They both laughed, just as the train drew to a halt. Then they stared at each other, neither sure exactly what to do. In the end, Adam held his hand out. He couldn't trust himself to give Luc nothing more than a brotherly hug. Luc clasped his hand, holding it a little too tightly for a little too long. They gazed into each other's eyes as the moments dragged on.
Adam cleared his throat. "You'd better get on board."
Luc nodded, letting Adam go. His eyes were a little watery. "Let me know when you're coming. I'll put fresh sheets on the bed for you."
Adam held back a snort and a glib comment about Luc waiting to change the sheets untilafterhe'd gone. It was the kind of incriminating comment that could get them both into a lot of trouble. He took a step back and watched as Luc got onto the train. He managed to keep track of his stepbrother as he wandered through the carriage until he'd managed to stow his suitcase and find a vacant seat. They stared at each other through the window. It was like a scene from a black and white war movie. Adam half expected himself to run after the train, waving a white handkerchief that would miraculously appear in his hand from nowhere. But when they train pulled away, he stayed exactly where he was.
Chapter Twenty
Luc
For the first time, Luc wasn't thrilled to be at work. He couldn't get Adam out of his mind and work seemed like an unnecessary distraction. He'd spent most of Monday catching up with his colleagues and Adrianna. Tuesday had been an early start escorting Adrianna to an interview at a local radio station. She'd nailed it, as he'd known she would. He spent most of Wednesday at the venue of Adrianna's charity gala, talking menus, table settings, timings and room layouts. He'd stayed in the office late every night, just like he'd done before confessing his attraction to Adam. The difference was that then he'd been engrossed in his work, whereas now he needed a distraction from the growing ache in his chest.
God, he missed his stepbrother, more keenly than he'd imagined he would. To him, that meant he felt something far stronger than lust for Adam. Sure, the physical side of things was awesome, but it wasAdamhe was missing, not the cock-play.
He glanced up as Adrianna clicked her fingers right in front of his nose.
"What's up?" she asked, perching on the edge of his desk. "You looked like you were a million miles away."
Not that far,he thought. But there was still too much distance between him and Adam. "Sorry. I've just got some things on my mind."
She gave him a sympathetic look. "Still worried about your parents' business?"
He nodded, even though he was less worried than he had been. He'd checked in with them, to learn that the nursery sessions Adam was running were going well. They'd had plenty of parents say they'd bring their kids along to the free class on Saturday, but only time would tell how many would actually show up. Jane had done some amazing posters and new flyers, using one of the images of Adam dancing that Luc had taken. It was fucking breath taking, even pushing aside the sexual arousal he'd felt staring at the image.
"I'm sure it'll all work out. Hey, are you into ballet too?"
Luc frowned at her. "I don't dance, if that's what you're asking."
She laughed. "No. Do you like to watch the ballet?"
Not really, but he knew someone who did. "Sometimes," he said. "Why?"
"I've been given a couple of tickets to see Don Quixote a week on Saturday at The Grand, but I'm double booked. Do you want them?"
Luc parted his lips, wondering if he should. He and Adam hadn't fixed a firm time for him to visit. It was difficult, with all the lessons Adam taught. Sunday was his only day off, but he'd have to be back to teach again at four on Monday. A six hour round trip meant they'd have hardly any time together. Besides, Adrianna had said the tickets were for a Saturday night. Luc wasn't sure that Adam would be able to make it.
"They're yours if you want them," Adrianna said. "No one else is interested."
"Oh, so I'm the last person on your list to give freebies to?" Luc asked with a grin.
"Only because I pay you too much."
Luc gaped at her, giving her wide eyes to complete his affronted expression. "You definitely don't pay me too much."
"You might have a point. But don't think you're getting a pay rise." She tipped her head to the side. "Do you have someone to take to the ballet?"
My sexy as hell stepbrother?"Yeah."
"Do tell." She shuffled closer to him, folding her hands over her knee as she looked at him expectantly. "Did you hook up with an old flame while you were visiting your parents?"
Luc pressed his lips together.
"You did, didn't you? That's why your head's been stuck in the clouds all week, isn't it?"
Luc dipped his chin to his chest.
Adrianna slapped his arm lightly. "You devil. Come on, tell me all the juicy details. I want to knoweverythingabout him."
