Page 48 of It Takes Three To Tango

“Ah, I put him to work and didn’t let him have his siesta.” Rafe giggles quietly. “Does he need more rest, do you think?”

“Maybe, just never say it’s because he’s old,” I warn.

“Constantin, wake up,” he says again, but Constantin still doesn’t stir. I look around the room, my eyes stopping on a tall vase in the corner with several peacock feathers arranged in it.

I grab one, and standing behind the couch and out of reach, I hover it over his nose.

Rafe looks at me, his eyes alight.

“Do it,” he whispers and sits back a bit.

I gently tickle Constantin’s nose with the feather. His face scrunches, and he moves his face to avoid it. I tickle his nose again and he cracks an eye open. He sees Rafe first, then catches sight of the feather and me holding it beyond.

“Gilipollas,”he growls.

“What did he call us?” Rafe asks.

“He said we’re arseholes, and he’s definitely a grump when waking.”

He sits up and glares at us, his face still sleep-mussed. “I wasn’t asleep,” he protests.

“Oh. So you heard us discussing how handsome you looked then?” Rafe presses his lips together in silent laughter.

“Gillipollas,”he utters again, but there’s no bite to it, and he gives a chuckle. “Have I mentioned how beneficial a siesta is?”

“Several times.” Rafe rolls his eyes.

“Well, I don’t have time,” I say, looking at my watch. “Sofia will be arriving soon.”

I’m excited to try some new recipes and learn how she prepares a dinner party for her clients. It’s fortunate that Estrella wanted a small dinner party today so I can learn here in a familiar setting. Estrella has invited Señor Bernat and his wife. She’s also insisted that Sofia stay to eat, and with Juana there will be eight of us. I give them both a quick kiss and a promise I’ll see them soon and head to the kitchen to start preparing the food.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Constantin rubs the back of his neck.

“It’s fine. You weren’t asleep long.”

“I know.” He yawns and stretches. I yawn too.

“Do you need a break?” His mouth quirks up at one corner. I look back at the pile of diaries. We’ve barely scratched the surface, and there is so much to do, but I was starting to lose concentration. Flo’s comment earlier about starting immediately springs to mind. Am I being boring by working all the time? Loretta’s taunt echoes round my head.

“I could do with one.” I yawn again. The tiredness has crept up on me.

“C’mon.” He stands and pulls me up, too. He leads me out of the room and up the stairs.

He opens the door to his room and I stall on the threshold.

“Are we doing anything we need to ask Flo about?” I ask, and he turns to face me.

“Well, I was planning to have a nap.” He steps forward into my space. “What did you have in mind?” His voice is deep.

“Sleep?” My own voice sounds high and squeaky.

He cups my cheek and presses a soft, warm kiss on my lips. My stomach flips. If he’s going to do that, I might not be able to sleep. He smiles, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. He walks backwards to the bed, and I allow myself to be pulled along with him. He kicks off his shoes and climbs onto the bed, lying down. I lie down next to him, facing him. He scoots a little closer and kisses me again.

“Turn over,” he instructs. When I do, he puts an arm round me and pulls me in close.

“I’ve never done this before?” I say.

“Done what?” he mumbles into the back of my neck.

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