Please send any comments to me. I like getting the feed back. Also, if anyone from the UK should happen to read this, I could use some help on locations in England and Scotland.
Dan Rimshot@planetaccess.com ICQ# 65086797
The truth about Caymen 9:
Deidre McCandles stood at the bottom of the stairs with her hands on her hips. Outside, a car horn honked again. "Boys!" She shouted, "Cody and Randy are waiting! Get down here right now, or you'll be late for your last day of school!" Her Scottish accent had become very prevalent, warning anyone who could hear it that she was not to be trifled with.
Caymen and Merit pounded down the stairs towards the door, stopping to kiss her on the cheek as they passed by. She shooed them out the door, then stood at the window and watched as she left. Her demeanor changed, and she hurriedly moved into the kitchen and started cleaning.
Forty-five minutes later there was a knock at the door, and with a glance at the wall clock, she went to the door. "Oh, Rick, you're right on time. Please come in." She moved aside to let Merit's uncle in. He set three suitcases on the floor.
"I have it arranged with the Blakes. They still think they won a two week vacation to Hawaii, and I told them we'd be very happy to take Randy with us to Yellowstone." He smiled and dusted off his hands. "Not bad, huh?"
"Oh, I do admire a little larceny." Deidre showed him the bags she'd packed, and where to find the cat carrier. She picked up Baggy and held the cat up to her face. "Don't you go spoilin' my surprise, your majesty, or I'll feed you to the fishes." The cat blinked serenely, and Deidre placed her in the cage.
Rick started taking bags out to the van he'd rented. Deidre went to the kitchen counter and wrote a note for the boys:
Gentlemen,
Have gone to the airport. Could use some help getting something Moving. Very large, please bring Cody and Randy to help. Bring only one car, so I don't have to pay extra parking. No need for anyone to call, I cleared it with their parents.
Grandma
P.S. Hurry up, so we can eat afterwards.
She read over the note and chuckled to herself. She ran around the house checking lights and windows, turned of the furnace, and then had Rick recheck all of her work. Satisfied, they put Baggy in the van and drove off.
At one pm, Caymen crashed through the door laughing, followed by the other three. "Hello!" He called, stopping at the fridge for a coke. It was empty. "What the hell?"
Merit walked over to the counter and picked up the note, then handed it to Caymen. "What did she order that came in at the airport?" Merit looked up and noticed Caymen looking into the fridge. "Why is the fridge empty?"
"I don't have a clue." Caymen took the note from Merit, then handed it to the others. "Well, I guess we're headed for Salt Lake. C'mon, we can grab something on the way. They followed him out to the cougar and piled in.
Following the address on the note, they found themselves in an area removed from the main hangers. Overnight delivery trucks went by, and several caravan rigs loaded with boxes. Caymen found the hangar they were looking for and parked near someone's rental van. "You guys see a door?" He asked, walking around the side of the large metal building.
"Maybe around the front?" Cody volunteered, pointing. They followed him around a corner, and there was Rick and Grandma standing near a small office. A man dressed like a pilot cleared his throat and pointed towards the boys.
"OH, there's my lads now." She positively beamed as she accepted a hug from Caymen. "Any longer, and we'd have to cause a fuss."
"So what do we need to move?" Randy asked hesitantly.
"Oh, it'll move fine now that you're all here." Deidre was enjoying her joke immensely as she led them out of the hangar. Merit looked at Cody, and then at Rick, who seemed very smug about something. "Why do I feel like I've been had?" He asked to no one in particular.
"Because you have." Rick laughed.
They turned left out of the hangar, and there stood a glistening Learjet, engines running. Caymen looked at it and folded his arms. "We have to unload this something?"
"No, son. We have to get in it." Deidre stopped and turned around, realizing she wasn't being followed anymore. "Have you heard of a little tradition they have here called a senior trip?"
"A what?" Cody asked, looking at his father.
"We're taking you guys on a trip." Rick smiled and waved them towards the small set of steps to the plane.
"You're shittin' me." Merit grinned. "We're going on that?"
"Not if you don't hurry up." Deidre waved them in. Randy stood back and watched, confused. He was positive that his mom and dad wouldn't let him go, even over night. He had no money, no ride home.
