Page 29 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“Not bi?”
“No.”
Mike nodded. “Jonty’s not sure. Not about himself. He’s sure of that. But he’s not sure about you.” Mike gave a short laugh. “He wants you to be gay. For some reason I can’t fathom, because you seem a bit of a posh git to me, Jonty likes you. Despite what you might think, he doesn’t take to people easily. If you’re staying at the hotel, you’re only here for a short while. You have the potential to hurt him and he’s already damaged. Don’t make his pain worse.”
Devan sucked in his cheeks. Why did Mike assume he would?
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes…Dad.” Before Mike could move, Devan stepped right into his space. They were about the same height though Mike had more muscle. Devan stared straight at him. “Did you warn him off me?”
Mike’s mouth twitched and Devan took that as a yes.
“I’m guessing you had him and lost him.”
Mike’s mouth opened, then closed in a tight line.
“I get that right?” Devan asked.
“He’s a good boy. He deserves a good man. I don’t think that’s you.”
“You know nothing about me.”
Mike gave a short laugh. “I know enough. You’ll take what you can get and you’ll be gone in less than a week. He’ll be out of your mind before you get a mile down the motorway, but he won’t forget you.”
As Mike stepped to one side, Devan pulled open the door and left. He’d got the message.Don’t hurt Jonty.He gave a short laugh.What about him hurting me?
He thought about looking for him, but instead headed straight for his car. He might not want to admit it, but Mike was right. Not touching Jonty was better for both of them.
IT WAS GONE NINE BEFOREDevan reached the hotel. An older guy he’d not seen before was behind the desk. The restaurant was closed. He was too tired to face going out again. Once he reached his room, he kicked off his shoes, grabbed the room service menu and dropped on the bed. He could order until eleven so maybe he’d have a short nap first.
A good plan that went wrong because when he woke, it was eleven fifteen.Shit.Well, maybe it was time to see how accommodating this hotel was. He picked up the phone.
“Front desk.”
Jonty?“I want to order some food. I know it’s after eleven, but I’d really like the chargrilled chicken fillet.”
“The one marinated in Cajun spices, served with garlic mayo in a soft brioche bun with fries & coleslaw?”
Definitely Jonty. Devan found himself grinning. “Yes, if not, thenthe veggie club sandwich.”
“Ah, the delightful and delicious three-decker feast layered with grilled Portobello mushroom, sliced egg, beef tomato and lettuce. With spiced chunky cut fries.”
Read straight from the menu. Devan smiled.
“Which would you prefer, sir?”
Devan sat up. He’d thought he’d be told it was too late. “The chicken.”
“Anything to drink?”
Devan ran his gaze down the list. “The Australian Shiraz.”
“Oh yes, excellent choice. That taste of crunchy red berries with hints of coffee, chocolate and pepper is hard to beat.”
Devan grinned.
“One bottle or two?” Jonty asked.
