Three
"Enjoying yourself?"
Roman smiled at his father who holding a fishing rod. He had just come out from the woods, pissed off to no end about Dean. "I guess."
"Where's Dean?"
"Somewhere around. I think he's exploring the woods."
"I wonder if he loves fishing. Nothing like a man and his rod and sipping ice cold beer."
Roman didn't know if Dean loved fishing nor did he care. He was angry with him.
As if on cue, Dean was back from the woods. "Aaaah Dean," Sika said. "Care to join me in some fishing?"
"I'd like that," his "boyfriend" replied. "Roman, join us?"
Roman was too angry to reply. He merely shook his head. Sika laughed. "Roman doesn't like fishing," he informed Dean. "Why don't we take the boat? I think my brother Afa and Jason will be joining us too."
Sika headed over to talk to his uncle Afa. Unbelievable. Roman was going to have a word with Dwayne about his friend's behavior.
Dean came near him. "Sure you don't want to follow?" he asked softly.
"No," he replied testily. "Have fun with your boyfriend."
"Are you kidding me?" He looked annoyed until he looked like he figured something out. "You're jealous."
"What?" Roman scoffed. "I am not."
"Yes, you are. I can see right through you."
"Keep telling yourself that, Dean. I'm not attracted to you."
"Yet you admitted to like kissing me. Just contradicted yourself there, babe."
"Don't call me babe. I'm not your babe."
Dean grinned. "Oh. So it's like that?"
"Yeah it's like that."
Their eyes were locked on one another's. Roman willed himself to look elsewhere but he was too late when Dean surged forward and kissed him for all he was worth.
His gasp allowed Dean to slid his tongue in and play about with his.
Roman wrapped his arms around his waist and returned his kisses. Damn it. He shouldn't like kissing him but he did.
He felt the auburn haired man smiling against his lips.
"These two," Dwayne was laughing. "They can't seem to keep their hands off one another!"
The two men immediately pulled away. Great. He clearly had no self control.
Roman noticed Jason looking a bit unhappy. What the hell was his problem?
"Ready to go, Dean?" Sika asked, laughter in his voice too.
"Yeah," Dean answered. He turned his attention back to Roman. "I'll be back soon… babe." He joined Sika who was waiting for him.
Roman shook his head. Clearly he needed another shower. He noticed Jason inching closer to Dean.
Roman clenched his fists. Okay what the hell was wrong with him? Dean was not really his boyfriend so why was he acting like he really was?
He felt lost. Telling Dean to stay away from Jason may prevent a potential relationship from happening but keeping quiet would end up making him look like a pitiful person. Might as well go up to his room, he guessed. Better than staying here and second guessing things.
Roman did not see Dean until it was time for dinner. He stayed up in his room, reading emails from big firms from various industries and mulled over his career choices.
Okay so what could he do with his degree?
He supposed taking a job as a management consultant would be okay. Helping clients to examine their goals and offering suggestions on how they could solve their situations. That would be okay. Except it hit him that he did not want to sit down at an office desk all the time so now what?
"Hey."
He looked up and found Dean walking in, shutting the door behind him quietly. "Hey," he replied, his eyes back on his laptop.
"Roman, I'm sorry for what I said back there in the woods earlier this afternoon," his "boyfriend" apologised. "I'll take it more seriously."
He sighed and closed his laptop. "I'd appreciate it, Dean. I'm sorry if I come off prudish at times. It's just that, to be honest, I don't date a lot."
Dean's eyes widened. "But your mum said-"
"I know. I had to lie to her otherwise she'd be on my back about finding someone. The truth is I'm too busy with school to go out there and find someone. I work part time at Joe's Cuppa and I barely have enough rest as it is."
"Gosh Roman. I had no idea."
"My cousins seemed to think that I'm this huge party animal because I'm always dragged to parties by my roommate but the truth is I don't really like it. Half the time I'm too busy trying to earn money and save so that I don't rely on my parents."
"But you guys have money."
"I want to be my own man, Dean."
The auburn haired man nodded. "I understand. So all you do is study and work? That's gotta be suffocating."
"I do want to go on an adventure. I just don't know how to. Maybe when I have the time."
"You just said you barely have rest."
"Exactly. Ummm... I'll pay you the money now-"
"Don't, Roman."
"But a deal is a deal, Dean."
"Maybe at the end of this trip."
