by Ruby Moone
“Wow.” Christian said softly. “I bet you can’t wait to see her.”
Daniel’s lips curved into a genuine smile and he glanced across and nodded. “It will be good.”
Daniel pulled the car into the car port of his Greek villa. The journey from the airport had taken about forty-five minutes and had been travelled pretty much in silence, apart from talking about his mother, but it had been a more comfortable silence. Christian yawned and uncurled in the seat beside him. He looked tired, warm, and rumpled. The urge to lean over and kiss him bubbled up from nowhere.
He cleared his throat. The heat was a bit much. He’d expected it to be warm, but they seemed to be having a damned heatwave.
“Nice.” Christian was peering out of the window at the house. It was perched halfway up a massive hill. Daniel had to agree the views were spectacular. Crystal blue water, and on a clear day, the islands of Paxos and Antipaxos floated gently on the horizon. It was only a ten-minute walk into the main town, and ten minutes to one of the local villages, but walking back up the hill was a killer. Scooters for zipping about were parked at the side of the house. Most of the locals used them because the streets tended to be narrow and parking wasn’t easy in the towns. As he switched off the engine, his mother came out of the house. He swallowed as he looked at her. In her fifties now, she was still beautiful. He had her eyes and dark hair. It was so good to be with her again. He’d never be able to put into words how much he’d missed her.
Daniel shared a glance with Christian and then hauled himself out of the car. His mother clasped both hands to her mouth for a moment, then ran over to him and flung herself into his arms.
He held her tight and squeezed his eyes closed.
“It’s so good to see you, darling,” she whispered.
“You too. You look well.”
“I am. Thanks to you.”
“So am I,” Daniel murmured. “Thanks to you.”
She pulled back, looked up at him and patted his cheek. “How do you feel about Kenneth?”
“Glad he’s gone.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry he never turned into the man you wanted as your father.”
Daniel shrugged. “Come and meet Christian.”
She pulled away from him and headed to where Christian stood by the car. She laughed, opened her arms, and scooped him up in a massive hug. Christian smiled back and patted her awkwardly.
“It’s so lovely to meet you,” she said as she pulled away, patting his cheek. “I hope you are feeling better. Daniel told me what happened.” She shook her head. “Nasty business.”
“I’m feeling well. Thank you.”
“Has my boy been taking good care of you?”
Daniel rolled his eyes as Christian grinned.
“Very good care.”
“Well, come in and have a look around.” She linked her arm with his and towed him inside.
Daniel unloaded the car while they wandered about, and Asher pulled up at the side of him.
“All okay?” he said, grabbing his own bags.
“Yeah, Mother’s nabbed Christian. Doubt we’ll see them again until dinner.”
Asher gave him a small smile. “It will be good to see her.”
They headed in together and Daniel went to put the bags in the bedroom. When he got back to the lounge, his mother and Christian were there, and his mother was hugging Asher. Asher looked faintly uncomfortable, but he was smiling.
“It’s a beautiful house.” Christian gave him a quick smile. “I love the view.”
Daniel nodded and looked around. “Thanks. I haven’t seen it since we brought Mum here.” He looked at her. “You’ve made it even more beautiful.” He’d fallen in love with the area, the villas, the whole slowed-down Greek way of life when he’d visited. When he’d needed a safe space for his mother, everything had fallen into place. He’d never registered the sale in his name, there was nothing to link him to the area, or the property, and he’d kept it that way to keep Kenneth off the trail. Getting her out of the country with a completely new identity had been tricky, but they’d managed it. He looked around at the wide, bright, open plan room with cool tiled floors. Huge glass doors opened onto the patio overlooking the terrace and the pool and the sparkling sea beyond. It was all cool and uncluttered and decorated in tones of blue and white with terracotta splashes.
“I’ll show you around the complex,” his mother was saying. “We have a few smaller villas, and some apartments nearby. We employ some of our associates in a variety of occupations to help them develop the skills they need to go out into the world, and we help build confidence and…”
“Mum. They don’t need the sales pitch.” Daniel hugged his mother to his side, and she let go of a breath and laughed.
“Sorry. I get so used to pitching at people, I forget.”
Christian and Asher were both smiling.
“Daniel told me you run a centre supporting LGBT people.”
“I do. LGBT, and every colour of every flag. All are welcome, all are supported, and we do what we can to help.”
“That’s wonderful,” Asher said, and glanced at Daniel.
“We employ a lot of the people who come through the centre up here. Cooks, housekeepers, pool cleaners, cleaners, party coordinators… whatever people need. It’s excellent training for them to go out into the world and find work in the hospitality and tourism sector with good experience under their belt. We have offices in the town where people can train in admin, tourist guides, tour operators…” She shrugged. “The list is endless. For those who show skills in finance, we hook them up with local finance companies and accountants.” She looked at Christian. “What is it you do?”
Daniel put a hand over his mouth to hide his grin.
Christian smiled. “I’m in cyber security.”
“Oh. Oh, well, that’s interesting because I know a young woman who would be fascinated by that. Do you extend to Europe? Do you take on young people?”