Rick sensed his confusion and walked over. "I know what your thinking. I cleared it with your parents. Lets go."
"Really?" Randy was shocked, but allowed him self to be lead to the plane. Fear swept him as he climbed in, and he could feel his insides tingle. There was a seat for him near Cody, and he sat down, unable to believe what was going on.
A lady in a uniform helped close the door, and over the ceiling speakers they heard the pilot request permission to depart. Caymen looked suspiciously at his grandmother but said nothing. The plane began to roll, and Merit and Cody talked back and forth animatedly. Randy looked wide-eyed out the window by his chair.
"You'd better lift that blanket off. Someone's not going to be happy in a minute." Deidre leaned over and spoke quietly to Caymen, pointing at the large covered box near his chair. She deliberately ignored the looks he was giving her.
Caymen pulled up the blanket and a relieved little mind touched his. "Baggy!" He gasped, pulling her out into his lap. He realized that Deidre had thought of everything, and sent her a silent apology. She smiled and patted his knee.
The jet stopped near the runway for a minute, then the pilot gunned the engines, sending them on their way. Merit could tell by the sun that they were headed south. He accepted a soda from the stewardess, then turned to his uncle. "Rick, where exactly are we going?"
"Yeah, Pop. I've never been kidnapped by my own dad before." Cody joined in. All of the boys looked alternately at Rick and Deidre.
"I'm not telling you." The man laughed, waving his finger. "Everyone of you little shits ruined Christmas at one time or another by peaking, and this time you're getting a surprise."
"Quite right." Deidre chimed in. "Not to mention that he doesn't know, so please don't hound him."
"Will you tell me, Grandma?" Caymen's voice dripped with honey, and he batted his eyes at her.
"Grandma indeed. Who was worried that I'd forgotten his beloved cat just moments ago." She scoffed. "You'll all find out when we get there. Now you'll just have to converse for a few hours, and let be."
Lunch was served to them, consisting of sandwiches and salads. Caymen remarked that the food was certainly better than any airline food he'd ever had. Randy swallowed and laughed. "It's the only airline food I ever had. I've never been this close to a jet, let alone flown in it." It was almost painful to sit still because of his excitement.
After they ate, the copilot came back and allowed each of them to take his seat for a while so he and the Captain could trade places and eat. Merit looked out the windscreen at the ground and listened to the radio traffic. After a few minutes, Caymen took his place but didn't stay long. His height made the cockpit uncomfortable. Cody was next, followed by Randy, who stayed the longest.
Three and a half hours later, they descended into Florida. They buzzed back and forth, pressing their faces to the windows and pointing out what they saw. Miami International was very busy, and they circled for twenty minutes before landing. Baggy growled and clawed at Caymen's leg as the wheels thumped down. As they rolled towards the hangars, he put her back in her box, mentally reassuring her.
They were met by a white passenger van. Two young men in crisp white uniforms loaded their luggage into a pickup truck as they boarded the van. They talked non-stop as they passed through town, pointing and laughing. Before long they passed the city limits.
Caymen glanced at his grandmother, wondering where they were headed, but she ignored him, favoring him with a smug smile. They neared an enormous complex of docks, and several ships could be seen. They passed most of them before turning down a smaller dock. At the end sat a long glistening yacht.
"Holy shit!" Randy burst out. "A re we going on that small cruise ship?"
"That is not a cruise ship, laddy. That is a yacht." Deidre informed him with false gravity. "That is the Sea Candle. It belonged to Caymen's grandfather, and to his father."
All eyes turned to Caymen, and he looked at his grandmother. "That was dad's boat?"
She nodded. "We have a lot to discuss over the next little while, Caymen." She said quietly. "I want you to see a lot of your father's things."
They stopped near a small building and got out. "Listen up, boys." Rick held up his hands for their attention. "In here, they'll give us passports. Do exactly as your told, okay?"
When he was done, Randy walked out the door and stopped with Cody. "Are you nervous?" He asked, wiping his hands on his pants. "I know my parents would shit if they knew I just got a passport."
"Didn't you just turn eighteen?" Cody asked.
"Duh, you were at the party."
