Chapter 12

Vince

N o one had ever said those words to me, so forgive me if I didn't believe him. How could someone like him find me attractive? If I hadn't been so upset, I'd have laughed in his face.

But he seemed sincere, and maybe I needed to take a chance for once and hope that, unlike others, he wasn't teasing or mocking me.

I threw on a shirt and shorts, slipped my feet into my flip-flops, and grabbed my key card and wallet.

Feeling slightly foolish, I walked into the lounge. Sylvain stood by the sliding doors, his hands deep in his pockets, his back to me.

His navy blue T-shirt stretched over his broad shoulders, the golden tan of his powerful arms emphasised by the colour.

"I'm sorry for my outburst."

"You have every right to feel the way you do." He didn't move and carried on looking out over the garden. "But please, Vince, don't dismiss what I say. I'm not a man who lies to get what he wants. If I say I like you or find you attractive, I mean it."

Finally, he turned, shadows highlighting his face.

He really was fucking gorgeous, and old insecurities flared. But I tamped them down. I wouldn't let them ruin this evening, even if it was the only one we had.

The table at the restaurant was far enough away from others that we wouldn't be overheard. Was that intentional? Not that I was complaining.

Fabien served us, but this time, he was professional, which probably had everything to do with the fact that he was serving his boss.

I ordered lamb, whereas Sylvain got the pork tenderloin, all served with a bottle of sparkling water. I didn't want to see another glass of wine as long as I lived, not after this afternoon's fiasco.

"So, Theo's wedding." Sylvain sipped his water. "Are we going?"

"He keeps messaging me. Asking me to talk to him."

"Ah, I'll admit I saw a message earlier saying he missed you. Is he no longer with his beau?"

"The wedding is still on, according to Lexi. Maybe he realises what a good friend I'd always been to him."

"I think that's likely, and on that basis, you should celebrate your friend's special day with him. I'm more than happy to go with you, but I would understand if you chose not to accept my offer."

His offer was definitely tempting, and I could just imagine the look on Theo's face, but more than that, the look on Glen's face as he saw I wasn't as much of a loser as he thought.

"Would it be a bother? I'd hate to put you out."

He raised one eyebrow. "Do I have to spell it out, Vince? You aren't a bother, and this wedding isn't a bother. I wouldn't have offered otherwise."

"Then I'll say yes."

"The best decision all evening. Other than dropping the towel when I walked into your bedroom."

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

"You are so adorable when you blush." His smile could light up a room, it was so bright, and I swooned just a little at the attention.

"I'm not used to compliments."

"Then get used to them." He knocked my foot with his own and winked. What on earth was I going to do with him?

Several thoughts came to mind, and once again, my cheeks warmed.

"Care to tell me what you're thinking about?"

I shook my head and gulped down the water. "Nope. You don't want to know."

"I think I do. Or maybe I should tell you what I've been thinking about. Better still, why don't I show you?"

My whole body was on fire, and I gestured to Fabien. "More water, please, and ice…lots of ice."

Sylvain threw his head back and laughed, a rich sound that resonated in my chest.

"Maybe I should tease you with it. How does that sound? I can tell by the look on your face you want to."

Damn my face. It always gave me away. This man was brazen and definitely flirty.

"Shall we get some to go? No one will question the boss."

As tempting as it was, my body wasn't ready for that. It wasn't ready for anything. No man had ever touched me, and right now, my dick was so hard I'd likely come with one touch, especially if it wasn't mine.

Dare I tell him? Would he understand? Was he expecting something I couldn't give?

"I, er, I'm, um." The words stuck in my throat, but I was determined to say them out loud. I looked to the ceiling for guidance, licking my top lip.

A groan emanated from the other side of the table, and I looked at Sylvain. He was staring at me as if I was his next snack.

The last thing I wanted to do was to lead him on. It was only fair I came clean.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, gathering my composure.

"I'm a virgin," I blurted. Was it my imagination, or did the room quiet for a moment?

