Chapter 15

“I once had an affair with a captain’s wife,” said Abel one day while they were weaving palm leaf mats. “And then at sea, I had the captain.”

Lucien never ceased to be shocked. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d swear you were pulling my leg.”

Abel cocked his head. “I’ve had too exciting a life to have to invent stories, Lucien. But tell me, have you ever fantasized about being with another man? Before now, I mean.”

Lucien was at first reluctant to reply. Societal conditioning had made certain of that. Then he remembered who he was talking to. Who had initiated his introduction to man-to-man lovemaking just the previous night, after one or two failed previous attempts.

“I have,” he said quietly. “Many times since I’ve been on this island.”

“Why particularly on this island?”

Lucien pulled a face and shrugged. “I honestly can’t say.”