Chapter 11

Adrian squinted through the rain lashed windscreen. Gusty wind beat against them as the storm raged in the sky above. Next to him, in the close confines of the Land Rover and in the gloomy light from the dashboard, Adrian was acutely aware of Luca’s presence. Too aware, more aware than he wanted to be, way more aware than he’d been of any man for far too long.

“Driving in this sort of weather’s hell.”

Adrian glanced across. Even in the shadowed darkness Luca looked contrite, as though the bad whether was somehow his fault. The tightness in Adrian’s jaw loosened.

“This is nothing. Just a shower, really.”

Luca laughed, and Adrian smiled in response. “If you say so. Glad I’m not driving, though. It’s not perhaps my most accomplished skill.”

What is your best skill… The unbidden thought, sudden and raw, flashed through Adrian, burning through his blood. Staring ahead, he resisted the urge look at Luca.

The driveway leading to The New House loomed up in the headlights, and Adrian turned onto it, wheels crunching over the gravel. Rounding a bend, the hotel came into full view, lit up by soft white lights.

“There’s a narrow road, just on the left,” Luca said. “It’s out of bounds to guests, as it leads towards the cottage and further on to Alex and Ryan’s place.”

Adrian made the turn, the big four wheeled drive taking up the whole width. His headlights picked out the cat’s eyes as the road wound its way through dense woods.

“You don’t live in the hotel?”

“God, no. If I did, I’d be on duty 24/7. Not that I’m already not, because that’s the nature of the job, but having my own accommodation gives me some kind of separation, which is vital. Look, up ahead.”

A cottage came into view; like the hotel the exterior walls were warmly lit by soft white lights. Adrian pulled up on the driveway. The place looked inviting and homely.

“It’s lovely.” Adrian switched the windscreen wipers off, the rain immediately obliterating the view, but left the engine running.

“It is. Alex is a genius at renovating — no wonder his company’s made such a name for itself. The place was a tumbled down wreck; it was all but impossible to believe it could be turned into something habitable, let alone anything remotely comfortable or stylish. I’ve got settled here, and I’ll miss it when I leave.”

“Leave?” Luca’s word was an unexpected shock. He cleared his throat. “You’ve only just got here.”

In the gloomy light, Luca shrugged. “I’ve been here for a few months now. I’d had enough of London and was looking for a change. When Alex converted the mansion into a hotel, he needed an experienced manager to get the place up and running. Our stars aligned, as it were. It was only ever a temporary arrangement, even though he’s putting pressure on me to stay. Anyway,” Luca said, unlocking his seat belt, “thank you for the lift. I should let you get on, because I’m sure you don’t want to be out too long in this.” Luca smiled, making no move to get out of the car.

“Rain’ll ease up soon.”

“You seem very sure.”

“Because I am.”

Luca nodded, but said nothing.

The storm would blow itself out soon, but the wind was still brisk and a sudden gust rocked the car. In the half light, the tip of Luca’s tongue swept across his lower lip.

“Would you like to come in? Until it clears a bit. For a coffee, to say thank you?”

Adrian huffed. “You don’t need to thank me. I offered. If I hadn’t have wanted to, I wouldn’t have.”

“Are you always so blunt?”

Adrian mimed thinking for a moment. “Yes.”

Luca laughed, the sound low yet light, sending a rush of heat through Adrian’s belly. Christ. He should say no, turn the car around, and?—

“Do you have decaf? I don’t want to be awake half the night.”

“So, that’s a yes, to coming in?”

Adrian bit down on the smile tugging at his lips. “Didn’t I just say?”

Luca tutted. Getting out of the car, he ran for the door and Adrian followed.

Letting them into the cottage, Luca switched on the light. Following him in, Adrian’s eyes widened. From the outside, the cottage screamed Country Homes, but the interior was straight out of Metropolitan Living.

Open plan, sleek and modern, the only concession Adrian could see to a rural cottage was the heavy, iron wood burning stove yet rather than jarring, it complemented the modern, unfussy interior.

“This is beautiful,” he said, meaning every word.

Over by the counter in the kitchen area, Luca smiled. “I told you Alex was a genius. Even though he’s got a huge and talented team behind him, he was very hands on with every aspect of The New House project. Even this place.”

