Chapter 11

Sylvain

T hat was it. I was done with pussyfooting around with the snoozing man next to me in the car. He'd fallen asleep not long into the journey, and in my mind, I replayed his words.

They just had good taste.

When he'd said that, I'd been angry, not just at the words someone had said to him, such hurtful words that hit home, especially when you were young and self-conscious.

But even angrier he still remembered those words. Words that were difficult for a teenage Vince to hear. Words difficult for anyone to hear. Words that could shape the rest of your life if you let them.

Was it down to me to prove them wrong? No, it wasn't, but that didn't mean I wouldn't do my damndest to prove that he was worthy of love and attention, that those putains had been the ones with poor taste.

I'd had a couple of ideas for tomorrow that involved a trip to the beach, but reading between the lines, I suspected he wouldn't be happy with that. I'd have to rethink.

We made it back to the resort in good time, although earlier in the day than I'd planned.

"Vince, we're here." I shook him gently, and he moaned, barely rousing from his sleep.

I placed a hand on his cheek.

"Please…" he mumbled and leant into my hand.

I should have moved it away, but why? His skin was smooth, but he was still warm despite the air conditioning. And he looked unnaturally flushed too.

"Vince, you need to wake up. You can't sleep here in the car."

"I'm comfy. Let me stay here. It's nice and cool."

"Non, it's time for you to move, my friend. Come on now."

He slowly opened his eyes and focused on me, but his expression was unreadable. What was he thinking?

"You must think I'm such a dickhead."

Unfamiliar with the phrase, I frowned.

"An idiot, a twat."

I still didn't quite get it, but I knew the word idiot and didn't like it one bit. "I don't know the word ‘twat,' I'm afraid, but I know what you're saying isn't good. I told you."

"Yeah, you did. Pretty sure you're the only one who thinks that or even cares."

Words failed me. Now wasn't the time to lay into him and tell him what I thought of those connards who had put him down, and sadly he had been one of those arseholes.

"Let's get you back to your villa so you can relax and sleep in peace."

I unclipped his seat belt and rushed around to open his door.

"You are such a gentleman." He got out of the car and poked me in the chest. Maybe the alcohol hadn't quite left his system yet, and I vowed that tomorrow there would be no wine involved. I wanted to get to know him without any distractions.

I walked him to his villa and made him some coffee.

It might help him sober up.

He collapsed onto the sofa and closed his eyes again. Today had taken its toll on him. The heat, the wine, Raphael.

I brewed a cup for us both, placed it on the table, and sat next to him.

"So, what do you want to do tomorrow?"

"Stay in bed." He took a sip of his coffee and sighed. "That's excellent coffee."

Of course it was. We French knew how to make it.

"You have one day left until you go home. Don't waste it here. I have an idea for something we can do."

"Today was great, mostly, but you don't need to hang out with me. I'm sure you have other things to be getting on with."

Did he not understand I wanted to spend time with him?

"I have you to be getting on with. I promised you a couple of days, and that's what you'll get. No arguments. Now drink your coffee and then take a nap. I'll pick you up a little later, and we'll go for dinner at the restaurant here."

"But…"

"No buts. I'm the manager. I can eat here whenever I like with whomever I like. I'll be back at seven."

"Such a bully." But he smiled, and his gorgeous brown eyes twinkled.

I laughed and shook my head. "I'm no bully, but I will drag you out of here if you're not dressed. I don't care if you're naked."

"What? You wouldn't."

"I would. You deserve to enjoy your time here, and we need to talk about Theo's wedding."

He stared at me as if I had suddenly spoken French.

"You wanted a date. I offered. We need to iron out a few kinks before we arrive, don't you think?"

"I guess so. I'm just so tired."

"Which is why you're going to bed." I held out my hand and, when he took it, pulled him up.

"Anyone ever told you that you're bossy?" His pout was adorable, and I sorely wanted to kiss it away, but I couldn't. Wouldn't.

"Plenty of times. Now, off with you, and I'll be back in a few hours."

He stumbled to the bedroom, and I left, quietly closing the front door behind me.

Today could have gone better. Raphael would get a piece of my mind. He had no right to do that to Vince. He'd been showing off but had taken it too far. How he'd known I was interested in Vince, I had no idea, but he'd played on that in the worst possible way.

I walked past the reception to my office. Giselle followed, as I knew she would.

"You're back early, and where's Vince?"

"In his villa. In bed, sleeping, I hope."

"I warned you about going to Raphael's place. He still holds a candle for you despite your break-up."

"I took a friend. That's all Vince is."

She tapped her finger against her chin. "Hmm, I wonder. You've never taken this much interest in a guest before."

"We've never had one mugged before."

"Oh, come on, Papa. Admit it. You like him."

I did, and I couldn't fully explain why I was attracted to him. I wanted to know more about him, learn what made him tick, and especially why he put himself down so much.

I wasn't a therapist or counsellor, but everyone deserved happiness, either by their own hand or with someone who would love them.

Not saying that was what I wanted to do, but he deserved to have someone to treat him right.

