His eyes widened, and he leaned forward. “Toby, what are you saying?” The slight gleam of hope in his eyes was enough to make me think about what I was going to say next. I took a deep breath.
I need to take the sensible option here until I understand what I’m feeling. I need time. What I was about to say was probably the truth, anyway.
“Simon, you’re my friend. You’ve been my mentor all these years. Of course I’m upset you’re going. I just meant I’m really sad to see you leave. But I understand this is a great opportunity, and you need to do what makes you happy.”
He leaned back, the light in his eyes fading. “Oh. Well, yes, there’s that, of course. But I’ll be back here often to check on my investment and manage the finances and permits and so on. When the new hotel is built, I want you to come out and see it. Perhaps you can take a holiday, you know, one of those things you’ve never had?” His voice was dry, and I knew he was trying to get things back on an even keel between us.
I nodded, forcing a smile. “That’s sounds good. I’d like that.” There was a tense silence between us; then he stood up.
“Rightio. I have some things to get sorted, so we’ll talk more later, perhaps.” He cocked his head inquiringly. “Did you have a good time last night—you and Rain?” His voice was light, but I heard the underlying note of tension. I swallowed.
Trust him to know all about that. The man missed nothing.
“Yes, we had a good time. It was good to go dancing again. It’s been a while.”
Simon smiled. “Good. I’m glad. He seems like a nice chap.” He smiled faintly. “And don’t worry; the ‘Simon Rule’ doesn’t apply to him. He doesn’t work here as such, so you’re safe on that score from my wrath.”
I smiled as I stood up, still feeling out of sorts. “Thanks. He’s good company. I appreciate the fact you’re putting your hotel in my hands, Simon. I won’t let you down. I promise. I’ll take good care of it for you.”
He smiled affectionately. “Of course you will, dear boy. I have complete faith in you. Don’t tell anyone about this yet. I want to tell the staff myself.”
He moved toward the door, and as he reached it, he turned around. “I might be going to do this, Toby. But I never said it would make me happy.”
And with those quiet words he disappeared out the door. I felt hot tears pricking in my eyes and blinked them back fiercely. “What the hell?” I muttered to myself. “Are you schizophrenic, Prentiss, or what? He tells you he’s going, and you get all bloody needy? Where did that come from?”
Too many questions and absolutely no bloody answers.
Hearing a commotion outside, I went to the door to see what was happening. Tammy stood there, a look of relief on her face as she saw me.
“Toby? There’s a young boy stuck in the bathroom. He’s locked the bathroom door and won’t let anyone in. Do you think you could talk to him, convince him to come out? His mother’s going frantic.”
I sighed. “Sure. I’ll see what I can do.”
It would at least take my mind off what had just happened.
TWO HOURS later, I was with Rain again, in the garden shed, all thoughts of Simon forgotten, still gasping after the particularly great blowjob Rain had just given me. Once again my pants were around my thighs, and the warm mouth that had recently been attached to my very needy cock was traversing its way up my belly, nipping at my nipples, and finally finding my desperate mouth. Hands that only a minute ago had cupped my balls with fingers that had just wiggled around in my arse were now wrapped in my hair as Rain tried to climb into my mouth using his. He’d been especially needy today, and already his cock was beginning to press against my belly, even after having been attended to once. I wasn’t complaining, mind you. This was sheer bloody heaven. But we really had to find somewhere else to continue this relationship. The garden shed was just not doing it for me anymore.
I thought now, after feeling Rain in my arms and my mouth, that whatever I’d felt for Simon earlier was just a sense of losing someone I really cared about. He’d been my rock for so long, cared for me and nurtured me, that it was only natural to feel a little bereavement. Certainly I didn’t feel the same passion for him as I felt about the man who now had his hands all over me and his mouth probing mine with expert attention.
Finally, his tongue stopped trying to mine my esophagus, and we clung together, totally spent, his semirigid erection still ramming into my stomach as he placed his hands flat on the wooden wall behind me and nuzzled my ear.
“God, Toby, I kept thinking about last night, being inside you, and I got so horny I just couldn’t wait.”
