Taming Triton: Southern Cross, #2

By KC Kendricks

Austin Michaels accepts his brother's standing invitation for a Caribbean vacation at his island resort. Some time in the sun is just what he needs to map out a plan for his future. He gets lucky and meets a handsome teacher willing to have a little vacation fling with, as long as they can keep things fun.

Steve Guthrie's secret longings have haunted him all his life. It's time to face his questions and find the truth of who he really is beyond a staid college professor. His love of the sea prompts him to take a vacation at a Caribbean hide-a-way for relaxation and reflection. A sexy stranger with a tattoo tempts Steve to abandon his plans, enticing him to share a vacation romp.

Now Steve's the student in a high stakes class of one, and to pass the course, he has to tame his very own Triton.

* * *

I rounded the corner and stopped. Austin sat on the edge of the stone planter box, feet dangling, clutching a brown paper bag with the neck of a wine bottle sticking out the top.

"Surprise," Austin said meekly, holding up his offering.

Raising my eyebrow, I held my hand out for the bottle. It was an expensive label, one I'd always wanted to try, but shied away from because of its cost. What did he do for a living that he could afford it?

"What surprise? That you're half an hour early and waiting on me? Wrong. It's no surprise at all." I swiped my keycard and opened the door. Austin didn't move. "Are you coming in?"

He hopped off the planter and followed me inside to the obscene luxury of the suite. I'd really splurged on my accommodations, or so I thought. That bottle Austin had said maybe I was in the slum section of the resort.

My little suite had a king-size bed with linens so soft and smooth that last night I easily imagined I slept on clouds. An amazing spa bathroom housed a tub big enough for four large men, a gas fireplace for when you were hosting a party in that fiberglass pool, and a shower with twelve—count 'em twelve—pulsating showerheads. Total climate control was possible, or all the windows and skylights opened to allow the breeze through. The high-definition television had a satellite hookup with a full sports channel package, and an equally state-of-the-art sound system provided the complete spectrum of music at the push of a few buttons.

I also had a copy of the extensive wine list and menu, and nowhere did that high-end winery appear.

"So, Austin, where'd you get the wine?"

His mouth dropped open, and the hand not clutching the bottle clutched at his chest. "Wine? I gasp at the audacity of your words! This is not just wine—it's the nectar of the gods."

"I've heard about this Bordeaux, you know. Is this part of some after-dinner seduction plan?"

Austin tilted his head and flashed me a sly grin. "Don't you want to be seduced?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: White Deer Enterprises/White Deer Books
• Release date: May 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533703460

KC Kendricks

KC Kendricks calls herself an accidental writer. After completing her first novel writing as Rayne Forrest, she was urged to submit it to a publisher, and everything snowballed from there. Today, the author has had over seventy books published. The author does not use AI in the creation of her books or the book covers.  In May of 2022, she "retired" from her day job, moving from being an Administrative Assistant to an Administrative Consultant. She says it sounds grand, but the job is basically answering emails to her protégé as she becomes acquainted with all aspects of the job.  A native of scenic western Maryland, the author enjoys most activities that don't include snow. In warm weather she might be found walking the dog, biking on the C&O Canal towpath, planting delicacies in her garden for the deer to munch on at night, playing in the creek, or lazing on the patio with her ebook reader or laptop. She recently began to research her family history and can't drive past a cemetery without stopping to search for family sites. Her mission is to photograph old tombstones before the elements erode the stones and the names are lost to time. For more about KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest's writing life, please visit the Between the Keys blog at http:kckendricks.blogspot.com . If you'd like to know more about the author's country lifestyle and her daily activities full of simple country pleasures (and a lot of work), please visit the Holly Tree Manor blog at http://hollytreemanor.blogspot.com . And for dog lovers, there is Deuce's Day – life seen through the eyes of KC's black Lab, Deuce (http://deucesday.blogspot.com) KC finds YouTube a fascinating place and has recently uploaded a few short videos of life in the country. She hopes to do more in the future. Her channel is called The Hideaway Between the Keys. https://www.youtube.com/KCKendricks KC can be reached through her blog, Between the Keys. All comments are strictly moderated by the author and personal messages are treated as such. Follow the author on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-date announcements at Twitter.com/KCKendricks.