"I do like him, but I liked Raphael too."

"Raphael cheated on you, then instantly regretted his decision." She sat on my desk, dangling her legs.

"Yeah, well, the less said about him, the better. He overstepped today." I told her what had happened, how he'd plied Vince with alcohol, even though Vince had said he drank little.

" Cochon ."

"Hey, language. He might be a pig, but no daughter of mine swears."

"Huh, you swear worse than I do. Where do you think I got it from?"

"Likely your mother."

She laughed. "Yeah, probably."

"How is she? Claudette and I were still friends despite our split.

"Maman's doing okay. She wants to come visit soon. I said it'd probably be fine."

"Of course it is. She can stay with us, or we can find her something here if she'd prefer."

"I'll let you know. I'd best get back to work."

"Yes, otherwise, your boss is going to fire you, or we'll be accused of nepotism."

She hopped off the desk and went back to work. I logged onto my emails but couldn't concentrate, my thoughts once again wandering to Vince.

Was he still sleeping? Would he have the headache from hell? Probably, but I'd know soon enough.

I kept an apartment at the resort in case I needed to stay overnight, and I made my way there now. I'd have just enough time to shower and change before going back for him.

It was warm inside, and I threw the doors open to let in some much-needed fresh air, although it was just as warm outside as in.

I stripped off and strolled to the bathroom.

I was fit, not bad looking, although I didn't particularly like my greying hair.

What could I have to offer a young man like Vince?

I had money. Not that I advertised the fact. Could he fall for a man like me?

Only one way to find out.

As I showered, a plan formed, and I laughed to myself as I dried off. One way or another, this evening I'd know if Vince was my unicorn, as Raphael had put it, or if he was just a harmless flirtation.

I knocked on his door, seven on the dot, but there was no answer. Every chance he was still asleep.

I tried again, a little harder, and this time footsteps shuffled to the door.

A bedraggled, yawning Vince opened the door, his hair sticking up on end, his clothes askew. He looked adorable.

"Oh fuck." He walked back inside, and I followed.

"Do you want to go out this evening?"

He slumped onto the sofa and rubbed his eyes. "I guess so. I crashed after you left."

"I can see that." He had lines on his face and arms from the crinkled sheets. "Go jump into the shower. Wake yourself up."

"Won't it be too late?"

"It's seven, Vince. We French stay out until late. Hurry up, though. I'm starving." I ushered him into the bathroom and made myself comfortable on the couch.

Vince wasn't the tidiest person on the planet. A few T-shirts hung over a chair, a battered case was pushed into the corner, and his phone lay on the table.

A phone that lit up and pinged with an incoming message. Not that I was being nosy, but it was difficult to miss the name ‘Theo' flick across the screen.

Please, Vince, I miss you.

Well, that was an interesting turn of events, but I flipped the phone over. I didn't want to intrude on his privacy any further and read the other messages that kept coming.

Was the wedding still on? Why would Theo be messaging him and telling him he missed him? As a friend? Did he want him to be his boyfriend?

Ooh, I didn't like that. I didn't know the guy, but he was no good for Vince.

Nope, not one bit.

I tapped my fingers on the arm of the sofa, the phone taunting me. It'd be wrong of me to read it, right?

The bathroom door opened, and out stepped Vince, a small towel slung around his waist, droplets of water on his hairless chest.

Lost for words, I stared, my mouth dry.

He wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, as the English said, but he was absolutely mine. My eyes tracked lower to the unmistakable bulge beneath the towel.

"I know. I'm fat. No need to stare."

"Vince, I can assure you that's not why I was staring."

"Then why else would you?"

"Is it so hard to believe I'm attracted to you?"

He laughed dryly and walked towards his bedroom. "See yourself out."

Not happening, god dammit.

I strode after him and entered the room just when his towel fell to the floor.

"Get out!"

"Vince…I…"

"You what? Want to laugh at the fat guy? I've had enough of that in my life, thank you very much. I didn't think you would treat me that way as well."

"Have you heard me laugh or snigger? Mon Dieu, you are infuriating."

He snatched up the towel and wrapped it around his waist.

"And you are…pah. I can't even think of a word, but how can you find me attractive? I don't believe you."

I stalked towards him.

"Do you need me to show you? There's something about you I can't explain. That first night when you were mugged, and I took you home. Right there and then, I realised I wanted to know more about you. Why is it so hard to understand that someone could like you? Love you, even."

"Because men like you don't like men like me. They never have and never will."

"Men like me? You don't know who or what I am, but I'd like you to. Is that too much to ask?"

He looked down at his feet, his arms hanging by his side, his shoulders slumped. His body screamed defeat, and I wasn't about to let that happen.

"Let me in. Talk to me, let me decide who I like. Don't make that decision for me. Give me a chance."

Slowly he lifted his head, his face wet with tears.

"You mean that?"

"I do. Now get dressed, and let's go out and eat. I'm hungry, and I'm betting you are too."

Vince nodded and shuffled towards the wardrobe, clutching the towel tightly.

"I'll leave you to get dressed. Don't be long."