NANOWRIMO: "Orchids" (Chapter Five)
Konnichiwa, minnasan, I hope everyone out there in Cyberland is doing well! I've finally come to the end of my work week and have two days off in a row. I swear, this was the longest work week I've experienced in ages! But in least I was able to get home at decent times.
Once again, it's time for my NaNo Chapter installment! Things start getting hotter between Sam and Cale as well as the mystery building up around Katelain's death. I hope everyone enjoys and ja ne for now! =~.^=V
CHAPTER FIVE: Water from Heaven
CURRENT WORD COUNT: 16,342
The sun began it's descent over the rich waves of the green and blue tinted Caribbean surf. Birds began to sing their final songs as they gathered together in small nests among lazily swaying leaves. The large outgrowths from the spacious palm trees began to move to the hidden melody of the night's breeze.
Stars were beginning to peek through the fiery reds of the fading light. However, clouds with gray tints and black tendrils were creeping over the navy landscape. The early day's heat was giving way to cooling, more comfortable temperatures. The smell of rain was tickling through the air.
Sam stared out into the coming night. He was on his balcony, his bare toes in front of the eternity pool. The water lazily trickled down from the main sitting area to the pool below it and then exiting into the reservoir to an unknown destination. Sam wished he could sit down in the water and just float with it, letting it take him to where ever it desired.
He didn't dare step into the pool itself. When water came up to even his thighs he would panic. He past childhood experiences had led to his and well as Katelain's almost paranoid level of aqua phobia. It still didn't keep him from admiring how the water rippled and turned, the wind adding little touches.
As soon as the sun disappeared for the night, Club Orchid would open. The brunette pushed up his slipping glasses and looked down at the small Villa below his.
He had agreed in the heat of the moment to join Cale. The club was a dangerous place if Sam wanted to focus on his main goal. Cale was becoming a severe distraction. First, out of annoyance. Now, it was something more.
"Why is he doing this?"
The thought that Cale might be distracting him to keep him from getting vital information about Katelain's death crossed Sam's mind. The DJ seemed to know Katelain relatively well. He thought about the man's relationship with the much older Rita.
"Were he and Katey Kay?..."
Sam didn't want to finish the thought. The very idea caused a sharp sensation to form in his chest. He shook his head rapidly and turned from the balcony. He went inside and shut the door, angry at himself.
If that was the case, was that why Cale looked at him so this morning? He commented how much they looked alike to one another. Sam ran his hand over his face and tried to calm his rapidly spiraling thoughts.
He wasn't here to garner the attention of an obvious gigolo. He was here to finish his research and return back to the states. In the city, it was safe for him. There were concrete floors, steel buildings, and a clock that would tell you when it was time to get up and when it was time to leave.
This Isle de la Seuno, there was too much freedom here. There was too much opportunity to do things that Sam would have never considered before.
There was too much temptation.
The young man finally decided he would forgo attending the club. He had already been over the police reports. He couldn't find any direct link between Raymond and the murder. But he couldn't still shake the feeling that the two were interconnected.
"There has to be something else. I need to start asking other people around the island about Katey Kay. Even if I have to press Cale about it next time I see him."
Sam wandered into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He pulled over his lap top and turned it on. The screen popped up and he began a search on the Ghost Orchid that had been found in Katelain's throat.
"The Ghost Orchid is one of the rarest white breeds known currently. The growing requirements for the particular species is very staunch and the plant must be attended too meticulously to produce their distinctive blooms. Commonly, the orchid is found in Florida growing wild in the Everglades. Making it distinct from other orchids are the two spider like extensions at the base of the orchid's petals. The breed is often highlighted as a prize among exotic floral horticulturists."
Sam sighed softly as he looked at the image of the orchid. It was a gorgeous, almost haunting flower. Like the plant itself held secrets. However, he hadn't seen anyone wearing anything close to the mysterious bloom.
Sadie wore a white orchid in her hair the first day he met her. But that was a very usual breed that anyone could get out of a flower shop. He had seen quite a few of the island staff with white orchids either tucked in their tresses or pinned to the fronts of their shirts.
Cale always wore one behind his ear.
Sam cursed at himself how his thoughts seem to always go back to the DJ. However, the man did seem to have a taste for wearing the white flowers. But the one he had was similar to Sadie's, the only difference being there was a slight shade difference.
