Encounter In The Sand

by Jeremy

~Part 3~

Last Time:

   Before they knew what was happening, their lips were touching; pressed together in a deep kiss. Neither one of them really knew what to do. A moment later, they broke apart, both quiet, not knowing what to say or do.

   "Justin," Ricky finally spoke up, "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me. I just..." Justin put his finger to Ricky's lips, interrupting him. "I've wanted to do that since I first ran into you the other day," Justin said, "But being in the public eye, I can't take chances like that. Something told me that I could trust you, though."

   Ricky looked at him puzzled. "You... You're...?"

   "Gay?" Justin finished for him, "Yes, I am."

And now, the continuation:

   Ricky just stared into Justin's eyes, several thoughts at once speeding through his mind. Did he just say what I think he said? He couldn't have. He's got a job where women literally throw themselves at him. Why would he be gay? I must have misunderstood.

   Meanwhile, Justin watched the blank look form on Ricky's face. "Ricky? Hello? Earth to Ricky," Justin said, trying to bring Ricky back from his daze. "Huh?" Ricky replied, snapping out of it.

   "Welcome back," Justin said, chuckling. "You alright?"

   Ricky nodded. "Yeah, just caught off guard."

   Justin smiled at him, reaching out and gently touching Ricky's cheek. "I know I've only known you for a few days, but I definitely feel something there." Ricky gently nuzzled Justin's hand and nodded. "I've felt it too," Ricky said. Suddenly a puzzled look formed on his face.

   "How did you know about me?"

   Justin shrugged at him. "Just a hunch, I guess," he said, "Something just went off in my brain. What I do know for sure, is that since the other day all I've wanted to do is get to know you better."

   Ricky smiled, stepping closer to him. "I think I could probably arrange that," he said, leaning in and kissing Justin in a less surprising way than the first. The kiss lingered for several minutes before they broke apart. Both remained right where they were, looking into each others' eyes.

   "Where have you been all my life?" Ricky whispered against Justin's lips. Justin smiled softly at him, kissing him gently. "It doesn't matter now," he answered, "because here I am."

   As they held each other closely, Justin rested his head on Ricky's shoulder. Neither one wanted to let the other go. After a while, Justin glanced at his watch. "You know," he said, "I should probably be getting back before the guys get worried about me."

   "You're probably right," Ricky replied, nodding, breaking their embrace. "Before we go, though... there's something I want you to do. Follow me." With that, he led Justin by the hand to the den, where a state-of-the-art computer system was set up.

   Ricky sat at the desk, releasing Justin's hand. He turned, switching the monitor on and then a small box shaped device. Once again, he grabbed Justin's hand. After a quick squeeze, he placed Justin's hand on the box. Justin was a little apprehensive, and tried to pull his hand away, but Ricky stopped him. "Don't be afraid of it," he assured him, "it's just an infrared scanner. I'm getting your hand print for the security system. I want it so you can come and go as you please, and so you can let the guys in to use the pool or whatever."

   Justin nodded and smiled, placing his hand back on the scanner. Ricky tapped at the keyboard and the scanner came to life, getting every detail of Justin's hand print, which appeared on the computer screen. Ricky entered all the information about Justin into the profile for the hand print and saved it, nodding to Justin to take his hand off the scanner.

   "There," Ricky said, switching the monitor off and standing up. "All done. Now you're clear to enter the doors on your own. It's almost midnight, let's get you home before you turn into a pumpkin." Ricky grabbed Justin's hand, squeezing it as they went out into the garage, getting into the Jeep and heading for Justin's place.

   The drive was short, but meaningful nonetheless, as Ricky held Justin's hand until they arrived in front of a house that Ricky was sure he'd be making many more visits to.

   Ricky smiled softly and looked at Justin. "Well," he said, "here we are." Justin nodded and smiled at him. "Yeah," he replied, "here we are."

   "I want you to know something," Ricky said, squeezing Justin's hand. "Today has been one of the most amazing days in my life. I look forward to getting to know you even better, Justin. I feel this connection with you somehow, that I can't explain, but I'm not sure that I want to explain it. I just know that I like it."

   Justin nodded, smiling. "I feel the same connection. If you don't mind, I plan on spending much of the next few weeks that we're here in your presence."