Christian’s eyebrows rose a little, but he didn’t back away. “We do, actually. I’m forging some strong links in Europe and provided it doesn’t all go pear-shaped if the UK comes out of Europe, I might be able to help with some on the job training.”
“We must talk more before you go. And you, Asher, what about you?”
“I work for Daniel, so anything you want to throw my way would be welcome.”
His mother rubbed her hands together. “What lovely friends you have, darling.”
Daniel smiled. “Come on, let’s show them around.”
“Of course, and then I’ll introduce you to your staff that you have for the next few weeks, or however long you decide to stay.” They set off walking back to the door. “Of course, if you wanted to base yourself out here permanently, I know of a fabulous property that’s for sale,” she said with a note of hopeful optimism.
Daniel’s chest squeezed. There was part of him that would love to spend more time with his mother. He’d never dared in case Kenneth tracked him down. But now… now, he realised, he could do what the hell he wanted. It was a scarily liberating thought.
He hung back and watched as his mother chatted animatedly to Christian and Asher as they wandered about the gardens. She showed them the two other small villas close by, and then they moved to a small double story building that housed six apartments. The small villas and the apartments shared a pool, and were in a sheltered, secluded spot, again with magnificent views.
She glanced at Daniel. “I wasn’t sure what the arrangements were, but all three villas are free, made up, and ready to go.”
“Daniel and I will stay together. Asher, you’re welcome to stay up at the big villa with us.” Christian jumped in before Daniel had chance to gather his thoughts.
Asher smiled. “Thanks, but maybe I’ll stay down here.”
“At least eat with us?”
Asher nodded. “Okay. We will have work to do so…”
“Work?” His mother was giving him the eye. “You�
��re working?”
“Well…”
“Daniel McCafferty, when was the last time you took a break?”
“Well…”
“You need to rest. You need to spend some time with this lovely young man, not be stuck in your computer.” She was marching them back towards the main house. “You need to give yourself a break. You’ll wear yourself out never having lived.”
“I’ve lived…”
“Really? Stuck in an office, on a plane, on a train, always with your head in the business. I think you should confiscate his laptop, Christian.”
Daniel looked at Christian who looked altogether too entertained.
“I might just do that.”
Daniel gave Asher a look.
“Sorry,” he shrugged. “I hadn’t realised it wasn’t a working break.”
Daniel shook his head. He knew better than to argue. “If you say so, Mother.”
She gave him a sceptical look. “You always give in far too easily. I know the moment my back is turned you’ll be back at it.”
He smiled. How did he explain to her that it was only by staying totally occupied twenty-four seven that he could keep it all together? He’d swapped the booze and pills for work. He wasn’t sure what would happen to him if he didn’t keep himself immersed in something. He glanced across at Christian and caught him looking at him with what looked like affection. It gave him a jolt.
“Don’t look so horrified,” his mother said, coming and hooking her arm through his. “Let’s go back to the big house and I’ll introduce you to your staff. All hand-picked, and all in training, so be kind.”
“I’m always kind.”
His mother smiled up at him. “I know you are, darling.” She patted his arm and pulled out a phone. Moments later, she was chatting away in Greek.
Christian came to stand beside him. He could feel the warmth from his body.
“Does your mother know why we are here?” He spoke softly, so Daniel tilted his head to hear.
“The bones of it. I haven’t gone into detail.”
Christian nodded. “How much detail?”
“She knows we’ve had trouble with Bryce, and I’ve told her about your injuries and that we wanted to come and get away from it for a while.”
“Does she know we are seeing each other?”
Daniel’s heart thudded heavily, making him flush. “Are we seeing each other?”
Christian looked over at the villas. “I thought we’d agreed.”
They were quiet for a moment.
“Does she know we will be sleeping together?”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “I don’t discuss my sex life with my mother.”
“Does she know you’re gay?” Christian pinned him with a look.
“She knows.”
“That’s good.” He didn’t say any more, just dropped a swift kiss on his lips, leaving Daniel reeling. That was the second time he’d kissed him quickly, affectionately. It took immense effort not to touch his lips.
His mother pushed the phone back in the pocket of her dress. “They’ll be about fifteen minutes. Why don’t you all go and unpack, have a shower, that sort of thing. You all look as though you’re going to melt.”
Daniel nodded. His mother took Asher to the villa he’d be using, and he led the way back to the main house with Christian following. He paused by the pool.
“It’s gorgeous. I can see why you bought it.”
Daniel nodded. Christian came to stand beside him. It was beautiful. But what made it beautiful was standing beside Christian and sharing the view with him. He wanted to hold his hand, which was ridiculous. Wanted to put an arm around him and have Christian rest his head on his shoulder. Which was even more ridiculous.
“Let’s unpack and change. I feel like a total Brit on holiday,” Christian said, moving away and breaking the spell.
Daniel nodded, forcing the images away. “I’ll show you to you room.” He set off, but Christian stayed where he was. “What? My room?”
Daniel nodded, frowning.
“I want to share your room. That was the deal. As a couple, remember?” His chin was in the air. Those blue green eyes, the colour of the sea, sparkled with challenge.