“I noticed,” I said drily, as my trousers slid down my legs slowly to pool at my feet and my silk boxers followed them, gliding down gracefully to embrace my pants. It was pretty unsophisticated. “But, Rain, we can’t keep doing this. If we’re going to see each other like this, we need to make another plan.”
Rain stepped away from me, his eyes suddenly wary. “I thought you liked the shed.”
I sighed. “I like you, not the bloody shed. The shed just happens to be the only place we can seem to get any time together to do this.” I waved my hand casually. “One of these days someone is going to open that door and find one of us sucking the other’s cock or hands on cocks rubbing each other up, and that, babe, would be something I dearly wouldn’t want. If we’re going to continue this relationship, we need to find somewhere a little more adult to do it in.”
I noticed his slight frown at the use of the word “relationship.” I twisted the knife a little deeper. “Besides, after the way you switched off last night, I thought you might be reconsidering your options.” My tone became a little sarcastic. “I realize now I was wrong, hence me being sandwiched in here with you, nothing between us but semen, but last night you went from hot to cold in two seconds flat.”
Rain stepped away as far as he could, given the space limits we found ourselves in, pulling up his briefs and jeans, zipping himself up. I shuffled down, trying to pick up my underwear and pants. I finally had them by my fingertips and drew them up, dressing myself quickly.
“I’m sorry about that.” he said quietly. “It all got a bit much all of a sudden, and I needed some space.”
“It wasn’t my story, was it, that I’d been in foster care or lived with that guy at the pub?” I heard the vulnerability in my voice and hated myself for it. “Did it put you off a little?”
He looked gobsmacked. “Christ, Toby, no. That wasn’t it at all. For you to have gone through all that and still turn out the way you did—that’s bloody inspiring. I’m shocked you could even think that.” He leaned forward, kissing me tenderly, his lips warm. I closed my eyes, loving the feel of his lips on mine and the soft whisper of his breath. Finally, he drew away.
“Then what changed?” I asked.
He took a deep breath. “Last night was incredible. But I don’t want to move too fast. I’m just not ready.”
I considered that, then nodded. I reached up, caressing his cheek, and he closed his eyes at my touch. “That’s okay. We’ve only just met. There’s plenty of time to get to know each other better.” I gave a wry grin. “Even if it is just in this bloody shed.”
He looked relieved. He’d never given me much more about his past other than he’d had a boyfriend who left him. I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his cheek, my mouth trailing over his jawline, tongue softly licking his skin. He exhaled and pulled me closer, gripping my backside and pressing himself against me.
“I’m not impatient. Let’s just see where this takes us, shall we?” I whispered as my tongue dipped in his ear and his body shuddered. God, I loved this man in my arms. Rain just felt right. He groaned, grinding his mouth into mine, and for the second time, we lost time in the confines of the garden shed.
AN HOUR later I was back in the hotel to a knowing glance from Tammy. Eddie had winked at me on my way in, an action that left me a little apprehensive. I wondered with a slight panic
whether our little “fuck hut,” as Rain called it laughingly, had become common knowledge. I didn’t have to worry too long.
“Everything all right, Toby? Nice and relaxed now?” Her eyes shone, the smile on her face cheeky.
I tried to keep my face as impassive as possible. “Yes, fine. Why do you ask—why wouldn’t I be?”
She grinned. “Well, some patrons heard some rather strange noises coming from the garden hut at the back, and they say they heard your voice. Apparently it sounded like you were in pain. They were worried you might have hurt yourself with the implements in there. They asked me to find out when I saw you.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Err, no. I was in there earlier checking on something, and they might have heard me swear when I stubbed my toe.” I winced dramatically. “I knocked it against the mower.”
Even to me it didn’t sound very convincing. But sharing the alternative story, the truth, with her, was simply too horrible to contemplate.
She nodded, her face alight with amusement. “How’s the toe now, then? All better?”
I nodded. “Yes. It’s better.”
“And is there anything else that feels better as well?” Her voice was gleeful.