Book preview

Taming Triton

by

KC Kendricks

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This book is a work of fiction. While references to actual places or events may occur, the names, characters, incidents and locations are from the author’s imagination and any resemblance to anyone, living or dead, is coincidental.

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Copyright © 2009, 2016 KC Kendricks

Cover art © 2016 KC Kendricks

All Rights Reserved

All rights reserved. Reproduction of this digital e-book for file sharing or selling, regardless of whether any type of currency is exchanged, other than what the author grants in writing, is strictly prohibited by law. Permission is given for brief excerpts for the purpose of professional review. Piracy is a crime.

This book is intended for mature readers over the age of 18.

Thank you for purchasing a legal copy of this work.

Published in the United States of America.

About Taming Triton

Austin Michaels accepts his brother’s standing invitation for a Caribbean vacation at his island resort. Some time in the sun is just what he needs to map out a plan for his future. He gets lucky and meets a handsome teacher willing to have a little vacation fling with him, as long as they can keep things fun.

Steve Guthrie’s secret longings have haunted him all his life. It’s time to face his questions and find the truth of who he really is beyond a staid college professor. His love of the sea prompts him to take a vacation at a Caribbean hideaway for relaxation and reflection. A sexy stranger with a Triton’s trident tattoo tempts Steve to abandon his plans, enticing him to share a vacation romp.

Now Steve’s the student in a high stakes class of one, and to pass the course, he has to tame his very own Triton.

Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

For current availability, please visit KC’s bookshelf at

https://kckendricks.blogspot.com/p/the-bookshelf-of-kc-kendricks-and-rayne_3.html

Ian Coulter’s Amethyst Cove Series

Double Deuce

Deuce of Diamonds

Ace, Deuce, Trey

Circle of Steel

Steel Wheels

The Sundown Saga

The Back Stairs

Beneath Dark Stars

River Walk

Moon Dances

Fly By Night

The Southern Cross Series

Netting Neptune

Taming Triton

Poseidon’s Pleasure

Between The Moon and the Deep Blue Sea

Catching Fireflies

The Men of Marionville Series

A Hard Habit to Break

Open Roads

What You Don’t Confess

Your Whisper in the Dark

A Cat Named Hercules

Leather Jackets

Station to Station

Dreams to Sell

The Right Brew

Where There’s Smoke

Bourbon and Blues

Twice Removed From Yesterday

Centerville Muscle

Bored, Stroked and Blueprinted

Memphis

July Heat

Levi & Stacy

Shining Victory

No One But You

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Single Titles (not part of a series)

A Friendly Neighbor

A Perfect Hire

December Promise

Devilishly Delicious Dane

Desert Snow

Doors of Time

Eye of the Beholder

Give Me One Night

Hey, Joe

Highway Nights

Hot August Comes

Kentucky 98 Proof

Lick Me (Must Love Dogs)

Lightning Shifts

Passion’s Victory

Please Use the Door (a ghostly romance)

Ride Your Luck

Riding Against the Wind (sequel to Ride Your Luck)

SABRE

Seducing Light

September Morning

Shine A Light

Surrendered Victory

Tango in the Night

The Ghost at the B & B

The Quest

Undeniable

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Titles Written as Rayne Forrest

Science Fiction:

A Hero’s Bargain

Across Time

The Curiosity Shoppe

Science Fiction Series:

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Kiana

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Talyss

The Rea Cheveyo Chronicles: Reza

Futuristic Elements:

After the Sea Sprite Ball

Mischief at Midnight

Money Back Guarantee

Step Into Tomorrow

To Bed a Spy

Paranormal Elements:

Beyond the Night

A Hidden Heaven

Contemporary:

Loving Luke

One Summer

Right From the Start

Excerpt

You’re early. I need to get a shower. 

Austin's grin widened. I’ll come wash your back, Steve.

I put my hands on my hips and stared him down. You’ll go get something to open that bottle later. It won’t take me long to get rinsed off.

He set the bottle on the table, opened a drawer, and held up a corkscrew. They think of everything at the Southern Cross.

I’ve known you six hours, and you’re not climbing in the shower with me, Austin.

His gaze locked with me, gluing my feet to the floor as he stepped in front of me. Me thinketh the lad protesteth overmuch.

My heart stuttered, then beat faster. I wondered if he could hear it. I’m not protesting. I’m taking a shower.