None of them had the distinctive spidering outreaches that made the Ghost Orchid so unique.
"Someone had to have access to the rare plant. But in George's police report, there was no point of origin on the island. Could someone has smuggled it in? And why that particular orchid? Was there some significance in using the bloom?" Sam wondered to himself.
The fact that the black fibers could have come from any kind of fabric also but Sam at a current dead end. But he was guessing with the location on Katelain's throat, along with the strangulation marks, that the string sheds had to have come from a pair of black gloves.
"But that's about the equivalent of a needle in a haystack. Who would wear gloves in the Caribbean?" he questioned himself again.
A loud crack of thunder tore him from his thoughts. He blinked and looked out through the glass doors leading to the balcony. Little splotches of liquid startled to strike the rich wood. They made light sounds, almost melodic against the metal infused roof. Sam sat for a moment before closing his lap top. He wandered over to the sliding door and leaned against the wall.
The trees seemed pleased with the welcome break in the heat, their leaves perking up at the coolness touching their greenery. A couple colorful birds in a tree next to the Villa playfully shook their feathers, occasionally opening their beaks to catch some refreshment.
Even in the dark, the island seemed to be alive. Sam couldn't deny it, even if he wanted too. The Isle was an enchanting place. He felt a little smile crawl onto his lips.
"I think I see a little why you came here, Katelain. It's like another world, isn't it?" he whispered softly.
Another loud crack of thunder startled him. He watched as a flash of lightning illuminated the beach past the lower Villa. He rubbed his eyes quickly and then pressed his face against the glass. Another vibrant strike of lightning brought the image in question into view.
There was a person standing down on the sand. Whomever it was seemed to be looking directly upwards at Sam's door. The brunette felt a sudden surge of panic when the lightning faded and the landscape fell dark. His heart raced as another loud rumble was accompanied by another bolt of brightness.
There was no one standing on the beach at that moment. Sam's hands were shaking as he drew away from the door. He could feel the rapid pulse in his chest and the blood seeped from his face, leaving him pale.
Someone was watching him in his place.
"Calm down, Sam. There are other people on this island, maybe it was someone taking a walk out in the rain."
No matter what he told himself, a part of him screamed otherwise. He felt like he was in danger.
He stepped slowly back through the kitchen and side stepped into the living room. He flashed his eyes to his doorway. It wouldn't hurt to make sure that the lock was closed. After that, he would go to his bedroom and lock that room also.
"No need to panic quite yet." he half assured himself.
Glancing back over his shoulder at the glass doors, he reached the front door. His hand came out to check the knob when it suddenly turned. Sam's breath caught in his chest and his fingers trembled over the iron.
The knob clicked back and forth lightly against his palm. He could hardly breath as he released the handle just enough to reach for the dead bolt. If he could turn it quietly, the person on the other side wouldn't be able to get the door open immediately.
Slowly and silently he raised up his hand even as the knob began to turn clockwise in front of him. Despite the spacious picture windows in the front, he couldn't make out any form from where he was standing. He almost had hold of the bolt when the door creaked open.
Sam's eyes went wide and he stumbled back. A frame of a large figure came into view. Without thought, he brunette reacted and struck out. His fist impacted something hard and was accompanied by a loud sound of pain.
The young stopped immediately. He knew that voice.
"Damn man, you trying to kill me?" snapped the form.
Sam quickly stepped back as Cale came into the light, rubbing his shoulder. He was drenched from the rain, his hair plastered against his back and chest. Another white orchid barely clung behind his ear. His white tank top was stuck to his fine lines and his shorts were barely held on. He visibly winced as he pressed on the spot that Sam hit.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Sam shouted angrily.
"What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing?" Cale retorted just as loudly.
"Why were you trying to come into my house?!"
"I knocked three times but you didn't come, so I thought I would check to see if the door was open!"
"Why are you here then?!" Sam growled back.
"Because you said you were going to come to the club, man, and you didn't show yet. I was coming up here to see if you were all right." Cale snapped.
Sam stopped mid scream, the words fleeing his lips. He blinked and looked at the wet DJ. He tried to make sense of what had just happened. Wasn't he worried he was going to get killed a second ago?
"I... I..."
"You said you were going to be there." Cale spoke, much softer. "I wanted to see you was all."
The young man looked at Cale and then shook his head. He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry at that moment. Instead, he moved past the tall man and closed the door. He gestured for the DJ to sit down on the chair. Cale paused for a moment and finally sat, his clothes getting the cushions wet.
