Chapter 13

Vince

A fter another round of kisses, Sylvain left with a promise to pick me up the next day and take me out. How had I got so lucky? More to the point, how did he find me attractive?

I still struggled with it, my insecurities telling me it was only a matter of time before he kicked me to the kerb.

I leant against the closed door, finally able to get my erratic heartbeat under control. We hadn't even had coffee, far too engrossed in what we were doing.

Not that I was complaining. I'd rather be kissing Sylvain any day.

I giggled. I should call Lexi and tell her.

But for that, I needed to find my phone. I looked under the couch cushions, opened kitchen cupboards, but nothing. Where was the bloody thing? I walked into the bedroom, where it lay on the nightstand, almost out of charge.

I plugged it in. Shit, it was after one. Too late to call.

The screen showed several messages from Theo—five of them.

When had he sent those?

I opened the app. All of them had come in this evening, and each one had become more pleading.

Please, Vince. I miss you.

Call me.

I miss my friend.

I'm sorry.

Please don't ignore me.

That was the last one sent just twenty minutes ago. The green dot showed he was still active.

I hovered my finger over the Call button. I missed him too. We'd had a stupid argument, one he regretted, probably more than I did.

He'd said some unforgivable words. I'd taken them to heart, and they were hard to ignore. Were they worth throwing fifteen years of friendship away for?

The messages had dampened my ardour and enthusiasm to rub one out. If I called him now, I wasn't sure I'd be able to contain the anger simmering beneath the surface.

Instead, I sent a brief message.

I know.

He deserved nothing more, but before I could read any response, I turned off the phone. I'd deal with it tomorrow.

I stretched, lifting my hands to the ceiling. Sylvain's fingers would touch it easily. They were long, thin, and elegant, unlike my stubby digits.

How heavenly they had felt on my naked body when he'd run them up and down my arms and grasped my face in his hands. He'd thrust his tongue inside my mouth, and I'd let him, relishing the taste, the roughness as it assaulted my mouth.

My cock twitched, reminding me it was waiting, aching to be touched.

I'd locked the door, and the lights were off, so it was just a case of heading to bed. I clicked on the air-con, slipped out of my shorts, and lay on the bed, a thin sheet covering me.

A couple of months ago, at Lexi's wedding, I'd been in the same position, lying in a bed ready to wank, except I no longer had the image of Theo and Glen in my head but the lean, fit body of Sylvain. Admittedly, most was my imagination, but I knew it'd be worth waiting for. Hopefully, I'd get the chance to see it before the holiday was over.

I had one more full day. Then it'd be time to fly home, and then what would happen?

Not wanting to contemplate that, I squeezed my eyes shut and pictured Sylvain as he'd been tonight—his lips, as swollen as mine, puffy and pink.

My cock jumped and grew, tenting the sheet. I pushed it down, the chill in the air causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin.

Oh, yeah. So fucking good.

I ran my finger up the underside of my length, rubbed the pre-cum in and around the head, and dipped the tip of my finger into my slit.

I gripped my cock in my hand, squeezing as hard as I dared without hurting. Unlike most men in the UK, I had been circumcised at a young age after a round of infections had refused to clear. There'd been no lasting effects, thankfully, but I needed lube more than I didn't.

Suitably slick, I stroked my cock, lifting my hips from the bed, thrusting through my firm grip. All the while, I sensed the phantom touch of Sylvain's lips on mine.

It'd been a few days since I'd last masturbated, so I wouldn't last long, especially with the images I conjured up and the thought of what we might get up to tomorrow.

Maybe he'd touch me, or I'd touch him. What would he look like? From the little I'd felt through his shorts, he was longer than me, definitely thicker. God, I couldn't wait to take him.

Would sex hurt? Did I even want anal sex? Nothing had ever breached me, not in all of my twenty-eight years.

Of course I knew what it entailed, and it always looked so hot in porn. Would it be the same in real life? As much as I worried about this, I wanted it.

More to the point, I wanted him…Sylvain.

I gripped my dick tighter, my muscles straining from the effort. I was close but not quite there.

I pictured Sylvain stripping, revealing his body to me. Strong arms, thick thighs, a fat cock hanging between his legs, heavy balls full of spunk.

