Page 37 of It Takes Three To Tango

“Hey,” I say as I stand next to him, catching his citrus and vanilla scent on the slight breeze.

“Hola,”he replies. That he’s still practising his Spanish makes my stomach flip.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I overacted. You’re free to kiss whomever you want. It’s none of my business. It’s just that I wanted it to be me.”

He turns to face me. “I’m sorry too. I never planned any of this. I just have these huge feelings inside me and I needed to let them out.”

“I... l like you a lot, Rafe, but I don’t know where I stand. I don’t know how to make any sense of this. I’m normally a one-and-done kind of guy, but I don’t want that with you.”

“I like you too. A lot. And I also like Constantin.” He closes his eyes for a second before continuing. “I’m not playing the field, trying to decide between you. What I’m asking is that we explore this together, all of us. To be honest, it scares the hell out of me, but in here—” He thumps his chest with his fist. “It feels right, and nothing has ever feltthis right in my life. I want to trust that and see where it goes.”

I can’t help but admire his sincerity and I want more than anything to be with him. That’s not even an option for me.

He lets out a small, mirthless chuckle. “And as for where anything actually goes, well, I can’t get my head round that right now either. But I’d like you to guide me and teach me—both of you.” He looks so earnest, and I smile because there couldn’t be a more Rafe-like expression for asking for help on how to figure out sex. I definitely want to help him with those lessons. I catch a fleeting thought that Constantin would be part of it, and I think back to how it felt when he held me a few minutes ago. I understand what Rafe says when he says he feels safe with him. He exudes that in bucketfuls. I could do with more of that in my life... and maybe I can get him to growl again. The thought of it sends a shiver down my spine.

Rafe has turned back to stare out across the skyline and a memory comes back to me.

“Do you know it is on this spot, the first time you came for dinner, that I decided I wanted to kiss you?”

He faces me, his eyes widen, and he smiles. “Back then?”

“Yes, and every time I’ve seen you since.”

I move closer to him. So close that I can feel his breath on my cheek.

“Can we have a do-over on that first kiss?” I whisper. “I want to try again.”

“Yes.” His breath hitches slightly.

I push him back against the balustrade and he puts his hands on my hips, pulling me closer. His lips are soft, and I take my time tasting each in turn. As I press my lips to his, he opens for me, and I slowly explore him with my tongue. He moans against my mouth, and I thrust in deeper.

I reach up and tangle my fingers in his hair, gently pulling his head back and moving to kiss down his neck to find thatsweet spot in the hollow of his neck. As he moans again, I utter “bien” against his skin, enjoying the way his body melts into me and he hums with pleasure. I work my way back up his throat and devour his beautiful lips again.

“That was perfect,” he says breathlessly as we part, and I give him a grin. It was pretty perfect for me too.

His attention moves and he looks over my shoulder. I twist and see Constantin framed by the doorway. I wave him over.

“How long have you been there?”

“Long enough.” His voice is low and husky and I feel a thrill that he’s been watching us.

Rafe doesn’t say anything and I get the feeling he’s waiting for me. I open up an arm.

“Come and join us for a hug.” I invite Constantin into a three-way hug. He steps forward and puts his arms round both of us. I lean into his warmth and Rafe leans his head on his shoulder, all the while looking at me. I see him mouth the words “thank you” to me. I still don’t know if I’m doing the right thing, but it doesn’t feel wrong, so I will trust in that and see what happens.

After a minute, I look up at Constantin. “Do you feel like playing? Because I feel like dancing.”

The night air is cool on my skin, a welcome sensation after the heat of the day. I couldn’t sleep and needed some air so I’ve come outside, only wearing my boxer shorts. I didn’t bother putting more clothes on, since I don’t expect to meet anyone else at this hour of the night. The only light comes from the glowing end of my cigarette. I’ve tried to give up, but it doesn’t matter what Estrella says, it’s not that easy. Over the last week, I’ve worked on cutting down, but it’s been a roller coaster of a day and I need something to help me relax so I can get some sleep. I finish it and contemplate another when I hear a noise behind me. I twist my head to look over my shoulder, but I can’t see who it is silhouetted against the faint light now showing behind him inside.

“You couldn’t sleep either?” he says in Spanish. It’s Florencio.

“No, I thought some air would help,” I say, and he walksover to where I’m standing. He turns and hoists himself up to sit on the flat stone wall I’m leaning against.

He draws a leg up, wrapping an arm round it, and rests his cheek on his knee. “Is it helping?”

I give a derisive snort. “Not really.”

He, too, is just wearing shorts. In the light now spilling out of the house and across the terrace, I catch sight of his lean, smooth body. He gives a sly smile; he’s caught me looking. It’s no bad thing, and after earlier today, I’m glad he doesn’t mind that I find him deeply attractive. But it just reminds me of the reason I came out here in the first place.

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