"Sorry I hit you." Sam mumbled. "You shouldn't be up here any ways, you should be at the club doing your thing."
"I don't go on for another hour." Cale responded. "I made sure of that so I could spend some time with you."
"I didn't agree to anything."
"You nodded."
"You had me in a bind at the moment."
"You still could have shook your head 'no' then."
"I wasn't thinking... I wasn't really thinking... Oh hell, forget it." Sam sighed.
Sam realized that Cale was still rubbing the spot he had punched. He flinched inwardly but tried to school his face into a look of annoyance. He walked over to the tanned man and gestured for him to move his hand.
"Sorry." he said softly. "I didn't mean to hit you."
"S'okay, not the first time I've been clocked, man."
"I think I might have left a bruise."
"You've got a good right hook on you."
"I used to box a little. Think some of it stuck with me." Sam offhandedly said.
He looked over Cale's mark. It would definitely be a purplish mark in the morning.
"Sorry." Sam apologized again.
"It's going to look a bit like a hickey, isn't it?" Cale mused. "Give everyone on staff something to talk about."
Sam's lips twitched a little at that. He pushed down the smile forming and gazed down at Cale. The man was watching him with his milky and violet eyes.
"You came all the way up here when I didn't show. I don't know what to think about that, Cale."
The older man reached out one of his long hands. He caught Sam's wrist and pulled him close. Sam initially tried to pull back, but Cale's hold was firm but not violent. The brunette swallowed, his glasses slipping a little down the rim of his nose.
"I told you, I wanted to get down on my knees and beg at your feet, Sam." Cale's words were warm, his voice deep.
"Y-yes. Just I... That's not why I'm here... This is..."
Cale slid his soaked form down from the cushions and sunk to his knees, his face level with Sam's waist. One hand still held onto the youth's wrist, the other was flush against Sam's back. The brunette could feel the same tremble slide through his body as he had earlier in the day.
"I could make you feel so good, Sam." Cale breathed against his torso. "I could do so many things to you. Whatever you wanted, no matter what."
Sam's eyes fluttered again, the feeling in his head a little cloudy and dizzy. Cale smelled like the rain outside, like orchids and clean soap. He also smelt like rum and sin. The overall combination of those smells were creating havoc to Sam's sensible thoughts.
Cale slowly released the other's wrist. He brought that hand down and rested it on Sam's hip. The curve of the DJ's palm fit comfortable around the shape of Sam's hip. The touch was soft, fluid, and tender.
"Would you let me, Sam?" Cale questioned as his other hand slide from the young man's back to his other hip. "Would you let me do those kind of things to you? Worship you?"
"Why are you doing this?" Sam squeaked out. "Don't you have someone else?"
Cale caught Sam's eyes, tilted his head and raised himself upwards, extending his long body even as he remained on his knees. His lips were parted, their mouths a breath away from each other.
"No one owns me. I'm no one's slave." he replied as their lips brushed.
".....you have to go..." Sam somehow managed. ".....before something happens....."
Cale's expression changed as he saw Sam clench his eyes shut. He drew backwards and rose off his knees. He stepped away, the young man quickly wrapping his own arms around himself, shaking. There were tears at the corners of his eyes, his whole body shaking.
".....sam." Cale whispered, his own voice trembling.
"I can't, not this, not... I don't know what this is but it's not... I just... I don't..."
No fluid words would come into Sam's mind. He just bit his lip and willed the urge to cry downwards. This man was like no one he had ever encountered before. He was wild and dangerous and the farthest thing from safe. That scared him because Katelain was always the brave one, he wasn't.
He felt a touch against his shoulder. He thought to pull away but instead, he forced himself to look up. Cale was looking at him in a completely different way. There was a nearly fire brimmed passion behind his mismatched eyes, but it had been tempered just a little. There was a kind of gentleness that radiated from him. Once again, despite his hesitancy, some part of Sam wanted to trust this man completely.
"I'd never take advantage of you, Sam. But I want to worship you. You are so beautiful, mon petit rose."
"Stop calling me that." Sam choked out, a laugh mixed with a sob.
"I will keep pursuing you, seducing you, until you become mine. Even if I have to chase you over this whole island, man." Cale said simply.
The young man shook his head and let out another shaky laugh.