I felt ill. She knew. Her shoulders starting shaking, and within seconds she was laughing, tears running down her cheeks. I stood and glared at her.
“Oh, God, Toby, your precious face. What a scream. You idiot, I’ve known about the bloody garden hut for ages. So does Lucas. It’s a little difficult to not see when you and Rain have disappeared for one of your little trysts and you come back with a goofy smile. Lucas says Rain comes back all bouncy and happy, and he just knew something was going on. So we watched you both one day, and lo and behold… into the garden shed you both went.”
I gazed at her in horror. “You watched us while we were in there?”
Could this get any worse?
She shook her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “No, you idiot. We’re not that bloody voyeuristic.” Her voice was musing. “Although, as you know, I have this fascination with gay-man sex, so that might not be such a bad idea….” Her voice trailed off at the murderous look on my face.
“Seriously, Tammy. Who else knows?” I could hear the panic in my voice.
“No one else. Both of us have been keeping an eye out on the area when you two are in there, and we try and keep people away so you can have your little tête-à-têtes undisturbed.” She eyed me lasciviously. “You’re both pretty needy, aren’t you? Every day, Toby?”
I blushed then, something I wasn’t in the habit of doing. “Are you sure Eddie doesn’t know? He winked at me when I came in.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Eddie just thinks the two of you together is really sweet, but I don’t think he’s figured out the garden shed element yet.”
I groaned loudly. “Great. Just great. Now we’ll never be able to use that place again in case you or Lucas decide to set up bloody cameras in there and YouTube us.” I scowled. “What did you tell the customers that heard me in there?”
She smiled innocently. “Oh, there were no customers who heard you. I made that up just to see what you’d do.”
My eyes narrowed. “You are a bitch, Tam.”
She shrugged. “Guilty as stated, my love.” Her eyes softened. “I think it’s great that you and Rain have a thing going, Toby. You look very good together. The whole hotel knows you two have something happening.”
“As do you and Lucas,” I said slyly. “The two of you seem to be hitting it off.”
Since the incident in the car park with Neil, Tammy hadn’t said much other than she was deciding what to do about it. I’d got the impression she was warning me not to push her, and I was happy to oblige. At least she was thinking about it. Her face went pink. “Lucas is a nice person,” she said primly. “We’re friends.”
I kept my face bland. “Would you like to borrow our garden hut? It’s going cheap at the moment.”
She giggled. “Stop being so dreadful.”
We grinned at each other. I was relieved, actually. It made the fact that Rain and I were going to have to find another place to develop our relationship that much more necessary.
Chapter 8
Rain
I LOOKED at Lucas in horror. “What the hell are you saying? You’ve been watching us?” I stood in the bar room, feeling the earth shifting beneath my feet.
My best friend had just laconically told me he knew about my and Toby’s little “fuck nest”—his words, not mine—in the garden. Apparently he and Tammy had been “protecting us”—again, his words, not mine—from curious onlookers wondering why the hut seemed to move and shake with such regularity. I couldn’t believe that story. I was sure he was baiting me. But Lucas had always been a very good poker player.
“No, mate, not watching you,” he explained patiently. “Watching out for you. Keeping the beasts at bay, so to speak.” He smirked. “Although I think the beasts were probably in the hut, not on the outside, if the rumors of the amazing shifting hut are anything to go by. How the hell did you two actually manage to fuck each other in such a small space, anyway? Are you both double-jointed or something?”
I was speechless, something which didn’t happen often. This all-too-frank discussion of mine and Toby’s supposed sexual exploits was a conversation I’d never envisaged having with anyone else outside the two of us.
“But, honestly, really? People saw the hut moving?” I knew that was probably the lamest thing I’d ever said. I watched Lucas’s face crease as he let loose, his mirth too much to hold in any longer. I watched with a face I imagined looked like thunder, if my mood was anything to go by, as my friend howled in laughter. His large body shook, and he held his sides as the tears streamed down his face.
“Oh, God, Rain, your face. You should have seen it. I bet Toby’s looked the same when Tammy told him the same thing.” He lost it again, and I stood, fuming, my arms folded in front of me, as I waited for his little bout of fun to end.
