Chapter 24

The night air is cool on my skin, a welcome sensation after the heat of the day. I couldn’t sleep and needed some air so I’ve come outside, only wearing my boxer shorts. I didn’t bother putting more clothes on, since I don’t expect to meet anyone else at this hour of the night. The only light comes from the glowing end of my cigarette. I’ve tried to give up, but it doesn’t matter what Estrella says, it’s not that easy. Over the last week, I’ve worked on cutting down, but it’s been a roller coaster of a day and I need something to help me relax so I can get some sleep. I finish it and contemplate another when I hear a noise behind me. I twist my head to look over my shoulder, but I can’t see who it is silhouetted against the faint light now showing behind him inside.

“You couldn’t sleep either?” he says in Spanish. It’s Florencio.

“No, I thought some air would help,” I say, and he walks over to where I’m standing. He turns and hoists himself up to sit on the flat stone wall I’m leaning against.

He draws a leg up, wrapping an arm round it, and rests his cheek on his knee. “Is it helping?”

I give a derisive snort. “Not really.”

He, too, is just wearing shorts. In the light now spilling out of the house and across the terrace, I catch sight of his lean, smooth body. He gives a sly smile; he’s caught me looking. It’s no bad thing, and after earlier today, I’m glad he doesn’t mind that I find him deeply attractive. But it just reminds me of the reason I came out here in the first place.

I look away, unsure of myself.

“What is it?” he asks.

“For half the day I’ve been elated, but the rest of the time I’ve just been thinking, ‘Con, what are you doing? Do these gorgeous young guys really want a washed-up old dude in their life?’ I feel like an old fool.”

“How old are you?”

“Forty-two.”

“That’s not old,” he says. I look for amusement or judgement in his warm brown eyes and find none.

“I’m sixteen years older than you, fourteen more than Rafe.”

He shrugs as if it means nothing to him.

“Think about it, Florencio. It’s a big gap.”

“It’s not to me, and I’m sure it’s not to Rafe, so it’s you who has to get their head out of their arse about it,” he says.

I sigh. It’s true. I really want this to work, so it’s something I need to get over. Half of it was worrying what they thought, but if it doesn’t bother Florencio and Rafe, then I can’t let it bother me either.

I’m startled by a poke in the ribs. “You look good for it as well. ”

I look down at my body. I guess it’s not bad. Lifting crates and moving barrels for the bar keeps me fit enough.

“I like this.” He runs his fingers across the smattering of dark hair on my chest. I shiver at his touch. It’s been a while since anyone touched me like that. His expression changes to one of compassion, as if he understands why my body reacted that way.

He moves his bent leg and hooks it round me, drawing me over to stand between his thighs.

“I’ve seen you not hesitate to reach out and comfort Rafe and myself. Who’s there to take care of you?”

He plays his fingers up my rib cage and across my chest. It sends little bolts of electricity across my body, making it difficult to concentrate as his touch awakens a long-forgotten pleasure.

I swallow. “That’s not actually comforting Florencio.”

He gives a little laugh because he knows exactly what he’s doing.

“I’m guessing you’re a very tactile person and it’s sad you haven’t had the opportunity for so long.” His fingers keep up their soft stroking on my skin, moving them round to my back. I’m struggling hard to keep control. I drop my forehead onto his shoulder and my hands onto his thighs, not thinking too much, just letting my hands drift in a slow rhythm.

I lift my head slightly and press my lips to his shoulder. He tilts his head to give me access. It’s an invitation, and I answer. I plant kisses up his neck and across his jaw, and a moment later I find his lips with my own. At first, it’s like a soft caress as he gently teases at my lips, leaving me wanting more, then runs his hands up behind my neck and pulls me in deeper. He opens his mouth; another invitation. I push my tongue in, letting it dance with his. I wonder if I can devour him whole when my hands brush fabric. It’s soft and silky.

I draw back and look into his glittering eyes .

“Fuck! Florencio, are you wearing silk?”

“Fuck? No, not yet. Silk? Yes, absolutely.” I almost whimper. “And Florencio, it’s rather a mouthful, don’t you think? Rafe’s already claimed Flo, so you can think up your own name for me.”

“ Are you a mouthful?” I raise an eyebrow at him and receive an almost feral grin.

“You’ll have to find out.”

“You’re going to be trouble, aren’t you?” I laugh, relieved that whatever barriers he had up against me seem to have come down.

“Maybe,” he says, giving me a sly smile. “But it’ll definitely be fun.”

“I’m up for that.” I chuckle as I attack his mouth for another kiss.