"You're impossible. Rita will kill you."
"I'm paid to keep her happy. I just want to try and make you happy."
"You just met me."
"I know."
Sam threw his arms up in the air and let out a defeated sigh. He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with the back of his arm. Pausing to blow out his air, he put the wire frames back on his face.
"I'm here to do what I need to do then I'll leave."
Cale nodded.
"You won't let up, will you?"
"No."
"Will you help me then?"
"With what?"
"Help me try and put the pieces together about Katelain’s death. Please?"
"And if I do this?" Cale returned quietly.
"You can..." Sam felt a blush stain his cheeks. "...bow down and beg if you want."
Cale's lips curled into a soft smile. He took a couple tentative steps toward Sam. The youth didn't move away. He reached out and slid his fingers through Sam's hair carefully.
"Can I kiss you again?"
Sam paused and then gave a little motion of consent. Cale leaned downwards and Sam felt the same brush of rough against his cheeks from Cale's goatee and the soft sweetness of his lips as he had in the morning. However, this time the touch was more firm.
The brunette reached up, almost shyly, to touch a few of the long wet strands with his fingers. He felt Cale's mouth move against his, the angle changing a slight bit. The kiss was quite chaste, held for a few seconds longer before the DJ drew back.
"Thank you." he said quietly.
"Um, yes. Thanks. I mean..." Sam replied, a bit flustered.
"I think I'm going to be late for my DJ gig." Cale mused.
"You better get going."
"You won't come with me, will you?"
Sam thought about the stranger he had seen on the beach. Of the fear he felt at being alone in a foreign place. He gazed up at Cale's face and saw a kind of new familiarity.
"I... I guess I could come down for a little bit. But tomorrow, we focus on Katelain, agreed?"
"Agreed."
The older man held out his hand and Sam took it. He padded his shirt pocket for his key card and followed Cale out. The rain was still falling, the warmth of it striking Sam's skin through his shirt. He looked skyward and felt some of the liquid splash against his cheeks.
"It's water from heaven, man." Cale said gently. "A gift to the Isle."
"I like that." Sam replied.
"Hey, can I tell everyone that this bruise is from a wild night with you?"
"You do and I'll punch you in the face next time."
Cale smirked at Sam. The duo began their walk down the path. Sam glanced over his shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that they were still being watched.
Once again, it's time for my NaNo Chapter installment! Things start getting hotter between Sam and Cale as well as the mystery building up around Katelain's death. I hope everyone enjoys and ja ne for now! =~.^=V
CHAPTER FIVE: Water from Heaven
CURRENT WORD COUNT: 16,342
The sun began it's descent over the rich waves of the green and blue tinted Caribbean surf. Birds began to sing their final songs as they gathered together in small nests among lazily swaying leaves. The large outgrowths from the spacious palm trees began to move to the hidden melody of the night's breeze.
Stars were beginning to peek through the fiery reds of the fading light. However, clouds with gray tints and black tendrils were creeping over the navy landscape. The early day's heat was giving way to cooling, more comfortable temperatures. The smell of rain was tickling through the air.
Sam stared out into the coming night. He was on his balcony, his bare toes in front of the eternity pool. The water lazily trickled down from the main sitting area to the pool below it and then exiting into the reservoir to an unknown destination. Sam wished he could sit down in the water and just float with it, letting it take him to where ever it desired.
He didn't dare step into the pool itself. When water came up to even his thighs he would panic. He past childhood experiences had led to his and well as Katelain's almost paranoid level of aqua phobia. It still didn't keep him from admiring how the water rippled and turned, the wind adding little touches.
As soon as the sun disappeared for the night, Club Orchid would open. The brunette pushed up his slipping glasses and looked down at the small Villa below his.
He had agreed in the heat of the moment to join Cale. The club was a dangerous place if Sam wanted to focus on his main goal. Cale was becoming a severe distraction. First, out of annoyance. Now, it was something more.
"Why is he doing this?"
The thought that Cale might be distracting him to keep him from getting vital information about Katelain's death crossed Sam's mind. The DJ seemed to know Katelain relatively well. He thought about the man's relationship with the much older Rita.
"Were he and Katey Kay?..."
Sam didn't want to finish the thought. The very idea caused a sharp sensation to form in his chest. He shook his head rapidly and turned from the balcony. He went inside and shut the door, angry at himself.