Daniel chose his words carefully as anxiety gnawed at him. “You might like some space as well, so you will have your own room.”
Christian walked over to him and stood close. Too close. Daniel could feel the heat emanating from his body. Feel the warmth of him, the smell of him. He swallowed and the anxiety ratcheted up.
“No space required, big guy.”
Daniel tried to hold onto his composure. He wanted to wrap him up in his arms and kiss him. When they’d fucked, they hadn’t kissed. He’d missed kissing Christian so much. No-one kissed like Christian.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I might need space.” He hadn’t meant to snap, and he fucking hated himself when the confident, teasing light went out of Christian’s eyes and he backed off. “Of course. I’m sorry.”
Daniel tried not to sigh. “Come on.” He headed into the house.
“Here’s the rooms. They both open up onto the terrace outside.” He’d put his bag in the smaller one, and Christian’s in the bigger of the two. The one with an en-suite bathroom.
“Isn’t this your bedroom?” Christian asked after he’d looked at them both.
“It’s nobody’s room. I thought you might like it.”
“Thanks. I’m going to have a shower.”
“Me too.”
Christian opened his mouth, and Daniel knew he was going to make a remark about showering together. The thought of being squeezed with Christian in that small space, both naked and wet was enough to make him break out in a sweat. If he did offer, Daniel wasn’t sure he’d be able to resist.
Christian shut his mouth.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. See you back outside.” He rummaged in his bag, pulled out his toiletries, and headed for the shower, leaving Daniel standing stock still, aching and bereft. This was going to be harder than he thought.
Daniel let out a shaky breath. He went to the other room where his clothes were, grabbed his toiletries, quickly showered in the house bathroom, then rifled through his case and found a baggy T-shirt and some board shorts. He shoved his feet into flip flops and went outside to sit in the shade of the terrace and wait for Christian to return. When he did, he was damp, smelled of shower gel, and wore strikingly similar clothes. Cream board shorts, baggy white tee, and flip flops. He sat in the chair beside him with a satisfied sigh, clutching a bottle of factor fifty sun cream.
“Snap.” He held up his feet with the flip flops on.
Daniel smiled weakly. Christian even had gorgeous feet. “Not much else you can wear in this heat.”
“It’s lovely.” He closed his eyes and let his head rest on the back of the easy chair.
“Yeah.” Daniel didn’t take his eyes off Christian.
29
Christian lay back and enjoyed the feel of the sun on his skin. He kept sneaking glances at Daniel who looked like he was sitting on glass. He kept fidgeting and looking around. In shorts and a T-shirt, he looked amazing. His skin was darker than Christian’s, but that wasn’t hard. He looked down at his own pale body and wished he had a more of a tan. He looked at the hair on Daniel’s legs and remembered the feel of it beneath his hands, pushing up against him, rubbing the backs of his thighs when they…
“Here they are.” Daniel stood up and Christian cleared his throat and stood beside him. Daniel’s mother was heading up to them with what looked like a bunch of young people in tow, Asher bringing up the rear. He came and stood beside Daniel, and Elena grinned at them.
“Gentlemen, please meet your team for the duration of your stay.” She turned and gestured to them.
“Tassos.” A small, slender young guy stepped forward, chin in the air. He was incredibly cute with huge dark eyes and a sculpted chin with a little stubble. He bowed.
“Tassos will be your housekeeper. He will keep the place clean and tidy, and he will run any errands that you need.”
To Christian’s surprise, Daniel grinned and stepped forward to shake hands warmly with Tassos. “Daniel McCafferty. Good to meet you at last.”
Tassos went red and his eyes shone. He grasped Daniel’s hand with both of his and shook fervently. “Mr. McCafferty. It’s an honour to meet you.”
Daniel shook his head and smiled at his mother. “The honour is entirely mine.”
“I’ll be the best housekeeper for you. Anything you need.”
Daniel smiled again and introduced Christian and Asher, all of whom smiled and shook hands with the overwhelmed young man. Tassos gulped and went even redder when Asher shook his hand.
Daniel’s mother was looking at them all fondly. She turned to the other young guy. “Yanni.” A taller, stockier guy stepped forward. He looked terrified. “Yanni will be your cook. He will prepare meals and anything that you need.”
Yanni shot a worried glance at Tassos. Tassos nodded reassuringly. Christian glanced at Daniel. He was focused on the young guys and smiling.
Elena turned to the young girl by her side. “This is Sofia, Sofia will coordinate the smooth running of everything.” Sofia was a gorgeous young woman with auburn hair who looked capable and far calmer than the two guys.
“All will stay in the apartments so they are close at hand, and they will give you their work telephone numbers so that you can get hold of them.”
Christian watched as Daniel stepped forward and shook hands with Yanni and Sofia. He and Asher followed, and they chatted for a little while before Elena clapped her hands.
“Why don’t we arrange for you gentlemen some cold drinks and a snack?”
“That would be lovely.”
Christian, Daniel, and Asher headed for the terrace and sat in the shade listening to the call of the cicadas and gazing out over the sea.
“I’m going to do some scouting after this,” Asher said. “I want to look up the hill and around. See who’s about, look at any vantage points.”