"Okay."
Dean sat down beside him. "Can I ask you something personal?"
He nodded; after all, they were boyfriends for a week. "Sure."
"Why do you want to be your own man when money is readily available to you?"
"Because I was used for it before by an ex-boyfriend who had led me on for years. He was with me just for status and I guess I never got over it. I'd rather work hard and earn my own money - no matter how little - and be contented that the person I'll end up with loves me for me."
"That sucks, Roman."
"Well, it was lesson learnt well. Though there was a part of me that suspected he wasn't the one for me. Some things I just ignored."
"Did you love him?"
"Yes." He smiled. "What about you? Any sad stories like mine?"
Dean laughed. "I never stayed long enough to care."
"Not even two toned?"
"Are we calling him that?"
"If you want."
"Okay. Yes, not even two toned who was actually a good friend of mine in the first place. We decided to date to see if we'd fit. I guess we did in a way but we're so different as well."
"Are you mad at him?"
"Nah. Two toned called me on Sunday and we agreed to remain friends. So we're cool."
"That's a relief. It'd be a shame to lose him as a friend."
"Oh definitely."
"Does he stay in the same hall as you?"
"Nope. He stays in Echo Hall."
"Why don't you want to care, Dean?"
"If you've seen my life, Roman, you'd know why."
"Maybe you'd be lucky to meet someone who could change the way you see things."
"You're still hopeful, Roman?"
"I have to be. Nobody wants to be alone."
"Yeah well. I follow my dick all the time so it's a whole different thing with me. It's fun and no one gets hurt."
Sasha's loud announcement that it was time for dinner ended their little chat but Roman couldn't be happier. He had an insight about Dean - no matter how minimal - and Dean had an idea about him.
Maybe now things would be easier.
Dinner turned out to be a barbecue grill at the back area overlooking the lake. Dean helped Sika with the grilling while Roman made the fruit punch with Dwayne. Jimmy and Jey were just sitting around and teasing the younger cousins.
"So," Dwayne said as he poured the premix in the big bowl. "Dean and Jason…"
Roman did not like where this was going immediately. "What about them?"
"I think they like each other. Well not in a love way but a sexual way. They were practically eye humping one another."
"Well, Dean's mine so there's not going to be anything except when we break up." Which will be in a few days, he added silently.
"Hmmm… just be careful alright? I'm trying to keep Jason away from him as well."
"Dean's an adult, Dwayne. So is Jason. Anything that happens between them are of their own choices. We're not their babysitters."
Dean walked over with a sausage then and placed in Roman's mouth. He took a bite before Dean popped the whole thing in his mouth. "Do you need help?" the auburn haired man offered.
"No, we're good," Roman replied. "I thought you were helping Dad grill."
"Oh I was until your uncle Afa decided it was his turn to take over."
Roman laughed. "Well before you came, it was always Dad and him in charge of the pit."
"Times have changed."
"Not to them, it hasn't." The drink was now ready. "Would you like a sip?"
"Is it spiked?" Dean asked.
"What? No. There are children here."
"Oh. Right, I forgot about that." He smiled mischievously at Roman. "Wanna go somewhere?"
Roman raised an eyebrow. "Like now?"
"Yep."
"I'd like that but everyone will be looking for us."
"Come on, Roman. You said you wanted to go on an adventure. Well this is kinda like it. What do you say?"
He glanced at his family who were preoccupied with eating and laughing. "...Okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Dean reached for his hand and pulled him towards the woods. Roman looked at all the trees as they passed, trying to remember any markings so that they would be able to find their way back.
They reached the other end of the lake.
Roman took in the sight in front of him. Lush greenery and a clear water greeted the two men. It was peaceful with a light breeze.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Dean asked. "I explored the woods a little just now."
"Dean, this place looks amazing," he breathed.
"Let's go skinny dipping!"
Roman did a double take as Dean undressed himself. "Are you sure? What if someone sees us?"
"Well I hope they have cameras."
"Dean!"
The auburn haired man chortled. "Relax, Roman. It'll be fine."
"You just want an excuse to see me naked."
Dean was smiling at him shamelessly. "But of course."
Roman had to laugh at his "boyfriend". "Fine."
He removed his clothes and folded them neatly. Dean wasted no time in pulling him into the water.
The contact of the cold water took him by surprise. Dean actually gasped. "I had no idea it'd be this cold."