If that was the case, was that why Cale looked at him so this morning? He commented how much they looked alike to one another. Sam ran his hand over his face and tried to calm his rapidly spiraling thoughts.
He wasn't here to garner the attention of an obvious gigolo. He was here to finish his research and return back to the states. In the city, it was safe for him. There were concrete floors, steel buildings, and a clock that would tell you when it was time to get up and when it was time to leave.
This Isle de la Seuno, there was too much freedom here. There was too much opportunity to do things that Sam would have never considered before.
There was too much temptation.
The young man finally decided he would forgo attending the club. He had already been over the police reports. He couldn't find any direct link between Raymond and the murder. But he couldn't still shake the feeling that the two were interconnected.
"There has to be something else. I need to start asking other people around the island about Katey Kay. Even if I have to press Cale about it next time I see him."
Sam wandered into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He pulled over his lap top and turned it on. The screen popped up and he began a search on the Ghost Orchid that had been found in Katelain's throat.
"The Ghost Orchid is one of the rarest white breeds known currently. The growing requirements for the particular species is very staunch and the plant must be attended too meticulously to produce their distinctive blooms. Commonly, the orchid is found in Florida growing wild in the Everglades. Making it distinct from other orchids are the two spider like extensions at the base of the orchid's petals. The breed is often highlighted as a prize among exotic floral horticulturists."
Sam sighed softly as he looked at the image of the orchid. It was a gorgeous, almost haunting flower. Like the plant itself held secrets. However, he hadn't seen anyone wearing anything close to the mysterious bloom.
Sadie wore a white orchid in her hair the first day he met her. But that was a very usual breed that anyone could get out of a flower shop. He had seen quite a few of the island staff with white orchids either tucked in their tresses or pinned to the fronts of their shirts.
Cale always wore one behind his ear.
Sam cursed at himself how his thoughts seem to always go back to the DJ. However, the man did seem to have a taste for wearing the white flowers. But the one he had was similar to Sadie's, the only difference being there was a slight shade difference.
None of them had the distinctive spidering outreaches that made the Ghost Orchid so unique.
"Someone had to have access to the rare plant. But in George's police report, there was no point of origin on the island. Could someone has smuggled it in? And why that particular orchid? Was there some significance in using the bloom?" Sam wondered to himself.
The fact that the black fibers could have come from any kind of fabric also but Sam at a current dead end. But he was guessing with the location on Katelain's throat, along with the strangulation marks, that the string sheds had to have come from a pair of black gloves.
"But that's about the equivalent of a needle in a haystack. Who would wear gloves in the Caribbean?" he questioned himself again.
A loud crack of thunder tore him from his thoughts. He blinked and looked out through the glass doors leading to the balcony. Little splotches of liquid startled to strike the rich wood. They made light sounds, almost melodic against the metal infused roof. Sam sat for a moment before closing his lap top. He wandered over to the sliding door and leaned against the wall.
The trees seemed pleased with the welcome break in the heat, their leaves perking up at the coolness touching their greenery. A couple colorful birds in a tree next to the Villa playfully shook their feathers, occasionally opening their beaks to catch some refreshment.
Even in the dark, the island seemed to be alive. Sam couldn't deny it, even if he wanted too. The Isle was an enchanting place. He felt a little smile crawl onto his lips.
"I think I see a little why you came here, Katelain. It's like another world, isn't it?" he whispered softly.
Another loud crack of thunder startled him. He watched as a flash of lightning illuminated the beach past the lower Villa. He rubbed his eyes quickly and then pressed his face against the glass. Another vibrant strike of lightning brought the image in question into view.
There was a person standing down on the sand. Whomever it was seemed to be looking directly upwards at Sam's door. The brunette felt a sudden surge of panic when the lightning faded and the landscape fell dark. His heart raced as another loud rumble was accompanied by another bolt of brightness.
There was no one standing on the beach at that moment. Sam's hands were shaking as he drew away from the door. He could feel the rapid pulse in his chest and the blood seeped from his face, leaving him pale.
Someone was watching him in his place.
"Calm down, Sam. There are other people on this island, maybe it was someone taking a walk out in the rain."
No matter what he told himself, a part of him screamed otherwise. He felt like he was in danger.
He stepped slowly back through the kitchen and side stepped into the living room. He flashed his eyes to his doorway. It wouldn't hurt to make sure that the lock was closed. After that, he would go to his bedroom and lock that room also.
