Chase the Ace by Clare London

Author:Clare London [London, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63533-234-6
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2017-01-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

EVENING HAD fallen while we were in the house. The air outside had cooled, and shadows slid drowsily across the drive. As Nick and I neared the car, I heard running footsteps on the gravel behind me. Mark came to a halt beside me, breathing heavily. He thrust a bottle of the dark liqueur into my hands before I could think to refuse it.

“I’m glad I caught you. I can’t spend much time, I’m—” He glanced back at the house. “—expected back in a minute. I just wanted to make sure we’ll….” He paused again.

“Keep in touch?” I was surprised how much I wanted that. “Yes, of course.”

“Not on Facebook!” he added quickly. “Edward and I decided it’s not moderated sufficiently. We don’t go online now except to our regular email, and of course we make sure to change the password weekly. Here’s the address.” He thrust a pink sticky note into my palm. His fingers brushed over my wrist, and I didn’t think it was by mistake. “I do remember the card game, Daniel,” he said in a rush. “But it’s such a long time ago! My memory is vague. Edward says it’s not constructive to dwell on distressing things from the past, you know?”

“Yes, I do,” I said. The memories that had encouraged me to investigate obviously stirred up something very different—and more upsetting—in Mark.

“But I think it’s very exciting, going on a quest,” he said. He looked at me quite slyly. “Not that Edward… not that we’d enjoy it. We’re homebodies, through and through!”

“I’ll email you soon,” I promised. I wondered about the cloying atmosphere in the house, about his husband’s possessiveness. “Look, if you need anything….”

To my astonishment, he laughed. “You look worried, Daniel. I hope it’s not on my behalf!”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a bemused look on Nick’s face. “No. Of course not.”

“Edward has been marvellous to me!” Mark said. “He was what my life needed. He’s what I need.”

“I can see he looks after you.”

Mark snickered. “And I look after him in return! If you had any idea what games we play in our private moments—”

I coughed, too loudly, and Mark caught my drift. Flushed and still smiling, he leaned over and unexpectedly planted a kiss on my mouth. It was firmly lip-locked, with no suggestion of anything really sexual. But he lingered probably longer than Edward would have liked. He pulled away just as abruptly, his eyes wide and his cheeks so pink he looked like a cartoon character.

“Goodbye until the next time, Daniel. And Nick, of course.” He started to back away, obviously keen to get back to the house. “I hope you find the same joy in your life, Daniel. Believe me, I’ve never been happier.” His smile was radiant and genuine. “Never happier!”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.