Marbella by moonlight, p.1
Marbella by Moonlight, page 1
“Marbella by Moonlight”
M/M Gay Romance
David Horne
© 2018
David Horne
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is intended for Adults (ages 18+) only. The contents may be offensive to some readers. It may contain graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations. May contain scenes of unprotected sex. Please do not read this book if you are offended by content as mentioned above or if you are under the age of 18.
Please educate yourself on safe sex practices before making potentially life-changing decisions about sex in real life. If you’re not sure where to start, see here: http://www.jerrycoleauthor.com/safe-sex-resources/ (courtesy of Jerry Cole).
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Products or brand names mentioned are trademarks of their respective holders or companies. The cover uses licensed images and are shown for illustrative purposes only. Any person(s) that may be depicted on the cover are simply models.
Edition v1.02 (2018.04.18)
http://www.DavidHorneauthor.com
Special thanks to the following volunteer readers who helped with proofreading: Jacy, Judy M., Trina B., Elryc Caledon, C. Robinson, Kathy C., M. Demry and those who assisted but wished to be anonymous. Thank you so much for your support.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Free Book “Princes of Westlake”
Chapter One
Kayden walked into the airport wondering if perhaps he had overpacked. The bag felt heavier and heavier with every step he took. But he had wanted to surprise Grant, his boyfriend, with some new looks, a few fun sex toys, and some little gifts, to celebrate their one-year anniversary. Besides that, he had not been quite sure what to pack, because Tom and Louis, their friends and travel companions, were sort of cryptic about the plans for the vacation.
At twenty-seven, Kayden was a tall young man standing six feet three inches. His father, a six foot six inch giant of Caribbean descent, claimed he had still had growth spurts until he was twenty-five, and Kayden seemed to be taking after him. However, he got his fine features and amazing skin from his mother, with a face so chiseled he looked truly sculpted, and skin as soft as dark satin.
He kept fit playing soccer and hitting the gym a few times a week and took great pride in perfecting his physique. He had spent the last few weeks getting properly ripped in time to show off his washboard abs at the beach. He might not always look this good, but at least for this vacation he intended to be perceived as a male model everywhere he went.
He was ready for the vacation. More than ready. Pumped. This would be it, the best trip abroad ever. Well, after Ibiza, that is, but Ibiza was different. Ibiza was when he was younger, single, and ready to meet new guys for a few nights of fun. This trip to Marbella was his first vacation abroad with Grant, his true love. They had not had the chance to go anywhere at all together since they began dating.
He and Grant had met two years ago, at university. Grant was a fairly sweet, slightly too posh young man who had originally struck Kayden as stuck up and obnoxious, but over time this haughty young man had grown on him, and a year later they were dating.
It was a change of pace for Kayden, who had never really had anything serious since he came out. It had been enough of a battle to argue with his traditional grandparents and largely traditional mother about his homosexuality, and he had never been quite ready to bring a guy home. Until Grant. Somehow, they just worked together too well, and Kayden had a feeling this would be eternal. So, he moved out and he and Grant got an apartment together in Sheffield, which was where they were now.
Grant was a year above Kayden and had started renting the apartment as soon as he got his first job out of college, but Kayden had only just graduated this year. He had gotten a job a few months after that, and this vacation was meant to be a combined one-year anniversary, graduation, and first job celebration. It would mark the start of their new life together.
Unfortunately, his boss had not agreed on the plan and had told him to cancel the vacation or lose the job. It was simply not acceptable to ask for two weeks’ vacation before he had even clocked in forty hours. Kayden had, like any young man with adventure on his mind, chosen the vacation and waved his first job goodbye. It would have to be celebrating his graduation and their anniversary. Two out of three was not too bad, after all. And when would they next get an opportunity to go on a trip like this together.
It was going to be great fun.
He walked through the airport, following the signs for Departures and keeping an eye on the time for Marbella. The airport was pretty busy, full of families setting off on their summer vacations, students looking to get one last break in before the next academic year began, and the usual mix of business people and older people that one could always find there.
Finally spotting their best friends, Louis and Tom, Kayden waved to catch their attention as he walked over. Louis was tall, brunette, and very, very slim, to a point where everyone who did not know him worried about him. Everyone who has known him knew he ate like a horse but had the metabolism of one too. Tom, a mixed-race man with short dreads and pierced ears, was around six feet, but next to Louis, Kayden, and Grant, he looked positively tiny. Between that, his slightly chubby face, and his gentle nature, they all considered him the “baby” of the group, despite being the second oldest after Grant.
Louis waved back at him eagerly; Tom just smiled. The three of them had been friends since they started college and remained close ever since. They had met at a rock cafe on the night before registration, then bumped into one another in their software and security introduction, and then again at the LGBT student welcome party at the student bar. Louis and Tom had fallen head over heels for one another within weeks and had been going strong for the whole three years. The bond the trio shared was by now unbreakable.