"No need to panic quite yet." he half assured himself.
Glancing back over his shoulder at the glass doors, he reached the front door. His hand came out to check the knob when it suddenly turned. Sam's breath caught in his chest and his fingers trembled over the iron.
The knob clicked back and forth lightly against his palm. He could hardly breath as he released the handle just enough to reach for the dead bolt. If he could turn it quietly, the person on the other side wouldn't be able to get the door open immediately.
Slowly and silently he raised up his hand even as the knob began to turn clockwise in front of him. Despite the spacious picture windows in the front, he couldn't make out any form from where he was standing. He almost had hold of the bolt when the door creaked open.
Sam's eyes went wide and he stumbled back. A frame of a large figure came into view. Without thought, he brunette reacted and struck out. His fist impacted something hard and was accompanied by a loud sound of pain.
The young stopped immediately. He knew that voice.
"Damn man, you trying to kill me?" snapped the form.
Sam quickly stepped back as Cale came into the light, rubbing his shoulder. He was drenched from the rain, his hair plastered against his back and chest. Another white orchid barely clung behind his ear. His white tank top was stuck to his fine lines and his shorts were barely held on. He visibly winced as he pressed on the spot that Sam hit.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Sam shouted angrily.
"What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing?" Cale retorted just as loudly.
"Why were you trying to come into my house?!"
"I knocked three times but you didn't come, so I thought I would check to see if the door was open!"
"Why are you here then?!" Sam growled back.
"Because you said you were going to come to the club, man, and you didn't show yet. I was coming up here to see if you were all right." Cale snapped.
Sam stopped mid scream, the words fleeing his lips. He blinked and looked at the wet DJ. He tried to make sense of what had just happened. Wasn't he worried he was going to get killed a second ago?
"I... I..."
"You said you were going to be there." Cale spoke, much softer. "I wanted to see you was all."
The young man looked at Cale and then shook his head. He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry at that moment. Instead, he moved past the tall man and closed the door. He gestured for the DJ to sit down on the chair. Cale paused for a moment and finally sat, his clothes getting the cushions wet.
"Sorry I hit you." Sam mumbled. "You shouldn't be up here any ways, you should be at the club doing your thing."
"I don't go on for another hour." Cale responded. "I made sure of that so I could spend some time with you."
"I didn't agree to anything."
"You nodded."
"You had me in a bind at the moment."
"You still could have shook your head 'no' then."
"I wasn't thinking... I wasn't really thinking... Oh hell, forget it." Sam sighed.
Sam realized that Cale was still rubbing the spot he had punched. He flinched inwardly but tried to school his face into a look of annoyance. He walked over to the tanned man and gestured for him to move his hand.
"Sorry." he said softly. "I didn't mean to hit you."
"S'okay, not the first time I've been clocked, man."
"I think I might have left a bruise."
"You've got a good right hook on you."
"I used to box a little. Think some of it stuck with me." Sam offhandedly said.
He looked over Cale's mark. It would definitely be a purplish mark in the morning.
"Sorry." Sam apologized again.
"It's going to look a bit like a hickey, isn't it?" Cale mused. "Give everyone on staff something to talk about."
Sam's lips twitched a little at that. He pushed down the smile forming and gazed down at Cale. The man was watching him with his milky and violet eyes.
"You came all the way up here when I didn't show. I don't know what to think about that, Cale."
The older man reached out one of his long hands. He caught Sam's wrist and pulled him close. Sam initially tried to pull back, but Cale's hold was firm but not violent. The brunette swallowed, his glasses slipping a little down the rim of his nose.
"I told you, I wanted to get down on my knees and beg at your feet, Sam." Cale's words were warm, his voice deep.
"Y-yes. Just I... That's not why I'm here... This is..."
Cale slid his soaked form down from the cushions and sunk to his knees, his face level with Sam's waist. One hand still held onto the youth's wrist, the other was flush against Sam's back. The brunette could feel the same tremble slide through his body as he had earlier in the day.
"I could make you feel so good, Sam." Cale breathed against his torso. "I could do so many things to you. Whatever you wanted, no matter what."
Sam's eyes fluttered again, the feeling in his head a little cloudy and dizzy. Cale smelled like the rain outside, like orchids and clean soap. He also smelt like rum and sin. The overall combination of those smells were creating havoc to Sam's sensible thoughts.