"Then what's the prob, dude?" He put his arm around Randy's shoulders and led him over to where the others were coming out. "God you worry a lot, Ran."
"Boys, we're going aboard now, but I wanted to give you some information first." Deidre said, placing all of their passports in her purse.
"Bout time." Caymen mumbled, earning him a swat from Merit.
"This ship has been in our family for generations. I was married on it in nineteen forty-one. Caymen's parents were married on it. The Captain is a dear friend, and I would appreciate it if you not give him fits. Have fun, but be gentlemen." Deidre led them up the gangway.
An older man in a crisply starched uniform and heavily braided cap walked to the top of the ramp and took Deidre's hand. "Lady McCandles, it is a pleasure to see you again after all these years." He said in a very British accent.
Deidre waved her free hand dismissively. "Please, Robert. Let's not be formal." She hugged him briefly and began to introduce the kids. Caymen stepped up and shook hands.
"My god, Lady Deidre. It's like seeing his father's ghost." The Captain patted Caymen's shoulder. "Your father was a fine man and a gentleman, boy. I'm very pleased to meet you."
"Thanks." Caymen said, meaning it.
They were taken to the passenger deck and shown to the salon. The chief steward and two crewmen attended the luggage. Caymen and Merit led the chase through the rooms, exploring. Every room was done in oak or mahogany or teak, and contained expensive furnishings.
They ran out on deck and searched the open spaces, taking it all in. The Candle, as the crew knew her, was two hundred fifty three feet long, had a pool towards the aft end, and private sun decks for each stateroom. A shore launch was cradled in an enclosed bay, along with six personal watercraft.
Everything gleamed. There was polished brass everywhere, and all exterior walls were bright clean and white. The bridge was a marvel of modern navigational equipment and TV screens. The ship's wheel was spotless, made of oak.
"Lady Deidre," A crewman walked up to where she and Rick stood watching the boys. "The Captain's compliments. We're cleared to leave, and he asks if you'd like to come to the bridge?"
"That's a good idea. Come along, Rick. Maybe they'll let us drive." She said, following the man.
"I'm beginning to think they'll let you do about anything." Rick shook his head and followed.
Caymen stood at the rail in front of the bridge windows and held Merit's hand. A thrill ran through him as the watched the lines pulled in. It was almost imperceptible, bit they started to inch forward. A warm breeze came to their faces, and Cody whooped loudly, waving to the people on the dock.
Merit couldn't help it. He was so happy right this second, right here in this spot, with the one that he loved, that he felt a tear run down his cheek. It was overwhelming. Caymen glanced at him and wiped away the tear with his thumb. He leaned in and kissed merit, wrapping his arm around him.
The ship picked up speed, and they watched as the docks receded behind them. They had to be pulled off the observation deck by Deidre. It was getting dark as they went inside for dinner. Two crewmen served them clam chowder and hot fresh bread. They ate like wolves, unaware that they had been so hungry.
After dinner they sat on the comfortable couches and listened to Deidre tell them about the family and the ship. Baggy made herself comfortable between Merit and Caymen and touched up her fur in long purring licks. Caymen scratched he head as they listened.
"Caymen, I want you to know that I've raised you with your father's wishes." Deidre sat he teacup on a table. "He wanted you raised with the belief that you were just like every one else, and not like those snots in Scotland. You see, he knew that there would be a day when you would claim your birth right, and that time is here."
Caymen sat up a little straighter in his seat, surprised by his grandmother's seriousness. "Your friends don't know this, and neither do you, but in a few days you and I meet with Lord Geoffrey Tammic McCandles, the head of our family's estate. You need to know a few things first, which is why I arranged this trip first."
"Your uncle, Marrin McCandles, died last month of a heart attach. When you meet Tammic, it will be as the head of the McCandles family, and to be briefed on its current state." Deidre sipped at her tea, then held up her hand to stall off questions. "I will entertain questions when I finish. For now, everyone please just listen."
"A week ago, I received a large envelope from Scotland. It contained our holdings, records, and plans for the coming year." Deidre sighed deeply before continuing. "Along with this yacht, which your father dearly loved, your net worth as of last Monday was over one billion pounds sterling. They investments that your grandfather and father managed for you have nearly doubled in the last five years, and it is my wish that you learn about them, and have a hand in managing them."
