Sandcastles & Second Chances

Claire Castle

Copyright © 2019 by Claire Castle

All rights reserved.

This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author, except for using small quotes for book review quotations. All characters and storylines are the property of the author. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are fictitious.

Trademarks: This book identifies product names and services known to be trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective holders. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of all products referenced in this work of fiction. The publication and use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Editing provided by: Lisa Cullinan

Warning: Intended for a mature 18+ audience only. It contains graphic language, explicit sexual content, and adult situations.

Created with Vellum Created with Vellum

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

About the Author

Also by Claire Castle

1

KELTIE

I took a deep breath as I scanned the crowd, wondering if he was here. Getting him to talk to me could be a feat in itself since I’d run away last time in fear.

That kiss from Diego a year ago in Melbourne, Australia, was seared in my memory. It was the first time I’d kissed a man, not that he knew that. I touched my lips on instinct at the lingering thoughts of his hint of stubble and talented tongue. Now, here we were at the World Sand-Sculpture Championships again, this time on the edge of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. The sun was scorching my fair Irish skin, and I’d need to find shade soon.

I paid attention to the announcer as he tapped the microphone. “Welcome, everyone.” I could have sworn his next word was “culo”—when actually it was “could”—and I couldn’t contain the laugh that escaped me. I had learned how to say “ass” last year when I’d asked Diego to teach me a few swear words from his home country, Spain. Before you were a coward, my brain retaliated immediately.

One other laugh floated through the silent crowd. The sound went through my entire body like a feather caressing my skin. I forced myself not to look towards the far back of the crowd. He was here. It was finally time for me to make things right.

My assistant, Dylan, elbowed me hard, almost making me fold in two. Not easy for my large build. He liked to call me a cross between a rugby player and a teddy bear. Hell, I kinda liked the analogy and lord knew I’d been called worse.

I did need to focus on the competition that would transpire in two days’ time, so I saluted him and promised myself not to chuckle again.

We’d be given an itinerary today, which would include the theme of our sandcastle sculpture and two days to practice before the big day. There was prize money at stake as well as the all-important bragging rights.

And if nights with my biggest competition, Diego, were on the table, that would just be the icing on the cake.

2

DIEGO

Seeing Keltie again was like seeing a ghost. I’d told myself that I’d focus solely on the competition and ignore him completely. That was until I witnessed his red hair and broad shoulders while he towered over everyone with that light skin. I knew that after a day in the sun, Keltie’s freckles would appear along his shoulders. When he’d laughed at the word the announcer had said because it sounded like the pseudo-swear word I’d taught him, it brought back our connection. Nonetheless, he’d made his bed, and that was that.

My fierce competitiveness must be lagging since my mindset wasn’t on beating everyone, including him. Instead, I wondered what he’d been doing apart from sand sculpting over this past year. If he hadn’t been such a jerk before, sitting in a hammock in the shade while enjoying an ice-cold drink and catching up sounded like perfection.

I shook my head and forced myself to pay attention to the stage.

“The theme of your sculpture this year is Under the Sea. You can choose any variation of that theme.” He clapped his hands together enthusiastically. “You are the best of the best. So let’s get started. Find your stations.”

I walked across the sand piles, checking for my name. Though the event was taking place near the beach and we could hear waves, I knew the sand set aside for us was a special blend of river sand, which combined angular grains with a tiny bit of silt and clay. Since we could only use sand, it had to bond together. There was no glue, dowels, or tape like spectators tended to joke about.

“There you are,” my over-dramatic assistant, Leo, jumped in front of me, out of breath. “Where did you go. I thought I lost you, Diego.”

“Darling, I’m right here at our station. Now let’s get going with ideas.” I wouldn’t look for Keltie, I told myself as I glanced up then down again. “Let’s brainstorm. It’s what we do best, after all.”

“Yes.” He jumped up and down hysterically. Leo could be a handful, but he was the best assistant I’d ever had. When we got started, he was focused. “Okay, but we can’t repeat what we did two months ago at the Nationals. That means—sharks are out.”

“That was epic, wasn’t it? A cross between Shark Week and that shark toy I had as a young boy in Spain.”

I took a few steps back so I could visualize. It might only look like a huge mountain of sand, but to me it was something more. Raising my hands and pointing here and there, I thought out loud. “Maybe mermaids and mermen, or is that too obvious?”

“Oh, I like it,” Leo exclaimed. “What about you as a little boy, or any little boy, looking down at his reflection and he sees a merman?”

“Okay, we’re getting closer. I do love that idea, just not sure how it translates to the sculpture.” I absently tapped my chin while in deep-thinking mode. “How about a merman with his tail up in the middle there”—I pointed to the area to my left—“with starfish around him. We’ll put a crown on him and give him a fully dimensional face.” Looking over at Leo, I could see he understood already. “Okay, we can meet back here in an hour to start. I’m going to get a drink and find shade, then get changed and all that stuff.”

“Sounds good, you need me to take you to our hotel?” he asked, holding back a giggle.