God, now would be the perfect time for the floor to open and swallow me.

"Hey, eyes on me." Sylvain placed his hand over mine and rubbed circles on the back of my hand.

I did as he asked and lost myself in his brown eyes, the flecks of amber swirling like molten chocolate.

"You okay?" His concern was almost too much, but I nodded. The constant motion of his thumb had soothed my nerves.

"I'm fine. God, I've told no one that, least of all someone I'm attracted to."

"The feeling is mutual, I assure you. You are safe with me, and I would do nothing you weren't happy with."

"I don't know what I'd be happy with. I've never done anything. Ever."

"Not even when you were younger?"

I shook my head. "Not a touch, not a kiss, not a fumble in the dark. I'm as much of a virgin as you can get."

His eyes softened. I was glad I'd told him. If anything was to happen between us, he'd take things slowly or as slowly as I wanted. I wanted to experience everything he had to offer.

"Finish your dinner before it gets cold." He gestured to the half-eaten lamb on my plate.

The evening couldn't go any better. I ate and chatted and smiled. And each time I looked at Sylvain, he was watching me.

"Stop it." I tapped his hand.

"Why? I like to look at you. So many expressions and emotions, I never know what you're thinking."

It'd started with a kiss, and who knew where it'd lead to next? That was what I was thinking.

My meal finally finished, I stretched my legs before me, resting my hands on my full stomach.

"That was the best meal I've had all holiday. I could eat it again."

"I'll let the chef know. Do you want dessert?"

"Don't tempt me. Besides, I'm still tired from earlier."

"Then let me walk you back to your villa."

As I stepped out of the air-conditioned restaurant into the balmy night, heat prickled along my skin.

Which had absolutely nothing to do with the anticipation surging through me at the thought of what came next.

Sylvain offered his hand. I glanced at it, then at him, taking reassurance from his encouraging smile.

I took his hand, conscious of my sweaty palm and pounding heart.

Other than the chirp of the crickets, the evening was quiet. We strolled hand in hand as if it were the most natural thing.

Sylvain had been the perfect gentleman all day. He'd opened my door, helped me with my seat belt, walked me back to the villa, so when we eventually reached the door, it felt right to invite him in.

"I have little in the way of a nightcap, but I can offer you some coffee." I walked over to the machine and filled the water tank. My heart raced, and adrenaline flooded my system.

"Come sit with me." Four panic-inducing words I never thought I'd hear.

But by god, he looked handsome, his face bathed in the moonlight streaming through the open curtains.

How could I do this, whatever it may be? This was a game to him. He'd tell me it was all a joke and had no intention of going to the wedding with me.

Those damned insecurities played havoc with my mind again, but fuck them.

This was my moment.

With a thundering in my chest, I perched on the edge of the sofa.

"How can I kiss you sitting all the way over there?"

I gulped, closed my eyes, and leant back.

Fingers brushed my neck, and I flinched.

"Nothing to worry about, Vince."

"I'm not worried." But my voice, tight and taut as a piano wire, said otherwise.

Not about him, but about myself, about what we may be on the verge of doing. Would my blood pressure survive?

"Relax into it. Drop your shoulders and let it all go."

I sank into the sofa and breathed deeply, releasing the tension.

"Open your eyes, Vince. Look at me."

He was inches away. My head was spinning. From desire or lust? Or were they one and the same?

Sylvain moved closer, his lips a whisker away from mine.

I held my breath. Should I lift my head? Which way? Would we bump noses?

"Breathe, mon cher." With the press of soft lips, butterflies invaded my stomach, swooping and fluttering.

My whole body trembled. I was finally doing it. I was finally kissing a man. Feeling bold, I placed my hands on his shoulders, firm beneath my fingers. Every one of my senses overloaded.

I groaned. Never had I experienced anything like this, not even in my wildest dreams.

He tilted his head, and without thinking, I did the same. No noses bumped. He fit perfectly.

Slowly he opened his mouth and licked my lips, then pushed his tongue into my mouth.