Everyone was stunned. Caymen felt like the room had moved under him, and he noticed Merit, Randy, and Cody looking at him with their jaws in their laps. Caymen tried to breath, but it felt like there was a heavy weight on his chest. He tried to reach for his drink casually, nearly toppling it.
"It's a terrible burden, my love, but one you can manage. I feel very strongly that these dear friends you've made will one day make keen advisors, and that you are a good man, a man of the people, and that you will always do the right thing."
"Holy shit." Merit whispered. He put his hand on Caymen's, finding it very cold. Caymen looked at him, and his eyes were very distant. He heard Cody whisper to Randy, but not what was said.
"I'm really tired. Can we go to bed?" Caymen said finally. They were shown to their rooms by an attendant, saying quiet good nights as they parted. Deidre and Rick stayed in the parlor and talked quietly.
Merit found their luggage in one of the rooms. Caymen closed the door and leaned against it, watching Merit sort through the bags. The room was large, with a private bath and walk-in closet on one end, the bed in the middle, and a table and chairs, desk, and sliding glass door on the other end. It was decorated in oak, with forest green carpet and bedclothes.
Caymen went to the sliding door and stepped out onto the deck. He leaned heavily on the rail, listening to the hiss of the ocean going by the ship's hull. It was still warm, and he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. After a moment he felt Merit's arms around him.
"You don't exactly look like the happiest rich kid I ever met." Merit nuzzled Caymen's neck, causing him to lean back against him. "In fact, you seem more than just a little unimpressed."
"I was happy before she said that, Mer. It's irrelevant." Caymen felt himself relax under Merit's strong fingers as they rubbed his back. "It's like 'cool, I have money', but I had you already." Merit's fingers undid the buttons of his shirt, then grazed lightly on his chest.
"I'm worth more anyway." Merit whispered in his ear, then bit his earlobe gently. Caymen groaned and arched his back against Merit, feeling his hand slip down his pants. "It's the air, Cay. You gotta know it's the air." Merit kissed him on the lips, wrapping his hand around the lower parts. "It makes me crazy."
Caymen turned and put his hands on Merit's shoulders, pushing him back into their room and onto the bed. The link sprang to life between them, and Caymen tore Merit's shirt open and off, throwing the pieces in separate directions. Merit pulled his own shirt off and let it follow.
"You're my treasure." Caymen breathed into Merit's ear, sending shivers up his spine. Merit fumbled with the zipper on Caymen's denim shorts and slid them off, feeling Caymen's hardness on his inner thigh. Caymen rolled into the middle of the bed and watched as Merit threw his shorts at the wall and pounced.
They explored with their tongues and lips for almost an hour, never wanting to hurry. Caymen purred as Merit licked his lower back, and he responded by clutching Merit's balls. Merit turned around and stretched out flat against him, then gently entered.
Caymen grunted, clawing at the sheets. He felt Merit encircle his waste, rubbing him with the same rhythm he had started with thrusts. It was an unspoken agreement that they would arrive together, the link providing them with the urges and feelings of the other. Merit felt him self get ahead, and slowed his pace, gently increasing the tempo on Caymen.
Caymen groaned and curled his toes, holding off just a second longer. Merit grunted, unable to stop, releasing load after load into Caymen. Cay shot across their hands, yowling as his stomach knotted. Several seconds later, he could finally relax, spent. He felt Merit's heavy breathing on his shoulders, and enjoyed the feeling of Merit still in him.
Caymen woke up stuck to the covers with Merit still in him. Carefully, but with his nose wrinkled, he pulled away. Baggy looked up from a chair near the bathroom. He patted her head as he passed. After relieving himself, he got in the shower, setting the water hot. Huge white towels were on a steamed warmer rack, and he toweled off as he went into the main room.
Merit still gently snored in the early morning sun. Caymen stopped and watched him, just enjoying the view. After a moment, he rummaged in his bag and found his Speedo, grateful to his grandma for packing it. He found a white cotton shirt and a pair of sandals, then summoned Baggy with a thought as he pulled the door shut. He put the cat on his shoulder and made his way out into the sun.
