EXCERPT FROM "Metamorphosis"

The walk was everything Ryker could have hoped for. The scenery was amazing, the walk was challenging, and Alejandro was a fount of information over a wide range of topics. Their conversation was easy, with no awkward silences. It's like I've known him for years, not just a day.

"Not far now." Alejandro stopped and pointed. "Just up there and around, and we'll be at the waterfall. A perfect spot for a break, a cool down, and maybe a bite or two." Alejandro grinned, displaying white, even teeth and Ryker nodded eagerly.

"Can't wait." Ryker followed Alejandro and a few minutes later stopped dead. The waterfall was right in front of him and looked amazing. Ryker got his phone out to snap a couple of photos and a selfie with the waterfall as a backdrop.

"You were right. It is beautiful." On getting no reply, Ryker turned, and needed to pick up his dropped jaw. Although he tried not to stare, or at least not openly, Ryker's gaze was riveted to Alejandro.

The other man's shirt was already on the ground. Alejandro displayed an expanse of bronze skin. His muscles were hard and lean, and Ryker barely registered that Alejandro had turned to face him, too engrossed in imagining licking across the flat plates of the man's chest and following the trail of dark hair down to where it disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans.

Ryker had a second or two to see Alejandro's wicked grin before Alejandro turned, unfastened his jeans, then bent forward to take off his boots, presenting Ryker with a superb view of toned, bare buttocks.

"Thought you were anxious to swim in a waterfall." Alejandro cocked his head. "Why are you still dressed?"

"I am. I'm not." Ryker nodded as he scrambled to unfasten his own jeans.

"Well, hurry up then."

"Oh ... yeah." Ryker froze in place as Alejandro turned slowly to face him, stretching his arms upward, and unashamedly allowing a full view of his body. Not that Alejandro needs to be embarrassed. He doesn't have a flabby belly like me.

Simultaneously stripping while trying to hold his stomach in, Ryker got down to his boxer briefs. He risked a glance as Alejandro, but the man's smile looked as hungry as ever. He knew he was exaggerating his faults. With all his walking, he didn't carry any spare kilos, he just lacked the six-pack that Mitch sported.

"You need to get rid of those. Skinny-dipping is far more fun." Alejandro's suddenly deeper tones seemed hotwired to his cock, and Ryker shimmied out of the underwear to stand naked and half hard.

"Let's go." Alejandro raced past Ryker and dived into the pool. As he disappeared beneath the surface, Ryker jumped in, relieved that at least he was spared that embarrassment. Diving gracefully wasn't one of his talents.

Ryker surfaced, gasping for breath, shocked at how cold the water was. Alejandro came up a couple of feet away, looking around for him.

"You didn't warn me it'd be fucking cold." Ryker glowered at Alejandro who threw his head back and laughed out loud.

"I didn't say it was a thermal pool either. You'll get used to it." Alejandro moved closer. "There are many ways to warm up."