Cale slowly released the other's wrist. He brought that hand down and rested it on Sam's hip. The curve of the DJ's palm fit comfortable around the shape of Sam's hip. The touch was soft, fluid, and tender.
"Would you let me, Sam?" Cale questioned as his other hand slide from the young man's back to his other hip. "Would you let me do those kind of things to you? Worship you?"
"Why are you doing this?" Sam squeaked out. "Don't you have someone else?"
Cale caught Sam's eyes, tilted his head and raised himself upwards, extending his long body even as he remained on his knees. His lips were parted, their mouths a breath away from each other.
"No one owns me. I'm no one's slave." he replied as their lips brushed.
".....you have to go..." Sam somehow managed. ".....before something happens....."
Cale's expression changed as he saw Sam clench his eyes shut. He drew backwards and rose off his knees. He stepped away, the young man quickly wrapping his own arms around himself, shaking. There were tears at the corners of his eyes, his whole body shaking.
".....sam." Cale whispered, his own voice trembling.
"I can't, not this, not... I don't know what this is but it's not... I just... I don't..."
No fluid words would come into Sam's mind. He just bit his lip and willed the urge to cry downwards. This man was like no one he had ever encountered before. He was wild and dangerous and the farthest thing from safe. That scared him because Katelain was always the brave one, he wasn't.
He felt a touch against his shoulder. He thought to pull away but instead, he forced himself to look up. Cale was looking at him in a completely different way. There was a nearly fire brimmed passion behind his mismatched eyes, but it had been tempered just a little. There was a kind of gentleness that radiated from him. Once again, despite his hesitancy, some part of Sam wanted to trust this man completely.
"I'd never take advantage of you, Sam. But I want to worship you. You are so beautiful, mon petit rose."
"Stop calling me that." Sam choked out, a laugh mixed with a sob.
"I will keep pursuing you, seducing you, until you become mine. Even if I have to chase you over this whole island, man." Cale said simply.
The young man shook his head and let out another shaky laugh.
"You're impossible. Rita will kill you."
"I'm paid to keep her happy. I just want to try and make you happy."
"You just met me."
"I know."
Sam threw his arms up in the air and let out a defeated sigh. He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with the back of his arm. Pausing to blow out his air, he put the wire frames back on his face.
"I'm here to do what I need to do then I'll leave."
Cale nodded.
"You won't let up, will you?"
"No."
"Will you help me then?"
"With what?"
"Help me try and put the pieces together about Katelain’s death. Please?"
"And if I do this?" Cale returned quietly.
"You can..." Sam felt a blush stain his cheeks. "...bow down and beg if you want."
Cale's lips curled into a soft smile. He took a couple tentative steps toward Sam. The youth didn't move away. He reached out and slid his fingers through Sam's hair carefully.
"Can I kiss you again?"
Sam paused and then gave a little motion of consent. Cale leaned downwards and Sam felt the same brush of rough against his cheeks from Cale's goatee and the soft sweetness of his lips as he had in the morning. However, this time the touch was more firm.
The brunette reached up, almost shyly, to touch a few of the long wet strands with his fingers. He felt Cale's mouth move against his, the angle changing a slight bit. The kiss was quite chaste, held for a few seconds longer before the DJ drew back.
"Thank you." he said quietly.
"Um, yes. Thanks. I mean..." Sam replied, a bit flustered.
"I think I'm going to be late for my DJ gig." Cale mused.
"You better get going."
"You won't come with me, will you?"
Sam thought about the stranger he had seen on the beach. Of the fear he felt at being alone in a foreign place. He gazed up at Cale's face and saw a kind of new familiarity.
"I... I guess I could come down for a little bit. But tomorrow, we focus on Katelain, agreed?"
"Agreed."
The older man held out his hand and Sam took it. He padded his shirt pocket for his key card and followed Cale out. The rain was still falling, the warmth of it striking Sam's skin through his shirt. He looked skyward and felt some of the liquid splash against his cheeks.
"It's water from heaven, man." Cale said gently. "A gift to the Isle."
"I like that." Sam replied.
"Hey, can I tell everyone that this bruise is from a wild night with you?"
"You do and I'll punch you in the face next time."
Cale smirked at Sam. The duo began their walk down the path. Sam glanced over his shoulder, unable to shake the feeling that they were still being watched.