Rick sat at the end of a table sipping coffee. A shade canopy covered the open deck, which looked out over the pool. He waved as Caymen came trough the door. "Coffee?" Caymen nodded, then took the offered cup. "So how is the poor little rich kid today? Sleep good?"
"I don't feel any different than I did yesterday." Caymen said, knowing that Rick was kidding him, but irritated anyway.
"You're a decent person, Caymen. You don't need to worry."
"Thanks." Caymen turned and Rick looked up. Cody came out, shielding sleep puffed eyes from the sun. He wore a T-Shirt, long jeans, and boots. Caymen couldn't help but chuckle. So did Rick.
"Boy, are you gonna be hot in an hour, buddy." Rick tisked. "I packed you some shorts. Why are you in warm clothes?"
"'Cause I forgot where I was." Cody said grumpily, sitting down hard in one of the chairs. "I woke up on a fuckin' boat, and forgot to put on shorts, okay?"
Caymen laughed out loud, earning him the finger from Cody. Rick couldn't help himself and laughed also. Cody shook his head and stood up, sticking his tongue out at them, then walking back into the hallway.
"I shouldn't laugh. I didn't know where I was for a second either." Rick shook his head.
"Yeah, but did you try to drive to work?"
"No." Rick wiped his eyes. "I hope I really packed his shorts though."
"OH, would you hear about it." Caymen looked up and noticed Randy slowly shuffling down the hall. He had on swim trunks and a tank top, but seemed to have trouble getting his eyes open. "Hey, stranger. I think you oughta open at least one eye before you hit the end of the boat."
"It's a ship, not a boat." Randy sat down and took a cup of coffee. "Why was Cody mumbling to himself going into his cabin?" Caymen and Rick snickered, and Randy eyed them warily. "Okay, I'm guessing he came out here."
They ate a breakfast of eggs and ham, toast and coffee. Cody reappeared in his swimsuit, trailed by Merit in his. It was decided that they would naturally swim after breakfast. They splashed and hollered, throwing a small beach ball. It went out of the pool, and Rick kicked it back in.
They thought about sunscreen about an hour to late, each of them earning reddened sensitive shoulders. Caymen disgustedly threw the bottle of tanning oil on the chair. "This is bullshit. We're going to be in the sun for the next however many days. I'm gonna get my tan going now so I don't burn." With that he pulled off his suit and plopped onto a sun chair, rubbing oil on his stomach and legs.
"Uh, boys. Before you do anything stupid, like incinerate yourselves, stop and think?" Rick asked, watching them watch Caymen.
Merit tore his suit off and sat down, picking up the bottle from his chair. Randy looked at Cody, who was looking at him, and blushed. He took his suit off, self-consciously hating Caymen for starting this. He took the bottle from Merit and poured it in his hand. He noticed several things real fast. First, he was almost as well hung as they were, ending his inferiority complex about dick size, and that he was ten times more white than any of them. God, was he going to burn. Oh, well, fuck it.
Cody looked at his dad, smiled shyly, and pulled off his suit. He rubbed oil on Randy's back, then had it rubbed on him. Randy's hands felt wonderful, and he leaned forward abruptly, not wanting an accidental showing.
Rick sighed and pulled his suit off, joining them. They chatted as they turned over and baked, rolled onto their sides, and burned.
By lunch the damage was done, and each of them except Rick appeared at the table in lightweight bathrobes found in their cabins. Rick had used a lot of sunscreen, and had gone in before the others. Deidre looked around the table at them with a smug smile.
"I am guessing, gentlemen, that the reason you are attired in robes is that you have damaged areas that rarely see the sun?" She sipped at her iced tea, looking into their faces. "One would gather that four such bright, reasonable lads would show more intelligence than to burn areas that might need clothing later."
"Gees, Grandma. You're laying it on kinda thick, aren't you?" Caymen asked, leaning back, then sitting back upright as the chair stung his back.
"And you, my child, would be able to lean back if you had put it on more thickly, wouldn't you?" She smiled sweetly, ignoring the titters around the table. "Listen to that, won't you. The lemmings are laughing at each other as they run off the cliff."
