Colin Jacobs

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It was nice hearing the other man laugh. In a way, it was very rewarding for Bailey. He didn’t know the ins or outs of Colin’s life but a majority of the men that came to Blackstone as guests were looking to get away from something. It wasn’t always a bad thing, or anything heavy, but more often than not they all needed some form of a break. While most wouldn’t consider making a man laugh some achievement or milestone worth being proud over, Bailey was happy he was having that affect on Colin so quickly; he seemed to really need the distraction, and he was happy the man was finding it with him. “Exactly, baby steps. Losing control is more of day two type of thing.”

It made sense, hearing that the man was a model. The man was gorgeous, and had a very personable air and charm about him. He could easily see the world clamoring to for his attention and his image. “Ah, so you were a model– are a model. That makes sense, I mean just look at you.” He mused with another subtle lick of his lips. “–but don’t worry. You’re MIA. If, by any chance, I start getting erratic phone calls from people looking for you handsome I’ll tell them I’ve never even heard of ya’.”

Holding up his right hand, his index finger lifted to silently ask for a second, Bailey turned his back on the man for the first time that night and pulled open a drawer behind him. Grabbing a small, packaged chocolate mint, he teasingly turned back around and dropped it onto the bar in front of the other man. “Here, to celebrate escaping… just don’t go too crazy on me.”

For the first time since he could remember Colin found himself blushing as Bailey complimented him on his looks. His looks were part of his so called brand and he was complimented every day. However when the words came from this man it had him feeling like a blushing schoolboy. “That’s right. MIA and enjoying a delicious drink with you. Trust me there won’t be any phone calls. If there are, I’ll hang up on them.” He chuckled.

Colin looked with curiosity as Bailey turned his back on him as he turned towards the bar. When he turned back around and dropped something in front of him, Colin’s eyes twinkled. His shoulders shook with laughter. “A gorgeous man and chocolate. Damn, I must be in heaven.” He grabbed the chocolate mint as he licked his lips. Staring into Bailey’s eyes he unwrapped the mint and that’s when he stuck out his tongue, laying the mint upon it. He playfully moaned as the taste of mint exploded in his mouth. “Can’t promise anything,”

+

“You want to inflate my ego? Hey, now who’s stealing lines.” The confidence came from the training. Granted, Bailey had always been certain of himself but that was built more so on a foundation of blind determination and stubbornness; it wasn’t until he was recruited to Blackstone 17 years ago to begin his training that he really found his stride. “You know, if you want, I can probably scrounge up some chocolate for you. In fact, I was messing around with some pairings a few days ago and found a blanco tequila we have on hand that pairs insanely well with chocolate and a tiny hint of chili. Then again, maybe we should wait on that. I wouldn’t want you to lose control on me that quickly. We’ve only just met.” He laughed.

“I don’t know what you did, but I understand needing the break.” Bailey continued on with an understanding nod of his head. “Back before I started working here, years ago, I got stuck in a serious rut of tunnel-vision; working myself to the bone and focusing on nothing else just to make ends meet that I forgot how to take a second to relax. I forgot how to enjoy myself and things I wanted. If it weren’t for this place finding me? I’d probably be some lifeless zombie in a suit somewhere… needless to say, I’m glad you saw the light and got out too. You being here adds to the islands breathtaking views.” 

Colin burst out laughing as he grabbed his chest for support. Bailey was not only charming but sincerely funny. He had the model laughing more now than he had in the last two years. It was as if all the stress and the anxiety were melting away just from talking to Bailey. Listening to the bartender speak about mixing the alcohol with chocolate, it had Colin’s eyes widening and his mouth watering. This man had no idea what he was doing to him. “Baby steps then....baby steps.” Colin grinned. 

“I was a model...well AM a model. One of the most sought after ones in the industry. Which is why I haven’t had a break in almost five years. Then add in the pressure of who my publicist thinks I should be dating vs. actually being able to find a genuine relationship, I found myself going crazy. I just need some escape time. Right now I’m MIA for a time TBD.” Colin listened to the other man’s story and he grimaced. “Then you understand all too quickly.” A soft smile spread across his full lips. “You’re the best view I’ve seen in five years.”

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“Careful there, it doesn’t take much to inflate my ego,” he teased at being called the best, “–and lord knows I’m already cocky enough.” Leaning back against the shelves behind, the bartender let out a soft sigh as he settled back into place and let himself be still. Colin was the only customer he had, at the moment, so he didn’t need to run a mile a minute. “Really, tequila is what get’s you going? I knew I was going to like you.” Tequila just so happened to be Bailey’s favorite as well. Through his training he learned to appreciate all the different types of liquor and their unique complexities but there was something about the simplicity of tequila that kept him coming back. That and it was fun to shoot, especially in a body shot.

“Good, I’m glad.” He responded with an easy grin before dismissing the rest of what Colin said with a loose laugh. “It’s nice to meet you too Colin but I don’t think it’s fair for you to say it’s the greatest pleasure to meet me; at least not yet anyway.” Another wink, another smile. Bailey knew how to force a flirt for a good tip, or to brighten someone’s mood, but so far this entire interaction had been genuine; Bailey was flirting because he wanted to, not because he was supposed to.