“Hey”—I slapped him—“my sense of direction isn’t that bad. It’s that teal-colored one just there.” I pointed to our hotel or what I thought was ours considering a line of them stretched down the length of the beach.

Leo was taller than me and came up behind me, wrapping his hand round my wrist and moving it twenty degrees. “Try that blue one, the Copacabana. You have my cell.” He waved and dashed off. Every city we went to seemed to have some sort of similar occurrence. I laughed as I made my way to a small café that was located in the opposite direction of our hotel but I still kept it in my sight.

I ordered a cool, refreshing iced tea and sat at a table looking out at the busy beach. Beyond that, I could see the stunning water. Pulling out my notebook to sketch our design, I tried to figure out a unique element that would elevate it without making it too busy.

After a sip of the delicious drink, I closed my eyes for a moment. Not so much from exhaustion—even though there had been a lot of travel, I was used to it—but for a moment’s relaxation.

I could sense a shadow and I opened my eyes to Keltie. What a sight for sore eyes.

“This seat taken?” His large fingers were shaking, a sure sign of his nervousness.

“That depends?”

“What on? I mean, on what?”

“If you plan on shoving me away again”—I gripped my glass tightly—“and avoiding me at every event for the past year.”

I’d obviously fooled myself into thinking I could simply get through this. I held my breath like someone about to dive into the deep end of a pool, awaiting his reply. Or lack thereof. He could disappear just as easily as he’d appeared.

3

KELTIE

Taking a risk, I sat down across from him. The tiny seat wasn’t very comfortable for my large frame, but that was the least of my worries right now.

I waved over the waitress to ask her to bring me a lemonade. The heat was unforgiving, even in the shade. Add to that, my nervousness of the current situation, and let’s just say my body felt as if I was in a sauna. Looking at Diego, though, I’d rather be naked and in one with him. That sounded much more tolerable. As I pulled the seat in from under me, it squeaked, and I laughed to myself.

“What’s so funny,” he bit out.

I eyed him carefully, making sure I didn’t blurt out, Thinking of you naked in a sauna.

There was a glint in his eye, making me think maybe there was a chance for us. Like ripping off a band aid, I just had to get it out there and tell him why I shoved him out a year ago. I’d done so much thinking since then and had come so far. And now I needed to tell him exactly that.

“Diego, our connection before was magical, special, and meant everything to me.” I leaned over to take his hands in mine, hoping he wouldn’t resist. They felt warm as my own hands engulfed his. My previously tightened shoulders suddenly felt relaxed, so I continued talking.

“That kiss, it was, well …” I took a deep breath.

“Yes?” While his voice had lost some hostility, I knew I hadn’t won him over yet.

4

DIEGO

To have Keltie so close again brought back many memories while we were competing against each other last year.

I’d lost my sense of direction near the resort, but saw a bar with a small pride flag in the window. It noted they were a safe space if you were feeling at risk or uncomfortable.

I’d weaved my way through the crowd and grabbed the last seat at the bar then ordered a beer from the bartender. There was a large, handsome man beside me. I liked to imagine stories about strangers, and to me he was a rugby player.

His phone seemed to have held all of his attention as he looked fixedly down at it. I stared at him, admiring his jawline and stocky build. Muscular, but not too veiny. His tank top revealed the heavenly definition of each bicep in both his arms. So delectable. My finger lifted of its own accord. Then I realized what I was doing—about to touch this stranger—and I promptly pulled my hand back. In the process I managed to spill his drink, which was between us on the bar top.

“Mierda! Sorry.” I’d asked the bartender for some napkins and sopped up the beer.

He stood up and towered over me.

“Oh, what a tall drink of water.” Blushing furiously, I looked at his crotch area and saw it had spilled there also. I went to brush it when he backed away so quickly that he almost toppled. I didn’t have his strength, but I’d managed to keep him upright while leaning all my weight on the bar top.

“Please, sir, I can buy you a drink. It’s the least I can do.” Looking up at him, he had the most stunning eyes: green with flecks of gold. His straight lips, which weren’t quite a frown, turned to a smile.

“It’s Keltie, actually.” He’d held a hand out.

I stared blankly before clueing in that he was telling me his name and introducing himself. I’d taken his hand and the warmth of it moved through mine and down my body. “Diego,” I’d replied, my Spanish accent becoming thicker.

“I need to go get changed, so I’ll pass on the drink here, but …”

Not wanting to lose the connection, I’d jumped on his “but” comment.

“But?” I leaned forward in anticipation.

“Well, you could come back and …” Then his voice trailed off.

I had known this was a bad idea on so many levels, but something had drawn me to him like a moth to a flame. Plus, I’d ruined his pants.

His shoulders had fallen, as if he assumed I’d decline and he looked like a lost sheep parted from the flock.

“Okay, lead the way.” And I had followed him to his hotel suite. Everything had just clicked. It was like we’d entered some wonderful alternate universe where two people just magically fall into place.