Lazily he stroked himself, his cock growing with every movement until he was fully erect and the tip touched his stomach. He squeezed the end, pre-cum coating his fingertips. He lifted them to his lips and licked the slick liquid.

I wanted to do that, wanted to be the one to stroke him, wanted to be the one to suck him. With a shout, I shot hot, sticky cum over my hand and stomach.

Stars exploded behind my closed eyes, and my body spasmed. My cock jumped and twitched until finally my breath and heart rate returned to normal.

Sated, boneless, and tired, I drifted off to sleep.

Several hours later, I woke, the cum cold and crusty on my stomach. Fuck. That needed to go.

It was already seven. Sylvain wouldn't be here until ten. I still had a few hours left. I cleaned up, turned off the air conditioning, and snuggled back under the sheet.

Out of habit, I grabbed my phone and turned it on. I reeled back from the ping of messages bombarding my phone.

Theo. Most of them from Theo.

What on earth was going on with him?

I scrolled down and stopped at one from Lexi.

Call me when you wake up. We need to talk.

Well, that didn't sound good, and I dialled her number.

"What's up, Lex?"

"Theo."

"I got a bunch of messages from him. What's going on?"

"He's panicking. Says you won't speak to him."

"I've been avoiding his messages. I'm still pissed off."

"Just call him, please? Robin and I are tired of his constant calls."

"Then ignore them."

"Please, Vince. Even if it's only to tell him you're done with him. Just let him know where he stands. I think that's what's bothering him. He keeps asking if you're going to the wedding, and I have no answer for him."

"Sounds like it's a him problem, but I guess I should call and get it out of the way." I sighed. Since when had he become so needy, and since when did I not give a shit?

"How is the holiday? Any more muggings?"

"Nope, but I'm having a wonderful time. Maybe I'll stay here."

"You? You're a creature of habit. Tell me all about it when we pick you up from the airport on Saturday. I have to dash to get on the train. And ring Theo. Now!"

"All right. Keep your hair on." The line went dead, and I found Theo's number.

I'd listen to what he had to say, keep it short and sweet.

I dialled, and he answered on the first ring. No surprise there.

"Vince, thank god."

"What do you want?" It was far too early for his bullshit excuses.

"I've missed you."

It was on the tip of my tongue to say something, but I sat quietly, waiting for him to continue.

"I hate we argued."

"You said some shit things, Theo."

"I know I did. I don't know what came over me, but I was wrong." His voice was so quiet I almost couldn't hear him.

"You were, yes."

"Are you coming to the wedding? I know that's what we argued about, but I really want you there."

"So, you're still going ahead with it, then?"

"I am. I love him, Vince. He's the one."

"I am happy for you, Theo. That morning—"

"Wasn't our best moment. I realise now how much of a shock it must have been, and I reacted badly."

"You did. I'm finding it hard to get past what you said to me. You hurt me."

"I was mean and hurtful. If I could take my words back, I would do it in a heartbeat."

He sounded genuinely sorry, and while I couldn't quite forgive him fully, it was time to put things behind us.

"I'll need a little time, Theo, but I'll be coming to the wedding. You can put down a plus-one."

His intake of breath was sharp, and I smiled. Ha, I knew it. He thought I'd be coming alone.

"Anyone I know?"

"Nope." I wanted Sylvain to be a surprise in the best possible way.

"Come on, Vince. You can't say that and not anything else. Who is it? Is it one of your friends?"

He'd perked up a little. Theo was a gossip, always had been.

"It'll be a surprise. Look, I have to get ready. I'm meeting a friend for the day."

"A friend? You don't have any."

And there he went again.

"I don't just have you and Lexi, you know. Have a good day, and I'll see you at the wedding."

"Oh, okay. Bye, Vince."

Just when I thought we were getting somewhere, he had to go and spoil it, but I wouldn't let it ruin my day. I lay back on the pillows to catch a little more sleep. I wanted to be fresh for my last day with Sylvain.

But sleep was nowhere close, and I tossed and turned, getting more annoyed as time ticked on.

Maybe I should pack instead.

I threw everything I didn't need haphazardly into the case, not caring if it wrinkled. I'd be putting it in the washing machine when I got home anyway.

