Page 20 of Wolf's Whistle
Both Julio and Sean chimed in with one word, “Ian.”
“Ian did that? He should be in interior design, not house painting.” Richard examined the wall. “Not only is it perfectly executed but it blends well with the cool blue tones in the rest of the room. This whole house is gorgeous.”
“Ian didn’t do all of it, just the painting. Julien is talented. He inherited the gay decorating gene as did Armand and Marc. You’ll see all of the houses at lunch.” Sean looked around the room.
Richard picked up his wallet from the wooden dressing table. “This room is decorated for the governess, so it’s a little feminine, but I like it.” He put on his watch and headed for the door.
Julio grabbed him by the arm. “You know, Julien likes you.”
“I like Julien too, he’s a good person. Hadn’t we better get going? Armand said he made an appointment.” Richard took another step toward the door.
“We don’t mean that kind of like, we mean like as in boyfriend like.” Sean gave him a pointed look.
“He barely knows me.” Richard scoffed.
“The family makes up their mind quickly about things like that. Sean was married within three days of meeting Armand. It took Etienne three weeks, but I was in the hospital. After we got home, it was two days.”
“If he expects me to jump in bed with him, I’m going to have to leave.” Richard’s stomach knotted.
“No, it’s not like that. Julien’s trying to woo you. I see you got peaches this morning.” Julio smiled, and Sean seemed speculative.
“I like him, boyfriend like, too. But it’s too soon. I need to find my feet.” Richard’s knew his tone wasn’t as adamant as it was when he first started to speak on the subject. He reallylikedJulien. Somehow Julien understood him on more than a surface level.
“He won’t expect you to jump into bed with him. Our family waits until marriage to make love. You don’t have to be afraid of that. But you’ll be climbing the walls soon enough.” Sean smiled brightly. “Keep us informed of progress.”
Richard felt the flush on his face. “Eh…yeah.”
Julio pushed Sean on the arm. “Don’t rush him. Julien isn’t Armand, and Richard isn’t you.”
“Yeah, too true. I was easy.” Sean giggled.
“Now can we go downstairs? Sean, your husband doesn’t strike me as the patient type.” Richard headed for the door.Why didn’t I tell them the engagement story he told Detective Stawski? I don’t want to share that yet in case he does like me that much. It’s too soon. I wish we were going to the store alone.
§ § §
Sean, Julio, and Richard took the elevator back to Julien’s suite, and the men were waiting in the sitting room for them.
“What took you so long?” scolded Armand.
“We had to tell Richard something aboutlunch.” Sean had his nose up in the air.
“Oh,lunch, that’s code for ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies.” Armand clapped Sean on the back. “Let’s go, baby.”
“We’ll stop at Mr. Abbott’s. Armand and I don’t need to go to Barney’s because Julien will know what to get there. You’ll need temporary shoes,” Sean said as they all climbed into Armand’s limousine.
“I can wear my old ones to the office in the meantime.” Richard smiled.
“You’re going to the office?” Both of Julio’s brows shot up.
“Well, if Julien is going to be my mentor, how can I learn anything if I don’t go to the office with him?”
“We don’t need to stop at Barneys for suits, mon ange, just casual clothes. I’m on vacation for two weeks.” Julien sat next to Richard in the limousine and put his arm around the back of his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I’m keeping you from your vacation plans,” Richard said in consternation.
“Don’t worry, mon ange, I’m right where I want to be.” Julien squeezed his shoulder, and Richard had to stop himself from putting his head down on Julien’s arm.
Why am I so attracted to him?
