Page 164 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
Devan was busy circulating, making sure everything was running smoothly, but he kept coming to find Jonty to check he was okayand not eating all thecanapéswhich Devan asked every time. How the hell did he know? Jonty had no concierge duties today. His instructions were to circulate, tell people how wonderful Northumberland was, and help out where needed. Which Jonty took to include testing the food.
He was by the window in the lounge, when he spotted Mike and Willis walking across the car park. Jonty went into the lobby. They handed their invite to a man at the door and Jonty headed towards them.
“Welcome to The Dunes.” Jonty grinned.
“Bloody hell, Jonty,” Mike said. “This is fantastic. It’s like one of those hotels in Dubai, all glass and glitter.”
There was a waterfall feature in the lobby where the lift had once been. The stairs and lift had been moved around the corner and the former lounge doubled in size with a wraparound patio. The doors to the patio were open because Devan’s desperation for good weather must have got through to someone, and the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. Jonty didn’t think he’d ever seen a sky that was so consistently blue, the colour of forever.
A waiter came towards them with a tray of champagne and they each took a glass. Jonty was under strict instructions not to drink too much. He didn’t think three was too many.
“You look good,” Willis said.
“New suit. Primark.”
Willis laughed. “I don’t think so. But I wasn’t just talking about the suit.Youseem different.”
Jonty pouted. “I didn’t look good before? I thought you loved my arse, Willis. You were always looking at it.”
Mike glared. “Stop provoking him. You do look different, mate. As if you belong.”
A comment that made Jonty realise what Devan had done in buying him such an expensive suit. He’d tried to make him feel good about himself. It had worked. Jonty was sorry he’d made the Primark joke now.
“It’s still me under the suit. I’ve not changed that much. Same amazing hair. Same dazzling intellect. Same delightful arse.”
“Jesus, is that Lex Kenyon?” Mike whispered.
Jonty turned to look. The American film star was heading their way with Devan. Lex was in his early forties, the star of a series of hugely popular assassin movies. He and Devan had been to the cinema last month to see the latest. Jonty had spent the whole night—
“Jonty, this is Lex. He’s an old friend of mine.”
“You didn’t tell me he was an old friend when I was drooling over him in the cinema.”Damn, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. Well, not in a jealous tone.
Lex laughed.
“Lex, this is Willis and his partner Mike who are friends of Jonty’s. Mike runs a sports shop on the next beach along so when you come up here, he’s the guy to go to for equipment. And if he’s not got it, he’ll get it for you.”
Everyone shook hands.
“Devan tells me you’re the concierge,” Lex said to Jonty.
“Yes, would you like a back rub?” Jonty blurted.
Lex chucked.
“You might be laughing, but he’s serious,” Devan said. “He’s still in training. I suspect it will be an ongoing process until he retires.”
“He means as a concierge, not for back rubs,” Jonty said.
“I might be up for a back rub.” Lex’s smile was…well, not as nice as Devan’s. Plus, Devan had that hint of a glare on his face.
“I’ve been told no,” Jonty said.
“Devan didn’t say a word.” Lex looked between them.
“He doesn’t need to speak.” Jonty shrugged. “We have a telepathic link. I just told him he doesn’t have a small dick.”
Devan groaned. “Jonty, what have I told you?”