After Keltie had changed his pants, he walked over to the mini bar and asked me what I’d wanted to drink. He came back with two beers in his hands and held out mine, then he sat at a distance from me on the couch.

“Okay, well, one day I owe you a drink.”

“Sure. And if you could not offer it to me sprayed across my lap, that works too.” Keltie had pulled a cushion across said lap and at the time I wasn’t entirely sure why.

Who knew this slightly shy and seemingly uptight guy had had such a sense of humour? “Oh, saucy and charming. I do like that, Mr. Donovan.” I hadn’t recognized him at first but as we walked back, I’d realized he was a fellow sand sculptor. It had been driving me crazy wondering where I knew him from.

“Wait, how do you know my surname?” he’d asked, looking baffled with his eyebrows raised.

I hit my hand on my forehead. “Oh sorry.” I’d pointed at him. “I was trying to figure out where I’ve seen you before, but you’re here for the sandcastle competition, too, right?”

“Yes.” He’d moved uncomfortably on the couch. I wasn’t sure what was causing it.

I leaned forward. “Don’t be afraid of me. You aren’t, are you? We can just talk.”

“No.” He’d nervously taken a big gulp from his beer and then another. “I just …”

“What is it?” I didn’t know what it was about Keltie, but I had wanted to learn more about him. Everything actually.

“I know who you are. Like, really know. I’ve studied you from afar,” he’d said and then continued, “Your sculptures are fantastic. And you, you are gorgeous. But we’re also competitors so I couldn’t exactly come up to you during a competition. When you accidentally made my drink fall over, I was more happy than anything. I’m kind of quiet, so it was a perfect opportunity.”

I had tried to make him feel more at ease. “Oh, first time in all my life when being clumsy has been a positive.”

We’d laughed together as the conversation continued to flow. I didn’t want to leave, and it didn’t seem like he’d wanted me to either.

At the end of what I’d found to be a great night, I’d been so sure he was going to move in for a kiss, but then he backed away.

I’d put my hand up slowly to his neck, hopefully letting him know without words that he could stop me if he’d wanted.

He leaned forward then and we’d shared a kiss unlike anything I had ever experienced. He placed just enough pressure, letting me know he’d be gentle. Then it had moved to hot as fuck with open lips and twisting tongues. His lips were smooth and he’d pulled me into him as if I were his last meal and he’d wanted to devour me. And I’d let him.

And then a knock came at the door. He’d jumped away so abruptly that I’d almost fallen to the floor like a child on a slide at the park.

I’d been promptly moved a few feet away while he’d glanced at the balcony and the window. I’d sincerely hoped he wasn’t contemplating jumping out.

“Be right there,” he’d said, sounding stilted. The knocking continued. He’d opened it to a man I hadn’t recognized—but would soon learn was his assistant.

“And thank you for the room service.” He’d shoved me to the door, handing me a twenty-dollar bill as I was rudely shoved aside. I saw something in his eyes that had stopped me from barging back in and demanding an explanation. They were forlorn and almost begging me not to say anything.

And poof into the night I’d gone like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, only there was no carriage and no fancy dress.

I had waited in the lobby for Leo. I didn’t want any awkward conversation, but I needed him to lead me to the hotel. I’d shot him a text to that effect, but I couldn’t remember which hotel we’d been staying at. He’d get a good laugh at that, yet I couldn’t even bring myself to care about any embarrassment around it. I’d needed something to distract me and keep my mind from thinking about my Prince Charming who would never actually be mine.

Leo had found me and dragged me back to the hotel. Our rooms had been across from each other.

The next day at the practice sand-sculpting run, I’d seen Keltie across the way and tried to catch his eye a couple of times, but when he had blatantly ignored me, I’d thought, screw you … obviously, not literally.

From the way he had acted, I imagined he was in the closet or only wanting to be gay for a day or some shit. I knew of his type. They’d use you while they were away from home, then disappear. I’d bet he was married.

But there’d been no ring or tan line. Not that his skin would tan. It had been so light in contrast to my own. Why had I felt so sad, as if I’d lost something?

I’d hardly known the guy and half the time had been spent with me being a complete klutz—a disaster area. That was probably why he’d made me leave.

5

KELTIE

I put my hand out, tentatively. “Care to walk?” I pointed along the beach. “We’ll get some peace there—around the corner of that cliff.”

“And what if you throw me in the water and the papers run a story that they have CCTV footage of me leaving with a tall, handsome stranger?” Diego crossed his arms as if upset, but there was a smirk at his lips.

“Handsome?” I perked up a bit.

“That’s what you got out of my abduction story?” He looked flabbergasted and opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Then he laughed and poked me playfully.

Diego walked ahead of me a little bit. “Okay, let’s go.” Well, he wasn’t quite ready to give himself fully over to me. Like I could blame him. But at least he was willing to hear me out.

We reached a nice area tucked away from the busy beach. Sitting down on a flat part of the rocky outcrop, I was equal parts anxious and exhilarated. I patted the area beside me, indicating for him to sit down.

“So I know it’s been a long year. I owe you an explanation and I appreciate you letting me give you one.” I glanced his way.

