Dean, a struggling financial analyst from New York City, embarks on a vacation to Cape Cod to get away from the daily grind. Right from the start, the vacation seems to be a disappointment. At first he doesn’t meet anybody interesting, and then, to make matters worse, the wrong kind of person. When a group of guys invite him to join them at a local bar, Dean’s luck -- and possibly his future -- changes immediately. Dynamic Marco, a travel planner from Boston, doesn’t take no for an answer. With his charming Italian looks and compelling character, he pursues Dean and quickly wins him over. They spend the rest of Dean’s vacation together, but Marco wants more. Too soon, Dean’s vacation comes to an end. Both Dean and Marco are determined to continue their dalliance, but the odds are stacked against them, and they are left with all the challenges of a long-distance romance. As both men are equally committed to their jobs, will they be able to overcome the distance and differences separating them, especially when Dean starts to have doubts about Marco’s carefree lifestyle? Do they have a future together?

Nine Days in Provincetown

“Let me get you a bowl of warm water to soak it in,” said Marco, hurriedly getting up and rushing off to the kitchen. The sight of this naked man rushing off to wait on him could only make Dean smile. The evening would be salvaged somehow.


A few minutes later Marco came back with a large bowl of water, and he gently immersed Dean’s wrist in the warm liquid. Putting his arm around him, he kissed Dean gently on the neck and said, “Please forgive me.”


“Of course, of course,” Dean smiled. “I know you didn’t mean it. I just wish you had given me a bit of warning, that’s all. It reminded me of a bad encounter I had yesterday with someone who took me by force.” He related the whole shower scene and after-lunch encounter.


“Really? Did he hurt you? I’ll go take care of him for you,” Marco said, his voice flashing with anger.


Chapter 12