Slow Dreaming Read Free Page B

want.”
    “Sounds good.” Jason slid off the wall, closing the distance between it and the sand with ease. He was tall, a few inches taller than Sean’s own six foot, but more heavily built. The shirt he wore today was a tight fit compared to the previous one and didn’t leave much to the imagination as to the muscles and almost washboard stomach underneath. Sean had always prided himself on having a good imagination.
    “Are you going to be warm enough?” Sean’s voice came out a little hoarser than he anticipated.
    “I don’t feel the cold so much, and besides, we’ll be walking, right?” Jason stared out at the ocean, his attention taken by the small island in the middle of the harbor. “That’s Somes Island, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah.” Sean joined him on the beach and pointed to the boat that could be seen slowly making its way toward the strait. “See that? That’s one of the Picton ferries; they do a couple of crossings a day. It’s too far away to tell which one it is, though. You’ll probably want to make note of all that stuff for your article. I can find you some more information if you want. There’s plenty of it online and lots on the history of the area in the local library too.”
    “Article?” Jason looked blank for a moment, then seemed to collect himself. “Oh yeah, that.” He’d told Sean that he was here taking notes about the area. His voice softened, carrying with it an edge of awe. “I never thought I’d see it, any of it. I’ve seen images, read about it, but actually seeing it….” He turned to Sean, his eyes bright. “This stuff never fails to blow me away, you know. This place, especially. It’s so much like home, yet not.” He froze, his hand going to his mouth. “Fuck.”
    “Yeah. There’s not so much in the way of beaches in Canada, from what I’ve heard.” Sean couldn’t decide whether to be amused by Jason’s realization that he was busted or annoyed that he’d just had it confirmed he’d been lied to.
    “That would be the not,” Jason mumbled. He studied Sean for a moment. “Okay, so I’m not really from Canada. According to my ID, I’m from Auckland, but I’m not really from there, either.”
    What the hell was he playing at? Sean took a step back instinctively. “How much of what you said yesterday was bullshit, Jason?”
    “Only that.” Jason glanced around, his eyes narrowing, relaxing again when he confirmed they had the beach mostly to themselves. The couple with the dog had moved further down the shoreline and was having a discussion in front of the Early Settlers Museum. “I wasn’t lying when I said I was attracted to you, honest.” He took a deep breath. “I am working on an article of sorts; it’s just that I can’t tell you what exactly.”
    “Or I suppose you’d have to kill me?” Sean couldn’t help but comment dryly.
    Jason’s eyes widened. “God, no.” His breath hitched. He opened his mouth to say something else then averted his eyes. “We only have till Friday, I just… my assignment will be over then and….”
    “You can tell me then?” Sean pulled his jacket tighter around himself as a shiver went through him. Someone had walked over his grave, his old gran would have said. “Who the hell are you, Jason, and what’s so secret that you can’t be honest about where you’re from?”
    “No one special.” Jason bit his lip; he looked out to sea. The crests of the waves were almost white, no, closer to a dirty gray, as though hiding secrets of their own. “I’m not asking for anything from you, Sean, and I promise I don’t mean you any harm. I just thought… I’m only here for a few days and I’d rather not spend them alone. That’s all, all it’s ever going to be.”
    Something about Jason tugged at Sean. He walked over closer, his instincts winning out over his better judgment. Whatever Jason was involved in, whatever this assignment was, it was eating at him. He sounded as though he could do with a