Page 72 of Sparring Partners
“His name was Gregory,” Adrian said, his voice little more than a rasp. “He was a newcomer, like Jonathan. And I meanreallylike him. The physical resemblance between them…” He shook his head, and pressed a hand to his stomach.
“Sam didn’t find it easy to settle down here. He’d lived all his life in London, so when he made friends with Gregory, when he introduced him into our lives, I was pleased. But his view of afriendwasn’t the same as mine. Fear and distrust… I’ve harboured them, and held them close, because for too long they’ve felt like the only things I’ve had in my life. Until you.”
“You say you don’t want to be that man, riddled with distrust and fear. You don’t have to be him. The past can never be changed, but the future can be whatever you want it to be. Because you have a choice. You just have to make the right one. Just like I have to.”
Luca pulled a sheaf of paper from the inside pocket of his jacket and held it up.
“What—?”
“I got a call earlier, and I was sent this. I’ve got a decision to make. Read it.” Luca thrust it forward, snatching his hand back when Adrian took it.
The paper was folded and creased. Opening it up, glancing at Luca, he smoothed it out and began to read.
All the woodland sounds faded to nothing, overtaken by the pounding of his heart and the deep rush of blood in his veins. His skin flashed hot and cold as a heavy, suffocating weight pressed against his chest. He’d turned to stone, unable to move, as he forced himself, a pure act of willpower, to not only read the words blurring beneath his watery vision, but to understand and fear them more than he’d feared anything in his life.
Career defining… unparalleled opportunity… as soon as possible… Australia…
The paper slipped from Adrian’s fingers, fluttering to the woodland floor.
“The job I rejected, it’s become available again. What do I tell them, Adrian, what the fuck do I tell them?”
“You know what I want you to tell them. Luca, for Christ’s sake, I don’t want you to go, because I want you here, with me, because you’re more than anything I’ve ever wanted. Harry said something. He said I was better when you were around. And he’s right, I am a better man when you’re with me. I want to be that man, but I can only be him if I’m with you. Luca, please. I want us to have a life together. And we can, I know it.” Adrian’s voice broke. He stumbled forward, stopping just scant inches from Luca.
“Then you have to make me believe in that. You have to make me believe that you trust me to be honest and truthful, to not lie to you, not deceive you. You have to make me believe we can have a future together, Adrian. You have to make me believe the past is just that — something that’s gone and is over with.
“I told you I love you, and I meant every word. I’ve never loved anybody the way I love you, and I never will. But without trust, which underpinseverything, how can we have that life together?”
Thunder crashed through the sky, a blinding explosion of lightening on its tail, the split second enough to illuminate all the sadness, all the heartbreak in Luca’s eyes. He’d done that to Luca,him, and as the thunder raged above them Adrian made the vow to never, ever make this man look at him with such desolation again.
Another thunder clap, another flash of light, bringing with it hard, driving rain and pummelling wind. Pulling Luca tight into his arms, hugging him so close their bodies melded together, Adrian brought his lips to Luca’s ear.
“I love you, Luca. I love you so fucking much it hurts. I will doanything, be anyone you want me to be, if it means I keep you here with me.”
Luca pulled himself free, his chest rising and falling in rapid breaths. Rain soaked, his hair pushed flat against his head, face flushed, and his eyes no longer dull and flat but bright and vibrant, everything about him charged and challenging. Adrian had never known Luca so beautiful, wild, and alive.
“Then trust me, Adrian. Just fucking trust me.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
The storm had passed, leaving the night sky clear. Looking out of the window Luca could spot the first stars glinting. Aries, Cassiopeia… It was too wet and cold to lie in the garden and gaze up into a sky that stretched to forever and beyond, but he could see them just as well from the warmth and comfort of the bed.
Adrian’s bed and now his, too, he supposed. Properly and truly his. Luca snuggled further down under the duvet. Next to him, the spot where Adrian had lain was still warm. He’d be back soon, bringing the tea and toast he’d got up for. Neither of them had wanted to go downstairs and leave the sanctuary they’d made for themselves, where everything was safe and warm, protecting them from the storm outside as much as it protected them from the storm raging in their hearts. But that storm, too, had passed, leaving the way before them as clear and boundless as the night sky.
The door nudged open, and Adrian entered with a tray. Luca’s stomach rumbled, a growling reminder he’d eaten barely anything over the last few days, but now he was famished as his appetite reasserted itself.
They ate in silence, too exhausted for idle chit chat. Spud nosed his way in, tail wagging as he waited for a titbit, his patience rewarded by a tiny piece pulled from Luca’s last slice of toast.
“You’ve made a friend for life,” Adrian said, his lips lifting in a small, tired smile.
For life. That sounded good. More than good. It was a journey he was prepared to make. It wouldn’t always be easy, because life with Adrian would never be that. But every step would be worth it. Luca knew it, in both his head and heart.
Putting aside their crumb-strewn plates, they hunkered down into the bed, arms and legs entwined, holding each other tight. Luca closed his eyes as he rested his head against Adrian’s chest, his man’s heart beating strong, solid and sure.His man…Two words that felt truer than ever. Adrian was truly his, as he was truly Adrian’s, but it had come at a cost that had almost broken them beyond repair.
“I’m going to contact the headhunter in the morning, and tell her I don’t wish to be considered for the Australian job. Or any other, for that matter.”
“Australia wouldn’t have been right for you.”
“Why not?” Luca looked up, his eyes meeting Adrian’s.
