Page 26 of Sparring Partners
“I don’t know what right you think you have to comment on my private life. Jonathan’s interesting and he’s good company. Although god knows why I should feel the need to explain any of this to you.Jesus.” Luca scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “You know, maybe you shouldn’t stay for a drink after all.”
“There’s something I need to attend to which won’t wait, and I need to nip home to do it.” Adrian jumped as Jonathan reappeared. “We’ll have to put Luigi’s back by half an hour, I’m afraid,” he said, ignoring Adrian. “Why don’t you come back with me? We can have a drink at mine before heading for dinner.” He threw a glance at Adrian.And then we won’t have to speak tohim, it shouted, loud and clear.
“Don’t worry, Jonathan. I’ll keep Luca company until you’re back.” Adrian lounged against the bar.
“You’ve no need.”
“Jonathan, I’ll be fine here. You go and do what you need to and I’ll see you back here as soon as, okay?” Luca smiled, leaning forward to rest his hand on Jonathan’s forearm. Adrian resisted the urge to rip Luca’s hand away.
Jonathan glowered, ready to argue, before he puffed out a long breath. “All right. I won’t be long.”
“You’re a jerk, do you know that?” Luca glared at Adrian as the door closed on Jonathan. He turned to the bar, muttering about needing alcohol.
“If I’m such a jerk, why didn’t you go back with him?”
“Because his house is up a short but bloody steep hill and I didn’t fancy the walk there and back. Satisfied?”
“No, not really.”
Luca shook his head. “You really are something.”
Adrian huffed. “That’s right. I’m a jerk. You said.”
Luca didn’t reply as he pulled his debit card from his wallet.
“Put that away. I’ll get it. I also said I’d keep you company. Jerk or not.”
“No, thank you. I neither need nor want your company. Ryan,” Luca called out, and was answered with a wave.
“You might not need it, or want it, but I’m a jerk who promised I’d stay here with you and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“I don’t require babysitting. I have sat in a pub on my own before. Adrian, just go home. Please. Forget about this evening — and forget about everything before, okay?”
“What’s this, a night off from the hotel for a hot date with Mr. Owen-Jones? Alex always said he’s your type.” Ryan grinned as he came over and leant on the bar. “Although he seems to have disappeared.” He looked over at the door.
“We’re having dinner, that’s all. G&T, please?—”
“Make that two of the Hendricks.”
“I can buy my own.”
Adrian shrugged. “I don’t doubt it.” He passed his card across, and Ryan hesitated for a second before accepting.
“Okay, okay, okay,” Luca muttered under his breath. “Anything just to bloody well shut you up.”
Ryan set the gins in front on them, along with two small bottles of tonic. “I’ll, erm, leave you to it,” he said, glancing at them both before moving away.
“So, Alex says Jonathan’s your type.”
“He says a lot of things.” Luca poured half the tonic into his glass. Taking a sip, he sighed. “Type hasn’t got anything to do with it, not where Jonathan’s concerned. We don’t have that kind of relationship.” He threw a hand up in the air. “There I go, justifying myself again. God knows why.”
“Then what is your type, Luca? Tell me what your type is.” Adrian’s voice dropped, his throat filled with hot, rough gravel.
Colour rose in Luca’s face, staining his pale skin. He looked away, and swallowed before his gaze flickered back. Heat fanned out from the base of Adrian’s belly, as his balls tightened and his dick fattened.
“Excuse me.” Luca shoved away from the bar, the movement quick and unexpected, taking Adrian by surprise.
Luca pushed his way through a door leading into the corridor where the toilets were located. Without thinking, not wanting to think, Adrian rushed after him, but the long corridor was empty. A door which led out to the back of the pub, however, was just closing.