“It sounds like you’ve known him for a long time.”

“I have. We’ve been friends for a good twenty years, if not more. We met in London, when he hired the conference suite at the hotel I was working in at the time, to promote a prestigious, high end development. I remember it because I was doing a stint with the conference team, and I was helping to set up some of those tall roller banners. One must have been faulty, because it collapsed on Alex and he fell over just as his would-be clients came trooping in. It might have hurt his pride, but not his prospects, because he sold all the properties.” Luca smiled and shook his head. “Okay, I’ve got decaf everything. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Take your pick.”

Adrian sat down on the large sofa in front of the wood burner, sinking into the soft cushions. As Luca busied himself in the kitchen, Adrian took the time to take it all in.

The walls were painted pale yellow and a rich, soft white; it was light without glaring, welcoming and relaxing, blunting what could have been the hard edge of sleek. A built-in bookcase held a small collection of books, including those Luca had had with him in the café. Some framed photos took up the space on one of the shelves. The urge to get up and inspect closer both the books and photos tugged at him, but he resisted.

“I hope you like cake. It’s from the hotel. Classic lemon drizzle.” Luca planted a tray on the chunky coffee table in front of the sofa, and plated up a generous slice without waiting for an answer.

Adrian groaned as he bit into the soft, buttery sponge, the lemon both sweet and sour on his tongue. His eyes caught Luca’s, who smiled. At Luca’s prompting, he took another slice; he’d had to forgo his dinner to rush to the meeting and hadn’t realised how hungry he was.

“That was great. Thank you.” Adrian pushed his crumb-strewn plate and empty mug aside. Outside, the wind beat at the cottage walls. He really should be going. He should?—

“You said coming here was only ever a temporary arrangement. Why’s that?”

Next to him on the sofa, Luca’s eyes widened, just for a moment, before his expression closed.

Inside, Adrian groaned. “I’m sorry. That’s another thing that’s your business and not mine.” It really was time to leave. The thought formed a small hollow in his chest. As he went to push himself up, Luca spoke.

“Lots of things aren’t your business but they don’t seem to stop you from asking.”

“Ouch. But point taken.”

Luca’s lips twitched, thawing his frozen features. He blew out a long breath. “I both wanted and needed to move on. From my job. From London. From… a personal situation.”

Luca’s shoulders slumped and his blue eyes lost their shine. They looked dull and flat, as though a light inside of him had been switched off. Sad, so damned sad. Something clenched hard in Adrian’s chest. He moved closer, only wanting to reignite the flame in Luca which, for whatever reason, had been snubbed out.

The need to say something, offer some kind of platitude, faded as Adrian’s gaze rested on Luca’s. His heart beat hard in his chest and his blood whooshed, deafening, through his veins.

Luca was everything he was determined to stay away from.

Luca was passing through, he had no roots in the land, he was a man made for the city and everything that went with it.

Luca was everything he didn’t need but everything he wanted, no matter how much he told himself he didn’t, no matter how much he told himself to keep his distance.

Beautiful blue eyes stared back at him with a hunger that matched his own.

Adrian leant in. Angling his head, all the screeching alarms fell silent. Luca mirrored his movement, his lips parting, the kiss as inevitable as spring after a long, desolate winter.

A harsh blare ripped them apart. Luca leapt to his feet, and fumbled in the pocket of his trousers, almost dropping his phone.

“Hello? What — oh. No, no, it’s fine, of course it is.” Turning his back on Adrian, he walked towards the kitchen.

Adrian pushed himself to standing, on legs he refused to acknowledge were unsteady. What the fuck had he been doing? He ran his hands down his face. Luca Graham wasn’t his business, and that was how it needed to stay. He rubbed the back of his hand over his lips, wiping away the kiss that had never been and never would.

Adrian turned for the door just as Luca swung around.

“Just a minute.” Luca muted his phone. “Adrian, I’m sorry. I won’t be a moment. It’s?—”

“I have to get back. Thanks for…” he nodded to the coffee table.

“But—”

Adrian didn’t hear another word as he closed the door behind him.