He did trust Thorne when it came to most things, boats included. He just didn’t trust him enough to admit what he really wanted. Maybe that night if the day on the water went as well as he hoped.

“You can swim, right?” Thorne asked.

“Yes.” Dash hoped he wouldn’t end up in the water, though.

“Good. I haven’t sailed in a while, but we’re on a lake, not the ocean. I doubt we’ll be testing your swimming skills.

“See that little island out there?” He pointed to what looked like nothing more than a rock and a small tree far out into the lake.

Dash nodded.

“We’re going to head for it and then anchor close by. It’s barely big enough to spread our picnic blanket on, but no one will disturb us there.”

Dash liked that idea. A lot. He was ready to get his hands on Thorne. “Aye, aye, captain.”

Thorne raised a brow. “Pirate play starting already?”

“Mutiny plans are underway.” Dash deliberately glanced toward the coils of rope on the deck.

“Sounds intriguing.”

As Thorne worked, Dash tried to convince himself he wasn’t going to be spilled into the water. Or worse, get seasick. He had a good stomach for roller coasters and such, and he could read in a car, so he had high hopes. But it wasn’t the internal pep talk that made his nervousness dissolve. It was watching Thorne move around on the boat, the muscles in his arms flexing as he tightened ropes, the view of his gorgeous ass as he checked the sails and familiarized himself with all the craft’s workings. The shorts he wore had ragged cuffs and his T-shirt was a bit too tight. He hadn’t bothered to shave that morning, and the stubble looked good on him.

“You’re fucking gorgeous like this, you know? All dressed down and scruffy.”

Thorne looked at Dash, and Dash’s chest tightened. The look of open admiration on Thorne’s face did unnerving things to Dash’s insides. “Thanks.”

“How does it feel to be in a boat again?”

Thorne smiled. “Wonderful.”

LATER THAT MORNING, with the boat anchored off the tiny island, Thorne and Dash lay on a blanket, looking up at the cloudless sky.

“When did you realize you liked men?” Thorne had wanted to ask that question for weeks now.