His right hand reached out briefly, coming to rest on my shoulder, before his fingers slid into my hair. The breeze coming through the open window cooled my heated face and brought the light scent of his aftershave to me. No musk for Austin, the fragrance was clean and icy crisp, like snow.

My knees started to shake as he leaned closer to me. His eyelids fluttered closed as his warm breath caressed my cheek. A drumbeat pounded in my ears, deafening me, as his mouth touched mine.

I wrapped my arms around him and held on tight.

Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

KC Kendricks never disappoints!"—Fallen Angel Reviews

..beautifully moving in all the right places...KC Kendricks gives us a well-crafted tale- The Romance Studio

Good to the last word....- Sensual Reads

...Seriously entertaining and totally engaging...- Joyfully Reviewed

...solidly written contemporary romance...-Jessewave

Table of Contents

Taming Triton

About Taming Triton

Books by KC Kendricks and Rayne Forrest

Excerpt

Praise for the writing of KC Kendricks

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

About the Author

Dear Readers,

A bonus read from Poseidon’s Pleasure

CHAPTER 1

My dream vacation of bright tropical sun, blue seas tossing gently, cresting white waves against the shore, and a sandy beach with a selection of tanned, sexy bodies to lust after had finally come to pass. I’d made it to the Caribbean. Now, hopefully, I’d realize the second part of the fantasy—actually getting my hands on one of those gorgeous bodies.

I dropped to my knees in the shade of a palm tree, dug out and formed a sand chair for myself, then spread my beach towel over it. Sinking down into it, I wiggled my butt, worked the rise under my knees a few inches higher, and settled in for some serious seaside naptime.

The heavenly warm breeze coming off the ocean quickly made me drowsy. Or maybe it had made me hungry and my overindulgence at the feast the resort called brunch had me craving a little shut-eye. I didn’t care. Getting some rest was another of the reasons I’d come to St. Lucia. I’d not slept this much in years.

Then again, maybe sleeping was overrated. Through slitted eyelids, I watched two of the hottest guys I’d seen yet race into the surf. They hit the water together, raising a cloud of spray, then surfaced to embrace each other, laughing. As I watched, they toppled over into the sea again and came up for air a few feet apart. Had I ever wanted to play like that with a female lover? I didn’t remember a time, if there’d actually been one.

The longer I watched the couple romp, the more jealous I became. Not the kind of jealousy that makes a man do incredibly stupid things; it was more the sad kind. I didn’t know them, but I envied their joy in each other as they cavorted like dolphins in the growing surf.

A bright splash of neon blue caught my eye—swim trunks worn by an attractive fellow headed for the water. Classically built, tall, with broad shoulders that tapered to more slender hips, his skin was fair for someone with such dark hair. Feeling safe behind my reflective sunglasses, I admired what there was of his butt.

I wondered if he had on a good sunscreen. He’d be a crispy critter in fifteen minutes, if not. Maybe I should go offer him mine. He appeared to be alone. I watched him wade into the surf, exchanging a few splashes with the happy couple before going farther out from shore.

My mystery man didn’t stay in the water long. He got wet, he got out, and trudged back across the sand, his strong legs having no trouble with the shifting sand under his feet. With an easy leap, barely a break in his powerful stride, he landed on the resort’s boardwalk and disappeared into the palm-shrouded path that led to the individual guest cottages. I glanced back at the water to find the happy couple gone.

That was that. My viewing pleasure over, I scrunched down, closed my eyes, and tried not to think of things abandoned or projects yet to complete.

I must have dozed off. I woke with a start, glancing around to find myself still alone in my island of shade. Across the sand, the blue trunks were back, and this time he’d brought a surfboard. I wondered where he found it. St. Lucia isn’t known for its surf, but there was a tropical depression gathering strength several miles out at sea. The island wasn’t supposed to get any dangerous weather because of it, but the system was responsible for kicking up the current waves.

Mr. Blue Trunks paddled out, waited for a swell large enough to ride to form, then hopped up on the board. It didn’t take him long to fall off, but he was game. After a few false starts, his technique improved, and he stayed up. After about half an hour, he rode one in as far as he could and hopped off, bringing the board in.

Delighted for the chance at additional voyeurism, I watched him dry off.

I’d pat dry that hairy chest and wipe down those pelted thighs for him. All he had to do was put his lips together and whistle.

Right. I’d run, like I always did.

He looked in my direction,