Page 20 of Sparring Partners
“Alex had some dealings with him in London, where Jonathan owned a marketing and communications agency. Apparently,” he said, lowering his voice, “according to some gossip Alex picked up, a few years back the agency wasn’t doing too well and Jonathan persuaded his business partner to sell him his half. With the other guy out of the way, Jonathan took the agency in a new direction. The rest, as they say is history. The agency went from strength to strength and Jonathan became a big noise in the sector. Alex also said there was talk of some sharp practice in the way he got the other guy to sell. He doesn’t know what, though, or whether it was just somebody stirring it. Fast forward a few years, Jonathan sold up, made a fortune, came here and bought into the rural living dream.
“I’m not sure it’s enough for him, though, because he still does consultancy work for the new owners. Just to keep his hand in, as he puts it. I reckon he’s got ambitions to be a big fish in Love’s Harbour’s small pond, but he’ll get taken down a peg or two if or when he does something to piss off the Grannies. I said he was keen,” he said quietly, “and the thing he’s most keen on is Luca.”
Adrian looked across. Jonathan was talking to Luca, his lips just a breath from Luca’s ear.Keen. The word was fingernails dragged down a blackboard. Whatever it was he was saying, Luca was listening intently. Jonathan placed his hand on Luca’s upper arm, his thumb sweeping in a gentle stroke, leaning in closer to whisper something?—
Fuck it, he was going home.
“I’ve a conference call, I’m afraid,” Jonathan called across, his lips twisting in regret.
Good luck with that. It was a bitchy thought, but Adrian didn’t care. The internet signal in the village, and for some miles around, dropped out more than it dropped in, and had defeated many a newcomer over the last few years, sending them hightailing back to London or wherever they’d escaped from.
With a quick kiss planted on Luca’s cheek, and a tight smile for Adrian, Jonathan left.
“Luca?” Ryan asked.
“I should get back. It was a nice evening when I left so the walk seemed like a good idea, but—” A rumble of thunder cut his words off. The weather, very warm and humid for the last couple of days, had broken. Luca’s face fell.
“I’ll take you back.” Adrian said the words before he could think. His chest clenched in surprise, whether at his offer or Luca’s wide eyed gratitude, he wasn’t sure.
Christ. First volunteering, although press ganged was more like it, for the veg competition, and now offering to take Luca home… What other lunacy would he surprise himself with this evening?
“That’s settled then. I’ll see you over in the pub.” A second later, Ryan was gone.
“You don’t have to do that,” Luca said. “It’s a bit out of your way. I can call Barry’s Cabs.”
“It’s okay, and it’s not out of my way. Or not much. And Barry’s lethal behind the wheel.”
“A bit like me, you mean?” Luca’s brows arched upwards.
“Well…”
“Please, do us both a favour and don’t answer that.” Luca smiled up at him. Eyes the colour of a summer sky, bright and clear, dark pink lips, the plump lower one turning red as Luca bit down on it. They were nice lips. More than nice. And so damn kissable. Adrian caught his breath as something hard slammed into his chest.
“We’re locking up now, guys.”
Adrian jumped, and swung around. The pulled together tables they’d sat around had been put back into their normal pattern, along with the chairs. He hadn’t even noticed.
“We’d best go,” Luca murmured.
Nodding his agreement, Adrian followed Luca to the door. Looking over his shoulder, Declan was watching them leave, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.
CHAPTERTEN
They made it to The Fisherman’s Arms just in time to avoid a drenching. As they entered, Ryan beckoned them over to the bar, to join Joss and his fiancé Oliver, the local vet.
Ryan pulled a pint for Adrian, and a G&T for Luca, before he was snagged by Eva, wanting him to bring up a couple of crates of beer from the cellar. With Ryan’s temporary departure, Luca leant in against the bar and quietly observed Adrian.
Talking to Oliver and Joss about Spud, Adrian’s habitual frown disappeared, as his face became animated and his eyes brightened. Adrian pushed his fingers through his hair, creating little peaks that Luca had the sudden, overwhelming urge to tease back into place. He took in a deep breath but that had only the effect of filling his lungs with Adrian’s spicy cologne, complex and expensive, contradictory to the life lived by a hill farmer. But Adrian was full of contradictions which, whether he wanted it to or not, piqued his curiosity.
More than piqued.
He swallowed down another mouthful of his drink. He didn’t want to be piqued, because that meant he was interested, and becoming interested in anybody for more than friendship was the last thing he was looking for. It didn’t, however, stop anybody being interested in him.
Jonathan… Casual and easy, and no strings. From the start, when Alex had introduced them at a dinner party, that had been the deal. Convenient for them both, and Jonathan had been on board with it. Somebody to have a drink with, or dinner; there had even been a trip to the theatre in Exeter. Somebody to fill an otherwise long and empty evening with. And sometimes, he’d stayed over at Jonathan’s, just sometimes and now not at all, the sex as undemanding physically as it had been emotionally. And equally as unfulfilling. But it had never been the sex he’d wanted, or not so much; it had been somebody to hold, somebody to fool him, if only for a while, that he wasn’t lonely and alone. Yet even as he’d pulled back from that aspect of their relationship, Jonathan had been hinting he wanted more than the friendship Luca had offered, a friendship Luca enjoyed and valued. More was something he couldn’t give, whenmorewasn’t what he felt. Especially not when he’d soon have to start making plans to leave.
“Can I get you another?”
Luca startled, aware suddenly that he’d been nursing an empty glass. Adrian’s gaze was steady and scrutinising, but one corner of his mouth was turned up in an amused smile.