"Okay, okay, I get the message." Merit grumbled. They went inside, leaving Deidre and Rick at the table laughing. Bored, they decided to explore, and found a huge sort of family room one deck down. There was a pool table, dartboard, shelves of books, and a large TV with video games. A crewman brought them a tray of snacks and cokes, then left.
Caymen took off his robe and threw it over a chair. The A/C was on, and it felt great on his singed skin. The others followed suit, and they started playing pool. Cody bent to make a shot, then looked up as a thought occurred to him. "I just figured something out. I never played naked pool before, and specially not with guys."
Caymen chuckled. "You can put your robe on if you want. I'm not."
"Naw, it's not like I'm turned on or nothin'." Cody straightened up and chalked his que. "I just forgot to be embarrassed, that's all."
"Why be embarrassed." Merit sipped at his coke and set it down. "Caymen has me so used to it, I never thought about it."
Caymen noticed Randy turning furiously red and knew that he was having a hard time seeing Cody naked. They'd known each other more than two months, had been attracted to each other the whole time, but had never discussed it, even though they'd become friends. He sent calming thoughts to Randy, who visibly relaxed.
Cody won, putting the eight ball in the corner nearest him. They decided to play videos, but tired of that quickly. Randy yawned and grabbed his robe and put it on.
"I'm going to my room for awhile. I think the sun burn wore me out." He went up the stairs.
Merit easily beat Cody at Tomb Raiders, and Cody stood up and stretched with a wince. "I think I'll lay down." He mumbled, throwing his robe over his shoulders. Merit went to stand up, but felt Caymen's hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and Caymen shook his head no.
When Cody was gone, Merit turned to see Caymen smiling and looking at the ceiling. Merit looked up, and felt Caymen opening the link. They could feel Cody's excitement as he stopped at his own door, looked across the hall at Randy's, then warred with himself about whether or not to knock on it.
Merit was about to reach out to Cody with a little courage when Caymen stopped him. He looked into Caymen's eyes. "Let them do it." Caymen whispered, and Merit nodded.
Up in the family quarters, Cody bit his lip, turned back to his door, began to turn it, then stopped. He glanced at Randy's door, then down the hall both ways, feeling sweat on his palms. With a ragged sigh, he stepped over to Randy's door and knocked quietly, prepared to immediately go into his room if there wasn't an answer.
"Yeah?" Randy's tired voice came from within, making Cody's heart hammer in his chest. He swallowed hard, then opened the door.
"Do you, uh...I mean, do you know where....I can, uhm, find some aspirin?" Cody stammered. He had forgotten to think up something to say. Damn it!
Randy was spread out on his bed, his robe thrown on the floor. He sat up, surprised and excited by his visitor. "Maybe there's some in the medicine cabinet." He crawled off the bed and headed for the bathroom. He stopped at the door and watched Cody peek into the hall and close the door.
"You don't have to wear that in here. I won't be embarrassed." Randy said, pointing at the robe. He turned into the bathroom and frantically searched for aspirin. He found it, shook a couple out into his hand, and poured a glass of water from the tap.
"Thanks." Cody accepted the pills and washed them down, watching as Randy crawled back onto the bed.
"Wanna stay here and rest for awhile? I put the air on real cold." Randy scooted over and made room, trying not to be obvious about looking Cody over. Cody was tall and slim, but very well defined. He had a farmer's tan, with his skin turning white near his shoulders on his arms. His short hair war light brown and buzz cut, accenting his angular face.
Cody looked Randy over, too, as he climbed onto the bed and stretched out. Randy came up to Cody's chin, but was muscular, looking a lot like the Tasmanian devil in the cartoons. His narrow waist led to a well-tapered torso, cut and chiseled naturally.
They lay there in silence, feeling each second tick by. Randy accidentally touched Cody's leg, and their eyes met. Cody almost looked away, but couldn't. He knew he wanted when he came in, and he couldn't stop now.
Randy looked into Cody's deep brown eyes, and felt himself falling forward. Their lips met very lightly, then with slightly more authority. He felt Cody's hand across his chest, and he fought the urge to flinch from the sunburn. Cody's tongue touched his, and he opened his mouth wide to let it in.
Caymen looked at Merit and held his hand up for a high five. They played chess in the great room, waiting for the sun to go down a little so they could get back in the pool.