His whole body language was far from carefree: a partial scowl and crossed arms as he said, “Keltie, I’ll hear you out, but I can’t guarantee what my reaction will be. You really hurt me back then.”

I put my hand out to console him but retracted it quickly. I had no right in any case. Plus, he could easily reject me after he listened. I’d just have to move on. Easier said than done.

“That kiss … our kiss, Diego, it was my first kiss. Ever. And it meant the world to me. I still treasure the memory”—my eyes were closed—“of your soft lips, your dark skin, the softness of the hair at the back of your neck.” My eyes opened and I saw him studying me intently. “But it was also reckless, crazy, and scary to feel so strongly. I just knew I had to try.” Then I met his gaze.

“You mean our first kiss.” Seeing him twiddle his fingers showed me the first sign of any nervousness I’d seen on his end. There was still something between us even after all this time. Maybe he could feel it too.

“No, Diego, my first, my only kiss, ah, ever.” My hands seemed to grip my legs enough to leave a bruise.

“But you’re what, thirty? How’s that?” Then he slapped his hands over his mouth. “I’m terrible. Didn’t mean to judge you like that. I tend to say what I’m thinking and I was taken aback is all.” He patted my leg as if offering reassurance.

I smiled at him. “Well actually I’m thirty-three, but thanks. I was waiting for the right guy.” I ran my hands through my hair. “I know I had no right, but I was scared. Back then, no one knew I was gay. I’d been in the closet. When I met you, I wanted nothing more than you. Truly. When my assistant knocked at the door, I went into instinctual avoidance tactics.”

“Wow.”

“You’re telling me.” I let out a puff of air. Something in me was at peace now. Of course, I’d gone through so much this year, but this right here, telling Diego? It was the most important and last piece of the puzzle.

“Go on.” He rubbed my knuckles, making me feel more at ease.

“So, I’ve come out in the past year. It was hard. And unexpected to some.”

“Before, you had dates? Girlfriends? Or—?”

“No, just me. I started on the sandcastle circuit helping my dad and then he passed away.” I looked out at the water, instinctively thinking of him. “Anyway, I kept going on my own after that. Ten years or something. Traveling. Competing. I knew I was attracted to men. But that went hand in hand with being petrified to do anything about it. I don’t know. I guess I could have had someone before now, but it just never happened for me. I’m shy as you know, so.”

“And when people asked you ‘when are you getting married’ or ‘don’t you have a partner’?”

“Lord knows there were lots of those, but no, my mum has passed away too. And I’m an only child, a lone wolf.”

“How do I … so I mean, where? Our kiss. What ah?” Diego looked confused.

I turned to him. “It wasn’t my plan. Completely caught me off guard. But after we connected, how I felt so at ease with you, I knew. I finally was ready to be true to myself. It hasn’t been easy. I mean, look at me.” I trailed off.

“Okay, I will. Look at you.” He gave me a peck on the cheek.

“I mean, I don’t know what the epitome of a gay man is, but I don’t exactly embody it—on the outside. But I’m at ease with it all. And the most important part was telling you, Diego. You helped me see my true self. The journey had many ups and downs that I won’t bore you with now, but could we maybe … would you give me a second chance?”

He leaned over to hug me and I moved so his head was in my lap. We sat there like that for a long time. The sea air swirled around us and had a calming effect. I could hear the babble of the crowd down at the beach we’d left behind.

Waiting for his response seemed to last an eternity. But I would wait.

Eventually he sat up and then stood up. “Diego Vega? I believe I owe you a drink,” I said to him. He tried to pull me up I had to have at least fifty pounds on him. So I stood up and admired him before taking his proffered hand. He squeezed it tight as we walked back towards the beach.

6

DIEGO

Keltie’s story was not what I expected. I was ready to be upset, angry, or some other negative emotion. But as I listened, I was blown away by his bravery and courage. That this wonderful man was here with me again, asking me for a second chance, well, I didn’t want to waste another moment.

We wandered back down the cliff, hand in hand. “Oh, so after I left, did you tell Dylan the real story?” I asked. Everything just clicked into place so effortlessly, it was almost like we’d known each other forever.

Still looking ahead, he chuckled. “Not exactly. I guess he kinda knew? He saw you leave and gave me many jokes about hotties, one-night stands, and delectable exotic men, which I found quite funny at the time since I’d never spelled it out that I was gay. I guess I hadn’t said that I was straight, either.”

I rubbed my hands together then. “Can’t wait to meet him for real then. Do we get to tease and antagonize you?”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” He leaned over to kiss me and then pointed to a small food truck that was set up with some tables with umbrellas. “This look good?”

“Great.” I glanced at my watch. “I’ll have to get to the practice area in an hour or so. You too?”

“Yeah, true. Dylan will be looking for me, no doubt.”

“Same with my assistant. It’s like he thinks I need a babysitter.”

“Well, you did tell me last year about your sense of direction. Or lack thereof.”

“Oh, of course you remember that.”