“You overpacked,” Louis said, looking at the bags. “We're going away for a week, not moving there.”
“Well, if you'd told me what we were doing there would have been maybe a quarter less luggage. Anyway, I don't know why you're complaining. It's not your baggage fees. Or your arm,” Kayden replied, dropping the bag down and massaging his shoulder.
“I'd have thought you would be ready for it after hitting the gym so much,” Louis said.
Kayden shook his head. “Nah, I've been eating like nothing. Literally nothing but chicken and rice last week. I look like a Greek sculpture, but I have no energy left.”
“I'll get you some snacks for the plane,” Louis said reassuringly.
“Not before Grant sees me. I'm looking so good, I don't want him to miss out,” Kayden replied.
Tom looked down through the crowd. “Where is Grant?” he asked.
“He's always late, isn't he?” Kayden replied with a sigh and a shake of the head.
“It's one thing you can always count on,” Tom agreed. “But he'll get here before we board. I think.”
“That'd be funny,” Kayden replied with a grin, “to be waving at him from the plane window. Like 'Bye sucker.'”
Louis laughed. “I would pay to see him running after the plane.”
“We're ready when he is, though,” Tom replied. “You are both going to love this place. It's not as wild as Ibiza—”
“Nothing beats Ibiza,” Kayden said with a nod.
“Nothing,” Tom agreed, “but there is a beach as far as the eye can see, the weather forecast is pure sun, and there are so many places to go and dance, eat great food and have fun activities. All that you want.”
“As long as there is somewhere to eat fancy food and pretend he's cultured before swallowing three pounds of the cheapest sundae he can get, Grant will be happy,” Kayden replied.
“I'm sick of waiting and I've been up since five. I'm going to get a coffee,” Louis said suddenly. “You want anything?”
Kayden shook his head. “Nah, I'm not going to let you fatten me up before I see Grant.”
“I could do with a coffee and a cupcake,” Tom replied. “I'm starving. You don't mind watching the bags, Kayden?”
Kayden shrugged. “Nope.” He knew from experience nobody was about to walk up to the huge, fairly strong looking black guy in cutoff sleeves and steal luggage from next to him, but he sat down with a foot on the pile of bags anyway. Better safe than sorry.
He felt his phone buzz angrily in his pocket. Probably just a message. It buzzed again.
Kayden pulled his phone out and, casting one final glance to make sure nobody was eyeing up their bags, then unlocked the screen. Who was it now?
It wasn't a missed call. It was a string of text messages from Grant. Just glancing at them as he scrolled to the top, he knew there was something wrong. Normally he and Grant exchanged casual, fun messages, half written in emoji, with a naughty picture or two thrown in for good measure. This one was an essay, spelled out fully, punctuated, and devoid of any humor. Either it was a really bad joke, or it was serious.
Sorry to be doing this like this. But I can't come to Marbella with you.
That one line was all it took to make Kayden put the phone down on his knee. Something bad had happened. He drew a deep breath. He picked the phone up again.
I have given it much thought, and spoken with my family about it, and we all agree that this relationship is not what is best for me. I need someone mature, who understands my needs.
I have enjoyed the time I spent with you, but it will never work out. I can't be with someone who expects me to take another week off work after visiting my family for some dumb vacation abroad. I can't be with someone who would just give up his job for that vacation.
I need someone responsible, who gets me, who is going in the same direction as I am.
I want kids, and to buy a house, and have a good career. I can't see that happening with you.
Again, I am sorry.
Whether you decide to go or not, I will still be using this week to clear your things out and move them to your parents' house. Feel free to collect them, but do not speak to me.
This is as hard for me as it is for you, but it's what needs to be done.
Kayden read the message again. This could not be. This was just... fucked up. He picked up his phone and dialed out. He wasn't going to let Grant just end it like this. Over text. A fucking text.
After a single ring he was redirected to voicemail. Grant had seen who it was and rejected the call. He was doing this. He was actually going to try and ghost him now?
“No, Grant, you pick up the goddamn phone this fucking instant,” he said in the voicemail. “You are one selfish fucking asshole so you had better call me back as soon as you hear this. You do not end this over a fucking text.” He hit the red button as hard as he could, feeling that the movement was unsatisfactory and petty.
He contemplated throwing his phone, both to burn off steam and to illustrate his anger, but he liked his phone, and if Grant was going to be an asshole he was not worth nearly a thousand pounds. So, Kayden just stared blankly forward, watching through the window as a plane pulled out and made its way to the runway.
He looked at his phone, almost expecting to see Grant's number calling him, or a text message pops up apologizing and asking to talk it through. Something saying “psych! cu in 5, loser”, so he could just forget all of this and they could carry on as normal. The phone screen remained black. No apologetic call, no text was forthcoming.
