21. Jacob

Chapter 21

Jacob

"Did you have a good time?" Molly asks the second we walk into the villa.

Barry hugs and kisses her. "It was lovely. I have lots of photos to show you and some video of the sunset."

"Wonderful." She looks past Barry to me and Archer. "You boys had fun too?"

I smile and nod.

"It was great," Archer says with sweet enthusiasm.

I want to hug him.

"You must be tired," Molly says.

"We spent most of the day on the coach. If anything, I'm wired and need to move," Archer replies.

Molly rolls her eyes. "You're not going for a run, are you?"

Archer shrugs. "Why not? It's cooler than it was when I went for one this morning. I'll get changed into something more practical for running. Anyone want to join me?"

I don't want to run, but getting out of here sounds like a good plan. I rub the back of my neck. "I might go out."

"Out?" Molly asks.

"Where?" Dad asks.

Good question.

"There are lots of good clubs." Molly reminds me of her assertion on our first day here that I should go out and get laid.

"Going clubbing could be fun. Mind if I join you?" Archer asks.

I wasn't planning on going to a nightclub, but Archer's question makes me want to go more than anything. "Why would I mind?"

He grins. "Great. I can be your wingman. Let me get changed."

Molly wrinkles her nose. "You might want to shower first. You too." She glares at Barry.

Molly and Barry's room has an en-suite, but Archer and I have to share. While he showers, I go to my room, trying to choose what to wear. I didn't bring anything suitable for a nightclub. Finally, I opt for a pair of stone-coloured shorts and a casual white shirt.

Someone knocks on the door. I answer it. Archer's wearing an electric-blue, skin-tight, sleeveless T-shirt and white jeans that have been cut off above the knee. The cut edge has been left raw, allowing loose threads to tickle his skin.

"The bathroom's all yours."

"You look?—"

"Club ready?"

I want to say ‘hot', but I nod and snap my mouth shut.

"Don't take too long. I want to dance." He wanders along the corridor towards the living room.

I throw myself through the shower at record speed, get dressed, and join Archer in the living room. Barry and Molly sit at the table, plates of bread, salad, and fruit before them.

"Do you want some food before you go out?" Molly asks.

"No, thanks. They fed us on the trip." Archer glances at me. "But I'm happy to wait if you're hungry."

"I'm fine."

"Awesome. Let's go."

"Be careful," Molly says.

"We will be, Mum. Don't worry."

"Do you have condoms?"

My face flushes.

Archer shakes his head. "I'm too old for the safe sex talk, Mum."

"Your mother is right. You can never be too careful. Do you have protection, Jacob?" Dad asks.

Great time for him to start caring about who I'm sleeping with. He didn't want to talk to me about sex when I needed him to. Why start now? Oh, that's right. He has a new wife to impress.

"I'm not planning on sleeping with anyone," I reply in as easy-breezy a tone as I can manage.

"You should," Molly says.

I bite my tongue. The only person I want to sleep with is standing right next to me, but we can't come here after a night out for sex.

"And we're out of here. Thanks for the unwanted advice. Don't wait up." Archer grabs my arm and yanks me out the front door.

He drags me away to the road that will take us to Jumbo Centrum, only letting go once we're well and truly out of sight of the villa. He holds my hand and briefly leans his cheek on my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," he says.

"Dad was at it too."

"Parents are so embarrassing."

I chuckle. "I think it's part of the job description."

"Ugh. Really? I wish it wasn't. Oh, well. I don't intend to think about Mum or your dad for the rest of the night. Going to a club was a great idea."

"I think it was Molly's idea rather than mine."

He puts his finger to my lips. "Shush. I remember it being your amazing idea." He winks and squeezes my hand.

I return his squeeze, smiling at his infectious good mood. "Are you sure you wouldn't have rather gone for a run?"

"Let me think. Go to a club with the most gorgeous guy in town, or go for a run alone. It's a tough choice." He pulls me to a halt, puts his hands on my hips, and kisses me. "I've been desperate for some alone time with you all day."

"Same." I cup his cheek and return his kiss.

"Thank you, by the way."

I frown. "For what?"

"Making the sunset on the volcano romantic."

"I—did?"

He rests his forehead against mine. "Yes! You made a beautiful moment even more wonderful."

"All I did was hold your hand."

"Exactly." He pecks my lips, takes my hand, and sets off again.

"Should we have asked Molly to join us?"

Archer laughs. "After spending all day with your dad, would you have wanted Mum to tag along?"

"No, but she's only a couple of years older than me. She might have wanted to come."

Archer kicks a stray stone. "Nah. She acts at least ten years older than she is around Barry."

"She's trying to impress him."

"I guess so."

"She shouldn't have to."

Archer strokes my hand. "Nor should you."

Sadly, that isn't the reality of my life.

The atmosphere at Jumbo Centrum is different at night. A few more touristy shops are still open, but most are closed. The bars, packed with rowdy customers, all play loud music, mostly nineties and noughties pop songs. Singing, laughter, and loud conversations compete with the music. Touts hand out flyers for the bars and clubs, trying to entice us into their establishment above all the others. We pick one aimed at LGBTQ+ clubbers and, after paying the entrance fee, head inside.

The music is even louder, thrumming through my veins and making my temples throb. The floor, walls, and ceiling are all painted black. A variety of coloured lights swirl, flash, and flicker. It's oppressively hot. No wonder with all the bodies gyrating on the dance floor. A lot of men have got rid of their tops. Some have tied them around their arms or wrists. Others around their heads. Everywhere around us, people are making out, sometimes with more than one person at a time.