Shivering, I pulled back, not ready for that yet.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"No, you should. I just need a minute to adjust. Virgin, remember?"

I stood and walked to the sliding door to catch my breath.

"I can go."

"I don't want you to." And I didn't. I wanted more from him.

I adjusted myself and turned to him, not hiding my arousal.

"This is what you've done to me. I want more." Just how much, I wasn't sure, but I'd come this far, and I wouldn't back down now.

I removed my shirt and dropped it to the floor. A sudden surge of warmth spread from my groin to the rest of my body. The moment he touched my bare skin, I'd be overcome by the sensations.

I waited, silently pleading for him to come to me, not yet brave enough to take the step toward him.

He didn't disappoint. Slowly and with purpose, he approached, and when he placed his warm hands on my skin, I almost cried.

Emotions I'd kept hidden surfaced. Want, need, the desire to be loved. Not once had someone looked at me, touched me, kissed me.

"I love your skin. It's so soft and smooth." I sucked in my still flabby stomach. "Don't. I want to see you as you are. You are attractive just as you are."

How? Why?

He lowered his lips to mine again and pulled me flush to his hard body. His erection pressed into my stiff cock.

I wound my arms around his waist and lost myself in the kiss.

"Hmm, you're not bad at that, considering you said you'd never done it."

Quietly pleased, I shrugged. "I may have practised on my hand when I was twelve, but you're the first real man I've kissed."

"I can assure you I'm a real man." His deep laugh filled the room.

"I know you are," I said shyly.

He was definitely a real man. A well-endowed man. I reached for his shorts, desperate to see a dick other than my own in the flesh.

He pulled away and wagged his finger. "Nuh-uh. Not tonight. I'm not here to take advantage, just to tempt you with possibilities."

He'd definitely done that. A simple taste wasn't enough, and now I'd sampled the goods, I wanted to buy the store.

"Come, let's go back to the sofa, where it's more comfortable."

He sat in the middle, not leaving much room for me on either side. Where did he expect me to sit?

"Here." He patted his lap. "I will have full access, then."

Crushing was also a possibility.

"I can't." This was the moment when it all came apart. "I'll crush you."

"Don't be ridiculous. I won't break, Vince."

Reluctantly I lowered myself, taking most of my weight. God, if this didn't scare him off…

"I said sit." He pulled me onto his lap, but he didn't flinch, didn't groan, but his eyes grew wide.

"See, I told you I was too heavy." I struggled to get up, but he stopped me.

"You're perfect, but this here"—he pointed to my swollen cock—"makes me want to do things to you I don't think you're ready for."

Oh, I was ready. At least I thought I was, but he was right. Now wasn't the time to rush into things.

"One more kiss?" I asked. Please let him say yes .

"I think that's a good idea."

I kissed him until my head spun and my lips were sore. His hands wandered, brushing over parts of me I hadn't known were so sensitive. I quickly reached boiling point, and although he didn't touch my cock directly, the friction as he rubbed against me had me close to the edge.

All too soon, he pushed me away.

"If we don't stop now, we might end up somewhere we shouldn't be."

"I'm all for that." I chased his lips, wanting more.

"Vince, we have tomorrow to do it again, and it's getting late."

"You could stay over?" What the hell was I saying? The first sign of attention and I was throwing myself at him, offering to take him to bed. He was right. We needed to stop.

"I love seeing you like this." Sylvain touched my swollen lips, his eyes hooded.

My head spun, drunk from his dizzying kisses.

I flicked out my tongue, catching the tip of his finger and licking it. Who was I, and what had happened to the old Vince?

"You should go." I finally came to my senses and climbed off his lap.

"Hmm, you're right, although I don't want to." He pressed his hand to his groin, calming his erection. I knew how he felt, and as soon as he walked out the door, I'd race to my bedroom to jerk off. The things we'd done this evening would be firmly etched into my memory.

If tomorrow never happened, I'd have that at least.