“So, handsome, what brings you to our little slice of paradise? I’ve been here for… awhile and I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. I’d definitely remember meeting you…”

“Maybe I want to inflate your....ego.” Colin teased back as he watched Bailey’s every move. There was something so confident about the way he moved and acted. He seemed so sure of himself and that had Colin’s attention. He chuckled. “What can I say, I’m a simple man and tequila does it for me.” He held his hands out. While working as a model he wore complicated clothing and participated in complicated photo shoots, when it came down to it behind the scenes the real Colin was rather simple. He was nothing like what people saw in magazines and in commercials. 

“Trust me of all the pleasures I’ve experienced of late, meeting you is in the top 2. Eating some chocolate is also in that top 2.” He teased and winked again. “Now mixing the two greatest pleasures, hey I won’t be able to control myself.” He held his hands out, palms up as he teased. Colin didn’t know what possessed him to flirt like this but it felt genuine and just right. It had been a long time since he flirted and he felt a bit rusty. He hoped he was doing alright.

“I got tired of work. It was dragging me down. Creeping into my personal life. I needed a break, desperately. I needed a recharge. So I heard about this place and thought I’d try it out.” Colin answered honestly. 

+

Honestly, Bailey didn’t know what he liked more about Blackstone; the breathtaking, mesmerizing views that surrounded them at all times or the gorgeous men that flocked to the island to work or escape– or both. The man before him was definitely no exception; handsome in all the right ways, every bit the basis of Bailey’s type. “See, that’s one of my talents as a bartender,” he teased as he offered the man a quick wink. “I have an uncanny ability of being able to pick out when people need a drink.”

Pushing away from the surface, an amused smile still settled on his lips, Bailey immediately grabbed a bottle of Patrón Silver and set a shot glass out on the bar between them. “I don’t know if it’s your line, pretty sure I’ve been using it for years handsome, but we can argue about custody over it some other time. Right now we have more important things to worry about; like getting you to actually enjoy yourself.” For emphasis, Bailey poured up a shot of Tequila and placed it in front of the other man before starting to actually make him a drink. Seeing as he had already grabbed the Tequila, he stuck with that as his base liquor and put together a quick Paloma; a cocktail that mixed the subtle, citrus flavor of fresh lime juice with the warm, summery sweet flavor of grapefruit juice over the tequila and a dash of salt. 

“Here you go. It’s a Paloma– and if you like it my names Bailey. If you don’t? You can call me Chuck.”

For the first time in a long time Colin found himself smiling, really smiling. This wasn’t some industry event where he had to fake his emotions. He genuinely was enjoying himself in the company of this man. He found himself licking his lips as he saw the wink and the smile. He found himself feeling shivers and that was something he hadn’t felt in years. “You have quite the talent there.  Makes me think you’re the best.”

Colin watched the man work. It was if it all came as second nature to him. The way he mixed the ingredients and made sure everything was right. When he slid the shot of tequila over to him, Colin had to grin. If there was one thing to loosen him up it was tequila. Tossing his head back he downed the shot. It hit the spot and instantly he felt the warmth of the alcohol spreading through his body. He licked his lips again. “Nothing like tequila to start me up.” Now it was his turn to wink. 

As he was handed the drink, he looked up at Bailey as he took a sip. Instantly he could taste the flavor and he loved it. “This is extraordinary Bailey. I’m Colin, and it’s the greatest pleasure to meet you.”

THIS IS PARADISE DARLING, TAKE A LOAD OFF // open

LOCATION: one of the beach front bars

Throwing a clean towel over his right shoulder, Bailey began restocking his section of the bar; setting everything up how he liked it from organizing the mixers by popularity, the liquors alphabetically, and making sure he had clean glassware available and ready to use. As if on queue, right as he finished, he noticed someone moving towards him out of the corner of his eyes.

Showtime.

Standing up straight, smoothing out the front of his shirt that was just tight enough, he put on his award winning smile and looked up at the man now standing before him. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he mused with a quick, subtle lick of his lips as he pushed away from the shelves behind him to move closer to the bar; removing some of the space between them. “You look like you could use a drink. You do know you’re in paradise, right?” 

Letting the tease linger for a second, he then leaned forward and placed his hands on the counter between them for support. “I don’t do this for everyone, but let me get your night started off right for you. What can I get ya’? First ones on me…”

For the millionth time Colin asked himself what he was doing here. When he said he was tired of the phoniness and the pressure to date the right people, he meant it. Yet coming here was done on a whim. When was the last time he did something for himself? For years everything he did was for his career.  He sacrificed relationships and even pleasure for his career. Now he was in a place where none of that mattered. He was here to enjoy himself.

Approaching the bar, Colin saw one of the most sexiest men he had ever seen. He couldn’t keep the smile from his face. Yet he knew he had to play it cool. He couldn’t come off as desperate. That would be pathetic. Don’t want to alert everyone that its been awhile since he had some actual social human interaction. He sat down and chuckled at the man’s words. “Yeah I could use a good stiff drink about now.” His eyes twinkled as he let them roam over the man in front of him. 

His brows rose at the offer and an amused smirk appeared on his face. “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” He leaned over the bar a little. “Make you a deal. You buy me the first drink and I’ll give you my name then we see where it goes from there?”