Page 54 of Sparring Partners
“Then don’t, not yet. Because I’ll be damned if I can.”
Adrian eased Luca’s head down to his chest, and tightened his arms around him. They should get cleaned up. But not now, a little later, because for now all that mattered was the bundle of happiness and contentment lying against him, wrapped up warm in his arms.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Adrian leant against the door jamb, sipping his coffee as he surveyed the living room. How had a fresh coat of paint, in a colour he would have baulked at not so long ago, made such a difference? Harvest Gold, the colour on the tin said. Banana Yellow was more like it. He’d shuddered when the first brush stroke had hit the wall, and he’d fled, leaving the painter and decorator from the village to desecrate his muted colour scheme.
Bland, not muted. Adrian smiled. Luca’s words, not his. But Luca had been right. Banana Yellow had indeed turned out to be a soft, warm gold that perfectly reflected the late afternoon and early evening light. But it wasn’t only the paint job that made the room warmer, more comfortable, more welcoming.
A velvet throw of deep forest green softened the hard lines of the old Chesterfield sofa, along with the matching cushions. Christ, scatter cushions. Adrian snorted. He was a farmer, not an interior designer, but the minor changes and additions, which had been Luca’s casual suggestions, had been a long overdue change, bringing light and colour into his world which for too long had been dominated by monotones. He took another sip of coffee, swallowing slowly.
Sam had wanted to renovate the farmhouse, forever harping on about how dark and gloomy the place was, how dull and dreary. But it hadn’t been the décor Sam had been complaining about. Adrian threw back the rest of his coffee in a couple of gulps. He didn’t want to think about Sam. The man had been obliterated from his life as effectively as the muted walls of his living room.
“Boss, you’ve got a visitor. Little blue car, making its way up the drive. Looks like it’s Luca Graham, from The New House,” Harry said, coming up behind him. “What’s that about, then? Are there changes to the produce we’re supplying?”
Aahhh…
Adrian turned to Harry, whose wide eyed, faux innocent stare did nothing to disguise the barely held back grin playing on his lips.You shit…Adrian cleared his throat.
“No change in the business agreement. This is, erm, personal.” His grip on the empty coffee mug tightened. And his face wasn’t heating. No, not at all.
Harry’s grin broke free. “I’ve seen him leave here early in the morning. So has Elena. And a friend of mine works weekend shifts at the De Lacy Arms, that gastro pub in Poulton Lacy. She said you and Luca were there for dinner recently. And Kirsty from the Stop ’n’ Shop saw you in Harbour Coffee, and?—”
“Okay, okay, I get the picture,” Adrian grumbled. He and Luca had agreed they were going to keep their budding relationship on the low down. They weren’t a secret, but nor were they anybody’s business but their own, but it looked like that particular ship had already sailed.
“He’s nice.” Harry’s grin turned into a soft smile. “Don’t know why you’re both creeping around, because you know you can’t keep anything secret around here. And…” Harry hesitated. Adrian frowned. The younger man looked unsure, and Adrian wanted to know why.
“And?”
“Reckon he’s been good for you.” A flush crawled up Harry’s neck and into his face. “You’re not so grumpy and short tempered. Elena’s noticed it too. You smile and laugh more, which makes you easier to be around. You’re brighter, like this room.” Harry nodded to the sunny living room they both stood on the threshold of. “I reckon that can only be a good thing. You’re probably going to sack me, aren’t you, now I’ve said all that?”
Adrian’s lips lifted in a rueful smile. “I should sack you for all kinds of things. But not for what you’ve just said. Because you’re right. And I apologise, for being a bad tempered fucker. Everybody knows? So much for discretion.”
Harry laughed. “Not everybody. Only those with a heartbeat. And as for avoiding the gossips, it’s a hiding to nothing. You know that, just like you know you and Luca will be old news in a few days. Go with the flow, because there’s no use fighting it. People will soon move on, because they’re already talking about Beryl from Baps ’n’ Buns and the verger?—”
“Hello? Adrian, where…”
Both Adrian and Harry turned to where Luca stood in the hallway.
“The door was open, so…” Luca’s gaze flittered between Adrian and Harry.
“It’s okay.” Adrian came forward, and looped his arm around Luca’s shoulders. “I should have known better than to believe being discreet would work in a place like Love’s Harbour. Apparently we’re an item of interest in the village.”
“Only for the next half hour,” Harry said with a grin. “I’ll get on with boxing up the deliveries.”
“So,” Luca said, when Harry ducked out. “What do they say about best laid plans?”
Adrian tugged Luca closer and laid a kiss on the top of his head. “I know. It was foolish to even try and keep a lid on it.”
“I suppose…” Luca smiled, the light shining in his eyes pure mischief. “So does this mean I can now call you my boyfriend?”
Adrian threw back his head and laughed. God, but didn’t that feel good. “If you don’t, then I’ll want to know why.” He pulled Luca close, their bodies pressed tight together, his breath hitching as Luca’s arousal matched his own. His lips found Luca’s. “We’ve got all afternoon?—”
“And Harry’s here, and no doubt Elena will be arriving soon.” Luca raised his brows.
Adrian grimaced. “Yeah, point taken.” He looked Luca up and down. Jeans, a T-shirt, and boots that were good for more than posing in a city bar. “Come on.” He took Luca’s hand. “I’ll have a quick word with Harry, then I want to show you something.”
* * *