"Me neither. Do you want me to warm you up?"
He pressed his lips against Dean's without waiting for his reply.
Dean's hands immediately wound around his neck, reciprocating his kiss with an almost equal fervour. "Nice to just follow your dick, right?" he said when they broke apart for air.
Roman licked his lips before reeling Dean for another kiss. Dean was a good kisser. He knew just how to apply the right amount of exertion on his tongue.
"I hope no one interrupts us again," Dean piped as Roman started to pepper kisses on his neck. . "I'll run them over with the Roman Empire."
Roman chuckled. "What?"
"Your car. I named her."
"Nice name."
"Oh I've always been good with names."
"I'll bet."
"Which is ironic because I never bothered to learn the names of all those guys on those one night stands I had."
Roman's laughter at what he had just heard was loud but he didn't care. "What? How is that possible? So it's a wham bam thank you, sir?"
"No other way. Less talking, babe. More kissing."
Their lips met halfway and this time, hands were all over. "Fuck, Roman," Dean whispered as Roman continued to kiss his neck, "for someone who hardly dates, you're a damn good kisser."
Well, guess his skills were still there. His hands steered Dean closer to him as their kissing intensified. The contact of their bare lengths against one another made the Samoan man gasp. "How long has it been?" Dean murmured. "Since you know…"
"Ummm… a real long time. Why?" Dean's hand wrapped around his length then. "Oh fuck!"
"Is that what you want to do?" his "boyfriend'" asked. "Fuck?"
"It'll cost me extra," he mimicked earning a laugh again from Dean.
Someone was shouting their names. "Again?" Dean whined. "Damn it. Okay, you take your clothes and change first."
"But what about you?"
"I'll just say I'm taking a swim. Go!"
Roman quickly got out of the water and started dressing again before he hid behind a tree close by. He risked a peek and to his dismay saw Dwayne and Jason… again.
"Dean?" Jason said. "What are you doing out here?"
"Going for a swim," Dean shouted.
Dwayne was looking around. "Where's Roman?"
"No idea. We… uh… had an argument. It wasn't pretty."
"Oh. That's a shame. These things are normal. Don't worry. You'll be alright. Uh we'll go first and leave you to it."
"Sure. Thanks!"
Roman noticed Jason staring at Dean for a while before following behind Dwayne. Jason had no shame about wanting Dean and clearly Dean wanted him too.
So where did that leave Roman?
Dean got out of the lake and headed for his discarded clothes.
"You know, Dean," Jason said, walking up to him again; where was Dwayne, Dean wondered. "I think it's time you and I stopped dancing and just accept the fact that we're attracted to one another. You don't have to hide. Roman never could stick with one guy; eventually you'll be guy number hundred and ten."
Dean wanted to laugh. It was a good thing Roman and him had the talk earlier in his room. Not that it mattered what Roman did; this was just a job for the auburn haired man to get paid. "You kept count of how many men he dated?"
"Almost everyone in the family keeps count."
"Yeah well, Jason, you're hot and all but I'm his boyfriend not guy number hundred and ten."
"Well, alright. Just letting you know that the offer is still on the table."
He sighed as he watched Jason strode away. That was hard and so unlike him. He usually had a hard time saying no to people who were damn attractive and Jason was more than that.
So is Roman, his traitorous mind reminded him. Maybe that was true but Dean did not want to sleep with Roman no matter how fast he could make the auburn haired man's erection lift. Roman was looking for love; Dean wasn't.
He didn't want a relationship that had feelings involved; that was why he dated Seth. They were fuck buddies but Seth had high standards. Restaurants and a night at the opera were more up his alley than a night at the bar.
"Roman?" he called out once he finished dressing. "Are you still here?"
The Samoan man stepped out from behind a tree. "Hey. I told you everyone thinks I'm a playboy."
"Yeah wait till they find out who's the real playboy."
Roman smiled. "Never judge a book by its cover, right?"
"Exactly. Come on. I think it's better if we head back. I don't want a search party out here."
As they started to head back towards the lakehouse, Roman reached for his hand and held it. Dean swallowed hard. This cannot happen; shouldn't happen. He'd only end up breaking the grey eyed man's heart.
He was too wild for Roman and his heart couldn't be tamed.
A/N Thank you for the kind words, favorites and reviews thus far. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next up, Day 2!