Keltie looked into my eyes and then bent to kiss me. “I remember everything.”

Had I been in a rom-com movie I would have swooned right there in front of him, hoping he’d catch me. Letting out a sigh, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck.

As we sat down together the whole atmosphere had changed from earlier. I smiled. Changed for the better. Who knew that I’d be with this man again? I smiled at the thought. He was special. Even when I’d met up with men over the past year it was purely sex, no real connection. I’d thought back to our night many times, even if it had ended badly.

The menu was brought over and I couldn’t help looking at him like a dog would look at his owner eating dinner and hoping for any scrap to drop.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” he asked, laughing.

“No, I was hoping you’d tell me your secret plans for the competition.”

“And feel the wrath of Dylan. No.” He shook his head and then pointed a finger at me. “And I know that’s not what was on your mind.”

“You know me so well already. You think so?” I laughed.

When the waitress came over, we both ordered a Kremsnita—a Croatian custard cream cake and sparkling water.

“Not to be egotistical”—he stood up—“but I know you can’t resist looking at all this.” He waved his arms up and down his sides.

My grin reached ear to ear. “Cheeky. But I like it.”

“For some reason I feel like I can be myself around you. Let down any guard. It’s a rare occurrence. I did even back when you spilled my drink on my crotch. Did you do that on purpose?”

The waitress came over with our drinks and desserts then. I lifted the glass of water up and pretended to do the same again. “Of course it wasn’t on purpose. I was horrified.” Some nervous laughter bubbled out.

“You don’t seem the type to embarrass easy. I love that about you.” Keltie’s bite stopped in midair. “Love that … you. Wow I really shouldn’t be allowed to talk.”

“Your blush is adorable right now.” I wiped some crumbs from my lips with a napkin. “Hate to love you and leave you, but I better get going. Are you coming, too, or will I see you at the practice area?”

“I’ll see you there. And later?”

“I shall follow you to your room.” I got up and kissed him. “On one condition: that I don’t get booted out this time.”

“Sure thing. If you’re positive you won’t get lost trying to find your way there.”

“Mierda,” I muttered under my breath.

7

KELTIE

“Come on,” Dylan called from the door. I took an extra minute in front of the mirror in my room to check my hair and then thought what was the point. I was going to get hot and messy within the hour anyway. My mind directly wandered to Diego, but no, not that type of thought. We had work to do now on our sculpture.

Running out the door, I walked next to Dylan. “So I thought we could work on one large turtle and then put smaller animals on his shell and around him? What do you think?” I always valued Dylan’s opinion for this kind of thing.

“We want to make sure they can tell what it is right away. Do you think a turtle has enough detail for that?”

I tapped my hand on my chin. “That’s true. Okay, so what about a 3-D view as if you were really scuba diving underwater: flora and fauna, seaweed, fish. We can build it up and have a few layers. That will really give the best visual effect.”

He clapped his hands together. “Genius. That’s why they call you ‘The King.’”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” My competitive spirit was kicking in as I envisioned the idea. “But we should try to win this one.”

He pushed his hand in the air in a fist pump. “Yes, beat that Diego Vega after he won last time.”

“Ah … yeah, about him.” I could feel a blush creep up as my cheeks heated.

“You didn’t? Oh, you dog. Was it good? Tell me, where did it happen, how—” I shoved my hand over his mouth. “No, even better, did you find out what they’re doing for the competition?”

I laughed heartily. “Funny, that never even came up. We just click or something. I can’t even explain it. But we are ‘something,’ I guess. I did tell him what happened last year, so I’m just going to take it as it comes. Okay, enough with the third degree.”

He held his hands up. “Of course. I’m just teasing you.”

“But I promise you, nothing will get in the way of the competition. We just do our thing as usual.”

“Oh, totally. No, I never would have thought that. I’m happy if you’re happy. You deserve it.”

We walked the rest of the way to the sculpting area, both in our own thoughts. Once we arrived, the heat was overwhelming and we hadn’t even started digging or creating anything.

I put my bag down and went to the small shaded change area to put on sunscreen, then pulled out my Tilley hat. It was hideous but needed in these circumstances. Someone popped in their head and I turned. My face went from stunned to smiling when I saw Diego there. “Oh, hello stranger.”

“Want me to get your back,” he murmured. As he rubbed the sunscreen on me, I tried not to moan too much or let my erection show.

“Okay, thank you.” I turned to him. “If you keep going like this, I’ll be walking out to my spot with a huge hard-on.” I bent to kiss him.

“I’ll stop then, even though I don’t want to. See you after.”

“See you.” I walked out to our station, trying not to be too overly happy, but it was hard to contain. I was like a child about to go on summer vacation.

“Aye, happy to start our project, or something else?” Dylan asked me.

I tapped my nose. “I don’t kiss and tell. Now let’s get to work.”

“You do know that’s as good as telling me you did kiss, right? But I agree, let’s get to work.”

