Page 64 of Sparring Partners
“Alex, life’s good. It’s good with Adrian. Scouts honour.”
“You told me you only ever went to Scouts once, declaring you were never going back because the boys were too ugly and spotty.”
Luca laughed. “I was too young and shallow to see that true beauty lies within.” His laughter died, turning into a tiny smile.
“Like Adrian, you mean?”
Luca nodded. “Yes, like Adrian.”
Alex sucked on his lower lip. He had more to say, and Luca waited.
“Look, you were clear that the reason you were staying on at The New House was because of Adrian. I was relieved, not just because I wasn’t losing my hot shot manager, but also because I’d still have my friend around. But they were small considerations, because most of all I was relieved that you were happy. That you were laughing again. That you’d returned to being the man you were before everything hit the fan. And if Adrian was the cause of it all, then great. But?—”
“But what?” Luca’s shoulders twitched.
“If Adrian is still holding onto everything that happened to him, if he can’t fully and freely trust, how long are you going to be happy for?”
“He trusts me. And he knows I’m nothing like his former boyfriend.”
“He might know it up here.” Alex tapped the side of his head. “But what about in his gut, and in his heart?”
“So what are you saying? That I should back off and run as fast as I can because Adrian’s an unstable time bomb just waiting to explode?
“No, that’s not?—”
“What happened to him would knock anybody’s trust in human nature. But we’ve talked it through, we’ve laid it all on the table. He knows he reacted badly, that he can’t see us — him and me — through the lens of what happened in the past.”
Luca massaged his temples. He was tired and wanted only for this awkward, unwanted conversation to be over with. He met Alex’s gaze.
“I know what I’m doing. Adrian’s who I want to be with. I’ve no illusions about the kind of man he is. I know what he’s like but just as importantly, so does he. Alex, I know you came here with the best of intentions, but seriously? I don’t need a protector.”
“Okay. Message received loud and clear.” Alex got up and squeezed Luca’s shoulder before he opened the door to leave. “You may not need a protector, but you may just need a friend. Don’t forget that.”
Luca stared at the door, long after it’d closed with a soft click, Alex’s words echoing in his head.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
“Have you seen this sky? It’s breathtaking.”
Luca stared out of the farmhouse’s living room window. Looking out towards the high moor, it was nothing but blackness — except for the sparkle of the millions of stars, tiny diamonds scattered over velvet. A pair of strong arms wound themselves around his waist and pulled him tight. A light kiss brushed the top of his head, and Luca smiled as he leant in close to Adrian, letting him take his weight.
“Starry Point at the top of the moor is the best place to experience them, but here on the farm comes a close second.”
“Starry Point. That’s romantic.”
Behind him, Adrian huffed. “It’s a patch of rough ground, more gorse than grass and covered in sheep shit.”
“Oh? Thought that’d be your kind of thing, being a big butch farmer—ouch!” Luca gasped at the pinch.
“That’s for being a smart arse.”
“You realise I’m going to have a bruise?”
“Yeah? I can think of much more fun ways of leaving my mark on you.” Adrian’s voice dropped, low and growly, sending a shiver up Luca’s spine as his dick throbbed in interest. “But how about some stargazing here, in the garden? I can’t remember the last time I took the time to truly look into the night sky. I promise I can guarantee an absence of both gorse and sheep shit.”
Luca twisted around in Adrian’s arms. “You want me to lie on the ground? On the verydampground?”
“Hmm. I’ve got lots of thick blankets, and if you get cold I can keep you warm. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