   "Of course I don't mind," Ricky replied. He smiled as he spoke again, "In fact, would you like to go running with me in the morning, and then maybe spend the day with me at work?"

   "Absolutely," Justin replied, still smiling.

   "Great. Meet me at my place at seven in the morning then."

   Justin nodded, reaching for the door handle. Ricky reached out though, touching his arm gently. Slowly, they leaned toward each other, neither one saying a single word as their lips met in a soft, lengthy kiss.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

   "They're kissing!" Chris exclaimed from his spying spot in the living room window. He'd been sitting there since they pulled up, watching and reporting their every move.

   JC grinned, holding his hand out toward Joey. "That'll be twenty bucks," he said, as Joey groaned and handed him a crisp bill. JC stuffed the bill into his pocket and settled back on the sofa against Lance who snaked his arms around him and nuzzled his neck.

   "How'd you know?" Joey asked, putting his wallet away.

   "Gaydar," JC replied simply, grinning.

   Joey just rolled his eyes, turning back to Chris. "What's going on?"

   "Still kissing," Chris replied. "It's borderline making out, now. Oh! He's coming!"

   "I thought you said they were just kissing?" Joey replied, looking at him curiously.

   "No, dumbass," Chris shot back, "I mean he's on his way into the house!" With that, he dove for the Playstation and resumed the game he'd paused when Ricky and Justin had pulled up. The rest waited patiently and as inconspicuously as they could when they heard the locks on the door being undone.

   Justin hummed to himself as he stepped through the door, closing and locking it again. Not even paying attention to the rest of the guys in the room, he walked past them with an extra spring in his step, and headed up the stairs. The guys just looked at each other and chuckled.

   JC turned, kissing Lance on the cheek. "I'll be back down in a while. Gonna go see what I can find out." Lance nodded, grabbing JC's ass as he got up and walked away. "Hey!" JC said as he jumped, "Not until later." He cast a sly look at Lance as he walked up the stairs. Lance winked, turning to watch Chris play again.

   Meanwhile, JC had arrived at Justin's door. He stood there a moment before opening it, standing there in the doorway. Justin lay there on his bed, smiling as he stared up at the ceiling. "Come in, Josh," he said, not bothering to look up at him. JC smiled, shutting the door as he walked in, sitting on the edge of Justin's bed. Justin rolled onto his side to face JC. "So," he said, "what do you want to know?"

   "Well, to start," JC replied, "what's got you walking on air through the house?"

   "Oh, come off it, Josh," Justin chuckled, rolling his eyes. "I know very well that Chris was in the window, watching just like he does with all of us." JC blushed a little. "Alright, so we've been caught," he said, "So, what's with you and the blond gourmet?"

   Justin gave JC a big smile. "I think I'm in love," he said, rolling onto his back again, staring at the ceiling.

   "In love?" JC asked, eying Justin curiously. "You've known him all of three days. How can you be in love?"

   "I don't know how to explain it, Josh, other than we both feel something there and want to explore it more closely."

   JC shook his head as he stood up and walked over to the window. "I don't know, Jus... This is all so soon." He turned to look at Justin, who gave him a pleading look.

   "Please," Justin said, "just trust my judgment and support me. That's all I ask of you. You're my best friend, Josh. You know that I wouldn't do something like this unless it were important to me."

   JC nodded and looked back out the window. After a few minutes, he turned back to face Justin. "Alright J," he said, smiling, "You've got my support. Just promise me you'll be careful."

   "I promise," Justin said, standing and hugging JC, "You're the best, you know that?"

   "I know," JC said, grinning at him.

   Justin slugged him in the arm. "Nobody's ever accused you of being modest, have they?" Now, out... I have to get up early tomorrow. I have a long day."

   "Where you going?"

   "Jogging with Ricky in the morning, and then I'm going to spend the day with him at work."

   JC nodded. "Alright, I guess we'll see you tomorrow evening when Ricky takes us out then."

   "Yep," Justin replied, "See you then." JC made his way out of Justin's room. As he started to close the door, Justin spoke again. "Thanks, Josh." JC just smiled and nodded, closing the door.

To Be Continued....