Finally, he got himself under control and stood up, his chest heaving, his face crinkled with laughter. “Rain, I was joking. Nobody saw the bloody hut move, mate. Christ, you can’t be that bloody good!” He chuckled, and again I watched him enjoy himself at my expense.
“You’re a bastard, Lucas, you know that?” I growled when I could finally be heard above his merriment.
He nodded his agreement. “But it was too good an opportunity to pass up,” he sniggered. I finally gave a smile. He had definitely got me. “So are you and Toby getting serious?”
I fidgeted a little. “Not serious, no. God, it’s only been two weeks. But I like the guy, and we have fun together so….” I shrugged. “Let’s see what happens.” I scowled. “But now we’ll have to find somewhere else to go to be alone. The hut is definitely a no-no.”
“Rain, you have a cottage. Take him there. It’s comfy and private. For God’s sake, let your guard down and let the guy in a little.”
I sighed. “He’s such a bloody workaholic. Toby’s life is that hotel. He lives it. But I suppose my place is going to need to become the next fuck hut if I want to see any action anytime soon.”
Lucas looked at me knowingly. “Is that all he is to you—a fuck buddy? I would have said he was a little more than that.”
I looked at him. “Christ, I hardly know the guy yet. Don’t go marrying me off to him or making more of this than it is.”
Lucas shook his head in resignation, picking up his treasured plane and making his way over to the frame we were building for the bar. “Right, now we’ve established all that, Mr. ‘I don’t want to get involved ’cause I’m fooling myself,’ we’d better get back to work. This bar isn’t going to build itself.”
I picked up my drill and followed him, his words echoing in my ears. I’d only been working half an hour when my mobile rang. Thinking it was Toby, I answered. “Hey, hotshot. I’m glad you called. I wanted to ask you something.”
The teasing tone echoed down the phone, and my jaw dropped. “Tommy? What the hell are you calling me for?”
My ex-boyfriend’s voice was a little colder when he spoke again. “Nice welcome, lover. If not me, then who were you expecting?”
“It doesn’t matter.” The familiar sound of his voice did something to my insides. “Where are you calling from—are you back in the UK?”
He laughed. “God, no. I’m still in Monte Carlo. But I’m coming over for a visit in a couple of months, and I wanted to see you. I don’t have much time right now. I’m due back on the floor in a few minutes. Just wanted to touch base, tell you I’ll be over in September sometime. I’ll give you a ring closer to the time or text you my flight details. Don’t worry about picking me up. I’ll make a plan to get down to you in that godforsaken place you’ve moved to. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Rain. I’ve missed you.” I stood, gobsmacked at the one-sided conversation. It was so like Tommy to take charge and simply tell me what he was doing. “Anyways, I’ve gotta go. See you soon. Keep your cockles warm for me.”
There was a chuckle, and then the phone went dead. I stared at the phone as if expecting him to materialize out of it at any time. He had sounded so close, so familiar. I didn’t quite know how I felt, knowing he was coming over. Part of me was feeling pretty good; another part felt torn apart. I needed to focus on what I had now, which was Toby. The chances were Tommy would have changed his mind by the time September came around. It was another habit of his to change his plans at a whim.
Later that evening, after Lucas had left for the day, I hung around to try to catch up with Toby. I had no intention of telling him about Tommy’s call. There was no point in worrying anyone unduly. I hadn’t seen my lover all afternoon, not since the session in the hut. He normally finished at seven, but knowing Toby, he’d still be wandering around, unable to let go. I finally tracked him down in the Orchid Lounge, where he was trying to placate some woman who’d found out her coffee hadn’t been caffeine-free after all. He looked harassed and tired. Seeing me lurking, he gave me a weary smile. He managed to soothe the woman’s ruffled feathers with the promise of another definitely caffeine-free coffee and cake and then ambled over to me. I wanted to kiss the strain of his day away and make him smile. That emotion alone made me worry about what I was getting involved in here with him.
Waiting for Rain Page 9
