He did the same with his cheek on my neck, and we continued to dance.

Slowly as somewhere the music played, the memories faded in a painless glide into the past and the present became clear. It was Kent dancing there in my arms, his body shifting with mine. It was his strong back that my hands explored. It was his fingers that slipped into my belt loops and pulled me in just a little closer. It was Kent’s heart that was beating next to mine and the scent that wafted from the blonde hair was masculine and not light and delicate.

Kent turned his face up to look in my eyes. He smiled as he searched my face. I’m sure he could see the same thing missing that I found gone in his. The pain and heartache had gone out with the Chesapeake tide. Wrong or right, the moment was perfect. We were whole again and now could move on.

I felt this strange pull, a need, one I was not accustomed to. There was a heat mingling in the dampness that began to soothe me, dazzle me. This time, it was I who inched in just a little closer, pressing myself into him, my arms wrapping tighter, eliminating all possibility of space between us.

For the first time I felt him, really felt another man. Had it been any one else, I don’t believe I could have felt the comfort in his touch. I knew this man from the inside, and the gentle arousal I began to feel seemed simply like a completion in knowing him more. As softly as the water below us melded our lips moved together. Kent turned his face upward towards mine and I lowered myself to his.

I could feel his breath on my face as my lips only needed another moment to brush against the softness of his. There was a plop, a fish naturally jumping from the Chesapeake, or maybe it was the fabled monster of the bay. Whatever it was it drew our attention and the moment was gone. The dance ended and we turned arms still around each other’s waist until we sat as we were, feet dangling on the edge of the pier.

We sat in silence, looking at the water, only our hands between us, but this time I was very aware of the man beside me and the fact that his warmth and electricity generated from his little pinky touching mine.

“Another five seconds and I think I’d have made love to you.” I said.

Kent’s head cocked to one side, staring into the Bay. “Damned fish.”

I put my hand on his and rubbed the soft but strong hand. “Run in the morning?” I asked. He nodded his head and smiled. “I should go.” I said and stood up. I tugged on the hand I still held and pulled him to his feet facing me. We stood there just looking at each other for the longest time.

“Joe, spend the night.” There was nothing urgent about the statement, it wasn’t even a question, just like what was between us, it was just there. I took my free hand and put it on the back of his neck, his strong sinewy neck, and his face came easily to mine and we kissed. Unlike my kisses of the past, this one was tender, passionate and real.

It seemed only natural and only right, our bodies