For a few hours we worked on carving out the general position of all of the parts of our sculpture with shovels and trowels. Standing up, I grabbed my bottle of water and took huge gulps from it. “Wow, the heat is intense, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, no doubt. Do you want to take a break and then we can come back and work on the finer points? The fun part is coming up. Carving out their eyes, faces, and everything.”

I glanced around trying to catch Diego’s eye, wondering when they were taking a break.

He waved at me, then came over. “Want to grab lunch? We’re just about to break.”

“Yes, sure. Diego, this is Dylan, my assistant. Dylan, Diego.” Thankfully he didn’t make any embarrassing remarks about last year, instead, focusing on the job at hand.

“Good to officially meet you. You’re so talented.”

“Hey!” I poked him. “You work for me, remember?”

“Yes, but did you see what Diego and—what’s your assistant’s name?—created back in Mexico?” He waved to him over at Diego’s station.

“Leo. Yes, I’m proud of that one, no doubt.” Then he came to stand beside me and when he wrapped his arm around me, I couldn’t help the warm fuzzies that enveloped me. “But Keltie here is a fabulous artist too. Now, we’ll see you later, Dylan.” And he turned us towards the bustling crowd outside of the sand-sculpting area.

“It’s way too hot. How is your practice run going?” I asked him.

“I’m used to the heat, but this competition is different, you know.”

“How so?” I pointed to an outdoor café where we could grab some food and find shade for a little while.

“You, it’s all your fault.” Diego let out a melodious laugh that was music to my ears. “I’m enjoying it. Going with the flow. Now, I don’t know if that’s for the best or not, competition wise, but”—he reached up to move my hat off my head—“I’m not in my usual intense competitor mode.” He pulled a cloth from his back pocket and patted it along my forehead.

“That’s funny, because it’s the same for me. All I can think of is you and when I’ll see you or get to spend time with you. It’s scary in some ways because I don’t want to lose my touch.”

“Oh, I don’t think you will. With me anyway.”

Sitting down with drinks and sandwiches on the beach, the breeze from the sea air felt like heaven. Diego sat crosslegged beside me. “I can’t believe you can still do that.”

“A skill, my man, a real skill. Hey is Dylan, ah, gay? I think he has a thing for my Leo.”

I wiped my chin and finished chewing before I spoke. “Hmm, not too sure. That would be funny, though, wouldn’t it? I’d have to check if Leo is a good guy.”

We finished eating and Diego leaned back on his forearms. “Wow, I could stay here all day.” He squinted when he looked over at me. “Do I have to go back?”

“If we don’t, we’ll get the wrath of Dylan and Leo, you realize.” I leaned down to him and kissed him gently. His soft lips felt like heaven. “I don’t want this week to end.”

Diego smiled up at me. “Me either.” He put his hand on my neck and pulled me in for another kiss. Then he sat up and nestled in to sit in front of me in the sand, his butt at my groin. I draped my arms over his shoulders and leaned my head on his.

There was buzzing of people chatting and laughing around us, but to me, it was as if we were the only two in our own little bubble. I checked my watch. “Unfortunately, we better get back or Dylan will be over here ‘accidentally’ kicking sand into our laps.”

“Tonight, after, do you want to come over.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” I pulled him up to a standing position. “I’ll ask Leo for the directions though.”

8

DIEGO

I waited anxiously then I heard a knock at the door. I knew who it was. Leo had gone to a club or something and I’d made sure there’d be no impromptu visitors. And there’d definitely be no repeat of last year—of anyone leaving or being shooed out with no explanation. As soon as I opened the door, a handsome Keltie filled my view.

“Come in,” I said, and as I pushed the door to close and lock it, he grabbed me and kissed me long and hard, taking control. I leaned into Keltie, enjoying this side of him.

Keltie moved me so my back was against the wall and massaged the front of my shorts. “Is this okay?” He nibbled my ear. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day. Watching you work after we parted at lunch was like a sweet torture.”

“More than okay.” I rubbed at his bulge and then moved to lift his shirt off. Caressing his abs and chest, I let out a sigh. “We’ll do anything you want. As much or as little,” I reassured him.”

“I, I want it all. I just don’t fully know what I’m doing.” He was endearing and enthusiastic.

“Well then, practice makes perfect, doesn’t it?” I pulled him over to the huge sectional sofa that took up a large portion of the main room. It was luxurious and sexy.

Keltie pulled himself up onto the cushions and started to remove his shorts. His large cock burst out and stood at attention. It was as if he knew what I was thinking without any spoken words between us. He licked his lips. “I want … Diego, please …”

That was my cue and as I pushed off my shorts, I heard Keltie growl; I’d gone commando when I got back to the hotel earlier. Crawling up between his legs, I took his cock in my mouth and sucked him down so deeply that it touched the back of my throat. He barely fit but after I took a breath, I wrapped around him again. Then I began moving up and down on his shaft.

“Oh god, Diego, oh god,” I heard him above me.

His eyes had rolled into the back of his head as I swirled my tongue around the tip. I lifted my head and climbed up his torso then His eyes had rolled into the back of his head. placed my fingers on his lips. “Suck.” He did as I said and I moved back down to his hard cock.

