Chapter 29

“Hi, I’m Cooper Jenison,” said the handsome man, extending his hand.

Derrick took the hand in his. The connection was immediate and intense. There are those dividing moments that change a person forever. Once they occur the life is divided into before and after. For Derrick this was that moment. From now on everything would be referenced into before Cooper and since Cooper.

For a few seconds Derrick didn’t say anything. He stood holding Cooper’s hand in his, staring into soft brown eyes, basking in the radiation of the warm inviting smile. His immediate thought was to say, ‘I love you.’ But, he was so astonished at the idea he merely said, “I’m Derrick.”

Three hours later they lay on the floor of Cooper’s rustic cabin in front of a roaring fire in the free standing fireplace, sharing in the afterglow of great sex. They were on a blanket Cooper had spread on the floor, facing one another, each leaning on a hand and a crooked elbow. Their legs were still intertwined.