I made coffee and sat on the deck, watching the sun climb in the sky. It'd be another hot one. What would Sylvain have planned?

After a second cup of coffee, I showered and dressed in a shirt and shorts, the last day I could wear them. I wasn't looking forward to going back to the jeans I usually wore for work, but that was a worry for another day.

Just like worrying about Mum once I was home. I'd not stressed about her here, and that thought made going home even more depressing. It'd be back to the grind, back to my boring life. In France, I felt alive and seen, a feeling I'd never experienced, used as I was to being invisible.

These past couple of days, Sylvain had brought out a newfound confidence in me I desperately didn't want to lose.

I discovered the Vince I was meant to be, not the one I had been for the last twenty-eight years.

At ten on the dot, a knock sounded on the door, and I yanked it open, grinning at the man standing before me, a single rose in his hand.

"For you." He handed it to me, and my heart melted. "Too much?"

"Not at all. It's perfect. I'll just put it in water, then be right with you."

He followed me into the villa and stood behind me as I filled a glass, his hands on my shoulders.

"Did you sleep well?"

"So-so. I woke early to a bunch of messages from Theo. I finally called him."

I turned around, the pure white rose between us.

"How did that go?"

"I thought we'd had a breakthrough, but then he made a dickhead comment, and we were back to the start. I told him I was bringing a plus-one to the wedding. He asked who, as I had no friends."

Sylvain frowned. "I think I need to have a word with this Theo and remind him how you treat friends. Seems like he needs some practice."

"It's fine. I don't want to think or talk about him. It's my last full day here, and I want to enjoy it…and you."

"Then let's go." He placed the glass on the kitchen counter and brought me to him. A couple of inches taller than me, he didn't have to bend far to kiss me and turn my brain to mush.

"I wanted to remind myself how good you tasted." He smiled.

I must have looked like a fool, standing with my eyes closed and my mouth open, but I didn't care. I was happier than I'd been in a long while.

"Where to today?" I asked.

"I thought we could drive up into the mountains, so grab a jacket. It can be a little cooler where we're going."

I grabbed a sweatshirt from my case, and we walked to the car.

I couldn't imagine it being cool here, having had nothing but hot, sunny weather since I'd arrived, but as we reached our destination an hour later, I slipped my sweatshirt on against the chill in the air.

The higher we'd climbed, the cloudier it had become, but the views over the bay in the distance were stunning, the sun clearly unimpeded on the coast.

"Let's go explore and have ice cream."

"In this weather? I'd rather have a hot coffee."

"That's one reason I brought you up here. They have the best ice cream around. I wanted to share it with you."

He took my hand and led me through the narrow, cobbled streets of the mountainside village. It was untouched, rural, and authentic. Little shops selling handmade soap and perfumes alternated with gorgeous jewelleries displaying rings, bracelets, and silver chains. I fell in love with a beautiful silver ring, and although it wasn't expensive, it was out of my budget. More was the pity.

Finally, we stopped at the ice cream parlour, and Sylvain had been right about them having the best ice cream. The creamy strawberry and melon ice cream was delicious.

We ate our treats, overlooking the vista, content in each other's company.

"I'm going to miss this," I said.

"It's a beautiful village. I come here often when I feel the need to get away. It's my escape."

"I don't mean the scenery." I turned to him, but instead of explaining, I committed him to memory: his impressive profile, strong nose, and firm jaw.

Dark hair, greying at the temples, a well-trimmed beard, peppered with grey, expressive brown eyes that pinned me with their intense gaze.

I'd miss his company, his sexy French accent, the way he looked at me.

Tears sprung to my eyes. Would I see him again? He'd said so, and I had to believe he was telling the truth.

This man had awakened a passion inside me. A passion for life and love. I refused to give it up. Meeting him had been the boost I needed. How could I let him walk out of my life, never see him again?

Not going to happen. I'd make damn sure of that.

"Are you okay, Vince? Why are you crying?"

He took my hand and brought it to his lips.

"I don't want this to end."

"It doesn't have to be the end. This thing between us is just the beginning. I wish I could make you understand. Tomorrow won't be goodbye forever. I promise you that. You'll see me again and very soon. Now let's enjoy the view, then our last evening together."