I held the base of his length and squeezed it, then pushed one finger in his ass. “That okay?” I asked, my voice sounding rough. I could feel my own cock hardening.

“Yes,” he panted out, so I added another wet finger. Keltie’s hips thrust up and it expanded to his whole body when I scissored my fingers inside him.

I kneeled up beside him with my fingers still inside and moved to suck him again. Twice I took him up and down my throat, then I held his cock. “Come, Keltie.” I moved my fingers to hit the bundle of nerves inside him just as I wrapped my lips around the head of his cock.

He started to pulsate and when he came, I tried to swallow it all up but some dripped down the sides, and I moved down to lick it off.

“I can’t ... I’ve never.” His legs flopped as if they were made of rubber.

After removing my fingers, I moved up to straddle Keltie’s thighs. As I went to kiss him so he could taste himself, he watched as I grabbed my own cock. A few pumps later, I threw my head back and came all over his chest. And probably other places too.

He surprised me by taking some of it off his chest and tasting it. I moved to stretch out languidly beside him, tossing one of my legs over his, as he rubbed my back and then bent to kiss me.

“Good for you?” I asked. I wasn’t entirely sure why, but I was nervous of his response. What if the connection we had didn’t continue to sex?

He hugged me into him. “Good? Are you kidding me? I don’t even think there’s a word that could suitably describe it. Wait, I’ve got it—Iontach!” I exclaimed.

“What does that mean?”

“Kind of Irish slang. It means fabulous.”

“Then I agree. Iontach.” We got up and had a shower to clean up and then dried off. When we came back through, we sat close together and flipped through the room service menu to pick what we wanted to eat.

He absently drew circles on my chest with his finger. “How did you get into the sandcastle circuit?” he asked me.

“It’s kind of a long story. My older sister’s boyfriend did it. I’d see him at the beach, which was only a few minutes walk from our family home, and I’m sure I bugged the hell out of him. I was ten or something and he was in his early twenties. I’d go and watch him and then I tried my own luck. Where we live, you spend your summers and weekends at the beach. The texture of the sand wasn’t ideal, but I’d do more of the 2-D stuff. Like he showed me how to make a mermaid’s tail look real and how scales should be on a dragon. Stuff like that.”

There was a knock at the door. I threw a shirt on over my shorts and went to get our food. We sat at the small table to eat as I continued, “Later, he took me on as his assistant. It was a dream come true for me. This one time they had a competition for assistants only, and I won 6,000 euros. It was exciting. I love creating and the traveling isn’t bad. I kept improving and practicing, so then it continued: me doing my thing, and eventually getting my own assistant.”

As we ate, we sat in companionable silence. He scooped up one of his onion rings. “Try one of these. They’re delicious.”

I leaned over to take a bite. “Mmmm, that really is good.” As I took another bite, I couldn’t help but think about the future. We had a few days left here, most of which would be taken up with the competition, but I wanted more time.

In the night, I opened the bedroom window to let in a breeze. The air was stifling. I rolled over and realized belatedly that Keltie wasn’t there. I rubbed my eyes and stretched, then got out of bed and plodded out to the living room. A moment of panic overwhelmed me, worrying that he’d just left. But no, I soon realized that wasn’t the case.

The moonlight shone on the balcony and I caught his silhouette. Keltie was sitting down and looking out at the sea with his legs stretched out in front of him. I wasn’t sure what time it was but I guessed around three a.m.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked when I got close to him.

He looked up and smiled. “No. Sorry, I hope I didn’t wake you.” He held his hand out and I put mine in it, letting him pull me down onto his lap. “Just thinking. It’s so calm out here. If I stayed beside you, I was worried I’d bother you.”

“You not being there was worse.” I kissed him. “What’s on your mind? The competition tomorrow?” I ventured.

“Not really. I could probably do that in my sleep. No, us.”

Kissing him, I held his face under the moonlight. “I was too. Last night.”

“I want to see you afterwards. Make it official.”

I must have let out a gasp for he rubbed my back like a mother calming her baby down.

“No, ah, not that fast. I meant boyfriends. Are you okay with long distance? I know it’s fast, but I think we can make it work. See where this goes.”

Leaning down, I kissed him. “This is too much thinking for three in the morning.”

“Actually it’s closer to four.”

“I want that too. More than anything. Now come in and warm me up, please.”

“I think that could be arranged.”

9

KELTIE

I was having a panic attack. That was the only explanation. We were about to start in a couple of hours. There’d be twenty hours to complete our design in full detail, spread over two days. Dylan looked scared. My face must have been a hellish white colour.

“Get Diego, can you?”

“But we have to start soon. He has to as well.”

A hiccup left my mouth and I leaned back in my chair, almost toppling it.

“Okay, I can call Leo. They must be in the back staging area, so I’ll walk and talk.” Then Dylan raced off.