We push onto the dance floor, rest our hands on each other's hips, and move in time to the generic dance music. Or rather, I shuffle my weight from foot to foot, occasionally swaying my hips while Archer moves elegantly. He's stunning, the only one existing in my universe.

"This is fun. I needed this. Great idea," he shouts above the thump of the music.

I'll let him give me the credit for Molly's idea. I needed this too. Feeling close to Archer without caring who's around us is liberating. I tug up his T-shirt and stroke my fingers over his hot, clammy skin. Why did we bother showering? It's so hot here my clothes are already stuck to me. It stinks too. Sweat, alcohol, and other scents I can't name mingle, but I'm too lost in dancing with Archer to care about the assault on my senses.

Thanks to the talented DJ, the songs all blur into one another. We've danced to at least half a dozen before I pull Archer off the dance floor to get water. We get a pint each. Archer drinks half of his in one go and tips the rest over his head.

He gasps and hunches his shoulders to his ears. "Cold!"

"What did you expect?"

"You should try it. It feels so good." He pushes his damp hair away from his face.

"I'll pass." I drink my water a little more slowly. The cold liquid does wonders for my parched throat and rejuvenates me.

"More dancing?" Archer asks.

I nod and follow him into the throng of bodies. He loops his arms over my shoulders and dances closer and more sensually than before. I keep my hands on his hips, with my fingers underneath his T-shirt. I've missed the feel of him. With him, I can let go and embrace the pulse of the music. I follow Archer's lead on how to dance, copying his movements until I feel confident enough to dance to the beat. If Molly saw me now, I doubt she'd be able to claim I was uptight. And I didn't even need to get laid to get to this point. All I need is Archer.

Fuck.

I stutter and stop, staring, unblinking, without focusing on anything.

"You okay?" Archer asks.

I shake myself and continue dancing. "Yes."

He frowns. "Sure?"

I need a moment to think, away from Archer's intoxicating presence. "Yes, I need a drink. Do you want one?"

"Nah, I'm good."

I pull away from him and weave through dancers to the bar. I order some water and then turn, easily locating Archer despite the crowd surrounding him. He's standing with a good-looking guy with shoulder-length, wavy hair. More classically handsome than I could ever claim to be. They're talking but not dancing. Even so, my pulse spikes. Archer makes eye contact with me and grins. Then the guy writes something on Archer's arm.

Forgetting my water, I stride toward them. What am I going to do? Stake my claim on Archer? Mark my territory? Jealousy is a bad look, but I can't help it.

As I get closer, I see the guy has written his phone number on Archer's arm. Why?

Archer grabs my hand, pulls me to him, and loops his arm around my waist. "Jacob, this is Regan. Regan, this is Jacob. My boyfriend." He stares into my eyes.

My heart skips. Archer is choosing me. No. He's not just choosing me. He's declaring he's with me.

I give Regan a cursory wave.

He replies with a warm smile, "Nice to meet you." He nudges Archer. "I guess you won't be calling me, then?"

"Nope. I'm very happy." Archer kisses me.

I tighten my grip on him.

"So I see." Regan winks at me.

"How's the stag do going?" Archer asks him without taking his eyes off me.

Have they met before?

"Good. We're flying home tomorrow."

"One last big fling?"

Regan laughs. "You could say that. I was hoping to get some tonight."

"Good luck with that."

"Take care and have fun." Regan nods to me and moves away, quickly getting swallowed by the crowd.

"Does that happen often?" I ask.

"What?"

"Guys writing their number on your arm?"

Archer laughs and shakes his head. "Are you jealous?"

Yes.

"You don't need to be. You're the only guy I'm interested in." He furrows his brow and plays with my hair. It gets even curlier when it's sweaty. "You were going to tell me something before we were interrupted."

Why tell him when I can show him? I grab a fistful of his T-shirt, pull his body flush with mine, and slam my mouth over his. I pour every skin-tingling emotion into the long, deep, fierce kiss. My desire. My adoration. My jealousy. My lust. My love. Our tongues and lips move in perfect synch like we are made for each other. I wrap my arms around him and hold him like I never want to let go. Which I don't. I don't want the kiss to end either, but it must.

Archer blinks slowly and touches his glistening, swollen lips. "Jacob."

Did I do something wrong?

"You can kiss me like that again. Right now."

I do. Every fibre of my body blazes with desire for him. I run one hand over his back, through his T-shirt, but slip the other beneath it and stroke his spine. He grips my shoulders, clinging to me like he'll collapse if he doesn't.

When the kiss ends, he rests his forehead against mine. His breathing is hard and ragged. "I'm going to get every guy in here to hit on me if that's how you're going to kiss me afterwards. Jealousy is hot on you." He pecks my lips and releases a nervous laugh, his breath caressing my skin.

What does he have to be nervous about?

He strokes my cheek and jaw. "What were you going to tell me? What have you realised?" His gaze is full of desire but also uncertainty. He trembles in my arms.

"Only good things." I brush his hair away from his face. I can't tell if it's damp from the water he poured over it or sweat from dancing. Probably both.

"Tell me."

"I need you."

His smile becomes a little more confident. "I need you too."

"I want you." I kiss him. It's a shadow of the two long kisses we shared, but no less charged with emotion. It replaces the words I wanted to say. The words I need to say.

"I want you too."

This isn't the time to be a coward. This is a moment in which I have to put everything on the line. I take a deep breath. "I love you."