, it's not fair. I can't love someone and then just walk away ... "

With that Alan got up and ran back to the shack, slamming the door behind him. Bobby lay there stunned, unsure what had caused the moment. Then he sat up.

"You must go ... he is sad," Bobby said, beginning to rise to his feet. But Brandon held his arm.

"He loves you, Bobby. In three weeks we will have to leave, and that means leave you behind. This is what makes him sad."

Bobby nodded, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. "I ... I have caused him pain."

Brandon smiled. "It doesn't have to be this way, you could stay with him."

Bobby shook his head. "You leave and Bobby stays, my heart will break."

Brandon placed a hand under the boy's chin and raised his head until their eyes met once again. The tears were genuine, the boy was in pain. "Come with us Bobby, come share life with us and be happy."

A look of shock came over the boy's face and Brandon repeated the offer. "Come live with us in America and we can share love forever."

"You ... you want me to live with you?"

"Yes. Come and we will share our lives with Alan."

Bobby gasped as the possibility washed over him. "Come to America ... can I do this?"

Brandon reached out and brushed the boy's dark hair off his face. The eyes that gazed back at him were still watery with tears but there was a spark in them now. And Brandon placed two fingers on Bobby's mouth, the sign for silence.

"You can do anything you put your mind to Bobby. We can offer you a new life, a good education and a world you could only imagine."

Bobby grasped his hand and kissed Brandon's fingers. Then he looked around at the beach, the sky and the ocean before his eyes returned to Brandon.

"I ... I have never left this place, it is me and what I am," Bobby said.

"But this is not all that you can be. You will grow to be a fine man; there is so much for you to learn. And we will help you in this, you will never be alone." Brandon smiled. "You are a child of paradise; it will always be in your heart. But you need to become a man very soon, and Alan and I would wish to help you."

"Is this possible, can I leave here?" Bobby asked.

"All things are possible when you have love."

Bobby threw his arms around Brandon's neck and hugged him tight. Brandon stroked the boy's back, feeling the immense emotion of the moment. The doubts would come later once Bobby had a chance to think, then it would be Alan's turn to convince the boy. Suddenly Bobby pulled back.

"Alan is sad, he does not know this? Why did you tell me and not him?"

Brandon smiled. "I want you to tell him and bring joy to his heart; he will only love you more."

Bobby grinned, giving Brandon a kiss and jumping to his feet. "I must tell him now, OK?" Brandon nodded and Bobby took off running.

OK, that had been a subtle bit of psychology, but it had worked. If Bobby told Alan he was going to America there was less chance he would back out later. The boy would have some serious doubts once he thought about it. But then he would face Alan with those fears.

Alan Bennett, fashion model and manipulator extraordinaire, Bobby didn't stand a chance. Not only would Alan gain a lifelong friend but a willing companion, in and out of bed. It was bound to happen; Brandon had allowed it to happen.

For if Alan found excitement in Bobby's arms he would certainly share those feelings with Brandon. Three weeks with two loving boys. Brandon only hoped he could still walk when it was time to go home.

On to Chapter Fourteen

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