I was an idiot. And to panic everyone was of utmost stupidity. Diego and I had had the best couple of days since we officially became boyfriends. It was crazy but I knew he was the one for me. I was certain some people would say it was quick, but life should be lived to the fullest. And I’d waited a year since that day he’d first spilled beer on me. I smiled at the thought.

That’s when Diego charged in, Leo and Dylan in tow. “What’s up, baby? I’m here for you.” They both bumped into him and pushed him forward so he almost collapsed into my lap. “Can we have a minute, guys?”

“Sure, ah, sure.” Leo grabbed Dylan’s hand. I had no doubt they’d listen through any avenue available to them.

“I’m okay. We’re okay, promise. Just … before we compete.” I pulled him so he was sitting across from me. It was distracting, seeing his beauty, but I focused. “Just … whatever happens in this competition, I don’t want it to come between us, not that it will. I know you’re talented and I want you to do your best. And I will too.”

Diego smiled largely at me, then said, “Oh, you are just the sweetest big teddy bear. Of course. Don’t fret. I thought, ah, when we got together and everything, you knew that was the deal. I don’t want it to come between us either. May the best one win.” I peppered him with kisses. “So, crisis averted?” he asked.

I merely nodded.

“Let’s go!”

We went to our stations and I focused on the task at hand. As Dylan and I reworked the sand, the hours passed and we shaped it the way we wanted. I was particularly happy with the starfish I created.

In the final hour, Dylan shaped an extra eel in the corner of ours. I’d long since peeled off my T-shirt and was drenched in sweat. Pouring more water over my head, I was glad they’d added little bits of shade for us.

I patted Dylan on the back and congratulated him. “Brilliant. You are excellent.”

He high-fived me. “Yes, I think we got this one.” I kept my feelings to myself on that. I was just so happy with Diego that I really didn’t care if we won. I probably should though since the prize money was the equivalent of 125,000 euros, but somehow as I looked at our finished project, I, too, could see we’d produced something incredible.

“It’s a masterpiece.” Then I turned towards Diego. I smiled seeing him goof off with Leo. Theirs looked amazing too. Yep, whatever the outcome, I was one lucky man. As the judges came around to critique our creations, we stood and waited.

I looked to Diego again and he was already glancing my way. “I love you,” he mouthed. I grinned back and did the same.

Epilogue

One Year Later

DIEGO

I ran as fast as was possible in the sand to try and catch the frisbee Keltie threw me. Jumping high, I just reached it and threw it back to him.

We were on a break between competitions. Keltie and I had arranged a trip back to Melbourne together and were reminiscing about how we “met” with my knocking over his drink.

“Glad you managed to catch the frisbee,” he called over to me.

“Oh, first-class comedian has really come out of his shell.”

We’d cuddled and talked and eaten far too much. A few months ago Keltie met my family and they all loved him. I think my sister wanted him for herself.

We’d become a partnership in another way too. No, no wedding bells, but we’d joined the couples circuit of sand-sculpting so we got to travel and work on creations together.

He waved me over and when I reached him across the sand, he pulled me into a kiss. I leaned into him. “I love you, Diego. I have something to show you.” He grabbed my hand and as I followed him, I was intrigued. He came behind me and put his hands over my eyes before letting me see whatever he wanted to show me. “Okay, open your eyes.”

When I did as he said, I saw an intricate sand sculpture that had 3-D calligraphy letters. It took me a moment to see the words in the letters. I felt Keltie’s arms come around my waist and then he murmured in my ear, “will you?” That’s when I saw the words in the sand clearly. It said, “will you marry me?”

Turning in his arms, I jumped up on him. “Yes, yes. Keltie, I love you.” Tears welled up in my eyes as he put me down. From somewhere he produced a ring and I saw Leo and Dylan appear. My hands were shaking as he placed the band on my finger. When I looked more closely at it, I saw a gold band with an outline of a traditional sandcastle engraved all the way around. “This is beautiful.”

He took my hand in his and I saw his hand mirrored mine, with an identical band. I kissed it gently and laid my head on his chest with our locked hands between us. “I’m a lucky man. Next time I spill a drink on a man, I’ll hope he’s as good as you.”

“Hey,” he pushed me away, though he knew I was joking, “there won’t be another man. If you’re doing any more drink-spilling, make sure it’s on me.”

About the Author

Claire Castle grew up surrounded by books. She has loved reading for her whole life. Her true love is romance and HEAs. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found wearing comfortable leggings, drinking mocha, and petting her west highland white terriers. She loves collecting mugs and paperbacks of her favourite stories.

I love to hear from readers. Please feel free to email me at: claire_castleauthor@yahoo.com.

So you don’t miss out on any new releases, sign up for my newsletter. http://eepurl.com/geGME5

Facebook Facebook

Twitter Twitter

Instagram Instagram

Also by Claire Castle

Christmas Novellas

Snowflakes & Cinnamon Buns

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

A Princess for Christmas

Easter Novella

Some Bunny To Love

Novels

The World Traveler

Boyfriend or Bust

Cake Clash - co-write with BL Maxwell

Marshall - Book 1 Mayfair Model series