Page 34 of Sparring Partners
“I…” The refusal, which was the only sensible, only possible answer, lodged in Luca’s throat.
“If you don’t want to, then that’s fine,” Adrian muttered, turning away.
“No.” Luca grabbed Adrian’s arm. “I mean, I’m not saying no.”What the hell am I saying… doing?But he knew, as his heart beat harder and faster. Handsome, dark, brooding, intense. Adrian Hardy was the antithesis of safe, nice, pleasant, and everything he should keep clear of.
“Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying yes. But maybe not in Love’s Harbour?”
Adrian chuckled. “DefinitelynotLove’s Harbour. If the villagers can find something to gossip about they will, and I’ve never been partial to being a tasty morsel for them to chew over. But that’s small, tight knit communities for you. Shall I ring you? Or text?” Adrian added, a note of uncertainty in his voice as though he suspected Luca would change his mind.
“Yes. Please.” A date, he supposed… They were kind of doing things the wrong way around, but the idea of a date with Adrian Hardy brought an unexpected leap to his chest.
The crunch of tyres on gravel had them both jerking their heads towards the front of the farmhouse.
“Harry, back from making some deliveries,” Adrian said. “He’ll take the van through to the garage and then he’ll come in.”
“I’ll make a move, then.” Luca got up and made for the open door, in time to spot the van he’d seen earlier disappear into a small barn.
“I’ll give you a lift back. You’re probably tired.”
Luca snorted.
“From your run, I mean.” Laughter bubbled in his throat.
“No, it’s okay. But thanks. It’s a nice afternoon. It won’t take me too long to get back.”
Adrian looked as though he was about to argue, but instead he gave a short nod.
“I’m back. Boss?” Harry’s voice grew louder as he approached the open back door leading into the farmhouse’s kitchen.
“I’ll leave by the front,” Luca whispered. “Call me in the week.”
He dashed for the door, pausing to throw a quick glance over his shoulder before he fled. Adrian was leaning against the table. And smiling. Luca’s heart leapt, and he couldn’t help but smile back.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
It was the fourth morning in a row Adrian had woken up, before dawn, in a sweat and with his hand wrapped tight around his morning wood. He was turning back into a horny teenager. It didn’t stop him from squeezing, though, or rubbing… That felt nice. He huffed out a laugh. Nice, and then some. Especially when Luca twisted into his head, eyes glazed with lust, lips loose and wet, a deep flush colouring his sweat soaked face… His cock thickened in his hand, responding to his lazy but insistent stroke. Up and down, then up again, shivering as he brushed his thumb pad over the moistening slit. Catching his breath, he let his legs flop wider as he increased both pressure and pace as an image of Luca, head flung back, mouth open wide, crying out as he?—
The door barged open. Adrian gasped as his eyes widened.
“Jesus.” Shaky laughter rippled through him, his cock deflating, as Spud ambled across the bedroom and tried to lumber up onto the bed before giving up and flopping down on the floor. Adrian pushed himself up to sitting and glared at the old dog, who wagged his tail in enthusiastic greeting. “You certainly know how to time an entrance.”
Spud cocked his head and gazed up at him looking, as ever, as though he was smiling just for him.
“You’re only looking at me like that because you want your breakfast, you little cock blocker.”
Spud wagged his tail harder in agreement, long pink tongue licking around his chops.
After sorting out his dog, making sure he was fed and had everything he needed, Adrian headed back upstairs for a long, hot shower. Under the fierce flow of water, he let his head hang back.
Four days since he’d succumbed to the madness of blowing Luca on his kitchen table. Four days of not being able to get Luca out of his mind. The man’s ragged breath, his moans, his muttered, incoherent words. The sound of Luca, the smell of Luca, the feel of Luca, all the time both pliant and demanding, and so fucking responsive.
Adrian’s dick bobbed against his stomach, demanding attention. A couple of sharp tugs was all it took for him to paint the tiled walls of the shower cubical. The pummelling water took away his release as he pressed his head against the smooth ceramic, breath coming hard and fast.
Four days since he’d promised to call, reaching for the phone before snatching his hand away. Guilt slithered over his skin. He didn’t want these… feelings. He didn’t want them for any man. He didn’t want them for a man with eyes the colour of cornflowers and a smile that could make his heart turn somersaults. So why the hell had he asked Luca out for a date?
Clenching his fists and pressing his forehead harder against the tiles, he squeezed his eyes shut so hard they stung. He’d call Luca, tell him what had happened between them had been a mistake… an amazing, incredible, breathtaking mistake that was making his heart hammer hard in his chest, and his dick pulse between his legs.