He dropped himself unceremoniously into an uncomfortable metal seat. This was not happening. It slowly began to sink in as he pulled the luggage closer. The luggage with all of that stuff, just for Grant. All of that stuff for their first proper vacation together, for their one-year anniversary that was in three days but would, now, never be.
His first true love and this was what he got.
Another message. Peeking at his screen, he saw it was like the others, spelled out and cold and formal. Could he not do this any other way? Kayden pondered ignoring it. Act aloof, make Grant see that he was not needed. Kayden could not. He opened the message.
I'm sorry, Kay, I really am. But it just isn't right. If we can't go anywhere with this relationship, then why are we even trying? Please understand me. I'm sorry. You have to forgive me. It will work out best for both of us. You'll see. In time you'll thank me.
Kayden could feel his heart breaking as he read that. Reaching the last line, he suddenly felt nothing but anger. He snapped a picture of his middle finger and sent it in response.
“What's the matter?” Tom asked from behind Kayden.
“Grant won't be coming to Marbella,” Kayden replied. “And I'm not sure if I will be.”
“What do you mean? What happened?” Louis asked, sitting down next to Kayden. “We can cancel the trip or postpone it. Is someone ill?”
Tom nodded earnestly and offered Kayden a cookie from the bag he was carrying. Kayden shook his head.
“What is it? We're here for you,” Louis insisted.
“Grant has left me,” Kayden said with a heavy sigh. “Using a fucking text.”
Louis stared a second. “Over text? Why? He isn't exactly lacking in confidence?”
Kayden shrugged. “I tried to call him, but he just sent me a message about how it was better this way and I would be grateful later. Like he's some sort of a saint for dumping me.”
Tom shook his head. “If he did that, then he was a dick all along.”
Kayden nodded. “Yeah, but he wasn't a dick when we were together. I'm gonna miss the guy he was until five minutes ago.”
“What an asshole,” Louis said bluntly. “Are you... are you still gonna come on the trip?”
“I'm not sure. Should I?” Kayden asked.
“Yeah, you should,” Louis replied. “We've planned it, paid for it, we're not getting our money back over 'boyfriend troubles'... And I don't want to leave you here being sad or have to waste several thousand pounds, so...”
Kayden looked up at the planes. “Do you think it's a good idea, Tom? You're the level head.”
“Oh!” Louis exclaimed. “I'm just being supportive. You wouldn't get your money back either.”
Kayden laughed a little and shrugged. “Sorry, man. Tom?”
“Sure, why not?” Tom asked. “We'll just make it your graduation vacation, that’s all.”
“And your 'getting over Grant vacation',” Louis added. “I can't believe he did that to you...”
“I suppose if he's just going to ignore me and be a dick it shouldn't take long to get over him,” Kayden said with a sigh.
“He was your first, though. We both know what that's like and we're here for you,” Tom replied, offering the bag of cookies again.
“Thanks, guys.” Kayden took one out and began eating it, watching the departure times as their plane's arrival was announced. Give it an hour at the most and they would be setting off for Marbella.
Well, they were right. It was better to carry on as normal and not give Grant the satisfaction of fucking over his life. Besides, as Louis had said, they had already paid for this vacation. He was damn well going to make the most of it.
Chapter Two
Matías woke up. The sun was shining, a cool breeze blew in through his bedroom window, and the chatter of tourists in the street was slowly rising in volume. It was terrible.
The Marbella that is a dream city for tourists from around the world, was slowly becoming a bit of a nightmare to many of its inhabitants exactly because of the pleasant weather, beautiful beaches, and easy access to all sorts of resources. When there is so much in one place, you get tourists. When you had tourists, your economy relies on them. When the economy relies on tourists, all that matters to the businesses and travelers alike is what most appeals to people who want to spend a night or two there.
No one never considered the impact it would all have on the locals, like himself. Priced out of their own shops, jobs taken by overeager gap year students, constantly surrounded by noise and waste, the neighborhood he had grown up in was slowly becoming unrecognizable to him. His parents had moved back in with his abuelos, and his friends had all set off for bigger cities with more work and fewer late night venues.
A day this pleasant just meant one thing: lobster-skinned, fanny-packed, ice-cream-stained tourists getting obnoxiously drunk in broad daylight and getting in his way wherever he went. He would get a headache by three, the pickpockets would be out, and he wouldn't even be able to see where he was going.
Matías was tall by local standards, but most of the tourists absolutely dwarfed him. At twenty-one years old he was pretty sure he had reached his full height at five ten, and no matter what he did he always had a slim swimmer's body. Due to his physique, men and women alike eyed him up as he walked over the beach with his naturally olive-toned skin, faint freckles, rich hazel eyes, and thick, wavy, black hair that barely brushed the tops of his speckled shoulders.
